Mass Effect: Each Story Has A Million Tales.

Summary: "There is always more than just one side to a story- and more than one lesson to learn. Follow Garrus Vakarian as he stands by a promise that he means to keep, contemplates the true meaning of life, death, and the ultimate sacrifice, and as he confronts someone who should have been behind him all along. Follow Adelais Vakarian as he mends a broken bond, and as he comes to terms with a terrible loss of his own. Follow Kolyat Krios as he navigates through a very dangerous place, only to find another- under the guidance of someone who may or may not be there at all. And follow Commander Joleen Shepard as she goes through her past and present, only to find herself in the middle of a battle for her future." (Garrus' Story: 'The Promise-Keeper.' Adelais' Story: 'The Old Soldier.' Kolyat's Story: 'The Wanderer.' Shepard's Story: 'The Missing.')

Warning: "This is a heavy one- some swearing, angst, implied adult situations, adult situations, a few character deaths, violence, and blood. All the big ones this time. Remember, this is my Shepard, my feelings on the game and what should have happened and will happen, with my own opinions and storyline, so no nasty comments. Got it? Good." (Commander Joleen Shepard: War Hero, Earthborn. Soldier. Paragon. Romanced Kaidan Alenko in the 1st game, Garrus Vakarian in the 2nd and 3rd. Shot and killed Udina during the Citadel Coup.)

Disclaimer: "I do not own Mass Effect. At all. So don't make me say it again."

Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."

N._.S._.S

Chapter Fifty: The Wanderer XV.

Using the staff was Kolyat's idea.

Utterly failing with it, however, was not.

He found it down in the Shuttle area, and was just playing around with it- killing time before Valern and Vega came back to tell him what had happened up in the Embassies.

Cerberus attacked the Vakarian family. Thane had announced suddenly.

Is everyone alright? Should I go up there? Kolyat answered, calmly, attempting to flip the staff in a full circle but dropping it- the metal thing clattered to the floor noisily, and several of the Salarian techs sent him unappreciative, warning glares.

No need, everyone's fine. Besides, Thane added with some amusement as Kolyat picked up the staff. I'd be slightly more worried if I was brining a metal stick to a gunfight, if I were you.

It's not a stick. It's an extension of your-

"Ow!"

Kolyat ended up slamming the thing into his already-injured hand in his attempt to twist it around his head in a move he'd often seen in old Human vids.

Now, the Salarian techs were sending him death-glares.

Kolyat picked up the staff again, only to throw it across the room.

You were saying? Thane asked, folding his arms as the thing made a satisfying clang as it hit the floor.

Shut up.

It's a stick and you know it.

You find me a weapon I can't kill anyone with and I only need one hand to use, and we'll talk.

Short of a firearm?

Short of a firearm.

N._.S._.S

"You planning on beating Cerberus to death with a stick?"

Kolyat turned his head to find James Vega leaning against the elevator door, safely away from the range of the would-be "weapon."

"Not likely," Kolyat told him, dully.

"Then what are you doing? Playing soldier?"

That's actually a very accurate assumption.

Shut up...

"Also not likely."

Vega crossed the room and took hold of the metal "stick."

"First of all," he said, "you don't whack."

"What?"

"You don't do this-" Vega swung the metal rod like he would a bat. "Or like this," he brought it straight down with an almighty bang on the ground, as if driving in a nail with a hammer.

Kolyat folded his arms. "All right, then how do you use it?"

"How would I know, loco?"

As Kolyat just shook his head in annoyance, Thane said, I think he just insulted you.

Did he? What did he say?

I wouldn't know. I don't speak that language. Why don't you ask him.

"Uh... what does loco mean?"

Vega shrugged again. "Yeah. It means crazy. Because you're kinda crazy, loco."

Even the Human thinks I'm crazy.

Also surprisingly accurate.

Seriously? If anyone is crazy here, it's you.

Me? Thane looked supremely amused as Vega disappeared back into the elevator. How so?

You shouldn't be here at all!

What makes you think I am?

Kolyat froze. What do you mean by that?

Thane crossed his arms. Nothing.

No, seriously. Kolyat replied, turning to face him. Of course you're here!

So I really am crazy? That's fucking good to know.

Kolyat...

You know what? Just shut up.

... ...

N._.S._.S

I should not have said that. I didn't realize that it would upset you.

Kolyat didn't even turn away from the gargantuan window. He'd left the Shuttle Bay a little while after his father's revelation. The STG members that were working on duplicating the Control Chip and integrating it into the Normandy's system, with the help of EDI and Joker, did not appreciate the constant interruptions or Kolyat's excessive banging around with the staff-

So they 'asked' him to go away.

"You're the only reason I'm alive right now and you just told me you're not even there. Of course I'm upset! What the hell does that mean I've been doing up to now? Have I been talking to myself this whole time?"

I never-

"If you say 'I never said that,' I'm ignoring you for the rest of my life, real or not."

I'm sorry.

"Don't 'I'm sorry' me! Answer the question! Are you real or not?"

Am I?

"Don't ask me! I'm the one asking you!"

It's your call, not mine.

"What?"

Thane folded his arms. Whether or not I'm 'real' depends on you.

"How the hell does that make any sense?" Kolyat demanded in frustration.

Do you see anyone else on this ship speaking with me?

"Wait... so then you're only here for me?"

Yes.

Kolyat turned his head to find that Thane was already standing next to him.

"Why me?"Kolyat asked, quietly.

Because I was the only one who could.

"What?"

It is difficult to explain. Thane replied. But I will do it as best I can.

"Go ahead."

It's just as the priests used to say on Kahje, with only one drastic difference. They told you that someone dies with an unfinished goal- such as protecting someone they loved, they are allowed to come back until that goal is accomplished. Only then will they be allowed to 'move on.'

"What's the difference?"

The difference is that when that goal is a drastic one- such as mine, they are allowed to stay corporeal, and are able to go into other's minds and help them understand what is happening. That is what happened on Kahje when you saw me for the first time, and that is why I was able to send you that nightmare.

"I see... so you had to get my attention?"

Exactly. Thane nodded. I had to get your attention before anything. Unlike the Commander, your mind and your conscience were clear- that meant I could get in without trouble.

"And the Commander's... wasn't?" Kolyat paused. "I can't see her as having a black conscience."

Believe me, she does. Only one man could get to her, and even he had difficulties.

"Oh yeah? What from?"

Her life has been full of tragedies and fear. She has seen much more than her fair share.

"And she died once already, too."

That too.

Before Kolyat could answer, a kind voice interrupted him. "Who are you talking to?"

Kolyat whirled around in panic.

Dr. Chakwas stood at the door, smiling a kind smile. She was standing just inside the room, the metallic door closing behind her.

"I- nothing. No one."

Kolyat hadn't even realized that he'd been talking aloud with his father- and hadn't even seen Chakwas enter the room at that- until she'd spoken.

"Who are you talking to?" Chakwas asked, again, folding her arms with some concern.

It's all right, Kolyat.

I'm not crazy.

I know.

Does she?

Yes.

Kolyat sighed. "I'm talking to my father."

Chakwas' eyes widened slightly, then her smile grew more understanding. "Ah, I see..." she said with a knowing sigh. "Thane Krios. I remember him. He, Joleen, and Garrus were three peas in a pod from the start."

Three what?

It's a way of saying the three of us were close.

"He was a kind person- probably the kindest non-Human Joleen ever brought aboard. He was the quietest, too, but always willing to lend a hand," Chakwas continued, "And a hero," she added, smile fading a little at that. "I swear Joleen cried for a week after..." Her voice broke.

Kolyat saw Thane's eyes flash as the woman said this.

Chakwas seemed to shake herself out of her daze. "What am I saying?" She said, shaking her head a little, "Come," she added, "I want to check on your wounds one more time before letting you go out there."

Obediently, Kolyat followed her.

She cried for a week?

Kolyat turned his head to look over at Thane when he spoke, probably to himself.

His father still stood there, eyes knowing and thoughtful, as the metal door slid quietly shut.

No wonder...

N._.S._.S