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-Eight: The Wanderer XVII.

Sneaking into the Citadel and entering the higher tiers of the Council Chambers completely undetected by either Cerberus or even his own allies was not as hard as Kolyat had imagined it to be.

You were over-thinking it, Thane had insisted as Kolyat had climbed the outside of the silent, towering fortress before slipping unnoticed inside, and bounding cautiously from one beam to another, keeping a close eye on the proceedings underneath him. Now, thankfully, he could spy Garrus' father, Adelais, a few beams away, continuously sniping one enemy down after another.

His movements were instinctive- practiced and graceful.

Says the assassin.

As Kolyat approached him, Adelais didn't even stop shooting. His head only turned a fraction of a toward him second as he reloaded, and as the Drell stopped next to him, the old Turian said, quite calmly despite the chaos below, "No sign of your assassin yet."

Kolyat nodded and looked down at the ensuing battle underneath them, as Adelais reloaded again.

While Kolyat didn't have any experience in the military whatsoever, he could see that they were doing well- as well as eight people (Vega, Tali, Liara, Adelais, and the three Council-members), could do against a hoard of pissed-off Cerberus Phantoms, Nemesis, and a few Atlases, for that matter.

"Haven't they sent out the Reaper's abominations yet?" Kolyat questioned, worriedly, as Adelais stopped once more to reach for a clip, ignoring the growing pile on his other side.

"You haven't heard?" Adelais asked, mildly, "Our fleets have it cornered for now."

"Then the Control Chip worked?"

"I have no idea," the Turian stated, bluntly, "You'll have to ask Commander Shepard through the Comm." Adelais tossed a headset at Kolyat and then, with surprising agility for a Turian, gracefully bounded to the next beam, getting into better positioning as a Phantom made its way up the stairs.

As it cleared the steps toward the chaotic chamber above, Adelais shot him.

Headshot. Thane announced after a pause. I suppose that's where Garrus learned to shoot so well. Thane chuckled a bit as he added, He told me that it was C-Sec. I knew he wasn't telling me the truth.

And that's important why? Kolyat answered with some amusement.

Because it's a good idea to know where your friend's gun came from.

Good point. Kolyat replied with a small smile as he put on the headset.

Thane just nodded once and returned his attention to the battle waging on below them.

N._.S._.S

It really was amazing, how well these people fought.

Their moves were all practiced. Everything, down to the second they pulled the trigger or activated their Biotics to throw someone clear across the room, it all was methodic, almost like a deadly kind of dance- if they missed a step anywhere, even down to a breath or heartbeat, they would surely be killed.

And they all knew it.

You know something? Kolyat mused, quietly, If I hadn't made that mistake years ago, I think I would have wanted to learn to fight as they do.

Is that right? Thane responded, turning his head to look at him. Even knowing that all those moves that you so admire are executed perfectly in order to take a life?

Kolyat paused, then sighed in understanding. Knowing that back then? Probably. Now? Not so much.

You realize if you face Hades without the intent to end his threat…

Let's worry about that when it happens.

Kolyat, it's about to.

The younger Drell near stopped breathing. What?

Turn you head to the nearest blossom tree, very slowly.

Hardly daring to move, Kolyat slowly turned his head toward the indicated tree. His dark-abyss eyes widened in shock and he nearly lost his balance when he realized his father was right.

Hades, the assassin with the demon-possessed sword that nearly sawed his arm off last time, and the man that had been the subject of all his nightmares and fears over the past weeks, stood quietly, well-hidden to the untrained eye- and how long he'd been there was anyone's guess.

The assassin wore a black suit emblazoned with Cerberus cufflinks. He had shoulder-length, cropped, dull black hair, and pale, haunted-white skin. His eyes were hidden from Kolyat's standpoint, but his sword, of course, was in full view, belted to his back in a rather flamboyant fashion. It was thin enough to slash through a pair of ribs, but large enough for it to take quite a bit of hacking to do so.

"Oh, shit." He murmured, aloud, backing off until he was sure he was hidden.

What now? Thane asked as Kolyat backed away.

Hope he doesn't see me while I plan out what to do.

He's after the Council at the moment, I think.

What?

Specifically, he's after Councilor Hackett.

And why the hell is Cerberus after a Human?

Think, Kolyat- there's no greater enemy to Cerberus than a man like Hackett.

Right, because the guy who jumped the Vassla Falls with the thing that just happens to be the key to their entire plan to take over the Galaxy is just a minor setback- no problem at all.

You want him to go after you?

Better than him going after Hackett. Now, where the hell is Adelais?

You've got a plan?

Sort of.

Shall I keep my fingers crossed?

Probably.

N._.S._.S