Mass Effect 2 Thane Loyalty Mission Guide (Sins of the Father)

Thane’s Loyalty Mission in Mass Effect 2, “Sins of the Father,” is one of the guidebook-friendly jobs on the Citadel because it’s built around investigation, timing, and dialogue rather than raw firefights. For players who want a smoother early momentum boost, it’s also notable for rewarding progression without forcing you to grind through combat first—then, right at the end, it turns the screws with a chase-and-hostage finale that can determine whether Thane ends the game loyal.

Checklists

This section of the guide breaks the mission into a clear set of steps for Thane: Sins of the Father on the Citadel. It covers moving through encounters, where to locate collectibles, and which conversation replies to choose for your playthrough.

Mission Summary
Talk to Thane
Travel to the Citadel
Talk to Bailey
Find Mouse
Interrogate Elias Kelham
Follow Joram Talid
Back on the Normandy

Mission Summary

Video Guide

Mission Rewards

Experience: 750 XP
Power: Shredder Ammo
Research: Heavy Pistol Damage
Mission Credits: 30,000

Thane’s loyalty job is recommended early because it is entirely non-combat for most of its runtime—similar in spirit to the “Samara: Ardat-Yakshi” loyalty mission. That design makes it a practical option for players looking for a quick XP bump to help level up without spending time wading through fights right away.

Talk to Thane

Before you can start Thane’s Loyalty Mission, you need to clear “Horizon.” After that, you can unlock loyalty missions for other squadmates by speaking to them once you’ve finished their associated content—missions, DLC, or N7 side quests. Thane is at the back of the lineup (aside from one hidden squadmate), though if you picked him up earlier you may be able to speak sooner.

You’ll know you’re at the right point when Kelly informs you as you pass the Galaxy Map.

When you finally speak with Thane in Life Support, he starts off reluctant. Eventually, he stands up from his seat and opens up about his family and his remaining son, Kolyat.

When the option appears “That’s not what I expected,” you can choose either:
- “Why didn’t you take him” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “You abandoned him” for +2 Renegade Points.
Alternatively, “Get on with it” grants +2 Renegade Points.

Thane explains that he was always working when Kolyat was young, leaving Kolyat and his mother to manage on their own emotionally. After Thane’s wife died, he disappeared completely—leaving Kolyat with extended family while Thane traveled the galaxy and targeted the people involved in his revenge. Now, Kolyat has tried to become an assassin by pretending to be his father and is currently on the Citadel. Thane wants to stop Kolyat from repeating the same path.

Travel to the Citadel

Location: Serpent Nebula – Widow – Citadel

As Thane notes, his son is on the Citadel. If you don’t own the Kasumi DLC and you didn’t catch up with Anderson, there’s a strong chance you haven’t visited this area yet. It’s in the south-west side of the Milky Way, a little north of the Krogan DMZ.

Recommended Loadout

Unique Dialogue:
- Garrus is a good pick because he has special comments. Otherwise, any companion works since this mission has zero combat.

Garrus is a good pick as he has some unique comments to make. Otherwise, anyone is fine as this mission has zero combat.

Talk to Bailey

When you arrive, EDI explains that a Drell has been spotted moving through customs. She recommends checking in with C-Sec for more details. Head through the security tunnel, but also use the C-Sec observation point to catch an exchange between Garrus and Thane.

On the other side of the tunnel, turn right to speak with Captain Bailey about Thane’s son. Bailey locates Kolyat quickly since there aren’t many Drell in Zakera Ward. The person you’re directed to is a young man named Mouse, who is on Level 28 of the building. After you finish exploring the Investigate options, go up there.

Find Mouse

Bailey says Mouse is near the Dark Star Lounge, but the more accurate description is that he’s hanging around outside Rodam Expeditions. You can spot him near the store’s large window.

Mouse turns out to be an old acquaintance of Thane’s from when Thane was younger. Still, he’s hesitant to provide the identity of the person who hired him because he’s afraid of the consequences of revealing it.

If you decide to use a Renegade Interrupt, you can shove Mouse to the ground and stand on his throat. This forces the information immediately and grants +5 Renegade Points.
If you skip the Renegade Interrupt, you can choose among these options:
- “We’ll protect you” via Charm for +5 Paragon Points.
- “I’m losing patience” via Intimidate for +5 Renegade Points.
- “I can pay you” for 5,000 Credits.
- “I’m serious” does not move things forward.

“We’ll protect you” via Charm for +5 Paragon Points.
“I’m losing patience” via Intimidate for +5 Renegade Points.
“I can pay you” for 5,000 Credits.
“I’m serious” does not move things forward.

Once you’ve obtained what you need from Mouse, return to C-Sec and tell Bailey who Kolyat’s employer is: Elias Kelham. Bailey isn’t pleased with the name. Kelham is a familiar criminal around the Citadel, and Bailey even admits that he’s willing to accept bribes to look the other way—meaning Kelham will be expecting Bailey to “bail” him out of an interrogation.

Interrogate Elias Kelham

When you’re ready, speak to Captain Bailey and ask him to arrest Kelham so you can interrogate him. Unfortunately, Elias’ lawyer arrives almost immediately. One officer suspects the lawyer is protected by Elias’ VI pages, since C-Sec officers can’t get close without triggering issues. Your job is to extract the target’s name smartly before the lawyer takes control of the scene.

Before the interrogation begins, Thane asks whether he should act as a “Good Cop” or “Bad Cop,” then reminds you to move quickly—information has to be obtained before Elias’ lawyer enters the room.

The “Good Cop” versus “Bad Cop” choice does not meaningfully change the interrogation outcome. The distinction mostly shows up through Thane’s dialogue.
The middle “Plan?” option is the real difference: Thane stays quiet, giving you more time to pull Elias’ name before the lawyer appears.

Rather than walking every branch step-by-step, the guide lays out practical approaches that change how the name is extracted.

Spectre Intimidation: If you’ve been leaning Renegade and have plenty of Renegade points, pick “I’m a Spectre. Start talking” to get the name out of Elias immediately. This can still work even if your Spectre status was not restored by the Council, and it awards +5 Paragon and Renegade Points.
Paragon Charms: Paragon-focused players should choose “Plan?” when Thane asks about Good Cop / Bad Cop, then start the interrogation with “We’re not C-Sec.” That opens up three Charm replies that persuade Elias to give you the name right before the lawyer enters. This route grants +5 Paragon Points. If you instead use the “You should talk to us” Intimidate at the end, you can earn +5 Intimidate (as presented in the guide).
Invoke Spectre Status: If you tell Thane to go with either Good or Bad Cop, Thane’s additional remarks prevent you from taking the name before the lawyer arrives. However, if the Citadel Council reinstated you as a Spectre, you can tell the arriving lawyer “I’m a Spectre,” effectively pointing out there’s nothing the lawyer can do.
Renegade Interrupts: Renegade players should trigger each of the three Renegade Interrupts during the interview. If you use the first two, then select the third one where Shepard presses on Elias’ throat, Elias will reveal the name and then pass out. This provides +5 Renegade Points and ensures the lawyer never enters the room.

If the setup sounds complicated, the important takeaway is that you will always learn Elias’ contact name from him. The key variable is how you manage it.

If you extracted the contact name before the lawyer arrives, Elias asks who your contact was. Reply “Mouse” to gain +2 Renegade Points.

After the interrogation ends, you regroup with Captain Bailey and report the target’s identity: Joram Talid. Joram is a politician running to become mayor of Zakera Ward and uses anti-human sentiment as part of his platform. The guide adds that this stance isn’t entirely baseless given the reality of human dominance since Sovereign’s attack.

You can respond with either:

“That’s democracy for you” for +2 Paragon Points.
“Not my problem” for +2 Renegade Points.

Follow Joram Talid

Once you reach the area, Thane explains the plan to Shepard. Shepard stays on the catwalks above the corridors, watching for Jorham and his red-armored Krogan guard. Meanwhile, Thane hides in the shadows looking for his son, hoping to catch him before Kolyat pulls the trigger and makes a catastrophic choice.

The mission objective here is to keep pace with Joram and the Krogan bodyguard as they move through the corridors. Periodically, Thane radios you for a specific location. When that happens, respond by examining the politician below. A reticle should appear, and in the Legendary Edition the targeting area is larger. After your first successful response, a meter appears when Thane radios again—meaning you only have a short window to answer.

WARNING

If you fail to respond quickly enough, or if you drift too far away from Joram for too long, Kolyat will kill Jorham successfully and escape. The mission can still show as completed, but Thane will not be loyal—leaving him in danger later in the game.

This portion is otherwise linear. Keep your eyes on Joram, the Turian dressed in white, and the Blood Pack Krogan in red armor. The guide recommends staying on the left-hand catwalks because they provide better sightlines than crossing to the right-hand side.

Datapad: Heavy Pistol Damage. In the opening room, go to the right side where the desk is located to find it. There’s no countdown for identifying Jorum Talid at this first point.

After Joram meets with three additional Blood Pack Krogan in red, the next doorway leads to a confrontation with a worker named Jim Reynolds. You have several options.

At the beginning of the conversation, or after selecting a right-hand option, you can use a Renegade Interrupt to knee Jim in the gut, knocking him out and earning +5 Renegade Points. You get three total attempts. After using the second or third attempt, Shepard makes a Star Wars reference!
Choosing a left-side Charm or Intimidate response always ends the conversation in your favor, giving either +5 Paragon Points or +5 Renegade Points. If you prefer not to lie, wait until the second set of these options to tell Jim the truth. Waiting long enough also means Jim namesrops a character you met in Mass Effect 1.
If you don’t pick any Charm/Intimidate option and instead choose “This isn’t the time!”, Shepard tackles Jim to the ground and knocks him out. This choice provides no Morality Points.

When that exchange is finished, the next doorway starts the mission finale. Koylat tries to rush Joram, but Shepard shouts the Drell’s name and Joram escapes to his apartment. You and Thane chase after him, but Joram takes Kolyat hostage—forcing you into a tense choice sequence.

If Kolyat tells Thane he doesn’t need help, using the Paragon Interrupt causes Shepard to distract Kolyat by shooting the light. That creates the opening to get close enough to punch Kolyat away from Joram and earn +15 Paragon Points.
If you miss or ignore the Paragon Interrupt, you’ll be forced into one of two more violent outcomes:
- Select “[Disable Kolyat]” to have Shepard apologize to Thane, then shoot Kolyat in the shoulder so Joram can escape. This grants +5 Paragon and Renegade Points.
- Select “[Kill the hostage]” to have Shepard shoot Joram in the head and remove Kolyat’s power in the situation, earning +15 Renegade Points. After that, you can answer either:
  - “Now your son can’t kill him” for +2 Paragon Points.
  - “He was a bad guy” for +2 Renegade Points.

Picking “[Disable Kolyat]” results in Shepard apologizing to Thane before shooting Kolyat in the shoulder, letting Joram leave, and awarding +5 Paragon and Renegade Points.
Picking “[Kill the hostage]” has Shepard shoot Joram in the head and remove Kolyat’s power, earning +15 Renegade Points. Then you can choose:
- “Now your son can’t kill him” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “He was a bad guy” for +2 Renegade Points.

“Now your son can’t kill him” for +2 Paragon Points.
“He was a bad guy” for +2 Renegade Points.

Regardless of which option you select, Shepard fires and Joram is removed from the situation. Captain Bailey orders his men to take Kolyat into custody, and Kolyat reacts angrily. At that moment, you can choose either:

“Thane’s dying” for +2 Paragon Points.
“He did this for you” for +2 Renegade Points.

Thane and Kolyat then share an emotional reunion. Bailey suggests giving them a room back at C-Sec, and the mission concludes with +5 Paragon and Renegade Points.

If you successfully stopped Kolyat in the apartment room, you’ll transition into another cutscene back at C-Sec. There’s plenty of emotional healing for Thane and his son, but things appear to be heading in a better direction. When Thane rejoins you, Bailey notes that Kolyat also shot some people.

Choose “Those guys were criminals” via Charm for +5 Paragon Points.
Choose “Who cares about them?” via Intimidate for +5 Renegade Points.

Back on the Normandy

Once you’re done on the Citadel, use Rapid Transit to return to the Normandy. When you speak with Thane, the follow-up depends on how things went. If the mission succeeded, you’ll get a post-mortem conversation that may also serve as the start of a Romance if Shepard is female. For additional detail, the guide points you to the “How to Romance Thane Krios” page.

If the mission went poorly and Kolyat escaped, Thane becomes upset and fatalistic, and a romance with him won’t be possible.

Crew Deck: Kasumi will react to Thane’s loyalty mission, and Garrus gains new lines if you’ve been following the guide’s order (and Thane also has updated dialogue).
Engineering: If you’ve been following the guide in order, Jack will also have new dialogue.

If you want more help for Mass Effect 2, the guide lists additional pages: Legendary Edition Changes, How-To Guides, Key Choices and Consequences, Romance Options, Walkthrough, and Side Quests.

Legendary Edition Changes
How-To Guides
Key Choices and Consequences
Romance Options
Walkthrough
Side Quests

Mass Effect 2: Thane’s Loyalty Mission “Sins of the Father” Guide Tips

Checklists