"When you find yourself surrounded by those who don't know or don't care who you are, comfort yourself with the knowledge that you are part of something far greater and more powerful than they will ever have the privilege of knowing."
Quote from Mandalore the Ultimate, predecessor to Canderous Ordo, Mandalore the Preserver
Outer Rim Territories
A small asteroid belt hung loosely around a gas planet with no name or designation. To those who were simply taking a passing glance at the system, they would see nothing. But for the ones who were looking for something, they saw what they needed to see: a pirate base. A few odd ships hung at the edge of the system, piloted by Outer Rim pilots, and manned by Outer Rim crews. However, they were under a far more experienced hand; Canderous Ordo, Mandalore the Preserver, leader of the Mandalorian clans. He stood on the largest ship's bridge, a freighter converted into a transport ship for his ever-expanding army, and gazed out at the asteroid field.
Ever since Meetra Surik had left a year ago, Canderous had lead his clans into mercenary contracts assisting in the Outer Rim. His goal was not only to bring in credits and supplies, but to gain allies and followers, and it was working. This was just another job. The pirates had been harassing the inhabitants of a nearby system for over a decade now, and the settlers had promised to swear allegiance if their problems were solved. And that was an opportunity no sensible being could pass up.
Mandalore heard approaching footsteps, and turned to see Kelborn, his second in command approaching. The red armored Mandalorian stopped and saluted his leader.
"What do you have for me?" Mandalore asked.
"All ships are in position, and all attack groups are in the green." Kelborn reported.
"Excellent. Await my signal." Mandalore ordered. Kelborn nodded, and left. A beeping on the pilot's console attracted the pilot's attention.
"Sir, incoming call. It's for you from…Courscant?" The pilot said in surprise. Mandalore sighed.
"Send it to the holotable." He ordered, and left the bridge. A moment later, he was confronted by the blue image of Bastilla Shan. He took off his helmet, a thing he rarely did these days and smiled. "Bastilla, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked. Bastilla smiled.
"A pleasure to see you as well, Canderous. How are the clans?" She asked.
"Well enough. With the recruits and supplies we've been receiving, we should have a sizeable force in the next few years." He replied casually. Bastilla was one of the few people Mandalore would open up to, as they had served together in saving the galaxy.
"The Republic might not take that well, dear Canderous. They might think it's another crusade." Bastilla joked. Mandalore chuckled.
"Well, you keep vouching for me in the Senate and with the Jedi, and I should be just fine. Now, I know you didn't want a sit rep on what I've been up to. What's the reason for the call?" Bastilla bowed her head.
"I felt…a disturbance, recently…someone has died." Bastilla said sadly. Mandalore felt his stomach tighten.
"Was it…Revan?" Mandalore asked. Bastilla shook her head.
"Meetra." Mandalore slammed his fist into the wall next to him. Meetra Surik was the best thing to ever happen to him after he had found the mask. She had helped him make some semblance of a fighting force by reassembling the Mandalorian scattered clans, and he owed her much, so much he could never truly repay his friend.
"Then Revan still lives." He said through gritted teeth. Bastilla nodded. "Where was it Meetra was going? The Unknown Regions?"
"Yes, she was. I had a tracker on the Ebon Hawk and on T3-M4…but T3's stopped transmitting." Bastilla admitted.
"What?!" Anger turned to rage as Mandalore remembered the capable, sassy little droid. A constant source of help, T3 had seen Revan and Meetra through the worst of it all. And now he might be gone too. "When I'm through here in the Outer Rim, I'll come to you. We'll go look for Revan together."
"Thank you Canderous. I know you're busy with everything, but it's nice to know you still care enough to help out your old friends still."
"Anything for an old friend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a pirate base to exterminate."
"Good hunting, Canderous, and May the Force be with you." Bastilla cut the connection. Mandalore keyed Kelborn on his com-link.
"Kelborn, get me some room on a shuttle. I need to blast something right now."
Author's Note: Hey guys, thanks for reading! For the record, this is a second version of an incomplete fanfic I have written up. Since I left that for dead awhile I go, I recently decided to resurrect the story, in a better written fashion. So, again, thanks for reading, and please review, and let me know what's wrong, what can be improved on, and what you'd like to see in this fanfic. This is Innocentblaze686, burning out.