Rand, Atton Rand

Chapter 2- Mandalore's Pride

"They just left" Mandalore told Atton. Mandalore told the miserable ex-pilot who had been kicked off of the Ebon Hawk. The pathetic fool who couldn't keep a Jedi EXILE from killing.

Goddamnit!

Mandalore put his hand on the scoundrels shoulder "Hey, don't beat yourself up over this, you did what you could" he meant it

"I did what I could?" Atton spat on the grassy camp "I let her get away to kill the others, the republics only hope. What I could do wasn't good enough!"

Mandalore stepped back and shrugged "True"

Atton went back to checking out the grass. It felt like an eternity of him just staring at the ground surrounding his own two feet. He figured by the time he looked up he would know the Grass like the back of his own hand, could get a job here with the Mandalorians gardening or something.

Okay, now this is when you know you're losing it

When Atton finally looked up, Mandalore was over by the workbench, working on his double bladed sword, sharpening it, improving the grip. It was just like a Mandalorian. When he wasn't fighting he was creating tools for fighting.

"Mandalore?"

The veteran didn't glance away from his work

"What made you help her?" Atton asked "You guys aren't exactly FOND of Jedi"

Mandalore remained silent

"Why won't you tell me?"

Nothing

"What are you hiding" Atton spat. He found himself standing ready to strike.

What am I doing?

This was Ridiculous. He didn't want to hurt Mandalore. As he went to turn away, however, Mandalore started laughing.

"You want to know all about me?" he laughed "I'm not sure you can comprehend it, the meaning my story has"

Atton responded with the cliché "Try me"

Mandalore sat down on the workbench and fingered his blade. "I served with Reven"

"OOO! So?"

"It's a bigger deal than you realise, kid" he leant back into the wall "The war ended when Reven intervened, you know that, the republic wouldn't have stood a chance otherwise" he paused "During the Jedi civil war I was a merc. Met her on Taris where I was working for the local average Joe crime lord. The Ebon Hawk was his originally, but the sith had quarantined the rock, so Reven, some Twi'lek, a Republic soldier, a wookie, and the famous Bastila of the Jedi stole it before the sith destroyed it"

Atton was listening with rapt attention

"What I'm saying is we went through a lot, all of us. We stopped Malak. Revens strength, her power wasn't exactly flattered by the stories. It was….she was brilliant, would have made a worthy Mandalore herself"

"How does this…."

"I'm getting to it" he paused then continued "Once Malak was defeated, Reven was honoured. The people loved her and she truly loved them. She was a hero, and, I believe, the true essence of the light side. Before meeting her I was a merc. Now I'm Mandalore. Bringing together my brothers to deal with the scum that dare threaten the peace I contributed to bringing"

"The Sith?"

"Exactly" he laughed

"Mandalore…" he began "What's your real name?"

Mandalore stopped laughing "I'll tell you when I believe you worthy" he promised "I'll provide you with a shuttle, go to Nar shadda and save Zez-Kai Ell"

Atton stood "What about you?"

"I'll keep the army ready to move in on your orders"

Attons heart swelled with pride

I'm the "General" now The "Hero

Before he left he had to ask "What was I supposed to learn from this?"

Mandalore sheathed his blade and rose his blaster. He left a Carbon burn n the wall

"No one screws with Mandalore"