Well guys here's the next chapter! Also I'd like to answer a few questions. First off Bobba and the clones will NOT be in this story. Why? Because although it is an AU some things will still be the same such as Bobba got eaten by a giant sand worm and the clones stopped being made after the end of the clone wars. Also if you do have suggestions for the story than feel free to send them via review or PM.
It had been over three hours since Alren had sent over his Councilor to negotiate and he was getting impatient though it didn't show. Everyone in the fleet was still ready should conflict break out but Alren was confident it wouldn't happen. Despite what other's may say the military leader of the Mandalorian people knew that they needed the quarians help. They knew this Galaxy and its inhabitants and if the people of Mandalore wanted to find a new home it was best to have a guide and maybe what could one day be a powerful alliance.
Then one of his officer's ran up to him stopping to stand at attention.
"Sir the Councilor is on his way back to the Malevolence but has informed us that he is bringing a young quarian on board. Plus he has left behind the youngest member of his guard with the quarians. He didn't say why but he will explain once they arrive."
"Alright warrior thank you for the information. I want a squad of commando droids with me right now. I'm heading down to greet our new guest." Ordered Alren.
A few minutes later and Alren was on an express elevator heading to the hangar that they would be landing in. On the way the young mandalorian leader was trying to decipher what Councilor Velirn intended by bringing one of the quarians over to the ship. The Councilor always thought outside the box and was a little quirky but that's why Alren gave him his position. He wanted people in charge that could actually think for themselves and see the big picture instead of just following the crowd and being constant 'yes men.'
A few minutes later and the small group of droids and one mandalorian had arrived at the hangar just in time to see the transport shuttle land. Walking towards the opening ramp Alren stands in a relaxed manner as his squad of commando droids fall in along side him. When the ramp finally opens the first to come out is the small escort of mandalorian warriors Alren had sent with Councilor Velirn minus one as was said earlier. Then out stepped the Councilor himself with a young quarian right beside him.
The Councilor was an elderly looking man looking to be in his mid to late fifties with short grey hair and slightly wrinkled tan skin. He stood slightly shorter than Alren and had kind dark brown eyes as he led the quarian off the ship.
Said Quarian was even shorter than the Councilor and wearing a purple suit that covered her entire form but was skin tight allowing him to identify the gender. All he could really focus on though was the glowing purple eyes behind the glass face of her helmet. She also seemed to be very nervous upon seeing Alren and his company of droids.
"Ah Alren how good of you to meet us here." Spoke the Councilor in a happy tone.
"No problem Councilor. Now mind explaining to me why you brought a quarian on board and left one of my warriors with them?" Asked Alren in a polite yet strict tone.
"Ah yes about that. I've come up with a sort of cultural exchange between us. They will hold on to the young man for six months time and teach him about their ways and culture while we do the same with this young lady here. If all goes well we could have a potential alliance with the quarians that will benefit both species." Stated the Councilor a little proud of his accomplishment.
Thinking this over Alren could see the benefits of such a program. Not only would it help the two get along better but could end up making the two species closer in the long run which is something he would definitely appreciate. Then he turned to the Quarian herself and she squirmed a bit under his helmeted gaze. Taking notice of her discomfort Alren removed his helmet and handed it to one of the commando droids as he walked up to the quarian girl and started to kindly speak to her.
"Can I have your name miss?"
"T-t-tali. Tali'Zorah nar Rayya."
"And may I ask, how old are you and why were you chosen for this experiment?"
It was here that the Councilor stepped in to answer.
"Ah she is the daughter of one of the Admiral's of the fleet who are basically the leaders of their people. And Tali here is fifteen just like yourself."
While Alren nodded at this Tali was staring wide eyed at Alren wondering how they could let a mere child lead his entire people and not be fazed by it in the least. Instead of keeping it to herself she actually spoke her thoughts out loud.
"Keelah! How can they let you run this entire fleet!? Your no older than I am!"
All eyes turned to her in an instant and she began to get very uncomfortable, especially when she saw the droids and mandalorians reaching for their weapons. But a hand motion from Alren was all it took to put them at ease once more. Turning towards her Alren looked at her with a gaze she had only seen on the eldest of quarian's. Specifically the ones who had fought the Geth and had lived to tell about it.
"They let me lead them because out of everyone in this fleet I am the only one brave enough to take the responsibility. Believe it or not Tali but this fleet before you is what remains of my people. Our planet was destroyed by a mad man who saw us as a threat to his rule and tried to wipe us out. While my people were lost and broken I knew someone would have to take charge and bring our people back from the brink. Sure I was just a boy at the time and it was an uphill battle to earn my peoples loyalty and respect but it was well worth it. That, is why they allow me to lead them. Now enough of this talk of my leadership. You were sent here to learn Mandalorian culture correct? Well from now on I will personally be teaching you our ways. Come." Said Alren before taking his helmet from the commando droid that held it and began walking away from the group.
As Alren walked back to the express elevator Tali stood in shock for a few moment's before finally realizing that she was to follow the young leader. Quickly catching up to him. Standing beside him in the lift Tali could not stop herself from taking glances at this man who while so young was leading his people better than most people twice his age could. He had definitely earned her respect and just maybe if things turned out alright they could help her people take back their hoe from the Geth.
-6 months later-
It had been six months since Tali had boarded the Malevolence and met it's young leader. After he took over her teaching personally Tali had learned a great many things of the mandalorian people and had grown to admire such a strong people whose loyalty to their home was unquestionable.
At first Alren had only taught her the history of his people and how many great battles they had fought in. She was especially interested in their conflict with these 'jedi' who were feared by many others in their Galaxy and yet the Mandalorians were able to go toe to toe with them. It was during the last few weeks that he began to teach her the warrior ways of his people and needless to say it was rough.
Alren pushed Tali to her limits and beyond, not treating her any different than if he was training a new mandalorian warrior recruit. She actually kind of appreciated it as being the daughter of an Admiral had other's treating her like she was made of glass. Right now was to be her final session with Alren before she would be heading back to the flotilla where negotiations would resume once more and the fate of both races would be decided from there.
Alren lashed out with a left jab that Tali quickly blocked with her forearm but was caught off guard when he grabbed said forearm and threw her over his shoulder. Tali managed to recover in midair and land on her feet. Rushing her Alren tried for a low kick which Tali jumped over before trying to land an axe kick that was blocked by the mans crossed arms. Then with a quick shove Alren threw her back. Tali used this moment to gain some distance by doing a backhand spring.
The two stared at each other still in their fighting stances before Alren eased himself out of it quickly followed by Tali.
"Very good Tali. You have come a long way and would have made a fine mandalorian warrior. One day you may even give me a run for my money." Said Alren happily as he removed his helmet. He had been fighting in full gear the entire time and he was happy to take off his helmet to get a breather. She had managed to get him to actually sweat a bit during that spar.
"That's only because your a good teacher Alren." Responded Tali. Her usual environmental suit had some modifications done to it in her time on the Malevolence. Cause now her suit was fitted with mandalorian iron plating on her forearms, shins and chest that was form fitting. Her helmet even fot an upgrade as it had been equipped with a face plate similar to a mandalorian's helmet that could be deployed in combat. Said Face plate was quickly lifted at the end of the spar.
"Well today's the day my young student. After today we may never see each-other again or just maybe both of our people can work together and help each-other. Whatever the case it was great having you here princess." Said Alren with a little smirk at the end since he used the little nickname he had given her.
"Keelah Alren! I told you to stop calling me that!"
"Oh I know. I just never agreed not to."
Unknown to Alren, Tali was blushing under her mask. She had grown very close to Alren over the time she had spent learning under him and could honestly admit she had a crush on the young leader. She would never say it aloud though as she didn't feel that this would be the right time. Maybe later down the road but until then she decided to hold her tongue.
After getting cleaned up Tali tried to return the armor Alren had given her but he declined and told her she had earned the right to keep it. The two then went back to the same hangar that Tali had arrived in to see Councilor Velirn and the same escort he had when he first went over to the Migrant Fleet all ready to go.
fter a final goodbye hug from the quarian women Tali entered the ship with the others and was off back to her people's fleet. Looking to the side he sees one of his warriors without their helmet on smiling at him mischievously.
"What?"
"Oh nothing, just wondering when your gonna finally just drop the ball and kiss your little quarian student."
Blushing slightly Alren smacked the man upside the head before walking off to go back to the bridge of the ship. He really hoped that negotiations went well and Councilor Velirn could negotiate an alliance of some sort.
It was over an hour later that he got a call from the Councilor. Almost instantly the Concilor's hologram was displayed and the giant smile that threatened to split his face gave lren the impression that things had went over well.
"So Councilor what is the verdict?" Asked Alren with a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Sir I am proud to say that we have a treaty with the Quarians. No longer will we be known as the Migrant Fleet and the Mandalorian Fleet, but we are now known as the Unison Fleet. With the Malevolence as the flagship."
Alren's face now matched Velirn's with a giant smile. He couldn't have gotten any better news. Then his thoughts drifted to what he ahd learned about Tali's people and their very weak immune systems, plus their lower tech. After ending the call with Councilor Velirn, Alren contacted the republic cruiser that held his scientist and medical staff with one of the staff instantly accepting the call and appearing via hologram.
"Ah Sir Alren! What can we do for you today sir?"
"I have a job for your team Jenos."
"Oh? And what might that be Sir?"
"It involves our new friends. Now how long do you think it will take to fix an entire species immune system?" Asked Alren wondering what the future holds for the newly formed Unison Fleet.
Well there you guys go. Remember review and/or PM me any ideas you may have for the story or your thoughts on it. Until then, Nicranger out!