Hey guys here's the next chapter for ya!
New Mandalore, Planetside
On the way to the mines Alren and his small contingent met very little resistance. A few Geth troopers and an Armature or two at most. But eventually they had arrived at the mines and it wasn't a pretty sight.
Before leaving for Thessia Alren had left a small squad of Mandalorian warriors and a few Commando Droids to guard the area and from what he was seeing there wasn't any of them left. The entrance to the mine was littered with the remains of many Geth troopers and about three Armature's along with the remains of hastily made defenses from where Alren was sitting laid the bodies of the mines defenders.
"By the Goddess." Gasped Liara at the sight of the battle. Alren and his troops showed no visible reaction however as they pushed forward not caring as they stepped on the remains of the Geth.
Though Alren didn't say anything or show any visible sign he was silently thanking the men for their sacrifice. Mandalorians didn't care about death much. They didn't care when, or why someone died but rather how they died. Death in battle was what Mandalorians strived for and these men accomplished that.
Alren stopped the group at the entrance to the mine before hopping off of Tal. He was quickly followed by his fellow riders and Liara as he took a knee next to one of his Mandalorian brothers corpses. The Mandalorian was missing an arm and had a small hole in the neck from where a lucky round must have got him. But in his remaining hand he still held tightly to his blaster.
"You died well brother." Muttered Alren quietly before standing to face the others.
Taking stock of the situation quickly Alren determined that the rest of the Geth forces were already in the mine and had probably already reached the Beacon. He had to move fast so some of his troops would have to remain at the entrance. He already knew who he was taking.
"Alright I want Liara, one of the riders and four Commando Droids with me to go into the mine. The rest I want set up out here ready in case enemy reinforcements come or whoever's inside tries to come back out this way. Now move!"
On Alren's command Liara and one of the Basilisk riders stepped up next to him as four Commando Droids formed up behind them. The rest of the troops Alren brought with him quickly began setting up defenses while the Basilisk Droids stood guard looking for enemies including Tal as she was just too large to fit in the mines tunnels.
Making sure everyone was ready Alren began to lead them into the mine.
A few minutes later and Alren and his group were nearing the chamber that housed the Beacon. It was also at this point where he began to hear someone talking and giving orders. Drawing his Chimera pistol Alren looked into the entrance. What and who he saw made Alren's blood boil.
Standing not but a few feet away with twenty or so Geth troopers around him was the one being Alren had been hunting down ever since he came to this galaxy yet had been unable to find until now. Before him stood none other than Saren Arterius, the former Turian Spectre that had attacked his people when they had just entered the galaxy and allied with the Quarian's.
"Well if it isn't my old friend Saren." Muttered Alren. Taking one last glare at the Turian Alren turned back towards the others.
"Alright Liara I want you to help the others with taking out the Geth. Saren is mine as we still have a score to settle." Said Alren getting nods from all except Liara who looked ready to protest but thought better of it.
With this finalized Alren placed his Chimera pistol in one hand while drawing his Dark Saber with the other. Taking a breath to calm his excited nerves Alren stepped out into the chamber and calmly began to walk towards Saren.
Almost instantly one of the Geth troopers spotted him but before it could bring its rifle to bear Alren placed a shot right in it's lone eye leaving a smoking hole. This drew the attention of the other Geth who turned to gun down the Mandalorian leader only to be met with a hail of fire from the mans own forces taking quite a few of them down before the remaining Geth focused on Alrens troops leaving Alren unimpeded as he made his way to the glaring Turian.
"Well Saren I didn't expect to see you here of all places. Ever since you ran like a coward with your tail between your legs I have been hunting for you to finish what you started. How ironic that all I needed to do was wait at home and have you come to me? You must really have a death wish." Said Alren casually making Saren's glare increase in intensity.
"You and your pathetic race cost me everything and I'm simply returning the favor. You have no idea what's coming do you? There is more at work here than you can possibly realize and yet all you care about is having my head. If you want it come and claim it!" Declared Saren as he leaped at Alren while his new Geth prosthetic opened to reveal a blade!
Alren easily bat the blade away expecting it to sheer clear through the blade but was surprised when the blade was merely knocked away. Alren took a closer look and saw the blade had a slight distortion about it brought on by vibrations.
Now Alren understood why his saber didn't cut through immediately. While a bit primitive the makeshift vibroblade did its job as one of the very few weapons that could stand direct contact with a light saber and not immediately be cut in two. How Saren made the blade was something Alren would like to know but didn't really care about at the moment. What he wanted right now was Saren's head on a pike! So holstering his blaster the young Mandalorian readied his saber.
"Claim it I shall Saren!" Declared Alren as he began his own assault on the Turian.
Meanwhile the Geth forces were being decimated by Alrens smaller group. Liara's biotics proved useful for driving the Geth out from any cover they had found and their kinetic barriers were completely worthless against the energy based weapons Alrens troops possessed.
In mere minutes the Geth forces were no more leaving Saren by his lonesome to face off against Alren. Liara wanted to intervene but was held back by the Mandalorian rider that had accompanied them. Good thing as well since Alren didn't need the help she offered. Saren may have been a Spectre for years but Alren was raised a warrior since he could walk.
Plus Saren's skill with a blade was sorely lacking while Alren's own skills with a saber can be counted as a master in level. Needless to say the 'fight', if it could be called that, was completely one sided.
Now Alren stood a few feet away from a gasping and tired Saren who was covered with small welts from when Alren's saber had grazed him. If Turians could sweat Saren would be doing so right now and not just out of exertion. Yet the former Spectre still gazed at Alren with utter hate.
"Well now doesn't this look familiar Saren? Once again you are at my mercy after a stupid decision on your part. Only difference is that this time there is no Turian soldiers for you to sacrifice so a coward like you can escape." Said Alren.
Hearing this Saren smiled, or did what passed as a smile, making Alren uneasy. A smiling Turian was never a good sign in Alren's book.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that Mandalorian filth." Said Saren as the ceiling of the cavern was blown open sending falling debris down.
Thinking quickly Alren tackled Liara and the other Mandalorian out of the way as the debris fell where they had once been standing. The Droids had reacted quickly enough to avoid the falling rocks on their own. The young Mandalorian quickly recovered and leaped to his feet looking for Saren.
He quickly found the bastard just as he was getting into a Geth transport. The Turian gave a mock salute as he flew off in the Geth transport leaving Alren so angry it was almost hard to believe he hadn't spontaneously combusted. It was then he got a comm report from Benenzia.
"Alren, the remaining Geth forces are retreating! And from what news I have just received planetside the remaining Geth forces are being mopped up but a small shuttle managed to dock with one of the Geth frigates before departing." Said Benenzia.
While Alren was glad his home had forced back the Geth he wondered what Saren wanted from the Beacon that was so worth doing all of this? There was definitely more going on here than he realized and he didn't like it.
New Mandalore, Capital center (three days after Geth invasion)
It had been three days since New Mandalore's people had repelled the Geth invasion. In that time the few Mandalorians that had perished in the planets defense had been honored and properly put to rest, and the survivors given recognition. The Droids that had been destroyed had also been quickly rebuilt with little difficulty.
The Beacon had been moved from the mine to a more secure location known only to a select few but now every citizen of New Mandalore was now waiting with rapt attention for the new announcement that was to be made by the elder's of the Mandalorian people. For those who couldn't be in the Capital they watched from the viewing screens wherever they could be found.
A stage had been set up with a stand covered in a silver tarp covering what lay underneath and all that was missing was the guest of honor himself.
Soon said guest was seen walking up the steps on the side of the stage dressed in his usual Mandalorian armor but foregoing the helmet he usually wore on request of the elders. Alren was wondering what the elders had wanted when they set this up but no matter how many times he asked or demanded to know they would not tell him yet it seemed everyone else on the planet knew except for him!
As Alren took his place on the stage Councilor Velirn stepped up and began to speak, his vice being magnified by a mic he had active on his Omni-tool.
"Fellow Mandalorians! Merely three days ago we were besieged by a terrible enemy who threatened to take away all we had built for ourselves in this new galaxy! Yet as we have always done we held fast and drove the enemy away and sent them running like the cowards they truly were!"
As expected the crowd roars in approval as Alren stands there feeling out of place without his helmet. Public appearances like this weren't his favored spots to be if he could help it.
"But this would not have come to be without one man whom we have all come to respect. It is because of him that the Mandalorian way of life still thrives and is stronger than ever before! Though he may be young he has more than proven himself a great leader rivaling those of old such as Mandalore the Indomitable! We know him as Alren Krios, but today we call him by a new name! One that he has more than earned!"
This made Alren's eyes widen as he figured out what was about to happen. Sure he had been pressed to accept the title before but never did out of a sense of respect for the previous title holders. They all possessed something that was the symbol of their reign that he did not. It just didn't feel right in Alren's mind to accept something that meant so much and not have all the requirements for the position. Call him old fashioned but he didn't care.
"So it is my honor to announce Alren Krios as Mandalore the Conqueror!"
The cheers were so loud Alren thought he would go deaf. For a moment Alren considered just outright denying the announcement but was stopped cold as the silver tarp over the stand was removed revealing an item Alren thought he would only ever see as a picture or hologram.
The mask, or should he say helm, of Mandalore sat on the stand shining like it was brand new. It looked exactly like the original and if Alren didn't know any better he would think it was the original. Walking up to the helm Alren was tempted to take it right then and there but stopped himself to look at Councilor Velirn who upon seeing the young Mandalorian's questioning gaze gave a brief smile and nod urging him to accept what was given to him.
Seeing this Alren steeled his nerves and gently picked up the helm letting his hands glide across the helms smooth surface. Then turning back to the crowd Alren walks to the front of the stage in plain view of everyone. He took a moment to gaze at the numerous faces of his people, the people of New Mandalore.
Asari,human, krogan, turian, quarian and all other species now looked up at him. Once they were all mercenaries fighting for a paycheck from some random thug with money, now they stand as citizens and soldiers of the Mandalorian race. It was plain to see in all of their eyes that they wanted him to accept the title. To truly be named the sole leader of their people.
Looking through the crowd he spots three specific people that immediately had his attention.
Tali. The Quarian girl who he trained in the ways of his people who in turn became one of his most trusted friends. She was the one warrior he would have with him on the battlefield anyday.
Liara T,soni and her mother Benenzia. While he may not have known them personally for very long he has already grown to trust them a great deal. Their dedication to their people and resolve even in the face of possible death had earned them the young Mandalorians respect.
Now here they stood watching, waiting, wanting him to accept the offer given to him. How could he deny them? He was always told he was destined for great things ever since he first became the leader of his people. Now after all this time here was the highest honor that could ever be given being given to him. If this is what the people truly wanted then he would not deny them nor himself this honor.
Lifting the helm high, Alren then gently lowers it onto his head. While the feel is slightly different than his usual helm it is by no means uncomfortable. As soon as the helmet was settled on his head the crowd erupted into cheers so loud he was sure the ships in the planets orbit could here them as clear as day.
The rule of Mandalore the Conqueror had begun.
Well there is the next chapter guys and I hope you enjoyed it. Review and/or PM me. Until then, Nicranger out!