Interior: Ilum, Jedi temple, day.

Arriving at the ancient temple as he'd sensed some Jedi reaching out through the Force, to see part of it had collapsed, Galen effortlessly lifted and cleared away a small mountain's worth of rubble and debris to reveal a relieved Barriss, Shaak Ti, Depa, Caleb and Luminara with a dozen younglings including Cal Kestis.

Taking off his helmet, Marek inquired, "Is everyone alright?"
"Galen!" called Dume who tightly hugged Galen.
"Nice to see you too, Caleb'ika." chuckled Marek as they stepped back from each other.

"I owe you one, Galen," said Barriss, appreciatively, who gave him a kiss, making the Jedi Masters and younglings chuckle and grin.
"Hello to you too, Barr," greeted Marek before they stepped back from each other as a red blade ignited.

Turning to a cloaked figure with a curved hilt, Galen donned his helm, "Lord Tyranus, apprentice of Darth Sidious, pawn of the Sith Emperor."
"That's mostly correct, except for the part about me being a pawn."

"Is the Emperor someone new?
Or does Tenebrae have a new body?"
"I'm quite curious about that myself, but I've never met him."
"Where is he? I'd very much like to meet him, and end him, once and for all."
"I know not where the Emperor dwells."
"I hear you Dar'jetii fear me because I'm a Qel-Droma, you should because I'm also a Sunrider."
"Indeed."

Recognising the voice and lightsaber, Luminara identified the intruder, "Count Dooku…"
Shedding his cloak, Dooku smiled, "Why, Master Ti, Master Luminara, Master Billaba, aren't you going to introduce me to the class?"
"You don't need an introduction, and you are under arrest." replied all 3 Jedi Masters, in unison.

Drawing one of his lightsabers as everyone else, who had one, ignited theirs, Galen growled, "Dooku, you will stand down or face the consequences.
And you will tell us where to find the Emperor!"

"Tell me, Galen Marek, or would you prefer Starkiller?
Does the Council know you've broken the Jedi code by forming attachments?
It would seem you have yourself a girlfriend.
And is that little boy your brother or your son?" inquired the Count as Offee blushed, and Dume gave him a puzzled look.
"Bold of you to assume I've ever followed the Jetii code." dismissed Galen, "I prioritise the resol'nare and super commando codex over the Jetii code.
And some say I'm more Zeison Sha than Jetii."

Taking his Makashi stance, Dooku asked, "He's not aligned with the CIS, and therefore not my ally.
Thank you for what you've done for Ventress, by the way.
But who are you that dares to challenge the might of their immortal Dark Emperor of the Sith?"
Galen declared, "Mandalore returns! I am Mand'alor: the Starkiller!"
"A bold claim, but clearly the truth."

Approaching the Count, Starkiller engaged him in a fierce duel, matching each strike and counter as if he knew Dooku's moves before he could make them.

"You've come a long way since Geonosis. I'm quite impressed." praised Dooku who knew he was inescapably on the defensive.
"We're still like children playing with toys compared to the prowess of the old masters like Tulak Hord."
"You set the bar too highly to ever be satisfied."

Casting lightning, Dooku was vexed to see the Mandalorian blocking and deflecting it with his blade without hesitation.

"Take notes, younglings. Your lightsaber can protect you from Force lightning, but make sure to keep your blade up and in the path of said lightning." mentioned Luminara, "it requires practice and precision."

5 mins later.

Engaging in a blade lock, Starkiller tenaciously forced his opponent back, and cast purple lightning, sending Dooku across the room, landing near the entrance.

Rising to his feet, the Count mentioned, "Quite the show you put on, however I have a tight schedule.
And you have other trespassers to remove from the premises." then retreated as a dozen Imperial Sith acolytes and assassins appeared, with ignited sabers and saberstaffs, and directly attacked Marek who gracefully took them down with ease.

Galen's fellow Padawans and the 3 Masters protected the younglings from any additional assailants.

A few days later.
Exterior: Mandalore, surface, barren wasteland.

Sensing great sadness, sorrow and darkness as he looked around, Galen asked, via comms, "Proxy, what'd the planetary bio-scan reveal?"
"Master, it seems you are the only sentient life form presently on the surface of the planet, though you no doubt sensed that already." answered the holodroid, "there are roots and seeds of flora buried too deep underground for rain to reach it."

Kneeling down and reaching deep into the Force, Galen used Force Light to cleanse the planet of a dark side taint.
Then utilised Force healing and Plant Surge to regrow some of the planet's flora before boarding the Rogue Shadow, retreating to his quarters, and meditating.

Later.
Interior: Mandalore sector, Kalevala, clan Kryze settlement.

Entering the main building accompanied by Bardan, Etain, Kal and Silas, Galen greeted, "Su'cuy, Lady Bo-Katan, Duchess Satine."
"Hello, Galen, it's nice to meet you in person," greeted Satine who asked, "How are you?"
"So far so jate, my lady. I've claimed the Mand'alor mantle." answered Marek, earning curious looks.

One of the guards asked, "It's one thing to call yourself that, but have you earned it?
Do you have the skills and honour to deserve it?"
"I defeated both Count Dooku and Tor Vizsla in single combat, to win the darksabers.
Challengers are welcome, but they'll lose."

"I, Bo-Katan of aliit Kryze, vouch for him," interjected Bo-Katan, "and I would follow this man into battle, be his name Galen Marek, Kane Fett, or Mandalore."
Silas and Kal added, "So would I."
Bardan and Etain chimed in, "And I."

Marek mentioned, "There was once a Jetii style enclave on Concord Dawn used by the Mandalorian Knights during the Mandalorian wars.
I'm thinking about rebuilding it."
"Why?" asked Satine.
"For Force sensitive Mando'ade to train in the ways of the Force while staying in touch with their roots.
A new generation of Mandalorian Knights."

"I don't imagine the Jedi liking that idea."
"I'll ask the Order of the Zeison Sha for help with the structure, since I actually prefer them over the Jetii.
Their philosophies are closer to that of the Mandalorians."
"That's an interesting concept."

Gesturing to Bardan and Etain, Galen mentioned, "I already have two confirmed Force-sensitive volunteers, who've been adopted into the Mandalorian culture, willing to help test the concept.
Bardan bal Etain Skirata."
"Lovely."

Galen sighed, "That went better than expected."
"Were you expecting a skirmish to break out?" asked Bo.
"It wouldn't surprise me." chuckled Marek, "Force wielders aren't often welcome with open arms into Mandalorian culture.
Tarre Vizsla being the most notable exception."

"Moving on from business, where did you get that sword?" asked Satine, curious.
"As a youngling, the sword presented itself to me during a vision while taking a rite of passage.
It's stayed with me all these years."
"That's quite fascinating."
Gesturing for him to follow, Bo-Katan said, "C'mon, we have something to show you."

Exterior: Kalevala, Mand'alor shrines.

As the 7 Mandos looked at depictions of the past Mand'alor'e, Galen saw the newest addition, "Is that?"
Satine confirmed, "Jaster Mereel."
"Nice." said Marek, "thank you for showing me this."
"We thought it'd be good for you to see more of the legacy you're upholding."

Galen noted, "I wonder if there are any Taung left in the galaxy."
"Unfortunately they're extinct."
"People thought the same about the Sith species, after the great hyperspace war."
"Good point."

"We need to remain vigilant since the Sith Empire has returned, and we must be ready to face them."
Satine raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
"I've seen and fought them," grimly replied Marek, "We'll need to recruit more Mandalorians.
And reunite the Mandalore clans spread far and wide.
Restore the old outposts, fortresses and strongholds.
And get to work on some fleets."

"You sound like you're preparing for war," cautiously said Satine, "something I cannot personally condone."
"Some would say if you want peace, prepare for war.
That a wise leader doesn't seek out war, but must always be ready for it."
"Indeed they do."
Kal chimed in, "We also took the same oath we Mandalore swore to The Preserver and Revan the Butcher.
To protect the galaxy from the Sith and their Empires should they ever return.
Plus, they have oceans of Mandalorian blood on their hands, and we must avenge our fallen ancestors."

Turning to Marek, Satine noted, "I hear you don't die."
"My mother calls me her Starbird."
"Are you thinking of taking your mother's nickname for you as your Mand'alor title?
That's really sweet of you."
"I already go by Mand'alor: the Starkiller, so that'll do for now."
"Waiting for the right time to rechristen your own title?"
"Maybe."

Satine inquired, "I know not all Mandalorians approve of my pacifist ideals, but how do you feel about pacifist Mandalorians?"
"We must master the art of peace in addition to the art of war.
Wars are fought on two fronts.
Though some would say peace is a lie."

"How could peace be a lie?" asked Etain.
"While the galaxy at large may seem at peace in the eyes of the Senate, a multitude of systems may be suffering in silence from civil wars, or the hands of pirates, raiders, corporations, its own leaders, and/or third parties oppressing them."
His fellow Mandalorians looked at him with curiosity, "So even in the absence of a full scale war, smaller ones could be happening all across the galaxy, unnoticed?"
"Yes."
"That makes sense."

Shortly thereafter.
Exterior: Kalevala, gathering place.

As the representatives of the thousands of clans assembled, they were surprised to see one so young claiming the mantle of the Mand'alor.

"I am Mand'alor the Starkiller.'' Galen self-introduced as he stood before thousands of his fellow Mandalorians, "I will fight with every last breath to protect the galaxy from and defeat the Dar'jetii, their Empire and its Emperor.
Who will stand with me?"

Bo-Katan stepped forward, "Clan Kryze is with you, Mand'alor."
Ursa stepped forward, "Clan Wren is with you."
Rau stepped forward, "The Protectors are with you."
The head of clan Vizsla stepped forward, "Clan Vizsla is with you."
Kal stepped forward, "Clan Skirata is with you."
Silas stepped forward, "Clan Ordo is with you, always."
Jango stepped forward, "The True Mandalorians stand with you."
An armorer stepped forward, "The Tribe is with you."

Knowing exactly who Galen was and many of his accomplishments, all of the Mandalore clans swore their allegiance to him.
Holding aloft the darksabers as his subjects knelt, Galen called, "For Mandalore!"

Later.
Exterior: Zeison Sha temple.

Removing his helmet as he met with the Order's council, Galen smiled, "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."
"It's not often a Mandalorian reaches out," said a lightly armoured Kiffar man.
"I've noticed a few Force sensitive Mandalorians, so I've been studying up on all the different Force wielding Orders.
Hoping to establish one of my own.
The teachings of the Zeison Sha seem to be the most compatible with the Mandalorian culture."

A member of Yoda's species asked, "You have come for our help and advice with organising its structuring and philosophies, and to learn our ways?"
"If you'll have me."
"You are exceptionally strong in the Force, Mandalore.
A rather rare combination, and I see you have the darksabers."
"Yeah, and there's something you should know if you don't already: the true Sith Empire has returned."
"That's not good."

A Zabrak woman in Zeison Sha armour asked, "Are you a Jedi? You carry their weapon."
"It's a complicated relationship."
"I knew your parents, Galen Marek.
They were in our Order after leaving the Jedi, though they kept their lightsabers."
Marek raised an eyebrow, "First I've heard of it."

"Our order does not take children from their families, like the Jedi do.
Will the Order you seek to create do so?"
"No, Mandalorians value family above all else.
To do such a thing is against the Mandalorian codes."
"We thought as much… we will help you.
Our lore is not as extensive as the Jedi, so you'll learn quickly."
"Thank you, Mentors." appreciated Galen before they began teaching him their ways.

Interior: Serenno, Dooku's palace, dining room.

"Sir, you need to see this, your enclave for the CIS aligned Jedi has been destroyed by… I'm not sure what this thing is," informed a petrified subordinate who brought up a red hologram of a spectral phantasm, in black robes and a white skeletal mask, looming over corpses as it made a distorted shrieking sound.

Slowly turning, Dooku froze in dread, turning pale as a ghost whilst a chalice of vintage wine slipped from his hand, spilling its contents onto the floor.

Mando'a translations.

Caleb'ika - Little Caleb.

Ori'vod - Big brother.

Jetii - Jedi.

Dar'Jetii - Sith.

Resol'nare - The six tenets of Mandalorian culture.

Mand'alor - Sole ruler of the Mandalorians.

Su'cuy - Hello.

Jate - good.

Aliit - Family/Clan.

Bal - And.

Mand'alor'e - Mandalore's.