It's 4 ABY.

Vaulent 6, the Gorathion-system.

''This is Channel Vaulent, live from the Capital. It's been three months since the Rebel bombing on a cargo train line on Kuat. The attack claimed the lives of 131 civilians who were living in the apartments next to the track, making it still the deadliest terrorist attack conducted by the Rebel Alliance in the last four years.''

As she stares at the vidscreen, her eyes widen as the broadcast continues, showing the footage of wrecked grey and yellow containers and train carts lying chaotically around the track. Plumes of black smoke rise into the sky as the channel switches to an aerial view of the disaster site. Buildings hit by crashing containers have nearly levelled to the ground.

''For three long months, relatives of the casualties waited for justice to be served, until yesterday. The Imperial Security Bureau arrested eleven Rebel insurgents hiding in the Warriott District of Kuat around midnight, and have been neutralised.''

Good. Kill them in front of their Rebel friends. It's the punishment they all deserve. The news playing out on the television makes her smile.

''However, the ISB is still searching for one suspect who experts believe to be the mastermind behind the Kuat train bombing. The secret service is still searching for this man dressed in a completely black suit. Due to his measures not being recognized, the ISB struggles to find witnesses and gather valuable intel.''

Each day she watches the news channels to miss nothing about the Galactic Civil War and the terrible deeds of the Rebel Alliance. Others eat breakfast as fuel. Her fuel is seeing the Rebel terrorists being kicked in their asses. It's something she could never let go of, and what it fuels is her military desire.

Above the sound of the television, she hears something on the stairs behind her. She turns around and sees her father walking down the stairs. His jacket slides behind him while he's putting it on. His wedding necklace is hanging around his neck in the same way it did for almost 15 years.

''Eva, why are you up so early?'' her father asks, confused.

Eva turns her head back to the television.

''I awoke early, couldn't sleep,'' she answers.

''Eva, it's 7 o'clock,'' her father says as he walks into the kitchen to turn on the lights. The kitchen and the living room are both in one room.

''I know,'' says Eva nonchalantly.

Then the vidscreen starts to lag behind. It's probably the reception. Eva sighs and reaches out to rotate some buttons below the screen to fix the lagging. Her father walks towards Eva and looks at the screen.

''Why're you still watching the news channels?'' asks her father, his brows furrow. ''How many times have I told you to stop watching them?''

Eva sighs and doesn't answer.

''The reception antenna is malfunctioning again,'' says Eva frustrated.

Father sighs. Then he reaches out to the power cable behind the vidscreen and unplugs it, and the screen goes black. Eva sighs and turns her head up to her father.

''What have I told you yesterday?'' he asks and he leans with his elbow on the vidscreen's housing.

Eva looks down. ''Don't care about the rest of the galaxy,'' she sighs.

''Yes. Let the galaxy be for what it is,'' says her father. ''The galaxy and the war don't matter but our home.''

The galaxy doesn't matter but our home.

''But our home?'' asks Eva frustrated. She then stands up and looks at her father. ''There's a galaxy with people like us, dad,'' she then says. ''Citizens of the Empire and the Rebel scumbags are ruining their lives.''

Father sighs. ''Eva, we won't talk further about this. I don't want you anywhere near this television or else I throw it in the trash compactor.''

Eva looks down and sighs. Then she feels the cold hand of her father on her cheek.

''Eva, I am trying to protect you,'' says her father in a calm tone. ''The conscription program doesn't care about your personal dreams. They'll put you wherever you're needed the most, and that is on the bloodiest warzones on the other side of the galaxy, and I don't want you there. Eva, it's better for you to become an officer or anything else other than a combatant.''

Eva scoffs. ''Dad, I want to become a soldier of the Empire, not a janitor or an officer stuck at a base, looking at some graphs on a datapad? Sure, they take care of the utility side, but I want to fight those Rebel scum and bring order and security to the rest of the galaxy. I don't want to read data about them or clean the mud the soldiers leave behind on the floor. I want to fight them, hunt them, and do whatever I have to for the citizens of the Empire.''

''Eva, the politics are screwed, and so are you when you enter the Army.''

Eva sighs again. I can better just say I agree with him, or else we stand here arguing until the civil war is over. ''Yes, dad,'' she responds.

Father then retracts his hand and quickly turns around. He grabs his bag that was lying on the kitchen counter.

''It's a busy day at the facility'' says her father. ''BlasTech fished in a mega deal yesterday.''

Father walks out of the kitchen and opens the house's front door. Eva feels a cold breeze entering the house.

''See you tonight, Eva,'' says her father.

Then the door slams close.

Ugh, why can't I join the Army, Eva wonders. It bugs her that her father doesn't accept the dream she wants to strive for. Serving the Empire, protecting the people, and punishing the Rebel Alliance for their terrorist deeds is what she wants, and it's footage and news shown on the broadcasts that fuel her desire. No matter what her father thinks, Eva is confident to join the Imperial military, do what must be done, and become the…

IMPERIAL ELITE

PART 1: IMPERIAL JUSTICE

As time passes, Eva prepares herself to go to school like any other day. In her room, she puts on her school uniform. As she lifts up the neat, grey jacket from the desk in the corner of the small bedroom, she sees Eline peeking from the corner of the doorway. Being in the presence of her younger sister always gives Eva a warm feeling. Eline is the only person who doesn't judge Eva's military desire, and she doesn't mind her watching her as she prepares herself.

As she holds the jacket in front of her, she tugs the fabric. The neat fabric looks the same as everything else in her school uniform. A grey, white-striped jacket with a black zipper going from the neck all the way down and the white insignia of the Empire on the chest, and a black tie. Grey jeans with black pocket zippers. White socks, and a pair of grey shoes with black laces.

Some people despise this uniform due to a lack of colourful clothing, but Eva thinks it's fitting for an empire. The grey clothing gives her a sense of authority, order and discipline. The shiny Imperial emblem on the chest gives her a sense of loyalty, and the fact that every student has to wear one at school gives her a sense of unity. It makes her feel proud to wear this uniform, and every time she wears it gives her a smile on her face.

''What time is it?'' asks Eva as she puts on her tight shoes.

Eline looks at the small, blue watch she wears around her wrist. Eva recalls the memory when her younger sister first got it when she was six years old. She remembers her smiling when Father gifted it to her.

''810,'' answers Eline.

''Blast it. It's late already,'' answers Eva.

She picks up the grey schoolbag lying on the floor and bolts through the door past Eline. She runs downstairs and sees her mother in the kitchen cutting some fruit on the metal cutting board.

''Mom, did you prepare my lunchbox?'' she asks as she bolts into the kitchen.

Her mother looks up from the cutting board. The wedding necklace around her neck shines in the light.

''I did,'' she says and slides a metal lunch box over the kitchen counter.

''Thanks, mom,'' says Eva, and she grabs the lunch box and puts it in her packed school bag, the shiny Imperial insignia shining in the light.

As they say goodbye, Eva bolts to the front door and walks out of the house and puts her schoolbag on her back. Her house stands in the middle of grainfields, far away from the city where her school is. Fortunately, the bus system is excellent and there's a bus stop nearby. She feels the cold breeze as she walks on the dirt road that ends at her house and goes to the main road almost a click ahead.

''Eva!''

She stops in her tracks and turns around, and Eva sees Eline running towards her. Her long-blond hair sways in the breeze as she stops in front of her.

''When will you be back?'' Eline asks, her blue eyes reflecting the clouds in the sky.

Eva chuckles. ''I think in the afternoon. You already miss me?''

Eline nods. She steps closer and entangles her arms around Eva and hugs her tightly. She's a few years younger than Eva, making her quite dependent on her older sister. Embracing her little sister in her arms, it makes her feel good to hug her, and her heart warms up in the cold breeze.

''What will you do today?'' Eva asks, embracing her little sister.

''I'm going to visit the Scouts with mom,'' Eline replies, tilting her head up. ''We're going to see if it's fun.''

Eva smiles. The Imperial Scouting Group is an organisation that teaches young kids some survival techniques in the wild. It's a lighter version of the Imperial Academy focusing on shooting with bows and arrows and some simple first aid techniques rather than firing blasters and hitting punching bags with a fist. Just hearing what the Imperial Scouting Group offers makes Eva believe it's absolutely going to be fun.

''I'm sure it'll be fun,'' Eva responds. ''You'll learn recognizing traces of animals, arching, making a campfire, applying first aid, uh, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.''

''But I want to join the Academy with you,'' Eline replies.

Eva chuckles. ''Hey, you're not old enough yet to apply, but I'm sure the things you learn at the Scouts will help you at the Academy.''

Eline nods. ''Will mom and dad allow it?''

Eva lets out a bit of a sigh. ''Well, mom and dad can't force us not to join the Academy. We'll be conscripted, which means we'll have to attend the Academy. It's mandatory, even if mom and dad don't like it.''

Eline nods, looking at her. ''I hope we can shoot the Rebel people together,'' she says, putting her head against her sister's chest.

Eva bursts out in laughter, chuckling at Eline's comment. Even at such a young age, the indoctrination has done its job and it shows.

''I promise,'' says Eva, smiling. ''We'll shoot them when we're both Stormtroopers.''

Having her arms still embraces around her little sister, Eva's eyes land on the blue, little watch on Eline's wrist. 813. Blast it, I have to go.

''Hey, Eline,'' says Eva. ''I have to go to school now. The bus is waiting for me.''

Hesitating to let go of her sister, Eline looks up, not wanting to see Eva leave.

''Really, they won't like it when I'm late,'' says Eva, looking at her.

Eline nods, and after a bit of hesitation, she lets go of her older sister and they both say goodbye.

''Eline, I'll be back soon,'' says Eva, ''I promise.''

Eline nods, a smile forming on her face as the blond hair sways in the breeze. With a smile on her face, Eva turns around and walks away from her home to go to the bus. There's no other person in the galaxy she loves more than her little sister. Never will they let go of each other.

In her field of vision, she can see the planet Vaulent Prime. Standing in the middle of the dark blue sky, the planet looks like a dark grey, light-yellowish marble. Orbiting around Vaulent Prime is Vaulent 6, the sixth moon of the planet and currently the only one that is inhabited. On Vaulent Prime is a mining facility operated by the Exodus Mining Corporation, one of the main leaders in the ore market. Due to the mining facility, and the toxic gases the surface releases, Vaulent Prime is not able to house any intelligent lifeform. To keep the mining facility running, The Exodus Mining Corporation built a small community for the employees on Vaulent 6, so they could take their families with them and let their children play outside. Outside without the need for special protection to keep them safe from toxic gasses. That was 300 years ago. Now, that small community is a thriving metropolitan city housing millions of inhabitants that is now known as Vaulent Capital.

As she walks on the dirt road, she ties her long hair up in a bun. The wind can be rough sometimes, especially in the streets of the city. Having hair fly up in your face is quite irritating when it happens so frequently.

The bus arrives and she steps in. They drive over the highway towards Vaulent Capital, and eventually, they arrive at Eva's destined bus stop at Overbrook Road. It's a three-lane main road that pierces through the city, and it's always busy, no matter the time.

Eva steps out and she feels the cold breeze again as she looks around. The same grey buildings, the same grey highrise, the same grey flags with the same white Imperial symbol, and the same smell of combustion gases. Everything is still the same as always, and nothing has been taken away by the Rebel Alliance. Let's keep it that way.

She starts walking to her school which is still 10 minutes away from her. Walking through the streets, she hears a loudspeaker playing out a call for conscription. Shifting her head, she sees a hologram playing out in a electronics retailer, and she steps closer.

''The galaxy is a treacherous place,'' says the narrator through the speakers. ''From Kuat all the way to Ryloth.''

Eva looks at the hologram as it shows footage of planets orbiting their stars.

''It's full of threats to our perfect way of life. But fear not. The glorious Galactic Empire stands ready to defend YOU as we bring prosperity and peace to every world we touch, no matter the cost. We stand firm against anyone who dares to bring us down.''

The footage switches to Stormtroopers marching through an avenue. Eva's eyes widen as she looks.

''We're the Stormtroopers,'' she hears as the camera focuses on a Stormtrooper commander, marching through a street, making Eva's heart pound in her chest with excitement. ''We're the elite soldiers of the Empire, defending the Imperial civilization from any foe. Join the elite fighting force of the Empire!''

Eva hears someone approaching her, and shifting her head, she sees three teenage boys she all assumes to be 17 years of age walk towards the hologram.

''Or join the Navy,'' says an officer in the hologram as the camera focuses on him. ''We ensure safe passage from and to Imperial planets, protecting you from any threat. From pirates to asteroids, nothing stands in the way of protecting you. Join the Navy, and embark upon one of the thousands of Star Destroyers.''

One of the boys approaches the hologram. ''There's no way those Rebel dumbasses think they can face off those Destroyers, right?''

''Hah, the glory is enough to make those scumbags run away like cowards,'' scoffs another. ''Glory to the Empire!''

Eva smiles. It's not just our glory. It's the unity, the honour, and the loyalty too that brings them all down. As she keeps staring at the hologram, seeing the footage switch to a gunner in dark grey armour sitting on a tank, driving over a battlefield.

''Up for a challenge?'' asks the gunner, looking directly at the camera. ''Join the Army, as we stand unyieldingly on the front lines, directly facing our foes with equipment made by the best. Participate in the most daring campaigns to establish security and stability on all worlds outside the border.''

The footage then switches to TIE Fighters roaring over the battlefield as tanks drive over the ground with infantry flanking them.

''No matter where you're from,'' says the narrator, ''the Empire is proud to have you as its soldier, behind or on the frontlines. Join the military, and take part in the galaxy's golden era as a bringer of peace, security and prosperity. Join now!''

The call for conscription ends as the hologram switches to a blue background with the white logo of Channel Vaulent shimmering in the upper right corner. It's time to go on. I can't arrive late at school.

As she walks on and enters a street, 4 Stormtroopers on patrol walk towards her holding their E-11s in their hands, their white boots making thuds on the pavement. Eva sees that the front Stormtrooper has an orange pauldron on his shoulder, reflecting the sunlight, and she concludes it's a commander. Stormtrooper commanders always wear orange pauldrons on their shoulders. As they come closer, Eva rises her hand and salutes them. The Stormtroopers raise their hands and salute too. The feeling of being saluted always makes Eva excited about the Army. Eva will never lose her respect for Stormtroopers and the Army, and one day she'll join them. The Imperial Academy, the white armour, the authority, and everything surrounding the Stormtrooper and its conscription program inspires her.

''Eva.''

She snaps out of her thoughts of this morning. She looks up and sees her literature schoolmistress, Lu, standing next to her desk.

''Can I see your homework?'' Lu asks.

Eva can't remember what homework she had to make.

''The book assignment about Disa Lur's Birds from the Sun ?''

Right, that book assignment I hated to make, thinks Eva.

''Right, that one,'' Eva stutters. ''I didn't make it.''

Lu looks confused.

''Why didn't you make it, Eva?'' she asks friendly.

''I forgot to make it,'' Eva answers.

Lu then looks suspicious. They're in the middle of the school year, and Lu knows Eva is not a casual student.

Eva sees Lu's face and then admits her lie didn't work.

She sighs. ''I don't think I need literature to live,'' says Eva.

Students around her giggle softly. Eva's schoolmistress doesn't.

''Eva, see me after class,'' she says strictly.

Eva sighs.

Why does nobody want me to become a Stormtrooper, she wonders. I don't need literature to understand strategy and the technique of firing a blaster. Whatever the answer is, she's too frustrated to think of one.

As everyone is going home, Eva stays behind in school, sitting at her desk. After waiting for a boring 5 minutes, ms Lu finally walks towards her. She slides a chair off another desk to sit.

''Eva, why do you think you don't need literature?'' Lu asks.

Eva sighs. ''Stormtroopers don't need it,' she answers. ''It's irrelevant.''

Lu's face makes Eva think she hurt her feelings.

''I didn't mean to hurt feelings or something,'' says Eva. ''Your lessons are awesome, but I don't think I need to know what the message is of Birds from the Sun .''

Lu smiles a little. ''You didn't hurt my feelings, Eva. I'm just surprised. Let me tell you something about the military, a story my father told me.''

I don't have time for a story, thinks Eva. But I don't want to be sent to the school's director. Fine, let's hear it out.

Lu stops talking and thinks about how to tell the story.

''My father fought in the Clone Wars,'' starts Lu. ''He joined the military and thought it would be a thrilling job. He was a private and was part of a large division with other soldiers who were as thrilled as him. Once upon a day, his division and some others were sent out on a mission to re-capture a Separatist-occupied city. They had to face the enemy directly, and they started to siege the city, but before they came even close to the city border, the division was slaughtered by Separatist forces, and mowed down until the soldiers had no limbs anymore. My father barely survived, leaving him the only survivor of the siege as his entire division was obliterated within days. Coming back, he was a changed man, afraid of everything.''

Silence falls.

''Why are you telling me this?'' asks Eva curiously.

''It turned out that command saw my father and his men as cannon fodder. They were expendable soldiers sent straight to death, and command didn't care about them at all. I'm telling you this story to make clear that the military doesn't care about its men. It's not what you believe it is. Once you're sent out and face the real truth, you get out misformed,'' says Lu, and she then puts a hand on Eva's shoulder. ''Please, Eva, don't join the Imperial Army.''

As Lu says that, Eva feels disbelief building up inside her, not believing a single bit of her story.

''I don't believe the Army would do that,'' says Eva, her voice tinged with a hint of hostility. ''You're talking about a war from 20 years ago.''

''And the current war isn't any different, is it? A side fighting against the expansion of the other?''

''The Empire cares for its soldiers. They give them the tools they need to protect all of us, and that's what they're doing.''

Lu sighs, looking at Eva with a hint of sadness in her eyes. ''The Empire makes big decisions solely to propel the war effort. Those decisions always have big consequences for everyone, and they're not always good. Eva, please, don't join the Army by-.''

''I appreciate the concern, Lu,'' interrupts Eva, shaking her head, ''but I trust the Empire and the Army, and I know they do everything to protect us.''

Lu sighs and removes her hand from her shoulder as Eva stands up and prepares to leave. ''I wish I could hope you are right, Eva.''

''I know I already am,'' says Eva, picking up her grey backpack from the floor, and she walks away towards the doorway.

''Eva,'' says Lu. Eva stops and turns her head around. ''Go home, and really think about what you just said. Oh and don't forget that tomorrow you're school free.''

Eva doesn't say anything and turns around and walks out. As she exits the school building and walks on the street, she still can't believe the Imperial Army would give false information to their soldiers, and she knows Lu's reason for telling the story is flawed. A story from a war doesn't apply to a different war 20 years later, fought by an entirely different galactic government and an insurgent group. The Galactic Civil War is different, and Eva knows Lu is wrong. There is no way the Empire would throw its soldiers under the bus.