''What is this place?''
As Kirbley walked out of the shuttle, he was met with the smell of Coruscant's combustion gasses, the fierce sun in the sky reflecting off towering skyscrapers, and in front of him, a large circular building, fortified with durasteel and defense turrets. He turned around to his father as he stood next to him.
''That is Imperial High Command, son,'' said his father, the Imperial insignia on his jacket's chest shimmering in the sunlight. ''The greater power behind all of the Imperial war effort.''
''So this is the place to be for Night Force?'' asked Kirbley.
''It is,'' replied his father. ''Here they decide whether our Night Force program has a place in the military.''
Kirbley nodded. The presence of a military organisation with authority made him feel uneasy. The Stormtroopers patrolling, air defense turrets scanning the sky, the Imperial insignia shining on the building's plaza, a couple of Star Destroyers in the far distance in the clouds. It made his mind feel heavier. He was always against bloodshed, and now he stood directly in front of those who made it happen, but he knew he had no choice other than to meet them. The risk of the Rebel Alliance hunting down his father, and eventually himself made Kirbley feel forced to get Night Force off the ground, so he was confident in himself that the project will get the approval of Imperial High Command. This is where the future of Night Force is decided.
''For years on end, the Empire has been underestimating the threat of the Rebel Alliance.''
A well-dressed officer paced around the white, circular table in the conference room deep within the headquarters. He walked behind the many highly ranked officers, sitting on chairs around the table, as his rank insignia of Supreme Commander shimmered on his grey suit.
Kirbley clenched his fist as the Supreme Commander walked around, his grey suit contrasting the white, sterile walls and floor. His father sat next to him as Kirbley tracked the Supreme Commander with his eyes. Before the conference started, he had no idea that this officer was one of the few survivors of the Death Star cataclysm. All he knew before is that he was a member of the House of Tagge, one of the most powerful families in the entire galaxy, and it made his heart race in his chest as he tracked one of the most powerful officers in the entire Imperial military with his eyes.
''The Galactic Empire neglected its duty, which is neutralizing any danger to its citizens, whether it be smugglers or insurgents,'' said the Supreme Commander, ''and it failed to identify the biggest one as a threat.''
He then put his hand on the empty chair at the end of the table. His white jacket sat on the chair's backrest, hanging down. ''Since the Death Star explosion, we are mobilizing all our forces for a full-scale galactic war,'' he said and his eyes landed on Kirbley's father. ''Admiral Forrest, are your forces ready for mobilisation?''
Kirbley shifted his eyes to his father, feeling his mouth dry up.
''Yes, Supreme Commander,'' nodded his father. ''The Eagleclaw Fleet has always been ready for new orders.''
''That's why my concerns about the Night Force Recruitment Program of yours,'' said the Supreme Commander. ''Though I don't question your capabilities of carrying it out with success, it potentially obstructs the Eagleclaw's complete share in the Imperial war effort.''
''I understand the concerns, Supreme Commander,'' replied his father. ''However, I'm convinced that Night Force will benefit the military in fighting the Rebel Alliance.''
With his heart pounding in his chest, Kirbley bent forward, coming in between his father and the Supreme Commander.
''Supreme Commander, the benefits we're talking about are better adaptivity, agility, infiltration, higher skills in technology, heightened perception, and observation skills,'' said Kirbley, feeling his mouth dry up. ''And cadets with more combat experience are better soldiers in their adulthood.''
It hurt him to say it, that teenagers are better military tools than adult troopers, but without explaining the benefits for the military, he knew Night Force wouldn't stand a chance.
''Doc, I don't doubt its potential as the benefits of teenage soldiers compared to adults are indeed immensely big, and you have my full trust in your research. However, admiral Forrest, the Night Force project would unnecessarily hinder the mobilization of the Eagleclaw Fleet. To combat the Rebel Alliance, we need all the forces we have for this war. They may seem like pests, but they're hard to eradicate.''
Kirbley shifted his eyes to his father and saw he cast downwards to the table. His heart raced as he never saw his father in such a powerless position, being commanded by someone else. Despite the position he was in, his father didn't seem nervous.
''Admiral Forrest,'' said the Supreme Commander. ''I suggest handing Night Force over to the Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research, while the Eagleclaw Fleet stands by for the new orders.''
The Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research was the agency responsible for developing terrible weapons. They oversaw the development of highly advanced, emerging technologies for the Imperial military. It was them who were responsible for developing the Death Star. He had the urge to shake his head as he knew that teenage soldiers would not be treated well enough by such a military department. The Department of Advanced Weapons Research had a vast array of information about computers, ion engines, kybercrystals, and whatever they had to know to develop their weapons of mass destruction, but he was certain that they knew nothing about properly treating soldiers, especially teenagers. Handing Night Force over to them was no option for him, as Kirbley knew it would have absolutely no future there.
Kirbley shifted his head to his father, wanting to tell him that it was a bad idea, but he saw him already looking at him. Kirbley saw in his father's eyes that he thought the same as him.
''Admiral Forrest,'' said the Supreme Commander, his eyes locked on his father, ''if you don't mind, we'll finish the meeting right here. I have a criminal syndicate to eradicate on Son-Tuul, forming a big threat to the Imperial borders.''
The Supreme Commander started to pick up his white jacket as Kirbley saw his father suddenly shift his head to the officer.
''Supreme Commander,'' said his father. ''I have a solution.''
The man was about to put his jacket on as he shifted his head to his father.
''The Eagleclaw Fleet will be split up,'' he said. ''Half of it will serve for the mobilisation and the other will serve for the development of Night Force.''
Kirbley shifted his head to the Supreme Commander, having no idea what he would say about splitting up the fleet.
''In that way, the second half of the Eagleclaw Fleet would lack the resources and manpower to work out Night Force. It would be a logistic nightmare, don't you think?'' asked the man.
''We'll strike a deal with the Army and develop Night Force together with them.''
In the corner of his eyes, Kirbley saw an unknown officer he didn't know suddenly shift his head to his father and the Supreme Commander noticed it too.
''The cooperation between us and the Army would enable us to get Night Force off the ground and benefit the Imperial war effort,'' said his father. ''This way, we'd be able to partake in the mobilisation and develop the project.''
The Supreme Commander looked down as he put his jacket off of him and hung it on the backrest of his seat again.
''General Veers,'' he said, shifting his head to the unknown officer. ''The Army falls under your command.''
''Yes, Supreme Commander,'' replied the officer, the Imperial insignia shimmering on his chest. ''We've been phasing out our conventional ground army on some planets with Stormtrooper garrisons. More recruits would aid us in doing that, but I'm afraid we can't give support to such an expensive project that is the Night Force Recruitment Program.''
Kirbley's heart started to pound, feeling as if it were in his throat. He thought this general would approve of the cooperation between the Imperial Army he commanded and the Eagleclaw Fleet. However, his shimmer of hope was extinguished when he heard the Army wouldn't help them work out Night Force.
''We'd have to redirect necessary resources to the Navy,'' said the general. ''Resources we direly need for the mobilisation and the reinforcement of the Army.''
''General Veers, how severe is the shortage of equipment?'' asked the Supreme Commander, looking at the general.
''Big,'' replied General Veers. ''We've lost a significant amount of resources during the three Kashyyyk campaigns, and currently, we're filling the gaps the losses the occupation inflicted.''
The three Kashyyyk campaigns were a lead-up to the Wookie uprising after a decade of Imperial authority. Kirbley remembered what he heard on the Imperial HoloVision: aside from the Mimban Campaign, it was one of the bloodiest battles in the Army's history, losing thousands and thousands of troopers. The Army managed to get Kashyyyk back under Imperial control by using any means necessary, from mass artillery to air strikes with firey incendiary weapons that incinerated the trees.
''We estimate our lost forces to be replaced by the end of next year, so for now, we can't afford our current resources to be redirected to the Navy, which, let me remind you, had zero losses during the Kashyyyk campaigns.
The general ended his explanation with a little hint of hostility in his voice. It seemed as if Veers was disgusted that the Imperial Navy had no role during the Kashyyyk campaigns. He started to notice a heated, but tight relationship between the Empire's ground army and the Navy. Apparently, the Army took all the losses in the forest while the Navy stood by and watched.
He wasn't surprised that the Army and the Navy developed a burning relationship. Ever since the reorganisation from the Republic to the Empire, both military branches had different views on the war effort. The Army was land-based, suffered the most casualties in the most intense ground battles, received an unfair share of the Empire's resources and funding, and Army personnel were often looked down upon by officers serving aboard the Star Destroyers. Their view on warfare differed from the Navy too, as the Army's firepower came through amount, focusing on expanding the ground army.
Meanwhile, the Navy stood back and watched as the ground battles continued. In comparison, the Empire's naval forces remained largely unscathed, and while suffering the least losses, they had gotten most of the military funding, leaving little for the Army to compensate for their heavy losses. The Army's needs were often deprioritized in favour of the Navy's demand. The Navy focused on innovation instead of expansion, which is why they received most of the Empire's funding. and the Navy's prestigious position didn't soften the Army's pain they agonizingly suffered on the ground.
Though it upset Kirbley that the Army didn't want to strike a deal with the Navy, he wasn't surprised.
''Striking a deal isn't on the table as we speak,'' said the general, shifting his head to the Supreme Commander who leaned with his elbows on his chair's backrest.
''General Veers,'' said Kirbley's father. ''Is there a way we could still come to a deal? The Night Force Recruitment Program has a lot of potential, for both the Navy and the Army. We'd both be better off developing this project instead of holding onto this thin, burning rope between us.''
Kirbley shifted his eyes to the general, who he saw calculating the best move going forward in his mind as he shifted his head towards his father.
''Admiral Forrest,'' said Veers. ''We can close this deal of collaboration, but only on our terms, on the terms of the Imperial Army.''
As soon as Kirbley heard General Veers would only close the deal on their terms, he knew those terms wouldn't play in their favour.
''We manage Night Force's direct resources and decide how much goes to the Eagleclaw Fleet,'' said General Veers. ''Our men of the Army get priority over Night Force and the Navy, and we get the new equipment first. We decide what's going to Night Force and what's not. The Army can't afford to lose its integrity while we're preparing for an all-out war.''
Kirbley shook his head as he shifted to his father. He knew the Army's terms wouldn't play in their favour, but he didn't know it would be this bad. He understood that their own men get equipment and funding first and that Night Force would have to wait. However, this meant that all the high-quality equipment go to the Army and all the crap stuff go to Night Force. This would unnecessarily hinder the project as lower-quality equipment means less accuracy, less safety, and more limits. This was not the way of going forward.
Kirbley knew he had to discuss this with his father in private, so he shifted his head to the Supreme Commander with his heart pounding in his chest. ''Supreme Commander, can I discuss this with my father in private?''
''Granted,'' he replied, gesturing with his hand to the conference room's exit door. ''Make it quick, we don't have all day.''
With his heart pounding, Kirbley stood up and walked out of the conference room quickly. His father followed as Kirbley walked into the adjacent corridor and leaned his back on the white wall.
''This is not good,'' said Kirbley, letting out a big sigh. ''I don't know what's between you and the Army, but they're as crazy as the Hutts by not giving us a say in what equipment we get.''
His father nodded, knowing the flaws in the Army's proposed deal. However, he found that it was the only way of going forward, and Kirbley knew he would say it.
''No,'' said Kirbley, cutting his father off before he had the chance to open his mouth. ''Father, the Army decides what we get. They decide how little of their high-quality equipment goes to us. Why don't we strike a deal with the Navy itself?''
''Because of the war,'' replied his father. ''The mass-mobilisation doesn't give us the space to develop Night Force. Splitting up the Eagleclaw Fleet and cooperating with the Army is the only option going forward.''
''Being the only option doesn't mean it's a good one,'' said Kirbley. ''It's a horrible option.''
''Son,'' said his father, his impatience starting to show itself. ''We're preparing for an all-out war, and once it starts, the Rebel Alliance will feel more threatened than they already are. They'll try to find ways to gather intel on all of our movements and undoubtedly they'll come onto our path. I know, it's not a good option, yet it's the best we have and from here, we have to go onward. We've already passed the point of last return.''
Kirbley then looked at his father. ''When was that point? We can still abandon it and keep the Eagleclaw Fleet together, split our ways and stay convinced that it is what it is, a project without a future.''
''No,'' he replied. ''There's no way we can return. We've been in this no-return situation ever since the Death Star explosion. Since then, we've been spiralling uncontrollably downwards to a full-scale galactic war.''
Kirbley let out a big sigh and tilted his head towards the shiny floor. The fear of being hunted by the Rebel Alliance to get information out of them still remains in him. An enemy that feels more threatened makes more desperate attempts at getting the situation under control, he thought. Soon, when the Empire moves its soldiers for the upcoming full-scale galactic war, the Rebel Alliance will be in the exact position. And mobilizing all of the forces to battle meant his father would be more vulnerable. When the Rebel Alliance capture his father in a desperate raid on wherever he'll be, they'll try to gather intel from him. His father will take his own life, and the Rebel Alliance will have nobody to torture, but they'll start hunting him when they find out this admiral has a son.
Since the start of the Galactic Civil War, they have always been spiralling down towards a full-scale war, but also the death of his father. An admiral in charge of a fleet catches the attention of many Rebels, and since Kirbley worked with his father and thus with the Empire, the Alliance will go after him.
Not only that but also the lives of others were at stake. Kirbley started to imagine thousands and thousands of civilians saved by Night Force recruits by simply cutting off the Rebel Alliance's espionage stations. Many people would be saved by putting a few in danger. The Galactic Civil War would end with far better results for the Empire. Getting Night Force off the ground to protect him and his father, the Eagleclaw Fleet and the rest of the Empire is what had to be done.
Kirbley slowly nodded, knowing the deal had to be made, and his father drew the conclusion.
''Good,'' he said. ''I'll close the deal myself.''
''Fine,'' said Kirbley, ''but one thing. We decide what we do with our funding and equipment. Once it's given to us, it is ours and not theirs.''
It's the bit of authority that makes Kirbley fully cross the line. Having control over what they do with the Army's equipment would give him the small bit of authority they could have over Night Force. Though they'd carry it out under the lead of the Eagleclaw, they'd have no voice over the equipment they'd receive.
His father nodded, and he left Kirbley behind in the corridor as he entered the conference room, closing the deal between the Eagleclaw Fleet and the Army.
Though the future of Night Force could land in bad weather, it was the only path going forward, and Kirbley knew that in order to make it work, he had to make the best out of the worst. He kept whispering this to himself, ensuring that he could still make the best out of the worst, but he wasn't certain.
One thing he was certain about is that the Night Force Recruitment Program is happening. It had a big, yet shaky foundation, but it was starting nonetheless. Soon there would be squads of teenagers raiding Rebel hide-outs, serving the Empire and its citizens, and Kirbley was determined to make it happen under his guidance.
Night Force has started.