Private A Library Debate

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

Gil tapped his finger on the chair arm beside him, the metallic clink of the cybernetic finger echoing slightly as Gil stared at the data terminal in front of him. Words scrolled across the screen in a seemingly endless loop, details going from Jedi biographies and starship capabilities of the schematics he had recently sent off to Sienar Fleet Systems. There was so much to do if Gil's idea was to come to fruition, yet perhaps the most important part of the plan had to be tackled first. Here and now, Gil had to get the support and leadership to help get the Saber Initiative off the ground.

And one Jedi in particular stood out to him.

He had sent a message to Kahlil Noble, one of the most seasoned and experienced Jedi in the NJO. He was a veteran of field operations, knew how to handle Senate affairs which Gil was certain would be a hurdle to cross, and had the knowledge and skill to lead other Jedi in the field. That kind of experience would be the biggest thing between brining everyone home on these missions, or having to say goodbye to heroes.

Gil had requested to meet with Kahlil in the main library of the Jedi Temple, and now all he could do was wait, overthink everything, and hope that it would all work out.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil wasn't late.

It was a habit now, especially with the Senate. To neither be early so he could avoid unnecessary conversations with people trying to buy the Jedi, and to avoid being late to give people a reason to take digs at the Jedi. It was an annoying balance, but one he'd figured out well. And showed now, even. He took a seat across from Gil, letting out a tired groan as his bones creaked.

He'd started to use the Force less and less in every day activities, if only to keep the Senate appeased.

"Alright, Knight Horn. Shall we start the negotiations?" It was, ultimately, an attempt at humor as the man lifted his #1 Dad mug to take a looong sip of coffee.

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Tags: Kahlil Noble

Gil had sensed the Jedi Masters approach, though he did not rise to greet him. The Jedi were not nobility, and if anything, it looked like Kahlil was going to enjoy the chair more than the meeting itself. Gil settled on bowing his head, a safe approach given the circumstances. "Master Noble, thank you for being able to find the time."

As Gil input the commands for the, he did his best to hide the smile from his face at the sight of the mug, and Kahlil's words. This was supposed to be a professional meeting. Still, if it was to be a negotiations, it fell to Gil to come out swing.

"I am not sure how much of this you want to read," Gil said, raising an eyebrow as he spun the terminal around to face Kahlil, "so I will give you the droid notes. The Galactic Alliance is facing threats on all sides, and while our Armed Forces are some of the best in the galaxy, they cant be everywhere all at once. So, I would propose a new option. A dedicated series of Jedi led teams focused on hitting Sith and Imperial targets of importance before they become an overt risk or require the military to spread itself thin to face."

Gil typed a few more commands, and a symbol appeared on the screen. The New Jedi Order symbol floated at the center, with wings extended out to either side of it. On a bar beneath the symbol were the words 'Saber Initiative'.

"The Saber Initiative would see teams of Jedi and SIA operatives targeting supply depots, high value targets and convoy raids. Missions where our talents and skills as Jedi give us an edge in quick, precise strikes. We hit them hard and fast and deal damage that much larger GA Armed Forces would be required to do. We keep the enemy off balance, and most importantly, we keep GA citizens and soldiers alive."

Gil leaned back in his chair, bringing his mechanical hand, encased in a brown glove, up to hold his head. "I would like you to be the leader of the first team, Strike Team Saber, and help me prove that the Initiative can benefit the Galactic Alliance."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil took another sip from his mug as he started to look over the documents. While he listened, no less. His brow furrowed some though, after a moment. Another, longer sip, before more silence. He was absolutely taking his time to read trough the documentation. Another habit from dealing with the Senate as long as he had. "That sounds like the Shadows. We don't need another group like them spreading out our already thin numbers. The SIA belong to the Senate, no less, and from what I'm reading here the idea is to avoid needing the Senate's approval so we can act swiftly."

Another long sip as he turned the console back towards Gil.

"Tell me what makes it different from the Shadows."

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

"The shadows are efficient, driven infiltrators that can target individuals and support objectives," Gil said, leaning forward and tapping a few commands into the terminal the pull up different documents. "The Saber Initiative would focus on larger targets, bigger threats that individual or small groups of Jedi Shadows would not be able to tackle. The Initiative would also bring in the collective ability of Jedi Shadows, Sentinels Consulars and Guardians to make a rounded team capable of challenging any threat."

Gil leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together. "Jedi Shadows to clear the way and find us a path, Guardians to tackle the main opposition of an enemy force, and Consular and Sentinels to provide support and guidance. As for the Senate..." Gil shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Our democratic system sets us apart from our foes, but it also has so many checks and balances that by the time a plan of action is agreed upon, our window of opportunity to act might be lost."

"The Jedi Shadows are our scalpel, but the Initiative will be the New Jedi Order's sword. We strike quick and with an overwhelming team of Jedi of all kinds, and defeat a threat before it can become a nightmare. We work together, stand together, and we come home," Gil said, lowering his gaze for a moment. "At least, that is the goal."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"A balanced team of Jedi to do what Jedi alone cannot."

Kahlil nodded slowly. He'd seen first hand how effective a team of Jedi could be on Tython. He took another sip of his coffee, seeming to mull it over for another moment. Then finally gave a nod. "I think the idea is a good one in truth. I don't think it'd be good to involve those who must answer to the Senate, though. Working with the SIA in the field is one thing, but to bring them in to this strike team as official members or the like is inviting the Senate to demand oversight. The Jedi and the Alliance Army are meant to be separated for that reason. We can do things the Senate can't or won't."

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

Gil nodded his head, sitting forward in the chair and looking up at the Jedi Master. Gil could see the merit in the man's words, and he made a few mental corrections to the Initiative in his head. "The key of the Initiative is to help the Alliance as best as we can when and where we can do the most good. Avoiding oversight, while not exactly good, I agree is necessary."

"The Initiative will have to rely on its own equipment to ensure we maintain the independence we need," Gil said, folding his hands. "I have been working with engineers from the Sienar Fleet Systems corporation and we have three ships types nearing completion." Gil tapped a few commands and showed the designs to Kahlil.

"The Archangel Class to transport the Strike Team, the Meteor Class to get us to the surface, and," Gil paused, a smile spreading across his face as he opened the last of the documents, "the Noble Class to clear the way and help us operate on space based missions."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Noble class, huh?"

Kahlil chuckled a little, turning his gaze to the schematics and designs. A trio of ships, all with purpose. It was a good idea, to say the least, and one he approved of. To an extent. "I dig it, but, where are the funds going to come from? We can't exactly ask the Senate, nor should we. Or ask for donations or the like. .. Wait no, you said they're almost finished. Who is behind the funding, in that case?"

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

Gil smiled, shrugging his shoulders as he looked at Kahlil. "Maybe the Horn name carries a bit more weight these days than it used to. Or...perhaps I wrote a few IOU's that a certain organization might help me pay off in the near future. Purely hypothetically though," Gil said, waving his hand to dismiss the line of thought. It was probably for the best to not get locked down on it.

"The point is," Gil said, "they are nearly complete. They will need a field test, and a chance to prove their worth. Just like the Initiative as a whole."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Yeah we're not going to play the 'maybe I've some favors owed' game here. This won't stay a secret forever, and the Senate will demand information on it. Unknown benefactors and the like will make it way to easy for them to try and twist it to the Jedi trying to make their own army and usurp the Alliance or the like. That's problems I have to deal with. So, these projects won't be finished or tested until I'm sure it's not going to bring problems to the whole of the NJO."

He didn't mind going around the Senate at all. They were Jedi in the long run, and helping people, no matter who they were or where the lived, was what the Jedi did. But that also meant making sure the Jedi still could. The Senate had the whole of the Order locked in the temple before, when they thought the Jedi betraying the Alliance.

Kahlil wasn't about to let that be a reality again.

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

Master Noble had a point. The New Jedi Order had its troubled past, and valid or not, there would always be concerns surrounding the position and authority of the organization. It did not necessarily help matters that the current Chancellor, and the previous Chancellor, the highest authority in the Galactic Alliance, were members of the Order. With the war across the galaxy growing more and more complicated, they needed unity above all else.

"My grandfather," Gil said, speaking slowly, almost like he was chewing on the thoughts, "is a business man. I was not lying, the Horn name carries some weight to it. The Horn Industrial Corporation, the pride and jewel of my part of the Horn family. My parents were supposed to join the company, but a certain addiction to illicit substances and authority problems saw them get disinherited. It wasn't easy, but I reached out to my grandfather. The first batch of Saber Initiative ships are being funded by him, a man who believes in the good work that Jedi can do if given the chance."

Gil lowered his head, avoiding Kahlil's gaze. "I begged him for help, a man who I have not seen or talked to in almost twenty years. I won't ask him again, and if this test works I will need to find more legitimate funding. With your help, preferably."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Then my help there will be. Niv Hani has been looking to restart some of the Epicanthic economy. Making ships like this would be a good start, and using them to make more mass produced ships would assist. Alright, we can make that work."

Ties to family were strong, Kahlil knew better than most. Grant it, he was suggesting his own people, but he did trust them and their means of production. "But that's only a place for these to be made. Money is still a thing that needs to be provided for it. The Order accepts donations from many for the day to day expenses. I can pay for some with the Niv Hani-" He paused in thought. Then chuckled.

"No, no. I've a fleet of ships I don't use. I can have those recommissioned to help with this."

Gil Horn

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple Library
Tags: Kahlil Noble

Gil released a sigh of relief, his head drooping for a moment as barely contained tension drained out of him. He had come this far, and it felt as if he had just jumped over the last hurdle. There would still be more work, more trials to pass, but for the moment at least Gil could take heart in the fact that he had garnered some support.

"Thank you, Master Noble. I know it will not be simple, but to get your help means a lot to me." Taking a final breath, Gil sat up in the chair, looking at the other Jedi Master.

"I have a few ideas for possible members of the Order to reach out to. I would love to run over some of the possibilities and get your opinion. I would like to hold a briefing with our final selection for the outlines of the Initiative, and if we find one, what our first mission will be."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"You sure you need me to lead this? You've got most of it already planned out and organized."

Kahlil chuckled lightly as he nodded his head, relaxing back in his seat to take yet another sip of his coffee. "Which is a compliment, by the by Knight Horn. If you're looking to ensure that there's Council oversight on this so it doesn't feel rogue or the like, I'll gladly be that oversight. But I trust the head on your shoulders to lead this in person and in practice. Lets go over these candidates together, and I can assign missions. But I think you'll be a good pick to lead. First mission, then we'll review, mm?"

Gil Horn