New Galactic Empire (Volshist)

> *For the other iterations of the Empire see New Galactic Empire.*
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The New Galactic Empire was a pro-Imperial faction splintered from the Empire-in-exile and the former New Galactic Empire of Krayt. It embodies the beliefs of the late Emperor Palpatine, paired with the philosophies of the Fel Empire.

## Origins

UponKrayt’s defeat in 138 ABY, an opportunistic band of magocratic Galactic Empire purists established themselves, rising from the Unknown Regions to fill the growing vacuum with astounding speed. They were present in Galactic politics, to some capacity, as early as 145 ABY. They adopted many aspects of the Fel Empire, fusing it into a ruthless authoritarian regime that commanded both respect and great power. They believed in Order, Justice, and Peace above all else.

Many led the faction and its ideologies continued to garner support from worlds spanning the Galaxy, eventually resulting in it reaching a zenith in 147 ABY, upon the ascension of Empress Kára Volshe and the death of former Emperor Sinreb Irth in the Senate bombings.

## History

### **Rise within the Senate**

After the New Galactic Empire gained support enough to factionalize within the Galactic Senate, it was only a matter of time before its influence grew large enough to ensure its continued security. It was this continued security that ensured then-Senator Volshe's uncontested ascension to Chancellor as a result of the Senate bombings and the following Cold War.

The Empire lasted through the Second Vong War, dismantling the Vasalians and their allied Yuuzhan Vong, though suffering some political repercussions with the Alliance, due to the various authoritarian machinations the Empress sought during the conflict.

However, the resurfacing of a questionable information regarding the Empress Volshe's origins added to these repercussions. Scandal shook the Senate. It was leaked after a summit on Borleias that the Empress, who had seemingly been benevolent and even non-Force Sensitive, and also a friend of the Fel family (according to statements made by her Ministry of Propaganda), had not only previously served as a Sith, but had reportedly served beneath Krayt. Though the reports were seen as potentially doctored, and in fact untrustworthy by even some Federation-aligned critics, Stazi and Fel did not dispute the claims.

It was these repercussions, now paired with the refusal of Gar Stazi and Marasiah Fel to submit to Volshe's authority, that then led to the disbanding of the Senate and the Galaxy's descent into yet another civil war. The Alliance believed that the Fel Empire-in-exile, the New Jedi Order, and the Galactic Federation, joined as the Galactic Federation Triumvirate, were the legitimate government - and that Volshe had no right to continue her claim.

### **The New Imperial War**

The New Galactic Empire continued to be a prominent player in Galactic politics throughout 148 ABY and 149 ABY, numerous battles and skirmishes occurring between the Federation, the Empire, and occasionally the Neutrality Pact or other transient factions.

The Empire managed to efficaciously conquer a great portion of the known Galaxy despite the ongoing war, due to political scheming and military superiority.

Fortune changed, however, when the Federation escalated the conflict, armed with both infantry and naval forces that were far greater than their prior strength. Their strategy also changed quite suddenly, abruptly, leading many to believe that they were being aided by wealthy benefactors and military strategists.

The culmination of the war was in early 150 ABY, when the Federation began to reclaim contested territory and even turn staunchly Imperial worlds. It was only a few months after these reclamations and bold invasions began that the Battle of Naboo occurred, deposing the Empress Volshe and forcing Imperial loyalists to flee into obscurity (or return to the Unknown Regions). Though some were able to remain within the Senate or the Federation generally, some, such as Fehlaaur'aitel'loro, who had served Krayt's Empire and then Volshe (or those who were staunch Imperialists, such as Delrus Killran), were considered targets underneath the Federation's Operation: Valkyrie. The fleet dispersed, under explicit orders from the former Empress.

However, the Federation's attempts to find and execute the former Empress Volshe failed to account for the depth of her allegiances. Many who were able remained operating underground networks of spies and even saboteurs, ensuring that those remaining loyal to her regime would have access to intelligence and resources should she - or an heir - return to the throne. One of these operatives was Colu Eriodan, a deputy governor who served beneath Chandrila Tajis, within the G51 Communications Analysis Committee. The Committee was no more than a front to skim vital intelligence from the Federation, though it seemingly provided reliable HoloNet security and intelligence directly to the Federation. The Senate also maintained a small pocket of well-liked loyalists to Volshe, though they maintained a necessary facade of allegiance to the Federation.

### **Empire in Exile**

For the next six years, the Empress, unbeknownst to most the Galaxy, served the Sith Order she had previously once been tied to - the One Sith had evolved and merged into the New Sith Order. Serving eventually as a Dark Councillor, as Head of Sith Intelligence, she vanished from even that position in 155 ABY, not returning until the midst of 156 ABY. This did not greatly effect the actions of her loyalists, though the Federation increased their efforts, and in fact there were numerous captures of loyalists even up until her reappearance. This was only intensified by the Senate attack and Battle of Coruscant at the hands of the New Sith Order in 155 ABY.

A vacuum was left shortly after, however, when Lady Apollyon was forced into the position of Regent of the New Sith Order after the presumed death of both Volshe's former husband, Darth Dreadwar, and his successor, Darth Insipid, was missing after venturing to Mortis.

### **Return of Empress Volshe**

Volshe's return was without fanfare. The Empire was nothing more than a remnant, and though she had the allegiance of naval and army commanders both within the New Sith Order and her pool of loyalists, it took time to coalesce them into one force. Within a short period of months, however - and given the circumstances of Galactic chaos, spurred on by the war between the splintered factions. Though once a more neutral, non religiously affiliated Empire, the Empress saw opportunity in her circumstances. She maintained the Imperial Jedi (known also as the Imperial Knights), but publicly announced her reign as Sith Empress concurrently with her claim to the Galactic throne.

Initially, the Galaxy reeled. The rumours from years prior had been confirmed in full, but the Galaxy was nursing wounds that were far deeper than Sith or Jedi. The Federation Remnant quickly declared the Empire illegitimate once again, Regent Chalk going so far as to condemn Volshe as a war criminal and a usurper no better than Krayt or Sidious. The Empire and its loyalists believed differently. Order and peace were necessary for the Galaxy, and that is what the Empire strove for. The reformed COMPNOR quickly condemned Chalk in return, citing that some of his former allies had even found their way to the Empire's ranks. Grand Master Cade Skywalker declared the Imperial Jedi an abomination, leading to a schism within the wounded Jedi Order and the Fel Knights as members chose sides in the growing conflict.

This also created great division between the Sith, but her claim to the Sith throne was arguably more justified than her reunification of the Empire. She had a son and daughter, both of Dreadwar, and had married him before his presumed death. Her claim gave the New Galactic Empire the access to military force it required, and paired with her yet-existing fleet that had been scattered about the Galaxy, it allowed her to quickly carve out territory and gain loyalty in the war-torn Galaxy.

The Empress declared the order in mid-156 ABY, re-establishing it with hope it would once again rise to its former glory.

## Government and Politics

Following the magocracy of the once-Emperor Darth Sidious, as well as adopting qualities of the Fel Empire, the New Galactic Empire initially ruled by an Inner Circle elected Emperor or Empress, who then ruled for life. However, Empress Volshe rescinded this rule, and instead restored the Fel Empire's rule of dynastic absolutism.

Initially, the Empire also obeyed the will of the Galactic Senate, but with the growing hostility and polarization of the Senate, Empress Volshe declared separation from their will, and instated them as an advisory body exclusively - allowing the Empire to make its own decisions based instead on the will of the Empress (or Emperor), the Council of Twenty, and the Moff Council.

The Council of Twenty was a body of twenty members, incorporating the Branch leads and advisors to the Empress, as well as initially a small sub-council of Grand Admirals and Grand Generals. The Moff Council was a separate body geared towards the day to day wellbeing and prosperity of the Empire's territory, and focussed on sector specific legislation as well as other necessary sector and planetary duties.

In the revived New Galactic Empire, beginning in 156 ABY, the Dark Council was brought into the lawmaking power of the Empire, and members were included within the Council of Twenty by vote. Not all Councillors sat on the Council of Twenty, and in fact many decided to focus their efforts on the New Sith Order and the space it controlled.

## Astrography

The Empire began in the Unknown Regions and Outer Rim, but beginning in 145 ABY, quickly overtook much of the Federation Triumvirate's territory, mostly in the northeast of the known Galaxy.

Upon the re-establishment of the Empire in 156 ABY, it followed much the same path of evolution, and by mid-156 ABY, had taken over a sizable portion of its prior territory - however, it was unable to initially retake Coruscant, and the planet remained contested following the death of Marasiah Fel. Instead, the capital of the Empire returned to Theed, Naboo - with a secondary capital on Korriban.