Galactic Empire

The **Galactic Empire**, also known as the **First Galactic Empire** or the **New Order** and commonly referred to as simply the **Empire** or the **Order**, as well as the **Old Empire** after its collapse was the fascist government that come to be after the fall of the Galactic Republic in the aftermath of the Clone Wars. Rising to power in the last years of the Republic, the Sith-Lord Darth Sidious gradually secured the government under his control through the persona of Palpatine, the last Chancellor of the Republic. Through his machinations as both Palpatine and as Sidious, a Sith Empire was restored to a position of dominance amidst the fall of the Jedi Order and the passing of the Galactic Senate. Without the guardians of peace and justice to oppose him, Darth Sidious brought an end to a thousand years of democracy; and in its place he installed the absolute rule of himself as Galactic Emperor. For over two decades, opposition to the Imperial regime was ruthlessly suppressed by the rapidly expanding armed forces of the Empire. Throughout most of the Empire's existence, the Imperial Senate stood within the Empire as the last surviving symbol of the Republic. With the delayed completion of the Death Star, the Emperor felt confident enough to permanently dissolve the Senate while maintaining his control of the galaxy through the regional Governors and the fear that the new station would inspire. Though to the Empire's dismay, the growing resentment to their rule led to the the formation of the Rebel Alliance.

United by a common goal, the Rebel Alliance became a viable threat to the Empire after its successful theft of the Death Star plans and the station's subsequent destruction at the Battle of Yavin. Throughout the Galactic Civil War, the forces of the Empire and Alliance fought across the galaxy in a conflict that culminated in the demise of both the Emperor and his apprentice, Darth Vader at the Battle of Endor four years after the start of the war. With the last of the Sith Order no extinct, the shattered Empire struggled to maintain their war effort against the rising momentum of the New Republic, as the Empire turned into a stratocracy dominated by its highest ranked military officers. It was in this time when Imperial forces split into a variety of separate factions, dominated by various warlords, moffs, and admirals. As they struggled to maintain their war effort against the Republic, the centralized government faded with the rise of warlord Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, who controlled the largest fraction of the Navy. Within a year of the Emperor's demise, the Empire made its last stand on the planet Jakku and suffered a decisive defeat, resulting in surrender to the Republic via the signing of the Galactic Concordance. Yet despite its fall, the Empire's legacy endured for decades in the Unknown Regions, where former Imperials plotted their revenge against the Republic. Driven by the goal of returning to power, some elements of the Imperial Remnants evolved into the First Order, a military government inspired by the ideals of the Galactic Empire.

## Imperial Leadership

Sheev Palpatine the **Galactic Emperor**, commonly referred to as simply the **Emperor** or the **Grand Emperor**, was the head of state of the Galactic Empire. The first and only official Emperor of the first Empire was Emperor Sheev Palpatine, with most of the Imperial leaders who followed were not recognized by all or never made use of the title of Emperor. With the end of the Clone Wars and the fall of the Jedi Order, the Galactic Republic was replaced by the Empire in accordance with the proclamation of the New Order, as outlined by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine who named himself Emperor. In secret, Palpatine was the public persona of the Sith-Lord Darth Sidious, whose rise to power fulfilled a plot made to establish a new Sith Empire, planning live forever by uncovering the secrets of immortality. The Emperor's rule came to an end with the death of Palpatine, approximately two decades into the Empire's existence. While several Imperial political and military officials including Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, and Grand Admiral Rae Sloane attempted to fill the vacuum of power, the Empire would ultimately fall at the hands of the New Republic.

#### Supreme Commander

The title of **Supreme Commander**, also known as the **Supreme Commander of the Imperial Forces**, **Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet**, **Supreme Fleet Commander**, or **Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military**, was created in succession by several of the most senior officers in the Imperial Military of the Galactic Empire, with the most notable one to hold this title being Darth Vader. Although technically the Emperor, as the Head of the Government, held absolute authority over the Empire, the Supreme Commander held direct command over all the segments of the Imperial Military. At its inception, the title and position was granted to Lord Vader. It seems that in this capacity, Vader's powers were those of Commander-in-Chief of all Imperial forces, answering only to the Emperor himself. When Vader died at the Battle of Endor, the position seemed to have disappeared as a successor was never made apparent. Vader occupied a personal role as Palpatine's lieutenant, with several titles and offices including Dark Lord of the Sith. Many considered Vader the Emperor's right-hand, and viewed him as the natural successor to the Galactic Emperor's legacy.

### Imperial Government

#### Imperial Ruling Council

The **Imperial Ruling Council**, also known as simply the **Ruling Council** or **Imperial Council** was a collective body of bureaucrats based on the planet Coruscant that constituted the uppermost tier of the Galactic Empire. This executive branch was made up of Palpatine's closest advisors including such figures as Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, Sate Pestage, Ars Dangor, Janus Greejatus, Kren Blista-Vanee, and Verge. Members of the Ruling Council were noted for wearing loose-fitting robes of riotous colors and flamboyant hats. It was the Ruling Council that managed the daily affairs of the Empire, and its members wielded enough powers that all Moffs, military Generals and Admirals responded to them. In spite of that, the councilors were not always informed of the details known to Imperial Intelligence, as information was closely guarded on the Imperial capital. Following the Battle of Endor, ambitious members of the Council attempted to carve up their own personal territories within the Empire. Because of their inability to run the Empire successfully after Palpatine's death, Gallius Rax created his own executive branch called the Shadow Council of the Imperial Remnants.

#### Imperial Senate

The **Imperial Senate** was the legislative branch of the First Galactic Empire, and the successor of the Senate of the Galactic Republic, which was reformed into an autocratic regime when Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine declared himself Emperor. The Imperial Senate was reduced to the lower tier of government and over time lost the prestige it once held as the forum for galactic debate, as increasing numbers of Senators became entangled into Emperor Sheev Palpatine's web of corruption. While Senators and citizens were made to believe that they had a voice in politics, in reality Palpatine held unlimited executive power, and was the only one who could formally pass legislation. While most feared to speak out against the Emperor, a few such as Senators Bail and Leia Organa of Alderaan questioned the Imperial accountability of its actions, much to the ire of Empire's authorities. The Imperial Senate was disbanded after the capture of Leia Organa, with Leia's connection to the Alliance being used to cast doubt unto Senate's loyalty to the Empire. As such, the Senate was officially dissolved, and its prerogatives passed to the regional Imperial Governors.

#### Imperial Governors

**Governor** was a political title used by high-ranking leaders of political territories such as planets, moons, and galactic regions. The Empire left the self-government of many planets intact, especially those that were either indifferent or supportive of the New Order. Planets that rebelled, were deemed hostile to the New Order, or newly-annexed by the Empire, had Governors appointed. Certain worlds that had Senators who were deemed less than loyal to the Emperor were sometimes assigned Governors, despite the opposition of their Senator. Other worlds, which were further away from Coruscant, retained their government with only minor changes, but also had an appointed Imperial Governor. In the Galactic Empire, a governor could wear a standard Imperial uniform, in the case of Arihnda Pryce, or a white outfit, as donned by Adelhard with a rank insignia plaque consisting of six blue squares over three red and three yellow.

Imperial Governors of Sectors and "Oversectors" were given the rank of **Moff**, a group that answered to the Imperial Ruling Council. There was a fixed number of twenty Moffs in the fifth year of Emperor Palpatine's reign, and in that same year the senior rank of **Grand Moff** was created and awarded to Wilhuff Tarkin. Sectors controlled by Grand Moffs were classified as priority sectors, locations that were of special interest to the Emperor. As a symbol of their charge, Moffs wore a rank insignia plaque bearing ten colored squares with five blue over three red and two gold. Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was Governor of the Outer Rim Territories, however, the use of the term was honorific, as his title was that of the first Grand Moff. After the death of Emperor Palpatine and the destruction of the second Death Star, Moff Valco Pandion seized the title of Grand Moff for himself. By the time of the Battle of Jakku, Randd had become a Grand Moff.

### Imperial Military

#### Imperial Joint Chiefs

The **Joint Chiefs** of the Galactic Empire were members of the executive group that advised the Emperor on all martial-related matters. The cabinet was composed of the chiefs of the Imperial Army and higher ranking members of the Naval chiefs. Owing to the nature of their job, many were known to work closely with top officers of COMPNOR and its sub-agencies, such as the Imperial Security Bureau or ISB, Imperial Intelligence and the Naval Intelligence Agency or NIA, along with members of the Imperial Ruling Council. In the fifth year of Sheev Palpatine's reign, the leading members of the organization were General Cassio Tagge, Rear Admirals Kendal Ozzel, Conan Antonio Motti and Tiaan Jerjerrod. Following shakeups in the Imperial Military, they were joined by Admiral Nils Tenant. At this time, they were joined in their meetings by several officers from COMPNOR and the NIA. Twenty years into the Empire's reign, Tagge and Motti were still members of the Joint Chiefs. After the destruction of the original Death Star Cassio Tagge as one of the few Joint Chief survivors from the Death Star tragedy, was given the rank of Grand General. However, not long after his promotion, Cassio Tagge was executed personally by Darth Vader for his association with the traitor Doctor Cylo.

#### Imperial High Command

**Imperial High Command**, also called the **Imperial Command** or simply **High Command**, was a command division of the Galactic Empire responsible for the coordinating their war efforts during the Galactic Civil War. Though the Imperial Command was not able to take action against Rebel-sympathizers who had powerful friends within the Senate at least before this Empire Senate was removed from power. It presumably had ties to a Imperial Security Bureau and Imperial Intelligence agencies, as well as having several subdivisions which developed new strategies and tactics as part of the Empire's plans for the Outer Rim. Command Subdivisions such as the Army Command, Naval Command, and also the Stormtrooper Command all were beneath Imperial Command and answered to its membership. Due to the hierarchical elements of the Military, High Command received orders from their Emperor which then are transmitted down the chain command down to the appointed commander in charge of armed or naval Forces operation. Such members in Imperial High command included a dark Sith-Lord Darth Vader, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Grand Moff Tarkin, and Director Krennic. At times this Imperial High Command could play direct roles at various military operations should they be a high priority.

#### Imperial Officer Corps

The **Imperial Officer Corps** was an organization composed of military officers within the empire military hierarchy who served the Galactic Empire. It had a prestigious history which did date as back as the last days of the republic and first days of their empire. Members within their Officer Corps who were demonstrated to be the most cunning, excelled, and dedicated were often chosen for the Command positions. The officer was a high class soldier within the empire military who provided a commanding presence among their Empire's stormtrooper legions that were deployed to fight Emperor Lord Sidious's enemies. Their leadership roles often inspired stormtroopers into battle and were capable of summoning more troops onto the field. These individuals of this class were divided into numerous special positions and placements. Despite these variations of the officer class, there was two common traits among them: an ruthless ambition, and those that supported the subjugating of non-human races. In addition to those officers who exerted command in Navy or their Army there were other specializations. Imperial Officials had made efforts to identify potential officer recruits from within their Academies.Recruits identified to potentially have this talent were sometimes sent to specialized officer Academies.

## Dark Side-Affiliated Groups

Sith emperor Palpatine Darth vader Vader
The **Dark Side of the Force**, called **Bogan** or **Boga** by ancient Force-Sensitives, was an aspect of the Force which unlike the Jedi who drew their power from the Light Side was drawn from peoples darker emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, aggression, megalomania, jealousy, greed, and unrestrained passion. Those who harness the power of the Dark Side were known as either Darksiders, Dark Side Adepts, or Dark Jedi when unaffiliated with a group affiliated with the Dark Side. The most infamous Dark Side cult, the Sith were major practitioners of the Dark Side of the Force, and stood were dedicated to dominating the galaxy and bringing about the utter destruction of their mortal enemies, the Jedi who followed the Light Side of the Force. With such great influence, the Sith religion inspired many cults that had become dedicate toward prolonging the teachings and the memory of the Sith. There were other groups who drew power from the Dark Side such as the Inquisitorius, who although not Sith, were comprised of Force-Sensitive beings who served the darkness. The Emperor, Darth Sidious, believed that the source of the Dark Side was from the universe beyond the edges of the known galaxy, and so dedicated himself and Imperial assets to finding a way into the Unknown Regions.

### Order of the Sith Lords

The **Order of the Sith Lords**, also known as simply the **Sith**, was an ancient organization of those who used the Dark Side of the Force, founded by the Dark Lord Darth Bane one thousand years before the Age of the Empire in in an effort to orchestrate the rebirth of the Sith Order. Their guiding principle was the Rule of Two, stating that only two Sith were allowed to exist at any given time, a master and an apprentice. The Rule stipulated that after learning everything the master had to teach, the apprentice would attempt to kill the master and take an apprentice of their own. The intended effect of this rule was to ensure that each successive master would be stronger than the last. Ultimately, Bane intended that his successors would be able to amass enough power in secret to engineer the fall of the Republic and the Jedi Order. This tradition was carried on over millennia, and after centuries of operating in secrecy, their plans of revenge were initiated by Darth Sidious, who ultimately made Bane's dream a reality. Sith seen as the masters of the Dark Side, and the pinnacle of dark power. The leader of the cult, the Dark Lord of the Sith, was considered the embodiment of the Dark Side itself, and all power of the Dark Side would flow from them. Unfortunately, the lineage of Bane fell along with the Rule of Two with the death of Darth Sidious along with his final apprentice and the last of the Sith, Darth Vader.

=== Inquisitorius === grand inquisitor 5th brother 7th sister 8th brother
The **Inquisitorius** was a secret organization within the Galactic Empire consisting of Dark Side Force-Sensitive agents known as **Inquisitors**, or sometimes **Inquisitioners**, **Red Blades** and even **Jedi Hunters**. The class of Darksiders known as Inquisitors originally were affiliated with the ancient Sith Empire, comprised of sinister and deceptive beings whom often delved into dark secrets of the Dark Side to assist themselves on the battlefield and in politics. In the wake of the rise of the Galactic Empire ruled by the Sith, the Order recreated the ancient class of Force-Wielders, Inquisitors who would be considered the highest ranking of the Dark Side Adepts. Under the control of the Emperor, the Inquisitors were considered the highest ranking of the Dark Side Adepts. They reported mainly to Darth Vader, who assigned the Inquisitors the mission of hunting down any Jedi that managed to survive Order 66, with a secondary mission to abduct Force-Sensitive children. Like the ancient Inquisitors of the Sith Empire, the most common weapon of the Inquisitors is a double-bladed Lightsaber. In the years before the Galactic Civil War, the group came into conflict with a rebel cell that included the survivor of the Jedi Purge Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger. Their pursuit of the Spectres also brought them into contact with another survivor, the former Jedi Ahsoka Tano, as well as the former Sith Darth Maul.

=== Hands of the Emperor === piett tarkin Ozzal motti yularen
Prior to his ascent to Galactic Emperor, Palpatine used a number of assassins, spies, and operatives to achieve his plans as the Sith-Lord Darth Sidious. It was his use of Darth Maul, trained specifically to kill Jedi, who proved effective at handling other tasks, that convinced Palpatine of the usefulness of extremely loyal, effective, and secret agents. Thus he began developing the **Hands of the Emperor** to create a small group of operatives, rather than dark students of the Sith. Palpatine used the Hands to kill enemies where his more obvious tools would be ineffective or too public. Targets included rogue political leaders, traitorous commanders, or other internal or external concerns. Potential Hands of the Emperor were tracked with keen interest by Palpatine until they reached maturity, preferring to begin their training after they had developed. Rumors generated from the Hands existence would make some call themselves Emperor's Hand to hold a title of power, such as Gar Saxon, who used this title to maintain control over Mandalore. Some started as thieves, warriors, assassins, or entertainers, but each managed to show skills and loyalty to the Emperor. The exact number of agents is unknown, though most famous Hands, Lumiya and Mara Jade, took wildly different paths from the other; with Lumiya going down a dark path, while Mara went down a brighter path leading her to redemption in the light.

## Imperial Navy

The **Imperial Navy**, also known as **Imperial Starfleet**, **Imperial Fleet**, **Imperial Battlefleet**, or **Imperial Space Navy**, was the space warfare branch of the Military of the Empire. It was created after the Clone Wars, when Chancellor Palpatine transformed the Galactic Republic he led into an authoritarian Empire. The command structure of the Navy included such parties as the Admiralty, a department of the Galactic Empire's government which administered the Navy. With the Admiralty being the ranking branch of the Imperial Navy, it is possible that it may have been the leadership of Naval Command, reformed from the Admiralty of the Republic's Navy. The Imperial Navy was perhaps one of the most formidable militaries ever assembled, consisting of a great many warships, fighters and transports, manned by Imperial fleet crews. The mainstays of its fleets the Star Destroyer and Super Star Destroyer capital ships and the TIE Series starfighters which became some of the most visible symbols of Imperial rule to the galaxy's civilian populace. The role of the Imperial Navy was the absolute dominance of known space in the name of the Galactic Empire, as well as enforcing the will of the Emperor. After the Battle of Endor, the Galactic Empire began to devolve into warlordism and infighting, splintering the Navy even though it would fight against the New Republic under a succession of leaders, like Ysanne Isard, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, and Governor Adelhard, it would never again be the united force it once was.

### Imperial Naval Forces

#### Imperial Fleet Troopers

**Imperial Navy Troopers**, also known as **Imperial Fleet Troopers**, were the elite soldiers of the Imperial Navy branch of the Imperial Military. Those troopers, who were separate from the white-armored stormtroopers, were trained in warfare and independent command, which included shipboard combat, repulsing boarders, and pacifying escaped detainees. Additionally, most were cross-trained in some operational duty. Like gunners and ground crew, Navy Troopers played a vital role in the day-to-day operations. There were two different uniforms worn by the troopers, one of which comprised of a Imperial uniform, sometimes with code cylinders and a rank insignia plaque. The other was a uniform more aligned with technicians, although both were black and featured a protective helmet with a chinstrap, not to be confused with Imperial technicians who donned a similar outfit. While not as fearsome as Stormtroopers, they still maintained importance as they participated in assaults on installations. Nonetheless, they were commonly found guarding and maintaining outposts and mining stations within the New Order, and as a result were not as well trained or competent.

#### Imperial Starfighter Corps

After the Declaration of a New Order, the Republic Starfighter Corps lost its status as an independent arm of the military and was merged with the Imperial Navy. Unlike the Republic Navy, the Imperial Navy focused on capital ship firepower rather than starfighter superiority and it subordinated the Starfighter Corps to this role. The Galactic Empire turned away from snubfighter development, seeing it as a distasteful legacy of the swarms of Vulture droid starfighters deployed by the Confederate Navy during the Clone Wars. The Empire instead focused on the creation of a new generation of space superiority fighters, culminating in Sienar Fleet Systems' TIE Series of starfighters. The **Imperial Starfighter Corps**, also simply known as **Imperial Pilot Corp** was made a component of the Imperial Navy. The most visible members of Pilot Corp were the **TIE Pilots**. Distinguished by all-black flight suits and bulky, fully-enclosed, vacuum-sealed helmets, at its height the Galactic Empire produced millions of TIE pilots, and generally considered them expendable assets. Although the Corps was a component of the Navy, some pilots were assigned to ground operations with the Imperial Army.

#### Imperial Survey Corps

The **Imperial Survey Corps** (**ISC**) was a branch of the Imperial Navy, whose duty was the exploration of the galaxy. During the Imperial Era, one of the Survey Corps' main goals was to map the farthest reaches of Wild Space. To fulfill its mission, the ISC was often staffed with scientists and scouts; however, it never achieved importance during the height of the Galactic Empire and due to this experienced perennial manpower shortages. The Empire planned to gradually pare back the size of the ISC and eventually disband it altogether due to Palpatine's inability to control the ISC led members with spirits to become independent for the Empire, and some even ran information and supplies for the Rebel Alliance. Regardless of the ISC's increasingly reduced status, it was claimed that the Survey Corps was responsible for discovering many new planetary systems. The ISC's preferred the usage of scout vessels which embodied the scout's mindset with its powerful weapon systems. According to some rebels, most scouts were unaware of what the Imperials would do with the data they sent back and were only in it for the adventure, and as such the rebels got several defects.

### Imperial Naval Fleets

#### Death Squadron (Vader's Fleet)

**Death Squadron** was the personal armada Darth Vader's of Star Destroyers following the Battle of Yavin, led by the Super Star Destroyer *Executor* following the Battle of Yavin. The fleet, designed to instill terror in dissidents of the Empire's New Order, was tasked with finding the Rebel Alliance base. Moreover, Vader used his fleet in a personal mission to find his son, Luke Skywalker. Though Death Squadron consisted of initially only few ships the *Executor* and few Star Destroyers it earned a fearsome reputation as Vader's armada, who had the authority to assign additional ships from other Sectors as he saw fit. Supported by several *Imperial*-Class Star Destroyers, Vader had the authority to assign additional ships from other sectors as he saw fit. Likewise, ships assigned to Death Squadron could be sent off from the main fleet on reconnaissance missions when appropriate. While Vader had complete control over the fleet, other notable officers include Admiral Firms Piett, Piett's predecessor Kendal Ozzel, and General of armed forces Maximilian Veers. One of the support ships was the *Devastator*, which was Vader's flagship before the *Executor*. The centerpiece of Death Squadron was Vader's latest flagship, the Super Star Destroyer *Executor*, while a number of smaller ships routinely acted as support ships. Together, Death Squadron was the most powerful assemblage of warships in Imperial history.

#### Seventh Fleet (Thrawn's Fleet)

The **Seventh Fleet** carried a superior firepower against the enemies of the Empire and participated in several major conflicts. Fleet Admiral Sartan acted as the Seventh Fleet's commanding officer until two years before the Galactic Civil War, at which time Sartan was replaced by Grand Admiral Thrawn, after Governor Arihnda Pryce's advice to Thrawn to volunteer for the position using his victory at Batonn. At this time, the fleet was headed by the Star Destroyer *Chimaera*, named after a creature with same name. Both the ship's belly and the fleet's emblem bore a stylized version of the Chimaera. With increasing rebel activity, Governor Pryce requested the aid of the Seventh Fleet to deal with the rebel cell, which was granted by Grand Moff Tarkin. With Thrawn's forces of the Imperial Military war machine comprised of a fleet which primarily utilized Imperial Star Destroyers, several Imperial light cruisers, and Interdictor cruisers during it's campaign against the rebellion. Launching attacks against the rebels, Thrawn was able to force the rebellion to abandon their bases in the Lothal Sector and run from the Imperial forces in order to survive. Thrawn's success would have been impossible without a fleet to command. Years before the outbreak of the Galactic Civil War, the Seventh Fleet was considered an effective and powerful force as it had resolved major conflicts on the behalf of the Galactic Empire.

## Imperial Army

The **Imperial Army**, also known as **Imperial Forces** or **Imperial Ground Forces**, was the land-based branch of the Imperial Military. The Stormtroopers, the elite troops of the Empire were organized under the Stormtrooper Corps, which operated as part of the army It also depended on mechanized vehicles such as the AT-ST's in addition to the AT-AT's. Operating under the oversight of the council of senior staff called Imperial Army Command which held authority of all the Imperial Army forces from the capital world of Coruscant, the Imperial Army originated from the Republic's Grand Army of the Republic, and served as the Empire's ground forces for maintaining control of the countless worlds under the New Order. By the time of the Galactic Civil War, the number of troopers accumulated in one of the greatest and most vast armies in history while utilizing a wide range of walkers, tanks, vehicles, and ships in support of the Imperial infantry. As such, the Army encompassed various infantry, armored cavalry, special forces, artillery operators, engineers, scouts, and Imperial combat drivers. Imperial Army officers wore identical uniforms to their naval counterparts, however when on the field they would wear a field grey chestplate. At the Battle of Endor, the Imperial Military suffered a great defeat at the hands of the rebellion, and the forces of the Imperial Ground Forces became fragmented as the Galactic Empire collapsed into warlordism and infighting, losing ground more and more to the newly formed New Republic.

### Imperial Ground Forces

#### Imperial Army Troopers

The Imperial Army had its own infantry, distinct from the famed Stormtroopers, made up of conscripts and enlistees and used to garrison planets, generally less loyal to the Empire than Imperial Stormtroopers. **Imperial Army Troopers** were recruited from all across the Empire, though preferably from worlds without sympathy for the rebels. Fitness, equipment maintenance, team-building drills and indoctrination were all part of the training to be an Army Trooper. Though survival in various environments was standard, some camps specialized in certain exotic types. All manners of combat were taught, from hand-to-hand fighting and blaster proficiency to grenade and heavy weapons training. Army units were often reinforced by Stormtroopers even though the command structure was separate, although duty for a Army Trooper was relatively light whereas the Stormtroopers were employed, regular troopers were used to secure ground already taken but were willing to fight when necessary. They piloted nearly all heavy vehicles, including the AT-AT and AT-ST. On garrisoned worlds, they operated with the fleet, Stormtroopers, and the local forces to maintain order and security.

#### Imperial Combat Drivers

**Imperial Combat Drivers**, were trained to become elite ground-vehicle pilots of the Galactic Empire's Army. Combat Drivers were trained to handle everything in the Imperial ground arsenal, including the speeder bikes, Imperial Troop Transports, and various type of walkers like the All Terrain Defense Pod. Several assault vehicles used by the Empire boasted a specialized corps of drivers. Such corps included pilots driving AT-AT's, tank operators piloting "Occupier" combat assault tanks, and drivers operating AT-ST's. However, members of all corps were qualified to operate the All Terrain Armored Cargo Transports, since they were not technically designated battlefield assault vehicles. Despite this, they still had a specialised driver group. AT-AT pilots saw themselves as the elite among the elite. The generic armor worn by the Empire's combat drivers consisted of a jumpsuit, a cuirass, shoulder- and lower leg-armor, gauntlet-style gloves, and a domed helmet whose faceplate resembled that of Imperial cadets. Army pilots usually did not wear armor due to protection given by Imperial vehicles, but higher ranking officers often wore some protective armor into combat.

### Imperial Special Forces

The **Imperial Special Forces** was an elite branch of the Imperial Military which trained to carry out special operations. Such personnel included the special forces operative Kolar Ludd, nicknamed the "Depopulator", who was part of the unit. The **Storm Commandos** also known as **Imperial Commandos** or **Shadow Scouts**, were the special forces of the Stormtrooper Corps, trained to deal with extreme situations, equipped with silver scout armor and carried E-11 rifles. Storm Commandos were to instigate uprisings on enemy systems or subdue insurrections on Imperial planets, trained to deal with extreme combat situations. They served as second-wave attackers, holding territory won by the first wave. Some Commandos were members of the 501st Legion, Vader's Stormtrooper battalion. A naval division of the special forces served the Navy which was formed from Imperial Navy Troopers. One of the most notable units within special forces was Inferno Squad, created after the theft of the Death Star plans and the destruction of the station, Inferno Squad received orders from one of Palpatine's droids after his death, which ordered the group to avenge the Empire.

### Imperial Stormtrooper Corps

The **Stormtrooper Corps**, also referred to as the **Trooper Corps**, was an independent branch of the Imperial Military that operated alongside the Imperial Army and Navy of the Galactic Empire. Even though they operated under their own command structure, Stormtroopers ultimately answered to Emperor Palpatine, the architect of the New Order that incorporated most of the known galaxy under Imperial rule. Regarded as elite shock troopers of the Empire, the Corps functioned as Palpatine's chief enforcers both within the military and the galactic populace alike due to their loyalty to Palpatine. Although their ranks were numerous and possessed some of the finest weaponry and armor, with much development spearheaded by the Imperial Department of Military Research, troopers were generally less respected as soldiers to their clone predecessors, by the Empire's adversaries, and veterans of the Clone Wars. With few exceptions, the Corps was predominantly Human throughout the existence of the first Galactic Empire. The Corps was known for its near limitless supply of Stormtroopers trained at academies across the galaxy, as well as its devotion to Darth Vader.

## Imperial Intelligence

**Imperial Intelligence**, abbreviated as **Imperial Intel** or **I.I.**, also known as **Military Intelligence** (**MI**), was the central intelligence service of the Galactic Empire that provided services to the Imperial Military, the Joint Chiefs, and Emperor Palpatine. It had oversight of the operations of the Naval Intelligence Agency which was briefly made its own separate group before being folded back under Imperial Intelligence. Imperial Intelligence was dedicated to the collecting of intel, secret and otherwise, for the Imperial government. The sub-agency of COMPNOR called Imperial Security Bureau was a sister agency and rival to Imperial Intelligence over resources, abilities, and areas of responsibility. The Imperial Death Troopers, who wore a dark variation of Stormtrooper armor, were the elite soldiers of Imperial Intelligence. Divisions that fell under the Intelligence's arm included the Advanced Weapons Research and the Naval Intelligence Agency before it was folded back into Imperial Intelligence. Intelligence made use of covert operations which it used to spy on enemies as well as itself and other branches of the Galactic Empire. They were also responsible for watching activities of various other governments, corporations and other forces in the galaxy. They were responsible for supplying any intel needed to the various branches in the Empire regarding targets and strategies, making them valuable despite being kept off the front lines. Organized into various divisions, Intelligence was at its peak during the rule of Palpatine until his death.

### Naval Intelligence Agency

**Naval Intelligence Agency** (**NIA**) also called simply **Naval Intelligence** or sometimes called **Military Intelligence**, was the military intelligence branch of the Imperial Starfleet. At some point, the Naval Intelligence Agency was formed out of and made technically separate from Military Intelligence, though it was often associated with, and referred to, as Military Intelligence. The headquarters of Naval Intelligence was in Coruscant's Federal District near the Imperial Palace and the COMPNOR arcology. It was led by Vice Admiral Dodd Rancit who was supported by Vice Admiral Terrinald Screed. It would work closely with the ISB and hold it's own investigations and interrogations if required. During briefings, they would often represent Military Intelligence as well and provide intel and analysis from the Military's perspective. Years into the Empire, Vice Admiral Rancit was found to be a traitor and was executed. After this, Naval Intelligence was folded back into Military Intelligence and Wullf Yularen was appointed to head its operations as the Deputy Director.

### Advanced Weapons Research

**Advanced Weapons Research**, also known as the **Imperial Weapons Division**, or the **Imperial Advance Weapon Development**, was an agency of the Galactic Empire responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military. It was a division of Military Intelligence, although its facilities were guarded by the Intelligence's sister agency, the Imperial Security Bureau. To ensure the secrecy of the Death Star project, the Imperial Weapons Division used poison canisters to perpetrate genocide against the Geonosian species, an act that the Spectres along with Saw Gerrera discovered two years before the completion of the Death Star. Under the leadership of Director Orson Krennic, Advanced Weapons Research was responsible for completing the long-delayed Death Star project. Though Krennic would meet his end on the planet Scarif, where the Rebel Alliance managed to extract the Death Star plans. Despite this, the group continued after Krennic's death, and were responsible for the making of a second Death Star at Endor.

#### Tarkin Initiative

The **Tarkin Initiative** was a top secret think tank within the Advanced Weapons Research division of the Galactic Empire's Intelligence agency. Founded by Governor Wilhuff Tarkin himself, the think tank would give birth to both the first Death Star and the second Death Star. Highly valued officers within the Initiative, like Director Orson Krennic, were guarded by Death Troopers. At some point, one of the Tarkin Initiative's droid prototypes BT-1 would be built in one of their bases. The droid however would be revealed as highly homicidal, wiping out everyone at the base and then self-destructing the base itself. BT-1 would be discovered by Doctor Aphra, who after adjusting the droid's behavior and activating it, put it under the service of enforcer Darth Vader. The logo of the Tarkin Initiative was a hexagon representing a stylized faceted kyber crystal, which was the fuel powering the Death Star, the Initiative's most powerful weapon.

### Imperial Information Office

The **Imperial Information Office** (**IIO**) was an Imperial government office comprised of workers who could wear AJ^6 cyborg constructs, brain implants which could connect to computers and download information, to increase efficiency. Tseebo, a Rodian, worked for the Imperial Information Office on the planet Lothal and was outfitted with an AJ^6, which he later used to download Imperial secrets onto the headpiece that were discovered by the rebel group called the Spectres, who in return helped Tseebo escape from Lothal. Later in the early rebellion movement, a group of information officers led by LT-319 attempted to highjack the astromech C1-10P, in order to discover the location of the rebels base, from their Imperial listener ship. Their plan literally backfired on them, when Hera Syndulla transmitted a large amount of data which overwhelmed the cruiser's systems and caused an explosion which destroyed the ship and its crew.

## Commission for the Preservation of the New Order

The **Commission for the Preservation of the New Order** (**COMPNOR**) was an Imperial agency responsible with the promotion of New Order ideology. It was originally formed from the Republic agency Commission for the Protection of the Republic (COMPOR), a movement composed of loyalists during the Clone Wars, until the final Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine became the Emperor by the end of the Clone Wars and turned the Republic into the Empire. One of Palpatine's first acts was to reshuffle the political apparatus, reforming the Republic-era COMPOR into COMPNOR. Over the course of Palpatine's reign, COMPNOR served as a tool for the dissemination of state-sponsored propaganda across the Empire. COMPNOR criticized the Galactic Republic as lachrymose, corrupt, and ignorant to the demands of its populace, flaws with which it purported the Empire had resolved. The Imperial leadership of COMPNOR comprised of a Director and a Deputy Director, with the two most notable being Armand Isard and his daughter Ysanne Isard. Over the course of the Galactic Empire's reign, COMPNOR served as a political tool for spreading propaganda throughout the Empire. COMPNOR supported such principles as the political religion of the New Order, the xenophobia and Human centric polices, along with civic pride, militarism, and unyielding patriotism to the Empire. Following the demise of the Emperor, COMPNOR was reorganized into the Office of Imperial Promotion, Galactic Truth, and Fact Correction.

### Coalition for Progress

The **Coalition for Progress**, or simply **Progress**, was a sub-agency of the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order, or COMPNOR, responsible for the cultural progress of the Galactic Empire and shaping its public image. It was formed in the same year as the Galactic Empire as a sub-bureau of COMPNOR, part of the Emperor's restructuring of the Imperial hierarchy. It began as a weak cultural organization, understaffed and underwhelming, but developed into a massive agency with monitors throughout the galaxy. It examined massive amounts of data, the majority of which was mundane, for indications of dissident or Rebel activity, and forwarded summaries to the more-important ISB. Coalition for Progress soon became responsible for monitoring and molding the Imperial image to the galactic citizenry, raising the next generation of Imperials. An example of one of the Coalition for Progress's actions could be seen fourteen years into the reign of the Empire, when the Coalition ordered the destruction of a statue deemed controversial, while officially, the Coalition maintained that the work of art had been in poor condition, and had become a danger to the population.

#### Ministry of Information

The **Ministry of Information** also known as the **Imperial Ministry of Propaganda** was a Galactic Empire organization responsible for the creation and dissemination of various Imperial propaganda intended to glorify the Empire or cover up its atrocities. The head of the bureau notably oversaw the HoloNet News agency, ensuring that its stories were in line with government messaging. It fell under the jurisdiction of the Coalition for Progress, a division of COMPNOR. It also managed the Imperial Press Corps and its specialized communication courier droids used to transport information from place to place when computer networks were not available, the Press Corps being a news organization maintained by the Empire during its rule. Journalists recruited to the Press Corps could be assigned to work for the HoloNet News.

#### Sub-Adult Group

The **Sub-Adult Group** (**SAGroup**) was a youth-based organization consisting of enthusiastic youth members fervently loyal to Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine, the Galactic Empire, and the tenets of the New Order. Shaped into patriots by the standardized curricula written by the SAGEducation branch of the Coalition for Progress, SAGroup recruits saw the youth program as a fast track to a political career. Although military imagery was common in SAGroup recruitment posters, SAGroup recruits were trained to become loyal administrators and bureaucrats. SAGroup also served as an alternate path to traditional enrollment in the Imperial Academy. When the members of the SAGroup came of age, and were properly indoctrinated, other branches of the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order would recruit them, such as the Imperial Security Bureau, or they would become outstanding Imperials, upholding the New Order.

#### Science

**Science** was a sub-bureau series of groups that were part of the Galactic Empire's Commission for the Preservation of the New Order's Coalition for Progress's Coalition for Progress. Originally a separate entity under COMPNOR, Science ended up under the Coalition for Progress after a reshuffle. It was tasked with guiding research and development into new military applications. Science groups reported on the scientific activity within their assigned Sectors, and they also actively encouraged and coordinated research and development with an eye towards enhancing scientific endeavors in support of the New Order. Much of Science's personnel were themselves scientists of good conscience who resisted efforts by COMPNOR to concentrate on products with military applications. The Imperial Security Bureau watched the Science groups closely, but reprisals for scientists who refused to work on research for military projects were rare.

#### Office of Criminal Investigations

The **Imperial Office of Criminal Investigations (IOCI)**, was a primary law enforcement agency of the Galactic Empire which answered to the Coalition for Progress, a part of COMPNOR. The IOCI was responsible for investigating and fighting criminal activities, specifically those of criminal syndicates and individuals who committed crimes on the multiple planets. IOCI also managed the **Imperial Enforcement DataCore**, means of accessing information regarding the law enforcement activities of Galactic Empire and its agents. The jurisdiction of IOCI included most of the galaxy. As such they frequently worked with the local law enforcement agencies, Imperial Intelligence, and the various branches of the Imperial Military. They also worked with Imperial Security Bureau, the Empire's secret police. Alongside other police officers and investigators in its employ, the IOCI had elite operatives under its employ to assist in enforcing the law.

### Imperial Security Bureau

The **Imperial Security Bureau** (**ISB**), also referred to as the **Security Bureau** or **Imperial Security**, was an Imperial law enforcement and intelligence agency of the Galactic Empire charged with matters of the state security and ensuring the loyalty of citizens to the Empire. Aside from that, it happened to be one of the many umbrella organizations under the greater COMPNOR, larger than its sister agency Imperial Intelligence. The Imperial Security Bureau was formed by the Galactic Emperor Palpatine himself as a secret police organization, dedicated to rooting out all the enemies of the New Order and maintaining stability throughout Imperial territories shortly after the rise of the New Order. Within over the course of a decade, the organization grew from a handful of agents into an organization double the size of the Imperial Intelligence. Following the destruction of the first Death Star, the ISB engaged in an increasing number of operations to root out the growing rebellion, and became busier than ever. Following completion of the Academy, recruits filed into one of the several different branches of the organization. It was governed by Imperial Security Bureau High Command.

#### Surveillance

**Surveillance** was a branch of the Galactic Empire's Imperial Security Bureau that was responsible for analyzing data to look for potential threats within the Empire. One of the largest branch within the Imperial Security Bureau, Surveillance accounted for almost a third of the Bureau's manpower. The personnel from Surveillance were generally drawn from such groups as Sub-Adult Groups, veteran officials from the Sector Monitors, or personnel from Sector Development. Surveillance's mandate was to uncover those individuals or activities that would either pose a threat to the Galactic Empire and its operations, or assist its enemies, such as the Alliance to Restore the Republic. If sufficient evidence in either case was found, the matter was turned over to Investigations for further action. Surveillance was also employed as a deterrent; the citizen's fear of the branch and the Galactic Empire stopped many from supporting the rebellion.

#### Interrogation

**Interrogation** was a branch of the Galactic Empire's Imperial Security Bureau which was responsible for interrogation of suspects, claiming to have a ninety-five percent rate of success while gaining useful data from those questioned. After individuals were captured by Investigations branch, they were turned over to the Interrogation branch of the ISB to find out what information, if any, they had to offer. Information gleaned from the subject was sent back to Investigations. The fate of the subjects in question was unknown after the interrogation had been completed, and no one really endeavored to discover the truth. The official field manual for the Imperial Military forces, claimed that members of the Interrogation branch for the ISB had a much higher success rate than even their counterparts at Imperial Intelligence, at least when the manual was written. Leia Organa, also noted that the most chilling part of the ISB's stories was what they left out.

#### Re-Education

**Re-Education** was a branch of the Galactic Empire's Imperial Security Bureau responsible for 'brainwashing' subjects in order to have them support the Empire and its actions across the galaxy. Commission for the Preservation of the New Order members convicted of a crime by Internal Affairs were sent to Re-Education. Many of the individuals, referred to as "Graduates of Re-Education", returned to work within COMPNOR, but always at a lower-level posting. These "Re-Educated" individuals were reported to react strangely, and that their emotions and speech was disjointed and out of phase. According to the official field manual for the Imperial Military forces, those sentenced to "Re-Education" were implemented with forcible training in the precepts of COMPNOR. Project Unity consisted of re-educating elements of society resistant to the New Order through a process of psychological manipulation and pharmaceutical conditioning.

#### Enforcement

**Enforcement** was a branch of the Imperial Security Bureau. It was responsible for providing specialized enforcers and muscle to assist in the Bureau's operations. Usually, Enforcement personnel were seconded to Investigations, but they occasionally worked with Internal Affairs. Unlike other branches within the COMPNOR, Enforcement hired beings who were not members of the Commission, or even loyal to the New Order. This move prompted a keen interest from the Internal Affairs, as they believed that using such indoctrinated personnel was a security risk. However, the policy had positive side effects; it increased the talent pool from which Enforcement was able to draw its operatives, and well as allowing operatives with no COMPNOR ties to conduct missions that would could not be linked to the Commission. It also oversaw bounties offered by military and intelligence forces and made sure they were conducted with discretion.

#### Investigations

**Investigations** was a branch of the Galactic Empire's Imperial Security Bureau responsible for using data to suppress rebel activity. Agent and officers had direct links to military forces pre-approved by both the local Moff or Grand Moff, and the Select Committee. Investigations officers could appropriate military assets when the need arose during the course of their duty to better counter legitimate Alliance to Restore the Republic threats. The majority of Investigations officers were taken from Surveillance, along with personnel looking to use their talents in new ways. Investigations agents enjoyed a large amount of success employing military assets, forcing many rebel bases on populated worlds to be evacuated. Only on backwater worlds, where convincing cover identities were rare, did they fail to take advantage of this connection. Investigations agents developed a grudging respect for the their counterparts within Rebel Intelligence.

#### Internal Affairs

**Internal Affairs** was a branch of the Galactic Empire's Imperial Security Bureau which was responsible for rooting out traitors among the Empire's ranks. Their mandate was to watch such Imperial organizations as COMPNOR for any signs of disloyalty or behavior against the tenets of the New Order. Internal Affairs agents were often isolated from the rest of the Commission, and had a great degree of authority and autonomy. A single officer of Internal Affairs was stationed on all Star Destroyers to investigate signs of sedition among the crew. They took an interest in the branches of Coalition for Progress, and the Enforcement branch of the ISB. It did not consider the Select Committee to be above suspicion, but whether or not it had the authority to investigate members was unclear. Internal policing of the Commission was always lax, allowing the Internal Affairs branch to use the ambiguity and gray areas to expand their influence and power base.

### Ubiqtorate

The **Ubiqtorate** was one of the several organizations established by the Galactic Empire following the rise of Emperor Palpatine, based in the COMPNOR arcology which also housed the ISB. The Ubiqtorate oversaw many of the various operations within Imperial Intelligence, with formulating overall strategy for the various intel bureaus, or presented them with a series of targets and goals to achieve in line with a larger plan. The methods by which to achieve the Ubiqtorate's goal, such as tactical details, were left to the various branches. Those who were members dealt with a handful of their fellows, and communications to the various branches were never signed by name, merely "Ubiqtorate." An effective and thorough organization, the name first came to light during a media beamcast, in which the COMPNOR scandocs were accidentally released. The details about the activities and role of the Ubiqtorate were in error, but the Intelligence branch of the Empire saw no reason to have them corrected, prefering to have the sounding "Ubiqtorate" representing them.