The Empire has only existed a short time in the galactic scheme of things. The Old Republic was several millenia old, but the Empire has only existed for less than fifty. Despite its relatively young age, however, it has been single handedly responsible for dramatic, sweeping changes in the organization of the galaxy.

It began with the machinations of a man who was a Sith Lord. Senator Palpatine of the planet Naboo was a master of the Dark Side arts. He was voted in as Chancellor of the Republic Senate during a skirmish between his planet, Naboo, and the Trade Federation. From there, he steadily gathered more of the reins of power until he finally declared himself Emperor. The Senate continued for several years, until it, too, was finally disbanded. The Empire became a fascist military state under the tyrannical rule of Emperor Palpatine.

The Jedi Knights, old guardians of the peace and harmony of the galaxy, were the largest obstacle which faced Palpatine, but through the efforts of his Apprentice, Darth Vader, he was able to nearly wipe them out. Only a handful remained, scattered throughout the galaxy and in various states of hiding.

The Empire's greatest challenge came when it was faced with the rebellion among its citizens. Led by Senators Mon Mothma of Chandrila, Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia, and Bail Organa of Alderaan, the Rebel Alliance faced the Empire in the great Galactic Civil War. The official beginning of the Civil War can be traced back to the destruction of the planet of Alderaan. And after four years of struggle, the small Rebel Alliance finally managed to overcome the odds and defeat the Emperor.

After the death of the Emperor, the Empire floundered as it searched for another leader. The bureaucrats and military leaders were able to keep it going while it searched for someone with Palpatine's charisma, strength, and intelligence. Several attempted to lead the Empire, but the greatest came in the form of Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn and two clones of the late Emperor Palpatine.

Yet one by one, the Empire's greatest hopes were defeated by the New Republic. The Empire floundered once again, by this time reduced to only a quarter of its glory at the height of its power. Worse, squabbles for power in the wake of Thrawn's death split the Empire into different factions under the leadership of various bureaucrats and military officers.

One of the largest factions, under the guidance of a mysterious man known as Warlord, managed a successful attack on the New Republic's capital city of Coruscant. In the midst of the battle, a shuttle loaded with explosives crashed down upon the Imperial Palace. The New Republic's greatest heroes of the Rebellion as well as many other indispensable figures in the new government and Jedi Order were killed in the blast. This victory has proven key in beginning the reunion of the shattered forces of the Empire.

Even worse for the New Republic, the new Empire has a hidden base of operations known as Capital. Its location is fiercely guarded, known only to the upper echelon of leadership in the Imperial Navy and Bureacracy. The Warlord has also enlisted the aid of a Sith Lord to face the re-emergence of the Jedi Order.

With quite a few capital ships still in the Imperial Navy and a strong leader, more and more planets once considered neutral begin to side with the Empire. Fear has arisen in the fringe systems of the New Republic, and even citizens at the very Core live in fear of attack. Despite it's reduced size and divided power, the Empire still remains a great threat to the fledgling New Republic. Their battle is far from over.