(Halowan, Fakir) - Quarters of the galaxy were shocked, saddened and encouraged respectively at the unexpected return of Orphaea Imperium, former Executor of the Galactic Empire, who in a statement today announced the formation of an Imperial government in exile in opposition to the Ndengin regime, which is said to have lost the faith of the Imperial people. The announcement indicates the commencement of a new Imperial Civil War, the fifth since the Empire's formation in 10 BCGT.
"It is clear that, despite the hopes that I and others had at the end of the reign of Vodo Bonias, the new order that commenced that day has failed," Imperium said in a statement to the galaxy. "Under Guinar Ndengin, the longest reigning Emperor since Bonias, the Empire has gone from leading the greatest alliance of galactic powers in living memory to a diplomatic island, rejected by all but those who were once rejected by the Empire and have been rejected by every other state. Government revenues have collapsed with no resolution, and hundreds of millions of credits have been lost in pet projects of senior leaders. Executor Seele was kidnapped by pirates due to his own incompetence and Ndengin became the first Emperor in history to bend the knee to pirates; against the advice of all but his senior-most advisors handpicked not for merit, but for their inability to challenge any decision of the Throne.
"I have despaired these past few years. I have sought refuge and hope in others, that they might offer order. Those former allies that now make up the Galactic Concordiate, other factions of good repute; and I admit, in my darker moments, even the New Republic, so desperate was I to find the leadership the galaxy needed. It has taken many years, but I have finally been convinced of the reality that others have accepted for some time: that the current regime that calls itself Imperial is no longer the one I served and no longer holds legitimacy in the eyes of the galaxy. One would not think that I, of all people, would have anything positive to say of him, but I will say this - Vodo Bonias never reigned over an Empire of such incompetence, cronyism, and arrogance as the one that exists today.
"As the senior Imperial officer prior to the ascendancy of the current regime who is not attached to that regime, it is my duty to form a government in true succession to Imperial thought, as well as my sad duty to inform the galaxy that, for the fifth time since Emperor Drayson formed it from the ashes of the failed Galactic Republic, the Empire is once again at war with itself."
Rumours of dissatisfied elements forming a movement against the current Imperial regime have whispered throughout the galaxy in recent years, with a number of mid-level and senior officers having departed, including several members of Imperial High Command, due to friction with Emperor Ndengin and Executor Seele. Officials of the Galactic Concordiate states, most of which were former members of the Imperial Union, have also spoken off-the-record to pin the blame for the collapse of the Union in its former state to Ndengin and Seele's treatment of them as vassals rather than equals compared to productive relationships under Bonias and, to a lesser extent, Cherokee.
It is understood that the newly formed Empire-in-Exile will be following a more egalitarian implementation of Imperial ideology in keeping with Imperium's reputation during his Imperial service for approachability and freethinking. Notable changes include the abolishment of species-based service restrictions and laws regulating the alignment of Force users, loosening of economic controls, and a significant thawing of foreign relations.
Currently serving Imperials are encouraged to make their way to the Fakir sector, Marasa Nebula or neutral territory when safe to do so for further instructions.
Orphaea Imperium is a former Executor and senior officer of the Galactic Empire, undoubtedly best known for his successful coup against former Emperor Vodo Bonias during the Fourth Imperial Civil War which saw Thomas Cherokee ascend to the throne. He is also well-known for his forceful nationalisation of the former Corporate Sector Authority government in Year 10 and his reconstruction of Cloud City (now Imperial Mining Corporation), the Imperial resources conglomerate, after massive embezzlement by former CEO Uther von Kalderon left the company on the verge of bankruptcy.
Imperium is undoubtedly one of the most successful military commanders in Imperial history with most successful post-Beta record of any Imperial military commander to date, having taken a commanding role in Meridian, N'zoth; Dostra, and other theatres. Almost one third of the Empire's current territorial size can be directly attributed to actions led by him. The Empire's droid and weapons corporations, Magnaguard Manufacturing and Myorzo Weapon Systems, are also acquisitions made by Imperium.
As a term of settlement of the Fourth Imperial Civil War, new Emperor Thomas Cherokee agreed to appoint Imperium as Executor. However, Cherokee reneged on the agreement shortly afterwards, appointing Guinar Ndengin as Executor instead. Imperium accepted his demotion quietly, recognising the need for peaceful reconstruction after the domination of Bonias. However, the new government actively blocked any opportunities for further service and, disillusioned, Imperium resigned from the Imperial government in Year 13.
