RAITHAL II (BSN) - The Imperial Union Defence Committee claimed a significant victory for the rule of law and order today as they briefed the galactic press on the current state of the galaxy. Despite the Imperial Union bringing greater stability to the galaxy with the recent recognition of neutral status for the Krath Dynasty and Confederacy of Independent Systems, rebellions fuelled by a fierce and coordinated propaganda machine have continued to see a vicious guerrilla war in the Danjar and Mayagil sectors. Though Alliance efforts in the galaxy's southern reaches indicate a clear focus on the region, the inexorable growth and fortification of territory held by the Imperial Union marks a significant turn of events in the galactic civil war.

Facing questions and criticisms around the loss of so many worlds to insurrection and anarchy in the wake of the New Republic's collapse the Imperial Union has acknowledged it was unable to provide enough policing and military overwatch so suddenly and across so many systems. Vigo Lothbrok explained: "The process of establishing stable governance throughout the former Republic worlds was far beyond the scope of what Imperial Union response plans had anticipated. But our political and social intelligence shows we could have provided a safe and stable government for these now failed worlds, had fear and ignorance not taken root in the local populaces."

Riots and guerilla fighting have continued throughout the former stronghold of the New Republic as a re-emerged Rebel Alliance and Resistance begin their reigns over what remains. These seditious strategies came from a series of desperate deposed tyrants trying to keep hold of their prior wealth and power and required the activation of large-scale Imperial Union peacekeeping forces, many thousands of whom lost their lives in the pursuit of peace for all.
The Imperial Union noted its attention has been spread across the literal length and breadth of the galaxy, with territorial gains surpassing those acquired during any conflict or war in the galaxy's history. While the northern reaches were quick to accept and welcome Imperial and Black Sun governance, the southern regions have been a violent hotbed for Rebel Alliance and Resistance agitators. Protected by a wall of sacrificial flesh provided by the local populations, these treasonous forces typically skirted any direct confrontation with the mighty Imperial Union military; pouring poison into the ears of the frightened and gullible citizenry while hiding from danger themselves.

While The Resistance was dedicated to seeking out their own territorial gains in once Republic space, the Imperial Union turned its attention to the now relatively-poorly defended homeworlds of The Resistance adjacent to the Tresario Star Kingdom. Launching assaults across the border, the Imperial Union shifted its military strength from the defense of far-flung worlds in the outer rim to the more developed worlds closer to the core. Systems such as Ardroxia and Colavas welcomed the return of familiar governance regimes. Their local governments had previously shifted their loyalty to the Galactic Alliance, and only after their liberation did the populace learn the truth that their senior leaders had been charged long-ago by the Galactic Empire for crimes of treason, corruption, embezzlement, and fraud.

Following these events, the Imperial Union's Executive Council announced plans to consolidate its forces and defend regions of strategic importance closer to the core, where the levels of citizen education and values are more amenable to effective governance. The Imperial Union has identified these regions as being compatible with core values of peace and stability, and these worlds can be governed without a disproportionate ongoing loss of life by committed peacekeepers. Citing that the incredible breadth of recent expansion was simply not sustainable in the long term, Imperial forces have undertaken an organized withdrawal from the Abrion, Brema, Garis, Grumani, and Quess sectors; leaving their fates for now in the hands of the unpredictable and violent regimes of the Galactic Alliance.

One of the first sectors to benefit from this shift in focus will be the Chopani sector, where significant Imperial advances have necessitated additional troops to secure the newly acquired territory. The Chopani sector is of great value to the Union thanks to its proximity to existing Black Sun territory and will accommodate a more unified expansion into that region. Likewise, the redirection of resources from the Tresario Star Kingdom is helping reinforce their gains in the Tennuutta sector, especially in the asteroid-rich Roche system, ripe with resources to fuel the Union's ongoing success.

These changes point to a coming abatement of the war with the drawing of new, broader territorial lines. Recognizing the benefit of such an endeavor as an investment for increased galactic security, additional neutral and pro-Union governments, as well as independent corporations in the region, have joined the consolidation effort. The overall consolidation of territory cements the Imperial Union's stronghold in the northern half of the galaxy, allowing them to focus on resolving future conflicts on a focused front. By denying anti-Union forces the ability to force a multifront engagement, military experts believe opposing governments will be unable to muster a cohesive military force large enough to break the entrenched lines and endanger the livelihoods of Imperial Union citizens.

Closing the press conference, Vigo Lothbrok underlined the key message to the people of the Imperial Union: "These past 8 months have been turbulent and cost many families across the Imperial Union the lives of their loved ones as they sacrificed to bring peace and law to the galaxy. We did not succeed everywhere that we tried to bring the torch of hope, but that sacrifice has not been in vain. The Imperial Union has brought peace and the rule of law to over a hundred new worlds and hundreds of billions of new citizens. Their lives are now better due to the collapse of the New Republic, and in time, we hope the rest of the galaxy will come to see that."