Empire

Biodata

Government and Society

• Imperial court: The royal family calls itself the “Children of the Dragon.” Legend holds that its founding dynasty carried the blood of a creature called the Cosmic Dragon; some nobles have scales and horns 5.
• Rival factions: As the emperor’s control weakens, the regent and princess factions engage in increasingly frequent purges, assassinations, and sabotage. Both factions approved the attack on the Federation, but their rivalry continues during the invasion 8 18.
• Genetic optimization: Generations of genetic modification have left much of the population enhanced 5.
• Agricultural policy: Civilians on imperial farming planets must surrender crops beyond their subsistence needs. Officials can seize grain to make up a shortfall, while the divide between commoners and nobles remains severe 48.

Military and Intelligence

• Royal Navy: Marquis Ascania commands the Eighth Expeditionary Strike Group during the attack on Robert IV. Its opening operations include bombardment, attacks on Federation ships, and the interception of civilian vessels 13 18.
• Ground forces: Orbital Paratroopers land in capsules to secure positions for follow-on troops. The Blood Dragon Regiment attacks Yasin Base, supported by HCPs and other equipment delivered from orbit 19 20 21.
• Intelligence services: The Royal Navy Intelligence Directorate placed Amber and Isabel under cover in the Federation. Star Dragon Fang conducts covert psionic operations, while the Defense Intelligence and Security Directorate investigates battlefield losses 3 7 15 50.
• Equipment: Imperial forces use exoskeleton-equipped infantry, Holy Spirit light Multi-legged Combat Vehicles, and HCPs. Much of their standard ground equipment has a silver-white finish with gold trim, which can make it easier to spot 21 37 39.

Invasion of Robert IV

After eighty years of peace under the last treaty, the Empire launches a surprise attack on Federation territory on August 17, New Calendar Year 588. Its advance agents plan to disable Yasin Base’s interstellar communications as the fleet arrives 2 3 13.

The Eighth Expeditionary Strike Group overwhelms Robert IV’s Defensive Fleet. Orbital strikes devastate Federation positions, and paratroopers attack cities and military facilities, including Yasin Base 18 19 20. After three days of fighting, the Empire controls the planet’s orbit and Lansford Naval Port, but cannot use the port’s Space Elevator: Federal Navy Major DiMaria Randall escaped to the surface with the authorization needed to unlock it. The lockout sharply restricts the Empire’s ability to deploy heavy ground forces 36 50.

Notable Personnel

• Marquis Ascania — commander of the Eighth Expeditionary Strike Group and an ally of the regent 18 50.
• Viscount Ankarin — commander of the Blood Dragon Regiment; states that his loyalty lies with the emperor rather than the regent 19 21.
• Tailstinger — senior Star Dragon Fang operative involved in the Yasin Base infiltration 7 21.
• Isabel / Captain Valra Margaret — Royal Navy intelligence agent aligned with the princess’s faction; escapes Yasin Base with Amber after Regent-aligned operatives move against them 3 8 22 23.
• Amber / Fledgling — imperial sleeper agent turned into a Federation double agent. He later broadcasts news of the invasion and flees the base 3 5 23.

Possible Future

In the history Amber remembers, a rebellion led by the regent topples the Empire soon after the war begins. The royal family disappears, and great nobles divide its territory into separate states. Amber’s interventions on Robert IV have already changed events from that history, so this outcome is not established for the current timeline 5 36.