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Did you know? According to Leia’s musings at the beginning of The Force Awakens novelization, the New Republic was “on the verge of collapse”? The reasons why weren’t stated, but certainly the First Order must have had something to do with it. And that was even before anyone outside the First Order knew about their Starkiller weapon.
So the First Order really only finished off an already weakened foe. As for the Resistance, it’s described as “new” in the novel (really? new?!), and apparently formed none too soon, considering how the New Republic fleet was wiped out in the attack on the Hosnian system.
Now, here’s something crazy to consider. The Empire, after the Battle of Jakku, signed a treaty and was confined to certain Core Worlds and Inner Rim worlds. The Imperial Starfleet disappeared into the Unknown Regions, and out of that came the First Order.
But what of the original Empire? We’ve heard nothing to suggest that they don’t still exist. What if they were to see this time as the perfect time to rise again? Is it possible they’ve been biding their time, building armies and engines of war in as much secrecy as possible? And with the Republic gone and the Resistance all that’s left, will the Resistance get caught between an emboldened First Order and a hungry-for-revenge Empire?
Episode VIII is going to be very interesting…
What do you think? Will the Empire strike back (couldn’t resist) in Episode VIII? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Trivia Time!
Test your knowledge of the Star Wars universe!Yesterday’s answer: Rey
Today’s question: Who talks first, Poe Dameron or Kylo Ren?