The Byblosi Union

"'Union, Militarism, and Collective Will'"The Byblosi Union is an Imperial breakaway state found mostly in the Colonies along the Corellian Run. Originally an autonomous command under Imperial Regent Ysanne Isard, following the Byblosi Invasion of Corellia Marshal Iris Kardenn declared the autonomous command an independent command.

Founded after elements of the Galactic Empire's Clandestine Shock Squads were defeated during the New Republic's invasion of Fondor. Unlike other Imperial Warlords States, the Byblosi Union has done away with a civilian apparatus to govern their space. Civilian governors, advisers and Moffs are all subservient to the interests of the central military government, headed by a Marshal. The Byblosi Union is the driving force of Imperial activity in the Colonies, chiefly responsible for the defeat of the Blood Empire during the Slice War and preventing the New Republic from expanding its influence into the region. While the Byblosi Union has declared itself independent of Imperial Centre's rule it is generally aligned with Imperial interests. The Union maintains generally positive relations with other Imperial states such as the Red Star Autonomous Command or Greater Maldrood.

The Clandestine Shock Squads and Overthrow of Moff Tucker
The roots of the of the Byblosi Union are found on the other side of the Galaxy on Fondor. Following the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the Empire at the Battle of Endor, the survivors of the Imperial Navy's command attempted to adjust their strategic doctrine. Imperial commanders looked at the success of Rebel special forces and raiding tactics and wanted to replicate that success. To this end Admiral Mordur, commander of Imperial forces in the Fondor region, put together his own special forces units- The Clandestine Shock Squads (CSS). Of the four squads created, CSS Arakeev would prove the most effective.

Arakeev would prove effective at disrupting the Alliance of Free Planets and their plans. Supply depots and hidden bases would be destroyed across the Galaxy. Crix Madine, founder of the Stormcommando units, noted the extreme effectiveness of Arakeev and its sister squads. While the CSS were designed to be used against the Alliance, it would not be long before Arakeev would be deployed against other targets. When Emperor Palpatine died over the forest moon of Endor, he left no clear succession plan in place. Grand Vizier Sate Pestage would quickly seize control of the Empire and while many in the Imperial military grumbled at his rise to power they dared no question him.

Despite serving as the right-hand man of the Emperor, Pestage simply did not have the same political cunning as the late ruler of the Galaxy. While not willing to openly challenge the Emperor, the Imperial Navy and Intelligence Service put their bickering aside and plotted on removing Pestage from power. Following the declaration of Zero Command by Admiral Blitzer Harrsk Pestage turned his attention towards fighting fellow Imperials rather than the Alliance. The Imperial Navy volunteered CSS Arakeev to infiltrate a Zero Command outpost to determine the scale of the fighting between the Empire and Zero Command. Arakeev would discover not only that Pestage had invested a vast amount of resources in trying to bring Harrsk to heel, but that the Emperor had lost far more material than he'd reported to the Navy.

Following the revelation that the Emperor was more concerned with holding his melting throne than trying to save the Empire, the Imperial Navy began using Arakeev and the other CSS squads to sabotage Pestage's interests. However it would not be Arakeev or any other commando group that would bring down Pestage. Paranoid about the Navy's growing disdain for him, Pestage had placed several regional Governors in command of large fleets in key sectors. In command of the defence of Fondor was Moff Raythe who was trusted with an Executor Class Star Destroyer and an armada of Star Destoyers. On 39:6:1 Moff Raythe's Fleet was utterly crushed at Bassadro. Alliance General Han Solo would then lead a naval task force to take the Fondor shipyards. Arakeev's executive officer, Lt. Commander Iris Kardenn would be tipped off shortly before Solo's arrival by Director Isard of Imperial Intelligence. Rallying a small naval force together, Arakeev would escape Fondor to Cambria. Arakeev would be lucky to survive the disaster at Fondor. The other three CSS Squads: Asmodeus, Aragon, and Arkell would all be wiped out by Alliance forces during the Fall of Fondor.

After a brief stint in the Cambria system, Commander Zozza would turn his attention to the future of his unit. Armed with a small fleet and battle hardened commandos and stormtroopers, Zozza was a unique position to assert himself on the Galactic stage. During the political chaos of Pestage's fall, Zozza and his forces began a guerrilla campaign on the Colony world of Byblos against the local Moff, Tucker. Following several operations against Tucker's meagre garrison, Zozza and his allies enacted Operation Final Dawn. Zozzan Stormtroopers alongside the CSS managed to make quick work of the local Imperial forces and Tucker would be executed by Kardenn.

The Byblos Sector Authority
With Moff Tucker dead and Byblos in his hands, Zozza would declare himself Marshal of Byblos. At roughly the same time as Zozza's take over of Byblos, Director Ysanne Isard would establish her own control over the Imperial throne. Unwilling to repeat her predecessors mistakes, Isard would recognise Zozza as the Imperial commander of the Byblos Sector. Zozza quikly cemented control over Lononar and Arat Fraca to form the Byblos Sector Authority.

Despite its small size the BSA would prove to be a key regional player. For the Empire, the BSA was a valuable buffer from the New Republic as many in the New Republic debated how they should address the various Imperial breakaways. Byblos itself was also the home of several key industries including Blastech and Byblos Driveyards.

Marhsal Zozza proved himself an ambitious man as sole ruler of Byblos. He would quickly turn his attention to the various nearby worlds that sat in the region's power vacuum. Bolstered by his right hand woman, Colonel Kardenn, Zozza turned his attention towards the New Republic who had taken the nearby world of Pencael IV early in his reign. Arakeev would begin operations on Pencael III under the command of Captain Argon Elmon with the goal of establishing a foothold for further raids against the New Republic. Operation Green Dragon would be an unmitigated disaster for the BSA as the CSS were discovered and were forced to withdraw. In response the New Republic's 4th Fleet attempted to seize Byblos, launching an invasion just hours later. While Green Dragon was an embarrassment, the Battle of Byblos would be a triumph for the BSA. Dug into Byblos City the CSS and Byblosi army would heroically stand firm against Republic marines, forcing the New Republic to pay dearly for each city block taken. The BSA would hold out long enough a quick reaction force from the Empire to arrive.

The Slice War
While nominally indepedant of Isard's rule the BSA still would often attempt to assist Imperial forces when possible. Before Operation Green Dragon commenced, the CSS were deployed to the Slice world of Besnia to investigate strange communications by Imperial forces. Upon their arrival to the city of Adrsas the CSS were puzzled to find the local garrison in a trance like state, not reacting to their presence at all. After finding a "survivor" hidden in unfinished construction zones the CSS learned that an unknown force had arrived a few days earlier, escorted by Royal TIE Interceptors. These unknown visitors had apparently placed most of the Imperial forces there under some kind of spell, with only a small resistance group of Stormtroopers left.

After fighting their way out of the city, the CSS would track one of these Royal Interceptors off world where they would discover an rotting Sith Empire facility. Deep in the bowels of the base the CSS would cross paths with a Dark-side acolyte calling herself "Lord Commander Amaris". While the Lord-Commander would escape, the CSS would discover the cause behind the various strange communications in the Slice.

Shortly after their mission to Besnia, Byblosi ships would disable an unknown Imperial frigate bearing no recognised symbols or codes. The CSS would board the frigate and discover horrors beyond their understanding. The crew had been twisted into creatures that barely resembled humans or any other known race. The hull of the ship oozed with black liquids and there appeared to be no sign of survivors. The CSS were forced to withdraw from the ship, which was destroyed after they left.

The situation in the Slice further deteriorated when the New Republic's Commodore Filzil Bug launched his Atapap campaign to liberate Duros worlds under Imperial occupation. With Imperial forces in utter chaos due to the Lord-Commander's own secret campaign it was left to the CSS and BSA to turn back the New Republic's attack. While the CSS would once again prove their metal against the New Republic, during their defence of Atapap another force intervened. Armed with the SSD-Dominion and an impressive fleet of Star Destroyers, Lord Commander Amaris appeared and engaged the New Republic fleet. Not only were several Republic ships destroyed by Amaris' fleet but many more were seemingly infected by some unknown substance.

Shortly after the valiant defence of Atapap, Captain Kuldosa Ulsare (former Inquistor turned CSS Commando) was contacted by the Lord Commander to discuss terms. Taking a small escort with him, Captain Ulsare would meet with the Lord Commander on a small world in the Slice. It would be on this world that the CSS would learn the plans Amaris had for the Galaxy. Destroyed cities, mounds of flesh, infected flora and the only survivors being placed firmly under the mental control of the Lord Commander. While the Ulsare and the CSS would decline Amaris' offer to join forces or maintain a truce, the Lord-Commander would manage to infect Ulsare- slowly turning him to her thrall.