The Imperial Navy

History

The Imperial Navy is the naval branch of the Imperial Military of the Empire of Pire. Atits peak, it consists of thousands of warships, battle cruisers, logisticsvessels and small fighters, maintaining Imperial controlthroughout the islands.

The Imperial Navy was formed from the Republic Navy of the Republic of Pire in 1985, as part of Rahl’s Imperialization campaign during the rise of the Empire. A reorganized command structure, eventually consisting oftwelve Admirals, oversaw the rapid expansion of the fleet that had begunduring the Piran Civil War. Growing discontent with the Empire eventuallycoalesced into the Allianceto Restore the Republic, which began a military campaign against Imperialforces, that became known as the Great Rebellion.

The Imperial Navy was one of the most formidable militaries ever assembled, consisting of millions of warships, fighters and transports, manned by thousands of fleet crew. The mainstays of its fleets – the Imperial Air Force Carriers, Imperial Cruisers,Imperial Destroyers, Imperial Frigates, Imperial Assault, Imperial Landing, and Imperial Fighter Ships - became some of the most visible symbols of Imperial rule to the islands’ civilian populace.

Role and Duties

Specific responsibilities of the Imperial Navy included defending Imperial citizens from water-based threats such as pirates, smugglers, and other armed governments,enforcing Imperial will, and overseeing commerce through customs and blockade operations.The Imperial Navy also performed bombardments, transported major ground force deployments, and supported them with aerial support.  The Imperial Navy works closely with the newly formed Air Force division, which is controlled by the Navy.

The Imperial Navy was formed from the Republic Navy, and as such was still under Naval Command, with Emperor Rahl now the Fleet Admiral, the highest rank of the naval command. The Imperial Navy conducted itself by the Imperial Naval Code, a set of martial laws and regulations created to guide the massive military organization. Under the new conscription rules, the vast majority of non-commissioned personnel in the Imperial Fleet are young men and women from the ages of 16 to 21.  After five years of required service, the personnel can request a four year extension if they chose, often taking advantage of moving up to higher rank and also being admitted to the Naval Intelligence Corp, Naval Justice Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Naval Medical Services.  These personnel often become Commissioned Officers and have a chance to be admitted to the Imperial Academy or another Imperial Training Center to advance their civilian careers.

Galactic Civil War

Growing discontent with the Empire eventually coalesced into the Alliance to Restore the Republic, which began a military campaign against Imperial forces. In many subsequent engagements, the Navy provided support to the Imperial Air Force as well as fighting the Alliance ship-to-ship. Although the Alliance Fleet was not as large or as powerful as the well-trained Imperial Navy, the two fleets would battle each other regularly throughout the Great Rebellion.