An Imperial Agent was a profession held by operatives serving the Sith Empire during both the Great Galactic War and the subsequent Cold War. Some of these Agents were, in fact, Chiss individuals hailing from the Chiss Ascendancy, an ally of the Empire.
These operatives in the field functioned as spies, assassins, and saboteurs for the dreaded Imperial Intelligence of the Sith. Through their efforts, the Sith were able to exert dominance over numerous star systems across the galaxy, achieved by both locating and eliminating the Empire's adversaries, who included senators from the Galactic Republic, treacherous Imperial Moffs, and fiercely rebellious individuals with Republic affiliations. To effectively perform these duties, Imperial Agents needed to become experts in infiltration, seduction, and assassination, all in service of the Empire's goals. These clandestine warriors had to contend with both a fearful galaxy and the unpredictable nature of the Sith Lords.
Consequently, Imperial Intelligence needed to foster a notably extensive and effective network of informants to allow their agents to easily navigate the galaxy's complex political environments. Although the agents' loyalty was unquestioned, their substantial freedom in pursuing the Sith Empire's objectives also meant they possessed their own personal motivations. Penetrating countless layers of schemes, these secretive spies were aware of conspiracies within conspiracies, with even their closest contacts unaware of their activities until they were completed.
The elite among them were often designated as Cipher Agents, specifically recruited and trained to undertake the most perilous and sensitive missions assigned by the Empire. These tasks ranged from conducting undercover operations to executing assignments in plain sight, achieved through meticulously planned tactics that allowed little room for error, as even minor mistakes could have disastrous repercussions. However, each successful mission shifted the galactic balance in favor of the Sith Empire, largely due to the crucial role Imperial Agents played in ensuring Sith dominance. Due to their covert nature, visual records of their actions were rare, as their diverse disguises and stealth-oriented equipment often made them difficult to detect. The only consistent trait was their ability to change at any moment. Given that their duties frequently required a high degree of subversion and infiltration into hostile organizations, it was commonly understood that if they were not among allies, they were among enemies.
Within Sith society, the highest echelons of power were exclusively reserved for Force-sensitive Sith. Nevertheless, at the core of the Sith Empire were billions of subjects, many descended from the original exiles who had settled on Dromund Kaas. For these loyal citizens, Imperial Agents represented the pinnacle of achievement, a position they aspired to attain. Similarly, the populace of the Empire were the people that the Imperial Agents risked their lives to safeguard. While idealism was scarce within Imperial Intelligence, professional excellence was deeply respected and embodied by the Imperial Agents.
Given the demanding nature of their work, the Empire often invested heavily in equipping Imperial Agents with the best available gear. Cutting-edge technology and high-grade armor mesh were provided for both protection and flexibility. Furthermore, they were equipped with advanced communication technology and attachments to better interface with various computer networks and security systems they encountered. While they possessed powerful weapons, their tactics relied on range and surprise, as well as their advanced equipment. Consequently, they often engaged in combat with a confident strategy that involved striking from a distance or the shadows, leveraging their strengths. Imperial Agents were well-prepared to evade enemies when necessary or to silently eliminate opponents. These individuals were adept at handling any situation, whether working alone or as part of a team.
- Informer: Spies, scouts, and informants who gathered intelligence and transmitted it back to base. They were often assigned to a specific location that they would never leave.
- Cipher: Operatives skilled in assassination, seduction, infiltration, and sabotage. Ciphers were frequently the field agents and primary attack force of Intelligence, proficient with poisons, rifles, and gadgets.
- Minder: Information processors who received intelligence from Ciphers and anticipated their enemies' movements. Minders worked in internal security, screening Intelligence for vulnerabilities and addressing any breaches.
- Fixer: Technical agents skilled in slicing, engineering, and biomechanics. They often processed and interpreted technical data (such as datapads and bioscans) collected by Ciphers.
- Watcher: Observers who recovered, processed, and analyzed data, then relayed their findings back to the Ciphers. Watchers reported directly to Keeper.
- Keeper: The primary leader of Imperial Intelligence. The Keeper issued orders to operatives, devised major plans, and possessed knowledge of all the Empire and Intelligence's secrets.
- Minister of Intelligence: The ultimate leader of Intelligence. The Minister managed the paperwork and technical aspects of running Intelligence and reported directly to the Dark Council. This was the highest position a non-Sith could achieve in the Empire.
Grand Moff Tarkin is listed as an inspiration for the Imperial Agent, as is Sam Fisher, from the Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell" series.
Imperial Agents are playable in Star Wars: The Old Republic.