The Kaarenth Dissension, also known as the Restored Empire, emerged as a breakaway group from the Galactic Empire in the Outer Rim Territories. This faction was established by Ennix Devian following the Battle of Endor and gained prominence after the Imperial Reunification, as they rejected the authority of the Imperial Remnant. The individuals within the Restored Empire were commonly referred to as hard-liners.
The symbol utilized by the Restored Empire was a revised version of the Imperial crest, distinguished by the inclusion of an additional inner circle.
The leader of this group was Supreme Commander Ennix Devian, who previously served as an admiral and Imperial Assassin. Notable members included General Vota, Bulger, Durrei, Klemp, and Trooper Lonkin.
The Restored Empire's headquarters was located within a concealed military installation from the era of the Clone Wars situated on the planet RZ7-6113-23.
Following the deaths of Darth Vader and Palpatine above Endor, and the subsequent fragmentation of the Galactic Empire into numerous competing factions, Ennix Devian, formerly a personal assassin of the Emperor, determined that the Empire's restoration required a group deeply committed to the ideals of the Human High Culture. Consequently, Devian established the Kaarenth Dissension, dedicated to "the sacred Restoration of the True Empire of Palpatine." His initial action involved seizing control of two unfinished Worldcraft. Deeming their completion too costly, Devian redirected them to opposite ends of the galaxy: one to the Moddell sector and the other to Spawn Nebula. The Worldcraft situated in the Moddell sector, intentionally modified by Devian to resemble the infamous Death Star superweapons as a diversionary tactic against the Alliance of Free Planets (the successor organization to the Rebel Alliance), was destroyed by Rebel operatives and passengers from Star Tours.
After the Battle of Bilbringi and Operation Shadow Hand, the Kaarenth Dissension re-emerged, now under the public leadership of the charismatic Meres Ulcane. The Dissension's new objective was to incite the various alien populations of the Outer Rim Territories against the New Republic. A fleet of warships, accompanied by a repair station, was established in the Spawn Nebula. Meres Ulcane, a skilled orator, successfully fostered significant animosity towards the New Republic. The Dissension successfully launched a strike targeting a New Republic communications hub located on the gas giant Galaan.
However, Meres Ulcane's location was eventually discovered on Betha II, prompting his retreat to the Spawn Nebula. The New Republic pursued him, engaging the Kaarenth Dissension in an operation that resulted in the destruction of a large portion of its fleet. Ulcane himself perished during the destruction of the repair station, which was, in reality, the second Worldcraft.
In 13 ABY, Supreme Commander Devian, renaming his group the Restored Empire, orchestrated an intricate scheme to dismantle the New Republic and seize control of the Imperial Remnant.
The initial phase of his plan involved an attempt to assassinate Leia Organa Solo and her children on Coruscant. Although the attack was thwarted by the intervention of Mirith Sinn, it did not impede the subsequent operations.
Another component of Devian's scheme involved the bounty hunter Boba Fett, the Yuuzhan Vong Nom Anor, and the former Royal Guard Kir Kanos. Devian contracted Fett to deliver Kir Kanos to the Restored Empire's headquarters, while Nom Anor hired a group of thieves to attack the class-3 toxic weapons dump on Nyara to acquire a sample of zinethium. Devian intended to utilize this destructive substance to demolish the Imperial Palace on Coruscant and eliminate the Republic government. As anticipated, Kir Kanos refused to align himself with the hard-liners, who subsequently imprisoned him. Devian later orchestrated his escape, sacrificing several stormtroopers to convince Kanos of his genuine freedom. Kir Kanos immediately departed for Coruscant to warn the Republic, unaware that Devian had concealed the zinethium within the shuttle, anticipating Kanos's journey to the galactic capital. This time, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker intervened, preventing the attack.
Devian subsequently discovered that Republic and Imperial diplomats, including Kanos, Mirith Sinn, and Feena D'Asta, were planning a meeting to discuss a truce between the two factions. The Restored Empire stormtroopers who attacked the meeting were all killed, but D'Asta was killed.
Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, shocked by Feena D'Asta's death and suspecting a Republic betrayal, ordered the Imperial Navy to retaliate against the Republic, leaving the Imperial capital Orinda with inadequate defenses. The Restored Empire fleet, though antiquated, was substantial enough to overwhelm the small defense force and attack the planet.
Following the Battle of Endor, the Kaarenth Dissension amassed starships within the Spawn Nebula to establish a clandestine armada. This fleet comprised TIE/LN starfighters, assault shuttles, system patrol crafts, frigates, Strike-class medium cruisers and one Imperial-class Star Destroyer.
While they utilized stormtroopers, the remainder of their military equipment seemingly consisted entirely of vehicles and vessels previously employed by the Grand Army of the Republic, including:
- Venator-class Star Destroyers
- Acclamator-class assault ships
- Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighters
- Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighters
- All Terrain Attack Pods
- All Terrain Tactical Enforcers
- HAVw A6 Juggernauts
- Low Altitude Assault Transport/carriers
- Nu-class attack shuttles
After the Clone Wars concluded, numerous weapons and vessels slated for decommissioning or scrapping were diverted to the Restored Empire's base, accumulating over time into a formidable military force.
Additional ships included TIE/sr starfighters and Delta-class JV-7 escort shuttles.