The Rise of the First Order: A Holocron of Events

In the wake of Return of the Jedi, the New Republic found itself striving to reestablish democracy and rebuild the galaxy. However, the First Order began to grow in power, largely due to the New Republic's failure to fully understand the lingering influence of Imperial loyalists. This article delves into the key events and figures that led to the rise of the First Order.

Setting the Stage: After Return of the Jedi

In-universe, the story of the First Order's rise is interwoven with the events following Return of the Jedi. Palpatine's malevolent presence in the saga is not forgotten; his experiments led to the creation of Snoke, who schemed to turn Ben Solo to the Dark Side. As the old adage goes in Star Wars lore, “trying to stop a vision from coming true only makes it come true.” Luke Skywalker, after witnessing Ben's potential dark path, attempted to stop him by force. This act instead led to Ben embracing the Dark Side, becoming Kylo Ren.

Prelude to the First Order: The Gathering Forces

With the rise of Kylo Ren, the First Order emerged from the shadows. After the First Order sent a message to Imperial stormtroopers, a new era of conflict began. The new order's first actions were savage terrorist attacks across the galaxy, rebranding themselves as the First Order – a dark legacy of the old Empire.

Origins of Power: The New Republic's Downfall

The New Republic faced politics over pragmatism, leading to a decision to demilitarize. This turned out to be a critical mistake, despite Leia Organa's warnings against it. The First Order exploited this weakness, using Snoke as a mastermind behind their resurrection. The First Order began to grow in power, laying the groundwork for their eventual confrontation with the New Republic.

Secret Alliances and Hidden Threats

Secretly, Imperial sympathizers within the New Republic, like Ransolm Casterfo, supported Imperial ideals. Meanwhile, the Amaxine Warriors – an elite force cultivated by the First Order – began to prepare for their rise to power. Their true ambitions and the First Order's resurgence were only hinted at, adding depth to the narrative of the approaching conflict.

The Emperor in Exile: A New Front

Just as the Empire seemed to have crumbled, Palpatine hatched a new plan. He sensed a powerful force emanating from the outer rim, a presence that could either be a rival with equal power or a source of ultimate power itself. Distracted by this anomaly, Palpatine's forces set out to explore the outer rim, only to be overtaken by Brendol Hux, who had commandeered a part of Palpatine's fleet. Hux began building an army and a base of power, Starkiller Base.

The Rise of Brendol Hux: The Face of the First Order

Brendol Hux, driven by his own sense of destiny, began the construction of Starkiller Base. He captured individuals like FN-2187 (Finn) and subjected them to brainwashing and training. His ultimate ambition was to build a fearsome military force under the guise of the First Order.

Conclusion: The Unavoidable Clash

The rise of the First Order was a monumental chapter in Star Wars history. From the shadows, Palpatine and others like Snoke and Hux plotted to bring the New Republic to its knees. The First Order's inception and growth were fueled by the New Republic's underestimation of the lingering Empire. This set the stage for the epic conflict that would define the next chapter in the saga.

Key Takeaways:

The New Republic's decision to demilitarize opened the door for the First Order's rise. Palpatine and Snoke played crucial roles in nurturing the darkness that threatened the galaxy. The First Order's military expansion, led by Brendol Hux, was meticulously planned and executed.