The Unchallenged Galactic Empire: A Scenario Without Rebellion

What would the future of the Galactic Empire have been like if the rebellion had never existed?

If the rebellion had never arisen, the Empire would have continued to dominate the galaxy with an iron fist. The people of the galaxy would have been brutally oppressed under the tyranny of the Empire. However, the Force was not an eternal destroyer; it cultivated a love for freedom within the hearts of many, leading to their rise and eventual defeat of both the Empire and the First Order. Freedom, though fragile, is precious and worth fighting for.

Empire's Advancements Without Rebellion

Without the rebellion to challenge it, the Empire might have pursued several other objectives:

Eradication of Organized Crime: The Empire would have likely continued its campaigns against organized crime syndicates, including the Hutt Cartels. It would have sought to crush any threats to its dominance, ensuring a more law-abiding and compliant galaxy. Expansion into the Outer Rim: With no organized rebels to contend with, the Empire could have expanded more thoroughly into the Outer Rim. Local insurrections and occasional resistance groups like Saw Gerrera’s Partisans would have posed minimal threats.

Potential Preparedness for Invasion: The Empire's potential readiness for the Yuuzhan Vong invasion is another intriguing point. Given that Palpatine allegedly had plans for both the destruction of the Jedi and the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, the absence of the Rebellion might have indeed prepared the Empire to face the Yuuzhan Vong without significant setbacks. Random Jedi hiding in the shadows, such as Obi-Wan and Yoda, could have provided valuable intelligence and strategies.

Likely Outcome: Internal Conflict and Drift

Despite these advancements, the Empire’s future might have still been doomed due to internal strife. The lack of a unifying threat would have led to disputes among the Imperial leadership. As the Empire rewarded ruthlessness over merit, conflict among the Moffs and other high-ranking officials would have eventually led to a decline and potential self-destruction.

Intrigue and Power Struggles: With no rebellion to unite the people, the Empire would have seen constant power struggles among the Moffs. This would have led to political instability and potential coups within the Empire. Limited Resources: Wars are expensive, especially when the Empire continually expanded its territories. Building and maintaining warships like Star Destroyers and TIE fighters would have exhausted the Empire's resources. Adding to the cost would be the Emperor's love for advanced weaponry, such as Super Star Destroyers and Death Stars, which would further drain the budget.

Internal Conflicts and Rebellions: Eventually, the Empire’s relentless expansion would have led it to face enemies it couldn’t conquer. Local rebellions and secessionist movements would have emerged, further destabilizing the already fragile Empire. Criminal elements, such as the Hutts, smugglers, and bounty hunters, would have thrived in the power vacuum left by the Empire's decline.

In summary, the absence of a rebellion might have given the Galactic Empire an extended period of dominance, but it would have been fraught with internal conflict, resource depletion, and eventual self-destruction. The future of the Empire without rebellion would have been a tale of relentless expansion followed by its own downfall, ultimately benefiting criminal and insurgent elements more so than the galaxy at large.