Imperial remnant (Core and Inner Rim)

"In the month since the Battle of Jakku, the Empire has attempted no further large-scale offensives. Sources report all Imperial vessels within the Core and Inner Rim staying within the boundaries defined by the treaty. A few prominent members of the Provisional Senate have speculated that the New Republic's war with the remnants of the Empire has finally come to an end and that a final surrender may be imminent. However, in her address today, the chancellor warned that all planets should remain on high alert, and the New Republic Starfleet should be kept on a war footing for the foreseeable future."

- A news holo a month following the Battle of Jakku

After the fragmentation of the Galactic Empire and the signing of the Galactic Concordance with the New Republic in 5 ABY, the Empire existed only as a shadow of its former self. As such, elements of the Imperial Navy that were still loyal to the state were confined to predetermined boundaries in the Core and Inner Rim. This led to the establishment of an Imperial remnant that represented the diminished power that the Empire once had in those regions.

Background
"If an Empire cannot protect its Emperor then that Empire must be deemed a failure. It collapses not only because its central figure is gone, but because it must not be allowed to remain!"

- Emperor Sheev Palpatine, to Gallius Rax

Following the Galactic Empire's fragmentation in the aftermath of the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY, the Galactic Civil War began to tip in the favor of the Rebel Alliance. With Emperor Sheev Palpatine killed and the second Death Star destroyed, the Empire became leaderless. The loss of both the Emperor and the Imperial Ruling Council above Endor resulted in a massive power vacuum, leading to a number of admirals, moffs, and other warlords either trying to seize control for themselves or seceding from the Empire entirely. Although Grand Vizier Mas Amedda tried to maintain order within the leadership, the aftermath of the Emperor's demise left him with little real power. As a result, the Empire almost completely fragmented within weeks due to the lack of a single leader.

Several months after the Battle of Endor, Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax managed to unite a portion of the old Imperial Navy into a single force, effectively declaring himself the new leader of the Empire and establishing an advisory council to run it, making Grand Admiral Rae Sloane its public face. Unbeknownst to his associates, Rax secretly intended to carry out a contingency order given to him by the late Emperor himself, which would see the Empire being completely disassembled. Amassing his united armada above the Inner Rim world of Jakku, he planned on luring the navy of the recently established New Republic to the desert world so that both fleets could destroy one-another in one climactic battle. His plan was thwarted by Sloane, even though the Empire was ultimately defeated.

Rise of the remnant
Shortly after the Battle of Jakku a treaty was signed between Amedda and Chancellor Mon Mothma of the Republic, marking an official end of the war. Despite this, the conflict would not truly die down for some time. In order to prevent the Empire from regaining a foothold in the galaxy, a series of stipulations were set in place in accordance with the conditions of the treaty with noncombatant functionaries within the old Imperial government were given conditional pardons provided they complied with the articles of the Concordance. As a result, the Empire quickly became a rump state and its centralized government disbanded. A new government was established by the New Republic in the capital world of Coruscant led by Amedda; it was recognized as the official successor of the Empire. After the formation of the provisional government vessels from the former Empire were bound to the Core Worlds and the Inner Rim.

Heeding reluctantly to the provisions of the agreement, all Imperial forces and starships that were not destroyed at Jakku or directly controlled by independent warlords and remnant governments retreated within the new boundaries. Unlike other Imperial factions that continued to fight the New Republic with no regard for the peace treaty, the remnant adhered to the constraints by halting the training of stormtroopers, the closing of Imperial academies, and agreeing to keep all vessels within the remnant's borders.

Although they adhered to the terms of surrender, a great deal of resentment between the Republic and certain Imperial hardliners remained. These remnants of the Empire entered into a cold war with the Republic that would last for years. Many of these military elements would later retreat into the Unknown Regions where a new state was eventually formed.

Appearances

 * Lost Stars
 * Aftermath: Empire's End