Hey, guys. I'm building an adventure for my Players, and it's set in the Corporate Sector. From various sources, we know there's an Imperial advisor to the Corporate Sector Authority, and that there was an Imperial data center on Orron III. Is it reasonable to assume that there could be further Imperial presence in the Sector as well, such as small Army outposts protecting Imperial assets?

I'm sure the diplomatic personnel have security, which with the Empire probably means they get shuttled around on a Star Destroyer.

I believe in Legends at least that the Empire has a number of prisoners at Star's End. You have to rescue some POWs from there in the X-Wing PC game.

There is a comic "Agent of the Empire - Iron Eclipse" where Imperials sent an agent to CSA to find out some shady dealings. There is also an Imperial ambassador present on a party on a CSA planet.

If you follow WEG sourcebooks, I think you could assume there is no Imperial army presence in CSA region, just like there is almost no presence in the Bothan space.

I like the idea that they're not there (in force, anyway) as it breaks up the bad guys you'll face.

"This week you don't have to flee a Star Destroyer."

"Yay!"

"...instead it'll be four CSA 'patrol' ships."

" "

There is a comic "Agent of the Empire - Iron Eclipse" where Imperials sent an agent to CSA to find out some shady dealings. There is also an Imperial ambassador present on a party on a CSA planet.

If you follow WEG sourcebooks, I think you could assume there is no Imperial army presence in CSA region, just like there is almost no presence in the Bothan space.

I agree that the overt presence of the Imperial military in the Corporate Sector isn't too likely. After all, the CSA is paying the Imperials to not have to patrol that area of space. Considering that the Empire is stretched thin trying to deal with all of the unruly areas, the CSA is a blessing. That said, if anything that's a big military threat appears, I'm sure the CSA is required to report it to the Imperials ASAP.

I'm not so certain about the Imperials not patrolling Bothan Space. Is there any source on that?

Well while the Empire may not have any military assets in the CSA that does not mean that corporations like Sienar and Tagge do not have access to Imperial assets to protect their facilities. Or that the CSA could not sell a planet for Imperial research/prison/training facilities to make a profit on especially if they got all the Imperial contracts for supplies and resources to make an additional profit. That would also help the Empire keep it secret from the Rebellion as so few Imperials are actually involved with the project whatever it may be.

I'm not so certain about the Imperials not patrolling Bothan Space. Is there any source on that?

Tfu, I mean Imperial presence on the Bothans planets is very small. The Imperial fleet is there.

Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide describes Bothawui, Kothlis, Rodia and Vergesso Asteroid Field.

I've always looked at it like this: the Corporate Sector pays the Empire an absurd amount of money for a large measure of autonomy, even if the Sector was still formally part of the Empire. In return, the Empire doesn't interfere in most affairs, though they do have installations in a few systems. At the time of his death, for example, the Emperor was in the midst of building a new, massive palace in the Corporate Sector. And even before the events of the Battle of Yavin, Han Solo infiltrated an Imperial Data Center on Orron III.

With that point of view, it's reasonable for the Empire to have a small presence, just to protect its own interests.

I would assume there is no large overt presence in the CSA per the apparent agreement between the corporations and the Empire. However, given the legitimate risk of Rebels hiding out there (given security is one of those things that never affects the bottom line until it does, I can see the CSA being a trifle lax there), the fact corporations were heavily involved in the last civil war, and most importantly that Palpatine is a domineering evil bastard who's never let the long-term stupidity of any power grab stop him, I expect the CSA is infiltrated to hell and back. So not so much stormtrooper detachments or ISDs running around (apart from a few undergoing maintenance or passing through), but a lot of Intelligence and ISB agents poking their noses everywhere, looking for an excuse eventually to extend the "state of emergency" to take over from the CSA. Sure, it's more convenient to the Empire right now to have the CSA just run things and send them a cut, but I can't believe ol' "I will rule the universe!" Palpie isn't contemplating an eventual change in the arrangement once all his other little distractions like the Rebellion are crushed. In the meantime the brutality of the CSA will do nicely in eventually convincing people the Empire is "liberating" them when it takes over later.

I would assume there is no large overt presence in the CSA per the apparent agreement between the corporations and the Empire. However, given the legitimate risk of Rebels hiding out there (given security is one of those things that never affects the bottom line until it does, I can see the CSA being a trifle lax there), the fact corporations were heavily involved in the last civil war, and most importantly that Palpatine is a domineering evil bastard who's never let the long-term stupidity of any power grab stop him, I expect the CSA is infiltrated to hell and back. So not so much stormtrooper detachments or ISDs running around (apart from a few undergoing maintenance or passing through), but a lot of Intelligence and ISB agents poking their noses everywhere, looking for an excuse eventually to extend the "state of emergency" to take over from the CSA. Sure, it's more convenient to the Empire right now to have the CSA just run things and send them a cut, but I can't believe ol' "I will rule the universe!" Palpie isn't contemplating an eventual change in the arrangement once all his other little distractions like the Rebellion are crushed. In the meantime the brutality of the CSA will do nicely in eventually convincing people the Empire is "liberating" them when it takes over later.

I totally agree about Palpatine not content to leave them unruled. But the CSA represent a very powerful military force in their own right. And I would also imagine that even with some clever propaganda it's likely he'll convince its citizens that the EMPIRE is a white knight. I think back to the Palpatine I saw in the Clone Wars, orchestrating the downfall of the banking guild via Clovis, and I think it's going to have to be somethng very subtle and very clever to get the CSA under his control. Military action isn't going to cut it.