When his powerbase growing and popularity swelling as a result of progressive policies, Havelock Pahmus rallied considerable forces under his banner, absorbing the realms of lesser Imperial leaders and gaining many unexpected allies He continuously manipulated rogue warlords as well as the media and military of the New Republic in order to claim numerous strategic targets without being detected. Eventually, after a number of campaigns that a beleaguered New Republic could not counteract, Havelock felt ready to realize his dreams of galactic domination and demanded that the New Republic surrender the Core, leading to the Imperial-Republic War. After a lifetime of preparation, Havelock finally claimed the office of Galactic Emperor with the conquest of Coruscant in 25 ABY.