As Imperial fortunes continued to decline under the leadership of Empress Talmerith Jael, the Empire was forced to withdraw from more and more strategic centers. Onderon was no exception. The puppet council left in the wake of the Imperial evacuation proved ineffective, and Onderon entered a period of chaos. For a short while an unlikely triumvirate emerged, an unsteadily alliance between Republican General Selkisto Horten, Exchange Syndicate boss Hulio Andel, and former trade minister Captain Tesserian. At the same time the Princess Astra made her first appearance on Onderon, attempting to take the throne for her own Royal House.