Contingency

The Contingency, also known as Palpatine's contingency plan, was a secret plan devised by Galactic Emperor Darth Sidious to destroy his Galactic Empire and ensure its rebirth in the Unknown Regions of space in the event of his death. The task of putting the Contingency into effect was given to Gallius Rax, a protégé of the Emperor, whose plan was to have the Empire destroyed, culling its weak elements and punishing it for failing to protect him, while also simultaneously asserting that the Empire be rebuilt, which the First Order sought to achieve.

Ultimately, the plan was to destroy the planet Jakku during a great battle between the Empire and its adversaries; namely, the New Republic, the galactic government established by the Rebel Alliance. After the Emperor's death at the Battle of Endor, Rax began the Contingency with Operation: Cinder, scouring both loyal and rebel worlds across the galaxy, such as Naboo and Vardos, which was ordered via Messenger droids. He also arranged for the deaths of several Imperial Military commanders, and allowed the opposing New Republic to win a succession of victories against the Empire.

Rising to become the self-appointed Counselor to the Empire, Rax was able to unite the Empire under his command despite challenges from unruly Imperial warlords. He brought the remnants of the Empire to Jakku, where he intended to blow up the planet during the battle between Imperial and Republic forces, effectively crippling both sides. However, he was prevented from fulfilling the final stage of the plan by Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, who fatally shot Rax during the Battle of Jakku. The mortally wounded Rax urged Sloane to flee to the Unknown Regions and regroup with the others, telling her that she now served the Contingency in his place.

Sloane took charge of Palpatine's Contingency from the dying Rax and departed for the Unknown Regions aboard the Imperialis alongside Brendol Hux, his son Armitage Hux, and their child soldiers. They regrouped with others aboard the Eclipse, where Sloane intended to fulfil the Contingency. Unknown to all, Sidious ensured his return from death via a cloned body; his spirit escaped to his secret followers, the Sith Eternal, who finished constructing a massive fleet he called the Final Order. This was all to achieve the First Order's hidden purpose: the perpetual reign of a new Sith Empire. Sidious waited to reveal his forces until they were ready in 35 ABY, the true final phase of the Contingency.

Text and facts from the “Contingency” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.