Fragmentation

The Fragmentation a.k.a. Death of the Empire was a two week period during 9 ABY when the twenty systems still under control of the Galactic Empire fell apart, thus killing any chance to keep the Empire alive.

It happened when Ver Barrel, (leader of the Galactic Empire) upon recieving reports of a large Republic fleet was massign to luanch a major strike against the remnants of the Empire. This was only rumor, but panic spread from the top on down. Barrel. instead of protecting the Empire and rallying the skeletal navy, fled to an Imperial prison world.

Whether he knew it or not, this action was the direct cuase of the Empire's collapse. Leaderless, and without hope of being defended, each system broke away and prepared in thier own fashon for the invasion.

But, when news came that this had just been a rumor spread by Republic sympathizers, the systems surrendered one by one, realizing that thier leader was not going to save them.