| abstract | - The Free Officers Movement was a group of dissatisfied officers of the Galactic Empire that sought to remove Emperor Palpatine from power. Formed in 1 ABY by Grand Moff Vylor Sarkan, it was a response to what many in Imperial Military Intelligence saw as abuses of power by the Emperor early on during the Galactic Civil War. The Movement included members from different branches of the Imperial military. It attempted a coup d'état shortly after its formation, which ended in failure. Many members were killed though some of the conspirators were able to escape. Grand Moff Sarkan was among the dead, but other officers kept the movement alive up until the Battle of Endor—Captain Jax Martel and Lieutenant Riza Xi, who worked with the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Led by Martel and Xi, the Movement continued its work to undermine Emperor Palpatine with limited backing from the Rebel Alliance. The most significant action of the organization after the coup attempt was by a group of three officers aboard the Tarkin battle station. Under the leadership of Free Officers conspirator Colonel Nord, the trio of officers attempted to kill Darth Vader when he visited the station. However, the attempt also failed when Vader left the station and it was destroyed by Rebel sabotage, killing all aboard. The Movement's actions were limited to intelligence gathering for the attack on Endor after that. Following the deaths of Papatine and Vader aboard the Death Star II, the organization was disbanded.
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