:p
Heres a novel idea: Empire + AI drones + 200GT TLs = Instant Victory.
The Empire could simply deploy about 1000 200GTTL-equipped AI drones throughout the Milky Way to wipe out all space ports and space station facilities (drydocks, etc). This would prevent any crews on-world from moving to their ships, prevent new ships from being built, prevent supply transfer, etc. Take out a few subspace comms relays as well. The empire would expend almost no effort and would effectively destroy all possible military opposition. Then, being the beautiful bastards they are, they can come in as the saviors, aiming to rebuild and improve the civilisations destroyed by the evil Rebellion's TLDrones.

This gains not just a galaxy, but a galaxy of SUPPORTERS.