Mm. There was a long war on, and it supposedly ended thirty years ago when the Empire fell. The Emperor was believed to be killed, but he lived and had his followers work behind the scenes to build the Empire back up.

He almost did it, too.

[ Finn hadn't thought about it before but... wow, that actually must have been frustrating for Palpatine. So close to a thirty year long finish line and beaten by their ragtag group, a budding Jedi out of the desert, and his own apprentice. Again. Finn loves to see it. ]