The Empire of Shadows is a terrorist organization created by Leiko Tanaka with the goal of world domination.
It was the main adversary of the “The Empire strikes first” storyline.

The organization is notable for the extensive use of advanced technology stolen from Noriko Null, supplied by the Core, by the Mortal Liberation Front or reverse-engineered from aliens like the Many.

Under the leadership of Leiko (using the title and persona of the Empress Of Shadows), the Empire launched a massive attack against several countries but was stopped by the Vanguard

While they would never launch such a widespread attack, the Empire remained active even when Leiko became Minister of Defense for Japan: the Empire would target and kill members of other terrorist organizations, leaving the superhuman agents under Leiko’s control the task to damage the Empire to bolster her public image.

While the operations of the Empire Of Shadows remained largely confined to Earth, it played a key role in galactic history more than once: their creation Strife convinced Persephone to leave the galaxy, their technology was used to force Eris into a human body, and they were key allies to the Guild during the invasion of Earth.

Once Leiko Tanaka was presumed dead after the failed invasion of the Winter King, the organization was effectively disbanded. Some of its technology and resources are still under the control of Shinobu Tanaka.

 

First appearance: BTI 64