I liked the ‘return to power’ better, as it is simpler, but I understand that there could be confusion about that. Instead of that third sentence being a veiled allusion to SKB, it would be better if you stated its secret presence outright.
‘Demilitarized New Republic’ is accurate but perhaps too advanced a term for the crawl.
I don’t think you need the word ‘daring’ if you use ‘trusted’ directly before it.