To RRS, I agree about your opinion of the Empire being white male only, and I wish they would keep it that way. But it isn't the first time EU has had females in the Empire. All the way back to Zahn, Mara Jade was the Emperor's Hand. Rogue Squadraon had Kasaan Moor (or however the hell you spell her name) as the leader of an Interceptor Squadron, so it's not exactly unheard of.