[quote=Azathoth]
Me and Bravo had a nice PM discussion, so I'm pretty sure I'm going in the right direction.What exactly was happening over the 10K years that the Imperium was being reborn and dying again in the caverns though?
[/quote]

The cavern was in a state of perpetual civil war between Maurie and her Husband Florence. Maurie was hoping to one day revive the Imperium, while Florence had resigned to their fate of being doomed to the caverns and sought death to end it. With the aid of Kouri's group Florence was defeated and the Imperium reborn. Also: Dean got a sick hammer.

Edit: Again. watch for Kad.