The NCR was very aware of the legions precense in Arizona by the early 2270s, why didnt they take action earlier to stop them when they were still building strength?

It makes no sense that the Alliance would create the Reavers. If anything it makes sense that the Browncoats created them during the war to attack Alliance ships.

Time is of the essence here. I could really use some help.

Their invasion of Falme came as a complete surprise, but why? Did nobody try to cross the seas and come back again? No information from the Atha'an Miere (the Sea Folk)? Surely they had some contact with them?

Without the rebellion started by the civil war, the Empire would have been able to deploy the Legions to put down the bandits and Forsworn that began to appear around the time of Ulfric's Uprising correct? It seems like Ulfric was more concerned with personal power than the wellbeing of Skyrim and the Nords