Star Wars - Emperor 4 - Power O

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IV. The Power of the Dark Side

by Brendon Wahlberg

The conclusion of four stories concerning Palpatine during the film

trilogy

and leading up to Dark Empire, the comic saga by Tom Veitch. See

also, (1)

A New Enemy, (2) The Hand Of Fate, (3) The Emperor Eclipsed. Note:

the

character of Grand Admiral Saren and the Zingali are the creation of

Michelle Slaughter. The final quote from the Book of Anger in this

story,

concerning Force Storms, is from Dark Empire, by Tom Veitch.

"The Force is an energy field, fed by all living things. All living

things have darkness within them that feeds the dark side of the

Force. The universe rages. My own anger can unlock and unleash the

anger of the cosmos. From this act flows the power of the dark

side."

-From The Book of Anger

"Tell me, Savuud Thimram," said Palpatine, "why have you not betrayed

me in my time of weakness?" The former Galactic Emperor leaned back

his chair, regarding the powerful adept across the heavy

table. Thimram hid it well, but a flicker of anxiety still showed in

his thin semi-human face. The question had caught him by

surprise. They had, after all, been deep in a discussion about the

weakness of inferiors, such as the citizenry of Byss, and how their

life energy was stolen by the adepts. Stolen to pay the price of

physical decay demanded by the dark side. Savuud Thimram had never

once thought of Palpatine as weak or inferior. Not even after Endor,

when Palpatine had returned to Byss shorn of most of his dark

might. To him, Palpatine would always simply be The Master. It was

that fact that had led to Thimram being chosen as the adept who would

guide Palpatine in his attempts to regain his power. Palpatine had

always trusted Thimram, and trust was something rare among followers

of the dark side. So why was he asking about betrayal? Thimram was

unable to block out vivid memories of the fates of others who had

betrayed Palpatine in the past. Vader's death was one of the more

gentle examples. He quickly buried those thoughts and forced himself

to consider the question seriously. Thimram placed both hands on the

table, formally showing that no Force generated attacks were being

made. His small lips tight above his pointed chin, he took a moment

choose carefully how to answer. If his loyalty was in question, it

was

a serious matter. "Before the events at Endor," Thimram began, "no

one would have thought they could betray you and survive. Even Vader,

deluded as he was, knew he took his life in his hands when he began

plan his treason. Your power was immense. You didn't need to be

concerned about adepts like myself because your link to us gave you

the ability to observe us at any time. But master, you must believe,

never even considered treason, and not simply because it would have

meant my death. I was amazed by your strength and knowledge, and I

have always felt fortunate that you have shared some of it with me.

loyalty was always that of the apprentice to the Master." Savuud

paused, searching Palpatine's face for a hint of where this was

leading. The Master's emotions were hidden, and his expression was

unreadable. Thimram had known that face in many guises. Just now it

was the face of a man in his early thirties. Palpatine had aged very

little since the day, two years ago, when he had left the mind of

Mara

Jade and returned to life in one of his own clones. But then, it was

the heavy use of the power that led to accelerated aging, and

Palpatine had been brought low. It was almost as if the dark side had

withdrawn its favor from him. Perhaps the dark side was the most

unforgiving Master of all. "And now?" Palpatine prompted him

quietly.

"And now..." Thimram felt a nervous dampness break out on his brown

skin. "I am still your student, Master. Despite your raw strength

being diminished, your knowledge has only grown. No one alive knows

more than you about the lore of the dark side. Besides, with your

determined research into new sources of power, it will not be long

before your strength surpasses what it once was. There are rewards

for

loyalty to the true powers in life, especially for loyalty during

hard

times." Thimram tried to remain calm. Palpatine continued to screen

his thoughts. Thimram began to wonder if someone else had been trying

to turn the Master against him. Palpatine leaned aggressively

towards

Thimram. "And yet, my research into the hidden lore is recorded in my

archives and books. I have but few secrets that I have not committed

to my compendium. If I were gone, you could use that knowledge to

dominate all the other adepts. Byss would be yours. You are stronger

than I am. Why not destroy me and take my place?" Thimram decided to

get to the bottom of this uncomfortable situation. Perfect

frankness,

although dangerous, was called for. "Master, I must assure you of my

present and continued loyalty. I don't covet your position, nor do I

think I'm suited for it. If someone has been informing you to the

contrary, I tell you it is a lie. To oppose you, even now, in your

'weakness', would be folly. Here on Byss, you are secure in your

fortress. Four hundred Sovereign Protectors remain absolutely loyal

to you. My own powers, formidable though they are, couldn't preserve

my life against them. You control hundreds of Sentinels as

well. Again, I'd dismiss my chances of survival against so many of

those giants. Then there are the Stormtroopers, the Royal Guard, and

all your technology. Of what use would your destruction be, if I

didn't live to reap the rewards? And then there is the plain fact

that

if I tried to kill you right now, and succeeded, I still would have

failed. You would transfer to a clone, and secure in the clone labs,

you could decree my death at the hands of your legions." Thimram

waited, uneasy, for the Master to reply. "Very good, Savuud. I

appreciate honesty. And I don't believe you would betray me."

Thimram

felt the tension drain from him. "However," Palpatine continued,

frowning, "I have felt something in the Force lately. A sense of

danger. Something is going to happen." Palpatine looked away. "Of all

the things I have lost, the power of vision is what I miss

most. Before, I could simply have foreseen the threat. No longer..."

"Master," said Thimram, confident once more, "I haven't heard of any

danger, but your feelings must not be ignored. It could be the

beginning of your vision returning. If we remain alert, we can catch

any threats before they begin." Thimram could see that the Master

was

still troubled. Palpatine's old arrogant posture had been replaced by

a visible restlessness. The traumatic events involving Luke Skywalker

and Lord Vader had left their scars. Palpatine's supreme confidence

had been undermined. Thimram, perhaps experiencing a premonition of

his own, sensed that an even more terrible trial lay in the near

future.

* * *

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