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the Star Wars Encyclopedia Emperor Palpatine played by Ian McDiarmid As a Senator in the Old Republic,
Palpatine was a seemingly unassuming man serving during a time of corruption,
social injustice, and bureaucratic abuses. However, when Palpatine achieved
leadership of the Galactic Senate, his true nature as a power-hungry tyrant
became apparent as he introduced the New Order and declared himself Emperor.
In time the Jedi were destroyed, the Senate was disbanded and he became
the undisputed ruler of the most powerful empire the galaxy had ever seen. Both strong in the dark side of
the Force and possessed of a subtle and dangerous mind, Palpatine has a genius
for manipulation. How the Emperor gained mastery of the dark side of the Force
remains a mystery, but it was through his influence that Obi-Wan
's apprentice later became the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth
Vader . For a time, the Emperor believed
that nothing could seriously threaten his rule: his old enemy, Mon
Mothma , was clever and strong, and the Rebel Alliance was growing, but
without the Force, neither could ever become a serious threat. In some ways,
the Rebellion was a useful scapegoat, giving him an excuse to further
undermine and corrupt the Old Republic's justice under the pretense of an
emergency state of martial law. Soon he would not need them any more, and in
the fullness of time, they would be attended to. All was right with the galaxy
and the New Order was unstoppable. But the Emperor has become aware
of a new current in the ever-flowing energy of the Force. It began as a
subtle, barely perceptible surge, but in a short time has grown into the
bright light that he now knows as Luke Skywalker .
Lord Vader observed to his Emperor that if Skywalker could be turned to the
dark side of the Force, "he would become a powerful ally." And so
the Emperor plots to deal with this young Skywalker: he will join the New
Order, or he will die. Pitting Vader against Skywalker, with all their
psychological threats for each other, is all part of the Emperor's plan, and
he remains evilly confident that no matter who is killed, he will settle the
balance of the Force to his satisfaction. Every Imperial location that
conceivably might have be visited by Emperor Palpatine has a special throne
room set aside for his use alone. That includes Imperial- or Super-class
Star Destroyers as well as battle stations such as the Death
Stars. From each room, the Emperor can monitor all activity, take control
of his fleet--and contemplate the dark side of the Force. In the second
Death Star, the throne room is in a tower at the battle station's North
pole. From its viewports, Palpatine has a clear view of what he expects to be
a rout of the Rebel forces and an end to the Rebellion itself. It is to this
high sanctum, guarded by fanatical Imperial Royal
Guards, that Darth Vader brings Luke Skywalker for the confrontation that
will determine their joined destinies. A few Emperor Palpatine sound
clips : welcome.wav
(214kb) - "Welcome, young Skywalker. I have been expecting
you." forseen.wav
(87kb) - "Everything is going as I have forseen."
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