abstract
| - A pair of blast-proof doors slid open and a young Human boy, aged ten, quickly and quietly walked passed the receptionist’s desk without a word. The boy slowed his walking pace as the doors slid shut behind him and he slowly walked through the passageway. The passageway soon ended and the ten year old found himself in a large circular room, he stopped for a moment and then resumed his walk. Up a set of stairs the boy slowly went, upon reaching the top the boy found himself in front of the desk of the Supreme Chancellor and Palpatine who sat at the other end. Palpatine rose from his chair and walked over to the child, he extended his hand and the boy hesitated for a short moment, but shook it in response. “You and your mother have my condolences. If you don't mind me asking, where is your mother?” The boy lowered his gaze, “She is dead. She took a Synox capsule when she got word of my father's death.” The Chancellor motioned the boy to sit in a nearby chair, the boy complied. The Chancellor sat at the other side of his desk and looked the boy in the eyes. The boy felt uncomfortable, he felt as though Palpatine was staring directly into his soul. The Chancellor and the boy both remained silent, the boy figured that the Chancellor didn't know how to respond, but then Palpatine broke the silence “Do you resent me?” The boy lowered his gaze once more, “No, I-.” Palpatine interrupted him, “You surely must, your life has been irreparably damaged because your father died protecting me. Please speak your mind.” The two held each others gaze and the boy spoke in a solemn tone, “My father made his choice, as did my mother. Father always spoke highly of you, he spoke as though you would be the one to unify the galaxy. I like to believe that he was right and that he hadn't died for nothing.” Palpatine gave a reassuring apologetic smile to the boy that was seated across from him. Palpatine rose from his seat and crossed the room, the boy followed. Both of them came to stare at a bronzium statue that was situated in the room. “I assure you that Tyrion didn't in vain, the galaxy is changing and soon the Clone Wars will be a thing of the past.” “We can only hope. Were I old enough, I would gladly pick up a blaster and fight to end this war and bring about a better Republic. This statue, it feels off somehow.” Concern coursed through Palpatine as he continued to stare at the statue of Sistros, had the boy somehow sensed his lightsaber that lie inside the hollowed out statue? The Sith Lord reached into the Force and detected it, the boy was force sensitive, somehow the Jedi had passed him over. He would have to keep an eye on this one. “That is a statue of Sistros, one of the Four Sages of Dwartii. That statue has passed many hands over the years. What do you mean by bringing about a better Republic?” Palpatine replied casually. “I'm of the opinion that the Republic spends too much time deliberating and not enough time liberating. The senators are inwardly focused and can only see that which helps themselves; their systems at best. The Republic needs someone that can see the big picture and has a lot of power. The Republic has to change” “And how would you go about changing the Republic?” Palpatine pressed. “That's the big question, isn't it? There needs to be more control. The Corporations, Star Systems and even the Jedi have free reign and are allowed to run around unchecked, if the Independent Star Systems and corporations, such as the Trade Federation, had been kept in line then the Clone Wars wouldn't have happened.” replied the child. Palpatine suppressed a smirk, little manipulation would be required...
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