//------------------------------// // 25: A Royal Meeting // Story: Empire and Rebellion // by Snake Staff //------------------------------// “My sister is Princess Luna of Equestria,” Celestia began in an even tone after blinking a few more tears from her eyes. “My co-ruler and current deputy in my capacity as Imperial Governor. Several months ago, she was taken from Equus by force by the Inquisitor Indra’Ciasuera’Nethelan without warning or explanation. When I attempted to reason with her, I was directed to Darth Vader as the source of her orders. When I contacted him I was strangled almost to death as a “warning” and told to let the matter drop. I instead opted to petition your majesty for assistance. I came here in the hopes you might be willing to have my sister returned to me.” Palpatine was sitting back in his chair, hands on the armrests and face neutral but interested. “One of Lord Vader’s men took her away?” the Emperor repeated, frowning a little. “Well, that does complicate matters somewhat. In any case, it was quite brave of you to even attempt to speak with him. Not many have such courage.” “I love my sister dearly.” “Even more dearly than your own life, it would seem.” Celestia nodded somberly. “An… admirable quality in a sibling,” Palpatine smiled faintly. “But I’m afraid you must understand that this puts me in a somewhat difficult position.” Celestia frowned. “How so, your highness? Is Lord Vader not subordinate to you?” “In name, yes,” he conceded. “But as any experienced political leader knows, the formal chains of command do not quite always reflect all the subtle realities of the situation. Darth Vader is something of a necessity to the Empire.” The princess held her tongue, waiting for him to continue. “You see, in these troubled times a firm hand is necessary to keep the peace on more levels than one. Lord Vader is important to projecting a firm image of the Empire’s iron will to many of the more unruly sectors of the galaxy. It is vital that we make it clear that the likes of the Secession Crisis leading to the Clone Wars will never again be allowed to happen. Hence the need for some of the more exaggerated rumors concerning the man.” Celestia could certainly understand that line of reasoning, though from what she had seen she would not call the rumors around Darth Vader exaggerated. “I am, for obvious reasons, somewhat limited in my ability to personally project such strength.” Palpatine smiled in a slightly self-deprecating manner. The alicorn continued to hold her tongue, though she certainly got the meaning. She was personally much more powerful than a scarred elderly man. Certainly Vader’s presence was considerably more overwhelming on an instinctive level. “But not only that,” Palpatine continued. “There is also another reason for the unpleasant necessity of Vader. With the treachery of the Jedi and their scattering across the galaxy, we have disposed of an open foe for a thousand tiny foes in hiding. They possess mysterious powers comparable to your own and far greater experience in underhanded dealing. They can move about, unseen and unnoticeable, plotting and undermining the stability of the Empire. Even our most competent men can struggle against the supernatural trails they can weave. And I can personally attest to their ability to assassinate their foes.” The Emperor gestured to his scarred face. Celestia nodded sympathetically. “To ensure that any such plots against the Empire or myself come to naught, it is necessary to employ beings with similar abilities in a limited capacity. That is where Vader and his Inquisitors come in. They have been key to the location and capture of several prominent Jedi fugitives from justice, far more so than any other branch of Imperial law enforcement. For the good of the Empire, I cannot spare them.” “But, must my sister be involved?” Celestia asked. “She is crippled, and needed back on Equus. She is no Jedi, nor is she a sympathizer. I swear to you on my life and honor, Luna is innocent of any wrongdoing.” “And I believe you.” Palpatine nodded, sympathy evident on his face. “But the problem is: Vader is completely aware of everything I just told you. He knows that he is a necessity, and is an able enough leader to use that to his advantage. His Inquisitors do have certain privileges when it comes to recruitment practices that are… less than savory. Technically, he does have the right to do as he did in drafting her. What talent he saw I cannot guess, not being sensitive to such matters myself. Whatever the case, in these trying times I quite frankly do not wish to embroil myself in a crude turf struggle with Lord Vader over the fate of one when the futures of countless billions are at stake.” Celestia’s heart fell. Had the Emperor really called her all this way just to deny her and with gentle words try to soothe away the loss of her sister? Would he simply end it here and send her home empty-hooved? “I understand that these words must be hard for you to hear. Believe me, as a man who lost his own family at a young age, I sincerely sympathize.” Palpatine looked down slightly. “But can I truly in good conscience create serious friction between myself and a key element of the Empire’s stability during such a trying period? What if I do order Vader to hand over your sister, and he simply refuses? What then? He has substantial followings among the military, and the Stormtrooper Corps in particular. It could be the makings of a major political crisis, one that the Empire can scarcely afford.” Celestia felt a lump rising in her throat. Was he saying Lulu was truly gone forever, and nothing she could say would change that? “There is nothing we could do to change your mind?” she asked. “Nothing at all? I know your scientists were interested in our magical traditions. I have firsthand knowledge of these stretching back for millennia. I would be more than happy to share what I know in exchange for sister. Surely our arts would be more valuable to your Empire than one additional Inquisitor.” “I am uncertain of the precise applicability of this magic of yours to the practical politics of the galaxy. I hate to bring up memories that must surely be traumatic for you, but your arts proved insufficient to deal with a modern army when General Grievous attacked- wait…” Palpatine cut himself off, looking dead into Celestia’s eyes. “You said you had firsthand knowledge of magic stretching back millennia. You do mean in galactic standard years, correct?” “I do, your majesty,” Celestia confirmed, managing with effort to keep her tone level and eyes dry. “How is that possible?” asked the Emperor. “How old are you?” “In galactic standard years I am thirty-six thousand eight hundred and seventy-four years old as of thirteen days ago.” Palpatine blinked, seeming stunned. He sat back in chair, hand on his chin, and for a moment was silent. Celestia resisted the urge to interrupt his thought processes, feeling a surge of hope again. “How long does your species live, exactly?” he asked after the brief pause. “As far as has ever been discovered there are no natural limitations on alicorn lifespan,” Celestia answered, completely honestly. “There has never been recorded case of an alicorn dying of sickness or old age.” “Complete biological immortality…” Palpatine mused in a subdued tone. “The holy grail of modern medicine, sought after for ages by more doctors and sorcerers and madmen than can be counted. A fairy tale believed only by the desperate and the delusional. To think that all the time it was real, sitting undiscovered on an obscure planet in the depths of the Unknown Regions…” “I’m not certain how relevant it is, your highness. Immortality is restricted to the alicorn race – ordinary ponies are born, live, and die as any other species does.” “Still… I suppose in your long life you’ve seen your share of succession crises?” “Correct,” Celestia answered. “I’m sure that it has crossed your mind that I am old and feeble, well past the prime of my life.” The alicorn said nothing, merely continued to listen. “Don’t be shy about it, Governor. You and I can both see that I’m an old man ruling over a vast Empire with no children or other clear heir. I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring the peace and stability of the galaxy. Nothing would sadden me more than to see my untimely death throw it all back into the chaos we’ve just emerged from.” Palpatine sat back into his chair, folding his hands together and clasping the fingers in a thoughtful pose. He stared out the window at the last embers of the dying sunlight as countless speeders zipped by through the air. Celestia simply stared at him. “Perhaps I can help you, Governor,” said the Emperor after a long silence. “If, that is, you might help me.”