Star Wars - Darth Plagueis

up at the library building. “I’m a stranger to Theed. Would you consider showing me around?”
    Palpatine’s jaw dropped a bit. “Listen, I’m—”
    “Just a short tour.”
    Engaging in small talk, they walked along the river in the direction of the concert hall and Queen Yram’s Needle, then crossed a footbridge and began to angle toward the palace complex. Aside from providing Plagueis with holos of Palpatine, Larsh Hill hadn’t been able offer much information regarding the youth’s background. Though he lacked an appellation, Palpatine’s father was a wealthy, influential royal, with a reputation for advocating for Naboo’s continued independence and isolation. The family name was thought to be an ancient name of state among hereditary noble families, or perhaps a name borrowed from an ancient region of Naboo.
    “Theed is a beautiful city,” Plagueis remarked as they emerged from a narrow lane into the Palace Plaza.
    “If you like museums,” Palpatine said offhandedly.
    “You’ve no interest in art?”
    Palpatine looked at him sideways. “I enjoy art. But I’m more of a minimalist.”
    “In all things?”
    “I wish Theed weren’t so crowded. I wish the winters were milder. I wish our King had fewer advisers and ministers.”
    “That sounds like a political statement.”
    “It’s simply my personal opinion.”
    “They’re not mutually exclusive.”
    Palpatine stopped short. “What are you attempting to draw out of me?”
    Plagueis indicated a nearby bench. When Palpatine finally relented and sat down, Plagueis said, “It has come to my attention that you were responsible for the release of some information that has aided Tapalo’s campaign.”
    Genuine surprise blossomed on Palpatine’s face. “How—”
    Plagueis held up a hand. “That isn’t important right now. What is isthat you did so against what would have been the wishes of your father, your mentor, and some of the other royals.”
    “Are you planning to divulge this?”
    Plagueis searched Palpatine’s face. “What might happen if I did?”
    “To begin with, my father would murder me.”
    “Literally?”
    Palpatine exhaled forcefully. “He would disown me.”
    “It’s true, then. You and your father find yourselves on opposite sides of the issues that animate the coming election.”
    Palpatine lowered his gaze to the ground. “It would be far stranger to find ourselves on the same side of any issue.” He looked up again at Plagueis. “I want to see Naboo break with the past. I want us to belong to the greater galaxy. Is it wrong to want to play an important role in the history of the Republic?”
    Plagueis rocked his head. “Governments rise and fall.”
    “You have a better idea of how to govern the galaxy?”
    Plagueis allowed a laugh. “I’m just an old Muun who wouldn’t know about that.”
    Seeing through him, Palpatine snorted. “Just how old are you?”
    “In human years I would be well over one hundred.”
    Palpatine whistled. “I envy you that.”
    “Why?”
    “All the things you’ve done and can still do.”
    “What would you do?”
    “Everything,” Palpatine said.
    They got up from the bench and began to amble back toward the university complex. Plagueis submerged himself deeply in the Force to study Palpatine, but he was unable to glean very much. Humans were difficult to read in the easiest of cases, and Palpatine’s mind was awash in conflict. So much going on in that small brain , Plagueis told himself. So much emotional current and self-interest. So unlike the predictable, focused intellects of the Outer Rim sentients, especially the hive-minded among them.
    Palpatine stopped alongside a brightly colored, triple-finned landspeeder with a pointed nose and a repulsorlift engine that looked powerful enough to raise a loadlifter droid.
    “This vehicle is yours?” Plagueis asked.
    Pride shone in Palpatine’s eyes. “A prototype patrol-grade Flash. I race competitively.”
    “Do you win?”
    “Why else would I bother racing?” Climbing into the speeder, Palpatine centered himself at the controls.
    “I have just the thing to adorn your rearview mirror,” Plagueis said. From his breast pocket he fished a coin of pure aurodium dangling from a length of chain, and dropped it into the palm of Palpatine’s hand. “It’s an antique.”
    The young human appraised the gift. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    “It’s yours.”
    Palpatine showed him a questioning