Palpatine and Darth Sidious
Palpatine and Darth Sidious[edit]
by Ryan Matheny
The following report is written from the point of view of a New Republic Intelligence officer researching newly discovered historical information regarding the events leading up to the formation of the Empire. This report was written shortly after the events of Dark Empire.
NRI Security File: 545912647.9164.11: Palpatine and Darth Sidious
CLASSIFIED - MOST SECRET - UNAUTHORIZED RECEIPT OR REVIEW IS A CLASS ONE OFFENSE WITH A TWENTY-FIVE YEAR INCARCERATION PENALTY AND A 500,000 CREDIT FINE.
Newly discovered records found deep within the Imperial databases on Coruscant reveal several details of the events leading up to the Empire's formation. Until now, the only information that was available was that corruption within the Republic Senate grew to such a point that Palpatine was able to rally many senators behind him to make a viable bid for power.
These records, discovered within the ruins of a building destroyed by Imperial forces retaking Coruscant, provide us with new information which helps us to better understand our current situation.
According to these records there was a man known as Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith like Vader. Some details lead us to believe that Lord Sidious may have actually been Palpatine himself. However, the evidence is inconclusive either way.
Shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars - exact date unknown as of now - the Trade Federation blockaded the small planet of Naboo. The blockade's legality was apparently debated endlessly within the Republic's bureaucracy. Palpatine, then a senator, used the invasion of Naboo to further promote himself within the senate.
Queen Amidala of Naboo travelled to Coruscant to plead her case in front of the senate where she initiated a vote of no confidence in then Chancellor Valorum. The senate voted, ousting Valorum. Palpatine was nominated and then elected as Vallorum's replacement.
Evidence shows that Darth Sidious had a great deal of influence within the Trade Federation, orchastrating the entire blockade. Interesting enough, the Trade Federation lost its trade agreements following this incident and was disolved by order of Chancellor Palpatine, possibly covering up his own or Sidious' involvement.
If Sidious and Palpatine were different people, it is highly unlikely that Lord Sidious would carry out such a blockade with no obvious gain to himself. Palpatine being elected Chancellor due to this incident was no coincidence.
Enough evidence exists to prove that Sidious and Palpatine were at least working hand-in-hand, but information regarding Sidious' identity is all circumstantial. There are three possible theories regarding his identity. He was either Palpatine's alter identity, a clone of Palpatine (or vice versa) or someone not related to Palpatine at all.
Cloning technology has been around for many years now and as we have recently found out, the emperor trusted in it heavily. The emperor had countless clone bodies to fall back upon during his recent return, so it is safe to assume that he had clones (active or dormant) for many decades.
What we do know for sure is that Darth Sidious vanished after the coronation of Emperor Palpatine. If one was a clone, it is safe to assume that the clone outlived its usefulness and was eliminated. But if they were the same person, Palpatine simply saw no further need to masqerade around as Sidious like some sort of phantom menace.
Due to the existance of Darth Vader, a Sith Lord, it is highly plausible that if Sidious and Palpatine were two people (clones or not), that Sidious took over Palpatine's role simply because there have been no recorded cases of there being only a single Sith Lord at any given time throughout history.
Further investigation will continue with the utmost efficiency. However, due to the general disarray of information due to Emperor Palpatine attempting to hide his past, an accurate account of these events could take as long as six years to produce.
END REPORT -Report compiled by Lt. Geoff Anteri, NRI Special Threats division.
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