What If? What if the Emperor returned immediately after Endor?

[johnreiter]

As it says on the tin, what if Emperor Palpatine returned to Coruscant in his new cloned body immediately after the Battle of Endor, instead of waiting six years? He announces that the reports of his death were merely enemy propaganda, and there is no Imperial Civil War.

The Battle of Endor would still be a huge victory for the Rebellion. They destroyed the new Death Star (the actual goal of the operation), and they also killed two Grand Admirals, Supreme Commander Darth Vader, and destroyed a large number of Imperial warships (all a bonus). Killing the Emperor was never expected, so it isn't really a loss that he escaped.

What would Palpatine do next?

 

[The Whispering Monk]

As it says on the tin, what if Emperor Palpatine returned to Coruscant in his new cloned body immediately after the Battle of Endor, instead of waiting six years? He announces that the reports of his death were merely enemy propaganda, and there is no Imperial Civil War.

The Battle of Endor would still be a huge victory for the Rebellion. They destroyed the new Death Star (the actual goal of the operation), and they also killed two Grand Admirals, Supreme Commander Darth Vader, and destroyed a large number of Imperial warships (all a bonus). Killing the Emperor was never expected, so it isn't really a loss that he escaped.

What would Palpatine do next?

Release the Sun Crusher on systems that supported the Rebellion. Mon Calamari goes boom. Probably several others.

 

[Crom's Black Blade]

Well he'd likely to able to stave off Imperial in-fighting allowing the Empire to do better vis-a-vis the Rebel/ New Republic but it is his leadership which kind of put them into that situation in the first place.

In essence the Empire has been humiliated and bloodied twice now proving they are far from invincible while thanks to the death stars have shown just how dangerous they can be to everyone not just poor outer rim worlds no one cares about.

So unless they just absolutely crush the Rebellion to atoms, things may play out similar just on a slower time scale at least until Thrawn returns.

 

[Karmic Acumen]

As it says on the tin, what if Emperor Palpatine returned to Coruscant in his new cloned body immediately after the Battle of Endor

People would give up on the franchise en masse due to villain sue.

 

[johnreiter]

2 new Grand Admirals will have to be appointed. The obvious first choice (to me) would be Admiral Zsinj. He had already been declared a Warlord of the Empire, and was clearly on the track to becoming the next Grand Admiral. I'm not sure who Palpatine would pick to fill the final slot.

I suspect that Palpatine would replace the position of Supreme Commander with Military Executor, as he did in the Dark Empire. Would he still give the post to Sedriss QL?

 

[Agent23]

Palpy force calls Thrawn and tells him to get his ass to Byss or Coruscant asap and pulls every single nasty trick he had in storage or hidden away in the Deep Core or the Maw.

The rebels die horribly.

And much fun was had by all.

 

[Husky_Khan]

If Palpatine needs Thrawn to survive, I don't see why Thrawn would want to help Palpatine to be honest. If the Empire can be sustained, Thrawn would much prefer to do it on his own terms. Palpatine is a megalomaniac whose main desire is to become a Dark Force God and Thrawn prefers the 'Order' part of The New Order.

 

[johnreiter]

If Palpatine needs Thrawn to survive, I don't see why Thrawn would want to help Palpatine to be honest. If the Empire can be sustained, Thrawn would much prefer to do it on his own terms. Palpatine is a megalomaniac whose main desire is to become a Dark Force God and Thrawn prefers the 'Order' part of The New Order.

I wouldn't be surprised if Thrawn arranges to depose Palpatine on his return. He essentially said at one point that he knew the Emperor was too evil and too crazy to lead the empire forever.

 

[Agent23]

I wouldn't be surprised if Thrawn arranges to depose Palpatine on his return. He essentially said at one point that he knew the Emperor was too evil and too crazy to lead the empire forever.

And of he stops being useful Palpy will probably sense he is up to shady shit via muh force precog and take him out.


Of course, I am considering Whankarine-level Palpy who is also competent.

 

[Husky_Khan]

And of he stops being useful Palpy will probably sense he is up to shady shit via muh force precog and take him out.


Of course, I am considering Whankarine-level Palpy who is also competent.

Force Precog lost him two Death Stars.

How can Palpatine be both strong enough to effortlessly remove Thrawn for beliefs he's always held but also desperate enough to actually require his aid? Very fascinating scenario.

Empire is clearly going to be worse off regardless after the Battle of Endor. Stating that the Empire would still be in a better position to deal with the Rebel Alliance or "more" powerful in the wake of this is just aberrant. Like why?

The Dark Empire stuff is like a decade off.

 

[Scooby Doo]

He wouldn't have gone to New Zealand world.

 

[Husky_Khan]

He wouldn't have gone to New Zealand world.

New Zealand World is still Middle Earth.

Ain't no one remember the name of the planet with the blue mommy milkers and first Jedi Temple and festive book burnings.