I was setup with quarters on the Motivator; one’s usually reserved for a diplomat, so I was well off. During the long trip, I was given almost total access to the ships libraries and star charts. I transcribed what I could into my laptop. Who knows what could come in handy? About halfway through the voyage during a short stint in realspace for a course correction, I was informed that the Captain had spoken with his Imperial City superiors, and we would be heading there to meet with high government officials. It was a long trip, close to an Earth week (I didn’t know what time scale was used by the Empire). When I wasn’t reading Imperial propaganda, I walked around the ship, making myself familiar with the layout. I stopped in the launch bay and “learned” about the various craft the ship carried.
Then we arrived. Coruscant, or I should say Imperial City, home of many billions of people and thousands of races. We sat in orbit for a day or so while final preparations for my arrival were made. All the fuss was not necessary, but I let them continue without a word. It was exciting. I put on my best cloths and was soon escorted to the Lambda Shuttle, where Captain Briera met me. He seemed as excited as I was, which I found unusual. He was just going to see his superior officers, right? We descended into the atmosphere. We landed on the platform of a large building. I couldn’t see anything else. As I walked down the ramp of the ship, that is when I got the big surprise, when I figured out why Briera was so excited. I caught a glimpse of a red cloak, then another, and another. I saw a total of 6 red cloaks before I saw the black one, standing right in the middle. With a slightly twisted black cane that reflected his personality, it was the Emperor himself! I suppressed my mental questions with anything I could. I did not know the powers of the Force that the Emperor wielded, but if mind reading was one of them, he wasn’t going to learn about what I knew.
I continued to walk forward, wondering how this was going to end up. Hopefully, he would make the first move.
I tried to follow Briera’s lead. I stopped when he stopped, and I bowed a split second after he did. I kept an eye on him. He didn’t move. Then I heard the Emperor speak.
“Rise Captain. Rise honored guest.”
“Honored Guest??” I thought to myself.
The Emperor continued, “Captain Briera, you have done well. You may return to your ship now. You will be rewarded for what you have done.”
The Captain simple bowed again, and returned to the shuttle.
Palpatine then turned to me. “You do not know who I am, do you.”
“No, sir.” I said. “Despite the time I spent studying the history of the Empire while onboard the Motivator, I do not recall coming across your image anywhere.”
He then said what I already knew. “I am Emperor Palpatine, ruler of the Galactic Empire.”
I feigned shock, then fell to my knee and dropped my head, trying to be as sincere as I could. As I did so, I heard myself utter, “My Emperor.”
“Rise, please. A room has been prepared for you here in the palace and your possessions are being taken there as I speak. Feel free to move about the palace and planet, as you will. I will place 2 of my best stormtroopers on your guard while you are here. They will be able to answer any questions you may have. I wish to meet with you later today, to discuss the status of your planet.”
“Thank you, my lord. Your kindness is beyond words.” I responded.
With that the Emperor left and I was shown to my room. It was very spacious and elegant. The two guards were given orders to stand outside my door when I was in the room, and stand beside me when I wasn’t. Made using the bathroom (or, refresher as they call it here), a real hassle. After viewing my room, I took the opportunity to visit Monument Square, and see the only grass left on the planet, and to see the outside of the Senate building. By the time I arrived there though, it was time for my meeting with the Emperor. So I had to return to the palace. I was escorted to a throne room that looked strangely like the one in the second Death Star. When you’re as powerful as the Emperor, you can build things ANY way you want them, I guess.
The Emperor greeted me, and we got to business. He had gone over the reports from Captain Briera, and he said he wanted to go over a number of other things with me. Essentially, he asked questions, and I answered them. Most of them were concerning the technological advancement of the planet, but he also asked about politics, and a variety of other issues. He also asked what I felt about the Empire. When it appeared as if we were all finished, he said that it might be about 2 Imperial months before an Imperial diplomatic team arrived on Earth. I had learned during my time on the planet that all time was based on the Imperial City day. 24-hour days, like on Earth, but 5-day weeks, 7-week months, and an additional 3 weeks of festival and 3 holidays. That was 70 days, or 10 weeks back home.
“My Emperor,” I began, “If I may be as bold as to ask something of you. I left my planet to learn about the Empire. You have done a magnificent job today, by allowing me to tour your capital planet but this is one planet out of many thousands, or millions. I was wondering if I might be allowed the use of a ship and some money to explore other parts of the galaxy before I return home. I was asked by my superiors to be there when your Imperial diplomats arrived, so I might offer my perspective in any negotiations that take place.
The Emperor thought for a moment.
“An interesting idea, and not worth a second thought. Yes. There are a number of ships that have been sitting in the Imperial City impound for various reasons and lengths of time. Tomorrow, you may choose and take one. You will be provided with 50,000 Imperial credits. That should be sufficient for you to live off of for the next 2 months. I should hope, though, that you would not leave us very soon.”
“No, of course not.” I replied. “I was hoping I might have the opportunity to visit the interior of the Senate building before I left. And thank you. I should like to be going now, if you have nothing further. I have been keeping a record of what has happened to me on my computer, and do not want to forget anything.”
“No, I have nothing further. Sleep well.”
The Emperor was far more pleasant that I would have figured, but that was probably just a façade, trying to get on the good side of the Earth, for whatever reason. I returned to my room, recorded the day’s accounts and went to bed. My first day on a foreign planet. Amazing.