Darth Plagueis

by James Luceno

Sise Fromm will inherit the dregs.” “Again, the Zabrak proves his value,” Damask said. “You trained him well.” “Perhaps not well enough,” Palpatine said after a moment. “While I was questioning him about a wound he received, he confessed to having divulged his identity to Alexi Garyn.” Angling his masked face away from Palpatine, Damask said, “Garyn is dead. What does it matter now?” The Muun’s flippant tone put Palpatine further on edge, but his composure held. “This may be the last time I’m permitted to appear in public without armed escort,” he said in a casual way. “When Queen Amidala informed me of Veruna’s unexpected death, she mentioned that her new chief of security—a man named Panaka—will be taking unprecedented steps to ensure the safety of all Naboo diplomats. The Queen, for example, is to be surrounded by a clutch of handmaidens, all of whom resemble her to some extent.” “And you’re to be chaperoned at all times?” Damask asked. “That won’t do.” “I’ll convince Panaka otherwise.”