In truth, when Palpatine received Tang Xiao's call, he was quite surprised as well. There had long been no room for compromise between the two Sith Lords. All that remained was a fight to the death.
Talk? There was really nothing to talk about.
That was Palpatine's first thought. However, Tang Xiao's very first sentence dispelled it and made him decide to continue the conversation.
"My respects to you, Your Majesty Palpatine, Emperor of the Galactic Empire," Tang Xiao said with a false smile.
Before this, Palpatine had already discarded his given name and retained only his surname. Thus, the name Sheev had become history. Palpatine was Palpatine, representing both his family and himself.
Seeing Tang Xiao's thoroughly punchable expression in the hologram, Palpatine's face darkened. "I am currently the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. This is not a place for your reckless nonsense, Separatist war criminal and the galaxy's second-most wanted fugitive, Tang Xiao."
"There's no need to hide it any longer. Your preparations to reorganize the Galactic Republic into the First Galactic Empire are nearly complete, aren't they, Palpatine?" Tang Xiao said mildly. "The only question now is when you intend to announce it. Today? Tomorrow?"
"It seems Hego Damask II gave you quite a bit of information." Palpatine's expression shifted slightly. He attributed Tang Xiao's foresight to his former master. After all, before Tang Xiao appeared, he and Hego Damask II had devised an entire plan to overthrow the Galactic Republic.
Even so, Tang Xiao had named the title of his planned empire in one breath. That still startled him somewhat.
"Let's get straight to the point, Palpatine. When do you plan to continue your attack on the Dawn Star Planet?" Tang Xiao countered directly.
A savage smile appeared on Palpatine's face. "Very soon, my dear