Within Coruscant's Imperial Palace, Palpatine paced through the darkness, faintly sensing that something was wrong.
This palace had once been a sanctuary for the Jedi. He had twisted it with the Dark Side of the Force and transformed it into his own royal residence, guarded by elite red-armored Custodes.
Yet these past few days, he had constantly felt that Jedi ghosts were watching him. An icy gaze crept across his back, like snakes slithering over smooth marble floors.
But whenever he turned around, there was nothing behind him. Even the corpses of Jedi Masters in the glass jars used as decorations had their eyes closed.
The more this happened, the more unsettled he became. The Rebel Alliance's sewer rats had gone several days without causing trouble anywhere, while Anakin, who normally did not like visiting the Imperial Palace, had been coming frequently to pay his respects these days, speaking as politely as an etiquette droid.
At the same time, the other Sith had rarely appeared lately, and there was something wrong with the reports and tax revenues submitted by the Imperial governors.
The most important reason for his suspicions, however, came from the Force's warning. The Dark Side of the Force, which had originally held a firm advantage, had receded far too much like a falling tide, while the Life Force had suddenly surged forth.
Damn it. In Palpatine's memory, there should not have been any powerful believers in the Life Force left. Those antiquated schools ought to have vanished long ago. And what was going on with that Black Sun?
Though his mind was full of questions, the facts were right before him. As a result, he had been in a foul mood these past few days. He had even ordered a stricter curfew on the capital planet Coruscant,