Chapter 1

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'The Ambition is a Powerful Ally'

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'The Guest Professor'

The introductory lecture would last two grueling hours. Some students will try to avoid twitching in their seats while others are too disciplined or too enthralled with the speaker to care.

The expansive lecture hall with its stadium seating is filled to capacity. One student had preferred to sit in the front where he would immediately be recognized and, therefore, arrived fifteen minutes before the doors opened. Surely, he would be guaranteed a seat in the first row. It is to his disappointment to discover that there was already a line. The front of the line comprised mostly of Muun students. They were the first everywhere on campus. There were not that many of them attending Theed University but they made their presence known, especially at this particular lecture. This was a special day to see one of their own.

The student from Naboo loathed the Muuns and their superior demeanor. They socialized as little as possible with the general Theed student population even though programs existed to encourage assimilation with the rest of the student body.

He tolerated sitting in the back of auditorium and gradually worked his way towards the middle seating area as some students went to the registrar's office and quietly dropped the course. By this time, he was tired of seeing these "gifted ones" in the front of the class clamoring for the attention of the professor. He is just as good as they are.

He felt drawn to this class in particular. The other courses were part of the usual required academic curriculum. He is anxious to make his mark. He had a feeling great things were to come should he continue to follow this great thinker. He would not realize the dark path it would lead to in the coming months and years.

Weeks pass without a single hint of recognition from the visiting professor. He feels like the invisible student since the start of the semester. He receives the results of his second exam before mid-terms. It is another 'A+;' and until now; there were no accolades for his hard work. He realizes that grades would not get him the attention he thought he deserved. Feeling dejected once more, he slides the paper between his note tablet and textbook and starts to exit the class. Just as he questions his reason for taking the course, his patience pays off much to his delight. He hears the nasal-voiced professor call him back.

"Mr. Palpatine, a moment of your time please."

Palpatine is stunned to hear his name. He gathers control of himself then pivots to face the professor. He descends the steps of the lecture hall, holding his breath on the way. He finally feels himself speak.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Another 'A'. I am pleased to see someone listening in my class. So far, you have maintained your average this semester.

"Yes, yes, Professor."

"I understand you wish to be considered for the apprentice spot during my tenure here at the university."

"Oh, yes, yes, I would, sir." His steel-blue eyes look hopefully at the professor.

Palpatine wonders who had been talking about him behind his back. Did someone put in a good word on his behalf? The towering professor gathers his papers and neatly drops them into a leather folder like a stack of playing cards, each sheet falling into place.

"Very well then, see me tomorrow afternoon in Jafan Hall…16,30hrs." The professor barely looks at the youth.

The eager student nods and bows reverently. His flaxen hair falls evenly towards his cheeks. It is cut to the chin and away from the forehead. His fair complexion is without a blemish. In all his years, the sun has never really touched his alabaster skin. While other Naboo youth spent warm summer days sailing and on the Solleu River or sunning themselves thereafter, young Palpatine protected himself by sitting under a Dee'ja willow reading about the great secrets of the galaxy or philosophy and political thought.

He is of average height but is dwarfed by the towering Muun students. It annoys him to have to look up at them. However, he is also shorter in stature to one other Theed University alum, Finis Valorum.

Valorum was working on his PhD degree in Galactic Policy and Diplomatic relations. Palpatine had seen Valorum on occasion. Palpatine discovered that the PhD candidate is a paid assistant to the dean of Philosophy. He is well liked by the student body and admired by the faculty. He is in his last year of working on his dissertation. It becomes obvious that Valorum is being groomed for bigger things. His family has strong political connections. Palpatine could sense that this is someone who will become truly powerful on day. He is amazed that this outsider from Coruscant is treated like a native son. Palpatine could not understand the admiration for this person. It would be years before their paths would cross again with dire consequences.

Palpatine looks up at the towering Muun.

"Yes, I can do that, sir. Thank you, Professor."

"You don't have the assignment yet my ambitious young friend."

This does not matter to the eager student who is just happy to get this rare invitation. This is his time.

The youth spends the rest of the day obsessed with what he going to say to get the coveted position. At lunch, he snubs his other classmates and dorm mates by sitting alone at a table on the far side of the student dining hall.

He arrives in the faculty corridor of the Philosophy Department. It is 16,15hrs and he is early. It is quiet in the long caverness halls. Most of the professors have left for the day or are enroute to the evening classes upstairs. Young Palpatine can hear the echoes of his footsteps bounce off the walls of the hallway. The amber streaks of late afternoon sunlight pours through the high windows. Between each window hangs a holographic portrait of illustrious figures from the University's historic past.

The office he is looking for is at the far end of the hall around the corner next to the private reference library that holds hundreds of volumes of rare writings from great minds of the galaxy.

The large and dark wooden doors seem to beckon him near. The office is one of the few larger spaces on the faculty office floor but there were no takers before the semester was to begin. The other professors, including the ones with tenure opted for the smaller offices located in the front and in the high-trafficked areas on either side of the main corridor where there are more windows, and more light. There were the sweet sounds of nature of the birds and voorpaks scurrying about outside on the well-manicured campus grounds.

The large office tucked away at the desolate corner of the hallway had a melancholy look about it.

There was no ante office or secretary to greet him. Before he had the chance to reach for the large brass door handle, it makes a clicking sound and "opens." The voice inside the room addresses him.

"Please come in, Dantius."

To be continued