As he gazed out into the sea, thoughts of his life sprang forth to his mind. His conquests and rise to power...None of that meant anything anymore. What a fool he was. What an absolute fool. He could feel the flames licking at his insides--burning him beyond repair. More and more he was becoming merely the shell of a man as his soul seemed to die just a little more with every passing hour. Palpatine was almost completely taken over by Emperor Darth Sideous. Who knew how much longer he could just spend even a few minutes a day to watch the waves rolling about him. Anakin Skywalker was not so different from himself, Palpatine mused. Darth Vader had almost completely vanquished Anakin as well. Perhaps young Luke Skywalker would be able to resist the Dark Side and, in turn, be their savior from their constricting prisons.

---

Leia Organa was more than a member of the Rebellion, she was a diplomat. The Imperials were monstrous, ruthless dogs with no human emotions. Or so Leia tolder herself every morning before she went out and performed her duties. If truth were to be spoken, one would find out that Princess Leia Organa of Aldaraan secretly hated fighting and killing the Imperials. After all, it wasn't their fault they were led astray. In a way, she sympathised with the Emperor and Lord Vader. They, as well as she, were all victimes of a struggle for more power in the universe. Leia deeply wished she could explain her true feelings to someone. To Luke, perhaps. But then, HOW could she ask him to partake of her burden?

---

Everyone thought of Luke Skywalker, Hero of the Rebellion, as perfect. To them, he could do no wrong. Foolish mortals. Luke wasn't perfect--rather, he was far from. He hid it well from the others, but Luke was a prisoner; he was a prisoner to himself. As he was famous (especially for the destruction of the Death Star), Luke found himself under immense stress from the constant attention as well as intense pressure to not let the people he was fighting for down. oftentime, his unwanted elevated status would cause for Luke a deep depression. And, since Luke WAS still merely a human (albiet with special Force abilities), he needed an escape from his depression. Luke Skywalker was an alcoholic. What had begun as an occassional glass had turned into a daily habitual addiction. One he could never tell anyone about lest the others became dishearted and disillusioned. How was he to save his father from the Dark Side when he couldn't even save himself?