Prompt: Emperor Palpatine has called for an election to take over as Emperor of the galaxy and nominates Darth Vader. Who would you nominate to be his chief rival?
For one thing, the nature of an Emperor is not to hold an election. The Empire would be passed on to the Emperor’s descendents. But let’s go with this concept.
Should I pick someone who would make a kinder, gentler leader? Should I pick someone who might rival the iron handed authoritarian nature to give Darth Vader a run for his money? Should I pick someone who might match the evil of the original Emperor?
A kinder, gentler runner-up would obviously be Princess Leia. She’s the kind of personality that all those in the Federation would get behind, and possibly a great deal of those in the Empire. The problem is that in running as Emperor of the galaxy I have a feeling the elections might be rigged. If she had to go head-to-head with Darth Vader, I don’t think she would stand a chance. Even if she did, I think she would have a problem battling it out over a corrupt ballot box.
Hahn Solo might stand a chance. I think he could handle Darth Vader fairly well, but being the lovable rogue that he is I don’t see him sticking with the commitment to run the galaxy. However, it would be interesting to have Chewbacca as his vice Emperor.
I think in the end I would have to go with Luke Skywalker. From the time he enters the Star Wars saga, he’s nothing but a whiny little kid. He might be a decent pilot, but he still something of a complainer. He doesn’t get any less annoying as the story goes on. He seems to become less mature, more petty and seems to become reclusive and out of touch. In the battle at the ballot box I’m sure he would just about annoy Darth Vader to death. He seems to be just the right kind of out of touch person who could handle taking over as Emperor of the galaxy.
