Palpatine’s Unfolding Plan: How Vader Could Have Been Kept in Line

One of the most intriguing questions in the Star Wars saga is what Palpatine may have had up his sleeve if Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) had not been scarred and cybernetically revised on Mustafar. While we cannot definitively know his exact intentions, there are scenarios and evidence that point towards a different path for the Sith Lord's reign.

Preparations for Possible Chaos

It is highly unlikely that Palpatine would have left fixing Darth Vader to chance, especially given his meticulous nature. In fact, as Anakin was being groomed to become a powerful enforcer, it is plausible that Palpatine had contingency plans in place for any circumstances that might have required him to neutralize Vader. The contingency plans likely mirrored Order 66, ensuring a quick and decisive action if the situation demanded it.

Manipulated Loyalty and Contingency Orders

Palpatine did not anticipate the severe injuries Anakin would incur on Mustafar. In the Legends timeline, Palpatine had planned to manipulate Anakin into becoming the Empire’s figurehead. Leveraging Anakin’s heroic reputation among the galaxy’s citizens, Palpatine would control the young Vader, turning him into an enforcer for the new regime. This strategy was designed to maintain Anakin’s loyalty and ensure his role as the Empire’s hand, even if some modifications were needed.

The Sith’s Call for Renewal

The idea of making Vader a Sith enforcer would have involved more than just physical modifications. Palpatine likely envisioned Vader wearing Sith armor and continuing to serve his master, Sidious, with a renewed sense of purpose. The condition of Vader’s injuries could have been seen as a mere setback, ultimately helping to forge an even stronger allegiance with Palpatine. Sidious’s rescue and subsequent revival of Anakin would have further cemented their bond, emphasizing their shared history and destiny.

Manipulative Plans for Future

Palpatine’s ultimate goal was to eliminate the Jedi and establish a despotic Empire, with an apprentice to renew the rule of the Sith. In his elaborate schemes, Palpatine planned for Rey to participate in a ritual allowing him to transfer into her body, securing his immortality. However, Rey had different plans, aided by Ben Solo and the Jedi past, ultimately leading to the Phantom Menace’s defeat.

Mustafar: A Sanctuary for Sith Renewal

Following his epic loss to Obi-Wan on the Hell Planet Mustafar, Vader became an unlikely sanctuary for the Sith. Charles Soule’s Star Wars: Darth Vader series from Marvel highlights how the dark lord sought out new powers from this volcanic planet. Here, Mustafar served as a powerful stage for the regeneration and empowerment of Darth Vader, a place where his mastery of the Force could continue to grow.

Conclusion

Though we can only speculate about Palpatine’s intentions, his meticulous plans for Anakin Skywalker (or Darth Vader) indicate a complex and detailed strategy. Whether through manipulation, contingency orders, or further Sith empowerment, Palpatine’s ultimate goal was to maintain control over his dark apprentice. The scars and cybernetics on Mustafar served not only as physical remakes but as strategic elements in a larger, unfolding tale of Sith domination.