He can tell the other is hesitates to say his masters name. Unlike the Jedi, the Sith must try to keep their masters identity hidden, perhaps to protect them from being hunted? Or perhaps because Palpatine just knew how to hide so well he trained it into his apprentices.
But honestly, the name of Palpatine is what made a paleness cross over Luke's face. His jaw lowering a bit as he realized just how amazingly messed up everything was. It told him how long the Emperor had played his games (and unknown to him, in another 30 or more years, those mind games would still be played). His eyes widened a bit, and he watched the Zabrak, almost missing his answer for why the other wanted power. It all sank in slowly, but he still felt that cold ball of ice hit his belly. "The Emperor ..." He whispered.
And was Maul... Darth Maul, apparently, still devoted to Palpatine? Would he react badly to hearing that he was, well, dead? Thrown into a reactor and killed by his own other apprentice. By Anakin Skywalker. His father.
His mouth felt a little dry for a moment, as he tried to find words. "He's Emperor Palpatine, in my time. The Republic is no more and the Empire has taken over for some time now. He's had... huge weapons built. Death Stars. His Apprentice, Darth Vader, helped wipe out the Jedi. You're master has gripped the galaxy in a tight fist of terror for nearly decades." And something pushed him to say more. As much as he was concerned about a fight breaking out, he said it. With conviction.
Almost with pride. "The Emperor is dead. I faced him just before I appeared here. It was... it was my father who stopped him at last. Who turned from the dark side to save my life, and the galaxy. Palpatine might have got everything he wanted for a time, but it didn't last."
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But honestly, the name of Palpatine is what made a paleness cross over Luke's face. His jaw lowering a bit as he realized just how amazingly messed up everything was. It told him how long the Emperor had played his games (and unknown to him, in another 30 or more years, those mind games would still be played). His eyes widened a bit, and he watched the Zabrak, almost missing his answer for why the other wanted power. It all sank in slowly, but he still felt that cold ball of ice hit his belly. "The Emperor ..." He whispered.
And was Maul... Darth Maul, apparently, still devoted to Palpatine? Would he react badly to hearing that he was, well, dead? Thrown into a reactor and killed by his own other apprentice. By Anakin Skywalker. His father.
His mouth felt a little dry for a moment, as he tried to find words. "He's Emperor Palpatine, in my time. The Republic is no more and the Empire has taken over for some time now. He's had... huge weapons built. Death Stars. His Apprentice, Darth Vader, helped wipe out the Jedi. You're master has gripped the galaxy in a tight fist of terror for nearly decades." And something pushed him to say more. As much as he was concerned about a fight breaking out, he said it. With conviction.
Almost with pride. "The Emperor is dead. I faced him just before I appeared here. It was... it was my father who stopped him at last. Who turned from the dark side to save my life, and the galaxy. Palpatine might have got everything he wanted for a time, but it didn't last."