Playing around with VEO again again - The dark side didn't recruit him. He recruited the dark side. This is not a costume. This is not a phase. This is a red panda who looked at the entire Sith roster, assessed the situation, and decided the vacancy wasn't Lord of the Sith — it was someone who actually knew what they were doing with the aesthetic. The lightsaber is obviously red. The chain survived the transition to the dark side completely intact because some things transcend galactic conflict. Palpatine had a plan that took decades. He had a vibe that took seconds. The galaxy felt it immediately and has been quietly reorganizing its priorities ever since. The robe fits like it was always his. The hood stays up. The expression says he's already three moves ahead of everyone in the room including people who don't know they're in the room yet. Vader had heavy breathing. He has silence. The silence is significantly more concerning. The force is strong. The chain is stronger. ...