What IF

[Mechwarrior]

What do you think would have happened if Vader had Let Luke strike down the Emperor in the Death Star Throneroom in Return of the Jedi? Would Luke have gone over to the Dark side and have become Vaders Second as Vader Became Emperor?

[Super-Gagme]

Hmm very interesting idea. I imagine that would/could be the case. Considering Vaders plans between Empire and ROTJ. Even saying "We can rule the galaxy as father and son." in Empire is kind of a prime example. Though the only thing is could Vader and Luke control the Empire? It was designed to collapse at the loss of Palpatine, could they hold it together? Could they stop the Rebellion?

[Lord Pounder]

More importantly how would rest of the Civil War go if it is Skywaker Sr and Jr versus Palpy's Byss Forces Versus the reminants of the Rebel Aliance.

[Darth Raptor]

What's the difference between a failed attack out of anger and a successful one? Would actually making Palpatine sizzle make any difference?

And I really doubt Vader wanted to be Emperor. It was probably just a bluff to tempt Luke.

[GySgt. Hartman]

I think the Emperor was cautious enough not to trust on Vader alone. He might have had a way to avert the blow if Vader hadn't stopped it.
Then, I don't think Vader could have ruled the galaxy. He is more muscle than brain, so to speak, he never had the extensive political experience of the Emperor. My guess is that the Empire would have fallen apart, as advisors or warlords would have opposed Vader.

[vakundok]

No. Luke would have returned to his friends. The novelisation mentions that Vader felt nearly sorry about that he could not allow Luke to kill the emperor because of this. (If I remember well.)

[Techno_Union]

Lets not forget the Emperor had clones of himself, he would have merely traveled to Byss and assumed another body. He would then make his rise to power again and kill Vader and Luke. Vader and Luke together are still no match for the Emperor.

[FTeik]

IIRC, according to the novel of ROTJ Vader really wanted to replace the emperor, but didn´t do so, because there was still so much to learn about the dark side.

And clones or not clones, i´m sure Vader would have been able to kill the emperor once and for all, if necessary.

[Tribun]

Did Vader knew of the Planet Byss?

[Illuminatus Primus]

The Emperor probably had a clone hidden somewhere aboard the Death Star II, he certainly was not prepared to make the transit all the way from Endor to Coruscant, and had to instead transfer himself into the Emperor's Hand Jeng Droga on a world only a couple light-years away.

Palpatine very nearly died at Endor; he may have anticipated the possibility that they would kill him, and probably had a body ready in case, but he didn't suspect that the Death Star II would be destroyed, and him with it.

[Mlenk]

I don't think Vader could have ruled the galaxy. He is more muscle than brain, so to speak, he never had the extensive political experience of the Emperor. My guess is that the Empire would have fallen apart, as advisors or warlords would have opposed Vader.

I agree although I think Vader with the exception of Thrawn, and especially with Luke by his side, could have held together the post-ROTJ Empire much better and more effectively than Daala or any of the self proclaimed Warlords and Moffs that we saw in Darksaber and other novels. The vicious infighting that tore apart much of the Empire in the years immediately following ROTJ probably wouldn't have reached the levels that it did. I'm not sure if he could have effectively rallied the Empire around him like Thrawn did but the Rebels/NR would almost certainly have a much tougher time defeating the Empire and gaining control of the Galaxy with Vader alive, and especially with Luke at his side, than if he had died at Endor.

What would be interesting to see is what would Palpatine's clone on Byss do about Vader. Would he try to make Vader his bitch again or I wonder if would he just flat out try to kill Vader for betraying him at Endor. And if Vader somehow survives against Palpatine's clone and defeats him what would happen when Thrawn returns from the Unknown Regions? I wonder if they'd be able to work together effectively or just flat out try to kill each other. With Luke by his side it could go either way and perhaps they might actually have a chance. By himself I think it's highly doubtful although he certainly could and would have given his enemies, Rebels or other Imperials, a whole lot of hell before he goes down.

[Kurgan]

Hmm, actually the Emperor had secretly switched Luke's saber with Folger's Aedegon Crystals (tm)... let's see what happens!