A change at Mustafar (concerning the fate of Vader)

[WarScarab]

Reservoir? Like a Force Pool? What is this, KOTOR? Anyhow, I think it's important to point out that Anakin was always potentially the most powerful Jedi/Sith in the galaxy, but he was a no point ever a master in either camp. Yes, having natural ability can be beneficial, but it can also lead to a person becomming lazy...not putting the effort in to fully exploit that potential because they can get by without doing so. Even as Vader he only ever took a brute force approach, he never had mastery over the subtle things that make Force users like Yoda, Palpatine, and even Obi-wan great.

[Tychu]

I'm guessing Vader would have lost control of the Empire in pretty short order. Being a Sith badass will only take you so far, you have to be a devious Republican leader like Sideous to maintain your control for any good period of time.

One wonders whether Anakin would have had much of a chance at all. Knowing the mind of Sidious, the schemer in him probably expected all along that Vader would eventually attempt a coup. He suspected Vader's offer to Luke...why not suspect that Vader's ambitions would eventually lead to much more soon?

pretty much every Sith Apprentice turns on his/her master, its the Sith nature, out with the old in with the new for a lame Earth example

[Sidewinder]

Even as Vader he only ever took a brute force approach, he never had mastery over the subtle things that make Force users like Yoda, Palpatine, and even Obi-wan great.

Sometimes, brute force works best. Why would you need a subtle way to hypnotize people into going along with you-- a way that might not work, as Watto demonstrated to Qui-Gon-- when you can simply say, "Obey or die," while using the Force choke to lift people off their feet? Besides, it's quick and to the point, which fits Anakin's personality.

[WarScarab]

But that falls apart when the person you're interrogating isn't afraid to die. For example, in ANH, Captain Antilles gave up his ghost before he gave up the information Vader wanted. That gave Leia the time she needed to upload the Death Star plans into R2 and get them down to the surface, actions which led to the destruction of that battle station and set in motion events that brought the downfall of the Empire. Vader let his anger get the better of him on the Tantive IV, and the entire Empire wound up paying for it. But like you said, that's always been his personality.

And if I may return to the OP, that is why I see Vader's destruction comming much sooner were he not a "torso in a suit." Undoubtedly he would've been even more aggressive with most of his vital functions not on support systems. I think that at some point he would've gotten too angry, pushed too hard, and been put down in favor of a more stable pupil.

[Sidewinder]

But that falls apart when the person you're interrogating isn't afraid to die. For example, in ANH, Captain Antilles gave up his ghost before he gave up the information Vader wanted.

Maybe that was Vader's fault for underestimating Antilles' resolve, or maybe Antilles' mind was strong enough to resist Vader's telepathy-- at least long enough for the Rebels to do something with the blueprints, in which case the info in Antilles' mind is obsolete, and there's no point in letting him live, anyways.

Undoubtedly he would've been even more aggressive with most of his vital functions not on support systems. I think that at some point he would've gotten too angry, pushed too hard, and been put down in favor of a more stable pupil.

Maybe, but where would Sidious find a candidate powerful enough to defeat a healthy Vader? Maybe train a group of Dark Side Adepts, send them to kill Vader, then order the survivors of the resulting battle to fight each other until only one remains to be his new apprentice?

[NeoGoomba]

Like it was already mentioned, Anakin just doesn't have the guile to rule a galaxy spanning empire. He'd be a great symbol to rally around, being such a hero of the Clone Wars, and the last surviving Jedi (he could blame Obi-Wan for Palpatine's demise). But he's too rash to be a government leader...unless someone chooses to manipulate him. He'd become a puppet Emperor, with one or two "advisors" actually dictating policy TO him in a way that makes him think he's actually doing it.

The senate would, of course, be gone. But without them to control the galaxy, would Vader see eye to eye with Tarkin on the whole Fear Doctrine? I doubt it. Anakin would be the noble tyrant, like Red Son Superman. He'd have no Fear to keep the local systems in line, and no political expertise or diplomacy to fall back on. I guess he'd either have a breakdown and just go bonkers or reinstate the Senate.

Damn the galaxy would be in for a bumpy ride.

[Havok]

Why would he need the politicos... It's an Empire not a democracy. Do what I say or you die. Pretty straight forward.

Palpatine may have been more subtle than Anakin, but he knew that Vader would be more powerfull than himself one day. Rule through subterfuge or through open brute force. Either one can work for a Sith.

Nobody wants to die, plain and simple fact. Anakin could pretty much kill whoever he wanted. So he says "Go free the slaves on Tattooine." The closest higher up, in fear of his life is gonna get the ball rolling and eventually it will get done.

As for Anakin dealing with people like Tarkin... He probably would go along with him, just as the Emperor did. Anakin is brash and head strong but not stupid and he knows that he can learn from his elders. He may just have less direct input into the daily workings of his Empire.

Side thought: In the OT Tarkin refers to Vader as "My friend", the only other person that comes close to talking that way to Vader without getting choked is Palpatine himself. Who knows, maybe he was introduced to Tarkin at an earlier point during the prequells and they already have a relationship.

[Noble Ire]

Why would he need the politicos... It's an Empire not a democracy. Do what I say or you die. Pretty straight forward.

Even the most brutal and absolute of tyrants needs a system of bureaucrats and officers to maintain a nation and all its workings. Without some loyal individuals under him, through bribery, political intimidation, etc. any Empire would quickly fall apart. Vader needs more than threat of summary execution to stay in power for long, no matter how physically powerful he is.

[WarScarab]

Vader needs more than threat of summary execution to stay in power for long, no matter how physically powerful he is.

Exactly what I've been trying to say, thank you.

Maybe, but where would Sidious find a candidate powerful enough to defeat a healthy Vader? Maybe train a group of Dark Side Adepts, send them to kill Vader, then order the survivors of the resulting battle to fight each other until only one remains to be his new apprentice?

Nothing so convoluted. Palpatine could easily have eliminated Vader if he chose to turn his lightning on him, and then just bump Mara Jade up to the position as she was becomming quite impressive in her own right .

[Darth Fanboy]

But that falls apart when the person you're interrogating isn't afraid to die. For example, in ANH, Captain Antilles gave up his ghost before he gave up the information Vader wanted.

Or perhaps he didn't actually know what was going on, and only Leia knew of the plans.

[WarScarab]

I suppose that's possible, but the fact that he kept spouting the cover story as opposed to screaming "PLEASE NO! I SWEAR I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! I DON'T WANNA DIE!!!" like a pansy kinda leads me to believe otherwise .