I'm talking about the officers; captains and such. People high enough to know the office politics, that Anakin had the ear of the Chancellor.
For anyone in a senior role in the GAR, it wouldn't be surprising that Anakin sides with Palpatine, and that naturally the 501st serve Vader because they've always been his unit even when he was Anakin Skywalker.
And if enough of THEM know, then it becomes common knowledge by dint of gossip.
I think your viewpoint is naïve about human societies.
Powerful shadowy force user appears outta nowhere as the Emperor's right hand man, who just happens to be a kickass pilot and commands the personal legion of a clone wars hero who also happened to be a powerful force user and kickass pilot who had the Emperor's favor...
I know you think the Imperials are crapouts but come on.
If you didn't notice, they're not too afraid of him prior to ESB. The Empire is, well, an Empire. As long as the likes of Tarkin, Yularen, and Thrawn (and even Xizor) are around, Vader isn't the unchallenged top dog. He may be the emperor's enforcer, but he has peers who also have Palpy's favor. People he can't move against without really good reasons.
I'm talking about the officers; captains and such. People high enough to know the office politics, that Anakin had the ear of the Chancellor.
For anyone in a senior role in the GAR, it wouldn't be surprising that Anakin sides with Palpatine, and that naturally the 501st serve Vader because they've always been his unit even when he was Anakin Skywalker.
And if enough of THEM know, then it becomes common knowledge by dint of gossip.
I think your viewpoint is naïve about human societies.
Powerful shadowy force user appears outta nowhere as the Emperor's right hand man, who just happens to be a kickass pilot and commands the personal legion of a clone wars hero who also happened to be a powerful force user and kickass pilot who had the Emperor's favor...
I know you think the Imperials are crapouts but come on.
There is a difference. between a strong suspicion that they're the same person and knowing that they are the same person.
Especially when expressing those views will probably get you killed.
If you didn't notice, they're not too afraid of him prior to ESB. The Empire is, well, an Empire. As long as the likes of Tarkin, Yularen, and Thrawn (and even Xizor) are around, Vader isn't the unchallenged top dog. He may be the emperor's enforcer, but he has peers who also have Palpy's favor. People he can't move against without really good reasons.
Other than the mercurial temper, piloting skills, force powers, and well known prior history with both the Chancellor and the legion.