Exploration of the hospital makes for strange bedfellows. Palpatine had initially wished to explore alone, but the hospital had employed defences that made that plan untenable, so he'd fallen in with Deacon. And that was before he learned these creatures were lurking inside.

And of course, the man is a quipper.

He has to pick up the hem of his red senatorial robe to run, but for a man of Palpatine's age he keeps up as they run. "I think a suitable hiding place is called for, don't you?"