5 ABY
Sate Pestage assuming command of the empire hoped to end the war with the rebellion by meeting with Alliance leader Leia Skywalker. He met with Ysanne Isard, his advisor on the possibility of hosting the Alliance leaders on Coruscant.
"Go to Brentaal, I will provide you a fleet to assist you in the negotiations," Isard suggested, her true intentions not known.
"Soon there will be peace," Sate smiled realizing that he would be known by the empire as the "peacemaker."
"Yes…peace," Isard agreed.
An Imperial Shuttle departed from Coruscant to Brentaal. "Alert Mon Mothma of Pestage's visit," Isard ordered her trusted agents.
The Alliance was ready for Pestage's shuttle immediately ambushing him. Sate had not told the Alliance that he would perform the negotiations personally but the Alliance was tipped off. Sate's fleet didn't arrive to defend him
The Imperial Shuttle captured in an Alliance cruiser rebel soldiers arrested Sate. "I demand to see your leader," Sate said outraged.
"You're not going anywhere emperor," the rebel commander smirked.
"I am here to negotiate a truce, where is Leia Skywalker?" Sate asked.
"You may see her in time, for the time being we will be holding you as a prisoner," the rebel commander said sending Sate into a prison.
Isard approached the Imperial Rulling Circle, a committee of Imperials overseeing the political and military operations of the empire. "Sate Pestage has shown yet again his incompetence against the rebels by becoming their prisoner," Isard announced.
The council murmured among each other concerning this. I move to call for a new appointment as emperor of the empire," Isard said, the room became quiet.
"Such an emperor would not have blessings of Lord Vader, should we dare to assume his wishes," a council member said.
"Lord Vader would not have his empire split in half, we must think for ourselves gentlemen," Isard replied.
"We shall negotiate the release of Pestage so that he may come before us to answer for his incompetence," the council leader suggested. Despite Isard's objections the resolution was passed.
Isard, not satisfied with the result decided to send out spies to find out everything Pestage did in rebel hands. It didn't take long for her to find out that Pestage had asked for secret negotiations with Leia Skywalker on Axxila.
Sate Pestage was allowed an audience with Leia Skywalker on Axxila. Sate's escorted shuttle landed inside the planet's crust where it was lined with cities, a literal Coruscant inside out.
Leia Skywalker walked out to greet Sate Pestage. "So you hold authority of the empire?" Leia asked.
Sate nodded. "I was entrusted with the empire by your father's request," Sate answered.
"Looks like we have you now," Leia said, the two went into an office building. Inside the building multiple rebel leaders and aides were present.
Although neither Leia nor Sate knew it one of Isard's spies was present during the meeting. "So for your release what are you willing to give us?" Leia asked, she expected a large compromise.
"I can have some of your officer released," Sate offered.
Leia bit her lip not satisfied. "I want something of significance; you don't want the empire to fall apart do you?" Leia said.
"No, of course not. I can give together we can rule the empire. You, the daughter of Lord Vader and his trusted adviser can rule legitimately," Sate offered.
Leia considered the offer; surely Mothma would be displeased with her overstepping her authority. "For this to work, the Imperial fleet will have to be removed from Coruscant to allow a peaceful transition, and I want a new Republic Senate," Leia demanded.
"Whatever you want," Sate said.
Isard was sent transmissions of the meeting between Sate and Leia. With the evidence at hand she could not dispose of Sate. The council called another meeting to discuss Sate's actions. They deemed his actions treasonous and gave authority to Isard to deal with him.
"We shall have another meeting to discuss a successor, and then we shall send a transmission to Lord Vader concerning our decisions," the council leader declared. It was voted on and agreed.
Isard did not want Anakin involved in choosing a successor; the dark lord might elevate his son to the position. She decided to get rid of Sate and the Imperial Ruling Circle.
The next day Isard was not present at the Imperial Ruling Center meeting. They decided to continue the meeting without her. Suddenly green gas filled the room, the council members scrambled to get to the doors. They were locked and all present died of the poisonous gas.
When she was sure they were all dead Isard turned her attention to Sate. She could kill two birds with one stone by attacking Axxila. She activated a hologram revealing Admiral Delak Krennel. He was brown haired military style, tan complexion, light blue eyes, and had a robotic hand that glowed red whenever it was used. He had lost the arm battling treasonous Imperial war lords who did not submit to Sate Pestage's authority.
"Capture Leia Skywalker, bring her to Coruscant. Emperor Pestage is also on the planet Axxila, send him back to Coruscant as well," Isard ordered.
With an Imperial fleet at his command Admiral Krennel proceeded to Axxila on the Outer Rim. During his time on Axxila Pestage managed to escape and sent a communication to elite fighter leader Soontir Fel for assistance.
"I cannot get to you in time but there are reports that Admiral Krennel is headed to Axxila to capture Leia Skywalker," Fel told him.
"No, Leia Skywalker must not be harmed, I am engaged in delicate negotiations," Pestage said.
"I'll send your wishes to the admiral," Fel said signing off.
Just as Admiral Krennel was about to attack he received a message from Fel not to capture Leia Skywalker. When asked of the authority Fel told him that Sate had wanted to negotiate with the Alliance. Irked by this Krennel sent a transmission to Isard.
"It's an example of Sate's treasonous activities," Isard concluded.
"I will apprehend him," Krennel promised.
"Do that and I will personally reward you," Isard said signing off.
Sate Pestage sent another transmission to Krennel for asylum to escape the rebels. Krennel accepted allowing Sate to board. Ignoring Leia Skywalker Krennel confronted Sate.
"We shall head back to Coruscant, I have urgent business to attend to," Sate said annoyed.
"You're not going anywhere," Krennel said grabbing Sate's throat. His mechanical muscles glowing red as he squeezed he broke the emperor's neck and allowed him to fall to the floor dead.