What was Pallaeon's role in the battle with the Rebellion in the novel, Heir to the Empire?

Captain Pallaeon, a veteran of the old Empire, recalls the Imperial defeat that lead to the subsequent Rebel victory. Pallaeon regrets the Emperor's decision to build a second Death Star, since flaws were discovered in the first one, which the Rebellion also destroyed. This indicates that, while clearly on the Imperial side of things, Pallaeon may question authority figures, since he didn't like the old Emperor's decisions.