During the Battle of Astarte, Vice Admiral Pastoll led the Free Planets Alliance's 4th Fleet as its commander. Despite being an experienced soldier with over a century of battles under his belt, he was killed in action when Imperial Fleet Commander Reinhard von Lohengramm launched a sudden and intense attack before the Alliance forces could mount a defense. Vice Admiral Pastoll had been friends with Vice Admiral Paeta, who commanded the 2nd Fleet of the Free Planets Alliance.