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The Dark Empire Sourcebook, Chapter Two: An Empire Reborn wrote:Grand Admiral Thrawn's huge success was limited to retaking territory, not uniting the Empire itself. Instead of reuniting the disparate elements of the Empire, the unfinished victory only served to push them farther apart. With victory almost within reach, the stakes were suddenly that much higher and the potential for bloodshed had risen proportionately. The navy demanded the right to pick a new Grand Admiral from the chain of command and continue as planned. Of course, the army demanded a say in the matter as well.

The Dark Empire Sourcebook, Chapter Two: An Empire Reborn wrote:While it was imprudent to reveal his return, he could still hinder or aid those who caught his fancy. It was, in fact, the Emperor who had given all the various orders and counter-orders that were impeding the petty plans of the various factions. Here then was the reason so many of the warships Thrawn needed had vanished into the fortress systems, forcing him to rely on the Katana fleet of lost Dreadnaughts. It was the Emperor, also, who ordered that the construction of new palaces and his flagship continue. All in preparation for the day when he would announce himself to the galaxy and take his throne back. But first, more time to heal, then the destruction of the revolutionaries who had caused him so much trouble.

The Dark Empire Sourcebook, Chapter Two: An Empire Reborn wrote:Emperor Palpatine

Palpatine paused in his study on Byss, holding the Jedi Holocron aloft in his hand. A mere trinket, a brief glimpse of the limitless power of the Force. He considered his next move. It was almost time to make himself known again ...

Palpatine was a very patient man — even his harshest critics had to admit this. Just how patient most of them could never guess. Such patience came with his long study of the Force, and it was to the Dark Side that he owed his allegiance. For the Dark Side was power. Power to shape the galaxy, to change history, perhaps to live forever.

His death he had planned for, just as he had planned for every other contingency. Still, this last time had been quite different from all the others. Previously, the clones had been only meters away and the passing voluntary, in the comfort of his chambers. Nothing like the time of betrayal by his Dark servant. This time was so abrupt and unexpected... so unpleasant that it felt as if, perhaps, a part of his being had been left in space over Endor.

He had spent over a year disembodied, formless, drifting through the maddening void of the Dark Side. He had never foreseen having to transport his spirit so far across space. He had nearly dispersed forever, but he had survived, and now need never fear death again.

As soon as consciousness flickered back to a new clone body on Byss, he opened his eyes. All was as he had planned. He laughed out loud. He had won! The Rebellion had defeated his fleet, but he would return to rule the galaxy again.

He knew there would be war among his servants since none of them had the knowledge or power he held. But he wasn't in a position to act just yet. Years of rest and recovery lay ahead. Perhaps it was better this way. His forces had failed him, and the price for failure was what it had always been, death.

As years passed and he grew stronger, he began to concentrate more on his Dark Side studies. Still, he did grow occasionally concerned when one leader or another would come close to silencing the others and claiming the throne. Such ones were dealt with easily. He could let any of his Dark Side Adepts or other loyal servants handle the matter. After all, he still had his Hands and his Noghri.

When his servant, Thrawn, made his claim, Palpatine could only watch in sadness. He had hoped Thrawn would know better. It was heartening to see how effectively Thrawn dealt with the cruel hand fate had dealt him. A lesser person would have despaired. But a lesser person would have never been chosen as a Grand Admiral by Palpatine in the first place.

Still, no contender could ever be allowed to become too powerful. It was no accident when Thrawn fell. Palpatine never knew if Thrawn guessed that he was being used to divert attention from his own return.

C'baoth was a more curious case. Thrawn was brilliant enough to realize only an insane Dark Jedi would violate the Emperor's ban ordering them all into silence years ago. While they waited in their castles for their Emperor's command. Thrawn had sought out the one who would have forgotten all such orders years ago. It was most satisfying to watch the mad Jedi's mind unravel.

And, then there were Mara Jade and the Noghri. They would all have to be punished for their treason ... in time.

When both Thrawn and C'baoth were slain, he knew it was time to announce his return. Rather than reveal himself all at once, though, he chose to let the game continue at a lesser pitch. Only those who proved competent and loyal to his vision would be spared. Summoned individually under innocuous pretenses, each of the leaders in the Mutiny were brought to the audience chamber. Their reaction in that moment determined whether they would live or die. Once convinced of their commitment to his name, they were released and given their new orders.

so unpleasant that it felt as if, perhaps, a part of his being had been left in space over Endor.