Satrap Isstra Dirus was a male governor on the planet Akiva during the waning years of the Galactic Civil War. He was known for his venality, as well as his groveling obedience towards the Galactic Empire. Isstra lived in a large palace in Akiva's capital city Myrra. When Admiral Rae Sloane left Akiva, Isstra pleaded with her not to leave him to the mercy of an enraged mob. However, Sloane rebuffed his pleas and struck him. After killing two of his guards, she told Isstra that he was of no use to the Empire any longer.
Isstra Dirus served as Satrap of the Akivan city of Myrra during the Age of the Empire. He collaborated with the Galactic Empire and helped enforce the Empire's laws and taxes on Akiva. In return, Imperial corporations channeled considerable funds into his coffers. Under his rule, Akiva was reputed as a planet in the Outer Rim Territories where one could hide money and procure illicit goods including slaves. Isstra lived in an opulent palace in Myyrra and had guards with ornate red plumage on their helmets and long vibro-pikes.
In the months following the Battle of Endor, Satrap Dirus hosted an Imperial emergency summit on Akiva that was attended by Admiral Rae Sloane, Grand Moff Valco Pandion, the Imperial Adviser Yupe Tashu, General Jylia Shale, and the Imperial financier Arsin Crassus. The Satrap greeted his guests after they landed their shuttles on a raise landing platform above his palace. After his guests arrived, Satrap Dirus provided them with refreshments in the form a buffet dinner. Admiral Sloane had organized an Imperial Future Council to discuss the future of the Empire in light of the military advances made by the New Republic, the successor to the Rebel Alliance.
After the New Republic starfighter pilot Norra Wexley and her team sparked a mass uprising in Myrra by broadcasting New Republic propaganda highlighting the Imperial summit, Satrap Dirus complied with Admiral Sloane's orders to open the curtains facing the Avenue of the Satrapy. Dirus ordered two of his servant girls to open the curtains. Isstra and his Imperial guests then saw a large crowd of citizens marching on the palace. In response, Sloane ordered the Imperial delegates to evacuate Myrra.
Later, Admiral Sloane shot down a TIE fighter which had been hijacked by Norra. Norra bailed out of the stricken fighter which crashed into the side of the Satrap's Palace. After Admiral Sloane and her entourage were making preparations to leave on Crassus' luxury yacht Golden Harp, Isstra begged Sloane to take him with her to escape the tender mercies of the mob. However, Sloane thanked him for his services and motioned for two of her stormtroopers to drag him back to the doorway. When two of his guards came to his aid, the stormtroopers mowed down the guards. Dirus stayed behind and wept beside the corpses of his own guards.
Following the rebellion on Akiva, the other satraps on Akiva realized that the Empire had abandoned them. With the Akivan population up in arms, they submitted part of their rule to the New Republic.
Isstra Dirus was a tall handsome man with wrinkles on his face. He was regarded by both the people of Myrra and the Galactic Empire as an execrable sycophant, who was needed to help prop up the Imperial presence on the planet Akiva. He was a selfish and avaricious man who cared little for his subjects and was more concerned with lining his pockets. Isstra lived in an opulent palace in Myrra, Akiva's capital city. Isstra was afraid of his people and implored his Imperial sponsors to take him with them. However, Admiral Sloane rejected his plea because she believed that he had outlived his usefulness to the Empire.
Isstra Dirus first appeared as a minor antagonist in Chuck Wendig's 2015 novel Aftermath.
- Star Wars: Timelines