During the early days of the Galactic Empire, the Hound, a Venator-class Star Destroyer, served under the command of Darth Vader. Captain Gillehspy directly oversaw its operation.
After a report surfaced indicating that Jedi Knight Dass Jennir had been spotted on the Colonies planet of Kestavel, Lieutenant Gregg, who was bound by secrecy regarding his contact with Emperor Palpatine, relayed this information to Vader. Vader then instructed Gregg to have Gillehspy prepare the Hound for immediate departure. Gregg carried out the order, though he was surprised by Vader's decision to utilize a Venator-class destroyer for the mission.
Falco Sang's starship was the vessel that carried Vader to the Hound, which caused some consternation among the crew, who had anticipated his arrival via shuttle.
Upon reaching Kestavel, the Hound was placed on standby indefinitely. Vader personally led a squad of clone stormtroopers to a casino known as The Lucky Twi'lek, the suspected location of Jennir. From the Star Destroyer, the officers received a report from Commander CC-4816, one of the clones, detailing an incident where they were soaked in engine fuel and trapped upon arrival. As the officers attempted to communicate this information, Gregg intervened, brandishing his blaster and asserting that Vader had forbidden any interference with his mission, even to assist him. Shortly thereafter, the officers witnessed a large explosion, leading them to believe that Vader had perished.