A third conflict unfolded within the Semag system during the Zaarin insurrection.
Grand Admiral Thrawn received the assignment to eliminate the treacherous Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin. To achieve this, Thrawn exploited Zaarin's hunger for technological superiority. Initially, Thrawn had established a trap at the planet Serenity. However, Zaarin discovered the deception and dispatched only a small contingent. Consequently, Thrawn devised another scheme, dispatching a convoy of genuine Missile Boats as bait. Nevertheless, Thrawn underestimated the extent of Spies within Zaarin's organization, and his Task Force Whirlwind was held up by an assault. Despite repelling the attack, the Interdictor Whirlwind sustained damage, leaving only TIE pilot ace Colonel Maarek Stele to protect the convoy.
Upon arrival, Stele discovered Assault Gunboats preparing to strike the convoy, with TIE Defenders engaging the Escort Shuttles. Stele intervened, assisting the shuttles in eliminating the fighters. As the last few enemy craft remained, Zaarin's Flagship, the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Glory, appeared alongside the Carrack-class lifht Cruiser Yaai and EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate Thinin. Assault Transports, TIE Defenders, and TIE Advanced were launched from the Glory to assault the convoy, aiming to disable and seize it. However, Stele fought to repel them whenever possible, while simultaneously gathering intelligence on the enemy warships as instructed by the Secret Order. Before any transport could disable and capture the convoy, Thrawn arrived aboard his Star Destroyer Grey Wolf, accompanied by another Star Destroyer, Resolution, and two Strike-class medium cruisers, Indomitable and Triumph, inflicting substantial casualties on Zaarin's fleet. Due to the Whirlwind's absence, Zaarin managed to escape into hyperspace as the remaining fighters fought to the death.
The battle undeniably represented a defeat for Zaarin. The loss of numerous fighters and two medium-sized warships to Thrawn significantly boosted the morale of loyalist forces.
Having been saved, the convoy jumped to hyperspace, heading to a training facility for elite pilots at a secret location. Regrettably, they never arrived, vanishing mysteriously. To make matters worse, Zaarin had discovered the progress made on the Vorknkx Project, prompting his next move.