Ba'kif

Prior to his promotion to the rank of flag officer, Ba'kif was known as Stybla'ba'kif, and his core name was "Labaki," during his time within the Stybla family. He cultivated a strong bond of friendship with Mitth'oor'akiord, who would later rise to become the Patriarch of the Mitth family.

Shortly after Ba'kif's appointment as General, he put forward a recommendation that Mitth Aristocra Mitth'urf'ianico should recruit a Chiss individual named Kivu'raw'nuru, also known as Vurawn, into the Mitth family. Ba'kif suggested Vurawn's transfer to the Taharim Academy located on Naporar following his acceptance into the Mitth family. Vurawn would then take on the new identity of Mitth'raw'nuru (Thrawn).

During Thrawn's time training at the Taharim Academy, he became the subject of an inquiry led by Colonel Wevary. The accusation was that he had cheated on a patrol craft simulator test, achieving a score of 95, which was unprecedented at Taharim. Irizi'ar'alani (Ziara), the Senior Cadet who oversaw Thrawn's simulation, was also drawn into the investigation. After reviewing the presented evidence, Ziara requested a recess for lunch to deliberate on the matter, which was granted. Upon leaving the hearing room, Ziara entered an unoccupied classroom and contacted Ba'kif's office. When the receptionist answered, Ziara inquired if the general could spare a few moments to address the situation.

Ba'kif consented to assist. As the meeting resumed, Ba'kif's presence was noted by everyone present, causing surprise. The Irizi representative, in particular, harbored suspicions that Ba'kif was there to shield Thrawn. Ba'kif inquired if Thrawn, who had accumulated two hundred hours on the patrol craft simulator, was prepared to operate an actual patrol craft. Prompted by the Irizi representative, Ba'kif clarified that he and Ziara had devised a solution: conducting a real-life exercise that mirrored the simulation parameters. Colonel Wevary approved the exercise, and Ba'kif arranged for an observation launch and the patrol craft for the simulation.

Ba'kif and the other five observers were astonished when Thrawn managed to replicate his simulator performance. He demonstrated the ability to manipulate his ship's movements in a way that rendered him invisible to all three enemy patrol crafts' sensors, enabling him to achieve such a remarkable score. Following Colonel Wevary's conclusion of the inquiry, Ba'kif commended Ziara for her instincts and encouraged her to trust them.

Thrawn, now holding the rank of Junior Commander within the Expansionary Defense Fleet, presented a proposal to Ba'kif, asserting that the Lioaoin government bore responsibility for recent pirate attacks targeting Chiss shipping lanes at Schesa and Pesfavri. Thrawn had observed similarities between Lioaoin vessels and the pirate ships involved during a previous mission to Bardram Scoft. Ba'kif pressed Thrawn to elaborate on his ability to discern the connection between the two ship types, but Thrawn reaffirmed his confidence. Ba'kif, having consulted with Ziara (who had personally witnessed Thrawn's capabilities), accepted Thrawn's assessment as accurate. The two proceeded to discuss potential Chiss responses to the pirate activity. Ba'kif voiced concerns that Lioaoi might be innocent, suggesting that the pirates could have leased the ships from the Lioaoi or acquired them from a shared manufacturer. Thrawn clarified that he could differentiate between enemy and friendly ships. Ba'kif corrected Thrawn's phrasing, emphasizing that non-Chiss species and governments should be regarded as neutral parties, not friends. Thrawn also pledged not to take any punitive action if he couldn't distinguish the pirates from the Lioaoi ships. Ba'kif, recognizing that the pirate threat outweighed the risk of Thrawn's operation failing, granted Thrawn permission to proceed with his proposal. Thrawn requested three ships for the mission. He discovered that the pirate ships were operating near the Lioaoin heartworld, leading him to believe that the Lioaoi were behind them. He successfully lured four pirate ships into following him to the Chiss Kinoss system, where Mid Captain Ziara oversaw their destruction.

In a subsequent meeting, Ba'kif reprimanded Thrawn and Ziara for violating the Ascendancy's preemptive strikes protocols. Ba'kif pointed out that the evidence supporting the theory of Lioaoi control over the pirates was merely circumstantial. He also reminded Thrawn that the Lioaoin Regime had officially denied any involvement. Thrawn remained committed to proving his theory and requested permission to gather direct evidence by spying on the Regime as a civilian, but Ba'kif firmly instructed Thrawn to cease any further action against the Lioaoi. On a more positive note, Ba'kif informed Thrawn that he was being promoted by two ranks, from Junior Commander to Senior Commander, in recognition of his planning and success in the pirate attack. He also informed Ziara that she was being promoted by one rank, from Mid Captain to Senior Captain. Ba'kif dismissed Thrawn, as he wished to speak with Ziara privately. During this conversation, they discussed Thrawn's lack of political acumen. Ba'kif told Ziara that Thrawn required guidance to achieve success. He informed her that she was being given command of the patrol cruiser Parala and that Thrawn would serve as her third officer.

Following an attack on Csilla, the Nine Ruling Families convened with Ba'kif to deliberate on their next course of action. Ba'kif reasoned that the attack was intended to divert the Chiss Ascendancy's attention from an event that had already transpired. During the meeting, an aide of Ba'kif's located Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo "Thrawn" on Naporar.

Ba'kif and Thrawn journeyed to the Dioya system with the hope of examining the wreckage of a refugee ship. They concluded that the attacking force had not been pirates, based on the damage pattern that destroyed the ship rather than disabling it. As Thrawn and Ba'kif prepared to board the ship, the shuttle pilot expressed skepticism about finding anything useful inside. Ba'kif, conversely, believed that they would all be surprised by what they might discover on the ship. Ba'kif and Thrawn donned boarding suits and entered the drifting vessel. Inside, they found deceased individuals and determined that the ship was indeed a refugee vessel. Ba'kif anticipated that forming a task force to trace the ship's origin would be challenging due to the current state of the Chiss Syndicure. Thrawn volunteered for this investigative work, requesting his former ship, the Springhawk. Thrawn's command of the Springhawk had been revoked by Supreme Admiral Ja'fosk and the Defense Hierarchy Council following a politically sensitive campaign against the Vagaari pirates. Given the recent increase in provocative actions at the border of Chiss space, the Springhawk was scheduled to join Admiral Ar’alani’s task force against the Paataatus. Without concrete evidence, many within the Syndicure had attributed the attack on Csilla to the Paataatus, and Ba'kif believed that he could leverage this Syndicure anger to reinstate Thrawn as commander of the Springhawk. Thrawn requested early boarding of the ship to observe its crew, but Ba'kif decided that Thrawn might as well be in command and stated that he would secure Ar'alani's approval. Ba'kif also assured Thrawn that he would be provided with a sky-walker for his investigation. Ba'kif then guided Thrawn to the aft sections of the refugee ships for further investigation. Shortly thereafter, Ba'kif successfully lobbied Supreme Admiral Ja'fosk to grant Thrawn command status of the Springhawk.

During subsequent missions, Thrawn uncovered the identity of the nation responsible for attacking the refugee vessel at Dioya: the Nikardun. Thrawn managed to capture a Nikardun vessel before returning to the Ascendancy for repairs. During a meeting with Thrawn and Ar'alani in his Csilla office, Ba'kif discussed the military implications of Thrawn's actions, asserting that the capture of the Nikardun vessel could be interpreted as a preemptive strike. Thrawn and Ar'alani countered by stating that the Nikardun had initiated the attack on the Springhawk. Ba'kif still believed that the Aristocra would perceive it as a preemptive strike, and he speculated that some within the Syndicure might advocate for the Ascendancy to return the stolen ship. The group then discussed their next course of action: investigating the Lioaoi. Thrawn had established a connection between the Nikardun and the Lioaoin Regime during his investigation of the stolen Nikardun ship and believed that the Lioaoi had formed an alliance with the Nikardun. Thrawn requested permission to travel to the Lioaoin Regime to investigate, suggesting that Ba'kif issue a directive to the Expansionary Defense Fleet personnel (Ba'kif, now holding the rank of Supreme General, no longer had direct control over the Expansionary Defense Fleet). Subsequently, Syndics Thurfian and Irizi'stal'mustro (Zistalmu) arrived to confer with the group. They criticized Thrawn's actions at Rapacc as unauthorized and eventually inquired whether Ba'kif intended to send Thrawn to investigate the Lioaoi. Ba'kif defended Thrawn's suspicion that the Lioaoi were collaborating with the Nikardun, but the Syndics had already made up their minds. In fact, they had arranged for Thrawn and Ar'alani to accompany ambassador Boadil'par'gasoi (Ilparg) on a mission to the Tower Dimension capital world of Urch. This would effectively keep Thrawn far away from Lioaoin space.

At Urch, the Vigilant faced an attempted capture by Urchiv-ki, Lioaoin, and Nikardun ships. In order to demand explanations, Thrawn and Ar'alani traveled to the Lioaoin heartworld. There, they uncovered an alliance between the Lioaoin Regime and the Nikardun. Thrawn decided to proceed to the Garwian Unity, where he would seek assistance with reconnaissance regarding other nearby worlds and their affiliations with the Nikardun. Ar'alani agreed to send him to the Garwian Unity capital world of Solitair and made arrangements to pick him up at the Vak Combine homeworld of Primea. Upon Ar'alani's return to the Ascendancy, Ba'kif convened a meeting with her, during which Thurfian and Zistalmu once again rebuked her for allowing Thrawn to involve himself with the Garwians (Thrawn had a history of conflict with them). Later in the conversation, Ba'kif inquired about Ar'alani's plans to retrieve Thrawn from Primea. The conversation shifted to Ar'alani's current role as temporary caregiver. Ar'alani explained that she had been chosen by Mitth'ali'astov (Thalias), the current caregiver of sky-walker Che'ri who was on the mission with Thrawn, to serve as the substitute caregiver. Thurfian demanded that a new caregiver be brought aboard the Vigilant, citing Ar'alani's more pressing responsibilities as an admiral. Ba'kif agreed to allow Zistalmu's wife (a former caregiver) to come aboard the Vigilant to act as caregiver when Ar'alani was occupied with her other duties. After the syndics departed, Ar'alani expressed her frustration, as she was committed to fulfilling her promise to Thalias. Ba’kif stated that he had no alternative, noting that Zistalmu would have delayed the Vigilant’s departure if he and his wife were not permitted to participate in the retrieval mission. They discussed the fact that Thalias was not officially a caregiver. Ba'kif mentioned that Thurfian had personally authorized her to board the Springhawk and had not mentioned her lack of official status during the conversation, leading him to theorize that he had a personal interest in keeping her aboard as Thrawn's sky-walker's caregiver.

The Vigilant was attacked at Primea by the Lioaoi, and the Springhawk and Vigilant were dispatched to the Lioaoin heartworld to retaliate. Following their return, Thrawn had a conversation with Ba'kif, during which they discussed the next steps in countering the Nikardun threat. Thrawn suggested embarking on another data-gathering mission to determine if there were other worlds that had successfully resisted the Nikardun. Ba'kif agreed to this mission but cautioned Thrawn that he was not only risking his own life but also the lives of Thalias and Che'ri, who would accompany him on the proposed mission. Ba’kif prepared the necessary supplies and ship for Thrawn’s mission.

After Thrawn's return from this mission, he dispatched Thalias and Che'ri to the Vak Combine to return a Vak patrol craft that Thrawn had stolen to escape the system. However, Yiv captured them and sent an ultimatum letter to the Chiss Ascendancy. Ba'kif attended a Syndicure emergency hearing with Supreme Admiral Ja'fosk, Ar'alani, and Thrawn, where they decided to attack the Nikardun to rescue the captured sky-walker. The Chiss forces triumphed over Yiv and the Nikardun forces at Primea, and the Syndicure authorized a subsequent hunt for the remaining Nikardun forces. Ba'kif entrusted Thrawn with a special mission: to return to Rapacc and ensure the defeat of the Nikardun forces in that system.

During this mission, Thrawn journeyed to the world of the refugees discovered in the Dioya system (nicknamed Sunrise), where he, along with the Grayshrike, commanded by Senior Captain Xodlak'in'daro (Lakinda), engaged and defeated an unidentified Battle Dreadnought. After the battle, Thrawn returned to the Ascendancy, where, at the Syndicure's request, Ba'kif assigned Thrawn and the Springhawk a new mission: to investigate rumors that the Paataatus Hiveborn had allied themselves with a group of Vagaari pirates. These rumors were, in reality, a scheme by Thurfian and Zistalmu to distance Thrawn from the spotlight surrounding the Nikardun. During a meeting with Thrawn and Samakro, Samakro requested that Ba'kif confirm the rumors that Thrawn had acquired an artificial gravity well generator during his previous campaign against the Vagaari. However, Ba'kif declined to reveal any information. Ba'kif also planned for the Grayshrike to secretly return to Sunrise for further investigation.

This campaign ultimately led to a mysterious conflict involving three Chiss family fleets, the Springhawk, the Grayshrike, and a group of unidentified alien gunboats at the planet of Hoxim. Upon the Springhawk's return to the Ascendancy, Ba'kif convened a meeting with Samakro in an attempt to gather more information about the incident. However, Samakro refused to elaborate, citing the Chiss sky-walker protocols, which prohibited any officer from discussing any mission involving the ship's sky-walker with anyone, regardless of their knowledge of the sky-walkers' existence.

As a blue-skinned Chiss male, Supreme General Ba'kif held both admiration for Senior Captain Thrawn's tactical brilliance and awareness of the officer's political shortcomings. Ba'kif possessed the ability to make "soothing noises" to appease politicians of the Chiss Syndicure while simultaneously focusing his thoughts on tactical matters and strategic planning. Ba'kif was unwavering in his commitment to upholding the separation of powers between the Syndicure and the Chiss Defense Force, seizing opportunities to "remind" the civilian leaders that only the Defense Hierarchy Council held authority over the military.

Ba'kif made his debut appearance in the 2020 novel Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, penned by Timothy Zahn as the inaugural novel of Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy. Within that trilogy, Ba'kif serves as a mentor, benefactor, supporter, and occasional critic of the trilogy's central character, Thrawn.