In 18 BBY, a confrontation unfolded over the Unknown Regions planet Zyzek between Nakirre, the Generalirius leading the Kilji Illumine nation, and Mitth'raw'nuruodo, also known as "Thrawn," a Senior Captain from the Chiss Ascendancy. The situation arose after Thrawn's Chiss heavy cruiser, the Springhawk, entered the Zyzek system, with the senior captain announcing that he held Watith [prisoners](/article/prisoner]; this prompted Nakirre to move his Kilji war cruiser, also named Springhawk, into position to converse with the Chiss.
Because his religion dictated helping others, he proposed returning the Watith to their home; however, Thrawn's refusal of this offer insulted Nakirre, leading him to ready his war cruiser for combat. Zyzek System Defense, responsible for defending the Zyzek system, intervened by dispatching two pairs of patrol ships to engage the two cruisers and demanding they stand down. Nakirre complied, resulting in both starships departing from Zyzek.
Jixtus, a Grysk operative, formed an alliance with Nakirre, the Generalirius and ruler of the Kilji Illumine nation, in 18 BBY. Jixtus promised to instruct the Illumine in the ways of conquest, guiding them through a series of conquests of enlightenment to spread the Illumine's Kilji way of order and enlightenment religion. In return, Nakirre permitted Jixtus to travel aboard his flagship, the Kilji war cruiser Whetstone. With the approval of the Illumine's Kilji Overlords, the pair journeyed to the Unknown Regions planet of Zyzek.
During that year, Fsir, a Watith captain, attacked the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet heavy cruiser Springhawk at the behest of Jixtus. Thrawn, however, defeated the captain and seized his freighter, the Saltbarrel, for study. After examining the [starship](/article/starship], Thrawn became convinced that Fsir had been contracted to assault the Springhawk at Zyzek, leading him to bring his heavy cruiser to the planet.
As Nakirre and Jixtus prepared to engage with merchants from four nations that the Kiljis aimed to conquer, the Springhawk appeared. Thrawn then sent a broadcast claiming to hold Watith [prisoners](/article/prisoner]. This prompted the Kilji ruler to inquire with his ally if any Watith were present. After the Grysk claimed that the Watith who had attacked the Springhawk had died during their attack, Nakirre maneuvered his warship to face the Chiss heavy cruiser.
Although he was unaware of their location, the Kilji offered to return the Watith to their home. Nakirre stated that his Kilji religious beliefs mandated that he assist others; however, Thrawn declined the offer. Enraged, the generalirius ordered his crew to prepare his war cruiser for combat, promising to soon enlighten the Chiss species to the Kilji way. Thrawn responded that the Chiss had no interest in the Kilji way, arguing that it was not superior to the Chiss religion. He did this in an attempt to provoke the generalirius into attacking, allowing the senior captain to gather data on the Whetstone's capabilities and Nakirre's command skills.
Zyzek System Defense, the organization responsible for protecting the Zyzek system, dispatched two pairs of patrol ships to confront both cruisers, demanding they stand down. Because destroying the newcomers would prevent their enlightenment to the Kilji religion, Nakirre complied with the organization's request, leading to both cruisers' departure from Zyzek.
Because Thrawn had rejected Nakirre's offer and disparaged the Kilji religion, Nakirre sought to personally enlighten Thrawn to the Kilji way. The generalirius and Jixtus visited several worlds belonging to the Chiss Ascendancy, instigating a civil war within the Ascendancy. Nakirre remained confident in the superiority of his religion; however, his Grysk ally reminded him that Thrawn had stated at Zyzek that the Chiss were not interested in the Kilji beliefs.
After the Whetstone traveled to the Unknown Regions' "Sunrise" system and encountered a dead Chiss fleet under Thrawn's command, the senior captain informed Nakirre that he had arrived too late to provide the enlightenment the generalirius had promised him at Zyzek.
The Zyzek confrontation is depicted in the 2021 novel Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil, the concluding book in the Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy by Timothy Zahn.