The Hoxim incident, alternatively named the Hoxim battle, and secretly dubbed the Battle of the Three Families by the Chiss Ufsa'mak'ro, was a clash that unfolded in orbit above the planet Hoxim. This confrontation involved Chiss forces and was orchestrated by "Jixtus" of the Grysk Hegemony. Jixtus' ultimate scheme to dismantle the Chiss Ascendancy hinged on instigating open warfare between rival Chiss Great Families, each aligned with a different Ruling Family; this conflict was intended to engulf the Ruling Families and subsequently, the entire Ascendancy. This near-disaster was averted by the intervention of Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet Senior Captains Mitth'raw'nuruodo and Irizi'in'daro of Picket Force Six.
Jixtus' operatives skillfully manipulated ambitious figures from the three competing Great Families – Xodlak, Pommrio, and Erighal – into assembling their respective family fleets for a public showdown. The objective was to stake claims on the allegedly nyix-abundant mining world of Hoxim. Tensions escalated to the brink of open conflict between these Great Family forces above the Agbui mining planet. However, Lakinda and Thrawn managed to persuade the fleets to unite against a fabricated threat. This "threat" consisted of remote-controlled gunboats, operated by Xodlak, Pommrio, and Erighal family members from aboard Thrawn's Springhawk heavy cruiser. Thrawn directed his warriors and officers to stage a light show, targeting their own families' vessels with "maximum ferocity but minimal actual damage".
As the skirmish concluded, Thrawn instructed his sky-walker navigator Che'ri to utilize her Third Sight abilities to guide the actions of weapons officer Afpriuh. Che'ri and Afpriuh precisely aimed at the commandeered Watith freighter, striking the Agbui nyix "mine" at the optimal angle to simulate an accidental destruction. Consequently, the Great Families were prevented from fighting over the nonexistent nyix deposit, believing it had been obliterated.
During the skirmish against the Watith, Senior Captain Thrawn seized control of the Saltbarrel, the freighter belonging to Watith captain Fsir, along with the twenty remote-piloted Watith gunboats it carried. These captured vessels would later be deployed during the Hoxim skirmish.
Under the direction of a Grysk known as "Jixtus," who sought the downfall of the Chiss Ascendancy, the Agbui misled three of the Forty Great Families: the Pommrio family, the Erighal family, and the Xodlak family, in 18 BBY. They were led to believe that a Nyix mine existed on Hoxim, rich with material suitable for hulls. Given that these three families had once been Ruling Families, they each believed that securing this mineral would restore their former status.
Councilor Lakuviv summoned Senior Captain Lakinda of the Xodlak family via a family emergency. This order mandated all Xodlak officers, including those in the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet, to converge on Celwis for an urgent matter: claiming the Hoxim mine for the Xodlak. The Xodlak, Erighal, and Pommrio family were all victims of Agbui deception, though none were aware of it. When Mid Captain Apros informed Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo, known as Thrawn, of Lakinda's departure, he inquired whether Csilla or Naporar had been alerted. Apros confirmed that the event only involved the Pommrio, Erighal, and Xodlak families.
Thrawn dismissed the possibility of an invasion or natural disaster. Given the absence of official alerts, Apros suggested they might fear the Vagaari, citing rumors of their alliance with the Paataatus and potential attacks on the Ascendancy. Thrawn deemed these rumors baseless. He then asked Apros about the number of gunboats they could carry. Apros estimated eight or nine, while Samakro pointed out that utilizing Captain Fsir's freighter would limit them to five gunboats. Apros then presented an Agbui jewelry piece before departing to prepare the Grayshrike for battle. Samakro informed Thrawn that all families involved in these "family emergencies" were allied with various ruling families. Thrawn, lacking political insight, was unaware of these alliances. Samakro clarified that the Xodlak were allied with the Irizi family, the Pommrio with the Plikh family, and the Erighal with the Dasklo family.
Shortly thereafter, Apros contacted Lakinda, requesting information for the Grayshrike and the Springhawk. Lakinda initially refused to disclose the nature of her mission, citing "family business." However, Thrawn questioned her about alien jewelry. Shocked, Lakinda listened as Apros explained that the Agbui had been distributing jewelry in Celwis, claiming it was the work of the Magys and their refugees from Sunrise.
Xodlak realized the Agbui intended to incite a civil war, prompting Apros, Thrawn, and Lakinda to formulate a plan. Lakinda then asked Apros and Thrawn to kill her if it would prevent a civil war. The Midsummer and the Apogee arrived at the planet. While the Midsummer scanned for nearby ships, its officers questioned Lakinda about their mission. Despite her initial reluctance, Lakinda eventually revealed their objective: to locate and assess nyix mines. Sensors officers soon reported contact with six groups, divided into two groups of three, Pommrio and Erighal.
The Xodlak commander activated communications and heard the Erighal commander claim the world and its resources for the Erighal family. The Pommrio commander quickly challenged this claim. Lakinda intervened, challenging both claims. However, before the discussions escalated, the Sprinhawk appeared, under attack by gunboats. Dalvu informed Thrawn that all family ships were present. The sensors officer notified Lakinda of fourteen gunboats. Lakinda advised the other families to assist the heavy cruiser.
Lakinda then suggested that the Erighal and Pommrio ships withdraw, believing that the gunboats' damage to the Sprinhawk indicated they could easily destroy the Pommrio and Erighal ships. However, the Erighal commander refused, and the Pommrio commander added that they would not abandon a Expansionary Defense Fleet ship and crew in danger. They argued that their departure would lead to the heavy cruiser's destruction. Lakinda accepted their stance and proposed a joint battle front anchored by her frigate and two cruisers. She suggested the Erighal take the center, with the Pommrio and Xodlak joining them to form up on the Erighal. The Erighal accepted the idea of a joint battle front but refused to let Lakinda lead it. Lakinda, a Senior Captain, inquired about the other commanders' ranks. As both were Mid Captains, Lakinda's leadership was accepted.
Lakinda proposed a modified double-wing formation, with her frigate in the center, the Xodlak cruiser to starboard, the Pommrio cruiser to portside, and patrol ships filling in the wings. The patrol ships would remain far enough back to be partially shielded but forward enough to deliver laserfire. Once the gunboats split their attack formation, all ships would be on their own, though she suggested all patrol ships stay with the larger warships.
The other families accepted the Xodlak's plan but insisted that they would cease her command and withdraw their support if she favored her family. The battle began, with the gunboats controlled remotely from a freighter. Lieutenant Commander Laknym initially hesitated to fire on his own family's ships, but Samakro's explanation of Thrawn's political ineptitude quelled his doubts. The gunboats began firing on the three families' joint forces.
As all ships exchanged fire with the gunboats, Lakinda ordered the patrol ships to remain as sheltered as possible. However, the Erighal commander rejected her order, stating that the Erighal do not hide like children but engage the enemy fully. The Pommrio added that they did not abandon those who fought in their stead. Lakinda accepted their comments and continued fighting the "alien" gunboats. As each gunboat was destroyed, a panel on the freighter went dark, and an officer left their post. When only eight gunboats remained, Brisch contacted Thrawn, informing him that Lakinda said they had a problem.
Shortly afterward, Lakinda told her first officer that she needed him to take command, explaining that she was going to attempt to send a message to the Springhawk. The officer questioned why she needed to contact Thrawn's ship. Lakinda explained that they had gone partially dormant and that they had already dealt with these gunboats for some time, so they could provide her some information. The Xodlak first officer expressed concern about a private conversation given their precarious relationship with the Erighal and Pommrio. Lakinda dismissed the officer's concerns and proceeded to talk with the Springhawk.
She began the conversation by stating they had a problem: the families realizing the entire thing was setup would spark a huge degree of embarrassment. Once it went public, it would cause an uproar with anger and recriminations, leading to massive efforts to find someone to blame. She broke off and added that the end result wouldn't be much better than physical blows and that had to be prevented. She added one final comment, that someone had to crash the Watith freighter onto the mine, she added that she was aware of its difficulty, but it was necessary. She tried to leave the room, to find her second officer, escorted with two warriors.
After Lakinda was arrested by the Xodlak warriors, the other officers took the lead of the Xodlak ships, which made one of Thrawn's advantages be lost. If any adjusments were needed, Lakinda was expected to perform them, however, as she wasn't commanding the ships, they wouldn't be performed. The freighter command room was aware of Lakinda's message. No one spoke for some time, however, Laknym broke the silence. He told the rest that Lakinda was no longer in command of the Xodlak Task Force, Thrawn asked him if she had been injured, Laknym said that she was no longer in command, and that there was no time to discuss it further. As they were engaged in combat. Thrawn replied to Laknym's comments, confirming they were in combat with the same ships that attacked. And also saying that may Warrior's fortune smile on Laknym's efforts.
Thrawn ended the communication with the freighter and welcomed Mitth'ali'astov and Che'ri, which were gathering around Thrawn's command chair, he asked Samakro if he was ready to receive a confirmation from the latter. The thrusters were primed and the acceleration vector and profile had been triple-checked. Thrawn was please about that and asked Brisch to signal the Grayshrike. Thrawn turned back to the sky-walker and her caregiver. He said they had a problem and that he hoped they could help fix it, Thalias assured they would do the best they can, they moved to the navigation station, however the Senior Captain of the Mitth stopped them and told them to go to the weapons station. Thalias was confused and asked Thrawn why the weapons station, she added that none of them new anything about defense or offense. Thrawn denied that, saying Che'ri had some experience with decoys and decoy deployment. Thrawn ordered the remotly controlled gunboats to disengage the families and retreat, after all the gunboats could retreat, Thrawn evacuated the freighter, and activated the thrusters, the desk of the weapons station started to vibrate, which alerted the Skywalker.
The freighter was still linked to the Springhawk, however, its thrusters were at full power and was trying to get away, the hatch connected to the freighter was sealed, and shortly afterward, the freighter was released. Thrawn ordered Afpriuh to prepare the lasers, he then showed Afpriuh where to shoot with his questis data-link reader, after he shot on those spots, Thrawn ordered to convert that into a pattern of near-misses, which would make people believe that the targeting systems weren't still fully functional. Thrawn then explained the specific shot's purpose, which was to make the gunboats and freighters to fall on specific locations in the surfaca of Hoxim to destroy the mine. The Caregiver, Mitth'ali'astov, interrupted her captain's explanation asking if the freighter was piloted, however, Thrawn denied that, telling her that Afpriuh had fired on the maneuvering jets that had released bursts of compressed gas. He then added that he expected the Chiss warships that observed the operation thought the same as Thalias did, that the freighter was being piloted, which would also make the observers to think that the two remaining gunboats were no longer performing evasive maneuvers as the Springhawk had previously failed to reach them with the ships' offensive material. Thrawn took Che'ri with Afpriuh, where he signaled her to put her hand above Afpriuh's, as her Third Sight allowed her to see the future, Thrawn believed her to know when to use the tractor beam on it's edge at the freighter to move it slightly to portside, assuring the destruction of the mine. After Che'ri and Afpriuh succesfully completed their task, Thalias joined Che'ri and some warriors as they got the skywalker to the medcenter to find anything the operation may have caused the young girl. Che'ri's performance had assured the Hoxim incident's true engineers wouldn't be revelaed. Ending the mine, and the tension between the Pommrio, Erighal and Xodlak families.
The near-battle between family fleets did not escalate into a civil war. The official narrative presented to the Ascendancy lauded the Xodlak, Pommrio, and Erighal families for their heroic rescue of the Springhawk and its crew. The Aristocra commended these families for their bravery. No explanation was offered for the fleets' presence at Hoxim, and the Chiss Syndicure and the involved families were eager to suppress the incident. Thrawn and his officers corroborated the families' account. However, both Supreme General Ba'kif and Syndic Prime Mitth'urf'ianico suspected the official story was incomplete.
Lakinda faced criticism from the Xodlak family Patriarch for failing to secure the nyix on Hoxim for their family, despite the supposed mining resources being a ploy by Haplif and the Jixtus to draw the Ascendancy into a civil war. However, Syndic Zistalmu offered her to move from a merit adoptive of the Xodlak to Trial-born of the Ruling Irizi family, without having to conduct the Trials.
Ba'kif questioned the Springhawk's first officer Ufsa'mak'ro and other officers about the skirmish. Sky-walker Che'ri's involvement in the events allowed Samakro and other officers to invoke secrecy protocols to limit their testimonies. The secrecy protocols in question required all crew and officers aware of operations involving the Sky-walker corps to keep such operations confidential, even from others with the appropriate clearance. Only the commanding officer of those operations could disclose the events in question, and Ba'kif doubted that Thrawn would tell him in detail.
The Hoxim skirmish serves as the pivotal event in Timothy Zahn's 2021 novel Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good, the second installment in Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy.