The Nikardun campaigns represent a military endeavor executed by the Chiss Ascendancy subsequent to their defeat of the Nikardun Destiny, including their General, Yiv. These campaigns involved the Ascendancy's pursuit and elimination of the dispersed Nikardun forces. Despite the Ascendancy's usual policy of refraining from military action unless initially attacked, the significant threat posed by the Nikardun prompted the Chiss Syndicure to grant the defense forces leeway in interpreting the protocols concerning preemptive strikes.
During the Nikardun campaigns, Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet astutely discerned a Paataatus Prince Militaire's request for assistance in freeing his people and homeworld from Nikardun control. The Prince Militaire intentionally feigned an attack on the Chiss, aware of observation by Nikardun forces. Thrawn, along with his first officer, Mid Captain Ufsa'mak'ro, recognized the absence of genuine danger and termed the display a "light show." Thrawn issued apparent threats against the Paataatus to "demonstrate the full military might of the Chiss Ascendancy," which in reality were promises to take action against the Nikardun occupying the system. Thrawn's forces, in conjunction with the Paataatus military, successfully achieved the liberation of Nettehi from the Nikardun.
The Nikardun campaigns function as a secondary narrative thread in the 2021 novel titled Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good. They also serve as a mechanism for introducing the main characters to the primary plot, which is the scheme to annihilate the Chiss Ascendancy.