Vak Combine

During the era of Nikardun expansion, the Vak Combine was identified as a target by General Yiv, known as the Benevolent. As his warships, notably the Battle Dreadnought Deathless, maintained orbit around Primea, Yiv engaged in communication with the Vak leadership, aiming to persuade them of the advantages of aligning with the Nikardun cause.

During an operation conducted on Primea, Chiss Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo (Thrawn) operated discreetly to gather information on the Vak Combine's existing relationship with the Nikardun. Thrawn visited a Vak art museum, where he engaged in discussions about Vak culture with a Vak woman. He emphasized the Vak's respect for each citizen's thoughtlines and inquired about the general population's sentiments toward General Yiv and the Nikardun. Thrawn sought to introduce skepticism toward the Nikardun, suggesting that if they gained control over the Combine, the common people's thoughtlines would lose their significance. Thrawn engaged with numerous citizens on this matter, with the intention that the Vaks would ultimately decide against submitting to Yiv's authority.

Subsequently, Thrawn seized control of a Vak patrol vessel, utilizing it to facilitate his departure from the system. The Chiss ship Vigilant, which had been instructed to retrieve Thrawn at a predetermined time, arrived at Primea. Admiral Ar'alani contacted the Combine to inquire about the whereabouts of Artistic Master Svorno (the alias Thrawn used during the mission). The Vaks responded that the Garwian ship, which had transported Thrawn to Primea, had already left the system. Nevertheless, the Vigilant requested further clarification on the matter. In response, the Vaks dispatched thirteen patrol vessels to intercept the Vigilant, serving as a warning against further encroachment. However, a fourteenth patrol vessel (the one commandeered by Thrawn) joined the formation and directed modulated laser fire at the Vigilant, containing schematics of Vak patrol vessels, enabling the Vigilant to neutralize any potential Vak patrol ships without causing irreversible damage. Thrawn's act of firing upon the Vigilant prompted the other Vak patrol vessels to pursue the rogue ship. Simultaneously, four Lioaoin vessels, allied with the Nikardun, appeared on the opposite side of the Vigilant and initiated an attack. This caused the pursuing Vak ships to retreat, as they wished to avoid engagement. Thrawn and the Vigilant successfully escaped Primea after disabling the combat capabilities of one of the Lioaoin ships.

Weeks later, the stolen patrol vessel reappeared above Primea. The Vaks hailed the vessel, and Thalias, identifying herself as a companion to Senior Captain Thrawn, introduced herself. She informed the Vaks of the Chiss's intention to return the stolen patrol vessel. The Vak authorities reiterated the stolen nature of the vessel, questioning whether Thalias believed the Chiss would escape punishment for the theft. Thalias implored the Vaks to accept the ship's return as a gesture of goodwill and offered to explain Thrawn's thoughtlines behind his actions, which piqued the Vaks' interest. Thalias informed the Vaks that she possessed a written explanation from Thrawn and, upon receiving permission to land, stated that she was instructed to deliver the letter to their military leader. Under the orders of the Nikardun, the Vaks were instructed to apprehend the Chiss and allow Qilori, a Pathfinder commanded by Yiv, to transport them to the Deathless. Upon landing, a Vak warrior, rather than the Vak military leader, accepted Thalias's message and delivered it to Yiv. Thrawn's original message contained a warning about the Nikardun's history of suppressing conquered species and an offer of an alliance with the Chiss Ascendancy. However, Yiv replaced this message with a mere apology for stealing the patrol vessel. Foreseeing this, Thrawn had concealed a second message within the Vak patrol vessel's computer. In this message, Thrawn stated that if the two messages did not align, it could be inferred that Yiv was deliberately withholding the original message from the Combine, thereby depriving them of a crucial thoughtline. Upon discovering this, the Vaks decided to permit the Chiss to enter Primea to confront the Nikardun. When Ar'alani arrived with the Chiss Picket Force Six, the Vaks were informed of a Nikardun blockade of Primea. Feeling betrayed, the Vaks withdrew and allowed the Chiss to engage the Nikardun. Later in the battle, Ar'alani instructed one of the Chiss ships, the Springhawk, to power down and feign damage. Ar'alani then requested that the Vaks provide humanitarian aid to the stricken Chiss ship, as the other Chiss ships were occupied with engaging the Nikardun. The Vaks agreed and dispatched two of their patrol vessels, which were subsequently attacked and destroyed by the Nikardun. This prompted the Combine to join the battle on the side of the Chiss, and together, they successfully defeated their Nikardun blockaders. The Combine remained unaware of this manipulation.