Beyond the edge of the galaxy lies the Unknown Regions: chaotic and near impassable, possessing secrets and dangers in equal measure. And nestled within their chaos is the Ascendancy, home to Chiss and the Nine Ruling Families. The peace of the Ascendancy is shattered after an attack on the capital that leaves no trace of the enemy. The Ascendancy dispatches one of its brightest military officers to root out the unseen assailants - a recruit adopted...

Thrawn has led the Chiss to victory and brought glory to the House of Mitth, but the threat to the Ascendancy has not been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity: gifts offered freely. Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the plot, they discover a chilling truth: Rather than...

For thousands of years the Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. Led by the Nine Ruling Families, whose leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions. But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe who winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary...