The Blockade of the Chiss Ascendancy was an offensive maneuver executed by the Empire of the Hand in an attempt to take control of the Chiss. It was orchestrated by Grand Admiral Thrawn, who intended to subjugate the Ascendancy without having to risk a bloody military invasion. As the Empire managed to annex the Utegetu Nebula, which was the start of the TransChiss trade route supplying the Chiss with vital resources, the Grand Admiral ordered a fleet to blockade all commercial traffic to and from the Ascendancy. The blockade was overseen by Grand Moff Ardus Kaine and various Killik officers, as Thrawn was fighting battles in the Mid Rim and Core Worlds.