The chiss, the mysterious, blue-skinned, red-eyed species is very secretive and largely unknown in the galaxy. The ruling class is made up of royal families
called the Aristocra, and they keep little to no contact with the wider universe. Thrawn, a member of the Chiss Ascendancy government, 
was sent to the Outer Rim to investigate a growing threat and find allies for the Chiss people. Instead of joining his world with the Republic,
 whom he believed to be weak, Thrawn infiltrated the Empire and rose through the ranks, becoming grand admiral of the Imperial Navy and a favorite of the Emperor.
(People talk of the great chiss officer, one of the few nonhumans to achieve 
seniority in the Imperial military. I heard he was ruthless and clever, and not to be messed with.)