Think of us how you want, but know this—not all of us Separatists are the bogeymen that the Republic demonizes. We are simple people who want to be free of the corruption and bureaucracy of the Republic, and are willing to fight for our freedom.
—Vanto Zahn to a captured Jedi
Vanto Zahn was a male Zabrak officer in the navy of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. An experienced commander, Zahn was considered to be a good officer by his superiors and comrades. He joined the Separatist movement in 22 BBY, believing the Galactic Republic was corrupt and that the Separatists could provide a good alternative. Zahn served as a lieutenant aboard a Lucrehulk-class battleship during the Battle of Geonosis. In 21 BBY, he rose to the rank of captain and was given command of a Munificent-class star frigate called the Indomitable. The Zabrak officer did not think that battle droids were suitable replacements for a living crew, and recruited as many organic officers and crewmen as he could. Under his command, the crew of the Indomitable became an effective fighting force.
During final years of the conflict with the Republic, Zahn was promoted to commodore, and then to vice admiral. He and his crew were later transferred to the Dooku's Fury, a Providence-class carrier/destroyer. Zahn and his crew took part in the Outer Rim Sieges. Due to his successes, Zahn was one of the ten officers promoted to the new flag rank rank of Grand Admiral by Count Dooku. Dooku's Fury later fought at the Battle of Coruscant, with the Zabrak officer being the commander of the attacking fleet. When news came of the death of Count Dooku, Zahn, as the commanding officer of that fleet, took command of the remaining ships and executed a fighting retreat from the system. He planned to launch another attack within a few weeks, but the CIS was defeated at the Battle of Utapau and the Separatist Council slaughtered on Mustafar.
With their leadership dead, the CIS was essentially dissolved. Zahn refused to give in, and proclaimed himself the new Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies, intent on carrying on the war against the new Galactic Empire. He joined up with fellow Grand Admiral Ison Radek, and the pair decided to form the Separatist Remnant, of which Radek became the Chief of State while Zahn served as its Supreme Commander.