Last-born to the Faas family in 9BBY, Zi'Nu accompanied his parents and siblings as they attempted to relocate to Coruscant. While in transit on a hyper-liner, the craft was boarded and searched by Imperial agents searching for Rebel sympathizers. In desperation, the rebels detonated an explosive device, leading to the rapid breakup of the craft as it entered hyperspace.

Zee, whom had been separated from his parents while playing with other children, was eventually rescued by Imperial salvage teams. In the short term, Zee was placed on Kijimi while the vast bureaucracy of the Empire "searched" for his family. As weeks turned to months, then years and the war intensified, he came to accept that he would never find his family by waiting for the Empire.

With the collapse of the Empire, Zee quickly found himself out on the streets of Kijimi. With no means of his own, he quickly turned to the underground, working as a runner and lookout. Eventually, however, Zi'nu would find his niche in the procurement of well-guarded valuables. Due to his small size and heightened senses, Zee was able to perform impressive feats of stealth and subterfuge.

This, of course, eventually led Zee into trouble with not just the local law enforcement but the larger criminal syndicates as well. Luckily for Zee, one of his failed marks would see the talent of the young Aleena. Foran To, a semi-retired art connoisseur, caught Zi'Nu attempting to reclaim a Twi'Lek Kalikori. Foran was quick to teach Zee the danger of taking on a job beyond one's ability and of the importance of knowing whom one was pilfering from. Zee, afraid and tired of the endless stress of such exertions, admitted that he was simply trying to find his family. After this, Foran took on Zee as his ward, becoming the young thief's handler, promising to help Zi'Nu find his way home.

This connection afforded Zee the best contracts, equipment and intelligence one could find. Soon, Zee was recognized as one of the most sought-after specialists in the sector, procuring ships, art, weapons and other valuables for the highest levels of society. Foran, of course, took the majority of the contract purse; as they had agreed. Six years on, however, Foran had seen little progress in tracking down Zee's kin.

Little did Zee know that accepting a retrieval contract on an old rust-bucket would have such a transformative effect on the trajectory of his life.