Good evening, Chiss citizens. I’m Glo’tharius Smith, and this is a CPIN Special Report.
Tonight, the Chiss people have once again gathered upon the ancient hunting grounds of Csilla for the annual Tenasas K`arci.
Tonight, and for the days following, the Chiss people and the cultural celebration.
Chiss have returned to this glacier to hunt, trade, compete and recount the achievements of the year. Families have travelled from across Csilla. Delegations have arrived from Csibei Station and the colonies, while warriors of the Expansionary Defence Fleet stand among citizens who welcomed them home from operations beyond Chiss space.
Shortly, Grand Syndic Cong`liddo Nollaig will address the assembled population from the glacier itself, delivering his annual assessment of the state of the Chiss people and the direction of the Ascendancy in the year ahead.
But first, we go now to CPIN correspondent Jorl’un Vashti, reporting live from the hunting grounds.
Jorl’un Vashti (CPIN Field Correspondent):
Thank you, Glo’tharius.
The festivals hunting parties began to set up shortly before nightfall, and ceremonial fires have now been lit across the glacier. This time a giant art installation courtesy of House Csapla was created with Imperial traitor wrecks from a CEDF mission set a blaze in a heart shape. Reports confirm there were no survivors among the traitors and the art was a big hit among early revelers.
The atmosphere is festive and generous. Among the Chiss have gathered, there is no class division, just Chiss solidarity.
Weather wise, the wind is severe, even by local standards, but no one appears willing to surrender their place on the glacier. Everyone is ready for the hunt to begin.
Glo’tharius Smith:
Thank you Jorl’un, keep us posted as the day unfolds.
To examine and give context to this past year, CPIN is joined by Senior Defence Correspondent Varo’niccu’nalor.
Oniccun, what developments are expected to feature most prominently in the Grand Syndic’s address?
Many believe the central theme will almost certainly be the reassertion of Chiss strength.
This past year, the Expansionary Defence Fleet carried out its first long range extended operations well beyond the borders of the Ascendancy. Chiss vessels deployed through Khuiumin, Arvala and Altor. First, deploying to support the preeminent Chiss ruler of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, followed by operating beside Imperial Union forces demonstrating that the CEDF is again capable of sustained action.
At Gekto III, the Ascendancy has continued transforming a distant holding into a permanent Chiss colony and defended economic hub. Defensive forces organized and the garrison strengthened.
Above Csilla, the restoration and expansion of Ascendancy industrial capacity as continued. Ancient Chiss architecture has been preserved while its systems, infrastructure and defensive capacity have been modernized.
Taken together, these events present a clear image that the Ascendancy continues to get stronger.
Glo’tharius Smith:
My apologies, Onnicun, I must interrupt you as we’re getting reports the ceremonial bell has sounded.
Jorl`un, can you let us know what’s happening?
Jorl’un Vashti:
Glo’tharius, yes indeed. the ceremonial bell has just sounded.
CEDF personnel are forming a corridor toward the central platform. House standards are being lowered, and the crowd has turned toward the ridge.
Grand Syndic Cong`liddo Nollaig has emerged from the command ship Horizons.
The wind is carrying snow across the platform, but he has declined the protective screen prepared for the address.
We now take you live to the traditional hunting grounds of Csilla.
Cong`liddo Nollaig (Grand Syndic of the Chiss Ascendancy):
Chiss, hear me.
Warriors and Colonists, Ascended and Citizens.
Look beneath your feet. This glacier beneath you is that earned inheritance of the Chiss people.
Think how far we have come since our liberation. From casting off the shackles of our New Republic occupiers, to just months ago striking deep into the heart of enemy territory. We now stand stronger than ever before.
For the fifth straight year we gather in annual defiance of the dark age of occupation that plagued our ambitions.
During this time, we have made good on our earned inheritance. We’ve developed our home system, built a colony, joined the Imperial Union, and led our forces into pitch battle against our enemies.
Tonight, House banners stand upon this glacier, and their representatives once again take their places within a restored Council of Families. More Houses will join them. More Chiss will return to the institutions of their people.
But let there be no misunderstanding among us. No individual stands above the collective survival of the Chiss people. The age in which rivalries could weaken our institutions for Lesser Space aliens to exploit must remain buried with the failures of the past.
We are not assembled here as fragments. We are coming together as one people.
One purpose. One Ascendancy.
Our Chiss Ascendancy.
During the year now past, our Warriors carried the Chiss war banner across the galaxy.
They travelled to Khuiumin to defend fellow Chiss interests. They advanced through Arvala and stood up to the elite of the New Republic. They raided Altor and chased off rebel scum.
We stood beside our friends and confronted those who believed the Chiss were an easy target. Our enemies expected weakness. They were left bloodied by a restored Expansionary Defence Fleet.
The New Republic and their flatterers loath our freedom. These malignant rats plot against us. We will not beg these hostile aliens to respect our borders. No, the Chiss are strong and we will rise to meet the call of battle in defense of our homeland.
As anyone can see, the Chiss Military-Industrial Complex builds the weapons of war with Chiss hands out of our shipyards. By the Chiss, for the Chiss.
While we gather here today, Chiss workers are building a Victory Star Destroyer to join our fleet, a menacing symbol of our growing power.
Colonial Affairs, with our expanded mining operations, has delivered enough minerals to develop our Gekto Colony, and now, we can proudly announce, the Ascendancy has commenced the reconstruction of Csilla.
For many years we had make tough choices to survive.
Now, because of our warriors and citizens, the Ascendancy will build a capital planet that rivals any in the galaxy. We will have a new capital city, we will protect our hunting grounds, we will have economic centres, and we will have a place for our houses to gather.
Where their occupation left ruins, we will raise monuments. Where scarcity demanded sacrifice, we will create abundance. Where our enemies expected decline, they will witness power.
No more are foreign alien masters deciding the limits of Chiss ambition. We are the masters of our house.
Using the privilege of my I office, I extend my solidarity on behalf of the Chiss Ascendancy, to all the Chiss people across the galaxy, including those on the other side of the war of Liberation. May one day their soul be free so they can return home to their people.
Also, I want to thank our alien friends gathered here and those in Lesser Space who stand as friends of the Chiss and in unison against the terrorism of the New Republic. We fight with you against our common foe, and together we shall root out the galactic rebel infection.
To all, I bid a happy Tenasas K`arci. Now, let the festivities begin.
For victory eternal!
The Gathered Crowd:
FOR VICTORY ETERNAL!
Jorl’un Vashti:
Glo’tharius, the Grand Syndic has left the ridge, and the ceremony has immediately given way to celebration.
Hunting parties are moving across the glacier, with blaster fire already being directed at Wampas and Tauntauns around grounds.
Tenasas K`arci has officially begun. Back to you Glo’tharius.
Glo’tharius Smith:
Thank you, Jorl’un.
Oniccun, how does tonight’s address compare with previous Tenasas K`arci speeches?
Varo’niccu’nalor:
Earlier speeches focused upon more on sovereignty and Ascendancy survival. Tonight, the Grand Syndic instead emphasized military action, industrial growth, and the major announcement, the final reconstruction of Csilla.
The speech marked a transition point for the Ascendancy and the Chiss, moving out of recovery of a once oppressed people into an established government.
Glo’tharius Smith:
Thank you, Oniccun.
Tonight, the fires burn across the traditional Chiss hunting grounds as the people celebrate, trade, drink and begin the hunt. CPIN will continue its Tenasas K`arci coverage through its local affiliates.
