Downhearted Tion Hegemony Emboldened by Leadership (Posted by Crislyn Anessa Waryn on Year 17 Day 358)

GTNG -- Kazarak system, Sertar, Tion Cluster

Y17D358 - Today marks the first milestone into the inspired leadership of newly-appointed Lady Hegemon, Stephanie Barefoot, as the Tion Hegemony commences to show numerous signs of renewed unity and prosperity. Shortly into her new role as Head of State, Lady Barefoot negotiated the incorporation of the newly re-discovered Kazarak system into the already vast territory of the government. The process of urbanization didn't take long to begin thanks to the quick mobilization of infrastructural resources and highly motivated personnel that thrives with the rise of the new face of our government.

It was on Day 328, after a flurry of activity from the Tionese directive, that the GTNG was cleared to reveal that in the wee hours of morning, huddled in the Grand Chambers of the Hegemonial Palace on Voss Prime, the Tionese High Council gathered to officially mark the transition of famed and long-time development aficionado, Lady Stephanie Barefoot, Chancellor of the Tion Hegemony, to her new post as the first female Hegemon. Many other transitions within the leadership of the Hegemony followed, instituted by Lady Barefoot as part of her vision for the betterment of the Tion Cluster administration.

But, in order to accurately report the story of Lady Barefoot’s transition to leader of the Tionese people, we must revisit the previous 60 days of the Tionese year. In the weeks leading up to the Tionese annual Day of Unity celebrations, rumors had begun circulating the worlds under the protection of the Tion Hegemony. Hushed voices in every bar, factory, and homestead could be heard asking the same question: "What has become of Lord Hegemon Asai?"

Taking a look back to Day 270 of this year, a mere 30 days before the Hegemony’s unity celebrations, Lord Takao Asai was readying to embark on his yearly mountaineering excursion on Desargorr VI. A keen explorer, Lord Asai knew the mountain ranges like the back of his hand. Dreadfully, three days later, after leaving the small mining town of Lajurnor, signals from his commlink ceased. Several days followed before an extensive search and rescue mission was undertaken by the then-Chancellor’s personal staff. From what we can gather, no expense was spared in this operation but it was hampered by unseasonable weather. No evidence of the missing Lord Hegemon was found.

During the Unity celebrations, the people of Tion were kept in the dark about their leader’s plight despite their many questions and lack of Hegemon sightings. Nothing was to be allowed to dampen the holiday festivities, but all the while, Lady Barefoot and her closest confidants were demanding increasingly larger stretches of Desargorr VI to be scouted. The Lord Hegemon's extended absence had been put down to illness, fatigue, romance, and even insanity. It was on Day 305 at the close of the unity celebrations that GTNG was notified of the ongoing search. Twenty days later, a special assembly of the High Council gathered at the Hegemonial Palace on Voss Prime along with Lady Barefoot and officially called-off the search and rescue teams.

It was at this gathering of the Tionese leadership, that Lady Stephanie would be sworn-in as the fourth leader of the Hegemony, the first Lady Hegemon. Transition of leadership was arranged for Day 328. Breaking with all past tradition, GTNG was allowed exclusive access to observe the signing of the Desargorr Accord by now-Hegemon, Stephanie Barefoot. Each High Councilor in attendance signing as witness of this sorrowful but historic moment. Issuing a brief statement afterwards, Lady Hegemon Barefoot spoke solemnly about her sudden and unexpected ascension.

Following signing of the Desargorr Accord and her first official Hegemonial address, Lady Hegemon Barefoot, joined by her wife and their two children, hurried to Voss III where she welcomed the new head of Tion Engineering and Construction, now-Director Kulton Duine, to his new headquarters, before swiftly returning to Meeshae to hold the first High Council session of her tenure.

In the month since her official transition to power, Lady Barefoot has called for changes among the sitting High Council as well as over seen the inclusion of the newly re-discovered Kazarak system.

Among the most influential changes within the Tionese leadership was the naming of former Tion Military and Science Industries President, Abraari To as Chancellor. Sir To was succeeded at TMSI by long-time acting Vice President Stig`ray Morvo. In addition, former First Fleet Admiral William Radcliff was appointed Hyperion, Minister of Defense, his successor in First Fleet to be named early in the new year.

For those outside the Tion Cluster, who may not have heard of our Lady Hegemon, Stephanie Barefoot made her name as the revolutionary head of Tion Engineering and Construction. She oversaw the largest economic development period in the history of Tion, painstakingly driving the Cluster back into prosperous times following the meltdown of the galactic markets only a few short years ago. Her never ceasing energy for developing our worlds and indeed, even those outside Tion, were the envy of many. How different she must feel from the orphan that was raised on Tatooine, who briefly flirted with criminality, journalism, and even medicine, to finally become the head of a mighty government.

The reporters and staff at GTNG join our fellow Tionese in applauding our newest Hegemon on her accomplishments thus far in her position. This has been Lianna Corvae for the Greater Tion News Group, reporting this pivotal evolution of our beloved Hegemony. May we forever be Tionese, united and prosperous.