The Assassination War was a bloody conflict that was sparked by Caldenia’s murdering her brother. I was sixteen, in my junior year of high school. By Earth’s biological metrics, Kosandion was only about five years older than me. He would’ve been around twenty-one. While physically an adult, socially he would’ve been considered a “youth,” an equivalent to a human fifteen-year-old. Many factions in the Dominion thought he was unfit to lead. He proved them wrong.

“Most of the younger hotheads were children when that war took place,” Miralitt said. “Our people know you are a gifted commander. However…”

“The age of peace and prosperity our population enjoys thanks to your wise rule hasn’t provided you with many opportunities to showcase your warrior side,” Orata finished.

Smooth.

“Those who haven’t experienced combat are easily impressed by a superficial show of physical power,” Miralitt added.

“Surkar is impressive.” Kosandion glanced at Orata. “Make a hard copy of the ratings for me.”

“Yes, Letero.”

I had done some digging. The Hope Crushing Horde had settled a slew of planets, and Surkar and his delegation came from one of their frontier worlds. The power differential between Surkar and the Sovereign was enormous. With a single word, Kosandion could unleash an armada of ships that would block out the sun of Surkar’s homeworld. No amount of muscles, flexing, or roaring would save Surkar’s tribe from the hell that would rain down on them. And yet within the limits of this contest, Surkar was seen as the stronger of the two.

Orata got up, placed a small data cube in front of Kosandion with a bow, and returned to her place.

He waved at her to continue.

“Then we have the Gaheas, followed by the oomboles.”

“Really?” Kosandion asked.

Orata smiled. “The oomboles are bright and colorful, and a certain segment of the population thinks it would be funny if you married a fish.”

Kosandion chuckled.

“House Meer is seventh, the Higgra are eighth, the delegation from Kyporo is ninth.”

Team Frowns was from Kyporo, the sixth planet added to the Dominion. They were the ones with Ellenda, the Uma candidate. I would have thought the second of the Dominion’s home teams would’ve ranked higher.

“A poor showing for Kyporo,” Miralitt said.

“Ellenda comes across as unlikeable. The Murder Beaks are tenth, the Stranglers are eleventh, and the Children of the Silver Star are in last place,” Orata concluded.

The birds, the Dushegubs, and the Donkamins. Apparently, nobody in the Dominion could pronounce the Dushegubs’ proper name either.

“I expected the Children to rate higher,” Resven said.

Orata sighed. “They are…uncomfortable to watch.”

Figured.

“The Dominion doesn’t want my child to bend their neck backward and address them with their face upside down?” Kosandion asked with pretended innocence.

“No,” Orata said, her voice very firm.

Kosandion smiled and sipped his orange juice. He didn’t look surprised by any of this.