Captain Tuuc used the small device on his wrist to order the communications officer on the RFS Oteel to transmit an official recording of the anthem called the The Brightest Among All Stars as well as the scores and assured the king that no one would be offended if they let the computer play it.

Captain Tuuc also confirmed that bringing guards to his ship would not be seen as an insult.

***

While the capital of the Treecuu Star Empire was in the Ecteen System to the far east, many considered the Candact System the true heart of the Empire. It was the symbol of Treecuu success in technology and space exploration. Most importantly, it was from here the members of the Committee for the Expansion of the Empire and leading oligarchs exerted their power. Governorship over the Candact Mandate was the most prestigious and powerful office only second to Chairman of the Committee. At least unofficially and in reality.

While the chairman and the mere figurehead of a president were in Ryccia for the ball, Governor Seect basically was in charge of the whole empire. Like most Treecuu governors he enjoyed leading from the "front line", competing among themselves for prestige. He stood in front of the main viewscreen of the bridge of the flagship of the Remote Fleet, the RFS Vaan Candacteec gazing at the streaks of stars passing rapidly.

Being a Treecuu insectoid, he was about half as tall as the average Treecuu mammalian. But the lack of an imposing posture was compensated by the menacing pair of black compound eyes. The flagship didn't boast an impressing size either, but the governor was sure they would make a memorable impression.

The stars on the viewscreen suddenly went stationary as the Vaan Candacteec dropped out of warp. Seect was confident it was a magnificent sight as the rest of his battlegroup arrived, ship by ship. Soon a total of 30 Yootuu-class cruisers formed at straight line facing the xeno ships. He personally hailed the alien lead ship.