. . .

“Apparently several million years ago,” Tom says, “the Fan Hoeng’s clan of royal assassins realized that instead of killing for the King, they could cut the middleman and deliver the savings to their people by being the King. Ever since then, all the contenders for the Fan Hoeng throne must spend at least ten years on one of their space empire’s client planets killing for money or politics in order to demonstrate that they have what it takes to be a King.”

“Or Queen,” Jane says.

“Well, yes,” says Tom. “I mean, since she’s a girl and all.”

He shrugs.

“Maria Souvante’s considered one of the most talented space princess assassins of her generation (footnote),” Tom says, returning to his reading, “but she’ll always give her target one . . . slim . . . chance to survive!”

“That’s our target, then,” says Edmund, snapping his fingers. “That . . . slim . . . chance!”

He high-5s Jane, who does not really think this is worth high-5ing over but is not going to just leave him hanging over it.

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