Jo stood humbled by the display of power she had borne witness to for the last half an hour. Challenger after challenger had stepped forward and each had been dispatched easily by the gargantuan Phlenux. The creature was the greatest argument that Jo had ever seen for intelligence design, it was as if the monster had been created for one purpose only. It’s eyes, all fourteen of them encrusted on its hairless skull, gave it an incredible visual processing power, able to analyse body language down to the microscopic level. It was rumoured that a Phlenux could see the surface tension membrane form as sweat squeezed out of a gland from over hundred meters away.

Its half dozen arms were long and sinewy, enabling them to whip around and attack from any direction.

Then there was the smell. Jo had initially gagged when she had entered and while her stomach had settled the acrid smell was still burning her nostrils to the point where Jo wondered if she would ever be able to smell again.

“NEXT” the beast roared in its deep guttural voice.

Suddenly Jo thought of her time in the Commonwealth’s Military University’s fighting tournaments. She had had to fighter bigger and more deadly opponents back then, there was always a strategy for a fight, there was always a tactic to develop and employ. Jo had done her homework for this fight, she knew that if she endeavoured, she would eventually come out victorious.

“YOU” the Phlenux was now pointing at Jo. “COME FORWARD AND BE JUDGED”

Jo was aware that everyone was now looking at her, she had hesitated too long after the creature had demanded its next victim. What did the spectators think? Perhaps that she was scared, perhaps that she would run away?

The question, however, that filled Jo’s consciousness was twofold. Why are you doing this? And is this the right thing to do?

Looking around she made eye contact with several of the watchers. These were her people, if she didn’t step up against this tyranny who would?

She glanced at the ammunition she had in her hand. On a fundamental level she knew that it was precisely what she needed to win.

So, what was she waiting for?

With a smile she stepped forward, the stench got worst, invading her senses. It was as if ammonia had been poured into her nose and mouth, destroying everything with permeant mutilation.

She did not back down.

The eyes scanned her, what they picked up Jo did not know but she felt composed, she felt ready.

She did not back down.

Finally, the arms started flailing, the Phlenux was grabbing its own weapons, anticipating Jo’s actions.

She did not back down.

As she stepped up to the desk she put her papers down on the top. “I would like to apply for permanent residency, please”

The papers that the Phlenux had grabbed started to fly at Jo, the laws and by-laws were rattled off to explain how this application was invalid.

Jo knew that she would win this fight.