"You understand ground and space battles?"
"Yes." She drew closer until he could feel her presence at his back.
"This is the current battle situation. It's been quiet due to the cease-fire called by the Council," he explained. He flicked buttons, zooming and expanding the scenes and adjusting it until it was as he preferred it: spinning faster than normal with alternating close-ups of each major battle.
"I've been winning up until today," she said. "I don't always understand all the parts. These are large ships, these smaller fighter ships."
"There are three levels of fighter ships."
"I figured that out by the size and speed."
"You know the parts of each ship and can configure the ships' systems?"
"Yes."
"It's not an easy task to learn. Each one has its own specific codes and specifications. I am impressed you learned it."
She was quiet as he flipped through the individual configurations of each kind of ship, from transport to logistic to the hulking carrier ships. He switched to the ground battle and hastened through the size, position, and make-up of each of the major ground armies.
"Why do I have the feeling this isn't a game?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"It is not."
"Then what is it?"
"Strategic battle planning. You've been sending me updates daily," he said. Disbelief spread across her face.
"It's real? But I annihilated the planet when I first started!"
"I approve the plans before they are released," he said. "I've not had to alter the last several you've sent. Judging by the training program, you've reached my level already."
"So I'm helping?" she asked skeptically.
"Yes."
"You'll take me with you to battle?"
"No," he said firmly.
"But if I'm helping you here, couldn't I be more helpful up there?"
He gave her a warning look.
"I'm really as good as you are?" she asked.
"You'll soon be better."
"I can't wait to tell Ne'Rin!" she exclaimed. "You've been bested by a mere woman!"
"You've not bested me yet, woman," he growled. "I will announce to the Council that you are being appointed the battle planner for Anshan. I will be here only another few moon-cycles and will work with you to teach you the different units and their capabilities. If I am satisfied, I'll turn over the planning completely to you."