Chaos' Heir

Khan didn't sleep. It was already nighttime when Amy left his quarters, and the event had filled his head with countless thoughts that needed attending. Still, when the morning arrived, Khan had yet to find proper solutions.

The situation on Baoway had grown strange and difficult on too many sides. Khan could keep Amy at bay, but she was a dangerous variable and a constant reminder of his pent-up state. Remaining on the planet involved limiting certain rumors while also holding back his growing urges.

Nevertheless, far greater problems loomed over Khan's head. The Bone Tribe had unlocked and tested their new firepower. Kru-Zi and his companions were bound to grow more confident in the following days and weeks, leading to events Khan could easily predict.

The Scalqa were a primitive species with very straightforward goals. Each tribe wanted territory and resources, but the overall balance of power prevented reckless expansions from the forest's parties. However, the situation had changed, and the Bone Tribe couldn't be satisfied with a single victory.

Usually, a battle between equally strong tribes would lead to massive casualties and leave the victors exposed to the nomadic forces. Attacks were risky and required careful planning and favorable opportunities.

Yet, the human rifles had destroyed the balance of power, allowing the Bone Tribe to attack and win while suffering little to no losses. The only thing holding Kru-Zi back from directly launching another assault was the assessment period. His force needed to absorb the spoils of war before launching a second offensive.

The state of the Blood Tribe's settlement told Khan that the assessment period would be short. The Bone Tribe couldn't have taken many captives and had even given the blue plant to the human envoy. A week might be enough to reassemble and launch another attack.

That would imply more death and gore, and Khan knew himself. He would take it upon himself to collect valuable corpses and clean up the affected areas. His role would go from the savior of desperate Scalqa to grave pillager.

Of course, from a cynical standpoint, the development offered many advantages. The Bone Tribe's power grew alongside its trust in Khan and the human envoy, and its expansion was bound to provide additional benefits.

Moreover, the human envoy now possessed the blue bush, and the second ship had a lab. Khan could use his unique position to exploit and seize any discovery on the spot. His training regimen might improve by many levels in the following period, allowing him to grow in ways the Global Army couldn't offer yet.

Everything seemed to depend on how much Khan could withstand, but another issue was at play. Even if he wanted to, leaving Baoway was no easy matter. The teams needed both ships, and one shuttle couldn't complete the journey back to the Harbor. Khan's options were limited, and the best ones didn't involve his species.

Khan left his quarters with his mind still afflicted by those thoughts. Truth be told, he couldn't find a solution right away, and the mission was on the verge of a breakthrough, so he planned to wait and see until the proper chance presented itself.

The ship's atmosphere didn't have anything odd. As always, Celeste was behind her console, and Randall had already begun the morning check-up routine. Kirk and Marcus had yet to wake up, but Khan's interest had little to do with them.

Khan's behavior didn't disclose anything, but his aura instinctively grew colder when he exited the ship. He could sense multiple people outside, and one of them could cause him problems.

Zu-Gru, Fergus, and Amy had gathered outside to prepare for the daily trip to the settlement, and the former hurried at Khan's side when he stepped in the open. Fergus exchanged a firm nod with him, hinting at something deeper, while Amy wore a false smile, trying to hide the mess inside her mind.

Usually, Fergus' gesture would have prompted an immediate reaction from Khan. Yet, he temporarily ignored the silent issue to inspect Amy. On the surface, she appeared cheerful and tranquil, but those who knew her could notice odd details.

Amy would generally use any opportunity to approach Khan and chat with him. However, she remained on her spot now, even lowering her eyes when the situation became too much for her. Those close to her would understand that something had happened, and Khan saw far more due to his heightened senses.

Amy was shaken. Khan didn't only refuse her the previous night. He had also humiliated and threatened her. Anyone would find it hard to focus on the mission with a death sentence looming above their heads, and even a pro like Amy couldn't ignore those issues.

In a different situation, Khan would feel bad for Amy. Her actions had no malice or ill intentions, but his anger prevented him from experiencing mercy. Amy had risked it all and lost. Khan only cared about the potential consequences now.

Luckily, Amy felt no anger toward Khan. Her mana conveyed shame, regret, and sadness but no hatred or desperation. That wasn't the aura of someone who could attempt reckless actions to save herself. Amy appeared to have accepted her fate, slightly reassuring Khan.

Fergus noticed the unusual inspection, especially since Khan would have typically addressed him first. Still, he minded his own business and waited for the right moment to arrive.

Khan didn't make Fergus wait too long. As soon as he confirmed Amy's helplessness, he approached the Major, silently questioning him about the issue.

"Not here," Fergus almost whispered. "It's something we should discuss in private."

Fergus glanced at the second ship, and Khan understood the silent message. Margaret probably had discovered something worth discussing, and it was up to the two Majors to decide how to proceed.

"[Stay]," Khan ordered Zu-Gru before diving into the forest, and Fergus promptly followed him. The two quickly crossed the Scalqa audience around the ship but stopped relatively nearby when they found a private spot.

"What is it?" Khan went straight to the point. His mood was already reaching the breaking point, and problems with the tests would worsen his condition. After all, one of the corpses delivered to the lab belonged to an infant. He didn't want that to be pointless.

"Margaret's conclusions aren't final," Fergus explained. "However, everything seems to confirm your suggestions."

"Which ones?" Khan asked.

"The plant's substance might be used for the natural induction," Fergus stated. "It doesn't cause it but acts as an agent of change. It facilitates tissue transformation."

"So," Khan nodded, "It might be employed even in the extreme induction."

Khan and Fergus didn't need to confirm what they knew about the evolution process. They respected each other enough to avoid those pleasantries, and those short exchanges immediately led to agreement.

The extreme induction process provided the best results, but the risks were also higher. It required expensive and lengthy preparations. Also, the body often rejected a complete transformation in one sitting, and failure could kill any hope of reaching superior realms of power.

However, the blue plant facilitated tissue transformation, and a concentrated version of its substance could lower the barriers behind the extreme induction. It might even make the natural induction obsolete as long as money wasn't an issue.

"What's the issue then?" Khan wondered due to Fergus' serious face.

"The plant requires specific environments and a massive amount of nutrients," Fergus revealed. "We must replant it as soon as possible."

"I know that," Khan declared. "I've said as much in one of the encrypted messages."

"Khan, we'll need to mass-produce it," Fergus said. "The forest has to go if we hope to smuggle one specimen back to the Global Army."

Fergus was treating Khan with the level of intelligence he deserved. He didn't explain his reason, and there was no need to. Khan understood the silent part in a single second and almost cursed when he found himself agreeing with Fergus.

Keeping a blue plant alive on Baoway wouldn't be a problem. That was its natural environment, and the forest had enough fertile ground and trees. Khan's authority with the Scalqa would also prevent eventual attempts to steal it, ensuring its safety.

Yet, the Global Army couldn't turn the quadrant into a farming ground without the Thilku Empire noticing its actions, especially if Khan decided to stick to his Ambassador's duties.

Even if Khan lied, the Global Army wouldn't have safe ways to secure a specimen with the current equipment, and sending additional ships would require new negotiations with the Empire. The best option was to amass many plants and hope one would survive the trip, but that was easier said than done.

The human envoy was limited to the current quadrant, and moving the ships would attract unwanted attention. Khan could fly, so he had the perfect skill set to travel to other areas, seize any plant he could find, and replant it in the forest.

"Can't Margaret freeze it or something?" Khan questioned.

"I asked the same question," Fergus revealed. "We don't know if the plant can survive the process, and due to our limited supply …"

"This decision can wait until we have additional data," Khan uttered, waving his hand and facing the empty trunks. "What else?"

"The Scalqa," Fergus said. "It's only an initial assessment, but live specimens seem required to uncover the secret behind their growth."

Khan felt the urge to scream and burn his surroundings to the ground. Everything had turned from bad to worse in every aspect of the mission. He also knew why Fergus had requested a private conversation. The envoy needed his approval since all those practices went against the negotiations with the Empire.

'This planet never stood a chance,' Khan cursed, lifting his eyes to the crowns above. 'Why am I even trying to give it a better future?'

The Empire wasn't exactly peaceful. Baoway would have already faced a mass invasion if the Thilku weren't short on manpower.

As for the Global Army, finding resources that could greatly expand fields like evolution and mana cores had basically doomed both Baoway and its inhabitants. The situation was hopeless, and Khan grimly accepted his powerlessness.

Yet, forsaking any interest in Baoway and the Scalqa didn't solve all of Khan's problems. He still had decisions to make, no matter how cruel and cynical they might sound.

Siding with the Global Army would provide immense benefits but would also kill any trust in the Empire. Khan could gain much from that anyway, but the other option would maximize his rewards and profits on multiple levels.

Khan could trade his knowledge for a better position within the Empire, which would, in turn, force the Global Army to respect him even more. His higher-ups would hate him, but the Thilku's support would force them to swallow that feeling.

Moreover, informing the Empire would create the opportunity for special negotiations. Khan could very well request a blue plant for himself before the two species even came close to a new deal. He would obtain a temporary monopoly over that resource, preserving his advantage over fellow humans.

Also, siding with the Empire would grant the Solodrey family a unique position. Khan could limit the sharing of information to Monica's faction, increasing its relevance both inside the family and the Global Army. Khan could even involve them in the plants' business, potentially adding a massive source of income.

That decision obviously didn't make Khan happy, but his hands were tied. He couldn't save the planet or the Scalqa, so he chose to look out for himself, even if the idea made him feel corrupted beyond reason.

"I'll give the Global Army another month," Khan eventually declared. "I'll involve the Empire afterward."

Khan didn't turn toward Fergus but expected to hear complaints or requests. After all, Fergus had expressed nothing but loyalty toward the Global Army during that short period. Yet, the word that reached his ears was very different.

"Good," Fergus exclaimed, and Khan's mind went blank. His senses had screamed so loudly that his legs had moved on their own, sending him into the air.

A loud noise followed, forcing Khan to lower his head. A vast crater had appeared in his previous position, and a dark blue figure stood at its center. Fergus had attacked without any warning while relying on deadly force.

"I knew it," Fergus smirked, glancing at Khan's floating figure. "You didn't show me your true speed."

Confusion invaded Khan. He could understand why Fergus would want to take him out after his decision, but something else seemed to be at play there. Fergus appeared almost relieved as if he had waited a long time for that moment. Moreover, Khan saw those emotions on his face. Fergus' mana didn't carry anything similar.

The situation was bizarre for someone accustomed to relying on senses over eyes. Khan couldn't explain what was happening, but an ominous feeling invaded his mind, changing his priorities. Something was up, and securing a way out of Baoway had to come first.

Khan began to turn, a movement that lasted a fraction of a second. However, Fergus appeared ready for it since he said some of the few words that could make him stop.

"George Ildoo," Fergus announced, and Khan froze.

"Cora Ommo," Fergus continued. "Amber Teldom, Carl Dyester. Should I continue?"

Khan didn't move nor look at Fergus. He remained frozen in the air, waiting for the Major to continue.

"You have made many friends in high places," Fergus declared, "Places no one can touch. Yet, they aren't your only friends, are they?"

Khan didn't break his silence. Memories ran through his vision, carrying years of good and bad experiences. All of them were littered with acquaintances and friends, many of whom had no political protection.

"Come down, Major," Fergus requested. "Let's talk this through."

Fergus could tell that he had struck a nerve. Khan almost appeared hesitant, which was unusual for him. Fergus had found the monster of Nippe 2's weakness, and a smirk inevitably broadened on his face.

'Enough,' Khan thought, heaving a deep sigh. The gesture appeared like a sign of surrender, but the area instantly grew colder, telling Fergus a completely different story.

The story grew even clearer when Fergus saw Khan drawing his knife.