Truth be told, Khan didn’t think as far as what would happen once and if the war against the Scarlet Eyes was over. It was too distant as a concept even to imagine, but he understood why Savdat was concerned.
Greed was a common drive. So species might join the war and act as allies, only to turn their backs on the joint front to attack their forr companions and secure benefits and territory.
The sa went for any species that chose not to join the war. They might exploit the confusion to expand their territory or attack forces busy fighting against the Scarlet Eyes. The long-term repercussions wouldn’t even cross their minds as long as they secured sothing imdiately.
The Niqols already had a bad reputation due to Khan, so they might be the first to suffer from that relatively common issue. Yet, Khan had a simple answer for that problem. It didn’t matter who or when. Those who didn’t play by the rules he set would have to face his rage.
Needless to say, the answer satisfied Savdat. Khan was in the perfect position to establish and enforce rules impartially. He wasn’t only strong on his own. His force boasted the most fearso supporter in the universe, making its authority undisputed.
"[The Niqols can agree to this]," Savdat eventually exclaid. "[Provided that the footage truly is as concerning as you say]."
"[It is]," Khan sighed, looking at the tall black ceiling while different thoughts rose through his mind. "[I know my wife isn’t a reliable witness for the Niqols, but Shaman Zalpa saw the battle, too. I’ll ask her to see you if the footage isn’t enough]."
After those words, Khan let his mind wander, enjoying how the surrounding cold and Snow’s feathers reminded him of one of the happiest phases of his life.
The artificial environnt and Snow’s presence seed to take Khan back to Nitis, but much had changed since then, and much had also stayed the sa. He was still with Liiza. She had simply beco his wife and the mother of his daughter.
’I have a daughter,’ Khan couldn’t help but think as the realization rooted itself a bit further in his mind. It honestly didn’t sound real, but it was, and a twist of fate made the event unfold in the presence of Niqols.
"[I’ll have to review the footage]," Savdat announced, "[And confer with the Elders. They’ll also have to talk with the tribes, but your offer sounds promising]."
"[Before we jump into more politics]," Khan said, lowering his gaze to the old Niqols. "[May I ask a favor]?"
"[A favor]?" Savdat repeated, unconvinced. "[Now]?"
"[I promise it’s sothing small]," Khan laughed. "[You know, I’m quite short on supplies, and the other shipnts will take so ti to arrive, but I’d very much like to celebrate my daughter’s birth among humans and Niqols]."
Savdat had to admit she had forgotten about that point due to the seriousness of the political talk. Khan had decided to entertain her due to unavoidable duties, but that was the day he had beco a father. Chances were Khan wanted nothing more than to go back to his wife and daughter.
If it were anyone else, Savdat would have imdiately refused. After all, the Niqols had traveled farther than they should have. Their supplies were also approaching depletion, and a long journey back to Nitis would await many of them.
Also, things between the Niqols and Khan weren’t fine yet. Savdat couldn’t just sanction a party for soone who had offended her species before the Elders ca to an agreent.
However, the Niqols on that unnad planet already had a good impression of Khan and were curious about his relationship with Liiza. Savdat was detached from those worldly matters, but Chief Doku had reported those points to her.
Savdat also felt the offer was promising and that the Niqols would accept it. They would mostly agree to those terms to deal with the Scarlet Eyes, but that was beside the point.
Moreover, the Niqols’ teams needed a party to vent the stress accumulated during the long flight, and Khan and Liiza had given them a perfect excuse. Possible ceasefire aside, the married couple had accomplished sothing incredibly rare. Their interspecies union had added a new kind of life to the universe.
Shared blood aside, Savdat was curious to see what her great-granddaughter had given birth to. Considering that Khan was in the picture, their daughter had to be a sight to behold for various reasons.
"[Tell Chief Doku to set up the cauldrons on your way out]," Sadvat announced. "[I’ll agree to this party for my great-great-granddaughter]."
"[Thank you, Elder]," Khan exclaid, jumping to his feet to perform a quick Niqols’ bow before turning to the ss of white feathers behind him.
"I’ll co back soon enough, okay?" Khan promised, hugging Snow’s neck. "I’ll even bring Liiza and make you et our daughter."
Snow screeched, feigning annoyance toward that hug. However, no matter how much strength it exerted, it couldn’t break free of Khan’s arms.
Khan rubbed his face on those white feathers a bit longer before finally freeing Snow. The Aduns screeched again, poking Khan’s head with its beak before flying away.
’Yes, I won’t make you wait too long this ti,’ Khan half-replied through his mind, watching the white bird vanish behind a mountain peak.
Khan was the next to vanish. He imdiately returned to the corridor illuminated by red symbols and crossed it, returning to the grey desert.
The previous tension seed to have vanished, but so pressure spread through the area again when the Niqols noticed Khan’s return. Much had been at stake in that eting, so they were eager to learn about its conclusion.
Yet, Khan rely used his speed to appear next to Doku, whispering sothing in his ear before disappearing again. Afterward, the dark do opened, and so Niqols turned to look at it in ti to see Khan’s figure disappearing inside it.
Needless to say, all the attention soon fell on Doku, who refrained from facing his companions due to the bright expression that had appeared on his face. A Chief couldn’t look so happy when things were still so unclear, so he waited a few seconds, ultimately turning toward his underlings and clearing his throat.
"[Bring out the cauldrons and arrange so seats]!" Doku ordered, sohow managing to wear a stern expression. "[We are having a party with the humans]!"
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