Khan didn't enter the ship. He hovered toward its canopy, gesturing to the pilot to follow him. The ride closed its doors in response and began to follow Khan toward one of the city's tall
buildings.
The city was busy during the tournant's nights, but Khan always kept a few buildings free from guests and crowds to avoid depriving himself of available privacy. They all had suitable landing and eting areas, so Khan led the ship to the nearest one while sending directives from his phone.
The ship soon landed on a terrace, and soldiers went through mandatory security asures, holding the crew behind. anwhile, Khan made an exception for Colonel Norrett, allowing him to leave the vehicle and follow him inside the building.
Khan kept his distance, walking a few ters ahead of the Colonel and preventing conversations. The latter could only silently follow him, eventually arriving in a vast hall that waiters had already filled with anything the two n might require.
"Co," Khan ordered, diving into the hall without glancing at the Colonel. "Our last drink together was years ago. Let's fix that."
The hall had multiple tables of different shapes and sizes, all featuring matching quantities of booze and food. Naturally, Khan headed for the biggest one, quickly opening a bottle and filling two glasses before lifting one toward the Colonel.
The Colonel didn't shy away from the offer. He approached Khan, seizing the glass before gesturing a simple toast. Khan imitated him but promptly turned to occupy one of the surrounding couches.
Colonel Norrett soon found himself imrsed in the light of Khan's eyes, and the scene temporarily stunned him. The two hadn't seen each other since the Colonel's attempted evolution, and much had changed since then, especially in Khan.
Khan had ditched the alien attire that night but still brought his crown and red cape. The short haircut tried to mask his inhumanity, but his bright eyes and aura got in the way.
Colonel Norrett wasn't even an ordinary fifth-level warrior. The surgery removed part of his evolved tissues, but so remained, elevating his overall power and improving his perception. He could instinctively feel Khan's true nature, shocking him to the core.
Nevertheless, Colonel Norrett didn't let those changes or Khan's aura freeze him. He quickly recovered, occupying a couch opposite to Khan's so that the two could talk face-to-face while remaining in the table's range.
"I'll do it," Khan suddenly announced, reaching for the table to seize so food. "I owe you for the support and the invitation to your evolution, so I'll do it."
"I have yet to make my request," Colonel Norret exclaid before recalling to add sothing. "Prince Khan."
"It doesn't matter, Colonel," Khan responded. "If it's within my power, I'll do it. If it isn't, I'll make it part of my power."
The promise didn't look too believable. Khan barely appeared serious, especially while munching and gulping down large mouthfuls of food. Yet, the Colonel couldn't complain about that behavior. Their relationship went way back, but the gap between their statuses was too vast now.
"I'd like your help with my evolution, Prince Khan," Colonel Norrett revealed, deciding to specify his request. "I'm ready to attempt it again, but I'm not sure the Global Army is my best choice anymore."
Khan stopped eating, placing his empty plate on the couch's pillow. He had expected his alien and noble connections to have sothing to do with the Colonel's visit, but the actual request surprised him. None of his projects had anything to do with the evolution, not directly, at least, so Colonel Norrett shouldn't have had any reason to contact him about that.
"The supplent my planet produces might help with the evolution," Khan stated, "But everything is very much still experintal at this point."
"I read sothing about it," Colonel Norrett revealed, "But I'm no scientist. I only know miracles tend to happen when you are around, so I figured I could test my luck here."
Khan didn't answer. His fa had definitely played a part in Colonel Norrett's visit, but his aura conveyed sothing else. The Colonel radiated a tinge of faith and hope, obviously targeted at Khan.
Those emotions often had a specific source, and Khan didn't take long to find it. Colonel Norrett did his best not to show it, but he felt slightly helpless, and Khan could easily guess
why.
"What did the Global Army's scientists say about your condition?" Khan asked.
Colonel Norrett's face remained calm, but his aura revealed that Khan had hit the mark. Hiding things from him looked pointless, so the Colonel decided to co clean.
"My first attempt at the evolution changed ," Colonel Norrett explained, "And the Global Army has a hard ti identifying the right mana for ."
"They must have options," Khan guessed.
"They do," Colonel Norrett confird, "But it's still a gamble. It's the price to pay for my first failure."
The explanation made sense. Humankind had a rudintary and cold understanding of mana, and Colonel Norrett had basically crossed the fifth level's limits. The human scientists probably lacked the knowledge and equipnt to gauge him properly and produce suitable energy for his new evolution attempt.
"And that made you decide to co to ," Khan uttered, seizing a bottle from the table to refill his drink.
"You have welcod the General," Colonel Norrett pointed out. "You have hired Bizelli forces. I thought I would also have a shot, Prince Khan."
Khan had already promised he would help, but different thoughts inevitably appeared. First, Khan considered whether he could help Colonel Norrett, and a positive answer quickly arrived. He was attempting to replicate the aided tamorphosis himself, so he knew the blue plants could play a role in that field. Experinting with the Colonel would also provide more data, ultimately benefiting Khan and his organization.
However, Khan clearly wasn't the Colonel's first choice, which could have multiple explanations. Asking the help of his forr "protégé" could hurt his pride, especially since their political relevance had experienced a dramatic change. Colonel Norrett initially wanted Khan to join him, but the tables had turned.
Also, Khan realized the potentially dangerous repercussions. He saw no ill will inside the Colonel, but the latter remained bound to the Global Army. So Generals might eventually decide to use him to attack Khan, so turning him into an evolved warrior was far from ideal.
"Let's say I help you, Colonel," Khan announced. "Let's say I turn you into an evolved warrior. What happens then?"
"What are you asking, Prince Khan?" Colonel Norrett questioned.
"On which side are you, Colonel?" Khan asked, and the atmosphere instantly changed.
The Colonel had surpassed the limits of the fifth level, and Khan was a monster. Their unwavering staring competition almost created cracks in the air, and neither side gave up. The two n kept sizing each other as if a battle was about to break out.
"Why don't we make a deal?" Colonel Norrett asked, breaking the silence without removing pressure from his stare. "You stop calling Colonel, and I resu calling you little shit."
"I'm not so little anymore," Khan comnted.
"Is Khan fine?" Colonel Norrett wondered.
"It is," Khan confird, "Mark."
"Good," Colonel Norrett exclaid, slightly relaxing. "Now that's out of the way, I should probably give you another lesson in politics."
"Pray tell," Khan said.
"As friendly as we are," Colonel Norrett stated, "I'm still asking the help of a noble. The Global Army would never believe I got it without heavily indebting myself."
"They might say the sa about this visit," Khan pointed out. "Your trip is a statent by
itself."
"It is," Colonel Norrett confird. "So, do you understand?"
"Yes, but there's a problem," Khan declared. "I'm officially part of the Global Army, but my organization stretches past it. I might have to go against humankind in the future."
"I'm aware of your friendships and allegiances," Colonel Norrett revealed.
"And are you okay with them?" Khan wondered.
"Did you forget who presided over Onia's tournant?" Colonel Norrett asked.
"You might have to preside for the other side if you join ," Khan said. "I'm not sure I have a choice," Colonel Norrett responded. "You got so of my allies, and
the others will soon have to decide whether to join you, too. I feel I'm at the sa
crossroads."
"That resolve is a bit lacking," Khan comnted. "It sounds flexible."
"Little shit," Colonel Norrett called, smirking. "You are still too young to underestimate
."
"I'm not," Khan replied, standing up. "That's why I want your real resolve, not so political
maneuver."
"I've worked for years in building a better faction inside the Global Army," Colonel Norrett snorted, also standing up. "How do you think I feel seeing a kid taking all of it in months?"
"Maybe the kid is just better than you," Khan suggested, walking forward until he reached the
table.
"I hope he is," Colonel Norrett stated, also approaching the table. "My evolution is dood
otherwise."
The two n were barely one ter apart, and their stares remained intense. Neither wanted to give up their dominant position, and neither did.
"You didn't answer," Khan reminded. "What happens if I turn you into an evolved warrior?"
"You need a proper figure inside the Global Army," Colonel Norrett declared. "I can be that
figure."
"Do you want to evolve to beco a politician?" Khan mocked.
"I can only use the cards available to ," Colonel Norrett explained. "Just like you did."
"What exactly do you want?" Khan questioned.
"The Global Army," Colonel Norrett responded, his aura disclosing his deep and pristine
ambition.
"Very well," Khan announced, stretching his right arm. "Give your loyalty, and I'll give
you the Global Army."
"Arrogant as always," Colonel Norrett snorted.
"Was it ever misplaced?" Khan asked.
Colonel Norrett and Khan exchanged another long stare, but the forr eventually looked at
the stretched arm. His serious expression broke into a smirk before he shook Khan's hand, sealing that new alliance.
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