The meeting didn't continue for long once the food was over. The [Hunt] had given Ambassador Abores and Lord Exr enough time to talk and set the terms of their cooperation. Some details changed after the game's outcome, but the two handled them during the banquet.
After that, Khan only had the time to empty a few jugs with Amox before being summoned away. His conversations with the Thilku never went too deep in any field, but the two broadly smiled when they said their goodbyes.
The square platform brought Ambassador Abores to the bottom of the hill, and he performed a traditional bow toward his escort before heading for the human ship nearby. His team had already gathered there, welcoming him with military salutes, and they followed him inside as soon as he nodded.
The cargo area was as cramped as before, but Khan faced no problems inside the cabin. He also covered his chest with one of the spare tracksuits stored there, and the set-off began once the Ambassador obtained the Thilku's clearance.
"Sir," Khan tried to call during the flight since the Ambassador was in the cabin with him, but the man promptly shut him down. "Not here, Captain. The briefing will happen in the Harbor."
Khan could only remain silent after that reprimand and focus on driving the ship according to the Thilku's instructions. The human outpost eventually appeared, and Khan led the vehicle to the appropriate landing spot.
Soldiers greeted the team and gave them back their phones. Khan stored the device without looking at the screen while waiting for Ambassador Abores to exchange inevitable pleasantries. Doctors also checked everyone up, but their clearance arrived quickly.
The scientists had prepared the teleport in the meantime, so the team could directly step onto the platform when they reached it. Synthetic mana gathered on it as soon as the Ambassador gave the okay, and the machine activated, bringing everyone into a far different environment.
Khan had to hold back a helpless sigh when the stench of the synthetic mana filled his nostrils. That issue went beyond the energy amassed by the teleport. The metal walls and artificial illumination that filled his view told him that he had returned to a place that didn't fit his tastes.
'Home,' Khan mocked in his mind. Now that Monica was gone, the Harbor had lost most of its charm. He could keep himself busy with work and training, but Acarro's morning still shone in his thoughts and created a standard that the metal environment couldn't match.
"Let's move," Ambassador Abores ordered before Khan could lose himself deeper into his thoughts. The team left the platform and teleport area to cross a series of corridors, and one of the Harbor's iconic rides waited for them when they reached a hangar.
The team jumped inside and rejoiced at the comfortable seats that welcomed them. Only Khan remained focused on the synthetic mana. It was simply annoying for him to go through that significant change, but Ambassador Abores made sure to distract him.
"You all did well today," Ambassador Abores announced inside the privacy of that passengers' area. "Once we land on the embassy, you can take the rest of the day off."
Many eyes lit up at that statement. Lunchtime had already arrived, but it was the weekend. Most soldiers wouldn't want to spend it working.
"Except for Captain Khan," Ambassador Abores continued before cheers could hide his voice. "I know you must be tired, but a short briefing is in order."
"It's no problem at all, sir," Khan politely responded.
Ambassador Abores didn't nod or add anything. He looked at Khan for a few seconds before losing interest. That was in line with his usual behavior, but Khan couldn't help but find it slightly gentler.
That difference made Khan curious, and that feeling intensified during the slow flight toward the embassy. The hangars were quite distant, so it took a while before the ship could land on one of the rectangular roofs.
The team jumped out to perform military salutes, but only Khan and Ambassador Abores advanced inside. The two entered the embassy while their companions reentered the ship to fly to their respective homes.
Silence unfolded again as Khan and Ambassador Abores crossed the path that separated them from their office. They met many soldiers and workers along the way, and Khan's blue hair always attracted a series of polite salutes or nods. Ambassador Abores didn't earn the same attention since many didn't know him, but that didn't affect his mood.
The appointed office eventually appeared, revealing its almost empty state. Only Clarissa and a few soldiers were inside, and the Ambassador headed directly for his private room, even voicing an order as soon as he entered it.
"Clarissa, give us some privacy," Ambassador Abores ordered, and the woman hurried outside, closing the door to leave her boss and Khan alone.
Ambassador Abores slowly walked toward his desk, sliding his fingers over its surface. Menus lit up at his genetic signature, but he didn't press any of them. He didn't speak either, and Khan waited patiently near the entrance for that briefing to begin.
"I had my doubts, Captain," Ambassador Abores eventually revealed, still sliding his fingers on the desk and glancing at the empty wall behind. "However, I'm forced to acknowledge your value. You are the best third-level warrior I've ever seen."
"Thank you, sir!" Khan promptly stated. That was a proper compliment, but Khan held back his happiness. Even with the newfound kindness, Ambassador Abores remained quite aloof.
"You could have defeated him, right?" Ambassador Abores questioned. "That Thilku you fought."
"Probably," Khan remained vague. "The no-killing rule put many limitations on me."
"I can only imagine," Ambassador Abores casually said. "Your strength impressed the Thilku. I could reach many advantageous agreements because of that."
"Which agreements, if I may, sir?" Khan asked.
"Knowing that isn't part of your duties," Ambassador Abores scolded. "You should only worry about the next mission."
"Did Lord Exr give us something?" Khan asked, and Ambassador Abores' face snapped on him.
"How do you know that name?" Ambassador Abores gasped.
"I have good ears, sir," Khan lied, avoiding involving Amox.
Ambassador Abores didn't believe Khan for a single second. He could even guess how he had gotten that information. Yet, calling him out wasn't proper, especially after his performance.
"What else do you know?" Ambassador Abores questioned.
"I know less than you, sir," Khan stated.
"I would hope that," Ambassador Abores responded. "I'd be a failure otherwise."
"I never hinted at that, sir," Khan uttered.
Ambassador Abores inspected Khan for a few seconds before heaving a loud sigh. He reached for the back of the desk and activated its menus, which created a holographic map that involved multiple systems.
The Harbor had taught Khan how to read star maps, but he failed to recognize many of the systems depicted by the holograms. Still, he found Acarro and the Harbor, allowing him to draw vague conclusions.
"Do you know what this is?" Ambassador Abores asked.
"I can only guess, sir," Khan admitted.
"Then, guess," Ambassador Abores ordered.
"These," Khan said, stretching his hand toward the holograms to mark a few systems, "Are the bordering territories with the Thilku Empire. It's reasonable to think that the alien criminals have come or are stationed in some of these systems."
"Indeed," Ambassador Abores confirmed, pressing on a label to change part of the holograms. Most of the map turned red, highlighting the Thilku territory in all its greatness.
The Harbor's location had a strategic purpose, but the map showed its flaws. Being so close to the Thilku Empire left countless paths open. The criminals could have smuggled the bomb through any of them, turning the idea of a proper investigation into a delusion.
"Lord Exr believes the leak comes from his domain," Ambassador Abores revealed, pressing on another label that turned a small part of the red zone yellow. That new shade only highlighted three systems, significantly reducing the eventual area to inspect.
"Is the information trustworthy?" Khan wondered.
"That doesn't matter," Ambassador Abores declared. "Lord Exr speaks for the Thilku Empire, so our investigation will happen where he decides to have it."
Those short lines transformed into a world of possibilities when they entered Khan's brain. Lord Exr could be correct, but lying would also work in his favor since the Global Army would help him clean a random mess, leaving the actual criminals to the Empire's inside investigation.
"I understand, sir," Khan exclaimed. "I'll prepare reports for these systems."
"No," Ambassador Abores announced, zooming in on the map to point at a single planet in the yellow zone. "You'll prepare a thorough report on Neuria and study the other systems by yourself. You'd only risk confusing the others otherwise."
Those lines transformed once again. The Ambassador didn't say it, but his statement was basically a compliment. It meant that Khan could take that amount of information.
Moreover, the risk mentioned by the Ambassador could exist only if the next deadline was close. Ambassador Abores didn't specify it, but Khan could guess the investigation would start soon, probably in the following weeks.
"It will be done, sir," Khan promised.
"You've set a high standard for yourself," Ambassador Abores warned, falling on the seat behind the desk. "The Global Army already expected great things from you, but you involved the Thilku. They'll demand perfection, and failure to match what you showed will result in immediate discharge from the investigation."
"I'm glad I held back, sir," Khan responded, silently praising himself. Ambassador Abores noticed that but decided to ignore it.
"You are lucky Lord Exr used to be a soldier," Ambassador Abores continued. "A proper Lord might have ignored you."
"So, he isn't true nobility," Khan exclaimed.
"No," Ambassador Abores explained, waving his hand at the red holograms. "He received his title from the Lord of these quadrants. From what I understood, he gained enough military commendations to earn authority over those systems."
Khan quickly connected the dots. Helping Lord Exr meant doing his superior a favor. That idea was a stretch but could work as a first step toward deeper and more relevant parts of the Thilku Empire.
"I know you want my chair," Ambassador Abores changed the topic, and the room's vibe tensed. Khan also looked at him, doing his best to hide his true colors.
"There is no need to hide it," Ambassador Abores stated. "The entire Global Army knows you want to be an Ambassador. I think it's too early, but you might change my mind by the end of this investigation."
"What if I do, sir?" Khan asked.
"I'll write a suitable report," Ambassador Abores explained, "Maybe vouching about your capabilities."
"That," Khan gasped, but the Ambassador continued speaking before he could express his gratitude.
"Of course," Ambassador Abores stated, "Your current job has priority, and with that comes obligations and limitations. Don't play Ambassador without authority or counsel. You'll only get in my and the Global Army's way."
"Certainly, sir," Khan exclaimed. "I won't disappoint you, sir."
"We'll see about that," Ambassador Abores coldly scoffed. "Now, I have yet to receive all the details, so the official briefing won't happen today. You can take the rest of the day off."
"With your permission, sir," Khan stated, "I'd like to start studying Neuria right away."
"Suit yourself," Ambassador Abores responded. "I hope you won't use your exhaustion as a justification if I find mistakes."
"There won't be mistakes, sir," Khan promised.
"As you wish, Captain," Ambassador Abores sighed. "Leave now. I'm waiting to receive a few important calls."
Khan performed a military salute before storming out of the private office. His desk was empty, but he went for one of the cubicles to achieve better isolation, hoping it would lead to a faster study.
The genetic signature gave Khan access to his profile, allowing him to search for information otherwise classified. It took him only a few seconds to find reports about Neuria, but his thoughts began to wander at that point.
Ambassador Abores' warning was on point. The Thilku would show no leniency toward failure, especially if they were tricking the human team into a fake investigation.
Due to Khan's flashy profile, he would become the target of everyone's attention and eventual reprimands. His performance could very well decide the fate of his team.
Khan didn't overestimate himself. He actually had a deep understanding of his strength due to his experience with multiple alien species. He was way above average, but the Thilku were also surprisingly resilient. The best of the humans might not be enough to impress them.
'How much can I achieve with the [Blood Vortex]?' Khan considered before refusing that idea. He would still train with the alien technique, but the investigation had sounded close, which didn't give him the time to make significant improvements.
An idea then popped into Khan's mind. He went over it for a few seconds before peeking past his cubicle. The office was almost empty, and no one was paying attention to him.
Khan returned to his seat and hid his right hand under the small interactive table. His bright mana appeared, making the screen above him flicker and threatening to reveal his misdemeanor. He quickly retracted his energy and peeked past the cubicle again, and curiosity invaded him when he confirmed that no one had noticed him.
Khan hid his hand under the interactive desk once again before flexing his fingers to create a U-shaped gesture. Mana left his thumb and forefinger, fusing to create a single, gaseous thread.
The Niqols' teachings had long since become part of Khan's skillset, and he showed his mastery over them in that experiment. His mana's nature changed, condensing, thickening, and gaining elastic properties. Its color also brightened, but its surface gained uncommon stability.
Khan reached for the thread with his free hand, pinching and pulling it backward. His mana bent under his gesture, turning into a string ready to snap back to its original position.
'I can do this,' Khan thought, but faint complaints suddenly reached his ears. The few soldiers in the office were having problems with their screens, forcing Khan to disperse his mana.
'I need to hit the training hall tonight,' Khan smirked, straightening his back on the chair. His eagerness wanted him to go right away, but that would look bad after his bold claims with the Ambassador.
'Right,' Khan recalled, pulling out his phone. 'Monica.'
The phone showed no messages, but Khan sent one to Monica to update her about the [Hunt]. She had been waiting for that text, and a reply arrived in the next few seconds.
'Are you sure you aren't hurt?' Khan read on his phone, smiling at the love those words were able to make him experience.
'I swear,' Khan wrote. 'I'll show you the recording if I can get my hands on it.'
'You do that,' Monica replied. 'For now, are you alone?'
'I'm still in the office,' Khan explained. 'Sadly, this cubicle isn't sound-proof.'
'But you are alone, right?' Monica asked.
'I am,' Khan began to worry. 'Is something the matter?'
Khan's worry vanished in the next second. A picture reached his phone, and his eyes widened. Desire and lust invaded him at the sight of the captivating pose and clothes Monica had worn for him.
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