Winston's following videos studied the humanoid wolf more in-depth, but he failed to obtain any conclusive data. The issue of the orders and intelligence remained a mystery.
Khan could still get valuable information out of the device. The monster's anatomy and amount of mana were easy to check for Winston, and his videos conveyed them. The scientist basically did a complete check-up and shared it with Khan.
As always, the device erased its data once Khan was done watching everything. The screen went dark, and Khan threw it away without a second thought. He didn't exactly learn something new, but Winston had still solidified the information in his possession.
Khan brought the bottle to his mouth while leaning deeper into his seat. He had all the right ideas and plans but continued to lack key information. Also, the first move wasn't in his hands. He had to wait for favorable developments to move forward.
'Being ready to seize the right opportunity is the best I can do,' Khan thought, moving his attention to the interactive desk. 'I need to work harder.'
A long studying session unfolded before Khan focused on meditating. He also ate inside his flat and rested a bit longer until the night eventually arrived.
Caspar's concerns about Khan's health couldn't make him remain behind. Khan departed for the trench with the team, but the peace that reigned over the shift killed his curiosity. He had initially wondered whether his actions had caused a change in Cegnore's patterns, but that didn't seem to be the case.
That development wasn't ideal, but Khan could find positive aspects to it. He was still injured, so spending the night meditating helped. Also, being in control of the outbreaks in the human trench gave him the flexibility to actuate his plans when they would benefit him the most.
The following days featured a similar trend. Khan attended his night shifts only to face utter peace. No leftovers came, allowing him to focus on recovering.
The trend continued even after the new week arrived. The soldiers were obviously happy, but Khan counted the days from the first outbreak. He couldn't let the higher-ups dismiss it as an oddity. He was ready to make a mess again, but a surprising event arrived before he could complete that plan.
One afternoon in the middle of the week, Khan was meditating in his flat. His arm had improved but still needed care, so he invested hours in that training to quicken the healing process.
Nevertheless, a light suddenly shone on Khan's closed eyes, forcing him to open them. He was on the seat behind the interactive desk, which had turned on to show a surprising text.
'Accept communication?' Khan read on the desk, frowning.
The building had no connection to the network, but internal communications were possible. Still, they often featured the caller's name. That secrecy made Khan think of Winston, but pressing the label revealed a far different face.
Holograms came out of the desk when Khan accepted the call, and the azure lights immediately turned red. A screen appeared before him, showing a figure that almost widened his eyes in shock.
"Captain Khan," Lord Exr exclaimed. "We meet again."
"My Lord," Khan suppressed his gasp to appear more confident. "I didn't expect your call."
"But you did expect me to intervene," Lord Exr responded. "Isn't that why you mentioned me to my soldiers?"
"I," Khan began to say before deciding to drop his pretenses. "I hoped you would have supported my idea due to our existing relationship."
"The idea of admitting a human into my trenches?" Lord Exr wondered. "I didn't know our relationship was that good."
"It's for practical reasons," Khan pointed out.
"I heard about your theory," Lord Exr exclaimed. "Your presence might attract the monsters, but why would the Empire care?"
"It would give the Empire a chance to seize the initiative in this war," Khan stated. "If it doesn't already have it, of course."
"The Global Army isn't aware of the state of this war," Lord Exr declared. "The Empire wishes things to remain like this."
"That's why I suggested going alone," Khan replied. "The word of a single soldier can't match yours."
"But you aren't a single soldier, Captain Khan," Lord Exr uttered. "You have been sent here on purpose, after all."
Khan couldn't object to that point. As little as his rank meant among Thilku, the Global Army still trusted him. Publicly denying his claims wouldn't stop humankind from learning more information.
Lord Exr appeared amused by Khan's silence, but his face didn't convey any anger or sternness. The sole fact that he had chosen to call gave Khan hope, but turning that feeling into reality sounded difficult.
"I wouldn't go for political reasons," Khan promised. "My issues are personal."
"That doesn't," Lord Exr exclaimed before thinking about his words for a second, "Change the facts."
'What does he want me to say?' Khan cursed. He didn't understand where Lord Exr was going with that, but something told him that he wasn't against the idea of welcoming him into the Thilku trenches.
"My Lord," Khan announced, "I've said my piece. The decision is yours."
"Won't you try to convince me, Captain Khan?" Lord Exr wondered.
"I understand you can't trust my words," Khan said. "However, if more attacks reach the human trench, my superiors will surely intervene. I was hoping to keep this among soldiers."
Lord Exr scoffed, his amusement intensifying. He shared Khan's intentions, but that reply had added key information. Somehow, Khan appeared certain more attacks would reach the human trench.
"I consider our relationship good," Lord Exr suddenly revealed. "The party you advertised has recently landed on Neuria, and its performance is satisfactory."
"Oh?" Khan asked, his eyes lighting up. "Is my girlfriend there?"
"It is my understanding that she is," Lord Exr replied. "My soldiers praised her manners and Thilku."
"I'm happy to know that," Khan smiled, slightly lowering his head in respect. "I trust the Thilku will take good care of her."
"Does your girlfriend need assistance?" Lord Exr questioned, surprised by that statement.
"It's a saying," Khan chuckled. "She wouldn't be my girlfriend if she needed that."
"I see," Lord Exr nodded. "You seem to have chosen a worthy woman."
"She chose me," Khan laughed.
"Very Thilku of her," Lord Exr commented. "I approve."
"She would fit well with your species," Khan declared. "I'm sure she'll continue to do a good job on Neuria."
"I trust your word," Lord Exr uttered.
Khan couldn't help but lift his eyebrows. Lord Exr couldn't have spoken randomly. He must have chosen his words, which theoretically extended past Neuria and Monica.
"My Lord," Khan announced, "If you trust my word on this, how is Cegnore any different?"
"It isn't," Lord Exr stated, crossing his huge arms before his chest. "How sure you are about your theory, Captain Khan?"
That sudden change of pace tried to startle Khan, but he had too much experience in that field to lose his cool. Lord Exr was asking him a direct question. That was his chance to get what he wanted.
"Quite sure," Khan responded. "Though, depending on the situation in your trenches, the results might differ, both in the good and bad sense."
"What do you mean by good and bad?" Lord Exr asked.
"My Lord, respectfully, I should be the one to ask that question," Khan declared. "What would you consider good or bad for your trenches?"
Lord Exr wore a confident smile. He had liked that answer. He was looking for something similar, and Khan had also already proven himself to be unique.
"I can arrange something," Lord Exr said, interrupting himself to search for the right human word, "Unorthodox. The Thilku can make use of a bait."
"My Lord," Khan shook his head, "I'm a soldier. I want to fight."
"Those are my trenches," Lord Exr declared. "What you want is inconsequential."
"Let my strength speak then," Khan pressed on. "I can be an asset, just like I was on Neuria."
"The Empire doesn't need help fighting its wars," Lord Exr uttered.
"It's my war, too," Khan responded, ripping open the upper side of his uniform to expose his scar. "It has been for almost fifteen years."
Lord Exr was aware of Khan's scar, but the gesture still affected him. Khan wasn't acting as a politician. He was risking insulting Lord Exr to have things his way. Normally, that would be a problem, but Lord Exr saw something different due to the unique situation.
Khan was a security hazard for the Thilku trenches. However, Lord Exr saw no political interest on his face. Khan wasn't trying to push his career further. He only wanted to fight monsters.
"My Lord," Khan continued, resorting to words Lord Exr knew very well, "Is the blood I spilled not worth this chance?"
Lord Exr smiled again. He liked the soldier side of Khan's personality. He truly was an odd human in the alien's eyes, but not in a negative sense.
"The Empire doesn't do charity," Lord Exr scoffed. "I'll let you fight if that's what you want, but only as a common soldier. You'll have to follow orders from Thilku you outrank according to your government."
"Rank has no relevance on the battlefield," Khan commented, lowering his head in respect. "Thank you for understanding, my Lord."
"The moment you become a hindrance," Lord Exr announced, "You'll become a simple bait. You have been warned, Captain Khan."
Lord Exr was showing a more domineering side while talking to Khan, and the latter could guess why. Khan had offered himself as a soldier, so Lord Exr had regressed to a commander. In short, politics had left the call, and Khan could only rejoice at the event.
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