W

C542 Path

The politeness and mutual respect remained strong for the rest of the meeting. Headmistress Holwen, her companions, and the alien leader exchanged basic pleasantries typical to that political environment without going too deep into the investigation's details or specifics.

Khan didn't expect anything different. The Thilku and the Global Army were testing the waters to see where they stood. Actual political actions would require further authorizations, preparations, and deals which the people in the meeting didn't have the authority to grant.

Khan could only remain silent while those pleasantries flew. His role in that meeting was over, so he focused on the mana and other details to better understand the situation.

The possibility of a cross-species investigation scared both sides for obvious reasons. Any criminal presence would make a party lose face in front of its allies. None of that could hit the public eye. Heavy repercussions could unfold otherwise.

Nevertheless, the existence of that bomb had to lead somewhere. The investigation had to happen. Only the how had yet to become clear.

Khan could easily understand the Thilku's perspective when he compared it to the human situation. The Global Army had much to learn from the alien criminals since they would be aware of political secrets and hidden routes. The same went for the Thilku, but the fact that humankind had the bomb put them at a disadvantage.

If an investigation were to happen, the Global Army would probably push for it to stretch into the Thilku's domain. That was a natural consequence of the current situation, and the Thilku could only delay the inevitable.

'They'll probably try to give us scapegoats,' Khan understood when the meeting seemed about to end. 'That will make everyone happy and give them a chance to perform private investigations.'

Of course, nothing similar ever escaped the teams' mouths, but Khan had studied enough to understand those details. Monica had also walked him through those topics, so he knew his hypothesis was reasonable. Khan actually didn't mind that development. He only wanted to benefit from it.

"I think it's time for you to see the bomb," Headmistress Holwen eventually announced, distracting Khan from his thoughts. "Don't you agree?"

"It would move this meeting forward," The alien leader agreed.

"Please, then," Headmistress Holwen stated, pointing at the hall's exit. "We already have a ship ready, and the team is in position. Why don't you make yourselves comfortable for now?"

"We can't allow comfort during a mission," The alien leader declared. "However, we'll do our best to enjoy your hospitality."

"That's enough," Headmistress Holwen uttered. "We'll see you in a few minutes."

The only fourth-level warrior among the human team led the aliens outside the hall, leaving the Headmistress, her three companions, and Khan inside. Those higher-ups' composure slightly relaxed when the exit closed, but Khan saw their eyes converging on him right afterward.

"To think you'd challenge a Thilku to a fight," The old man wearing the Thilku's clothing exclaimed. "I heard about you, Captain Khan, but it looks like the rumors don't do you justice."

"This is Mister Cirvags," Headmistress Holwen intervened. "He commands all the Harbor's offices connected to the Thilku. The Thilku themselves consider him as a friend as stated by his clothes."

"I have been in this field for over fifty years," Mister Cirvags revealed. "I must say, this is the first time someone has made such a good impression on the Thilku."

"Thank you, sir," Khan uttered, performing a military salute with one arm. "I have a way with aliens."

"I heard that too," Mister Cirvags responded, scratching his short beard. "Though, your actions have been reckless. Were you to lose, the meeting would have gone far differently."

"I knew I could take him, sir," Khan declared, "And so did you."

Khan's confidence didn't trigger any scolding. The Headmistress scoffed, Mister Cirvags kept scratching his beard, and one of the other men smiled. The mana also confirmed that reaction. The group liked Khan's answer.

"The confidence is on point," Mister Cirvags stated, "But your accent is way off. I don't allow slackers into my offices."

"He still has more than a month," The smiling man announced. "By the way, I'm Cecil Usten, Captain. I oversee any interspecies operation in the Harbor."

"And I'm Clark Onsai," The last man declared. "I'm Professor Parver's boss. Well, I oversee most of the Harbor's scientific department, and many specialists are willing to vouch for you."

Khan could vaguely understand where that conversation was going but still asked a question to clarify that point. "What are you offering me?"

"That's a talk for another time," Headmistress Holwen intervened again. "You should focus on studying now. We can talk once your last tests' results are out."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, ma'am," Khan voiced, "But it seems it would be better if I studied the Thilku language and politics too."

"If you can handle it," Headmistress Holwen remained vague. "Many doors will open for you after your graduation. You'd only have to choose one."

"I understand, ma'am," Khan nodded.

"Now, your presence isn't necessary for the rest of the meeting," Headmistress Holwen revealed. "A ship will be ready for you in a few minutes. If I were you, I'd go home and put my business in order."

Khan didn't say anything but understood what the Headmistress meant. He would have to make important decisions about his future in the next months, and his home still had responsibilities that could affect them.

"It was a pleasure, Captain Khan," Mister Onsai stated, slightly lowering his head in respect. "If the situation were any different, my offices wouldn't have hesitated to send a few offers of their own."

"I concur," Mister Usten added. "Still, hopefully, you'll become free soon enough. I'm sure we'll have another conversation at that point."

"Let's not make our guests wait," Headmistress Holwen reminded. "Captain, it's better if you wait for the appointed team to summon you. You don't have clearance for most of these areas anyway."

"It was a pleasure, Headmistress," Khan politely exclaimed. "Sirs."

The group nodded and exchanged pleased expressions before heading for the exit. Khan kept his head lowered the whole time, but the closing of the metal doors made him lift it. Still, his eyes never looked at the metal. He had too much to think about to care about the hall.

'A job with the Thilku,' Khan immediately realized. 'That's my ticket into the ambassador's field.'

The Headmistress and her companions had kept everything vague, but their words had sounded more than obvious to Khan. He also knew his unique position. He had played a key role in discovering the bomb, so it made sense for the Global Army to want him as part of the investigation.

'A political job,' Khan thought, unable to stop the excitement rising in him. 'A real political job.'

That was the first real step toward Khan's main goal. The Thilku were only one of the alien species the Global Army had relationships with, but that didn't change the truth. Joining that world would give Khan political power and knowledge over interspecies politics. He could really start investigating the Nak from there.

Of course, everything had a price, and the Headmistress' companions had vaguely mentioned them. Mister Onsai and Mister Usten were leaders of different areas willing to offer Khan more positions. By opting for the political field, he would close those doors for an unknown amount of time.

Khan didn't forget how everything had started with Raymond either. The latter could have very well predicted that outcome and prepared accordingly. There was a chance Mister Cirvags' offices had spies or proper criminals. It would actually be reasonable since a Thilku bomb had managed to reach the Harbor's system.

'Though I can't refuse it, can I?' Khan considered. 'It's too good for my career.'

An ordinary soldier wouldn't have the chance to refuse direct orders, but Khan didn't belong to that group. He had many families on his side which could offer valuable alternatives. Nothing forced him to continue working for the Global Army, but that probably was his best option. He risked losing his freedom otherwise.

Khan carefully adjusted his brace. His shoulder had hurt a bit during the battle, but nothing serious had happened. Yet, that pain reminded him about Monica's warning and the problems connected with that situation.

'They might send me out of the Harbor,' Khan thought, 'And I can't leave Francis and Wayne alone. It would reflect poorly on my image.'

The Headmistress had been clear on that point, but Khan didn't need her warning. He had already considered multiple options for his companions. Francis was relatively easy to handle, but Wayne was a big problem, and Khan needed help with him.

'I have to call another political meeting, don't I?' Khan cursed.

The sole thought of having so many descendants in the flat again tried to trigger a headache, but Khan couldn't find better options. Wayne needed specialists to undo Mister Chares' psychological training, and only the families could offer that service without asking too many questions.

'More meetings,' Khan sighed, 'More study, more politics.'

Khan couldn't look forward to the next period, but a new determination appeared in that mess. If he played his cards well, he would get on the path that could finally bring answers to his greatest curse. He might finally find the Nak.

To be continued