Chapter 257: Legs

The soldier had short black hair and bright brown eyes. His happy and loud gestures didn't appear appropriate in his current location, but the men and women around him didn't seem fazed by them. 

Khan inspected the soldiers in the area before glancing at Lieutenant Holger. The Doctor nodded and stepped aside and crossed her arms behind her back. The men and women on the interactive table revealed similar reactions. They resumed their study of the map without bothering that one of them had left them to walk toward the largest habitation in the quadrant.

'He must be a captain,' Khan concluded in his mind before hurrying behind the powerful soldier. 

The man didn't say anything as he approached his habitation and unlocked the metal door with his phone. Then, he stood in front of the entrance and gestured to Khan to get inside.

The habitation's insides partially confirmed Khan's guess. The initial area was quite big and featured multiple doors. He could see a series of armchairs, one round table, and an interactive desk at its bottom. A few screens also hung from the walls and revealed openings meant for phones or similar devices.

Khan could immediately notice the ring stolen from the Stal on the interactive desk. Two phones stood next to the item, but they all featured multiple cracks that he could connect to his spell.

"Your companions told me that you have faced an entire trench and multiple vehicles on your own," The man stated as he closed the door behind Khan and walked toward the other side of the room. "Soldiers like you are rare, especially on Ecoruta. No one wants to fight properly here."

"I thought the orders to remain inside the trenches came from HQ, sir," Khan politely replied as the man tinkered with the interactive desk to open a drawer.

"That's because HQ doesn't want to win," The soldier announced while placing a bottle and two glasses on the desk. "The Global Army has nothing to gain from a complete victory. This isn't our planet, and the Guko would definitely renegotiate the terms of our alliance after the war ends. The current situation is theoretically perfect since it allows us to benefit from those aliens without giving them too much power."

Khan lowered his eyes as the soldier began to pour the booze in the glasses. He could finally understand the reasons behind HQ's orders. Forcing Ecoruta to remain at war granted a constant flow of resources and new technology without giving anything back to the Guko.

"Does it anger you that the Global Army is trading human lives for technology and resources?" The man asked before pushing one glass forward and pointing at a chair in front of the desk.

"I'm just a soldier, sir," Khan lied while approaching the chair. "I follow orders and do my best to survive."

"Is that so?" The man scoffed. "It pains me to see that such a promising soldier can't trust his superiors, but I can't blame you. I bet you would have tried to remain on Nitis if you had the chance."

Khan didn't sit nor answer. He stood next to the chair and kept his aloof eyes on the soldier. The latter appeared truly sad, but he couldn't drop his guard so easily.

"HQ's behavior angers me," The man eventually admitted as he sat behind the desk and pointed at the chair next to Khan again. "Sure, the war is granting immense benefits to humankind, but I can't simply watch as my soldiers die due to awful strategies. I want to change things, but my authority barely covers the thirty-seventh battalion."

Khan sat and took the glass. The strong smell of booze reached his nostrils as he glanced at the amber liquid. He wanted to drink, but he waited for the soldier to finish his speech.

"I have a plan to improve things for the thirty-seventh battalion," The man continued. "The news of the anti-mana project had forced HQ to grant me some freedom. The assault team has to take care of the underground labs, but nothing stops it from attacking settlements and seizing vehicles on the surface."

'Does he want to use the team as his personal army?' Khan wondered. 'His reasons aren't bad, but he is also planning to use human lives to pursue his goals.'

"Were the reports wrong?" The man asked when he saw that Khan had yet to say anything or drink from his cup. "I thought you liked drinking."

"It felt impolite to start without you, sir," Khan lied, and the soldier laughed before taking a sip from his glass.

Khan could only drink at that point. A pleasant burning sensation filled his mouth and throat. He could feel that the booze's quality surpassed everything experienced in the past, but he didn't show any reaction.

"I guess I can't gain your trust with expensive booze and nice words," The man laughed. "Yet, I still need your help. The assault team will have a few second-level warriors, but I need you in charge of the weaker soldiers."

"I can do that, sir," Khan stated before raising his right hand, "But I won't be at my best until my hand heals."

"Don't worry about that," The soldier exclaimed. "The Stal must have already moved the labs. We'll always be one step behind them, so it's better to take our time and prepare something that they can't stop. You will spend the next month here to recover."

Khan internally rejoiced at that news. He didn't care about his injuries, but he wanted to understand what he had achieved with the chaos element before jumping into another battle.

"My question had another meaning," The man exclaimed. "I wanted to know if you were willing to cooperate with my plan. That might involve partially lying about your reports."

"I'll do as you ask me, sir," Khan declared without showing any hesitation.

The man's words had sounded like a trick question, but Khan didn't let them sway him. He couldn't say no to a superior, especially during a war. Also, he would just come clean and blame the soldier if someone with a higher rank showed up.

The man didn't seem satisfied with that answer. He scratched his hair and inspected Khan as he took small sips from his cup. Khan couldn't understand what the soldier was thinking, but his face remained aloof and calm.

"Let's try to change approach," The man eventually sighed. "I'm Captain Jason Clayman. I'll become a Lieutenant Colonel in a matter of years. Help me, and you'll have an ally in the higher ranks. Is that enough to show me your true face?"

Khan had to admit that he didn't expect that sudden change in the Captain's behavior. Still, he couldn't continue pretending now that the soldier had shown his cards.

"I had many important things on my phone," Khan replied. "What will happen to them?"

"Everything is stored in the network, hidden by your genetic signature," Captain Clayman explained. "You'll gain access to everything you have lost once you receive your next phone. I've also commissioned a device that can resist your element. You won't even have to worry about the things you have taken from Lieutenant Pouille's phone."

"What about eventual rewards?" Khan asked. "The Global Army knows about the anti-mana project because I've made my team escape. That ring must also have its uses in its broken state, am I right?"

"You can name whatever you want," Captain Clayman exclaimed.

"I might need help there," Khan responded. "I already have two good martial arts, a first-grade weapon, and a training program for my element. I don't know what else I should ask for."

Captain Clayman's eyes widened in surprise before his mouth opened to create a satisfied smirk. He had predicted that Khan would have been an interesting soldier, and those last words only confirmed that idea. Khan had expressed his ignorance without any shame since the matter involved his strength.

"I've read your file," Captain Clayman replied while placing his legs on the interactive desk and glancing toward a random spot in the room. "What you have is already a lot for most first-level warriors. You can ask for synthetic mana, other spells, or knowledge. I'll send you a list once HQ gives you a new phone."

Khan nodded in satisfaction. He had faced his limits during the recent escape, and he couldn't wait to get rid of them. A second spell might help him avoid some of his weaknesses, and he didn't mind learning more about the world of mana.

"So, can I trust you?" Captain Clayman asked and forced Khan to snap back to reality. "I won't hide that your team will have to face dangers, but your companions in the thirty-seventh battalion will have it far easier if you succeed."

"Expanding can't be the only solution, sir," Khan stated. "Most soldiers here come from difficult situations that have never allowed them to develop their power, and being stuck inside a trench doesn't help. They need teachers, training areas, and actual combat experience."

"Small steps, Khan," The Captain declared. "HQ must feel forced to send them after we clear a large area. Focus on securing victories and clearing the underground structure. I'll take care of improving your companions' life here."

"I'll take my leave then," Khan exclaimed before gulping the remains of his drink and standing up to perform a military salute.

"Right, one last thing," Captain Clayman announced. "This stuff about the anti-mana project is a secret. I'm the only one in the entire battalion who knows about it, except for your friends, of course. HQ wants things to remain like this. Are we clear?"

"What about the assault team?" Khan asked.

"Only trusted soldiers will join the team," The Captain explained. "Though I'd still refrain from speaking about it even during the missions."

"Understood," Khan stated before turning to leave the habitation.

"Khan?" Captain Clayman called before Khan could leave the room. "Try not to abuse your fame. I don't want to put limits on you, but this isn't Nitis. Let's retain a human behavior."

Captain Clayman winked when Khan glanced at him. Khan could only nod before leaving the habitation in a hurry. He had vaguely understood what the soldier wanted to say, but those words only gave birth to a bitter feeling inside his mind.

Khan felt a bit lost when the entirety of the camp expanded in his vision. It was already night, and he had no idea where to go. He didn't even know if the Captain had prepared a habitation for him.

"Sir, sir?" The young soldier that Khan had seen sleeping outside the medical bay called while running toward him.

The higher-ups sitting at the table glared at the young man, but they decided to ignore him when they saw that Khan was involved. Meanwhile, Khan tried to understand why that soldier was using such polite words to call him.

"Sir!" The man announced after stopping in front of Khan. "I will be your guide and assistant during your stay inside the camp."

Khan quickly inspected the man. He appeared only a few years older than him. His short golden hair and green eyes gave him features that looked too pure for a battlefield. Even his behavior didn't make Khan feel next to a warrior.

"What's your name?" Khan asked.

"Rick, sir!" The soldier shouted and claimed the attention of the higher-ups on the table again.

"Stop calling me sir," Khan sighed, "And lower your voice."

"I'm sorry, si-," Rick almost whispered before shutting his mouth to interrupt his line.

"Where is my habitation?" Khan asked.

"It's right here, in the second quadrant," Rick announced while pointing at the habitations past one of the roads that divided the camp. "I'm sure that you'll like it. Only the Lieutenants can get one of the big tents."

Rick began to walk toward the second quadrant, and Khan calmly followed him. A series of gazes fell on his figure as soon as he arrived among the various houses. Many soldiers had gathered into small groups to exchange words or drinks, and they didn't refrain from sizing Khan up when he passed in front of them.

A familiar atmosphere filled the second quadrant, but Khan inevitably compared it to Nitis. He had spent many nights among fellow soldiers, but the humans didn't have the Niqols' hospitality. None of them tried to greet Khan, but he didn't mind that.

The situation changed when Rick pointed at the largest habitation in the area. Khan studied it for a few seconds before diverting his attention on a few figures rushing toward his position.

"You took your time!" Delia shouted before exploding into a happy laugh.

"I'm surprised he managed to wake up so soon," Gloria commented.

"Are you?" One of the other soldiers asked. "I was surprised he could sleep at all."

"Shut up, idiot," The fourth soldier scolded. "Try to be polite. We are alive thanks to him."

"That was a compliment," The third soldier scoffed.

"It didn't sound like that," The fourth soldier complained.

"I see that you have recovered," Khan stated as a sad smirk appeared on his face. 

His platoon had initially counted more than thirty members, but only five of them had survived the imprisonment and escape. That was an incredible feat, but Khan didn't feel good anyway.

"Hey, no sad faces," Delia pouted while reaching Khan and checking his bandages. "You have been incredible out there."

Khan nodded without adding anything. Delia was right, but he couldn't decide how he felt. The aftereffects of the Wave spells were still filling his mind. He felt desperate even after going back to a safe area.

"Well, get out now," Delia stated to her three companions. "Khan still needs to rest. We can show him around tomorrow."

"They don't look so friendly," Khan joked while glancing at the soldiers who were still inspecting his group.

"They are just scared," Delia explained. "They have asked us many things about you while you were sleeping. I must say I struggled to believe my own words when I told them what you have done."

"I can blame you for this hospitality then," Khan joked.

"I just told them the truth," Delia complained. "Besides, I'm sure they'll grow more friendly once they get to know you."

"It's fine either way," Khan sighed. "I'll hit the bed for now. I'll think about everything else tomorrow."

"You can contact me from your habitation if you need anything," Rick exclaimed before performing a military salute.

Khan nodded and showed a fake smile toward his companions before approaching his house. Many thoughts weighed on his mind, and no one could help him sort them out. His feelings didn't listen to reason, and his element required tests that were too dangerous to perform among people.

The door of the habitation slid open as soon as Khan neared it. The area featured only a couch and a small table, but he could see that the house had three different rooms. He planned to inspect them before deciding what to do, but a figure slipped past the entrance before it could close.

"What are you doing here?" Khan smirked while turning to inspect Delia.

"You have promised me a drink," Delia reminded while taking out a small flask from her pocket. "I'm here to claim my reward."

"Did you want to remain alone with me so badly?" Khan teased as he threw himself on the couch.

"What if I said yes?" Delia giggled while taking her place on Khan's left. "Let me see your hand now. That thing is hideous, but it seems to do the job."

Khan stretched his right hand toward Delia, and she took his wrist carefully to study the metal item that kept his fingers and palm straight. Yet, she raised her legs and placed them on his lap during her inspection.

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Author's notes: It should take less than an hour for the next chapter.