Chapter 746 Ride
The evolution process was something few were privy to. Ordinary soldiers would lack the resources, time, and will to reach the fifth level, let alone aim for higher realms of power.
However, Fergus was far from ordinary. He wasn't only a Major with special access to classified information and techniques. The Global Army had also allowed him to test his element against chaos wielders, which were rare. That spoke for his overall status and hinted at the depth of his knowledge.
Fergus' look at Khan confirmed that theory. The man knew what was happening to his body and understood the liquid's positive properties. Humankind could definitely use it, and things didn't end there.
The dark green liquid was merely the raw product of an alien plant. Humankind had the technology to isolate its positive properties and bring out its full potential. Fergus' experience probably was only a small taste of what the future could hold.
Of course, the potential applications were still unknown, but Fergus instantly believed that path was worth exploring. That certainty grew even deeper when he added the Scalqa's flesh to the equation. Baoway could become a turning point in humankind's history, and Khan was the only man standing in the way.
Khan didn't avoid Fergus' gaze. He stared him back, almost challenging him to take action. He could basically read what was happening inside his mind, and his rational side didn't blame his paranoia.
Baoway's seemingly immense potential benefits would tempt any soldier. Even the most honorable man would consider eliminating Khan to ensure his species' supremacy. After all, it was a matter of sacrificing the individual for the greater good.
Yet, Fergus soon broke the stare and lowered his head. As tempted as he was, the mission was still obtaining results, and Khan was at their center. He was both a hindrance and the reason behind the recent discoveries.
"We must analyze this," Fergus commented, his head still lowered.
"It's sort of sacred for them," Khan explained. "I'm working on it."
"Specifics?" Fergus questioned.
"Worst option," Khan announced, "I'll seize a settlement and establish new rules."
"Why haven't you done that already?" Fergus wondered.
"You don't want me on their side," Khan stated.
Fergus lifted his head before wearing a smirk. Khan's gall never ceased to amaze him, but their recent exchange justified it in his mind. It seemed the mission was in good hands as long as Khan continued to work for his species.
"[Rok-Go]," Khan eventually called, pointing at the rectangular tent. "[Training]."
Rok-Go nodded without lifting his head. Khan had basically gained free access to the rectangular tent in the last period, so his requests had become a mere matter of politeness. The settlement also knew about that, and no Scalqa got in his way as he headed for that habitation.
The scene filled Fergus with curiosity. Khan seemed a proper citizen of the settlement or an honored guest of the tribe. The Scalqa even moved away at his passage, hinting at their respect for him.
Amy and Zu-Gru sat down beside Fergus, interrupting his inspection. Still, the former showed a knowing smile to the Major. It was hard to put into words the fame Khan had achieved in the quadrant, but the scene gave him a general idea, and the same went for the crowd near the ships.
"He is as good as the rumors say," Fergus commented as some Scalqa lifted the cauldron to remove it.
"He's even better than that," Amy declared. "It's scary when you think about his age."
"Did you get him into your quarters yet?" Fergus asked.
"He is properly in love," Amy revealed. "It makes me kind of envious."
"Keep trying," Fergus ordered. "That's the safest course of action."
"I wouldn't mind riding him," Amy chuckled. "I want to taste the prowess that made human and alien princesses fall for him."
"What are you waiting for then?" Fergus asked. "He won't refuse you if you jump on him."
"Don't even joke about it," Amy shook her head. "I've barely gotten to the point where he accepts my jokes. He would have killed me on the spot earlier."
"How loyal," Fergus praised. "At least we know the implants are working."
"They are," Amy confirmed. "Though I wouldn't wait too long. Whatever is inside that tent is changing him. He might learn to see past us."
"Baoway's riches are unexpected," Fergus sighed. "I'll give it a month to gather information, and then we can act."
"You are being too optimistic," Amy said.
"You just need to succeed once," Fergus explained.
"You are underestimating him," Amy responded. "Or, maybe you hope it won't come to a battle. Did he scare you so much?"
"Did you forget I'm your superior?" Fergus questioned.
"You are the one who came back naked," Amy giggled. "I don't blame you. He is a proper monster."
Fergus fell silent. The conversation bordered on treason, but no one in the area could understand the two. Moreover, Amy and Fergus were wearing their usual expressions, leaving Zu-Gru, Kru-Zi, and Rok-Go clueless about their intentions.
"I can't lose in a frontal clash," Fergus explained. "Nor any clash, but I can't stop him from flying away."
"We have a contingency plan for that," Amy revealed. "Though he might destroy your ship first."
"That's a loss our employer can cover," Fergus declared. "What matters is keeping the Empire out of this."
"We can't fumble the mission either," Amy pointed out. "Not now that the higher-ups know what's down there."
"It will be clean," Fergus promised.
"Clean?" Amy repeated. "He is a chaos wielder, you know."
"Careful," Fergus warned. "You almost sound like you admire him."
"I'm just a young maiden in the end," Amy said. "The Major can have my heart whenever he wants."
"Keep talking like this," Fergus exclaimed, "And you'll be added to the list."
"I know," Amy sighed. "After all, it's either him or all of us. What a waste of a good man."
"Hopefully, you'll get to experience him first," Fergus reassured.
"You are being too optimistic," Amy repeated.
Of course, Khan had no way to listen to his companions' conversation from inside the rectangular tent. His attention had already moved to the plant, and his mind had fallen into the meditative state to benefit from the toxic influence.
Truth be told, Khan's body had begun building some tolerance toward the plant's influence. The change wasn't noticeable and could have multiple explanations, but he still didn't miss it.
The change made sense theoretically. Khan's body wasn't only insane when it came to tolerance. He was also exposing it to the toxic influence daily, which obviously would lead to similar results.
However, the overall growth could also be to blame. Khan was getting stronger rapidly, and his flesh was changing, too. He might have reached the limit of what was achievable through exposure alone. The greater results might be locked behind the liquid or substances with a concentrated version of its properties.
Nevertheless, Khan was in no hurry. The exposure to the toxic influence was still bringing benefits, so he would monopolize that resource as long as possible. Once his growth hit a wall, he would rely on his team or the newly arrived lab to develop a more advanced training method.
The day passed in the blink of an eye. At some point, Rok-Go returned inside the tent to sit beside Khan, but neither spoke or disturbed the other. The two had grown used to their respective presence and knew what to expect from each other.
Khan's increased tolerance could make him stay far longer inside the tent. He could even spend the entire night and the following morning without losing himself to passive intoxication. However, he cared about the meetings with the team to share updates and make sure nothing was amiss.
The arrival of the new team didn't change Khan's routine. He had set a silent alarm on his phone, which buzzed to warn him about the late hour. The signal made him exit the tent, where he quickly found Amy, Fergus, and Zu-Gru immersed in a conversation with Kru-Zi.
"Welcome back, Khan," Amy announced with her usual cheerful vibe.
Khan mustered a faint smile before inspecting his surroundings. His eyes lit up, but he couldn't see anything different in the environment. He knew he was improving, but the gradual growth made it hard to notice and acknowledge actual changes.
"How did it go?" Khan asked, reaching Kru-Zi's side to perform a bow.
"I promised more supplies tomorrow," Amy explained. "I was thinking we could show them a rifle."
"Let's do that," Khan agreed. "[Sky tribe sling tomorrow]."
Kru-Zi appeared intrigued and stood up to match Khan's bow. The alien had improved at the gesture, and his movement made the rest of the human team imitate him.
"However," Amy exclaimed.
"I skip the tent tomorrow," Khan interrupted. "At least for the duration of the demonstration. It's better to have me around in that instance."
"You read my mind," Amy giggled before wearing a teasing pout. "Am I getting too obvious?"
"It was the wise decision," Khan said. "Obvious isn't bad in that case."
"That sounded like a compliment," Fergus commented. "Is she your protégé?"
"I'd like to," Amy announced. "Though I'd have to ask Miss Solodrey's permission first."
"I'm not teaching anymore," Khan shook his head. "I will write a recommendation letter if the mission goes well. As for my fiancée, I'll handle her."
Amy chuckled, Fergus smirked, and Khan also wore a carefree expression. Zu-Gru followed them, and the group continued to chit-chat as they exited the settlement.