Chapter 852 Arm
Khan and Major General Arngan had only interacted twice. Their first meeting had been during Colonel Norrett's attempted evolution, while the second was in the Harbor, right before Khan's promotion and lessons to the Global Army's scientists.
Nevertheless, the network saw the two men as allies. The General had sponsored Khan's promotion, publicly vouching for him and his expertise. He had even negotiated for higher benefits in exchange for his knowledge. His support for Khan was undeniable, and many believed he had played a role in avoiding sentences for the slaughters.
As for Khan, he had a good impression of the General. Even without his friendship with Colonel Norrett, he would like the man, which made him hesitant toward the message. Khan didn't want to refuse his request for help but would prefer to provide it once things were safer.
Still, the choice wasn't up to Khan, and Alexander's arrival to Baoway didn't prevent him from interrupting his training and returning to the city's main building. Scenes of landing ships had filled his memories of the last period, and a new one joined the fray once the intended day arrived.
Khan stood alone on the building's terrace, watching the small ship descend toward him before stopping and releasing a metal ramp that touched the floor. Major General Arngan's massive figure soon appeared on it, and his frame grew bigger as he approached Khan.
Major General Arngan couldn't help but arch his eyebrows at Khan's attire. He had heard about the Thilku cape, but that was his first time seeing him with the bone crown, armor, and war paint. His alien vibe couldn't be more evident, but that wasn't enough to slow down his steps.
"No fiancée this time?" Major General Arngan asked, stretching his artificial arm toward Khan.
"She is busy training," Khan explained, shaking the General's fake hand.
"She got an infusion, right?" Major General Arngan questioned, letting go of Khan as the two started walking toward the terrace's door. "Will she reach the fourth level?"
"She'll reach it sooner than her peers," Khan explained without adding further details.
"Aren't you her peer, too?" The General wondered.
"I'm me," Khan stated, and the General smirked.
The two men entered the building, silently going through it to reach one of the many halls. Couches, tables, luxurious carpets, and drapes filled the area, but Khan and the General disregarded the furniture to head toward the already-open booze.
"How is the Colonel?" Khan asked as the two sat down on opposite couches.
"He made a full recovery," Major General Arngan replied, "But you knew that already."
"The network can be unreliable," Khan commented.
"You could have called," The General pointed out.
"I've been busy," Khan said.
"I've heard," Major General Arngan uttered. "Do you blame me for the mess?"
Khan had already gone through half of his glass during that short exchange, and the question made him gulp down the remaining booze. The General had promised support in exchange for the lessons, but everything had ultimately culminated in the assassination attempt.
"No," Khan admitted. "Did you help me get rid of the higher-ups?"
"Yes," Major General Arngan claimed. "You were short, but I owed you that much."
"Does this mean I owe you now?" Khan wondered. His expression didn't change, but the General sensed a new intensity in his gaze.
The General didn't shy away from Khan's intensity. His aura actually matched it, creating a tense stalemate that would make first-level warriors faint. Luckily, the two were alone in the hall, so no casualties happened.
"I thought I'd ask it as a favor," Major General Arngan explained. "Personal favor."
The General didn't need to explain what the favor was, and Khan didn't ask. Both men weren't fond of pleasantries and political games, so neither pretended to be in the dark.
"I planned to send you the offer," Khan revealed, "Once the medical trials showed promising results."
"You can never be too sure," Major General Arngan commented. "Nobles working with the public, aliens walking among us, humans wearing crowns. These are strange times."
"I didn't forget who helped me," Khan clarified.
"Why didn't you hire the Bizelli kid, then?" Major General Arngan asked. "He's the one who taught you about the evolution."
A memory unlocked in Khan's brain. He had done his best to include all his allies, but reinforcing the planet had been his priority. Also, he had been so busy the matter had inevitably slipped past him.
"I forgot," Khan admitted, refilling his glass. "I'll find him a spot in my labs."
"Overwhelming, isn't it?" Major General Arngan smirked. "That's why I never pursued politics. They are a headache."
Hearing a General uttering those words could make anyone doubt his rank, but Khan wasn't among them. He actually understood him. His life had turned into a seemingly endless series of political meetings, leaving almost no room for training or private time.
"I didn't have that freedom," Khan claimed. "It was this or killing half of the Global Army."
"I know what I would have chosen," Major General Arngan snorted.
"It's still on the table," Khan reassured.
"You would have to take on me there," Major General Arngan pointed out.
"Then," Khan declared. "I would take on you."
"I'm strong, you know?" Major General Arngan claimed.
"I know," Khan stated.
"This is the cocky brat I remember," Major General Arngan laughed. "You didn't let this environment dull you."
The General refilled his drink before gulping it down in one sip and refilling it again. He had regained part of the carefree and uncaring attitude of the previous meetings, but Khan saw some seriousness behind it.
"I thought you were ready to become a lazy old man," Khan commented. "What changed?"
"I thought that, too," Major General Arngan admitted, inspecting his fake arm. "With my path toward power blocked, my fighting days were over. I thought taking a side would have been enough, but one's nature is hard to oppose."
Khan also looked at the fake arm but didn't inspect it. His mind focused on the General's words, diving into thoughts buried deep into his brain. As much as the idea saddened Khan, he agreed with the General.
"You understand, don't you?" Major General Arngan asked, looking at Khan. "We belong to the same breed. We prefer mud over pillows, rocks over mattresses, and blood over breasts."
The General's words made Khan recall Reebfell and Cora. He had abandoned peace and a loving woman for adventure and chaos. That decision had pained him, but he knew he would make it again and again. Khan wouldn't even hesitate about it.
'Luckily, Baoway is messy,' Khan thought. 'Still, how long will this last?'
"So," Khan spoke to distract himself, "You just want to fight again."
"I want to see what's past this," The General claimed, spreading his arms to indicate his whole body. "I don't plan on letting brats surpass me."
Khan finally understood the root of the General's new attitude. The possibility of clearing his path toward the evolution had rekindled his ambition, sparking a new life into his being.
"You want in the medical trials," Khan exclaimed, "You have it."
"I want in now," Major General Arngan announced.
"The trials have yet to start," Khan said, "And the first rounds are bound to be dangerous."
"The Fuveall implants require strong flesh," Major General Arngan pointed out. "Do you have a better candidate than me?"
Those words revealed more details about the General. He sounded knowledgeable about the Fuveall, and something told Khan that he didn't learn that overnight.
"Did you already look into it?" Khan questioned.
"I did," Major General Arngan revealed. "Many refused even to approach the topic. The others failed."
"What makes you think it would be any different now?" Khan asked.
"You," The General stated. "You are the difference."
"It's not like I'll have anything to do with the trials," Khan said. "My scientists and the Fuveall will handle them."
"Worried for me now?" Major General Arngan teased. "See it as sticking to the side I've chosen. Besides, miracles seem to love you."
"What is this side you keep mentioning?" Khan finally questioned. He had guesses but wanted the General to explain it adequately.
"You must have noticed it by now," Major General Arngan stated. "The Global Army is divided, with many parties focused on salvaging the power they have accumulated. I don't want this for humankind."
"You people should stop putting your dreams on my shoulders," Khan declared. "Everything I do is for myself."
"You keep at it," The General exclaimed. "Just give me a proper arm in the meantime."
Khan felt the conversation couldn't go any further. Actually, he had always known the General would have gotten what he wanted. Khan wouldn't refuse his request, especially when it was labeled as a personal favor.
"If you lift that arm against me," Khan said, diving into the couch to assume a more relaxed posture, "I will turn it into dust."
"Spare me the threats," Major General Arngan snorted, copying Khan's relaxed stance. "Moreover, tell me some news. I can make Mark jealous if I end up knowing more than him."
Khan almost gave in to the urge to smile, but another thought invaded his mind. The conversation couldn't completely distract him from his worries, leading to an honest question.
"General," Khan called, "When you had given up on the evolution, did the peace feel good?"
"No," Major General Arngan replied, and neither man touched the topic again.