Chaos Heir

The network kept raging about Khan's last move, but he ignored the complaints and focused on his training while the quadrant grew and adjusted to its changes.

Luckily, the Fuveall were nowhere similar to the Ef'i and Thilku. They had no interest in proving themselves superior to other species through barbaric battles in the arena. Moreover, they feared the Empire, so they kept their distance and focused on their tasks.

The arena obviously came first. Khan wanted the tournament to start as soon as possible, and gathering the resources needed for the attempted implants required time. He also had to build specific structures for the Fuveall, but his inner circle was more than prepared to handle the task.

Abraham had now settled on Baoway, and his scientific expertise made him the de-facto intermediary for the Fuveall team. Sen-nu and the others were also happy to interact with someone who spoke their tech language, so their meetings went smoothly.

Baoway's environment remained messy due to the different parties and strong personalities clustered together in the same quadrant. Yet, that slightly unruly, loud, and chaotic scenery was the most peaceful balance the planet could achieve. Customs and hidden rules even took life as that cohabitation continued, creating a diverse but functioning organization.

For all intents and purposes, Khan's domain had become almost untouchable. His noble status shielded him from most of the Global Army, and his planet's many guests and businesses prevented his family's factions from attacking him directly. Some were even curious about the tournament's outcome, delaying their decision on their stance toward Khan until after the event.

Nevertheless, as much as the political environment had reached a peaceful stalemate, things didn't stay still, especially after Khan's latest move. When the tournament was announced, he attracted much attention to himself, which mostly came from poorer families. Even the ordinary and nameless soldiers looked into him, seeing hopes they never dared to consider.

Amassing the equipment requested by Sen-nu was easy, but finding volunteers for the medical trial turned out to be easier. Countless messages flooded Hyper-Privacy's servers, all begging to join the ranks of Khan's organization. Those people didn't mind becoming guinea pigs as long as they gained the chance of enlisting under him.

That trend wasn't too surprising. The common folk had always admired Khan, and his fame had only turned sour due to the connection between his new status and his seemingly mental behavior.

However, Khan's public figure and moves made him different from his fellow nobles, and his mental-like behavior was a double-faced coin. His enemies had to fear his lack of rules and manners, but his allies could see that as the ultimate shield.

Khan didn't abide by anyone's rules, and that freedom could extend to his underlings. The Global Army's ocean of nameless soldiers saw in him the chance to escape humankind's rigged system. As Khan knew, desperation was a strong fuel, and his species didn't lack it.

Things didn't stop at the desperate soldiers. Tournament aside, Baoway had turned into an appealing environment. Most descendants would have to rise far above their peers to gain the chance to interact with a single alien species, but flying to Khan's planet would instantly give them access to four.

Of course, that attention didn't change anything. Baoway wasn't a tourist destination, at least not yet, and the volunteers for the medical trial had to overcome many screenings before receiving the authorization to fly there. Khan didn't modify his strategy, but the trend cleared the way for a missing piece of the chessboard.

One afternoon, a Leviathan-class ship descended into Baoway's atmosphere, obscuring a big chunk of the main quadrant. Its arrival attracted everyone's attention, but the event wasn't unexpected, and things calmed down as the newcomer's identity became known.

The ship didn't land but released far smaller vehicles before heading for the space station orbiting the planet. Meanwhile, the rides headed for the city, landing in specific areas on top of the city's main buildings.

The landing was short-lived. Prince Thomas and Princess Rebecca welcomed the newcomers but promptly sent them away, marking a location on one of the ship's autopilots. The ride flew outside the city, quickly reaching an area filled with caves.

The ship landed in the first suitable spot, and a single figure crossed its metal bridge. The man inspected his surroundings before heading into the closest rocky openings. The area was dark, but a purple-red light illuminated its depths.

The man confidently advanced but halted his steps when he spotted a figure sitting cross-legged on the rocky ground. Khan had his eyes closed, but bright orbs floated above him, radiating a dangerous light.

"Grandson," Alexander called, announcing his presence. He knew the act was pointless, but the odd location didn't make him forget his manners.

Khan opened his eyes to inspect his Grandfather. Alexander hadn't changed in that period. Actually, he looked more tired than at their last meeting. That matched his history, but Khan found a different explanation.

"What did the other faction say?" Khan went straight to the point.

"Everything and nothing," Alexander sighed. "The usual."

"What's the usual?" Khan asked.

"Some threatened us," Alexander explained. "Others tried to leverage me into reclaiming my position as faction leader. A few even wanted to establish secret deals."

"They are divided," Khan summarized.

"They are always divided," Alexander claimed. "Where some see a threat, others see an opportunity."

Khan didn't reply, but both men knew they were in the best-case scenario. Division meant hesitation, which prevented the family from turning on Khan's faction. His organization would grow stronger during the delay, eventually becoming too powerful for those enemies to do anything about it.

"You shouldn't have summoned me," Alexander continued. "Keeping the old leader politically active hurts your authority."

"Only if the old leader is disloyal," Khan responded, "And his plots manage to end me."

"It's as you said," Alexander stated. "I'm too tired to plot against my Grandson, especially after he united the faction. I should just retire and try to enjoy my last days."

"You don't get that choice," Khan declared. "You'll work as long as I say so."

Alexander couldn't help but smile. He saw past Khan's war paint, crown, blue, messy hair, and accumulated dirt, noticing facial features he loved dearly. Khan was Elizabeth's spitting image, wearing an expression Alexander would have killed to see on her.

"You are the faction leader," Alexander said, lowering his head. "Your wish is my command."

Khan didn't like Alexander's prompt surrender, especially after that smile. Things still weren't good between the two, but Khan couldn't waste time patching up old wounds. He didn't care enough in the first place.

"I need more free time," Khan explained. "You'll handle the dynamics among all the guests here."

"The alien guests?" Alexander asked.

"Alien and human," Khan specified. "I can't be summoned whenever a remotely important figure lands."

"Thomas could have handled that," Alexander pointed out. "He has always been good at managing domains."

"Thomas is busy with something else," Khan explained shortly. "Only you have the authority, experience, and skills to replace me."

"I do have plenty of political experience," Alexander admitted, "But most alien guests are here for you. I believe they'll see the same weakness you saw when we first met."

"You will be representing me," Khan explained. "Find the strength to do it properly. I don't care how."

"But-" Alexander wanted to argue against that unreasonable demand, but Khan didn't let him.

"I'm fulfilling your dream, old man," Khan interrupted. "You can handle a few rowdy aliens."

Khan's demand still didn't make sense, but Alexander understood that justification wouldn't fly with him. It didn't matter if his mind couldn't handle those matters anymore. He had to rise to the occasion.

"Very well," Alexander uttered. "Do you have guidelines for me?"

"The humans can't do anything illegal in their quadrants," Khan stated. "They aren't under surveillance but can't believe they have complete freedom either."

"I've seen most of their parents rise to power," Alexander commented. "It was about time I met the new generation."

"My fiancée can deal with the Thilku," Khan continued. "Just support her. If they are bored, keep them busy with test fights in the arena."

"I have wanted to get to know Miss Solodrey for a while," Alexander admitted. "I have the opportunity to do that now."

"The Ef'i just want to fight," Khan said, ignoring the annoyance caused by Alexander's words. "Let them. Abraham is also preparing training grounds for them, which need testing."

"Are fights between species allowed?" Alexander asked.

"They are almost mandatory by now," Khan revealed. "Make them match the arena's tests."

"Killing two birds with one stone," Alexander praised. "What about the Fuveall? I know more are coming."

"They don't need much politics," Khan explained. "They won't create any problem as long as their projects are ongoing."

"So," Alexander understood, "I'll finalize the arena and their labs and authorize the medical trials."

"My Uncle will update you on everything else," Khan said. "You shouldn't have problems with the other nobles like that."

The Scalqa didn't need representatives, and Lieutenant Dyester was already there for them, so Khan didn't add anything else. Truth be told, he mainly wanted Alexander for the other nobles and his presence's weight. Having him on Baoway would add legality to his faction and moves, silencing the network's last doubts.

"I'll handle the nobles," Alexander promised. "As for everything else, are there exceptions to my role?"

"Lord Exr and, possibly, Lord Rsi will always require my presence," Khan explained. "Call me if the Ef'i get too heated, too. Also, there is a volunteer for the medical trials I can't ignore."

Khan drew his phone from his pelts, opening his flooded inbox. Jenny had filtered most messages away, but many had still reached his device due to the sender's relevance. Khan occasionally checked them, and one name ended up demanding his attention.

'Major General Arngan,' Khan thought. 'It's too early for you, but I can't refuse you, either.'

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