Khan recalled distant memories and alien words that seemed to belong to a different life. At once, he knew he had made a mistake. He had pushed things too far, blinded by an unattainable goal.
'[It's not up to me to decide],' Khan thought in the Nele language. '[A true leader is chosen by others].'
The Niqols had accepted Khan. The Ef'i liked him, the Nele trusted him, and the Thilku welcomed him. Khan had achieved great results with those species without forcing those relationships to improve, but the Global Army was an exception.
Khan could best define his relationship with humankind as rocky. He had built good and trustworthy connections over his life, but those feats had often involved compromises and mutual benefits. Khan also pursued them out of necessity due to his lofty goals.
