C545 Last Stretch
The meeting could happen any day, but Khan preferred to have it that very night to accelerate his return to the lessons. He risked falling behind in his studies otherwise.
The commotion caused by Lauter's crisis didn't wane in the previous weeks, so a single message from Monica made the descendants clear their schedules and gather in Khan's flat. Lucian, Lucy, Marcia, Zoe, John, Mark, Anita, George, and even Francis took their seats in the main hall, and Monica delivered drinks to everyone before officially starting that meeting.
"Well," Lucian announced, leaving his armchair and lifting his full glass. "I think I speak for everyone when I say congratulations are in order. You accomplished a major service for the Global Army and all of us, Captain."
Approving statements resounded in the main hall as the other descendants stood up and lifted their glasses. Only Khan remained on his couch and respectfully lowered his head to accept that praise.
"Please, sit," Khan chuckled, lifting his glass to join that toast. "Any soldier would have done the same in that situation."
"But few would have succeeded," Mark stated. "All our families wanted us to convey their gratitude. We were waiting for this opportunity."
"I'm flattered," Khan exclaimed. "Still, I'm tired of congratulations. I'd rather move to the friendly part of the meeting."
"And he decided to brag," George commented, returning to his seat. "You know, it's happening more often."
"It's not my problem I continue to be awesome," Khan joked.
"Can he be any cooler?" John whined, also falling back to his seat. The other descendants soon imitated him, putting an end to that toast.
"You are about to fall for him, John," Lucy teased.
"My heart is already his," John dramatically said, lifting his glass and cigarette toward the ceiling. "Mark, can't we kidnap him or something?"
"You can try," Monica hid her threat behind an elegant smile.
"I knew Monica would have jumped in his defense," Zoe giggled.
"She doesn't need to hide it anymore," Anita pointed out.
"You don't either," Marcia added. "You must be excited about your next trip."
"Hey, we don't talk about that today," George declared, keeping his gaze on the wall while Anita slid a finger into his palm. He took it but still pretended to be annoyed.
"We'll have time to tease George," Khan exclaimed, pointing his drink at Francis. "For now, I think the mission's true hero also deserves praise."
"I didn't do much," Francis politely smiled as everyone looked at him. "It's lucky that my family's training worked in that situation. I wasn't certain it would have with-."
Francis interrupted his line, but inspecting the descendants told him everyone knew the mission's details. Even something involving classified interspecies relationships couldn't escape those families' reach.
Of course, Khan knew about that general awareness. The Headmistress didn't make much public, but the news had already leaked. The Harbor had hidden some details, but the political world's upper echelon had learnt everything. Madam Solodrey and Francis' family would have spread everything themselves otherwise.
"You did a lot," Lucian praised. "Dealing with alien technology is no small feat, especially when it saves countless lives and one of the Harbor's main businesses."
"I kind of hated you after your stunt with Monica," John added, "But I guess you had your redemption arc."
"John, show some respect," Mark scolded.
"That's exactly what I did," John spread his arms to convey innocence.
"Lucian is right," Zoe announced. "My family asked me to extend their praise and an invitation."
"Count me in on that," Lucian added. "A dinner should be enough for a few conversations."
More compliments and invitations resounded, and Khan let everyone have their moment with Francis to solidify his position. Francis didn't have it too easy selling the lie, but his performance was good enough in those minutes.
"Okay, okay," Khan eventually intervened. "No one is taking Francis out without my supervision. His family put him in my care in the end."
"Do you have something to hide, Khan?" Lucy wondered.
"You have no idea," Khan laughed.
"We have all learnt enough," Lucian announced. "It's rare for a Captain to meet a Thilku delegation. Actually, it's almost unheard of."
Khan wasn't surprised, but traces of that feeling still appeared inside him. Only half a day had passed since the meeting, but the symphony told him those descendants were already aware of his presence there.
"He's not just a Captain," Monica stepped in, casually showing her ring. "Our union proves that."
"My presence was necessary due to the recent events," Khan explained shortly. "I'm sure you would have guessed that even without receiving specific information."
"We guessed far more than that," Lucian voiced.
"Rumors have already spread," Mark continued, bending forward and placing his drink on the table to join his hands. "I heard the embassy is building a political team, and you are part of it."
"I have nothing official to say," Khan remained vague. "I bet you all will learn about it before me."
"Goodbye to my hopes of spending the holidays together," John cursed.
"Didn't your family assign you to that luxury moon already?" Lucy wondered.
"I could have arrived late," John sighed. "There is no point now."
Laughs resounded in the hall, but some of the most interested players remained focused. Lucian, Mark, and Lucy often glanced at Khan since they knew they had more to discuss.
"Khan," Lucian called once the laughs waned. "The Thilku territory is not as secretive as you may think. Branches of my family are even doing business there."
"You beat me to it," Lucy revealed. "My family was waiting for the chance to expand there."
"If it's business," Mark announced, "You can consider me interested."
Khan knew what those descendants wanted, and the symphony told him that most of the hall shared those feelings. Information was a valuable currency that he would obtain first-hand if the investigation included him. Theoretically, he would be able to provide vital data to the families in the future.
The idea of leaking information for the right price was tempting, but Khan couldn't immediately agree. The hall had too many ears, and he wasn't sure he wanted to betray the Global Army's trust so soon.
However, those descendants had helped Khan in the past. Using Rick had forced their hands, but they had still played a key role in salvaging his relationship with Monica. Lucian had also sold the items retrieved in the missions, further deepening Khan's debt.
The debt and Mister Solodrey's financial request left Khan unable to refuse right away. He had chosen to link his life to that political environment, and the bill had arrived. That was the price he had to pay to get where he was, and going back on it would ruin his image among his best potential allies.
"There is nothing official yet," Khan played it safe. "Besides, it's better to discuss these topics in different locations."
"It will be hard to get a hold of you once the semester ends," Lucian pressed on.
"I'm not refusing," Khan stated. "However, even your esteemed families can't predict where I'll go. It's pointless to strike deals until then."
"On the contrary," Lucy declared.
"Your fame never stops rising," Mark continued. "There might come a time when we'd have to involve our parents to talk to you."
That vague statement had a hidden but clear meaning. The descendants wanted to strike deals before Khan escaped their reach. It was a simple business move aimed at securing a source of information before it became too expensive.
"That will never be necessary," Khan opted for a political approach, placing a hand on Monica's folded legs to clarify his statement. "You helped me when I needed it. Even if your parents were to call, I'd still request for you."
Khan was only offering his word without adding heavy promises or agreements. Yet, that was enough in the political environment as long as he could deal with the consequences or stick to it.
Lucian and the others had the vague idea of adding something, but Monica's calm smile made them drop it. They knew she was ready to respond accordingly to show her support to Khan, and everyone wanted to avoid that predictable reaction.
"There is something else," Marcia timidly stated, changing the topic.
"Right," Zoe added, glancing toward the sealed corridor. "If it weren't for you and Monica, I'm not sure I would have accepted this invitation."
"Isn't this the same as Francis?" John groaned before looking at Francis' armchair. "No offense, buddy."
"It's not," Mark corrected. "Housing a criminal is a serious matter. You are putting everyone in the Harbor at risk."
"Wayne is not a threat," Khan declared.
"How can we be sure?" Lucy asked. "A criminal of that caliber should have better security."
"There is no better security than me," Khan responded, a stern expression replacing his polite smile. "Unless someone disagrees with that."
"No one is trying to insult your prowess," Lucian reassured.
"It does sound like that," Monica pointed out.
"Monica, he is a criminal," Mark clarified. "He belongs in a cell with specialists scouring his brain."
"Wayne will soon end up in my care," George intervened. "My family will handle that process."
"Khan, on what authority are you moving him?" Lucian questioned.
"Mine," Khan calmly claimed. "He is my subordinate. I don't need anyone else's authority."
The descendants knew that there was more to the matter. The Headmistress and their own families could oppose the process and pull strings to force Khan's hand. However, that would sour their relationship with him since he had labeled Wayne his subordinate.
"Of course," Khan continued to throw a bone at the descendants, "Any discovery will be made public once you deem it worth it."
"Are you implying our families will be the first to receive information?" Mark asked.
"I'm implying you will be the first," Khan corrected.
Mark and the other descendants couldn't refrain from exchanging meaningful glances. Khan was giving them priority over their parents. That was a valuable advantage they coveted.
However, everything had a price in the political environment. Khan didn't need to add anything, but those descendants knew their role. They would have to reassure their families and let Khan do as he wished to retain that priority.
Khan was showing uncanny wisdom for a man who had spent less than a year deep in the political environment. Still, he wasn't the only reason behind that surprising quality. The descendants knew the woman sitting at his side had added more than her simple presence.
"I guess Khan earned the Global Army's trust multiple times already," Lucian was the first to break the tense silence. "If he says the Ildoo's family is up for the task, we can only accept it."
"The situation is not ideal," Mark added, "But I don't see any problem with that."
"Unless problems arise," Lucy commented, wearing a smile that conveyed her agreement, "Of course."
That implicit and tense agreement finally ended the political part of the meeting. Khan and the others could move on to far lighter topics, exchanging jokes and discussing their respective plans after the semester.
Khan did his best to memorize everything, but far different thoughts arrived once the meeting ended. The departure of the last descendants marked the beginning of a long period packed with relatively easy tasks.
Days basically disappeared as Khan split his life among his various tasks. The advanced classes stole many hours from him, and Professor Parver's lesson seized another piece of the pie. His studies worsened that, and many nights went by in the isolation of Miss Bevet's greenhouse.
The general effort spent on the final tests was Khan's only saving grace. With the end of the semester in sight, the invitations to political dinners vanished, and the same went for the Headmistress' missions. A few actual study groups still happened, but Khan could fit them into his schedule since they matched his needs.
That busy period made time flow so quickly that Khan almost didn't notice the six weeks that went by. His efforts didn't diminish even after the final tests, and his first break arrived only once the results hit the network.
To be continued