Chaos' Heir

Chapter 1481: Feast

Khan usually avoided talking about specifics when money was involved. He wasn’t the best person for the job and had never truly learned how to manage his finances, or Credits in general.

Yet, the Orlats were tough negotiators, and only Khan could handle them properly. Luckily, he didn’t care about getting ripped off as long as he gained their support.

The sole point that actually demanded Khan’s interest was the upfront payment. The Orlats obviously wanted to prioritize seizing riches immediately instead of having to work for them.

Still, due to the Orlats’ debt toward the allied front and Khan himself, they had to agree to contain their demands, pushing most of their potential income into bonuses rather than the upfront payment.

As for the possibility of refusal, it never appeared on the negotiating table anymore. Once one clan showed interest in joining Khan, the others had to follow to avoid being persecuted while their peers earned mountains of riches.

"[This is done, too]," Khan announced once every point of contention was smoothed out. "[It was a pleasure doing business with you]."

The evolved Orlats wore polite smiles, hiding their fakeness behind the booze that had never stopped flowing during the negotiations. Still, most of their attention was on their devices, where the agreement’s terms were listed, attentively reviewing them to find loopholes or ways to exploit them.

Khan expected that and didn’t mind or care. That issue was finally over, so he could return to his family and the party on Earth, knowing he had secured the last available meaningful ally in the regulated universe.

Of course, Khan didn’t forget to add one last reminder after emptying his cup and standing up.

"[Don’t forget about the party]," Khan exclaimed. "[I expect to see you on Earth soon. I believe I don’t have to explain what it would mean not attending it]."

Distracted nods unfolded at the table. The Orlats were already in on the deal, so they didn’t consider scamming Khan. They also couldn’t, since Khan had already made the news public, urging the clans on the stage to gain any possible edge over their competitors.

Khan was pleased to see that his strategy was already bearing fruit. The deal’s terms would foster competitiveness, playing right into that species’ division, ensuring that most clans would aim to do a good job.

That last confirmation was all Khan needed. He drew the tracker from his trousers, setting off to follow its signal. He encountered ships on his way toward a spot past Chigoilara’s orbit, but they were within his expectations. They actually were part of the deal.

The space station Khan had teleported to had exhausted most of its energy reserves to activate that machine. It needed a refuel to send Khan back on Earth, and the Orlats were taking care of that.

By the time Khan returned in space and spotted the human structure hovering near the planet’s orbit, the artificial illumination had already returned. He only had to head for the oval machine inside and wait a few minutes before the teleport activated again.

Somehow, the party in Aynor’s desert had expanded even further. Things were also far rowdier when Khan appeared on the city’s teleport, but the endless Niqols’ booze served to the various groups was probably to blame.

The first to notice Khan’s return were those directly connected to his mind. Snow sent happy emotions into his brain while loud screeches resounded in the sky. The huge, white, alien bird didn’t head for Khan, but its presence didn’t go unnoticed.

Liiza obviously sensed Khan’s arrival, too, but didn’t move, either. She couldn’t, really, and her location explained why.

As customary, Prince Thomas had headed for the teleport immediately after learning about Khan’s return. Khan found him under the machine, welcoming him with the usual escort.

"Were the rewards I set too high?" Khan promptly asked.

"They were ...," Prince Thomas replied, slight hesitation in his voice. "Acceptable, My Prince."

"Don’t worry," Khan chuckled. "I will never handle money talks ever again."

"That would be in the best interest of your force, My Prince," Prince Thomas agreed.

"So, what did I miss?" Khan laughed again, sending his senses far and wide to search for new familiar presences, spotting a few of them even before his Uncle could brief him.

"Noble representatives have arrived," Prince Thomas revealed. "They are socializing while waiting for you to address them."

"You made a list with all the guests I have to meet, didn’t you?" Khan wondered.

"I’ve also taken the liberty to suggest the order in which you should address them, My Prince," Prince Thomas confirmed. "The arrangement should have already reached your device."

"I’ll try to deal with them all before the party ends," Khan nodded, knowing his role in all that.

The foundation was set, but Khan now had to build upon it, and he was the only suitable person for the job. Only he could interact with that crowded expanse of different species properly.

The task would have typically given Khan a headache, but he found a silver lining in it. That party already featured countless people from the many aspects of his life, many of whom he hadn’t met in years. Khan wanted those reunions to happen, and the party provided the best opportunity he would have in a while.

"Your other guests from Coravis have also arrived, My Prince," Prince Thomas explained, "Including your grandfather-in-law. The Nele are preparing themselves for the teleport, too."

"Everyone is really coming," Khan muttered to himself. "All these important people are leaving their cozy corners of the universe to meet a kid from the slums."

Prince Thomas’ stern expression wavered. Needless to say, that was a meaningful moment for his nephew. In a way, it was the goal he had set for himself ever since becoming a noble, and seeing it fulfilled despite the many challenges he had faced had to have a deep effect on his mind.

"You have come far, nephew," Prince Thomas praised, not hiding his shame over his role in hindering Khan’s rise to power.

"Yeah," Khan said. "I guess I did."

The nightmares were no more. The militarized species in the regulated universe were now flying the same banner. Khan even had a family. Those possibilities had once been nothing more than irrational delusions, but there they were, standing right before Khan’s glowing gaze.

Still, an earthquake that threatened to shatter buildings and eardrums suddenly spread through the area, only contained by the efforts of several machines and a few evolved warriors, allowing the words that accompanied it to avoid killing anyone.

"Lord Blue Shaman!" A roar resounded from deep into the desert, displacing the sand far past that vast crowd. "It is time to feast!"

"Duty calls," Khan smirked, disappearing from the teleport, reappearing where that loud, innately destructive shout had originated from, knowing that his wife and daughter were there, too.