Chaos' Heir

Chapter 951: War council

Chapter 951: War council



The conversation grew more light-hearted, even bordering on topics and jokes those unsafe channels should prevent. Nevertheless, the two eventually had to close the call and attend to their duties.

Khan felt slightly conflicted when he left the private room and exited the building. The planet's white star had almost disappeared behind the horizon, creating a marvelous but alien spectacle with its surviving light shining on the brown-red soil. Usually, Khan would admire the scene while lost in thoughts, but his mood didn't let him relax.

Seeing Monica after so long had been great, fantastic even. Her existence reminded Khan of a life outside the battlefield, a life of unending passion and love.

Monica's calm approach to Khan's doubts had also reassured him. Khan had always been honest with her, and she knew exactly what their relationship would entail. Monica had even come to terms with Khan's alien nature over the years, so she never failed to add a perspective Khan was blind to.

However, that reassurance wasn't complete. A strange feeling nagged the back of Khan's mind. He almost felt Monica had underestimated the current issue, failing to see its ramifications and possible consequences.

'It's not like I know what this issue exactly is,' Khan thought. 'Or how to explain it.'

Of course, Khan knew. He couldn't translate the idea into words, but his heart knew. Khan was growing distant from everyone else, delving deeper into the world only he could see. His superior power was erecting a tall wall, and he feared all his loved ones would end up on its other side.

'I must have spent too long on this planet,' Khan considered, pushing those worries aside. 'One day with Monica will make this feeling disappear.'

That conclusion didn't come from confidence. Khan simply hoped it would become true, especially since he couldn't see alternatives. That was his path to power, and he couldn't stop treading it. The entire universe was at stake, and Khan had promised his father he would save it.

Pushing that bitter feeling aside made room for a single-minded goal. Monica had expressed a clear wish, and Khan was ready to set seas aflame to fulfill it. Thanks to it, he found it easier to concentrate and dismiss useless worries.

Khan glanced at the building behind him before disappearing. The Headquarters was still dealing with the vast battle's conclusion, retrieving corpses and more with the help of jeeps and other armored vehicles. The process would probably last until tomorrow, but Khan knew something had already ended.

The lab area was busy and crowded. Scalqa delivered corpses to interactive desks, hoovering metal carts, or specific warehouses while scientists dealt with them. Similar scenes unfolded in the buildings focused on studying Senerth's unique ground. The army would leave the planet to the Nognes Excellencies, but seizing resources during the conquest was within its rights.

In the meantime, a smaller group had gathered inside a relatively central building. The place looked small and unassuming, featuring only a short square structure. Still, its elevator led to an underground area that hosted Khan's war council.

Truthfully, the army didn't initially plan to have a specific building for those topics. Saving space was paramount for planetary conquests, so the army's leaders relied on the lab for most strategy meetings.

The Scalqa would probably win, and a loss wouldn't ruin the campaign anyway. Yet, the casualties could be far higher than anything experienced in the past months.

Also, Lieutenant Dyester had failed to consider one point, probably on purpose. That strategy was perfect for an ordinary army with common means, but Khan was on Senerth, and there was nothing ordinary about him.

"What's the current death toll?" Khan asked.

A grim expression appeared on Lieutenant Dyester's face. He knew where Khan was going with his question and the consequences his answer would create.

"We lost three hundred and sixty-seven soldiers," Garret promptly replied. "With the Prince and Master Carl on opposite fronts, we can pour more forces on the remaining two

battalions."

Garret's suggestion worked in favor of Lieutenant Dyester's idea, but Khan didn't hear it. His brain still lingered on that number. The campaign had almost killed a quarter of his army.

All things considered, those losses were extraordinarily low. After all, the army was dealing with an entire planet occupied by a savage enemy. That result was incredible and could be seen as an excellent military accomplishment.

Yet, Khan couldn't see his army as a weapon. He didn't like to wield the Scalqa as a blunt tool of war. He very much preferred to turn himself into that than dealing with the death of his

soldiers.

"That's the reason," Khan declared. "Expand and reinforce the perimeter as much as possible. Keep the scanners pointed at the remaining quadrants. Rest and regroup in the meantime. We'll have another meeting in two weeks."

"What do you plan on doing?" Lieutenant Dyester asked, his grim expression darkening.

"I'm going out," Khan casually said, approaching the elevator. The war council had more questions, but Khan didn't give anyone the time to speak.

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Author's notes: Happy New Year!