Completing the review of the results left Khan with a choice to make. He had yet to receive the information in the Empire's records, but that reward was set in stone. Theoretically, he could stop being a guinea pig and leave Xiotov.
Leaving also made sense from a safety perspective. The more Khan allowed the Thilku to study him, the higher the chance that a weakness would pop out. His body might not have any, but countermeasures could exist anyway.
Still, one pressing issue remained unsolved, leaving Khan conflicted. He didn't want to expose himself more than necessary, but the matter of his offspring was equally important to him.
'Is splitting the tests any better?' Khan wondered. 'Though I'd need to ask Anastasia a favor for that.'
Splitting the information to different parties could ensure that no one ever got a full picture of Khan. Still, it would also expose him more and force him to bind himself to troublesome groups, and Raymond was already too much for his tastes.
Of course, Monica's parents had a personal interest in the matter and would ensure that the information would remain classified. They were the least troublesome party in that specific case since it was in their interest that Khan and Monica's union could produce children.
Yet, at the same time, problems in the matter would make things harder for Khan. The results in his hands stated that his body was straying away from humankind, and interspecies unions were always troublesome. If it turned out that he and Monica couldn't have children safely, he would be back to square one with the Solodrey family.
'The Thilku it is,' Khan eventually decided. 'They should know more about this anyway.'
Khan didn't hesitate to convey his decision to the scientists, and another round of tests unfolded the following day. This time, the process was more specific, targeting topics close to Khan's heart, but the results that arrived on the weekend forced him to summon a meeting to obtain clarifications.
"[You wrote that I won't pass down my mutations]," Khan announced, "[But still added that my condition might affect pregnancies]."
The meeting was happening in the underground lab, but only a few scientists had sat down with Khan to explain the results to him. The female Thilku was also there, and only a second had to pass for a reply to arrive.
"[That is correct]," The scientist confirmed. "[Difficulty in pregnancies can be an issue with high-level warriors, but your condition worsens those odds]."
"[How can there be no issue with my mutations]?" Khan questioned.
The four scientists at the table exchanged glances and a few whispers before the female Thilku voiced a simple answer. "[They are seamless. They hardly count as mutations]."
"[I don't understand]," Khan said, even though he had heard similar words before.
The scientists had to do another round of whispering, which lasted longer than the previous one. They weren't trying to keep anything hidden from Khan, but finding the right words to explain those complicated topics in a way that he could understand them wasn't easy.
"[See it as if you belonged to a different species]," The scientist eventually explained. "[You wouldn't pass down mutations. You would pass down traits of your species]."
Khan lowered his gaze to ponder on the matter. He had always seen his mutations as an external aspect of his body, something he could isolate. Yet, the previous results had already disproven that idea, and the latest explanation made sense when Khan added that information.
Khan's body had long since internalized the mutations. They had become nothing more than another aspect of his being. His very biology had changed, turning him into some unique specimen among his own species.
"[I wouldn't pass down my mutations]," Khan summarized, "[But I would pass down my mutated traits]."
"[Exactly]," The scientist confirmed.n(---(((.-(-/I/.n
"[So]," Khan continued, "[According to the previous tests, the more I grow, the higher the chances of difficult pregnancies]."
"[That is correct]," The scientist stated. "[Adding mana to your body will widen the gap with your species, lowering the chances of successful pregnancies]."
"[Are you saying I might become sterile]?" Khan wondered.
"[Not exactly]," The scientist said before conferring with her colleagues. That conversation was even longer than the previous one, but Khan patiently waited for an explanation.
"[Interspecies pregnancies are always difficult]," The scientist eventually responded, "[On many levels. Your fertility isn't an issue, but finding a suitable partner might]."
Khan immediately understood the issue. The Global Army had a list of matching sexual organs with other alien species, but that wasn't everything. Compatibility problems on a biological level could prevent pregnancies altogether, and Khan didn't know where he stood since his condition was unique.
"[Though I wouldn't worry too much]," The scientist continued, noticing Khan's internal conflict. "[Humans are famous for their flexibility, and technology can help]."
Khan lifted his gaze and stared at the scientist, but his eyes didn't look at her. The Thilku was right. Humans had great flexibility and could adapt themselves to almost anything, especially those empowered by mana. Still, Khan had an additional problem to worry about.
The scientists had never mentioned the nightmares in the test's results and meetings. It almost seemed the issue didn't exist, but Khan knew the Thilku weren't being completely open about it. After all, Cegnore's events had hinted at something, so the Empire had to have some awareness.
Everything could be fine from a biological standpoint, but Khan knew the nightmares belonged to a different field. They were almost magical in their nature, and their connection to the mana made everything more complicated.
'This is the scientists' limit,' Khan thought. 'If I want more, I need a shaman.'
Truth be told, Khan could think of another option. He had already seen a shaman and had basically become one himself, but solutions had yet to arrive. Still, if Cegnore's natives had spoken the truth, Khan would only need to seize the Nak's legacy to end the nightmares.
'Finding the Nak,' Khan thought, 'Or finding a shaman. Same options as always.'
The seemingly disappointing outcome of those tests didn't affect Khan's mood. He had learned a lot about himself and his body, and some results were reassuring. Everything else was business as usual.
lightsvεl m "[How much longer for the Empire to open its records]?" Khan asked, changing the topic.
"[A few more days]," The scientist revealed. "[Our specialists are sorting the information to ensure everything is there]."
Khan nodded. Overstaying on Xiotov could be problematic since he didn't give the Global Army any explanation, but the damage was already done, and a couple of days wouldn't change anything. Also, he couldn't leave without the information about the Nak, so the matter wasn't really a decision.
"[I'll wait for it in my room then]," Khan announced, suddenly standing up.
"[What about the additional tests]?" The scientist asked, also standing up. "[We have many rounds planned out]."
Khan couldn't help but hesitate. The tests were teaching him a lot about his body, and there didn't seem to be any issue with them. He was learning for free, clearing doubts he had protected for a long time to avoid mixing himself with human scientists.
Yet, Khan had already gotten the answers he wanted. Undergoing more tests would be akin to charity for the Empire, and he couldn't allow himself to be so cheap. It would ruin his image and affect his status otherwise.
"[I'm done with the tests]," Khan declared. "[I won't partake in them anymore]."
"[Might we convince you somehow]?" The scientist gasped. "[The Empire must have something you find appealing]."
"[It does]," Khan confirmed, half-lying, "[But I don't need it now. Your Lord can contact me if he needs anything else]."
Khan had chosen his words carefully. He had left the possibility of future deals open while withdrawing himself from the equation. If the Empire wanted to cooperate again, it would have to contact him, thus exposing itself in a way he could exploit.
Realization dawned on the scientist almost immediately. She understood the value of that political move and couldn't help but feel conflicted. She wanted to study Khan more, but the Empire had its pride. As things stood, it was very likely that a similar cooperation wouldn't happen again.
Khan understood that, too, but preferred it over the alternatives. He would truly earn something only if he could force the Empire to make the first move. That might never happen, but it was worth a try, especially now that he didn't need anything else.
The escort brought Khan back to his room, and time started flowing quickly. Minutes turned into hours, and eventually days, which Khan spent resting or isolated in the training hall.
Eventually, a soldier knocked on Khan's door, delivering a circular item with an intricate rune shining on its flat side. The information Khan had requested had arrived, making his stay on Xiotov pointless. He could spend a few more days studying the device there, but his guts told him the time to leave had arrived.
