Less experienced people would rush back to the settlement to strike the iron while it was hot. After all, the tribes' politics looked unstable and frail, and Khan's achievements could go to waste if the Scalqa experienced a significant power shift.
However, the political envoy only had pros, and the many tools at their disposal opened better paths. Moreover, the considerable amount of new data they had obtained needed careful study, inevitably delaying the second trip into the forest.
Celeste, Amy, Kirk, and Marcus had precise roles, allowing them to focus on specific tasks without requiring additional orders. Celeste had the entire conversation with the two Scalqa to study, while Amy needed to review the scanners' recordings to find eventual patterns and discover potential customs.
As for the two technicians, they mostly provided support to smoothen Celeste and Amy's job. Marcus and Kirk tinkered with all the necessary equipment to deliver better data and functions that could help with any new issue.
Khan and Randall were exceptions since their jobs encompassed multiple roles. Still, the latter mostly acted as a reviewer of any conclusion that reached his desk. Meanwhile, Khan had a more active influence on the various aspects of the process.
Khan's senses, experience, and significant role in the relationships with the Scalqa made his involvement in the study mandatory. He mostly supported Amy while reviewing the recordings, but Celeste also requested his presence while sorting out her software.
The envoy reached multiple conclusions during the process. First, the scanners confirmed that the invaders belonged to a nomadic fourth party that had tried to exploit the chaos.
Increasing the scanners' range reduced accuracy but allowed the envoy to spot more nomadic forces. It seemed Baoway wasn't short of those, but their nature and origin remained unclear. Only further investigation could answer that.
The second breakthrough came in the form of additional knowledge related to the Scalqa language. Celeste's review led to realistic suggestions and translations Khan and Amy couldn't consider during the conversation. The alien vocabulary had increased, allowing improvements to Celeste's software, which grew more efficient and accurate.
The third conclusion wasn't a breakthrough, but the suggestions helped set the envoy's future priorities. The issue involved the toxic liquid and the rectangular tent, which the team studied after modifying the scanners once again. Even the ship recognized that something was up, and Randall didn't hesitate to add it to the list.
The study also involved the Scalqa's behavior, hierarchy, and politics, but the envoy could only come up with theories rather than actual conclusions. Everything sounded relatively accurate, but no one developed biases or took those ideas for granted. That would require additional missions on the field.
The search for answers and patterns wasn't the only interesting aspect of the prolonged isolation inside the ship. No one said anything, but everyone noticed Khan's slight change in attitude toward the team. Amy, in particular, received far kinder replies and explanations.
That radical change from the initial days in the Harbor's hangar led to silent thoughts and occasional, meaningful glances. No one dared to gossip, but everyone developed ideas about the new situation.
Some ideas involved potential affairs and romantic events, especially since Monica had already mentioned the issue. However, others recognized that Khan was simply warming up to his teammates. Everyone had seen the scanners' recordings, and Amy's readiness to protect Khan could explain the change in attitude.
As for Khan, he noticed the curious looks and general curiosity in the ship's symphony, but the life in the Harbor had gotten him used to far worse. He paid that environment no heed while remaining true to his feelings, which had slightly changed after the crisis.
The paranoia was still there, but Khan couldn't remain blind to reality. His senses didn't pick up anything, and his indisposed state during the mental trip would have been the perfect opportunity for an assassination attempt. Yet, Amy had chosen to guard him in the middle of a potentially hostile settlement.
Actions had more value than words, especially on the battlefield. Khan wouldn't say he trusted Amy now but couldn't treat her as an enemy either. She wasn't a friend either, but Khan wouldn't reprimand her or erect walls between them for no reason.
The study session lasted a few days, and multiple meetings happened to sort out the new information and develop new approaches. Kirk and Marcus also modified and tuned additional equipment to suit the new directives. However, Khan and Amy went out again once everything was set and done.
The duo skipped the shuttle and proceeded on foot while carrying multiple backpacks each. Khan's presence prevented the possibility of getting lost in the forest, so the two steadily advanced until they returned to their initial landing spot.
The equipment in the area was still intact, but Khan and Amy replaced and added a few tools to help HQ gather information before departing for the settlement. Khan led the march, and the familiar encampment soon appeared in their view.
The trip didn't involve hunting teams, and reaching the settlement solved questions about the matter. The envoy kept track of the encampment's behavior during the studying session, and Khan and Amy could confirm the findings upon their arrival. The Bone Tribe was expanding, leaving most of the work to the newly acquired prisoners.
The rocky barrier had expanded. The brown ground showed deep holes caused by the relocation of each spiked rock. The number of tents had also increased, although not significantly. The tribe was probably enforcing a culling process, and Kru-Zi was in charge.
A small workforce had gathered behind the barrier, pushing and lifting the various rocks to move them forward. Khan recognized those Scalqa as invaders, and Kru-Zi stood among them, shouting orders and wearing a stern expression.
Kru-Zi didn't notice Khan and Amy's arrival, but some Scalqa were roaming among the tents, and a few ended up spotting the two. Cries and shouts immediately unfolded, awakening the entire settlement, and Kru-Zi ignored the workforce to address the issue.
The Scalqa leader hurried toward one of the openings in the barrier where Khan and Amy had stopped before performing a Niqols' bow. His attempt was better than before, probably hinting at practice, but both Khan and Amy feigned ignorance at that detail.
Khan didn't hesitate to reply with a similar bow while Amy smiled. She even remained one step behind to let the two men handle the greetings. She knew she had no power there, and Khan couldn't help but appreciate it.
"[Ka-Han]!" Kru-Zi exclaimed before adding a few words the envoy had yet to translate.
"[Kru-Zi]," Khan called. "[Sky tribe food]."
The second part of Khan's statement resulted from his collaboration with Celeste. They had scoured the recordings to find the right words for the second meeting, and that was the best they could achieve.
Kru-Zi appeared surprised about Khan's good accent and somewhat understandable line, but the latter acted before questions could arrive. Khan dropped his backpack and seized Amy's before approaching the Scalqa and leaving the two items on the ground.
Khan went one step further, opening the backpacks to show their contents. Various supplies, clean water, and a bottle of iconic human booze appeared in the open, which the Scalqa obviously didn't recognize. Still, Khan didn't stop there.
Khan lifted both backpacks, unloading their contents to the ground before crouching toward them. He beckoned the alien, and Kru-Zi half-kneeled to inspect the pile of goods.
"[Eat]," Khan said before seizing a protein bar, removing the plastic container, and taking a big bite.
Khan munched loudly to highlight his point before gulping and handing the food to the Scalqa. Kru-Zi didn't look too convinced about the gesture, but glancing at Khan forced him to seize the protein bar.
Kru-Zi inspected the bar, sniffed it, and tested its texture with his giant fingers. He also brought his hand to his nose afterward, and his big eyes lit up in interest. The alien's hesitation lasted a few more seconds before the entire item ended in his mouth.
Khan smiled, ignoring that the Scalqa had eaten part of the plastic container. Amy also retained a perfect polite fa?ade during the process, and Kru-Zi eventually grunted, his eyes wide open.
A cry that seemed to radiate excitement escaped the Scalqa's mouth. The alien also turned toward the settlement, calling the first companion he could find. The new Scalqa promptly approached the opening in the barrier, and Khan soon found him crouching before him.
Khan continued to smile while handing another protein bar to the newcomer. The alien didn't know what to do with it, but Kru-Zi said a few untranslatable words, bolstering his courage. The Scalqa eventually threw the food in his mouth, plastic container included, and another excited cry soon filled the area.
"[Eat]," Khan interrupted the exited mood, seizing a bottle of water from the pile of goods. He didn't know the word for "drink", but his gesture compensated for that. He drank from the item, and the Scalqa eventually imitated him.
The process went on for a few minutes. Khan showed most items' functions before leaving their copies to the ground. Those supplies already belonged to the tribe in his mind, and standing up seemed to convey his point.
Kru-Zi stood up with Khan, quickly inspecting the remaining goods before looking at the human again. Those supplies wouldn't do much to a tribe of such big aliens, but Khan's point sounded obvious. He wanted peaceful cooperation and trade, which Kru-Zi happily welcomed.
Nevertheless, the Scalqa leader soon went serious and said a few words Khan couldn't understand. He only recognized Rok-Go and the alien's gestures toward the settlement's insides. It seemed Kru-Zi wanted to lead him toward the tents, and he didn't refuse.
Kru-Zi moved as soon as Khan nodded, leading the two humans inside the settlement. Orders escaped his mouth, and aliens moved to take care of the pile of goods. Khan recorded that behavior, but his interest remained in Kru-Zi's direction. The Scalqa leader was heading toward the rectangular tent, inevitably arousing Khan's interest.
The Scalqa leader shouted when the rectangular tent appeared in sight, and Rok-Go promptly exited it. The alien uttered more untranslatable words, pointing at Khan before beckoning him to get closer. Kru-Zi stopped at that point, and stern lines escaped his mouth while glancing at Amy.
"They want you to go alone," Amy commented.
"I know," Khan said. "If something happens, run."
"What about you?" Amy asked. "Your safety is a higher priority than mine."
"Do I have to repeat myself?" Khan questioned.
Amy promptly fell silent. Her instincts told her to perform a military salute, but her arms stood still to avoid creating misunderstandings among the alien species. Still, a simple smile appeared on her face, and Khan did his best to ignore it.
Khan stepped forward, keeping track of Kru-Zi's mana to check for eventual warnings. Yet, nothing arrived, so he reached Rok-Go, who lifted the rectangular tent's pelts to welcome him inside.
Khan's senses were the first to react to the hostile environment. The air inside the rectangular tent was steamy, as if a fire was burning. Moreover, its symphony carried the same toxic traits found in the dark green liquid. They were simply softer.
Khan hesitated before that dark environment. His senses were warning and reassuring him at the same time. That gas wouldn't do him any good, but its density didn't seem enough to trigger another mental trip. Theoretically, he would be fine during a short exposure.
The hesitation could appear impolite, so Khan quickly made up his mind and entered the rectangular tent. Its insides were barebone at best, featuring little to no furniture. Khan only spotted random pieces of wood and bones before his senses grew used to the toxic air and found the source of his initial interest.
The tent contained a source of positive influence and radiation. Khan had spotted it during his first visit to the settlement, but everything was different now. The toxic air tried to muddle his senses, but the bright spot was impossible to ignore. The item was almost blinding in his view, and his legs inevitably moved in its direction.
Getting closer revealed the item's nature. It wasn't an object. The source of that strange influence was a small bush made of blue leaves. The plant looked harmless and simple, but Khan's heartbeat grew stronger while standing before it. His very skin felt uncomfortable as he noticed dark green drops falling from it.
