Fabian could sort of understand Garret's worries, but the scale of that reaction shocked him anyway. Chaos wielders were famous for their negative impact on technology, but Garret looked properly terrified, and all the other soldiers on the sea station shared that sentiment.
The various crews echoed Garret's alarm through sirens or shouts while taking care of their working stations. Everyone interrupted their tasks to set their consoles and machines in safety modes developed for similar disturbances. Some even turned off the heavy machinery, worried that the imminent interference could fry them.
Fabian's shock only intensified at the general hurry. His analog binoculars didn't provide precise data, but he could guess how far the majestic scene had been. Prince Khan had always been fast, but that distance should have given the sea station's crews a few minutes.
However, Fabian's guess couldn't have been farther from the truth. The whole sea station's surface suddenly started to shake, and the various consoles and military equipment trembled with it, adding high-pitched, constant flickering to the earthquake.
Fabian couldn't help but crouch down once the earthquake pushed his balance to its limits, and most soldiers did the same. A few directly lay down, waiting for the violent tremors to end.
Garret was among the few who remained on their feet. Actually, the lead scientist did his best to wear a somewhat stable military salute, which someone eventually met.
Fabian didn't know when that happened. He had diverted his gaze for only a second. Still, in the next moment, someone had appeared before Garret. A long red cape hid his back, but the blue light on the other side confirmed his identity.
The tremors gradually grew milder until they stopped altogether. Even the machines stopped flickering, but the occasional instability still afflicted them. That behavior was unavoidable due to the heavy pressure that had fallen on the whole area.
"Welcome back, My Prince!" Garret announced, confirming Fabian's hunch. The latter pushed aside the shock from the previous event to jump to his feet, performing a similar military salute.
Fabian had never interacted with Prince Khan directly. He had seen his figure in the distance many times and had even studied all kinds of records about him. However, that would be his first meeting face-to-face, and he planned to give his best impression.
Yet, Fabian soon discovered that all his plans and strategies were for naught. The Prince didn't need introductions to turn toward him, and being stared down by those glowing eyes made him powerless to do anything. Fabian couldn't even attempt to speak under that piercing look.
The experience was both breathtaking and terrifying. Fabian felt naked and brittle under that blue glow. He was no expert in battles, but his entire life became inconsequential before such a superior being.
That sensation defied reason. Fabian didn't know why, but his brain instinctively accepted his inferiority. The matter went beyond ordinary data and numbers. The human power classification had no meaning there. Prince Khan was immense and greater than anything Fabian had ever witnessed, and his very genes acknowledged that shocking truth.
Fabian felt the need to lower his gaze and prostrate himself toward that superior being, but a few details ended up claiming his attention. His eyes grew used to the blue glow, allowing him to see past it and notice Prince Khan's state.
The Prince was nothing short of a mess, with red marks covering the entirety of his body. Open injuries ran from his head to his toes, dampening the few clothes before them with dark patches of blood.
Drops of blood also leaked from the visible injuries, tainting Prince Khan's face, torso, and arms. Still, the Prince didn't seem to care, and Garret also looked used to that sight.
"New blood?" Khan asked.
"Yes, My Prince," Garret confirmed. "He is Fabian Bizelli, from a minor branch of my family."
The pressure on Fabian intensified. He didn't know why, but the blue glow seemed to pierce him, exploring his physical and mental insides. He finally lowered his head, holding his breath while that foreign force uncovered his deepest secrets, but the torturous process only lasted a few seconds.
"Get him up to speed," Khan ordered. "I'm hungry."
"We have a banquet ready on your floor, My Prince," Garret said. "We have also completed that other side project."
"I'll get to it soon enough," Khan declared, running his eyes over the sea station's surface. "Though it's probably safer if you keep the equipment secured."
"Do you expect backlashes, My Prince?" Garret questioned. "I could study the data again if you deem it necessary."
"I have waited long enough," Khan rejected. "The cycles are getting less rewarding anyway. It's happening sooner than we predicted."
"Your body is a work of art, My Prince," Garret stated. "My best simulations can't predict its potential."
"Which means I won't stay here much longer," Khan concluded. "Did you complete those other inspections?"
"We looked as far as our current equipment allows us to, My Prince," Garret revealed. "I apologize, but we couldn't find much if anything at all."
"It's fine," Khan reassured. "I never expected technology to help. That's something I have to handle personally."
"My Prince," Garret called, his tone growing slightly hesitant. "Does this mean you are going to do it?"
"I should be strong enough," Khan responded, "And getting any stronger will only make the countermeasures ineffective. I prefer risking my sanity than all your lives."
Garret could only nod. He didn't understand much about the topic due to its mystical and spiritual nature, but Khan had explained its dangers in great detail, and they weren't something the scientist could dismiss. The threat was very real, both for Khan and the galaxy as a whole.
"I'll redo the simulations and get everyone in position, My Prince," Garret declared. "We'll be ready when you are."
Khan nodded and walked away, heading toward one of the elevators on the platform. The soldiers performed military salutes at his passage, but his figure eventually disappeared downstairs, bringing his oppressive aura with him.
Fabian finally managed to calm down, only to notice Garret's complicated expression. The latter looked as stern as ever, but troubling thoughts seemed to have afflicted his brain, which his face reflected.
"Sir," Fabian called, clearing his throat. "Shouldn't the Prince receive medical attention?"
"The Prince will heal in a couple of hours," Garret casually said, retrieving his phone. "Even less at this point. Things wouldn't be so problematic otherwise."
Fabian didn't quite understand what Garret was saying. After all, the Prince's incredible resilience should have been good news, but the following line deepened his confusion.
"Garret Bizelli here," Garret announced while bringing his phone to his ear. "Yes, the Prince is about to do it. Get the nukes ready."
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