304 Courage

The recruits had been forced to read about the Kred after Istrone's rebellion. They knew that those aliens reached physical maturity quickly. Yet, the theory was different from reality, especially when it used words that were so easy to misunderstand for humans.

The students didn't think about the Kred when they heard Khan's revelation. Their minds stopped at the word "ten", and their stomachs clenched as they absorbed it. Their knowledge quickly allowed them to connect that age to a fully-grown alien, but the bitter feeling inside them remained.

Khan wore a sad smile as he saw hesitation, emptiness, and stupor replacing the curiosity that filled the recruits' faces. A slight tremor ran through Cora's grasp as she tightened and relaxed it depending on her worries. That was the exact reaction he wanted from his students, but obtaining it didn't make him feel good.

"I'll leave now," Khan stated. "I hope to see you all the day after tomorrow."