Arthur's amusement deepened as he considered the irony. Aetherion wasn't bound by traditional dragon psychology because he wasn't a traditional dragon. He was a primordial void dragon.
When Arthur first summoned him, Arthur expected the dragon to be mighty and very bossy, but Aether was the complete opposite.
"Besides," Jax had added, "the creature outside seemed genuinely happy. Dragons don't experience joy—they experience satisfaction, dominance, superiority. Never childlike enthusiasm."
They've never met a dragon who plays volleyball with enemies.
Arthur shook his head with genuine affection for his unique summon. "Aetherion isn't any ordinary dragon, Jax. He's something far more dangerous than anyone could predict."
And far more loyal than they could imagine.
Unfortunately, beyond these amusing revelations, Jax's intelligence value proved limited. His military rank granted access to tactical information but not strategic planning.
He is nothing but a small-time captain. He has low-level clearance.
Arthur had extracted locations of various dimensional rifts across Detroit, troop movement patterns, and basic equipment specifications of the soldiers.
Whilst the information was useful, it was nothing that would reshape the broader conflict.
More disappointingly, Jax possessed no connections to the military's real power players. No direct lines to decision-makers, no access to classified strategic documents, no personal relationships with high-value targets.
No connections to Donald or Adam.
Those names had come up during questioning—Lieutenant Donald, the man responsible for Charlotte's imprisonment, and Adam, whose military connections had made him Arthur's enemy. But Jax operated in entirely different circles.
"Master, based on what you just told me. It seems like Donald works in special operations," Jax had explained.
"He is part of the off-books activities. Captain-level officers like me never interact with that world."
Arthur filed this information away for future use. Eventually, he would need access to those higher echelons of military command. But that would require different approaches.
Patience. The big fish will come sooner or later.
For now, Jax represented a successful proof of concept. Arthur's resurrection abilities could create perfectly loyal assets from enemy personnel.
The technique worked flawlessly—death stripped away resistance while maintaining useful knowledge and skills.
"Master," Jax spoke up, his reborn consciousness eager to please. "How else may I serve your purposes?"
Arthur considered his newest summons' potential applications.
A legitimate military officer with proper credentials could access facilities, gather intelligence, and influence other personnel.
Perfect sleeper agent.
"Return to your squad," Arthur decided. "Convince them our negotiation succeeded. Make them believe we've reached a mutually beneficial agreement."
"Yes, Master. I will do as you say."
Jax's voice carried the perfect tone of respect.
Arthur studied his newest asset with satisfaction. The resurrection process had stripped away Jax's arrogance while preserving his knowledge and leadership status on his other team.
He will be a useful tool. Time to deploy him.
"Remember," Arthur instructed as they prepared to leave.
"Your squad needs to believe this negotiation was beneficial for everyone involved. Sell them on cooperation, not submission."
They would know something is wrong if their arrogant master comes back with a deal that doesn't benefit them. Whilst I can also kill them and add them to my summons, that would be a waste of space. The leader should be enough to influence their actions with a good plan.
"Understood, Master. I'll present it as a strategic partnership that will be mutually beneficial."
Jax's military background provided the perfect framework for deception. Soldiers were accustomed to deals that served larger strategic purposes.
Arthur put back his mask, ensuring his identity remained concealed. The other soldiers had never seen his face, making the charade easier to maintain.
They emerged from Gates Corporation headquarters together, their body language suggesting a successful negotiation rather than a failed one.
Jax's squad immediately focused on their leader's expression, reading his facial cues. They could tell from the confident smile on his face that the negotiations had gone well.
He's selling it perfectly.
"Captain Jax! How did it go?" The second-in-command approached eagerly.
The earlier confrontations with Gates and the Aetherion's interference had made them settle into a submissive stance. But seeing the confident smile on his captain's face, he thought they might be back on board.
Sergeant Martinez's eyes spotted Jax's relaxed posture, satisfied expression, and purposeful stride.
All kinds of positive indicators radiated from Jax's body language.
There is good news incoming. He's our captain for a reason. She thought, a triumphant smile on her face.
Jax's grin widened, practically dripping with smugness as he turned to address his team.
"Well, after putting my excellent negotiation skills to work, I've struck a deal with their leader. Turns out, charm and wit still get the job done. Even if there is dragons involved,"
He straightened his jacket like he'd just sealed a historic treaty.
"They're letting three of us stay and level up alongside their people. Not bad, huh? You're welcome."
Arthur observed them murmuring among themselves, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips. He had ensured that Jax would return to his team with that same arrogant swagger intact. Even if they were unlikely to notice anything amiss, Arthur wasn't one to leave room for uncertainty. He preferred to eliminate variables before they became problems.
The squad's eyes lit up with barely contained excitement. They had just witnessed Gates's personnel leap multiple levels in a matter of minutes.
That kind of rapid power progression would normally take days filled with risk, blood, and uncertainty. But here? All they had to do was clean up the leftovers, the broken toys discarded by the small dragon above them once he was finished playing.
It was practically free experience points. And they weren't about to waste the opportunity.
Free benefits. Every corrupt soldier's dream.
"But there's a condition, it's nothing important." Jax downplayed the strategic significance of his next words.
"What is it?" Jax's team asked.
"They just want us to use our helicopters to spread the word," Jax said, pacing slightly as he spoke. "Catch the attention of awakened individuals and bring them here."