Chapter Text
She still had some difficulty walking, but she passed through the door without too much trouble. Carrying a box of life support equipment cabled to various points on her upper body and head, and dressed in a plain jumpsuit, she sat.
So that’s what Fleet Command looks like.
Jen sounded slightly disappointed.
She shrugged. Parts of me. … Call me Karan.
You sound different, Karan.
I am different. Like I said… parts of me.
She looked out the window of the quickly-erected structure. The landscape outside was literally unimaginably beautiful to a Kharakian. Hiigara,
she whispered. I… can’t believe…
We never would have made it without you at the top,
Kath said.
She looked down. You did at the end.
Not well,
Jen replied quietly.
She winced heavily. I’m sorry about Rei. I should have been there.
How? You-
It’s so obvious. I should have been ready for that, I should have designed around it.
Jen put a hand on her wrist. Karan. Nobody’s perfect. … That’s what Rei would tell you.
But-
That’s enough,
interrupted Kath. Jen’s right.
She took a long breath and, visibly dragging her thoughts away, activated the screen integrated into the table. At least now, I don’t have to worry about crushing my commander at Larka.
Karan smiled slightly. Unlikely. … And I’m still your Kiith-Sa.
Jen blinked and turned. You’re-
Kath threw up her hands. Well, great, thanks,
honored one
. There goes my air of mystery. … Yeah, I’m a S’jet.
Karan placed her first blue piece.
The game lasted a few minutes.
Blue wins
Kath S’jet 0-1 Karan S’jet
Another person entered. Sorry I’m late.
Intelligence?
Jen identified, sounding surprised.
The legendary Karan S’jet, Fleet Command of the mighty Kushan Mothership Fleet, and her grand total of three friends,
Karan said, half joking and half genuinely morose.
Quality over quantity,
Jen said, smiling slightly.
The Chief sat. Larka?
We’ve never seen her lose,
warned Kath.
The game was closer, but still,
Blue wins
Ton Naabal 0-1 Karan S’jet
Ton,
she read off his name. There was a lull.
So, what are you planning to do, now?
Kath asked.
She was silent for a few moments. What are any of us going to do?
She looked out the window again. We’re Hiigarans. But… I don’t know what that means.