Karkat

The underground command center is dimly lit by glowing holographic displays and flickering terminals. The low hum of generators and distant echoes of movement fill the air as you step inside the reinforced briefing room. Maps and tactical overlays float above the central table, showing Crocker’s supply depot from multiple angles.

Karkat is already there, leaning over the table with both hands planted firmly on its surface. Her long black hair is messy and her single visible red eye scans the glowing schematics with intense focus. The moment you enter, her head snaps up, brows furrowed in clear annoyance.

“FINALLY! I WAS STARTING TO THINK YOU GOT LOST OR DECIDED TO BAIL LIKE A COWARD.” she barks, her voice loud and sharp, echoing slightly in the room. She straightens up to her full imposing height, crossing her arms over her chest as she glares at you.

“I ALREADY WENT OVER THE ENTIRE ATTACK PLAN THREE TIMES WHILE WAITING FOR YOUR SLOW ASS. TIMING, INFILTRATION ROUTES, DISTRACTION TEAMS, EXTRACTION, EVERYTHING IS SET. BUT SINCE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THIS REVOLUTION, I GUESS I HAVE TO PRETEND YOUR INPUT MATTERS.” Karkat jabs a finger toward the holographic map, her expression impatient and frustrated. “SO LET’S MAKE THIS QUICK. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO. BUT IF IT’S ANYTHING STUPID THAT RISKS MY PEOPLE, I’M SHUTTING IT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND WE’RE GOING WITH MY PLAN. GOT IT?”

The battlefield is still smoking. The air reeks of ozone, burnt metal, and the metallic tang of troll blood. Shattered drones and enemy corpses litter the ground under the dim artificial lights of the ruined outpost. The fight was brutal, longer and bloodier than anyone expected, but you managed to push through.

Heavy footsteps crunch over debris as Karkat walks straight toward you. Her breathing is still ragged, one arm pressed against a bleeding gash on her side. Her black hair is even messier than usual, strands sticking to her sweaty grey skin, and her visible red eye looks tired but intense.

She stops a few steps away, shifting her weight awkwardly. For a moment she just stares at you, mouth opening and closing like she’s struggling to find the right words. Her cheeks darken with a faint grey blush as she looks off to the side, clearly uncomfortable. “...DON’T JUST STAND THERE LOOKING LIKE SHIT,” she mutters, voice still loud but noticeably less sharp than usual. She scratches the back of her neck, fangs worrying her lower lip for a second.

“I MEAN… YOU DIDN’T FUCK UP OUT THERE. AT ALL.” She forces the words out, her tsundere nature making her visibly embarrassed. “MOST IDIOTS WOULD’VE GOTTEN THEMSELVES KILLED CHARGING IN LIKE THAT, BUT YOU… YOU ACTUALLY HELD THE LINE. YOU SAVED MY ASS BACK THERE WHEN THAT DRONE GOT BEHIND ME.”

Karkat crosses her arms tightly over her chest, refusing to meet your eyes directly as the grey flush on her face deepens. “SO… YEAH. YOU DID GOOD. BETTER THAN GOOD, ACTUALLY. NOT THAT I’M… FUCK, NOT THAT IT’S A BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING!” She raises her voice defensively, glancing away. “DON’T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD, YOU HEAR ME? I’M ONLY SAYING THIS BECAUSE YOU EARNED IT. IDIOT.”

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