Crime and Punishment
Laura helped LaFontaine lay down in the medbay to rest, and the doctor fell asleep within ten minutes. The blonde figured her friend could use the nap. They probably worked themself to the bone trying to find this cure. Sleep seemed like it would be a luxury to them.
The Jedi went to wander around the ship. She needed to avoid the cockpit for a bit. What happened earlier wasn't something she anticipated. It was foreign and confusing. Separation was key for her right now.
As she went to enter the practice room she saw during the brief tour, she paused. Inside was JP. And Carmilla. She was leaning over the droid, the face plate removed from his head. Her teeth held a thin tool in their grip as her hands fumbled with circuits and wires.
Laura took a few steps in, crossing her arms over her chest as a gentle smile came to her lips. "You're fixing his voice box."
Carmilla rolled her eyes without turning from the droid. "I didn't realize Jedi liked to state the obvious."
"They like to point out a good deed when they see one."
The pilot then placed the plating back on JP's face, removing the tool from her mouth and attaching it securely. "I did it so my ship doesn't spontaneously go up in flames," she corrected. "Speak," she said firmly to the protocol droid.
A screech came out, eliciting flinches from the two in the room. The brunette then smacked the side of the droids head roughly. The screeching cleared. "Oh! It worked! Thank you, Miss Karnstein! I'm truly grateful for-"
"Save it. Go take care of the ginger," she ordered, putting her tools back in her kit. The droid wobbled out of the room.
"Did you have to smack his head like that? You could have decapitated him," the blonde asked in annoyance before sighing.
"It worked. Stop complaining. What happened to that gratitude from earlier?" Carmilla smirked, her eyes burning holes through Laura.
"Do you think what I do is some sort of joke?" the blonde asked sincerely with furrowed brows. "Seriously. I want to know. Because these little advances you're doing? It's insulting. Not only that, you continue to use anything but my name. Most people show Jedi respect."
The pilot's smirk turned dark. "So you think I should respect you?" It was as if she was two seconds from snarling. "Just because you walk around with the ability to make chairs float and swing around colorful weapons, doesn't mean I owe you anything. Me hitting on you? That's called being alive, sweetheart. That little rush you felt earlier in your nether regions isn't exactly something people get respected for."
Laura's chin rose in defiance. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
The brunette scoffed. "Sure, cupcake," she said before brushing past her, out of the room.
"What do you mean 'Sure, cupcake'?" the Jedi shot back as she followed the pilot down the corridor.
Carmilla sighed as she continued walking, knowing the blonde was now following her. "I was agreeing with you. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"You were not agreeing with me."
The pilot placed down her toolbox in a storage cabinet in the cockpit before turning to look at Laura. "There really is no winning with you, is there?"
"Winning? I'm not trying to-" the blonde shook her head in frustration. "Forget it. This is what I get for trying to compliment you for something."
"When exactly was this compliment? I think I missed that. Was it before or after you demanded my respect?" Carmilla shot back with a glare as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Laura's mouth fell open in offense. "Demanded your respect?!" She felt her emotions building up and quickly closed her eyes to take a few deep breaths. "There is no emotion, there is peace," she whispered to herself.
The pilot openly laughed, earning an immediate glare from the blonde. Carmilla noticed her stare a few seconds later and brought a hand up to press it against her chest. "I'm sorry, but that is just precious. How many times a day do you have to spit out that mumbo jumbo to yourself? Does it actually help?"
"Does going around tearing down other people's beliefs help you?"
"I only comment on what I see; and I see you barely buying in to all that crap."
"You don't even know me!"
"I don't need to. You're an open God damn book," Carmilla said in amusement before throwing herself down into her chair. She hit a switch or two before Laura stomped over and spun her seat around to face her. Her hands gripped onto the armrests as she leaned into the pilot's space.
"You wanna judge me? Go right ahead. I don't need to prove anything to you. I rather stand by my beliefs than live in whatever cynical world you've isolated yourself to."
Carmilla stared back stoically. "And you're happy in that little Jedi bubble?" She tilted her head to the side as their eyes remained locked. She sat completely relaxed in her seat; Laura's arm muscles tensing as she gripped the armrests tighter.
"Yes."
The brunette suddenly smirked. "But isn't happiness an emotion? I thought there wasn't supposed to be any of that..."
Laura's mouth fell open for a second before she glared and pushed herself away from the chair. "You're the most irritating woman I've ever met!"
Carmilla grinned fully. "Careful. You're on the verge of getting angry..."
"I'd be doing everyone a service if I tossed you out of the airlock," she answered through gritted teeth, hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Isn't there something about no chaos in that little code of yours?" the pilot replied, feigning innocence.
"How do you even know- You know what? Get me when we land. Or better yet- Don't get me at all. LaFontaine will handle the rest of your affairs."
Carmilla spun around at the sight of Laura leaving the room. "Thank the Lord!" she yelled as she focused on the windshield of The Lustig.
"Laura, I think there's a problem," LaFontaine walked in on the young Jedi meditating. The blonde opened her eyes and let out a sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"Miss Hollis! I believe it would be beneficial for everyone if you aided Miss Karnstein in the cockpit immediately," JP answered behind the ginger.
Laura frowned. "Why?"
"We're kinda being chased. And shot at," the doctor sheepishly replied.
"What?!" Her eyes widened. Then understanding settled in. "Cochrane." She was instantly on her feet, jogging toward the cockpit.
"Son of a bitch," the brunette was heard grumbling before the Jedi entered the room.
"What can I do?" the blonde asked as she placed a hand on the back of the pilot's chair. Her eyes scanned the screens.
"Get your ass in the turret and blow them up!" the pilot answered as if it was the obvious solution.
"I don't know how to use that thing!"
"No better time to learn than the present," she commented without looking as she continued flipping some switches.
Taking a deep breath, Laura turned and ran toward the outlet containing the gunner. She settled into the seat and held the turret's handle firmly in her grasp. She flicked on the com link. "So... What now?"
The blonde heard the heavy sigh over the radio. "See the red switch? Flip it," Carmilla explained in annoyance.
"Okay..."
"The screen in front of you shows you where we're getting hit from. Aim the turret and hit the triggers. Simple as that, sweetheart."
Laura rolled her eyes before matching up her target and pulling the trigger. She felt the jolt of her shot vibrate through the ship. "Whoa..."
"You missed."
The blonde frowned. "It was my first shot!"
"Well we don't have time for you to practice!"
"Then shut up and let me concentrate!" the Jedi growled as she gripped harder on the turret's controls and began shooting at the following ship. It was firing and hitting the ship here and there. Laura heard Carmilla cursing at every accurate attack.
"You know what? Hold on," Carmilla spat through the radio. Laura watched the screen as the ship spun around. "Start shooting!" The Jedi held the trigger as the Lustig maneuvered behind Cochrane's ship. Carmilla settled the stream of fire so that it nailed into the enemy ship. After a few hits, Cochrane's crew pulled away and made a run for it.
"Ha ha! Fuckers!" the brunette cheered. "Way to go, cupcake. You really know how to hold down a button..."
Laura rolled her eyes and removed herself from the turret. She walked back toward the cockpit and found Carmilla focused on navigating again. She saw a smirk begin to stretch across the pilot's lips.
"Thanks for the help, sweetheart."
"You already made it clear that I didn't do much," Laura replied as she stood beside her.
"Yeah, but I bet you looked good doin' it."
The Jedi glared as Carmilla finished setting a course. "I looked good holding a button? Really?"
The pilot spun to look at her. Her eyes dragging up and down the blonde's body. "Well, I didn't really get to see it, but from the looks of things, I'd say it was pretty hot."
"How?" Laura exclaimed in irritation.
"Chicks and guns," she smirked.
"Okay, we're done here," Laura said before stomping off. She heard laughing from behind.
"Everything okay?" LaFontaine asked as the blonde stormed passed them.
"Aside from our pilot being a complete jackass? Yeah. Everything's fine."
The Jedi was found meditating once again. LaFontaine knocked hesitantly at the sight. "Uh, hey, L. Just came to let you know we're docking. Apparently you're no longer interacting with our pilot?"
Laura let out a puff of hair before opening her eyes and pushing herself off the ground. "It's better this way. Is Senator Perry waiting for us?"
The doctor nodded. "She should be. But Laura, I just wanted to thank you again for helping me out."
The blonde smiled. "I'm glad I could help a friend out."
"Doctor! Guards are boarding the ship," JP announced, showing up in the hallway.
The ginger followed him out, but after a few steps, a guard took each of them by the elbow and escorted them off of the ship.
"Unhand me at once! This is inappropriate!" JP tried to object.
"It's fine, JP. Just a precaution, I'm assuming," LaFontaine reasoned with a sigh.
Laura stayed quiet. In case everything turned sour, she didn't want any attention drawn to her. That proved unnecessary though as Carmilla was heard cursing and yelling from within the Lustig. She then was seen being carried over a guard's shoulder; legs and arms waving frantically for freedom.
The blonde rolled her eyes at the sight and turned to see a curly redheaded woman approach the doctor. Their was a tender smile before a sudden embrace. Laura felt like she was impeding on a private moment. Her eyes went back to Carmilla, who was now placed on the ground with a rifle pressed into her back. Her scowl almost made Laura laugh.
"Kirsch, is everything okay?" the Senator asked toward the large man holding a rifle to Carmilla.
He grinned and winked back. "No problem, Senator. Just a resistant guest."
"I'm resistant because I've done nothing wrong and my ship is being searched right now!" Carmilla growled as guards boarded the Lustig.
"Stop worrying, Karnstein. It's just routine," the doctor reassured.
One guard peeked her head out of the ship to yell down to them. "We can't get the Captain Quarters open. It's locked with some special mechanism or something." Laura raised a brow at the pilot, who made no attempt to address the matter.
"There's a decent amount of spice onboard, Senator," another guard announced from the ship's ramp. The brunette's head immediately bowed toward the ground; her eyes slammed shut.
Laura spun to the pilot. "Drugs? You were smuggling drugs?!"
Carmilla sighed, raising her head to meet the Jedi's incredulous stare. "I told you I had a tight schedule, princess. You insisted on me giving you a ride."
"You could have at least mentioned something about it!" the blonde hissed.
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Hey, big guy," she said over her shoulder toward the guard named Kirsch. "Arrest me now so I don't have to listen to anymore lectures from Miss Prim and Proper over there," she gestured a thumb toward Laura.
"God, you are unbelievable! I swear to-"
"Laura, chill," LaFontaine interrupted. They turned back to the Senator. "Perr, can you turn a blind eye just this once? I promise what I have for you is more important than some silly drug smuggling."
"LaFontaine, I can't assist in her illegal activities."
"She helped me get here though," the doctor pushed, their hands moving to hold the Senator's.
The curly headed woman frowned as she searched her childhood friend's blue eyes. "Fine. But we're taking the spice."
The doctor shrugged. "Fine by me."
"Um, not by me!" Carmilla objected. "I paid good money for that spice!"
"Seriously? You're not getting arrested, genius! Do something smart for once. Like for example, ya know, locking your contraband in your super secure bedroom maybe?!" Laura spelled it out for the pilot.
"I'm sorry I wasn't expecting to get searched while saving your whiny ass! Jesus. This is worse than getting arrested! I lose my exported goods and have to listen to the judgement robot talk, and talk, and talk some more!"
"Fine! You want to go to jail? Keep living life the way you do. You'll be there in no time. I'm surprised you aren't already there."
Carmilla scoffed. "I've been arrested seven times. No jail can hold me, princess."
The Jedi rolled her eyes. "I wish someone would build a better one then-"
"Guys!" LaFontaine yelled. The two fighting stopped to stare at them. "Laura, Perry and I are going to find somewhere more private to discuss everything. You can wait or go. I don't want to take up anymore of your time." The doctor turned to look at the pilot. "Carmilla, I'll get you your payment by tonight. Wait for me in the nearest cantina."
"Good. Now can you get this puppy to stop poking that gun of his in my back? He's not really my type," the brunette scowled.
"Oh, sorry. My bad," Kirsch said as he removed the gun and holstered it onto his back. Then, Carmilla stormed past everyone and exited the hangar.
Laura shook her head and turned back to LaFontaine. "I'm gonna head out. Keep me posted though. And good luck," she said with a smile before leaving the hangar as well.
"Perry seems nice though," Laura said as she sat in a courtyard with her fellow Jedi, Danny Lawrence.
"She is. She focuses on the real issues and tries to sort it all out. Most people here like to look the other way. Coruscant could use more people like her," the tall redhead frowned as she looked off into the speeder traffic.
"Meetings with the Supreme Chancellor not going well?" Laura gave a sympathetic frown.
Danny sighed. "Vordenburg isn't really giving me the time of day. I mean, he listens to me when I talk, but he doesn't give it too much thought. He dismisses everything in an instant. And I know Belmonde and him don't get along, but she's still Vice Chair. They share some opinions. They're just all apparently the wrong ones."
"I don't understand why the Council won't send someone to help you."
"It's not urgent enough. They keep telling me to be patient."
"Be patient for what? The old man to die of a stroke?" Laura asked in annoyance. Then, her comlink began to beep. She furrowed her brows. "It's Laf," she announced before answering the call. "Hey. What's up?"
"Soooo, I kinda need you to stick around for a bit."
Th blonde raised a brow. "And why is that?"
"Because you're a super scary Jedi and you make me feel safe?" they asked with a cringe.
"What happened?"
"Cochrane sent some guys for me a little while ago. Kirsch was here, so it was fine. But I kinda need some... protection."
"Ugh. Laf, the only way this is gonna stop is if he kills you. Or you kill him."
"So you understand my predicament."
"I'm not going to go kill him!"
"You don't have to kill him! Just- I don't know! Get him arrested or something!"
"And how do you expect me to do that?" Laura replied incredulously.
"I tracked down the coordinates of his ship. We head there. We lure him out. You jump on him with a potato sack."
"We don't even have a ship!"
"We know someone who does though," Laf sang their response.
"Oh, no. Absolutely not. She was awful! And she's costing Senator Perry a fortune! We can't afford her even if I was willing to ignore her horrible personality."
"Come on, L!"
"No."
"Please?"
"If you don't loosen these cuffs, cowboy, I'm gonna make you eat your own spleen!" a shout came from across the courtyard.
"What the-" Danny began as the two Jedi rose to their feet.
"Oh, give me a break," Laura groaned as she saw two guards escorting her recent companion toward the local precinct.
"I'm serious, Ranger Rick!" the brunette growled as she thrashed her arms behind her at the guard.
"Laf. You owe me so much," the Jedi answered through the com link before ending the call. "I'll be right back," the blonde mumbled to her friend before approaching the scene.
"Karnstein! Make it easy for once!" one of the guards yelled as they pulled out a taser gun.
"Fuck off!" she yelled back.
"Lower the gun, officer!" Laura commanded with a firm stance. Carmilla's eyes flashed to the blonde with surprise before her scowl returned.
"And who are-" the officer holding Carmilla's cuffs began to reply.
"My name is Laura Hollis. I'm a member of the Jedi Order. And I'm asking you to release this woman," she answered confidently with furrowed brows.
The officer lowered his gun with a laugh. "You want me to release Carmilla Karnstein? Do you know how many people want her dead for all the crimes she's committed? We can't just let her go, Miss Jedi," he mocked.
Her nostrils flared. "I didn't say let her go free. I just said release her. She will answer for her crimes, but under different circumstances." They stared at her with confusion. Danny stood slightly behind the blonde, watching with intrigue. "She will serve out her sentence working for me."
"Excuse me?!"
"What?!"
Carmilla and Danny exclaimed at the same time. Laura ignored them both.
"Release her from the cuffs," she ordered. She turned to the redhead. "I trust you'll make this understood in the precinct?"
"Laura, what the hell are you thinking?" her friend replied in astonishment. "This isn't some little pet project. You're taking on a criminal! I know you like to see the good in people, but this is ridiculous."
"Yeah, cupcake. You're insane," Carmilla added with complete bewilderment. "And I'm thinking death might be better than whatever the hell you've got planned for me."
The blonde glared at the pilot. "Really? You're saying no to a get out of jail free card? You really are stupid."
"I can see the wheels inside that cute little head of yours turning. You want to brainwash me into joining you and the redhead giant's cult."
"Believing that there is still hope for everyone isn't a horrible thing," Laura argued.
"Maybe not, but it sure as hell is foolish," Carmilla answered lazily.
"Fine. Then I'm foolish. Do you want my help or what?"
Carmilla stared back at her with intense dark eyes. The blonde felt a slight shiver run up her spine. It was intimidating and almost overpowering.
"Fine!"
"Fine!" Laura yelled back before turning aggressively toward her friend. "Can you smooth this over?"
"I-" Danny started to speak, but caught herself. Her shoulders sagged. "Yeah. I've got it covered," she answered with a disapproving tone.
"Thanks."
"Just be careful," Danny said as she started to step away.
"I will," Laura said as the officer removed the cuffs from Carmilla. The brunette stretched her arms with her new found freedom. She started rubbing her wrists where the restraints had been.
"Thanks for the tour, boys," Carmilla smirked at the officers before strutting toward the blonde. "I guess I'm your slave now," she said with a hint of disgust.
"You're not my slave," Laura corrected with annoyance. "You're my... assistant."
The brunette's brows shot up to her hairline. "Assistant? Are we role playing or something?" Her eyes widened as a smirk started to grow across her lips. "Ohhhh... I see now," she walked closer; her hips swaying more than usual. "How may I be of assistance, Master Jedi?" she asked huskily as she leaned into Laura's space.
The blonde forced a swallow. The pilot was too close. Too close. She cleared her throat and then straightened her posture. She wouldn't let this woman intimidate her. "We're going to take down Cochrane."
Carmilla immediately leaned back. "Excuse me?"
"He keeps going after Laf. We're going to arrest him."
The brunette began to laugh, but then stopped. "You're serious."
"Yep. And since we're working together, there will be no need to compensate you for flying us there."
"You've got to be kidding me," Carmilla grumbled.
"Welcome to the team, Carm," Laura smiled in return as she turned and began walking away.
Carmilla stood there dumbfounded before jogging after her. "Did you just call me 'Carm'?"
"You call me everything but my real name and I can't shorten yours?" Laura asked in annoyance as she turned to look at her.
"No. You can't."
"Well too bad. I'm your boss now. I get to do what I want," she answered with a smirk.
The brunette rolled her eyes. "AKA slave master."
"You could be on your way to being dead right now. Stop acting like I'm so horrible."
"Fine. You're right. You're easy on the eyes... Your mouth could move a lot less though-" The brunette felt herself get thrown forward and land on the ground. "Hey! Did you just Force push me?!" she exclaimed before pushing herself up off the ground.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Carm. But we should hurry up. Laf is waiting," Laura continued walking with a smile hidden on her face.
"Hey, L," LaFontaine started as they approached the Lustig to board. "I'm not really a fan of this whole 'bait' plan you've got goin' on."
Laura turned to her friend with a kind smile. She placed a hand on their shoulder. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise." The ginger took a deep breath before her eyes caught the sight of the brunette walking up the boarding ramp.
"What about her?"
Laura looked back to the ship to see the woman disappear inside. She turned back with the same kind smile across her face. "She's on our team. It'll be okay. Plus, aren't you two friends?"
LaFontaine chuckled. "I'm not sure Carmilla has friends. I think we have a mutual respect, but she's always been a loner. I don't know what she'd do if the situation came down to something dire."
The Jed took a deep breath and lifted her chin slightly. "Well I believe in her."
The doctor looked at her as if she was mental. "Okay, Hollis. I get that your whole thing is about seeing the best in people and hoping for good things and whatever, but this is a big risk you're taking. When it comes down to it, she's a criminal."
"She's a criminal that is being blackmailed into helping us for free to save your life," Laura deadpanned.
"Fair point. Let's hope for the best!" the doctor announced as they marched past the Jedi to the ship.
Laura needed to clear her mind before getting to Cochrane's ship. She needed to focus and prepare herself. There would be fighting. That was unavoidable. But she didn't want to hurt more people than necessary. Everyone deserved a chance at redemption; she wholeheartedly believed that.
"Such a disciplined follower..."
The blonde's eyes shot open and locked on the woman leaning lazily against the doorway. Her arms were crossed over her chest and a smirk ever present on her lips. "How didn't I sense you there?"
Carmilla's smirk turned mischievous. "I'm very good at going unnoticed, princess."
Laura's eyes continued to roam over her body. "How is that possible?" she said without meaning to. Carmilla raised a brow in response, but Laura cleared her throat quickly. "If you're so good at going unnoticed, how did you manage to get yourself arrested?"
"Was flirting with the barmaid. She was an undercover cop."
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Typical." She then registered the woman's greeting. "Wait, did you call me a follower?" she asked with annoyance kicking in.
"Sure did. You seem to be constantly practicing that little Jedi code of yours. You should give yourself a break once in awhile," she replied nonchalantly as she pushed herself off of the doorway and entered the practice room.
"I can't take a break from my life," Laura answered, clearly irritated.
"Oh, lighten up, cupcake. The course is plotted. We've got some time until we get to Cochrane. How about you stop this little quiet sitting session and do something more productive?" Carmilla suggested with excitement in her dark eyes. Laura felt a shiver run up her spine from her stare.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" the blonde asked, clearing her throat once again.
Carmilla smirked. "A little hand-to-hand combat?"
The Jedi scoffed and pushed herself up to her feet. "You wouldn't last five seconds. That's one of my specialties."
The brunette seemed to find that amusing. "Well then, let's see what you've got, princess."
Laura removed her robe and threw it to the side. She straightened her long sleeved undershirt and got into her fighting stance. Carmilla smirked as she removed her leather vest in the same fashion.
"Come on, cupcake. Show me what you-" she was cut off by Laura sprinting toward her. The brunette quickly dodged in surprise. The blonde sent a high kick in her direction, which Carmilla blocked with her forearm. The criminal frowned at the force of the kick.
"You're stronger than you look," Carmilla admitted. The Jedi responded with a sweeping kick that the pilot hurdled just in time.
"And you're more agile than you look," Laura said in a huff before throwing a few punches that the brunette blocked.
"You sound surprised that I'm so smooth," Carmilla grinned through labored breaths.
The blonde sent a quick jab into the pilot's gut, causing her to bend over with a grunt. "I am," she answered roughly before flipping the woman over onto her back. "Your clumsy come ons prove otherwise," she explained, staring down at the grimacing brunette.
Carmilla suddenly jumped back up to her feet, taking the blonde by surprise when she sent a jab into her ribs. The pilot then grabbed her arm and twisted it behind the Jedi's back. She grabbed Laura's other arm and bent it tightly under the blonde's chin; restricting proper breathing. Carmilla's body was pressed firmly into her back; her mouth positioned right beside Laura's ear.
"I don't think they're that clumsy when your cheeks turn that cute shade of red afterwards," she replied with clear amusement. Her hot breath slid across Laura's skin and made her shiver yet again. Carmilla felt the Jedi's reaction and grinned even more. Her eyes caught sight of necklace hanging beneath Laura's shirt, but refused to let her mind wander. She roughly pushed the woman away; watching as the blonde found her footing again and spun to meet her gaze. Her cheeks were tinted red.
Laura growled and charged as she ruthlessly began sending kicks and punches right after each other. "You. Are. So. Arrogant!" she spat through gritted teeth as she continued sending out blows. "And annoying! And cocky!" Carmilla started laughing as she continued to block each of the hits, which was proving rather difficult.
Finally, the brunette reached out to grapple her, but Laura swiped her leg under Carmilla's feet. The pilot went flying backwards toward the floor with her hand still gripped onto Laura's wrist; bringing the Jedi down on top of her. The blonde quickly straddled her waist and pinned Carmilla's wrists to the floor beside her head.
"Nice playing with you, Carm, but it looks like I win," the Jedi announced with a confident smile.
The brunette's dark eyes shifted up and down the blonde's body on top of her before smirking. "I'm gonna have to argue with you on that one."
Laura's cheeks suddenly turned into a darker shade of red than usual as she felt the heat of Carmilla's body against hers. She quickly jumped to her feet and backed away. She watched as Carmilla propped herself up by her elbows. She was still smiling.
"You're unbelievable," the blonde scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"And you're one bad ass fighter. Definitely went from being cute to hot instantly," she grinned as she let her eyes roam over the blonde's body unabashedly.
"You're disgusting!" Laura exclaimed before grabbing her robe from the floor and making her exit.
"Let me know if you ever want to win again!" the pilot yelled. She could hear Carmilla's laughter echoing after her.