The Monster Within
Laura stared back at the brunette with squinted eyes; her mouth slightly ajar. "I get you can be a real pain, but taking credit for an entire village's bad luck is a bit extreme. Even for you."
Carmilla hissed as she adjusted her position. "The Shadowlands are powerful. Things lurk down there that most aren't even aware exist. The Shadowlands are just that; shadows. Darkness and evil collect and grow down there. Why do you think the Wookiees think it's so sacred? They're afraid of it. That's why only their bravest go down there. And when something enters that isn't welcome? That can cause an imbalance in the energy. That kind of effect can do things to an environment; to its inhabitants."
"So you went down there, and somehow messed up the equilibrium of things?" Laura questioned, still confused.
"They're not gonna let me go, sweetheart. And things are about to get very bad... Very soon." She reached into her torn shirt and pulled out a small disc before holding her hand out to the bars of the cell. Laura took it with furrowed brows. "It's the sample we needed from the terentatek. Wookiees don't check their prisoners very well..." she scoffed.
The blonde stared down at the sample before locking eyes with the pilot. "I'm not leaving you here."
Carmilla took a deep breath and let her head fall back against the wall. "People are counting on that cure. You need to go as soon as possible."
"Then stop wasting my time so I can get you out of here-"
"Laura!" Carmilla cut in roughly. The Jedi's eyes widened; their was a pulse of energy that ran through the air. "I'm not leaving with you. You need to go."
"Why?" she asked in a whisper.
"Because others are coming for me. And you can't protect me from them," she answered with a darkness in her eyes that Laura had never seen before.
The Jedi squared her shoulders. "Says who?"
Carmilla's anger was building. Laura could feel it seeping off her. The brunette gritted her teeth before locking eyes with her again. A fire blazed through her gaze. "I didn't save you just so you could die because of me! Get the sample to the mad scientist and then go back to your Council. This isn't up for debate."
"How can you have so many different groups of people wanting you dead?" Laura exclaimed.
"Because I'm not a good person! Now get the hell out of here!"
"You wouldn't have saved me if you were some horrible person!"
"Oh my God. You're gonna argue with me about me being an upstanding citizen now? Do you know how aggravating you are?!"
"As aggravating as you are!"
The ground shook suddenly. Screams and another explosion were heard from a distance. Laura's eyes widened as she saw the guards down the hall running out of the hut to investigate. "I don't have time for this," Laura mumbled.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Carmilla yelled before sudden blue sparked into the air. The Jedi's lightsaber sliced through the bars a few times, creating an opening for the pilot to exit the cell. "What- What the hell are you doing?!"
"We're leaving," Laura explained as she bent down, grabbed onto Carmilla's wrists and pulled her to her feet.
The brunette stumbled, leaning against the wall due to lack of strength. "You're not gonna be able to get me out of here."
"Don't challenge me," the Jedi growled as she pulled Carmilla's arm over her shoulders; Laura's arm wrapped around the brunette's waist. They made their way down the hall and out of the building, but then came to a halt.
Chaos had ensued. Wookiees laid dead upon the ground. Firing of weapons were seen throughout the village. Screams of terror filled the air. Soldiers marched through mercilessly.
"They're killing everyone..." Laura breathed out in horror.
Carmilla's eyes slammed shut to shield herself from the images. "I told you to leave me," she said through gritted teeth.
"They want you?" the blonde asked, overwhelmed by the massacre before her.
"I'm not who you think I am."
Laura turned her head sharply to stare at the brunette, who still had her eyes closed tightly.
Then, a group of soldiers came running up; their guns aimed surely. Laura reached for her lightsaber, but just before she ignited it, a voice called out.
"Fall back! I've got this one," his voice came out with amusement coating his tone. Darth Mailwil walked out of the shadows with a devilish grin on his face. "You're not looking so good, Mircalla. What happened?" he asked mockingly.
Carmilla pulled herself away from Laura and put all her strength into standing up on her own. She unsteadily took a few steps forward. Her glare burning into him only made him grin more.
"Maman sent me to bring you home. After telling her of our little reunion, she was eager to see you again."
"I'm sure she's aware the feeling isn't mutual," the pilot spat back.
"Oh come on, sis. Where's the love?"
Laura's eyes widened. She quickly stared back and forth between the two, noticing Carmilla growing significantly angrier.
"Don't tempt me, William," Carmilla hissed.
He openly laughed at her. "You can barely stand!"
"I've never needed much strength to have you begging me for mercy," she answered with a hint of amusement in her eyes. She knew how he'd respond, and she wasn't disappointed.
"You bitch," he growled, unleashing his red blade and lunging toward her.
"Carm!" Laura tried to ignite her weapon, but he was already within reach of the brunette. And then, he came to a dead stop. His feet were slightly off of the ground. His lightsaber had fallen from his hand, in favor of his hands clawing at his throat. He gasped for air as his eyes grew wider and began to roll.
Laura looked at Carmilla, seeing the brunette's open hand reaching out toward Darth Mailwil. A slight smirk played at the corner of her lips.
"Don't forget who helped train you, Willy Boy." Her hand began to close slightly, and his need for air grew more urgent.
"Carm!"
Carmilla's eyes shifted slightly to see Laura's frightened stare.
The Jedi saw a flash of some unidentifiable emotion in the pilot's eyes. Then, Carmilla looked back at the man in her grasp and swung her arm down, causing Darth Mailwil to go crashing into the ground.
Carmilla closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath. Then, she turned to Laura. "We need to leave."
"Carm-"
"Now!" she growled back, causing a wave of fear to flood through the blonde's body. Carmilla then began running out of the village.
Laura hesitated before following. They avoided the majority of gunfire and dodged when they needed to. Laura managed to make it all the way to the spaceport without igniting her weapon. After a few soldiers met their demise, they found themselves aboard the Lustig.
The Jedi stood in the back of the cockpit as Carmilla silently got the ship into the air. The air was tense. The energy was suffocating. Something was radiating off the brunette and it was powerful; overwhelming.
The pilot punched in the coordinates for Coruscant. The sooner Laf got the sample the better. But the brunette knew she couldn't remain there long. Her mother was looking for her.
They were in hyperspace by the time their silence was broken. Carmilla didn't turn around in her chair, but her hands gripped tightly on the armrests. "Speak, cutie. I can feel you staring daggers into me," she said bitterly.
"You used the Force."
"Observant as ever."
"That power... That was the Darkside..."
Carmilla spun around in her chair to stare intensely at the blonde. "Scared?"
Laura shook her head trying to wrap her mind around it. "How? How didn't I..."
"I was raised by the most powerful woman in the galaxy, princess. I'm a little beyond your usual encounters," she answered in annoyance as she pushed herself up from her seat harshly. Laura flinched from her action. Carmilla, seeing this, felt a rush run through her; her eyes grew darker as she took a single step toward the Jedi.
"You are afraid..." she noted. "Terrified even. I can feel it radiating from you." She stepped closer, causing Laura to step backwards; her back hitting the wall of the cockpit.
The brunette's palm pressed into the wall beside Laura as she hovered into the Jedi's space. "You've already lost, sweetheart," she breathed out as her other hand pressed firmly into Laura's lightsaber that was belted against the Jedi's hip. Carmilla then leaned her mouth down beside Laura's ear. "I could crush your throat with the twitch of my fingers," she whispered.
"You won't."
A dark chuckle left Carmilla's throat as she slowly pulled back to stare at the blonde. A sickening smirk covered her lips. "And why is that?"
Laura forced a swallow. "Because you saved me."
The brunette then removed herself from the Jedi's personal space. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm going to my quarters." Her eyes opened again and pierced through Laura. "Do not disturb me." And then she stormed off.
Carmilla had been in her room for hours. She sat at the edge of her bed, her hands buried in her hair as she bowed down toward her lap. Years of not using the Force was taking a toll on her. All that hatred; all that anger; it was suffocating. The emotions rippled through her, begging her to surrender to them. Resisting was painful and tiresome. It was hard to focus all her energy into it. Especially with the knowledge that her mother was coming for her.
With the use of her powers, it was like a beacon for her mother. She would sense her use of the Force within seconds. It took so much effort to constantly shield her energy for the past few years that without that barrier in place, Carmilla felt overwhelmed. Her senses were working overtime, and as she tried to tame her inner demons, she could feel the blonde impatiently waiting outside her door.
The pilot pushed herself up from her bed and stomped toward her door. She smacked her fist against a button, creating mechanical clicks and clacks before the door powered open. Carmilla spun around and went back to her position on her bed.
Laura sat in the hallway with her back against the wall. Her eyes widened as she stared at the open doorway before jumping to her feet. Hesitantly, she entered the room.
"Hey..." the blonde greeted awkwardly.
Carmilla scoffed. "Hey," she answered gruffly.
"So... you're a powerful Dark Jedi," she acknowledged with her voice squeaking slightly.
The brunette lifted her head to stare at the Jedi. "I'm not gonna kill you," she said apathetically.
"I- I didn't think you were going to."
"I have no intention of battling the Lightside or acquiring ultimate power either," she clarified in the same unenthusiastic tone.
Laura laughed lightly. "I could have guessed that considering how lazy you are."
Carmilla glared, but it lacked anything menacing. "When we get to Coruscant, I'll drop you off with the sample, and then I'm getting as far away as possible."
"Um, hate to break it to ya, but you're still under my command."
The pilot stared at her incredulously. "Being your prisoner is the least of my worries. I'm being hunted. And if she finds me, death would be an act of mercy."
"Well then I guess I'll have to keep you safe."
"You're are the most naive Jedi I have ever met! You only think you've felt the power of the Darkside. You know nothing! She will twist you apart from the inside out, and that'll only be the opening act. I am not going back to her. So you either let me leave, or you better be prepared to kill me."
Laura could see the fear in her eyes. She was terrified. She could feel the pain resonating off of the brunette. "What did she do to you?" Laura asked weakly.
Carmilla's hands gripped firmly onto her thighs. Her jaw clenched as memories invaded her mind. "She created a monster," she whispered. Her dark eyes locked with Laura's; vulnerability seeping through.
Laura took a step closer. "Let me bring you to the Council. They can help. We can protect-"
"No."
"Carm, if she's as strong as you're saying, you can't do this alone."
"You're right. I can't. But there's nothing your precious Jedi Council can do to help. They'll only get themselves killed. They can't help me."
"That's not your decision to make."
"It isn't yours either!"
They stared at each other daringly, waiting for the other to back down.
Laura straightened her back and squared her shoulders. "You're my prisoner. You have no say in the matter."
Carmilla let out a disgusted chuckle. "So much for being your partner..."
"We're going to Dantooine after delivering the sample. The Jedi Council will have a better plan."
"They'll lock me up."
"No, they won't. I won't let them."
The pilot stared at her in wonderment. "Why?" she asked softly.
"Because you're not going to hurt anyone."
Carmilla lifted a brow. "Oh yeah? What makes you think that?"
"Because I don't believe you want to," Laura answered gently. "And I'm asking you nicely not to," she added with a slight smile.
"Oh, so you think I'm just gonna roll over and play dead because a pretty girl smiles at me and asks nicely?"
The blonde's cheeks turned red. "I don't think you'd ever be that obedient," she jested.
The pilot's eyes sparkled and a mischievous smirk appeared on her lips. "Depends on what you're offering as a reward."
Laura forced a swallow as a shiver ran up her spine. "I think staying out of a cell and keeping your life is a good incentive."
Carmilla's eyes raked up and down the Jedi's body. "I can think of a better one."
*Beep*
The blonde jumped from the sound of the com link in her ear. She quickly reached up and pressed a button. "Hollis," she answered; her voice cracking. She cleared her throat as Carmilla continued to smirk at her.
"Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days!"
"Uh, sorry, Laf. I was kinda unconscious for two days. And Carm was kinda in prison," she cringed at their misfortune.
"Jesus. The last time I heard anything, Karnstein was telling me you were poisoned! I thought you were dead!"
"I'm sorry! I'm fine! We ran into a lot of... unforeseen circumstances. We've got the sample though and we're almost at Coruscant."
"Good. I'll be waiting at Perry's."
The com link went dead after that. Laura sighed. She let her eyes meet Carmilla again. "So are we... okay?"
"Aren't you curious why she's after me?"
"Yes," she admitted. "I just figured you wouldn't tell me."
Carmilla's gaze fell to the floor as she nodded slowly.
"So... do you know how to use a lightsaber?" Laura asked with a tilt of her head.
Carmilla looked up at her and chuckled. She looked like a curious child. "I've dabbled."
"What else can you do?"
"We're going into the territory of why my mother wants me."
"You must be something special to have that kind of rescue party come after you," the blonde humored.
"Cursed is a better term."
Silence fell in the room. Laura stared at the pilot lost in thought. She looked exhausted; drained of all hope. For once, Carmilla looked fragile; mere moments away from shattering.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Carm," she said sincerely with furrowed brows. The brunette looked up at her weakly. "I promise."
A sad smile came to the pilot's lips. "That's a tough promise to keep, princess."
"Good. I like a challenge," Laura smiled back. Carmilla then bowed her head again, hopelessness still engulfing her. The blonde took a deep breath and walked over to sit down next to the pilot. Carmilla looked at her from the corner of her eye.
"For someone who just found out I was a Dark Jedi, you're awfully eager to share my bed with me."
Laura rolled her eyes. "You might be stronger than I thought, but you're still you. And your inappropriate joke only proves that."
"Great. I should have known you'd be annoyingly accepting. You've got the whole 'help wounded animals' look down to a tee."
"You're not a wounded animal."
"I've got mommy issues."
"And I've got abandonment issues. Who doesn't have problems?" Laura answered with a shrug.
Carmilla's brows furrowed. "You have abandonment issues?"
The blonde smiled gently at the pilot before reaching into her robe and grabbing the locket. She pulled it over her head and held it in her hand gingerly. "My father is a treasure hunter. Has been since before I was born." Her eyes stared down at the memento with longing. "He gave this to me when I was five. It was something he found on one of his searches." Then, she tapped the button at the top and the locket popped open. A small holo pic appeared above the necklace. It was of a woman smiling softly.
"My father had come back earlier from a trip when he gave this to me. He came back because my mother died."
Carmilla's eyes immediately shot up to stare at the blonde. Then, her eyes fell back to the woman in the locket.
"I love my father, but he was never around. And when my mother died, it felt like she was finally leaving me too." She sighed. "Shortly after, I found out I was Force sensitive and went off to start my training."
A moment of silence fell between them. "Why are you telling me this?" Carmilla asked softly.
Laura finally turned to look at her again. Her smile lacked any sadness. It held nothing but kindness. "Because you deserve to know that Jedi aren't perfect. And no one has to be." Carmilla forced a swallow as honey eyes pierced through her. Laura continued. "I don't know what you've been through, but I'm sorry."
The brunette's mouth fell ajar. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Because no one deserves suffering; no matter what their crimes."
"Even murderers like me?" she asked with a bitterness in her tone.
Laura's brows furrowed. "You deserve better. You deserve help."
"And what? You plan on helping me, princess?"
"If you let me."
Their eyes met with a spark.
"The Force is habitual. Now that I've given in to it, the Darkside is swirling around inside me. I might not be able to control myself."
"You weren't easy to live with before this. I'm sure I can handle it," Laura said lightheartedly. She let her eyes roam over Carmilla's face. The brunette looked utterly exhausted. She couldn't imagine how she felt after the past two days. "You should try to get some rest." Carmilla nodded slowly as her gaze fell to the floor. "I'll be meditating if you need me," she added sweetly as she left the room.
"I don't care!" a familiar voice rasped out. Laura's eyes were shut in concentration when the voice slipped into her mind. She squirmed in her meditating position.
"Careful, dear. You know what happens when that temper of yours gets out of hand," another woman replied with a hint of amusement.
"What threat was she to you?! She was just a normal girl!"
"She had you wrapped around her finger. I couldn't let you get careless all for a doomed romance."
"You killed her! She was the only thing that mattered to me!"
"And that was getting in the way," the woman answered evenly.
"She was the only thing that was mine!" the familiar voice cracked.
"And you're mine. Don't forget that, girl." A silence fell. "Oh, Mircalla," the woman said sadly. "Your passion is misplaced and so wasted. But don't worry, darling. We'll fix that," she finished before Laura felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She yelped, jumping to her feet and looking around the practice room with wide eyes.
"What the-" Laura said as she rubbed her head. Then, Carmilla came sprinting down the corridor. The blonde quickly left the room to follow her.
The pilot had thrown herself into the bathroom, her head bowed into the toilet as she proceeded to vomit.
"Whoa... Are you okay?"
Carmilla groaned after sitting up and leaning her back against the wall. Her forehead was coated in sweat as her breathing tried to even out. "Never better," she answered weakly with her eyes shut.
"What happened?"
"Bad dream," she grumbled.
Laura frowned. "About what?"
"An old argument. Don't worry about it," she said with her eyes still closed.
"Was it about a girl getting killed?"
Carmilla's eyes shot open. The darkness of her stare was heavy and it almost knocked Laura off balance. "What?" she asked in an intimidatingly low tone.
Laura swallowed. "I was trying to meditate and I heard voices. Some woman said Mircalla... Isn't that what Darth Mailwil called you?" she asked hesitantly.
"How did you hear that?" the brunette ignored the question as she pushed herself up to stand; her stance menacing.
"I don't know, I swear!" Laura replied urgently. "It stopped after I felt a shock run through me."
"That's because I woke up just as she started to torture me, sweetheart," Carmilla practically growled as she brushed past Laura and stomped down the hall. The blonde hurried after her.
"Did that actually happen?"
"That's none of your business," she answered harshly without turning to look at her and continuing down the hall.
"So it did..."
Carmilla spun around, her scowl inches from Laura's shocked face. "Stay out of my head," she said through gritted teeth and a fire in her eyes.
The Jedi frowned. "I didn't do it on purpose," she said as she straightened her posture.
"Make sure it doesn't happen again!" she said before spinning back around and heading toward the cockpit.
"This is an emergency! LaFontaine is expecting us!" Laura exclaimed as they stood in front of Senator Perry's estate. The guards were proving difficult.
"I'm sorry, but we were instructed not to let anyone in when the Senator was out."
"Well how long is she going to be?"
"Haven't the slightest idea."
Laura groaned. Carmilla had been silent since they left the ship. She could feel how uneasy she was as the brunette stood behind her.
"Can't you just go inside and tell Laf we're here?"
"These doors are to remain shut until Senator Perry returns," the other guard answered.
"Alright, enough with this bullshit," Carmilla said under her breath before pushing Laura to the side. "We're here to help with the cure. Move or I'll tear you two to pieces without giving your remains a second glance."
"Carm!"
"Is that a threat?" one of the guards said.
"It's more than a threat," Carmilla answered as her rage began to build. Laura felt her energy crash into her. She immediately reached out and grabbed the brunette's arm.
The energy quickly dissipated.
Dark eyes met honey, and the fire that was behind the pilot's eyes suddenly went out. Carmilla let out a deep breath.
"Laura?"
They all turned to see the Senator approaching.
"Perry!" she exclaimed in relief, her hand slipping off of Carmilla's arm. "We've got the sample for Laf."
"You lost your cool back there," Laura finally spoke as they headed back to the ship.
"They were being idiots," Carmilla answered nonchalantly.
"You threatened to tear them apart."
"I didn't do it, did I?" she replied with an exasperated sigh.
"You certainly looked like you were going to."
"I'm sorry, okay?!" she stopped walking and harshly turned to face Laura. She took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair.
Laura frowned as she stepped closer to place a hand on Carmilla's arm. "Carm-" she began, but the pilot brushed her hand away.
"Don't. Let's just get back." She walked off ahead, leaving Laura watching with worry.
Laura felt it immediately when Carmilla entered the practice room. She opened her eyes from her sitting position and smiled gently at the brunette. The pilot stood in the doorway rubbing the back of her neck.
"I, um, was wondering if you wanted to spar? Figured I should get some energy out of my system. Maybe it'll make my asshole level go down."
Laura began to smirk. "Debatable."
Carmilla rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Ha. Ha. So is that a 'yes'?"
The Jedi popped up and removed her robe. "Bring it on, Karnstein."
The brunette shook her head with a smile as she removed her leather vest. "There's something you should know," she began as they got into their stances. "Since you know my little secret, I'm not gonna go easy on you anymore."
Laura's eyebrows furrowed. "What? What do you-" She was interrupted as Carmilla charged. She lifted her arms to block each on coming attack; jumping and dodging when she could. She was much more aggressive than usual. It was almost overpowering.
The blonde couldn't get in a single hit. An occasional jab hit her torso, and she groaned before Carmilla flipped her onto her back. The brunette hovered over her with a grin as she reached her hand down. "Come on, cupcake. Where's the competition?"
Laura frowned before taking her hand and getting back to her feet. She doubled her efforts, but still Carmilla wasn't letting her get a hit in. Just when she thought she saw an opening, the pilot reached out and grabbed her wrist before Laura's hand made contact. Carmilla then roughly pushed Laura a couple feet back until she was pressed firmly against the wall, unable to move.
Both of their breaths were labored. The air left their bodies and danced across the other's skin.
"How are you this good?" Laura breathed out. If her body wasn't already literally locked in place, Carmilla's stare would have done it all on it's own. It was so powerful. It was captivating.
"You're easily distracted. I noticed that the first time we sparred," her voice low and inviting.
Her mouth went dry. "Distracted by what? I'm completely focused on you."
Carmilla smirked. "That's the problem, cutie."
Laura hadn't noticed Carmilla's hand on her hip until she felt the pilot's thumb apply more pressure and brush down her hip. Her body tingled in response and she found herself staring at the brunette's lips. They were so close and her body suddenly ached.
Then, she came to her senses. She pushed Carmilla away and cleared her throat as she bent down to pick up her robe.
"I should, uh, go rest. We'll be on Dantooine soon," she said only briefly looking at an amused Carmilla before exiting the room.