Morph

Chapter 12: Prized Possession

Working up a plan with Deacon turns out harder than I thought. One way or another I have to find out why the Corporation is keeping Riddick a secret from the rest of the world. It's just a matter of time until I run out of excuses or the Chief decides to call us back in. I'm very worried about Deacon, he didn't ask to be put on this mission and now he's risking his career and his life. We take a break for a couple of hours. Deacon heads for the dojo to let off some stress. Sitting in the control center, I realize that I cannot hack into the military files without being caught. There's only one way I can accomplish this. I must go back to headquarters and retrieve the files from there, only then will I know what's going on. After Deacon is finished with his workout we head back to Saia's house.

The conversation I had with Saia the day before, left me with a lot of questions. Jason is only 6 years old, but physically looks to be about 8 and his mentality is very advanced for his age as well. All psyches have high IQ's and their learning abilities are far beyond ours, but there are more Kyie's out there. Why did the military want them? There's something Saia isn't telling me everything and I need to know before heading back to headquarters. Riddick is in the living room playing a interactive game with Jason and Deacon. I catch up with Saia in the kitchen. She's preparing us a meal before we head out.

"I need to ask you something, but you need to tell me the total and honest truth" I hope I don't sound too authoritative, the last thing I want to do is piss her off.

Sherks,rks, "Sure, go ahead".

"Why does the Corporation want Jason and not Riddick?" I look insihe lhe living room making sure they aren't listening to us.

She stops what she's doing and comes closer to me. " But they do want Riddick. They want him for what he is, or for what they created. Jason is much like his uncle. Advanced for his age in many ways, but... Jason is something else' she hesitates and her voice becomes shaky "There are times when he seems to lose control of his anger. Within him there's a dark side that I cannot explain" she continues to cook.

I recall seeing that same dark side in Riddick. *I've never lost control like that before * his words repeat in my head.

"Are you telling me that the Corporation created Riddick and Jason?" she smirks sadly cutting some vegetables.

"What I'm saying, is that not everything is what it seems" she eyes the living room and Jason looks up at her and smiles. "They want him real bad, but I'll die before I let that happen." her cutting becomes more violent. Deacon stands in the doorway looking at me and then her.

I swallow hard, preparing myself for what I'm about to tell her. "Saia, I want to help you and Jason, but in order for me to that I have to go back and snoop around in their files. If I go back empty handed then they'll know something is wrong." She stops abruptly and looks up at me.

"Are you suggesting that I let you take my son back to that place voluntarily?" its hard for her to understand that's the only way.

"Listen to me" she shakes her head "It would only be for show. I'd tell them I want full control of the child. It'll buy me some time to break into their files."

"NO!" she slams the knife on the counter. Both Riddick and Jason are standing in the entrance to the kitchen.

"Mommy?" Jason face is of worry. Saia has tears in her eyes.

"Jason, baby come here." he faithfully does as his mother says. Deacon puts his hands up and looks to me for an order. I shake my head in a 'stand down' manner.

"Jack will take care of me, mom., I trust her, and so should you." so much wm fom for a little child. I look at Jason and imagine Riddick being the same way when he was a child.

Saia kneels down and comes eye to eyes with her son "Mommy's just scared, darling, that's all".

With his little thumb he wipes her tears away "Don't be mommy. I'll be alright, uncle won't let anything happen to me." He walks back inside the living room and Riddick moves close to me.

"It's not him I'm worried about." Deacon joins Jason and they begin to play again "So, when do we leave?" Riddick asks me.

For some reason I have to move away from him before answering. "Ah, Riddick you can't come with us. You know that." I can see his jaw tighten.

"Really? Why not?" he crosses his arms making his muscles flex. I'm distracted by them momentarily.

"Uhm, it's too risky. I can't let your personal emotions for Jason interfere." I feel as though the discussion is over before it begins.

"I'm going with you, like it or not." he stalks away from me which unexpectedly pisses me off.

Damn him! Doesn't he know he could be caught? This mission is going to be hard enough, now he has to go and make it harder. Although the thought of him being with us gives me a little comfort.

"That went well." Deacon states with a smile placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Let's pack up, we leave in the morning." I stomp away.

To be continued.