Morph

Chapter 13: Masquerade

Orson Space Station

Carmine's POV

"Sir, we've made contact with The Maddox." the comm. unit wakes me up. I fell asleep on my desk... again.

"I'm on my way." I inform the cadet, my voice is raspy. Ever since Nyla and Deacon went on search for the child, I hadn't had a good night's sleep. Hurriedly, I make my way to the command center; I want to handle this personally.

"This is Chief Carmine to Maddox, do you copy?" It takes a few minutes for them to respond, but that's expected since they are about two light years away from Orson Station

"This is Officer Richards, we copy Chief." Her voice sends relief throughout my whole body.

"Good to hear from you, Officer, I was beginning to get worried." The cadet next to me... Fitz smiles nervously.

"Worried? Wow Carmine, you getting soft on me?" I can hear a smile in her voice, which makes me smile. "I think you'll be glad to know we have the Kyie child in custody."

I knew I could count on you "Well done. And what of the adults?" my heart races awaiting her answer.

"Deceased, Sir." she answers rapidly. A deep sigh escapes me and Fitz notices. I sit at the terminal hoping no one would see my wobbly legs. Riddick, dead? The thought disturbed me for some reason. On the other hand, I wasn't quite sure Richards is telling me whole story.

"I take it you're on your way home then, Officers?"

"Yes, Sir, looking forward to a nice, long, hot bath, Sir" The cadets around me begin to laugh at her comment. They all know what it's like to go on long journeys.

"I'll have one waiting for you when you get here. Orson out." I switch off the comm. unit and signal for Fitz to come close to me.

"As soon as they are close enough I want you to scan the ship for a body count" she looks at me with inquiring look. "Understand?" She nods.


The Maddox

Our trip back to the station is long and weary. Riddick keeps pacing the ship, making me even more nervous. He's used to piloting, so being a passenger seems to be a little bit more than he can handle.

"You keep that pace and we'll have a breach in the hull." I joke around but he doesn't laugh. "Relax Riddick, we'll be there in a few more hours."

Jason's fast asleep in the cryo-locker. Riddick checks up on him from time to time. Although the ship is on auto-pilot, Deacon sits in the co-pilot seat paying close attention to the shipping lanes. I stand to stretch my legs a bit. Riddick is sitting, resting also. I take this opportunity to talk to him alone.

"You know, we never really got to talk about your past." I sit next to him.

He leans forward, "That's because you never asked, kid."

"I'm asking now." I bite my lip, hoping he doesn't tell me to buzz off.

"At the club Darkness Falls, you heard something, someone call you, remember that?" his eyes are locked on the floor.

I recall the club and sitting and then... Yes I do remember someone calling my name.

"That was you, wasn't it?" Still unsure of the comment.

He frowns "Think about kid, that's impossible. We were on opposite sides of the club."

"And with music blasting it would've been impossible for me to hear you." he nods slowly. "You have the gift, the same one Jason has." He shakes his head.

"I don't know what it is. It's always been there, though. Even when I was a kid, I could hear the things that people were thinking." His fingers are entwined in front of him. "I remember the first time I had a vision, I was about 7 and I was in class in one of the orphanage schools and the teacher, Mrs. Powell, this old skinny woman I detested. She had an alcohol problem and was very aggressive. Well she would always keep this one kid after school... Kurt was his name. I mean the poor kid couldn't get a break, she would give him detention for any reason. One day in class, she gave Kurt this cold look, he dropped his pencil and we both reached for it, our hands grazed and all of the sudden I was witnessing the most disturbing thing in my life. Ms. Powell was sitting in her desk with Kurt on her lap, his pants were down to his knees and she was stroking him. Not only could I see this happening, but I could feel everything Kurt was feeling. When I came back to reality I started freaking out and screaming. Ms. Powell tried to calm me down and I told her if she ever touched him again, I'd kill her. The look on her face was beyond description. Needless to say, I was transferred from her class and so was Kurt. We grew up to be best friends after that." My mouth is hanging open, his story made me realize that this 'gift' he shares with Jason was more of a curse.

"I'm... at a loss of words." I confess. He takes my hand in his and smiles.

"I'm sorry for getting into your head like that. I'll never do it again." I give him half a smile.

"When you were in my head, did you see anything of interest?" I can't believe I just said that.

He grins "As a matter of fact, I did." His face comes closer to mine and I can hear my own heart beat wildly. He's gonna kiss me! My eyes close instinctively and I can feel his breath on my cleavage.

"Nyla! We have trouble!" *No! * Riddick jumps back and stands

To be continued