Morph

Chapter 22: Friend or Foe?


The windscreen opens and we are surrounded by military. My hand grips the controls and I feel Riddick’s eyes on me.

“Can you get out of here?” he asks me.

“Piece of cake” I tell him, but I’m feeling a little unsure. More than likely there are ships waiting for us in Remora’s orbit. Riddick moves over to the weapons deck. A loud clamp, lets me know the missiles are charged and ready to be fired.

“Devil’s Haven your weapons have been armed, please cease and desist immedi.....” Riddick pounds on the communication button.

“Fuck you!” Riddick shouts at the comm unit. I take that as my cue, I hit the thrusters and the ship elevates. The guards begin to shoot at us; the ship takes a few minor hits. We leave the station faster than I’ve ever navigated any ship. Clearing the atmosphere, I take a deep breath.

“It’s not over yet. Hold on” Riddick takes over the controls. We are being shot at. I t ovt over to the console and detect about 5 or no maybe 7 fighters chasing us. Riddick moves with incredible precision. He takes out 4 fighters before the rest retreat. He tells me to do a systems check and make sure that the hits we took aren’t serious. Thankfully anything we endured is minor.

“We have to do a star jump” I suggest, he agrees and I strap in. Riddick gives me a look of worry and I know exactly what he’s thinking about. I cross my fingers, our minor problems could worsen with the star jump, bt’s t’s a risk we have to take.

“Star jump in, 3, 2, 1” the view in front of us becomes a blur. The ship shakes and for a second all goes black. Our back up generator comes on. As the star jump ends I place my face in my hands, recovering from the wooziness. I hear Riddick un-strap himself and walk over to me.

“Hey, you OK?” he kneels down and takes my hands in his. I nod my head but keep silent. “It’ll be days until we reach the Clarendon System. We have to dock in the nearest planet for repairs. I’m gonna check the engine room and repair whatever I can”

“I’ll, uhm, find out what the nearest system is.” I’m still trying to let everything sink in.

Riddick scoops me in his arms and holds me tight.

“I know that we haven’t had a chance to discuss us, but I promise you Jack that once everything is over and you, Saia and Jason are safe we are going to be together. That is, if you think you can handle me.” He smiles wickedly and kisses me.

“Just promise me one thing,” I ask in my most sultry voice.

“Anything, princess” he tells me

“As soon as you’re done mending this beast up. I want you to come back up here and give me some healing too” his eyes light up and he grins.

While Riddick patches the ship up, I check on Saia and Jason. They’re both asleep and unaware of anything that went on. At least that’s what it seems, looking at Jason a little bit closer I see his eyelids slightly fluttering. He’s dreaming? That’s impossible. Then again I remember Riddick telling me when in cryosl he he too would be aware of his surroundings. Maybe it was their psychic ability that keeps them awake. I head to the living quarters me Riddick had discovered. The sheets are still lying on the ground along with our clothes. I smile at the memory of our first love making session.

After I tidy up the room, I take a shower and lay on the bed falling into a dreamless sleep.

Down in the cargo bay Riddick is lying under one of the air vents, repairing it, making sure no air is leaking. He’s almost done. Even with the loud hissing the vent is making Riddick knows he’s not alone. Slowly he scoots out from under the vent, with a torch in hand. Riddiooksooks at the intruder with a livid stare. He stands up never taking his eyes off Deacon, gnashing his teeth.

“I know what your thinking Riddick...” Deacon has a hand in front of him as if that would stop Riddick from pouncing on him.

“Don’t fucking think so, but I do know what you’re thinking. And the answer is no” Riddick begin cir circle him, like a python before it strikes.

“What?” Deacon per perplexed, also following the merry go round, keeping his distance from Riddick.

Riddick huffs like a dragon, “No Jack isn’t going back with you or anyone else.”

Deacon drops his hand realizing Riddick’s gift. “What makes you think this is the kind of life she wants? What can you possiblyer her her, besides running from the federation for the rest of her life?” Riddick notices he actually sounds concerned.

“So what, you come in here and whisk her away like a knight in shinning armor, huh? Don’t think for a fucking moment I don’t know what side you’ve been playing for all along. What was the plan? Toy with her, until she trusted you enough and bring you to me? Then what? Dispose of her? I’ll fucking gut you like a fish if you go anywhere near her.” Riddick’s eyes are burning with fury.

“OK, I’ll admit that was the original plan, but I swear after I learned about everything she and the others had been through I couldn’t go through with it.” Deacon keeps his eyes locked on Riddick who’s looking aggravated. “It’s the truth, you know I couldn’t lie to you even if I wanted to” he honestly says.

Riddick takes a chance and glimpses into Deacon’s thoughts.

~~~ After Carmine discovered that Riddick was on Orson ion ion he knew Deacon had betrayed him. When the orders were put out to capture them alive it did not include Deacon, he was to be executed on site. ~~~

Riddick huffs, still uncomfortable with the idea of sparing Deacons life. The infatuation with Jack is clear. The question remains if he could be trusted.

“Give me your weapons” Riddick commands.

“I can help you” Deacons protests.

“This is my ship, now unless you can breath in outer space without a flight suit, you’ll do as I say” Riddick extends his hand out waiting for Deaco hao hand him his plasma gun. He does so unresolved. “The knife too” Riddick adds with a smart tone. Deacon complies handing him the knife. “If I catch you looking at Jack in a waat dat disturbs me, I’ll snap your neck” with that Riddick turns around and heads to the upper levels.


To be continued...