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Alicia ran to the Coring Room and saw an opening. She crawled in and saw Ali’s fixed gaze on the storm shutters. She ran to his side.
“Ali?” she said.
No response.
“Ali!!” she shook him and that caught his attention.
As daylight spread throughout the room, the skittering noise became louder and both looked up at the rafters, seeing things that looked like bats. The sound they were making sounded like they were agitated and Alicia gasped Ali’s hand in hers and they both scampered toward the hole when they heard screeching and both turned to seethe bat-like creatures flying at them.
Alicia quickly tore off her necklace. She bared her fangs at the beasts and clamped her teeth at them. She raked her claws at the beasts, killing some.
She heard a cry and saw Ali trying to fend off the creatures. She could see that he had cuts from their claws. She ran over and pulled Ali down, covering his body with hers. She didn’t cry out as she felt the creatures’ claws and teeth biting into her flesh.
She growled and got to her feet. She ran and the creatures followed, completely ignoring Ali. Alicia ran at a corner and jumped up to the ceiling into the daylight. As the creatures came at her and into the sunlight, they screeched and flew into the dark.
She looked down and saw Ali looking at her. He then stood and ran. The creatures saw him and flew after him.
Alicia jumped down, grabbed him by the waist and jumped back into the rafters where the sun was hitting them.
Ali clung to Alicia; fear rippling from his scent and Alicia wrapped her arms around him.
Just then the doors were blasted open and both saw the hilt of Johns’ gun. She then saw the others and Imam came into view.
“Ali?” he said as he moved passed Johns, in which grabbed his sleeve. They saw nothing.
“Hold on there.”
Suddenly the same bat-like creatures came soaring at the others and Imam threw himself to the ground while the others backed up and closed the doors.
The creatures circled the room in waves. The doors open and Johns watched them. Imam saw a closet door rattle and he walked over to hit and slowly placed his hands on the hinges. Suddenly another batch of bat-like creatures came soaring out of the room and took flight. They circled near the rafters and then plunged into the coring shaft, squealing infinitively. Suddenly, silence hit.
“Imam?” Johns called.
No response.
“Imam?” Fry asked.
“Ali?!”
“Up here, Imam!” Alicia said.
Everyone looked up and saw Alicia holding a terrified Ali. She made sure she had a good hold on the child and jumped down. She released Ali and he ran to his teacher.
As soon as Ali was safe and sound and the room seemed secure, Imam thanked Alicia many times for protecting and saving Ali’s life. Shazza, Johns, Fry, and Alicia inch down to peer into the coring shaft. With her eyesight, Alicia could see and sense that the human bones that littered the shaft were the remains of the settlers. The bones were scattered about and picked clean.
“Why the bloody hell was the door chained up?” Shazza asked, looking at Fry for an answer. “Why the bloody hell would they lock themselves in like that?”
“Not sure,” Johns replied.
Alicia rolled her eyes in annoyance. She then carefully jumped onto the next level, where she knew Riddick was. She peered down the shaft, being careful to not loose her balance.
“Other buildings weren’t secure,” came Riddick’s voice.
Alicia looked over left shoulder to see Riddick next to her. She nodded in agreement. The others jumped slightly back from Riddick’s sudden appearance. Again, Alicia rolled her eyes. “Idiots.”
Johns undid one of the tops to a flare that illuminated green light so the others, besides Riddick and Alicia, could see. He then threw it into the shaft. All heard the flare hit the ground and saw the human remains.
“So they ran in here,” Alicia concluded. “Those doors were the heaviest. The settlers thought they would be safe in here, inside.” She looked down. “But someone forgot to lock the back door.” She nodded to the doors that closed the coring shaft. “Big mistake.”
“So,” Shazza said, looking at Riddick. “That’s what come of me Zeke. An’ you saw it. You was right there.”
All Riddick did was nod in response.
“She finally figured it out!” Alicia thought with roll of her eyes.
Riddick looked at her.
“It only took her a few days to figure out that Riddick doesn’t just kill anyone!” she thought.
“You were tryin’ to kill him too?” Shazza asked.
“Not necessarily,” Riddick said with a shrug. “Just wanted his 0-2. He paused for a second. “Though I had noticed he tried to ghost my a**.”
Then Shazza saw Riddick in a whole new light.
Alicia saw that Riddick was having trouble breathing and noticed that he didn’t have the 0-2 breather she had given him. “Must have used it all up.” She thought. A bit earlier, she asked for another from Shazza. She then took hers off.
“Here,” she said, her 0-2 out-stretched towards Riddick.
He looked at her. “Don’t you need it?”
“We can share.”
Riddick took it with some reluctance and breathed some of the 0-2 in. Johns watched the exchange very closely, not really liking the closeness that Alicia had with Riddick. “She’s too comfortable around him,” he thought. “I have got to get her away for her own good.”
Both Johns and Fry went to a nearby room.
(Johns and Fry)
The room they were in had many coring samples that lined up the room and laid on some counters. Fry walked to a counter and began scrutinizing one of the samples. She then noticed a date.
“Let’s board this up,” Johns said to her. “And get the hell gone.” He saw that he didn’t have her attention. “Whatever these things are, they seem to stick to the dark, so if we stick to daylight, we should be—“
Both not seeing Alicia had walked in and was also inspecting the samples. She too, noticed the date. “22 years ago.”
Both Fry and Johns jumped at the sound of her voice. Alicia grinned inwardly; proud that she was still able to frighten them.
“Wha…?” Johns said.
Alicia rolled her eyes and grabbed one of the samples and swung it back an’ forth in Johns’ face. “These coring samples are dated. The last one was dated 22 ears ago this month, idiot.”
Johns glared at her. “Yeah? What’s so special about that?”
“Dunno,” Fry commented. “Maybe nothin’.”
Alicia placed the sample down and began walking out. “C’mon, you two. Guess I’ll have to show you since you guys are so slow to realize what this means.”
She walked past Imam and Riddick. She looked at them too. “You two as well. This may interest you.”
All four followed Alicia into the room that held a model of the solar system. Alicia walked over to the model and saw that the year-counter was on 10. She opened the drive box and started turning the main gear. The orbits began moving. Alicia closely watched the year-counter. When it came to 22, all the planets were lined up perfectly straight.
Everyone saw that no light from the three suns touched the planets.
“You’ve got to be ********’ kiddin’ me.” Johns said.
“A total eclipse.” Fry said.
“Not afraid of the dark, are you?” Riddick smirked.
Fry gave him a glare, hiding the fact that was indeed slightly afraid of the dark. Alicia gulped. She was extremely afraid of the dark. Riddick looked at her.
(Outside)
Johns and Fry were crossing the yard towards the skiff.
“We need those cells from the crash ship,” Fry said. “s**t! Still gotta check out the haul, patch the wings—“
“Let’s wait on the power cells,” Johns interrupted.
Alicia had joined them by this time. “What’s wrong, Johns? Losing your touch or is it thatyou want everyone else to be dead, with the exception of you so you can be the only one alive?”
Before Johns could retort, Fry broke in.
“Alicia,” she said. “Can you picot a ship?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I’m going to need you to covert the cells once they’re on the skiff.”
Alicia nodded and walked away. Johns glared heatedly at Alicia and she gave him the bird.
Fry returned her attention to Johns. “What do you want us to wait for? Until its so dark that we can’t even find our way back to—“
“We’re not sure when it happens, so let’s not—“ Johns said.
“GET THE ******** CELLS OVER HERE, Johns.” Fry hissed. “What’s the discussion.
Johns said nothing for a minute.
“Ever tell you how Riddick escaped?” he said.
(Inside the Skiff)
Johns had decided to continue their conversation in the skiff, making sure that no one would overhear, but they were wrong.
“Riddick can also pilot?” Fry asked, sitting down.
“He hijacked a prison transport, made a helluva good run ‘fore I tracked him down.” Johns explained.
(Outside)
Alicia was just outside, spying on the two. “So that’s how Riddick escaped.” She thought.
(Fry & Johns)
“Ok,” Fry said. “Maybe we can use him to help us with—”
“He also figured out how to kill the pilot, Fry.” Johns said.
Fry shivered with some fright.
“You said we were going to trust him now.” Fry said. “You said there was a deal.”
“That’s what I said.” Johns said.
He was hoping that she would understand the point he was making.
“Oh,” Fry said. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Johns.”
“Maybe you’ve noticed chains don’t work on this guy.” Johns said. “Only way we’re truly safe is if he believes he’s goin’ free. But if he stops believin’—”
“You mean, if he learns that you’re gonna royally ******** him over.” Fry said.
“—we need to fail-safe. Bring the cells over at the last possible minute—” Johns said. “When the wings are ready, when we know we’re ready to launch.”
“You know,” Fry said. “He hasn’t harmed any of us. Far as I can, he hasn’t even lied to us. Just stick to the deal, Johns. Let him go if that’s what it—”
“He’s a killer!” Johns growled. “The law says he’s gotta do his bid.”
Fry shook head and looked away. “Dancin’ on razor blades here…”
“I won’t give him a chance to grab another ship—or to slash another pilot’s throat.” Johns said. “Especially Alicia’s throat.”
“You seem to have taken a liking to Alicia, Johns.” Fry asked.
“What’s it to you?” he retorted.
He then stood and walked out with Fry watching him. After a few minutes, she walked out to find Alicia and tell her to do the schematics.
(Outside the Skiff)
Johns walked out into the sun and began to feel queasy. He hunched over, supporting himself with his hands and vomited. Nearby, Riddick, with a greased head, was shaving his hair with a shiv.
“Bad sign.” He said. “Shakin’ like that in this heat.”
“I thought I said no shivs,” Johns said, shivering.
“Oh this,” Riddick said, halting on shaving his head to look at the shiv. “This is my personal grooming appliance.”
As Johns walked away, Riddick saw Alicia walking towards him and into the skiff. Riddick then continued to shave his head.
(Inside Skiff)
The skiffs’ hatch closed and then sealed. Alicia’s sitting in the pilot seat, closely watching the monitor that read “HULL INTEGRITY TEST” that was underway. Alicia also scans the rising pressure gauges.
“Looks like we’re a few shy, Alicia.” Came Riddick’s voice.
Alicia slightly jumped at the sound of his voice. She looked behind her to see Riddick was staring at the depleted battery bay.
“Of power cells.” He concluded.
“Yeah,” Alicia said as she stood and looked at the depleted battery bay as well. “But Fry says they’re coming.”
“But you don’t believe her?” he questioned.
“Its not that I don’t believe her,” Alicia said. “It’s what Johns is saying that we should hold off on bringing the rest of the cells.”
“Ah,” Riddick smirked. “He’s told Fry about my escape from prison.”
Alicia nodded.
Riddick then looked at the main-drive monitor. “I see you haven’t done the run-up on the main drive, Alicia.”
Alicia saw that he was right and went back to the pilots’ chair and began the run-up.
“It’s also strange.” Riddick said.
“Strange?” Alicia asked, keeping her eyes on the monitor.
“Strange that Johns hadn’t told Fry and you the particulars of my escape.” Riddick said.
Alicia stood again and gazed at Riddick. “So you knew?”
“Knew you were eavesdropping on their private moment.” Riddick smirked.
“I should have known.” Alicia smirked back. “But I got the quick-and-ugly version.”
“Are you afraid that history will repeat itself?” he asked.
“It has entered their minds and somewhat mine.” Alicia replied.
“I asked what you thought, Alicia.” Riddick purred, standing right in front of her.
“You scare me to some extent, but not to the degree the others see you.” She said, shivering from his intense gaze. “There, I admit it. I need to get back to work or Fry will get on my case because I was distracted.”
She turned away and sat back in the chair, not noticing Riddick following her. He stood behind her, resting his left arm on the chairs’ head. Alicia then began scanning the controls to see the cabin’s pressure building.
“You know,” Riddick said. “You have no reason to be frightened of me, Alicia. I haven't given you one.” Then there was a pause before Riddick said anything. “Do you remember when I saved your life?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I've been meaning to ask you about that. Why did you save my life?”
“To tell the truth, I have no idea.” he said. “Something inside of me told me to.”
Alicia then realized that he was part animal. “So you have an animal alter-ego?"
“You could say that.”
“Makes sense then.”
Riddick then decided to change subjects because the one they were discussing was making him uncomfortable.
“Do you think Johns is a do-right man, Alicia?” Riddick said “Do you think I can trust him to cut me loose?”
“If you’re for asking my opinion,” she said. “Then no.”
This seemed to interest Riddick. “And why is that?”
“Johns just rubs off me the wrong way.” She said. “He says he’s a man of the law, but I know he’s a merc. And Fry hasn’t figured that out. Neither have others. They think he’s cop ’cause he has a badge.”
“Hmm,” Riddick acknowledged. “Nothing seems to get past you does it, Alicia.”
Alicia smirked. “I was always known to let nothing slip past me, Riddick.”
“I am very surprised that you have Johns figured out.” He said. “What was it that tipped you off? Was the shiny badge that he had gotten? Or what?”
“It wasn’t the badge that tipped me off,” she said.
“Then what?”
“His attitude and body language.” She said. “Especially the way he’s treated and ordered you around.”
“You do know that I am twice much alive than dead.” He said. “That I’m a payday and that’s why he won’t kill me.”
“You better watch what you say around the others, especially Fry.” Alicia warned. “If she hears talk of this, she’ll think you’re trying to get every one to turn on each other.”
“Truthfully, Alicia,” Riddick said, bending down so his mouth’s right next to her right ear. Alicia shivered at the feel of his warm breath. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen once the lights go out. But I do know that once the dyin’ starts, this psycho family of ours is gonna rip itself apart.” He then strolled over to the hatch.
“Riddick,” Alicia said, standing and gaining his attention. “I know you’re warning me, but I want you to know that I intend to protect as many people as I can. Especially Jack.”
“You’ve grown fond of him.”
“I see him as a wolf does a pup.” She said. “And I can tell you’ve grown fond of him as well, even if you won’t show it.”
“You’re right,” Riddick said. “I have grown fond of the tyke.” He then saw the monitor. “You better get back to work.”
The monitor chirped, letting them know that the hull integrity was at 100. The hatch then opens and Riddick walked out.
As soon as he was gone, Fry came walking in.
“How’s the haul integrity, Alicia?”
“It’s at 100, Fry.”
“What did Riddick discuss with you?”
“Nothing much.” Alicia said too quickly. “Nothing that you need to concern yourself with. But I would suggest that you talk with Johns.”
“Why is that?”
“For one, I don’t trust him,” she said. “And second, he hasn’t really been truthful with us.”
(Johns)
Johns took a red-metal shotgun shell from a box and opened it, revealing maybe 5-8 glass ampule. He picked up one and dropped it into an injection syringe. He then placed the needle between the caruncula and the plica semilunaris and injected himself.
“Who are you really?” Fry asked from the doorway. “You’re not a really a cop, are you? You’re just some mercenary who goes talkin’ about the law like—”
“I never said I was.” Johns interrupted.
Fry walked over to the container that held the ampule and rummaged through the box. She then found a shitload of red shells with the ampules.
“You never said you were a hype, either.” Fry said.
“You have a little caffeine in the morning.” Johns said. “I have a little morphine.”
“And here you got two morning every day.” Fry said. “Wow, were you born lucky?”
“Not a problem unless you’re gonna make—”
Fry abruptly turned and glared at him. “No it becomes a problem when you let Owens die like that. When you had enough drugs to knock out a ******** mule-team.”
“Owens was already dead.” Johns said. “His brain just hadn’t caught on that fact.”
“Is there anything else we should know about you, Johns?” Fry asked.
“Not a damn thing.” Johns said.
Fry just shook her head and walked out. As she came out of the room, the Muslim boys ran up to her.
“Captain, captain!” they said.
Fry put her hand up to stop the boys. “I’m not your ******** captain.”
Both Fry and Johns came outside to see one of the plants with rings start to rise over the horizon. Alicia, along with the others, had gathered to watch the sight.
Alicia stood next to Jack while Riddick was a bit ways off.
“What do my eyes see?” Paris gasped.
“It has begun.” Alicia said.
Everyone watched in what appeared to be a trance as the planet seemed to inch its way towards the suns. Shazza shook herself to clear her thoughts first.
“If we need anything from the crash ship,” she said to the others, “I suggest we push on. That sand-cat is solar.” And she headed out.
“C’mon, Jack,” Alicia said and they both went with Shazza.
(Later)
While Shazza was warming up the sand-cat, along with the Chrislam boys and the others snatching up lights, water and ropes, Alicia was surveying the planet’s progress.
She had taken off her necklace because she was aware that she was at a disadvantage while the concealment charm was on. And besides, Riddick, she could see clearly in the dark and warn the others of danger. She was so engrossed in the planet’s progress; she didn’t notice a shadow appear behind her.
“Shouldn’t you be helping out, Alicia?”
“I don’t need you to tell me what to do, Johns,” Alicia hissed.
Johns grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. “I will tell you what to do,”
“Let go, Johns.”
“Why should I?”
He then grabbed the back of her head and forcefully kissed her, making her struggle. Alicia squealed in shock. She then began to push away, but couldn’t.
Once he broke the kiss, he felt himself come in contact with the ground and an immense pain on his left jaw. He clutched his jaw and gave Alicia a fierce look. Alicia looked angrily down at him with such hatred in her eyes. Her fists were clenched tightly and he saw blood trickle down her hand.
“You b*****d!!” Alicia growled. “Don’t you EVER touch me again!”
Johns staggered to his feet and glowered at her. He clenched his fist and went to strike.
Just coming within an inch from her face, Johns felt his wrist being grabbed and felt like it was being crushed. He grunted and turned to see Riddick gripping his wrist.
“This has nothing to do with you, Riddick.” Johns hissed.
Johns then ripped his hand from Riddicks’ grip and glared at Alicia. “This isn’t over, Alicia.”
As he passed Alicia, he slapped her butt hard and grinned wolfishly at her when she gave him an angry look. She began to go after him, but a gentler hand grasped her arm, stopping her.
“He isn’t worth it, Alicia.” Riddick huskily said. “At least…not yet.”
Still infuriated with Johns and wanting to go after him, Alicia twisted to get her arm free, but Riddick grasped her other arm and pulled her to him.
“This is no time to let your anger cloud your mind.”
“Oh and I suppose a killer like yourself is going to do the same?”
He turned her to face with such speed that she hardly noticed. And with that said; he kissed her. But with Johns kiss being harsh and forceful, Riddicks’ was wary and to an extent, gentle and Alicia found herself get lost in the kiss. But what surprised her most was what she could tell was the slight feeling of passion in his kiss.
She was slightly taken back from this.
Too soon, Riddick ended the kiss and gazed at Alicia.
“W-why did you kiss me?”
With a wolfish smile and a brief kiss, Riddick walked back to the others, but not before whispering; “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Just as he passed her, he gave her butt a slight smack. Alicia yelped and jumped forward. She glared at Riddick’s retreating form, which was laughing.
“One day, Riddick,” Alicia said. “One day…” And with that, she followed Riddick back to the others.
(Fry)
While Alicia was busy helping Shazza, Fry took a quick glance at the eclipse that was beginning and her eyes widened.
“LET’S GET A MOVE ON IT AND GET THOSE CELLS!” she ordered.
With the sand-cat powered up, the others started to file in. Jack was first to notice that Riddick was missing. Alicia stood in front of her.
“Where’s Riddick?” he asked.
“Leave him,” Paris said. “He would do the same to us.”
Since Alicia stood next to Paris, she grinned, looking over her right shoulder. She then looked back at Paris. “I would not have said that if I were you, Paris.”
“And why’s that?”
Just as he asked, everyone heard a thump and the sand-cat shake. Paris gulped and looked behind him to see Riddick looking at him with his goggled-eyes.
“Thought we’d lost you.” Paris mumbled and then moved to the front.
“Sure ya did, Paris.” Alicia grumbled.
“C’mon, Johns!” Shazza called.
Johns was in the room where his supply of morphine was. He grabbed the shotgun shells, his badge and gun, and scampered to the sand-cat.
As he climbed into the sand-cat, Riddick grabbed his arm, “helping” him aboard. They gazed at each other for a second. Riddick tightened his hold a bit, letting Johns know not to mess with him and then released Johns’ arm.
As Johns was about to stand next to Alicia, Riddick growled inaudibly, but audibly enough for only Johns to hear, telling him to stay away from Alicia.
As the sand-cat drives towards the crash site, Jack looks at the planet. “Lookit, lookit!”
Both Alicia and Riddick turned to see most of the ringlet planet over the horizon. “We don’t have much time!” Alicia thought.
They then reached a canyon with an enormous ribcage. Jack, facing Riddick, whom was sitting and Alicia standing between them, placed the broken goggles over his eyes. Riddick pointed to the front and Jack looked in that direction. He ducked as the sand-cat smashes into some low-bridge bones. With such swiftness, Alicia covered Jacks’ body with hers.
(Crash Site)
The sand-cat reached the crash site and everyone leapt out. Alicia ran with the others to get the necessary power cells. Paris scuttled out and ran to another part of the ship that was separate from the rest.
“Where ya goin’?” Shazza asked puzzled.
“I’m…just grab a few things,” Paris breathlessly. “You won’t leave without me will?”
Shazza nodded.
Jack walked over to watch as mot of the ring-let planet became noticeable and the sky started to become darker. He then went over to the solar panel and began wiping dirt off of it.
(Inside the ship; battery bay)
Fry ran to where the batteries were with the others following. Johns turns the switches off and yanked a power cell out and went to the sand-cat. Imam, Alicia, and Riddick follow. Imam dragged his power cell while both Riddick and Alicia carried theirs on their shoulders. Alicia carried one while Riddick: two.
(Outside)
Shazza backed the sand-cat up to the ship so the carriers wouldn’t have to walk far.
Alicia came out first, followed by Riddick and lastly, Imam.
Each set the batteries on the sand-cat and the boys moved them over. The boys lashed a scrap-metal to the sand-cat and placed the batteries on it. Alicia dropped her load onto the sled.
Riddick dropped his load first onto the sled with Johns following. Alicia could see that they both were racing the eclipse and each other. “Urgh! Men!”
Just as Imam placed his load on the sled, the planet had shielded the entire area was dimmed. Following that came a high-pitch sound that seemed to grow.
Everyone turned his or her attention to spirals that were slightly away and everyone could hear that the sound was coming it.
“Oh no,” Alicia whispered, walking to Jacks’ side.
“By Ala.” Imam whispered.
By now, everyone saw that darkness was vastly approaching, but none could tear their eyes from the spirals. Just then something seemed to pour out of the top of the spirals and blackened the light. At first, everyone thought that it was either smoke or ash, but they then realized that the smoke or ash was actually living things. The squealing was coming from the living things.
“They’re hatchlings.” Alicia spoke up.
“Why are they making that noise, Alicia?” Jack asked.
“It seems that this is their first nightfall, Jack.” Alicia looked at Jack, whom looked back at her, terrified. “To me, it sounds like a happy call. They’re eager to kill.”
Jack gulped and moved closer to Alicia, whom wrapped an around his shoulder.
“How many are there?” Johns asked.
Riddick, not answering, kept watching the scene. “Beautiful.”
The hatchlings seemed to be coming out in numbers and by the time they were all out; they were heading their way!
“People, just a suggestion,” Paris said from the cargo bay. “Perhaps you should flee!”
“Cargo hold,” Fry said, running. “Lesgo, lesgo!”
Everyone began running to the cargo hold.
“C’mon,” Imam said to Johns. “Run!”
Both Johns and Iman began running with Alicia and Jack not too far behind.
“s**t!!” Shazza yelled.
And both she and Riddick began running.
“Come on!!” Paris yelled.
Soon, everyone, but Riddick, Shazza, and Jack had reached the cargo hold. Alicia pushed everyone in. Her eyes widen in alarm at seeing Jack. “s**t!” she thought. “I didn’t realize I had faster than Jack.”
“Get down!!” Fry yelled.
Coming to a steep crater, Shazza, Riddick, and Jack feel into it just as the squealing hatchlings reached them. They came within inches of them. All laid still, hoping and praying the hatchlings were gone.
All were panting hard, trying to catch their breaths. Shazza looked at the cargo hold, as well as Jack.
“Don’t think about, girl.” Riddick warned.
Deciding that she could make it, Shazza stood and began running.
“Stay down, Shazza!!” Alicia warned.
But with fear clouding her brain, Shazza never saw the hatchlings turning around.
“No, no, NO, NO, NO…” Fry whispered.
Just then the hatchlings enveloped Shazza in a black funnel cloud, making her bend to her knees. Shazza grunts and yells in pain as she’s torn in two. Everyone watched in horror as both sides were carried off, hearing Shazza’s screams.
Thinking that it was safe, Riddick and Jack stood. As they walked to the cargo hold, they hear another squealing noise and turned to see another wave of hatchlings headin’ their way. They begin to run again, but Jack being tired stumbled and fell onto her knees.
Riddick soon reached and the others watched in horror as the hatchlings neared Jack. Everyone thought that Jack was next to die, but Alicia bolted out and towards Jack. She jumped over Jack and hunched a bit. She opened her mouth and screeched at a high-pitch that the hatchlings flew off, leaving everyone bewildered.
Once she saw that the danger was over, Alicia looked at Jack.
“You ok?”
Jack nodded and Alicia helped him to his feet and they both headed to the bay. Once they reached it, Jack went inside with only Fry, herself, and Riddick outside.
Just as they were about to enter the hold, they hear what appeared to be a crumbling sound and a slightly deeper squealing. They all turned to see the spirals crumble and seemed to be torn from within.
As this happened, Riddick took his goggles off to watch with his jaguar eyes.
From his point of view, he saw the adult predators emerge from the spires. They were large with hammer shape head and used echolocation.
“What is it?” Fry asked. “What do you see, Riddick?”
Riddick saw the adults launch into the air and seemed to be searching for food.
“Like he’s told you,” Alicia spoke, “It ain’t him that you gotta worry about, Caroline.”
As the rest of the company gathered into the ship, Alicia gazed and watched the rim of the ringed planet overtake both suns and the world became complete and total darkness. She then closed the cargos’ door.
--------
Inside of the cargo hold, it was pitch black and the only light source was coming from Johns’ gun and the flashlights. Alicia, since she had no need for the light, could see in the darkness perfectly. She heard a small whimper and turned to see Jacks’ crouching form shaking.
She crouched next to him and laid a comforting hand, gaining the childs’ attention.
“What if…” Jack stammered. “What if she’s still out there….still alive….”
“No, Jack,” Alicia said. “Shazza is dead.”
“Well,” Johns said. “I don’t want to jump to any conclusions here….but ‘member that honeyyard?”
Everyone looked at him with questioning eyes.
“These might be the ******** that killed every other living thing on this planet, ok?” Johns continued.
“What exactly are you implying, Johns?” Alicia asked irritatedly.
“Chances of Shazza knockin’ on that door anytime soon are just about zero squared.” Johns said. “That’s what I am implying.”
“I saw the cut-marks on the bones. It wasn’t a natural die-off.” Fry agreed.
Alicia looked at Fry with a stunned expression. “When as Fry ever agreed with Johns?”
“Quiet, please. Everyone.” Imam requested.
Alicia looked to see that Imam was listening to noises outside of the cargo door. His three students were not too far away from him. She could smell their fear radiating from them. The others, excluding Riddick and the three boys soon joined Imam and placed their ears on the cargo door, listening to the noises. Alicia could hear sounds of clicking sweeping outside.
Jack turned to Alicia. “Why do they do that?” he whispered. “Make that sound.”
“Perhaps that is the way they see.” Imam theorized. “With sound reflecting back.”
Fry soon realized what Imam was suggesting. “Echo-location. That’s what it is!”
Alicia agreed. There came more clicking noises and Alicia shifted her attention from the noises outside and turned to gaze into the darkness that was further down. Riddick seemed to have heard as well since he was looking the same way.
It seemed that the others heard the noise as well since they whipped the heads around and peered into the darkness and frantically lighting up the darkness with their lights.
They didn’t see anything. All they saw was a door of an opened container that was halfway down the tunnel-like hold. Everyone looked at each other with the exact same thought: “How the ******** could one get in here?”
There came more clicking noises and Jack unconsciously stood closer to Alicia.
“Come on Johns,” Riddick said. “You got the big gauge.”
Johns looked at Riddick with an irritated look. “I’d rather piss glass.” He then looked at Alicia. “What about you, Alicia?”
Alicia looked at him.
“You can see as well as Riddick can in the dark.”
“I’m not someone who you can order around, Johns.” Alicia said. “Riddick’s right. You have the big gun so you should go and investigate. Unless you are a coward.”
Johns glared at her and Alicia gave him a smug grin.
There came more noises and Paris couldn’t take anymore. “I’m not staying in here another….” And he headed for the main-door lever. He was ready to flee into the night. Both Fry and Alicia lung at him and held him down.
“Christ!” Fry exclaimed. “You don’t know what’s out there!!”
Paris glared at them. “But I know what’s in here!!”
“Well,” Alicia added. “At least you have a chance to live in here!”
Alicia then saw that Imam was leaning against the wall. “I wouldn’t be there if I were, Imam.”
He looked at her with confusion. “And why not?”
A second later, horns cut into the wall on Imam’s head and he quickly rushed from the wall. Johns then began cutting a sizable hole with a blowtorch on the opposite wall. It was a race between him cutting the hole and the predators’ blades that are slicing the wall.
Once the hole was finished, Johns kicked it and the others began filing into the next room. Within a matter of minutes, the predators were now in the room they had once occupied. They were hunting for them. Johns quickly blocked the hole with anything that was heavy. He then began on a new hole.
---------
They had entered the firth container and both Fry and Paris barricaded the hole. Riddick seemed to sense something and went to investigate. Alicia went with him.
They both carefully examined the darkness, seeing nothing except the corpses of dead hatchlings. What neither saw was Hasan following them.
They suddenly hear a noise and gazed up to see a predator eating. Both dissolved into the darkness, not wanting to be seen. As Hasan came up to them, something dropped at his feet and he jumped.
“Really bad timing.” Riddick said solidifying next to Hasan.
“Riddick?!” Fry’s voice sounded.
“Don’t stop.” Riddick answered.
Fry began flashing her light, trying to find Riddick.
“Just don’t run.” Riddick said to Hasan.
Alicia translated what he said.
They then hear something behind them and all three looked up and saw another predator. Riddick dissolved, as well as both Hasan and Alicia.
---------
“Hasan?!” Imam said. “Where is Hasan?!”
--------
Both Riddick and Alicia watched as the predator above them begin to reach out towards them. Alicia kept a hold on Hasans’ arm.
With the others, Fry turned to Imam. “Imam? Where are they?”
“I do not know.” He answered. “Hasan?”
“Riddick?” Fry called. “Alicia?”
--------
“Keep the torch going, Fry.” Alicia said.
Hasan was breathing deeply, fear gripping him. The clicking stopped and losing his nerves, he bolted. Riddick watched as Alicia ran after Hasan.
“ALICIA, DON’T!!”
Alicia grabbed Hasan and flung them onto the floor, barely missing the claws of one of the predators. Alicia sat up and saw the predators coming at them. Remembering that she had a flashlight, she hurriedly grabbed it and turned it on, the light hitting the predators.
The predators abruptly stopped and yelped in pain, backing off and flung them into the darkness. Once she saw that danger was gone, she switched the flashlight off and helped Hasan stand. They turned to see Riddick running at them and they bolted towards the others.
-----
Hearing running feet coming towards them, everyone flashed their flashlights at the three oncoming figures. Fry’s light caught Riddick in his eyes. Blinded, he howled in pain and falls onto his stomach. No sooner, the predator that followed jumped at Riddick, but he too, was blinded. He howled in pain and flew into the darkness.
Johns began shooting, following where Fry’s light went. Suddenly the carcass of the dead predator slammed onto the floor, making everyone shout. Fry flashes her light onto the body and everyone noticed that wherever the light hit, the flesh seemed to char and steam.
“There,” Fry said.
“Its like the light is scalding it.” Paris added.
“It hurts them,” Alicia said. “The light burns them.”
“Come on,” Johns said. “We gotta keep moving.
 thedeadcheese · Mon Apr 20, 2009 @ 02:17am · 0 Comments |
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