Pitch Black/Alien 4 crossover- Part 5
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Fortunately Riddick found her first. Led by his instincts he figured that she would
probably shun the light almost as much as he did. And he was right. he found her in what
appeared to be the messhall. It was dusty and dark, no shutters had yet been opened to let
in the light from the three suns, but as he raised his goggles he could easily make out her
slight form.
She was standing on a far counter and busily rummaging through the cabinets. As he
entered she paused briefly, turning to identify her visitor before returning to her
determined search.Riddick could see the metal can grasped firmly in her free hand and
instantly understood.
"Looks like you're one can opener short," He observed grinning wryly as he pulled out
his new metal shiv and crossed the dusty room.
Suddenly a glimmering cylinder fell towards him through the air and he caught it deftly
in one massive hand. Slowly he turned the naked can over in the dark, his jaguar eyes
gleaming with curiosity.
"Looks like we're two can openers short," Nikki announced slyly as she hopped down
off of the counter, a similar can still grasped in her left hand.
Riddicks grin widened as he used his shiv to saw easily through each can's lid, revealing
the secrets stored inside.Nikki managed to produce two dusty spoons and a comfortable
silence fell between them as they dug into the can's meaty substance.
"Good," Nikki remarked, breaking the lull.
Riddick just nodded in agreement, digging out the contents greedily.
"What is it?"
This caused him to pause and peer at her questioningly.Sure at first that she was joking,
but even in the dark he could see the earnest expression in her eyes.
"I think it's dog food," He replied finally and after some thought himself.
"Damn good dog food," She replied returning to the meal.
Finally Riddick's can was exhausted of it's resources and he tossed it aside as he began
searching for more cans of similar nature.
"Just thought I'd give ya' a tip," He said returning to his original purpose. "Johns is on
to you."
"You mean morphine ,merc man," She asked knowingly.His astonished stare wasn't lost
on her. "Please! It oozes off his every breath."
Riddick had to chuckle at her observation.It was a thought that had crossed his mind on
more than one occasion.
"So," He asked conversationaly,wanting to pry deeper into her psyche. "What are your
thoughts on this shit-hole planet?"
"It's too fuckin' bright," she replied around mouthfuls.
"Fuckin' A!"
They both turned in unison to the new voice and were greeted by Jack, aka the Riddick
wannabe.
Without a word, Nikki grimaced in disgust and slipped back out through the messhall
door. Riddick just looked thoughtfully at the naive child.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that day, Johns watched in some amazement as Nikki jogged up the hill to where
he was standing with Dr. Gediman,going over a list of available supplies.
"No O2 and not even winded," he observed a bit astonished.He himself guarded his O2
emitter like a prize.
"As I said,"Gediman explained proudly. "They're quite adaptable."
Nikki paid them little attention as she snatched up the heavy rope and retreated back to
the Coring room.Johns watched her in renewed interest.To his surprise, even Gediman
was even mildly curious to her actions. A dawning look of horror passed between them
and in unison they dropped what they were doing and jogged down the hill towards the
same room where Ali had lost his life not 6 hours ago.
John burst into the dimly lit room in time to see Nikki lowering a noose down into the
drill hole.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing," He asked in astonished
disbelief,storming towards her.
"Back off merc," She growled intently,still lowering the rope into the depths.
"You don't actually think you're gonna catch one of those.things?!"
"And why not,"She asked haughtily. "Don't you want to know what you're up against?"
"I'd rather not," He replied snatching the rope right out of her hands.
Nikki turned on him much quicker than even Johns had expected possible.Like a
ferocious lion she lunged upon her prey, slamming hard into his chest, the blow sending
them both plunging through the rotting shutters on the other side. With a highly audible
thud, they hit the hard packed earth outside, Johns landing on top, but severely winded
from the collision.
Teeth bared ,Nikki heaved Johns off of her and leapt to her feet,ready to continue this
macabre dance.Johns was an expert however and quickly found a suitable weapon in a
nearby metal pole.With slick quickness he delivered the blow square in the nose.Nikki's
head rocked back but returned with no more than a bloodied nose. Nikki blinked at him
expectantly, awaiting his next move with some interest.Rarely did she get a chance to
play with such a formidable opponent, but his lack of stamina as she watched him huffing
for each breath was quickly becoming boring.
Johns couldn't believe it,that blow should've grounded her.Quickly he thrust the pole
again,only this time Nikki moved her head just in time to watch the pole as it flew past.
Suddenly,Johns began to have doubts about his own abilities as he faced this grinning
demon.He swung the pole wildly at her head,but she dodged it easy and came up with
both fists clenched as one.The blow landed solidly along his jaw and threw Johns back
against the building.His head reeled wildly as he stumbled back into the fray,he wouldn't
allow himself to think of defeat. In a desperate move he managed to once again tackle her
and wrestled for control in the dusty ground.But as she rolled on top he knew it was a
wrestling match that he was sure to lose.Instinctively his nerves sought out his pistol at
his hip and he was just about to reach for it when the attacking menace was suddenly
gone.
The sound of the shutters crashing alerted the others to the scene but it was Riddick who
arrived first.He saw what was happening and knowing what Johns next move would be,
decided to act first.Instantly he rushed forward and muscled Nikki off of the would-be
sheriff.Also surprised by her unappearent strength he barely managed to fell her to the
ground and held her there,pinning her arms and straddling her for further leverage.
Meanwhile,Shazza and Imam had managed with quite a bit more ease to contain Johns
as the Doctor finally joined the scene.Nikki however didn't even seem to notice his
arrival as she struggled fervently against Riddicks grip.
"What the hell is going on here," Gediman asked in amazement, as his gaze shifted from
Johns to Nikki.
"She was trying to lasso one of those fuckers," Johns explained winded as he motioned
towards the shed. "Crazy bitch don't know when to quit."
Nikki just spat at him as she renewed her struggles.
"Calm down," Riddick urged through gritted teeth.
"Yes, I suggest you do," Gediman announced once again grasping the device dangling
around his neck."Unless you need a lesson review."
Riddick glanced up at him with sudden realization, he had seen enough of that device on
the computer screen without wanting a live demonstration.
"No need for that," He assured grimly. "She's under control."
"Oh,"Gediman asked leaning towards him,suddenly amused. "And for how long.How
long do you really think you can contain the beast. And what happens if you can't.Do you
think she'll hesitate at all about executing your ass anymore then his?"
Riddick had to smile secretly at what Gediman didn't know. Images of the meeting in
the bone yard playing in his head.
Suddenly Gediman straightened back up and faced Johns triumphantly.
"And this,"He announced, a single finger held theatrically over the devices button. "Is
why the dog won't bite."
Riddick barely had time to realize what was about to happen before he was thrown
backwards against the building by the electricity's blast.An alien screech filled the air as
electrical webbing shot out of Nikki's bracelets and flowed over her body.
Painfully, Riddick opened his eyes and saw Nikki on her hands and knees,slowly
inclining her head towards Gediman Her hair hanging in ragged brown spikes across her
face. Leisurely the doc kneeled before her,device still firm in his grasp.Riddick made a
mental note to personally shove that device up the Doc's know-it-all ass someday.
"Now ,"Gediman explained slowly. "We don't break the rules."
Nikki just glared at him in contempt,slowly she swiped the blood from beneath her nose
and flicked it at the ground, causing the Doc to step back quickly to avoid getting his
shoes splattered.
"Now," He continued pursing his lips sternly. "I do believe we could use a little help
repairing the skiff.If you don't mind?"
Riddick recognized an order when he heard one and almost openly scoffed at the
Doctors optimism. His own muscles still felt liquefied by the jolt, surely the Doc couldn't
expect Nikki,who had taken the full punishment to just hop to it. But much to his
surprise, that's almost what she did. With a final belligerent huff, Nikki climbed easily to
her feet as if she had only been given a mild static prick instead of the full electric beating
he knew she had taken.The sly smile that was so at home with her once again painted her
lips as she strolled past Johns and Gediman.
"How short of a leash do you have," The Doc taunted smugly as he passed Johns,
following his subject around the corner.
With some effort,Riddick slowly regained his feet , glancing up only briefly to
acknowledge that Johns was eyeing him thoughtfully.He knew what the dirty bastard
was thinking and quietly made his exit before he could think about it too long.Johns liked
the way Gediman held his prisoner in the palm of his hand, but Riddick knew from
experience that it was only a matter of time before the roles changed.A trained tiger is
still a tiger and nothing could change that.Either way the thought of wearing those cuffs
himself sent a faint shiver down his back. He would sooner end his own existence before
submitting to such an obscenity.
End Part 5
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