A Kid Like Her (A Riddick - Jack Romance/Adventure Story)

Coming To A Boil

She had absolutely no time to react. One moment, Eron was standing next to her, and the next he lay unconscious on the floor, a bleeding wound on the back of his head.

"Riddick!"

An arm snaked around her upper body and she was roughly pulled back against the man behind her with a knife at her neck. He pierced her skin and hissed for her to keep quiet, but Riddick had already heard her. She suddenly wished she'd kept her mouth shut. As he turned to see Jack, Toal took advantage of the diversion. Despite his injuries, he ran and jumped, blade in hand, ready to end Riddick's life.

He saw Toal coming too late.

In a blur, a body flew from the right, knocking the hell out of Toal, sending the two tumbling across the floor. The assailant stood first. It was Vaako. Turning from Toal, he looked at Riddick. His face reminding him of when the two had fought before he became the Lord Marshall. Full of contempt, loathing, and anger.

"He will fight as a Necromonger Commander should," Vaako loudly declare for the crowd. Then he walked in Jack's direction, his glare full of malice. The man holding her let go and ran with Vaako in pursuit.

Riddick sneered at Toal, who was still on the ground. "Get up!"

He allowed the coward to stagger to his feet, which he did, somewhat resigned to his fate. Toal knew he was a dead man. Even though injured, Riddick was still a powerful opponent, yet he remained still, unmoving...waiting. When Toal finally brought his knife up, Riddick leapt, thrusting his knife into Toal's neck and tearing through it as he knocked the man down.

For a moment, only Toal's the last gurgles of life could be heard, which were quickly drowned by Riddick's loud roar of satisfaction as it echoed through the main hall. He said nothing as he walked around Toal's body, but his message was clear. If this was their best, then they were stuck with him until Underverse comes.

He walked to Jack who was kneeling beside Eron, now awake, but looking a bit dazed and upset. "Something tells me I missed the good part."

Jack rested her hand on Eron's shoulder and smiled. "I can give you a play by play later. I'll get both of your injuries taken care of in the room." She looked up at Riddick. "I think he can walk, but he's a bit unsteady."

Riddick hoisted Eron up, as though he were a feather and weighed nothing, shouldering the burden of his weight. The crowd parted for them as they walked and Vaako was there to meet them at the bottom of the staircase.  He quickly bowed to Riddick. "Lord Marshal Riddick, Toal's accomplice is dead. I do not expect you to pardon my interference, but what Toal did was insulting, and I would have him fight as a commander should. There is no honor in his actions, and I will not stand by, even in the future, and do nothing. I will resign my post."

"Make no mistake. I do not appreciate interference. You can ask her how much I like it." Riddick paused letting Vaako take in his words. "But I would expect nothing less from you." Vaako looked surprised, not expecting Riddick to condone what he'd done and only give him a reprimand. "About your post? I wouldn't resign if I were you. She'll be all over your ass, and I don't think you wanna deal with her."

Vaako met Jack's eyes, her expression warning him of her wrath should he make the wrong decision. "I will not resign."

Jack smiled. "Smart man...and thank you."

The excitement for the week wasn't over yet. The following day, Aereon was quite visible, floating about like she was going home despite what she'd been told. Riddick, Jack, and Eron had been anxiously anticipating this day, especially after yesterday.

Jack found her in the main hall. "Aereon. You've been seen about much more than usual."

"May I have a words with you and Riddick. Eron as well, if he's available."