The Convicts Captain (Riddick Fanfic)

Fairytales For A Convict

The following day was the first busy one Itiri had in weeks. Scratch that, it was maybe even the first in months if one discounted the prison visit. Though the pilot couldn't bring herself to mind it. How could she? After days on end tied to a pipe, with nothing more to keep her company than her thoughts (for most of the day anyway), here she was. Standing in the middle of a sea of empty crates in front of a very broken ladder. It's pieces still lying on the floor. Riddick stood beside her, arms crossed over his chest. His form a weird mix of tense and relaxed. He tilted his head up, his gaze aimed at the storage space above them. Despite the goggles, Itiri could feel his eyes still trained on her.

"You have five minutes," Riddick said, tone rough. "Before I come in after you." He wasn't aware of what was up there, and truth be told, neither did Itiri, at least not entirely. Whether she found a weapon, radio or anything of the sort up there with all the other boxes. Riddick wouldn't give her time to make any poor decisions. He still didn't trust her, she could sense as much. The air during this morning and even now was thick with tension. She couldn't help but wonder if it was because he was just waiting for her to take advantage of being free of her bindings. He needn't worry. Not like her telling him that would help. Itiri suspected it might make him even more hesitant to trust her. And might even end up with her back to being tied up.

Itiri only gave a nod before she began climbing. Moving with near ease, her feet casually missed the broken step as she ascended. She reached the top, and settled onto the ledge, being sure she was well supported before crawling further inside. Her nose twitched as the light layer of dust that she disturbed floated off the items and filled the air around her.

She took a moment to itch her nose before shimmying through the multitude of things around her. From boxes to cases of fuel and spare parts. She used her arms to push smaller things out of her way. Clearing a path as she advanced toward her intended item. The large box of emergency MRE's tucked safely behind a blue storage bin.

Itiri leaned back to sit on her knees. Giving herself the room to push the blue bin on the other side of her. She reached for the MRE box. Gripping the indent in the cardboard before giving it a good tug. She winced as she did so. With a few more it slid forward, and slowly she guided it through the path she began to make. Right at the ledge, Itiri paused. She took only a moment to catch her breath before maneuvering herself to sit behind the box. She gave one last look to the small area behind her. Keeping her eyes peeled for any other boxes that could be useful. From what she could tell, there was none.

She put her feet on its side, and pushed. The box teetered as it moved further and further over the edge. "Incoming!" Itiri called as it began to give way and slid right over the side. A loud smack rang through the air as it made contact with the floor. Riddick looked to the box beside him, then back up to Itiri. Watching as she swung her legs so they dangled before hooking onto the ladder. Yet again missing the absent step on her descent. "That's all I could find," Itiri said as her boot touched down on the metal floor. She turned to look back at the box, dusting her hands off on her black pants. The easy part was over, now came the more challenging one.

Getting the thing up the stairs.

Bending over, Itiri placed both her hands on the top corners on either side of the box. She breathed deep before giving it a push. It made a scraping sound as it slid with ease. It wasn't until its side hit the metal step of the staircase that she stopped. Her back straightened as she slowly turned to Riddick. "Do you think you could help me carry the box?" As much as she didn't want him to lift it. Given his injury. She knew she couldn't lug a box this heavy up the stairs on her own.

He didn't say anything. Only stepped forward and grabbed the end of the box opposite to where she was. Itiri bent down to grab her end, being sure she had a good grip. With a barely audible grunt from Riddick, they lifted it and moved up the stairs. Through the hallway they went, moving quickly until they got to the kitchen. Once the box was situated on the counter, Itiri jerked at the cardboard flaps on the top. The clear tape holding it closed snapped before she tore what remained off. "Thank you for the-" when she turned, Riddick was already gone. She just shrugged, throwing the ball of tape into the garbage disposal.