Revelations

Chapter Seven

"We are leaving." Bryan's abrupt entry into her small room grabbed her attention. Fiona watched as he looked around her space, as though he hadn't been there repeatedly for the last two years. His eyes scaled every wall, itemizing her things, finally coming to her for only a moment before looking away. He was dressed fully, she noted the gun on his hip, his coat, harness around his chest. It appeared they were going to be doing some training, he only came to her dressed like this when he was on patrol duty. He still had the remaining shadow of the black eye she had given him the last time they were together. She couldn't help but smile slightly at that.

"Training grounds again?" She asked with no enthusiasm, returning her eyes to the book in her hands. It had been three days since she surfaced from her little nap, as they were calling it. All of the energy in her body had been depleted in her anger, and it took a while for her to be at full capacity. She hardly remembered the episodes most the time, but the feeling was still deep in her chest, a burning sensation that made breathing difficult. Aereon had not been to see her, the only individuals coming in doctors.

"Off ship. We're going on a mission."

"Mission?" She questioned him, watching as he nodded in response, heading back out the door and calling over his shoulder that she had ten minutes. It took her no time, a bag, the bag she'd had for 2 years, already packed and under the bed. It had been a painful process when she had first put it together, her mind inventing images of Riddick standing just over her shoulder, watching her create something he had taught her. Her imagination had made pride something that showed on his face, the real Riddick always shrouding his emotions.

She gathered the few remaining clothing items, changing abruptly, and tossing everything else she needed into the bag, taking a seat to wait for Bryan's return. She couldn't imagine the situation, the reason for them to be heading out, off ship. It was late, although she had no true sunlight to tell time, no clock to focus her attention on, she knew it was nighttime. Leaving at night of course was feasible, but she had her doubts.

The mixed emotions ran through her mind as she debated what was happening. He could very well be lying to her, a long nap and drug induced hallucinations in her future. It wouldn't be the first time.

But then, there was the option that it could be true. Real stars, real air, real danger; everything she had been missing while being held captive. As Bryan strolled back into her room exactly ten minutes after leaving, she had little time to process, already on her feet when he motioned for her to follow, opening the door and letting her out into the hall. The normal precaution he took wasn't there, the feeling of being heavily watched as she moved along the hall of people gone. No one was there, silence in the city a strange contrast. No shuffling people, no hustle and bustle, no sharp smells of food mixed with oils and perfumes. Silence, stale serene silence.

They made their way across the vast array of shops, heading down a section she had not seen before. A hall that had never been close to their path, she knew instantly that this was the engine bay, the docking station, the ports, the places she could use to get away.

He glanced over his shoulder from time to time to make sure she was still there, ships now visible. The docking station in front of them a massive space; cruise lines, small skippers, even a luxury boat lined up, all docked amongst one another. Fiona eyed everything, Bryan leading her through the large structure to a small ship on the right; three stations over. It was a lot to take in, her mind trying to process everything, as though she would have to escape again in the near future; she found herself always keeping a step ahead.

A crew was there, supplies being put in the back of the ship, the men looking up when they approach. She did not miss the way they avoided her eyes, looking towards her feet, her shoulders, anywhere but her eyes.

"Does Aereon know about this?"

Bryan did not answer.

Going over everything, Fiona took a seat in the co-pilot seat, Bryan thanking the loading crew before closing up the hatch and taking the pilots seat. He strapped in, Fiona following his lead, her eyes steady on him as she waited for the answer to her question. The ship was already powered on, the controls responding to Bryan's touch, a soft voice over the intercom telling them they were good to go.

"Bryan."

He glanced over at her, as if it was the first time he'd noticed her. He stared for a moment, the ship backing up, being placed in the runway. There was a world of questions and answers in his eyes, and Fiona found herself lost for a moment, knowing instantly the answer to her question. As if she didn't know it all along. After a moment of silence, he shook his head, returning his eyes to the front before engaging the take-off sequence.

She was forced back into the seat at the speed of their departure, her eyes slammed shut. All she could remember was the last time he had done this, escorting her out of her containment, taking a penalty for it. He had been branded, stripped of certain right, and he hadn't complain about it. She had witnessed the loss in him, all over a failed attempt to free her.

"She'll kill you." Fiona muttered it as they finally reached a steady speed, the stars all around them, different galaxies far into the distance. The inky blackness was something Fiona had been dying to see, and with her eyes open now, it did not disappoint. She felt a strange ache in the pit of her stomach as her eyes took in the vast darkness around them. The worlds as far as the eye could see, scattered around them, suns blaring in each galaxy. The potential to go anywhere, to be anyone, to do anything. Bryan sighed beside her, a small little chuckle under his breath.

"She'll have to find us first."

"How do I know this isn't just part of the plan?" She stared at the side of his face, his profile all he would give her. He was busy punching in coordinates to a planet she had never heard of, a five-day trip in their future. She watched him shrug, his eyes bouncing over to her for a moment.

"You'll have to trust me."

Fat chance. She looked away from him, already knowing, as much as he did, that that was not going to happen. But in the moment, she was out, she was in the world, away from Aereon and her training, away from forced learning and what it meant to be what she was. Not that she entirely knew, but she hadn't had time to figure it out. All she knew now was that this was exciting, a change of pace. It could be planned, like much of her life before, as she had learned, but she didn't much care. Letting her eyes linger on the stars, bouncing to the controls from time to time when Bryan wasn't minding, she was already formulating a plan; she wasn't going back this time; she was damn sure of it.