Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Pitch Black. This is all for fun and I'm not making any money out of it. Enjoy.
After the three lone survivors were rescued, Imam and Jackie went on to New Mecca. Of course Jackie was hesitant to go but she understood that it might not be safe for her to stay with Riddick.
Riddick, whoever, met up with a man named Eric Briggs, a guy he's known for a long time. They both worked for the Company during the time Riddick was set up to take their fall. Eric was helpless to do anything about it. He knew how smart and resourceful Riddick was and he only hoped he didn't kill everyone in Slam before he busted out.
You can imagine his surprise when Riddick finally caught up with him. Eric was dropping off some cargo and filling up on supplies at the space station Riddick was staying on temporarily. As he was preparing to leave the following day, he and Riddick accidentally ran right into each other. They both turned ready for a fight but could only stare.
"Is that you, Riddick?" Riddick nodded and then they hugged. A manly hug of course.
"I doubt they let you go, so when did you bust out?" Eric said, giving him a slap on the back as they headed to his ship.
"Actually, that merc Johns was transporting me back to Slam after I had already busted out. Unfortunately, for him that is, the ship we were on crashed." Riddick continued with his story about the alien planet and their fight for survival. He told them that he and the other two survivors decided that they should move on with their lives and forget about that horrible planet and all the suffering that came with it. After he was through, Eric looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
"Man, that's rough. So what do you plan on doing now?" he asked, watching his friend.
"I don't know. Change my file, find work," he said, resting his elbows on his knees. "What are you up to these days?" He glanced up at Eric.
"I do odd jobs for people," he said, but suddenly snapped his fingers. "In fact, I've been researching this facility that's just gone up. It's called Bi-Lines. They specialize in chemical warfare. To be more specific, they plan on releasing their newfound research onto neighboring planets. Then they'll be the only company that has the cure and of course then be charging an arm and a leg for it. I've been hired to take it down," he finished, shaking his head in disgust.
"So, you plan on doing this yourself?" Riddick was a little confused.
"No, I just haven't got a team together yet, but if you're interested," he didn't finish because Riddick cut in.
"Count me in." This was just what he was looking for.
"I was hoping you would want in. There are four more people I need to pick up and I'll have everyone I need." He placed a hand on Riddick's shoulder. "There's more to it." Riddick looked at him skeptically.
"Like what?" he asked with caution in his voice.
"All we know about this company is their location. With all our research, we haven't been able to dig up any schematics on the building. No blue prints, no maps, nothing." They walked onto Eric's ship for more privacy.
"What do you mean by 'we'? I thought you didn't have a team yet?" Riddick asked.
"The company that hired me to do the job. Marisphere. They're legit in the drugs and chemicals they make and they want to take down Bi-Lines. I think it's more like a power struggle but it's for a good cause." Eric stopped walking and turned to face Riddick. "I've been looking into a crew and I decided I want to keep it small. So, the guy in charge told me this morning that he found someone to be our sixth and final. Supposed to be the best. Has some kind of weird talent. Whoever it is can step into a building and automatically knows where everything and everyone is. They are now our map." Eric started flipping switches, checking everything for departure. "The sooner you get your shit, the sooner we can leave."
"Got it. I'll be back in ten." Riddick hurried off the ship and almost ran to his quarters. He grabbed the few belongings he had acquired while staying there, and headed back to the ship. Everything was ready when he got back and after securing his stuff and himself, they took off.
A couple days later, they arrived on Aliason Station to make arrangements with Captain Moore to take their sixth crew member in two months. There was a lot of planning to do that didn't involve this person but they wanted to inform them of what was going on. The last thing they wanted was for this person to leave and have to track them down again.
The Captain was associated with the man that hired Eric. He met them at the loading bay when they arrived. Eric and Riddick walked down the ramp and noticed the Captain eyeing Riddick.
"Don't worry, Captain. He's on my team." The Captain seemed to relax and introductions were made. "So, what have you got for us?" Eric was eager to finish up and get on with more pressing tasks.
Her names Skye," but that's all the Captain got out.
"Whoa, did you say her?" Eric put his hands up in disbelief. "This is going to be very dangerous, you know."
"I know but she's the only one who can help you." The Captain turned and led them away from the ship. Riddick put a hand on Eric's shoulder to calm him down.
"What's the problem?" Riddick asked in a low voice.
"I already have a woman on our team and I think that's all I can handle." Riddick understood what he was talking about but he figured they were going to need the best.
"Let's just see who she is," Riddick said.
"Fine. Who is she?" Eric gave in and followed the Captain.
"Her name is Skye and she's been with us for a few years. We had her tested to see how good she was. We set up a very complicated maze and she walked through it like it was nothing. Not one mistake. She could even do it in the dark." The Captain stopped and then yelled out. "Skye. Can you come here for a moment?" Riddick and Eric looked in the direction the Captain was calling and watched a woman walk over to them.
Riddick remained silent but Eric almost threw a fit.
Skye was not in any shape to go on this kind of mission. She was a little overweight and she probably couldn't even climb a flight of stairs. When she got to them the Captain introduced them and Eric managed to keep his cool while Riddick still continued to keep his cool.
"These are the men you will be going with on that mission I was discussing with you." She eyed the two guys acting deceptively shy. "You can go back to work and I'll come over and talk to you later." She nodded to the Captain and went back to her work. Riddick could feel the tension building up in Eric and tried to ward it off with a squeeze of his shoulder. He seemed to understand Riddick and when he spoke he sounded calm.
"First of all, Captain, if we take her with us she's gotta get in shape. Sure she might have he little talent but she's no good to us if she can't hold her own," Eric said. Riddick stood by his side still not saying anything. He was watching Skye. There was something about her that kept Riddick's eyes glued to her.
"You have two months to get her ready and if she's not, we'll have to do this the hard way." Eric stood his ground.
"She'll be ready. I assure you." The Captain gave his word, shaking their hands before leaving them alone to go talk to Skye. Eric noticed Riddick's attention was on Skye and he had to smile.
"Something catch your eye, big guy?" Eric asked, amused. Riddick gave him a smirk in return.
"Just checking her out." Riddick tore his gaze from her to look at Eric.
"Uh, huh," he said, full of humor. Riddick turned and walked up the ramp to the ship and Eric followed.
"So, what do you think?" Eric trusted Riddick's instincts about people and this time would be no different. He figured he hadn't changed that much since the last time they'd worked together.
"She'll be ready," he said using the Captain's exact words.
Skye watched the two men board the ship as the Captain approached her. The one that had been talking to the Captain was tall but not as tall as the other one. He had blonde hair, cut short, blue eyes, muscular build, but nothing like his partner, and a boyish face. However, the one that caught her attention first was the tall one with the dark goggles. Shaved head, tanned skin, very well built, beautiful lips, and a coolness about him that intimidated even her. He was watching her the whole time and she knew it. The dark goggles couldn't hide anything from her. She could see through them right to his shined eyes.
She noticed the blonde was about to lose it while he was talking to the Captain and she knew why. There wasn't much she could offer them except what was in her head. The tall one kept his cool and even managed to restrain the other one. Her thoughts were interrupted by the Captain.
"Skye. They want you trained and in shape before they come back to get you in two months or you're out." He tried to put it nicely but that was always impossible.
"They want me trained?" she asked, wanting to know exactly who wanted it.
"Well, Eric suggested it."
"Figures," she mumbled under her breath.
"What?" the Captain asked.
"Oh, nothing." She didn't realize she had said it that loud. "Riddick, Riddick. Where have I heard that name before?" she asked.
"Richard B. Riddick," the Captain said, giving her his full name. Realization struck her and her breath caught in her throat.
"You mean the killer?" she gasped out.
"Yes, but he was only a killer out of necessity. The Company set him up to take their fall. Personally, I'm glad he's on our side." The Captain was on the side that didn't like corporation such as the Company and Bi-Lines. He kept up with all the wrong doings concerning the Company and that's how he knew of Riddick's story. He was shocked when he first saw him, knowing that the Company had done everything in their power to keep him locked up for good. Obviously, they had underestimated him.
"Yea, me too." Skye watched the ship depart and then turned to the Captain. "Whatever you need to do to get me ready, I'm all for it."
"I knew you would be. I'll get a trainer for you and get you started." He left Skye to her thoughts. She had never really had a reason before to be in shape but she had also lived her life alone and content to not interact with others. Things were about to change.