XXV.
Hope could hear cries over the headset. Riddick hadn't yet told her to pick them up but it wouldn't be long anymore. The time they had calculated Riddick would need to reach Aereon in the hotel and to take her to the roof was nearly up. She was able now to keep the ship steady and was anxious to get into action. She was on the edge; it wasn't her strong point to wait, listening in the others doing all the work.
"Hope, now!" Riddick's command resounded.
He hadn't even finished the second word when she already was in the air and on her way.
The night was lit by burning buildings and there was enough light that Hope could spot a woman crouched down at the rear of the roof, four lifeless bodies lying scattered across it and Riddick fighting with another three men.
It was a drop-dead gorgeous sight seeing Riddick in action. His movements were flawless. He moved like one of those big feral cats; the men on the roof never stood a chance. It was like a dance, a dangerous, deadly dance with Riddick as the master over life and death. For a second Hope forgot to breathe at that view but she did her job and the ship smoothly went down to the roof to hover above it and to take them in.
She had reached her position when the last man went down. Riddick hauled Aereon to her feet and dragged her to the hatch that already was open for them. The ship immediately gained height and they were in outer space before anybody on the planet could react.
Hope found a very rattled Aereon and a very angry Riddick in the kitchen. The vein on his temple was pulsating, his jaw clenched and Hope could tell that he had a hard time restraining himself. He had blood all over him but thankfully none of it was his; he hadn't even the slightest cut.
"Remind me to never help anybody again." he hissed on his way out. "She nearly got both of us killed."
Aereon looked beyond tired and Hope prepared tea before sitting down beneath her. "You okay?" she asked her softly already knowing that wasn't the case.
Aereon had a shocked expression on her face. "So much violence, so much death, so much waste of life." she whispered and covered her face with her hands.
Hope knew that Aereon didn't mean Riddick's fight on the roof; she had seen the cruel fights on the streets on her way from the spaceport herself.
Hope didn't know how to help her and so she just thrust the cup upon her and waited patiently. She used the opportunity to take a closer look at the Elemental.
Elementals were a mysterious race. Balance meant everything to them. Imam had told them that Aereon was an Air Elemental. And a transient appearance she had. Sometimes she even seemed to get transparent. Her hair was snow-white and her face benignant. But Hope could sense that there was more behind that friendly face than she was willing to show. Her gut feeling told her to be careful with that woman. Aereon carried too much secrets with her to confide too much in her.
It took a while until the elder woman sighed deeply and took a look at Hope. Her smile was still a bit weak but she seemed to feel better after a few sips. Tea always does the trick.
"So you are Hope." It was more a statement than a question. "You've grown a lot since I've seen you the last time."
Hope was confused. "You know me? Why? How? I can't remember you."
Aereon smiled again. "I know that you are curious but that is a story for both of you. I'm afraid I have annoyed Ridick and I don't think he is yet ready to listen and on the other hand I'm awfully tired. It's been some tough days for me. I couldn't get through to Imam again and didn't know if you would come. Good for the balance you did." she sighed.
Hope didn't understand the part with the balance but got the hint with the fatigue and stood up. "I'll show you to your room." They had decided to let her have her room being the only one with a bed and Hope would share the gym with Riddick. There were enough mats to not get too close. Hope was nearly out of the quarter when she remembered what she had forgotten to ask. "Which way? New Mecca or elsewhere?" Hope had to smile about herself. 'Riddick is rubbing off on you. You are getting as monosyllabic as he is.'
"Would you mind taking me to my home planet? All the evidence you'll want to see is there. New Mecca was just a place to start the search for you."
Hope closed the door to the quarter and went to the cockpit to set the new course. Back in the kitchen she found Riddick sitting there. He had changed into clean clothes and had calmed somewhat down.
"Now what? Did she tell you something worth all that trouble?" Riddick still was angry with Aereon but didn't take it out on Hope.
"She's tired and wants to talk to us tomorrow. She told me that she has seen me before." She couldn't get out of her mind what Aereon had said to her and couldn't wait to hear the whole story. "She's a strange old lady. What happened on the planet?"
Riddick snorted. "She had problems with seeing me kill the manager of the hotel. He had the nerve to ask for a reward for keeping her safe when everything he was doing was holding her hostage until the winner of the latest fight in that area would come and get her to trade her in for ransom. Her intervention has given him time to call for help. She is a crazy old bat and her story should better be good. I'm in the mood to take her back there."
"You won't bring her back until she had the chance to tell me why she knows me, will you?" Hope wasn't overly alarmed but she had to ensure her.
Riddick grinned. "You are such a softie, aren't you?" He stood up and pushed Hope in front of him to the gym. "Let's call it a day. I'm tired."
Hope glanced at him. "I'm afraid you are stuck with me again." She had reached the gym and couldn't decide where to lie down. There was neither a blanket nor a pillow left for her.
Riddick stood close behind her. She could feel his breath in her neck and her heartbeat quickened a notch.
"I can see your dilemma. Maybe I can help you if you are willing to share the blanket" he offered in a seductive voice and with a hint of a smile. How he enjoyed to play those little games with her.