Part VII

Part VII

It had been nearly a year since Jack was first brought to Slam. She'd also killed and injured numerous guards who looked at Sil wrong or tried to touch her. All her sessions with the "good" doctor had ironically benefited her.

All the gene splicing had increased her senses. Though during the middle months she nearly went crazy from the increase in all her senses at once. Colors faded to only faint hints in black, gray, and white. But her favorite thing was being able to see in the darkness and have her eyes adjust automatically to various levels of light. She'd never be blinded that way.

She'd neglected though to tell the doctor about her newest discovery. It seemed she was getting some rather sharp canines. All the better to tear out someone's throat. She also noticed her nails curving slightly into points on both her hands and feet. It hurt when she put shoes on so now she just discarded them under her cot. She looked to Sil who was sleeping soundly. She listened to her deep, slow breathing and the slow beating of Sil's heart. Jack smiled down her faintly, looking out for Sil kept whatever humanity Jack had left, if any, intact.

Jack shifted her gaze to the cell door as slight curls brushed over her shoulders. Her hair had grown out quite a bit. She'd gotten the doctor to cut it back to her shoulders once but now it fell to her shoulders from its ponytail. Jack figured it must be one of the side effects of the experiment. She was glad when he stopped the gene splicing sessions so he could monitor her adjustment to her new senses.

Her pale lips pulled back into a dark smirk as she crept silently to the front of the cell. She'd found that she'd become amazingly agile and limber… like a cat. And oddly enough to her fascination the doctor had told her that some of her genes were spliced with a predatory cat. He never would tell her which ones though. But when he'd told her the keyword 'some' she knew just how much of an experiment she was. Nothin' but a guinea pig.

But today was, as the doctor had put it, the day they'd see what she was really capable of. Today she was getting thrown in the Pit with twenty-five murderers who, each, were promised freedom and a full pardon if they brought them her head. Jack knew how bogus a deal like that was. If by some off twist of fate she was killed, she knew her killer would more than likely be terminated than freed. Desperate people do desperate things.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Nova sighed as she watched the newest member of their crew check their course. In two days they would reach Lison 2. Then her stepfather and Riddick would go round up Mike Ceit, the relief warden being sent in. It had taken them about four months to crack the new scrambled codes before they could figure out where her stepsister was.

Damn he's fine… Nova nibbled on her lip a bit as she drifted into thought. The whole time he'd been aboard he'd been quiet and sad. Nova thought it was because he was lonely. And to Brian, her ex's, disapproval she'd offered to share his bed more than once. Every time though he refused her and told her she was barking up the wrong tree. None of that stopped Nova though. She was going to find a way to make that man hers.

"See somethin' interesting?," came the deep voice that made Nova want to drool.

Nova snapped from her thoughts as she looked at Riddick who had turned around to face her. She smiled charmingly at him. "Course I do."

Riddick smirked a bit at her. She was older than Jacklyn was and he could tell she never hid her interest in him. He'd told her before he wasn't interested but it seemed the girl wouldn't take no for an answer. "Then you better clear your mind and get focused. I don't want *anyone* screwing up this chance.," his tone was stern and calm.

Nova flushed a bit, her cheeks reddening. Riddick just grinned to her faintly. He found it amusing how easily he could push her buttons and make her angry. Nova gave him a glare and shifted her gaze down to her console. When she did happen to glance up there was Riddick standing in front of the console. He leaned over it slowly, resting his hands atop it. Nova's breath caught in her throat and she couldn't make her move even if she had wanted to.

"Jacklyn means a lot to me. She's helped me in more ways than one. If anyone screws this up for me… I'll kill 'em.," his silver blue eyes burned into her green ones as she sank back into her chair.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

The test had gone well, at least in Jack's opinion. She'd come back bloodied and carrying twenty-five scalps for them. She'd also handed over the knife she had scalped her victims with. She was taken to the Med Lab and cleaned up, then ushered into a conference room. She was chained to a metal chair that was bolted to the floor. At least they were learning.

The door opened and Jack shifted her gaze to it. In walked Military and GOV personal. She quirked an eyebrow as they were all seated. Then in he came…, the blue eyed devil, Phillip Johns. She couldn't help but let a grin form on her lips, the points of her canines showing.

"As you can see gentlemen so fat the splicing has proven successful in boosting movement and attack speed.," the doctor said smiling.

"Maybe so Doc, but ever stop to think before you tampered with her?" Phil scratched his cheek as he peered at the doctor. The sight of the girl now unnerved him. She looked like a wild animal. "What you did was give her an advantage over you and the men here.," he stated bluntly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Mr. Johns… why exactly are you here anyway?," the doctor peered at him annoyed.

"So you don't make a stupid mistake and decide to send her," he pointed to Jack, "off to a warring planet where she can escape."

Jack laughed a bit. "What do you care Johns? You'd hunt me down for the money just the same."

The doctor looked infuriated as he peered at Phillip. But before he could tell him anything Phil broke in. "Damn right I'd hunt you down again girl. You're nothing but a menace to society like your idol Riddick."

All Jack could do was laugh deep and heartily. A sly grin crept across her face. "Haven't found him yet,… have you?"

Hushed whispers flooded across the room. Phil just glared at her. She shook her head slowly. "You won't find him. No one will…, except maybe me one day.," she paused, "And don't worry… I'll visit you and be sure to pay you back for everything…"