Disclaimer: There's a poem by William Blake called The Tiger that I quote bits of.

I'm replacing Vacca with Vaako, as I've been informed of the correct spelling. TY!

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Some Never Things Change

There were guards at her door. There were never guards at her door! Her door was palm locked for her father, herself and recently, Riddick. She didn't need guards. But when they started forward at the sight of her, Zemma knew. Someone had gained enough political clout to make a move, starting with her. She ran.

Dame Vaako was coming her way. Well, that explained why she was out this hour. Zemma turned the other way. She needed enough space to get into a vent without being seen. She could hear the thumping of feet behind her. Adrenaline was her friend.

Should have killed her when we had the chance.

Won't make that mistake twice.

Gotta live through the now first, sweetie.

Zemma flipped up her lenses and stuck to the shadows. She needed to climb the next statue; there was an access behind it for the lighting, off this time of night. Zemma froze and turned her face to the wall so her eyes wouldn't shine. Footfalls passed her, then a voice that wasn't either of the Vaakos'.

"Did you get her?" One of the five captains?

Damn it. Damn it. Da…

We'll take care of him too, sweetie.

Yes. But how?

It's not NOW. Climb up before he starts looking for you.

Zemma climbed while Dame Vaako replied. She still didn't know didn't know if he, or any of them, had use of their dark light lenses. She had to risk making noise just in case they had. She kept her breath and her heart steady. She kept her face to the wall. She climbed.

At the top she paused and listened. She still didn't want to look out where her eyes would shine.

"I said be quiet, I heard something."

Zemma froze again. His hearing was as good as hers. She held her breath.

"Where would she go?"

Dame Vaako sounded impatient. "How would I know? Little freak usually just wanders around when she's not in her rooms." She still sounded nasal; Zemma smiled.

"She wasn't wandering, she was scouting. For twenty fucking years she's been scouting this ship out. If she gets back to the Lord Marshall…"

"Riddick isn't our Lord Marshall, he's a damned blasphemer! We're…" The Lady's voice was starting to rise.

"Shut your fucking trap… Your Ladyship." The Captain's voice was cold and controlled. "She's still around here somewhere and the more noise you make the better chance she has of slipping by. How many more men do you have?"

"Enough…" Zemma heard anger, and deceit, in her voice. Why was she rushing again? She wasn't a true believer, she just wanted power.

You should be asking where Lord Vaako is.

Good point. And the other captains.

The voices below her quieted, Zemma held her position. She didn't know what ship time was, she couldn't stay here till light, but she knew the Captain was still down there listening for her. She'd have to wait him out. If she tried to open the access panel he would hear it. So far no one knew she used them. She didn't think she could get to the Lord Marshall suite this way, there would be sensors, but if she could get back into her own rooms she might warn Riddick.

This attack is aimed at you, sweetie. The guards at Riddick's rooms let you pass, remember?

Just a little vengeance then?

We'll see. After we look in on the other four captains.

Zemma heard the click clack of Lady Vaako leaving. But the Captain remained. Was this his plan or hers? How did they get together?

Not the NOW. Save it. Control your breathing. Just be still.

Zemma counted her heartbeats.

Two minutes.

Five minutes.

Twelve. Patient guy.

Footsteps returned. "We haven't found her, Sir."

"Keep guards on her room. She has to come back sometime. Lady Vaako says we can dethrone the pretender with her. I don't want her getting back to the Lord Marshall." The last words were a sneer.

Aha. A true believer. Probably went to the First Lord and Commander right after their meeting yesterday evening.

Was it only yesterday?

Some things change; some things stay the same.

Zemma counted the footsteps leaving. Damn it. The Captain was still there.

"MinW'neta…" The Captain was speaking very softly, just for her ears. "The blasphemy that is your very existence will be purged. The righteous shall prevail."

Zemma rolled her eyes at the wall. Did she sound this nuts when she cracked up?

Yup.

Lovely.