Chapter 10: Life

Riddick quickly checked Kyra's vital signs. There was a faint pulse and she was still breathing, though shallowly. Hope leapt up in his chest. He jumped to his feet, bent and lifted her easily into his arms. Turning he brushed past Shirah who had been watching the scene quietly, and ran into the med lab. Setting Kyra on the table he turned to the computer. "On." He commanded. Instantly the screen turned on and the lights began to blink showing that it was ready. "Begin diagnostic." A low hum filled the air as the computer scanned Kyra. Information began to scroll down the screen. Riddick read it quickly, finding various slight internal injuries, probably from a severe beating. She was deeply unconscious but there didn't seem to be anything permanently wrong with her. Relief washed over him when suddenly there was a loud THUMP! on the hull of the ship. Shirah ran in, "Riddick, they are trying to disable the ship and come aboard!" she yelled. Riddick glanced quickly at Kyra, "Watch her." He ordered, "Continue diagnostic and give whatever aid she needs." Shirah nodded.

Riddick ran to the command center and quickly worked the control panel, preparing the ship for take off. The warship was not meant to be flown by a single man, so Riddick often had to stand and move around the room to complete the take off preparations. Finally the ship was ready and he sat down in the navigation chair, strapping himself in.

Shirah was busy working over Kyra. She had strapped her down in preparation of take off and was administering the drugs the computer had recommended into the I.V. After she finished she ran quickly to the flight deck to find Riddick. Bursting into the command center she sped over to Riddick as he was concentrating on the final steps for lift off. "Riddick?" Shirah asked.

Spinning towards her he growled "Get back to her." When she didn't move he yelled, "Don't just stand there, MOVE!"

Shirah tried not to cringe at the passion in his voice. "Riddick," she said firmly, "We must pick up Lalia and Jack. I cannot just leave them here on this planet. Please, let them come with us!" Riddick looked at her; she could feel his eyes burning through her from behind his goggles. "If you agree, I will go back to her." She said trying to meet his glare.

"Fine. Now GO." He said turning back towards the screen.

Shirah could feel a slight shift in the med lab as the ship began to lift off the ground. Quickly she ran over to a small flight chair, pulled it down from the wall and sat, strapping herself in. All of the sudden, G forces slammed her down into the chair as they shot into the sky leaving behind the final remnants of the battle.

Almost as soon as they took off, they began to descend again. The moment Shirah felt the ship touch down she unstrapped herself and jumped to her feet. She checked on Kyra who remained in stable condition. Riddick stepped into the room, "Go get them. I'll wait here."

Shirah was surprised that Riddick wasn't coming with her, but she wasn't about to argue. She ran to the hatch and then towards the pile of rubble that used to be her home.

Riddick stood over Kyra, occasionally glancing at the computer screen, monitoring her vital signs. He felt useless. He did not like not being able to do anything. He wanted something to fight. Sitting and waiting was not something he liked to do. Stepping forward he looked down at her. She was still wearing the black clothes he had last seen her in on Necropolis, but her hair was loose and framed her pale face. Without even thinking, he reached forward and gently pushed a stray hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. His emotions were in turmoil. Happiness, guilt, worry, and inexpressible joy filled him. She was back. He never thought he would see her again, and now here she was.

Riddick heard Shirah, Lalia, and Jack climbing back into the ship. He waited until they came into the med lab then turned and jogged back to the command center, without a word or a glance, to get them off the ground. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the Lord Marshal sent people after them. Strapping in, he worked the control panel once more and lifted off.

Shirah watched as Riddick went back to the command center, a mixture of powerful emotions flitting across his face. She told Lalia and Jack to sit down and strap in as she checked on Kyra's vital signs and straps one more time. Shirah had a feeling that Riddick would kill her without a thought if she let anything happen to this…Kyra. Sitting down and securing herself, she began to wonder about this girl that Riddick appeared to be so attached to. The girl looked to be no older than seventeen or eighteen. "What is she to him really? Why is she so important?" Shirah wondered.

Riddick set the ship into a high orbit around the planet. He stood and walked back to the med lab. Entering he saw Lalia and Shirah looking out the small window at the planet far below, while Jack was busy exploring the lab. When they heard him enter, they all turned to look at him. Jack stood and ran toward him, stopping a few strides away. He looked at Riddick with absolute worship in his eyes. "You saved us from the soldiers! Thank you."

Riddick looked down at Jack, and then glanced up at Shirah. He knew he didn't deserve Jack's thanks. If Shirah had not used Kyra, he might have just flown away from that planet without looking back. Probably would have.

Lalia also was looking at him, though her expression was harder to read. "Thank you Riddick." She said, walked forward and took Jack's hand, leading him from the room.

Shirah also walked up to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you. You have honor and strength beyond what is expected. You took us with you when you didn't have too. You do Furya proud." Turning, she too left the room.

Riddick was not expecting that statement. Shaking his head slightly he walked toward Kyra. He grabbed a chair and brought it over to the table. Sitting down he waited, and watched; lost in his own thoughts.