Riddick: Bloodhounds: 10
"Jacklegs"
Author's note: "Jacklegs" Chapter 10, final to the "Bloodhounds" story arc. I enjoyed writing the story very much and hope that it was worth a read. My special thanks go to the folk at left reviews (Nic Coay & Guest). I did enjoy getting your feedback…..
Anyhoo, my thanks again to all who have, Faved & Alerted this story, I am truly humbled by your interest.
PS: I'm beginning a new Terminator story arc. If you are a reader of fan-fiction that enjoyed those series of movies then check it out, and as always, if you find fault or enjoyment, I'd be happy to hear. Z
********** Jacklegs *********
As all of them stood there, surrounding the body of Foster Mead…..Lee Davies, who had been standing inside the cargo hold (just feet away from the loading ramp), suddenly felt to the deck of the Fairy Godmother (his body taking the shape of a limp noddle as he lay prone on the ship's floor), and there, behind him stood Riddick, brandishing a weapon that had obviously been used to knock Lee unconscious.
"RIDDICK" Toombs voiced in amazement!
Everyone was stunned by the figure they saw standing there.
"How in the hell are you here, whenever Luna just pinned you on a planet two million miles away?"
It was a question that had entered into the brain of everyone standing outside the hull of the Fairy Godmother, well everyone with the exceptions of Luna and Miranda, who only moments ago had ventured inside to install the new engine part.
The ex-ruler of the Necromongers smiled….
"He pinged the spaceship I had taken refuge on, he didn't ping me," Riddick answered, then continued…
"These alert beacons still work without anyone being on the ship, and they can be activated from a distance by remote," Riddick smiled, he reviewed the man that was seeking revenge upon him (through his dark, light filtering goggles), and Riddick knew that Toombs was only now getting the jest that he had been duped, fooled into thinking that he posted the upper-hand.
"Ain't nothing written in stone that speaks that a man on the run can't be as deceptive as the bloodhounds chasing him," Riddick pause for a moment, then his sheepish grin turned suddenly seriousness, "There is no honor among thieves Toombs, or have you forgotten? You've been chasing me across the galaxy for over a decade now; do you believe that I wouldn't have become familiar with your methods, the way that you operate…. what do you take me for?"
Although Riddick had no actual plans for killing Alexander, or any of his crew, he was there to demonstrate to those who were following Toombs that, maybe they had been misguided, misled into thinking that their chief's motives were mainly about the reward money, and a slight vengeance for getting caged between two Hell Hounds back on Crematoria. They didn't understand that Toombs' revenge was not only about prize money…. that it had more to do with revenge for his brother's death.
Riddick looked over at the woman he'd spared up in the Grand Galley of the prison on Crematoria.
"Eve, Eve Logan, I thought girl…. that once I'd spared you, you'd have come to your senses? That getting away from Toombs and choosing a more cleaver path might be your new destiny," Riddick paused, and then added, "…you still have time," he glanced over at the roll of bills still held in Alexander's hand.
"There's enough money in Toombs' hand for each of you to start a new life. Split seven…excuse my dip in calculation (referring to the dead body of Foster that now lay lifeless on the ground) six ways, and each of you can walk away much richer," he stopped. "Granted, it is less than the reward money for bringing in my head, but….it would be better for each of your health to take your cut and still be breathing in an hour, that, rather than the alternative."
Eve Logan blinked; she didn't know how to respond….but Bugsy did.
"And what if we decide not to take your advice Mr. Riddick, what should we decide that taking you head and mounting on our wall as a trophy may prove to be the better choice?"
Riddick looked over at the man who'd spit out the words….
"Well then, I'd take it that you're more stupid than you look."
Bugsy was instantly furious, he wanted to attack Riddick right then and there, but he re-framed from doing so, he'd let Toombs make the first move.
"So, where's Miranda, you kill her too," Toombs addressed?
Riddick returned his attention to the mercenaries' leader.
"I told you, you can split the money six ways, which suggest that she's still alive, restrained at the moment, but still breathing."
Toombs instantly raised his weapon and aimed it at Dahl….
"…Which is less I can say for your partner here, if you don't drop that piece and advance with your hands in the air."
It was like a chess game between these two, each thinking several move ahead. Although Toombs' smile was rather wide, Riddick's became wider. He stretched out his left arm, opened his hand and several bullets dropped from his grasp, all hitting the metal deck below making a "pinging" sound.
"You shouldn't leave your toys lying around Toombs; others like to play as well."
Suddenly Riddick's gun arm swiveled, he pulled the trigger of his weapon blasting a shot directly into the chest of the bloodhound known as Bugsy Benjamin. The man fell to the ground dead even before the dust had time to settle around him.
"WHAT THA HELL! You just shot an unarmed man Riddick! You've just proven my point as to what kind of coldhearted beast you really are! Why, why did you do it?"
Riddick had walked over to the body lying face down in the dirt. With his foot he tested the deceased, making sure that he had taken his final breath. He then turned to look at Toombs. He calmly addressed his question...
"Why... because I didn't like him."
It was a cold answer, and no reason to kill a man…then Riddick spoke again. Use the tip of his foot he flipped the body over. There the weapon that Bugs had held under his belt, and it was firmly held within in his right grasp. His death-grim slowly stiffening around the handle and trigger.
"…..besides, he wasn't as unarmed as you think."
Just then Slink Williams hit the ground. Everyone turn to see Dahl rubbing her clenched fist.
"Didn't think that you were gonna leave me out of the party now did'ya,"she spoke looking at Riddick? He grinned.
"Well isn't this a cozy reunion."
Riddick again turned to face the bloodhounds' leader. This time Toombs was armed with a loaded weapon, a weapon he'd taken from inside his right boot, and again had it was pointed at Dahl.
"I could have easily shot you Riddick. Put a bullet right through your brain. But I haven't pursued you across half the galaxy for so long that a quick and easy death for you will satisfy my torment. No, I want more satisfaction than that. I want to hear that you've rotted away in a prison cell, that the man you once were is nothing but skin and bones now. That my friend, would make me very happy."
"I didn't kill your brother Toombs."
"No, but your lack in judgment did, and that makes you responsible," Toombs pause for a moment, "…now you can save your friend here (referring to Dahl) if you turn around and let Eve bind you and you continue to follow my..."
Suddenly Toombs fell to the ground, a stain of blood oozing from the back of his head. Riddick looked up to see Eve Logan standing behind the man, a hefty stone gathered in her right hand.
"You haven't much time Riddick. Gather your crew and be gone before they all come-to."
Riddick gazed into Eve's beautiful blue eyes. Maybe she wasn't the woman he had first considered her to be. He had always thought himself a pretty good judge of character, but he could be mistaken.
In a few moments Riddick had gathered his crew and they were breaking atmo in less than ten. He considered the idea...would this little confrontation stop Toombs from seeking him out, he doubted it. Would Eve remain with her Captain? That remained a question unanswered. All Riddick knew was that the cash that had dropped from Toombs' hand (as he hit the dirt) could make her a rich woman. She could buy her a mansion, live on an estate, and have dozens of maids and porters to boss around. If that didn't make her father realize that his daughter was special, and didn't need his approval, then maybe one day Riddick would make Mr. Logan a visit himself, just to clear the air.
The Outlaw smiled as he piloted the controls of the craft. Dahl had received a transmission from Johns. It seemed that he was finished with the mourning of his son and was ready to rejoin his crew. They were on their way to retrieve him now, however, Riddick wasn't sure he was going along for the entire ride. He wasn't good with reunions or farewells...he'd seen too many graves dug to get close to people.
Riddick thought about his life and what could be coming next, it was always an adventure, and he had to admit, one hell of a ride.
END