It's getting harder to stay awake

And my strength is fading fast

You breathe into me at last

Chapter 5

Walking through the halls he heard the men talking about her. About how she had fought in battle with them and how ruthlessly she had killed the woman. So much for keeping that hushed when they got back to the armada. He would need to put the fear of the Lord Marshall into them. Or his wife."

He found her, child in her arms, looking out one of the only actual portholes on the ship. Someone must have directed her here. A hand splayed on the glass, he saw a single tear roll down her bloodied face.

"You'll miss being there?" he asked.

She shook her head, taking a moment to compose herself. "No. I won't miss being there. I'm just going to miss the piece of me that I left behind." She said cryptically.

"It will only take us a few days to get back to the Armada. If you'd like I can show you where you and the child can wash and rest."

Her hand slowly slipping off of the glass and onto her daughters back, Carolyn turned to him. "What's your name?"

"I am Commander Vaako. Lord Marshall Riddick's First in command."

Carolyn was silently shaking her head. "I asked what your name was. Not your title."

Looking a bit uncomfortable Vaako moved his jaw back and forth a few times before finally opening his mouth to speak. "My name is Siberius."

Carolyn looked at him gravely. "It's nice to meet you Siberius. I'm Carolyn and this is my daughter Rhiannon."

Vaako didn't know why, but he felt as though saying her name out loud for him to hear had been very important to her.

"This way," he said extending an arm out.

They walked side by side in silence as Vaako lead her throughout the ship before stopping in front of a set of sliding doors. Placing his hand on the scanner next to the door for a moment he then indicted that she do the same. When her palm had been scanned he tapped a few controls and the doors slide opened to revel a cramped but serviceable room. Crossing it in a few short strides he opened the door to a small bath and next to it pulled open a small door in the wall. "For your clothes. Just push these three buttons and it will take but a moment." Across the room on the opposite wall he showed her a food station.

"Are we safe here?" She blurted out suddenly, taking him by surprise.

"Yes, on this ship, you are safe. You have my word." Nodding his head in her direction he left the cabin.

Carolyn was shaking as she slowly and methodically undressed herself and Rhiannon, placing their clothes into device Siberus had shown her before stepping into the shower. The adrenaline had finally worn off and she reeked of death. Dried blood covered her hands and arms. She could taste it in her mouth, smell it in her nose. She washed until her skin was pink and shiny, scrubbing until her skin was almost raw, Rhiannon playing in the spray until Carolyn picked her and held her under the shower head, washing her tiny body as she giggled, warming Carolyn's heart as she smothered her with kisses. Drying them off and wrapping them in towels she retrieved their now clean clothing laying them over a chair. Finding the bed she crawled into it tucking her daughter up against her.

Siberus didn't see either female for the two days it took them to get back. They had woke on occasion, Carolyn getting up to help Rhiannon to relieve herself or to feed them, but they had both mainly slept. It was the sleep of someone who knew they were safe and Rhiannon seemed to recognize this in Carolyn, not objecting to the extra sleep herself just happy that she was with her mommy and those bad people were gone.

Letting himself in, Vaako stood over the bed watching for a moment, his eyes quickly scanning the rest of the room before he reached out and touched her shoulder. Curling up in the warmth of her bed she slowly opened her eyes.

"We'll be docking within the hour." He said quietly so not to wake the child.

She nodded and he turned leaving the way he had come.

Sitting up in bed she stretched, flipping her braided hair out of the way. She wondered if Riddick would recognize her as she padded into the bathroom looking at her reflection in the mirror. No use in worrying about it now she mused, splashing water on her face and cleaning her teeth. Stepping back into the main room she dressed in rote putting on the same style of clothing she had worn since her son's birth. Once she was finished, she woke her daughter.