CHAPTER1

REDEMPTION:
A “PITCH BLACK” FANFIC

CHAPTER 1

All “Pitch Black” original characters are property of Universal, Interscope and USA Films, et al. All original fanfic characters are property of author. This story is for entertainment purposes only and is not for profit.

They were three of the sorriest looking traveler’s that had passed through Polaris Distribution Station (hovering over the gas giant Polaris 5) as far as she could see.
And she had seen quite a few come through Polaris in her four years as a “material handler.”
One man, in his early thirties in her best guess, was tall, dusky skinned and very muscular. He had close cropped hair and wore black, rounded goggles that totally hid his eyes. A black tank top, black boots and black, baggy microfiber pants, all of which were ripped or soiled. He exuded a sense of danger and “don’t piss with me” attitude. And he was very protective of his female companion with whom he held hands.
She was very young, maybe 13 or 14 at the most. Skinny and gangly, she had the same amount of hair as the bad ass guy. But there the similarities ended. She was deathly pale and that made her dark blue eyes stand out even more. And there was no “don’t piss me with me” attitude here. Oh no…this little girl had gone through something that had affected her greatly. Made her jumpy and nervous around people. And left her clinging to the bad ass.
Her striped, boy style shirt and khaki colored baggy pants were stained dark in places. Blood?! The child needed some serious nourishment and clothes! She really hoped the bad ass wasn’t molesting her or anything. But it wouldn’t surprise her. Kids had to do whatever they needed to do to survive in the Omega Quadrant. Body bartering and other nefarious actions didn’t seem so bad if meant living a little longer.
The third member of the party was robe enfolded Islamic holy man. Looked like he had been on a holy pilgrimage to New Mecca. Dark skinned, tall and undernourished looking, he gave off a sense of relief and sadness. As if a great loss had been dumped upon him and he felt guilty for living through it.
She watched the trio head toward the check- in kiosk. Their steps slow, exhausted, hesitant.
Standing right behind the processing agent, Trina, she smelled them even before they spoke. Whew!!! “Ripe” wasn’t the word! When was the last time these people had seen a micro shower?
She gave the young woman on duty as processor credit. She didn’t shrink back too obviously. But she did look back at her with nervous and disgusted eyes. As much as she could, she reassured her by moving in right behind her chair. Not that her rounded, short body would be a big deterrent to Mr. Bad Ass here. But it was worth a shot.
“Can…can I be of assistance?”
“Yeah…we need comp sub.” A complimentary efficiency apartment that usually consisted of one large room that had 1 to 3 beds and a segregated bathroom. They were offered free, courtesy of the mining companies to lure down on their luck travelers onto their payrolls.
Like a hand rubbing over velvet, the younger man’s voice washed over both women. Very deep with no kindness it whatsoever. Rather it was a continuation of his bad ass attitude. A person would have to be deaf not to realize the menace behind the voice. Yet it wasn’t raised in anger. Just had that dangerous tone to it. The one that let you know that he thought you were a bug that needed squashing and that his boots were the perfect instrument to do the act. Add a little snotty derision, pseudo-sexy inflections and a great deal of sarcasm and you had one whacked out voice.
He was kind of like passing a transport accident. You knew you shouldn’t look, but you couldn’t help yourself.
She glanced at Trina and saw her begin to shake. Half-way surprised she didn’t see a puddle of pee under the chair.
“I’m…I’m sorry sir. All the free facilities are taken. There’s only…paid in full available now.”
Trina looked like she was about to faint right out of the chair. She kept looking back at her like the she could protect her from the bad ass’ wrath.
As much as she could, she conveyed with her eyes that the processor was on her own if he blew a fuse. Every helpless female for themselves with this one honey!
Richard B. Riddick watched the silent communication between the two women. The one sitting behind the kiosk was a typical daddy’s girl. She got a job only because papa refused to foot any more bills for clothes and such until she showed some responsibility. Blond, petite, maybe all of twenty two with perfect hair and teeth and skin. Never denied what she wanted and worse, raised to believe she deserved it. He would have bet his right arm that she hadn’t struggled for a thing in her life, much less for life. Women like that were good for one thing only. Fucking.
The one standing behind her seemed a little less clueless. She had kept her eyes on him the most of the time. She was evidently smart enough to know the real threat when in a situation that could turn ugly. And unlike the dip-shit, she hadn’t given him one phony smile yet. And she was less prissy than her friend. She wore a regulation station hat and uniform, both of which were worse for wear. She was older also. Slight wrinkles and a tinge of shadows under her eyes lead him to believe she probably in her early thirties. She had a woman’s cushiony body and an air of having seen a few bad times in her life. She also probably knew when to avoid a bad situation. They wouldn’t be getting any help from her either.
He was tired, hungry and chafing under the unfamiliar feeling of being responsible for other’s well being. Dealing with this shit was not his forte. Fighting and surviving he knew. When it came to kissing ass and working the system he was like baby lost in the park.
He attention focused on Jack when he saw her reaction to the blond bitches’ announcement. She seemed to grow younger and sadder right before his eyes. Like she had had only enough strength to make it this far, and only with the hope of rescue and relief.
Imam also saw her reaction and moved in, with Riddick, to shore her up.
And that’s when Zarifa Cholena made her fateful decision.
Her job for the station was O.K. Boring most of the time, hard work sometimes. But it paid for the relatively comfy apartment she lived in. Most of the people at the station were O.K. Not that she had any close friends. Her two roommates, Alexia Johnson and Brendan Norbert, were her closest friends and they were gone for awhile. Loneliness and a feeling of needing company had been in the back of her mind for a few weeks already.
Maybe that was why she found herself doing what was totally unusual for her. Reaching out.
She knew after seeing the little group, especially the bad ass’, reaction, that these were people in serious need. And that she couldn’t leave them out in the cold. She knew what that felt like.
Something inside of her was making her open her mouth even before she could think it through. Maybe the knowledge that someone had helped when she was in desperate need, with the only stipulation being that she return the favor if the situation ever arose.
“I’ll vouch for them Trina. They can stay with me.”
Riddick wasn’t sure who was more surprised at her statement. Him or her.
Holy Shit!!! Had she really said that? What the hell was wrong with her??? Reality hit her over the head like a club. She didn’t even know these people except for her first impressions. And it wasn’t like she was some guru of character or anything!
But the older man and girl were looking at her like she had just sprouted wings and was playing the harp. The bad ass just stared at her. No smile, no expression on his face whatsoever. The goggles totally hid whatever he thought of her generosity.
Downright cold and scary!
But mentally she sighed. She HAD offered and she couldn’t very well back out of it now.
“Check them in. I’m off duty in less than five anyway.”
In a sotto voice that the workers on the next level probably could’ve heard Trina asked “Are you sure Zar? I could always call Security.”
“No. It’ll be fine. But thanks.” A hesitant smile followed the words. If only it had been a true smile.
But she had started shaking inside already at her impulsiveness and stupidity. She wasn’t so afraid of the holy man or the young girl. Though she knew that grifters and hit and run artists came in all ages and forms. But she trusted her instincts with these two at least. No, it was Bad Ass that had her regretting her act of kindness. The more she looked at him the more he seemed unreadable. Like looking into a window painted black.
But she wasn’t going to make the holy man and the girl pay for her fanciful and unproven notions about their traveling companion. He did after all, seem very protective and concerned about the girl. That showed he couldn’t be that bad right?
No reassuring affirmative came back at her in her mind. But she did hear one great big unladylike snort somewhere in there.
Oh well, might as well get this going.
“My name is Zarifa Cholena. Everyone calls me Zar. If you show me which is your luggage, I’ll grab it and we’ll head to my place.”
“We have none ma’am. It was lost in...”
Bad Ass broke in while the holy man was explaining. “..in space. That’s all you need to know.”
The holy man gave Bad Ass a look of disappointment.
“Forgive my friend please. We’ve all had a rough time and it is only through the grace of Allah that we are here to partake of your kindness. You are truly a blessing child. And I, Imam, thank you sincerely.”
“Your welcome Imam. And though I appreciate your calling me child, I’m far from it. And please call me Zar. I don’t feel like a ma’am quite yet.”
She had directed her comments directly to Imam with a smile. Forget Bad Ass and his nastiness. She’d just ignore him.
She looked at the girl. “And you are?”
“Jack.”
“Jack? Nothing else? Just Jack?”
“Just Jack.”
“ Ohhhhkayyyy. Just it is.”
She was relieved to see the smile creep up on the girls face. It meant she wasn’t too far gone.
And she wasn’t even going to give Bad Ass a chance to get snotty with her again by asking his name. But the Jack seemed to sense the growing hostility between the two and wanted to make it better. The poor thing probably didn’t want him to piss their new benefactress off and therefore lose the food and other comforts she so desperately needed.
Zar would never have done that. She knew what it was like to be dependent on other people, people you couldn’t trust, for kindness and survival. It wasn’t in her to treat others that way.
“This is Richard...”
Her voice grew dim. She was going to say a last name, but then obviously thought better of it. Bad Ass evidently wasn’t all that kosher. Probably wanted for some violation. Great! Just what she needed.
But Jack was looking expectantly at him, begging him to play the game like she and Imam were.
Yet still no expression on that damn Bad Ass face! The girl was practically in tears, in fear of losing the peace that was so close. Right there Zar almost hated him. She suspected he knew she was a softy and wouldn’t back out of the deal just because of his rudeness. But Jack didn’t. And he wasn’t helping her peace of mind by not being just plain courteous back to Zar.
But then Zar saw something that made her doubt her own eyes. He looked down into the tear filled face of Jack and smiled softly.
“The last name’s Carolyn. Richard Carolyn.”
Imam and Jack gave a gasp. They both looked at Bad Ass as if he had grown another head.
Looking back down at Jack he smiled again. “She would’ve got a kick out of that.” Definitely on the run. She wondered what for, but with the holy man and the kid, she figured it couldn’t be too serious. Probably did some petty thievery or got on the wrong side of some official.
But wow! What a transformation! He actually looked like someone you could have a conversation with. Might even call friend! Even with those intimidating goggles. Richard Carolyn definitely needed to smile more. He evidently didn’t subscribe to the old saying...” More flies with honey than sandpaper.” But oh well. Maybe he had issues. After all, everyone had issues!
Jack seemed to calm immeasurably with those little smiles and turned back to Zar with a smile of her own.
“Ok, now that the intro’s are out of the way, how about we head home?”
Imam moved up to her side bowing slightly.
“Please lead the way Zar.”
“See ya in a couple of days Trina.”
“You’re not working tomorrow?”
“Nope...Have two days vac coming.”
“Take care.”
“I will. You too!” She smiled back at the little processor who still had that very worried and terrified, but relieved it was all over, look on her face.