Fan Fiction ❯ Taking Over Me ❯ Chapter 3

Calla sat in her room and refused to leave it. Meals were brought to her, but other than that she refused any human contact. She didn't like the Necromongers. The new converts glided around in silence. When they spoke to each other it was generally to preach the Necromonger ways and to praise the Lord Marshall.

 

Riddick had tried many things to get Calla to leave her room, but always she refused him. So he filled his time planning attacks on planets. Of course his plans would have to be altered slightly. His ascension to Half-Dead had yet to be complete. He had been told countless times that he had to complete this ascension in order to conquer the rest of the planets, but he wasn't sure he liked the idea of being like the others around him.

 

He didn't really like the Necromongers. He had never been a religious man, he had no time or use for it. Many people in slams had tried to convert him to one faith or another. Even Imam had tried to get him to pray when they thought for sure they were going to die. But still he refused.

 

He grabbed his goggles and placed them over his sensitive eyes. While his rooms were dark, the rest of the ship wasn't. He needed something to get his mind off of his boredom and invading a planet seemed like the best solution. However, he needed to figure out how to convert people without the threat of total annihilation.

 

After gaining the throne he refused to allow planets to be destroyed, which was why he had pulled the icons out of Hellion Prime. He may have been a killer, but there had always been a purpose behind his motives. He knew the Necromongers followed a convert or die code, but he was the Lord Marshall and he had decided he didn't like that code.

 

He walked through the hallways and finally found one of his commanders. “Scales come with me.” The two men entered an empty room. “I need you to speak to the purifiers. They need to adjust their sermons so we can replenish our population.”

 

Scales nodded and left the room. Riddick ran a hand over his face and adjusted his goggles. He left the room and continued to walk the main corridor of the Basilica. He soon found himself on the level which Calla's room was located. He slipped back into the shadows when the door to her room opened slowly.

 

Calla walked out holding her hand up to shield her sensitive eyes. She was wearing a gold dress much like the ones he had seen on Dame Vaako. She only managed to take a few steps before the force of the light made her head pound.

 

Riddick stepped up to her, a pair of goggles dangling from his fingers. “Here, take these.”

 

Calla squinted at him before taking the goggles gratefully. They were the same shape and style as the ones that Riddick wore, but were small enough to fit her face. “Thank you.” She said quietly.

 

As she slid them over her eyes visions of Kyra filled her brain. “I was going to give those to Kyra in case she ever found out how to get her eyes shined.” He explained. “I couldn't get rid of them.”

 

Calla welcomed the darkened state and could already feel her headache easing. “How are your plans to replenish the ranks coming?”

 

Riddick gave Calla a puzzled look. “How did you know about that?”

 

Calla smiled at him. “All walls have ears, especially for a seer.”

 

Riddick laughed, “Yes, I suppose you're right.” He motioned for her to walk with him. “How are you adjusting?”

 

Calla shrugged, “Living on the Basilica takes time to get used to for a non-convert, you of all people should know that.”

 

They entered a room filled with screens that displayed the galaxy in front of them. Because of the engines, no windows could be attached to the Basilica, so the monitors served as their replacement.

 

“You mean you wouldn't want to stay here and be my Queen?” Riddick teased.

 

“Why be a Queen to a man who doesn't even want to be a King?” She retorted.

 

Riddick fell silent at that remark. She was right. The only reason why he was Lord Marshall was because Vaako had been foolish enough to ask for forgiveness before attempting to kill the previous Lord Marshall. Riddick had been in many slams throughout his life. And yet, he couldn't think of one that was as confining as the Basilica was.

 

“How did you get your eye shine Riddick?” Calla asked, interrupting his thoughts. “And don't tell me some bullshit story.”

 

“It happened when I was in Butcher Bay. I jumped into the pit, thinking it was a way out. I met a Holy Man down there. He was talking about visions and voices and all time seemed to stop. Then I heard her voice.”

 

“Whose voice?” Calla asked him.

 

“I'm not sure exactly who she is. I think she's my mother. Her voice is always there, guiding me.” Riddick admitted. “My eyes started to burn and then the light became unbearable. I still don't know exactly how it happened.”

 

Calla nodded but said nothing. “How did you get yours?” He asked.

 

Calla shook her head. “Same as you. I don't really know how it happened. When I was younger I was never able to control my visions and it used to really scare my mother. Sometimes it was like I was possessed and I would lash out and sometimes hurt myself or others around me. She began locking me away in a dark room rather than dealing with me.

 

“One day I heard a voice tell me that I was going to be given a gift. I remember that it felt like someone was trying to pull my eyes from their sockets. But when I opened my eyes I could see everything around me. It was like someone had turned on a violet coloured light in the room. My grandmother said that when she opened the door to take me away with her I screamed because of the bright light outside the door. She said that my shimmering eyes used to give her the creeps.”

 

Riddick stayed silent for a long time. “It's not just a gift though.”

 

“It's a curse.” Calla said, finishing his thought.

 

They fell into a comfortable silence of mutual respect and understanding. The door behind them slid open and they turned to see Scales and Vaako enter. Both men bowed to Riddick before addressing them.

 

“The Purifiers are adjusting their sermons as you asked.” Scales said. “Also, we are coming up on a Planet system.”

 

Riddick nodded. “Then prepare to land on it.”

 

Scales nodded, bowed to Riddick and left the room. Vaako remained, staring at his cousin. Riddick looked back and forth between them. Vaako was looking at the woman with a mixture of curiosity and respect, something that Vaako rarely showed to anyone. Calla stared back at him her face was a mask of bitterness and resentment.

 

“Is there something you need Vaako?” Riddick asked.

 

Vaako tore his eyes from his cousin. “I wish to speak to Calla alone.”

 

Riddick glanced at Calla, whose expression had softened slightly in curiosity. She glanced at Riddick and nodded to confirm that it was alright. “Very well.”

 

Riddick left the room, leaving them alone. He glanced around before pushing on a panel that led him between the walls. Calla had been right about one thing, the walls did have ears, but you didn't have to be a seer to hear the conversations.

 

He opened a small window and watched the two of them. They weren't speaking, but there was some form of communication happening between them. Calla's hand reached out and touched Vaako's timidly. Riddick watched her body grow rigid, but it didn't seem to faze Vaako. He was obviously used to the way the visions took over her body. Her hand eventually slid away and she slumped into her cousin's body.

 

Riddick wasn't sure why his eyes narrowed at the sight of Vaako embracing Calla. They were cousins after all; there was no affection between them that was different from any others that were family. After several minutes Vaako left the room and Calla shakily sat down.

 

Riddick left the confines of the crawl space and re entered the room. “Are you alright?”

 

Calla nodded.” Yes I'm fine. Sometimes my visions can be pretty intense.”

 

Riddick was reaching for her hand when a convert appeared in the doorway. “Commander Scales requests your presence my Lord.”

 

Riddick nodded and left the room, wondering why he had a sudden need to try and touch Calla. He passed Dame Vaako; she put her hand on her hip and stared at him defiantly as he passed. Once he was gone she walked into the room where Calla was still sitting.

 

“Calla, come we need to get dressed for the landing.”

 

Calla rolled her eyes behind her goggles and stood. She followed Dame Vaako to her room and groaned inwardly when she saw another tight dress had been laid out for her. It was baby blue and thanks to something in the lenses of the goggles she was able to make out flakes of silver. Calla was amazed at the effect the lenses had on her eyes. She hadn't seen colours for a long time.

 

She changed and sat down for Dame Vaako to style her hair. Calla pushed the threat of visions aside when Dame Vaako's hands ran through her hair. It seemed to take forever to get Calla ready and when she was done Dame Vaako left to get herself prepared.

 

Calla stared at her reflection. The goggles looked foreign on her pale skin and she didn't recognize herself anymore. She had always been viewed as a person of status on her home planet, but she never had the kind of finery that she had on the Basilica.

 

She stood and left her room, walking down to the main rooms. She stopped in the shadows and watched some of the male converts dress Riddick in his formal armour. She could see his annoyed expression, obviously not liking the fact that he had others touching him and dressing him. She watched the powerful muscles in his body flex and a shiver ran up her spine.

 

Once he was dressed the outer doors to the chamber opened and more converts entered the main throne room. Calla moved from the shadows, she didn't know if he had seen her, since she had come in from a side door. His eyes seemed to track her as she worked her way through the crowd of people to stand off to one side. One of the Purifiers broke away from the crowd and approached her.

 

“When we leave to go and convert the masses Lord and Dame Vaako will be standing to the Lord Marshall's left, and you will be on his right.” The Purifier told her.

 

“I thought the second in command stands to the Lord's right.” Calla commented.

 

“That is why he requests for you to stand there.” The Purifier explained. “As a seer, your command takes precedence over anyone else's.”

 

Calla watched the man disappear before she looked over at Riddick, who was still staring at her from his position on the throne. His gaze was intense and Calla found herself wishing to be closer to him. She took several steps in his direction, only to be cut off as several Necromonger women flocked to Riddick's side. She sighed and stepped back to her original position.

 

The landing process took several hours. After the ships landed the Necromonger army had to round up all the civilians into a large area. Those still in the ships watched on screens and Calla found herself giggling. It reminded her of farmers rounding up livestock. They were ordered to kill only those that attacked them first.

 

They finally left the Basilica and Calla stood next to Riddick as they descended the steps. They entered the stadium where the civilians had been gathered. The Vaako's and Calla took their places at Riddick's side in the center of the room.

 

Most of the people looked scared. The sheer number of the Necromongers was intimidating, but the sight of their large commander was what scared most of them. Calla knew that this dynasty would convert easily.

 

The people stared at Riddick and Calla as the Purifier preached his sermon. Their black goggles were a contrast of their formal dress. Calla could see the women eye Riddick in curiosity and appreciation. His presence alone commanded attention, but he was also strong and good looking. Calla could tell that many of those women would convert only to have the chance to be in his bed.

 

She shifted uncomfortably as many of the women turned to glare at her. Riddick could sense her discomfort and turned to her. “What is it?” He asked, his voice sounding like a deep purr.

 

“All of these women are staring at me.” She told him.

 

Riddick looked out at the crowd and a soft growl escaped his throat. Calla glanced at him before searching the area he was facing. His goggles made it impossible to tell exactly where he was looking. It didn't take her long to find the man grinning at Riddick like a child who had stolen a sweet.

 

“That mother fucker.” Riddick muttered.

 

The man pulled his cloak to one side and slowly raised a high powered rifle. Women screamed and ducked out of the way when they saw the fire arm. The shot seemed impossibly loud in the large stadium. Riddick pulled Calla to him and twisting his body down he covered her body with his own protectively. The bullet impacted into the head of a Necromonger that had been standing directly behind Riddick.

 

“Move.” Riddick growled into her ear and pushed her forward.

 

The two of them ran towards the Basilica but skidded to a halt when several Necromonger guns turned on them. Calla slipped when they turned and when her hand hit the pavement below her feet she was flooded with images of a battle. The people in front of her had killed the Necromongers and stole the armour and weapons from the bodies.

 

Riddick grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. He didn't know why he was risking his life to save hers. His code had always been to leave the weak behind. Except Kyra. A voice in his head reminded him. You went back for her more than once.

 

Riddick pulled Calla along behind him. She was usually much faster than this, but the tight dress shortened the length of her strides. He found an open stairway and they ran up to the roof.

 

“Who were they?” Calla asked wiping sweat from her forehead.

 

“Mercs.” Riddick told her, his anger evident in his voice.

 

Calla shook her head and watched the group run past the building they were on. “So it would appear that even as the leader of the Necromongers you cannot escape your past.”

 

~ * ~

 

AN: Anyone who has read the COR book knows that Toombs was originally supposed to die from one of the Hell Hounds of Crematoria attacking him before Riddick runs the surface, however Twothy gave him a reprieve and had them lock him up in a cage instead. This allows me the freedom to have the Merc come back for revenge.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own the Chronicles of Riddick, but I do own the plot of this story and all original characters that make an appearance.