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Chapter Text

              The Security Officer had no idea Riddick was loose on the station. The Furyan walked up behind him and snapped his neck. He fell to the floor and Riddick took over the seat at the computer desk to unlock the bay doors of the ship hangar. It was luck that Riddick was picked up by the Prison Transport Ship. He had been floating through space for days in an escape pod before being found. The group of Mercs he had been flying with, ran into trouble navigating an asteroid field where their hull was breeched. They evacuated immediately and he was picked up just as his life support systems were failing.

              While accessing the computer, he got sidetracked by the photo of a woman on the screen. To his left, the security screen showed security forces closing in. Riddick pulled out the drive that contained the woman’s file, tucked it away and shut down the hangar’s security systems. Once onboard a spacecraft and clear of the hangar doors, he fired into the transport ship, destroying several remaining ships, before taking off into the vast void of space.

              Riddick hid his ship in the orbit of a nearby moon, its highly magnetized atmosphere would disrupt any sensors searching for him. He inserted the drive he had stolen into the ships computer and went through the files. It was a list of bounties for criminals throughout the galaxy, but the woman’s photo hadn’t been a mug shot. It was a personal picture, one that had to have been taken by a friend or loved one. He scrolled through until he found it again. Her lists of crimes were Theft of Government Property, Domestic Terrorism, Treason, and Attempted Assassination of a Government Official. Those weren’t petty crimes, so why was there no mugshot photo from any previous bookings? At the bottom of the file, country of origin was listed as Furia. He plotted a course for her last known location. A small city on Orion-4 called Arris.

              Illiana was on her way home from work and had a taste for some creamy chicken soup. With the sky getting dark, a warm serving of soup was sure to be a comfort when she got home. Riddick spotted the woman leaving a small cafe in the city’s center. For someone with a bounty on her head, she wasn’t doing much to keep herself from being seen. Dressed in a traditional dark grey and blue body suit with a sky-blue scarf draped around her neck, she appeared to blossom among those around her. She pulled the fabric over her head as she made her way through the misty streets. Rain began to drizzle as he followed her in the shadows, driven by some instinctual curiosity.

A couple of kids playing along the sidewalk bumped into her and apologized. She smiled softly and asked to see the ball they were playing with. Illiana balanced it on her foot before popping it up onto her knee and then her head where she bounced it a few times before handing it back. The kids were entertained by the stunt and immediately tried to mimic the trick. Both her attention and Riddick’s were drawn to a commotion just down the street. Several armed men came running into view, pushing their way through the crowd searching frantically. She was surprised when one of the men pointed directly at her. Quickly, she ran, ducking into a side street and made her way through some alleys until she was far from the market. She bent over out of breath wondering who the men were. When she turned around Riddick was behind her. He covered her mouth and backed her into an old building. She kicked and flailed in his arms dropping her bag and spilling her soup.

              “Quiet.” Even though his words were a whisper, the tone was harsh. He turned his head to listen for footsteps. Once convinced they were alone, he stared her down. “I am not here to harm you. I am going to ease my hand from your mouth. Do not scream.”

              The woman stared him down wide eyed. “Who are you and why are you chasing me?”

              “My name's Riddick, and I’m not the one chasing you.”

              The woman pushed him away from her and walked over to her bag taking a moment to curse her wasted soup.

              “If you’re not chasing me then who was?”

              “Bounty hunters.”

              “Bounty hunters? Why the hell would bounty hunters be after me?”

              “You’re a terrorist, aren’t you?”

              “Do I look like a fucking terrorist to you? I’m a teacher. I teach small children before they enter grade school how to count and say their alphabet.”

              “That’s not what the men chasing you have been told.”

              “Well, they’ve been given bad information. Maybe you should go clear that up with them.”

              “The bounty on my head is four times as much as yours.” Smirked Riddick. “I told you, I’m not here to hurt you. It’s not safe for you here, not when those men out there already know you’re on this planet.”

              “And what do you propose I do? Run away with you? Are you going to protect me? Whisk me away to some far-off land like some Prince from a children’s book?” She chuckled sarcastically.

              “I’m far from a Prince. You have two choices. You come with me and I help you find out who put this bounty on your head and why, or I take you kicking and screaming then find out who put the bounty on your head and why.”

              “That’s kidnapping.”

              “I’ve done worse.”

              Footsteps echoed down the alley way.

              “You’re out of time. The bounty said dead or alive. My guess is if it makes things easier, dead will be just fine.”

              She stood there unsure of which option was worse.

            “Tick…tock…”

              “Alright. Alright.”

              She walked over to him and he grabbed her bag and tossed it down. He took her hand and guided her out of the building. A few minutes later the bounty hunters entered and found the bag with no sign of their target.

              When the two of them neared the edge of town, Illiana halted in her tracks and tried to make a run for it. Riddick had helped her escape the bounty hunters, now it was time for her to make a break away from him. The outer edge of the city was filled with rubble. Huge concrete slabs lay where buildings once stood tall, remnants of a war that ravaged the people of Arris 50 years prior. Illiana ran through the debris as fast as she could never looking back to see if he were behind her. She ran into an apartment complex that was barely standing, up the stairs, and out through a window that led to another building beside it. The window was a tight squeeze, one she was sure he wouldn’t be able to make and buy her some time.

              She pushed on a heavy steel door leading outside only to have it fly open and Riddick pull her through the doorway. He closed it behind her and slammed her against it.

              “Let me go! You’re hurting me!”

              Riddick turned her towards the door and removed her blue scarf. He gagged her with one end and used the other to bind her hands before tossing her over his shoulder and heading back to his ship with her kicking and screaming and no one around to hear.

              Once inside the ship he set her down in a chair and strapped her in.

              “What’d I tell you?” Riddick took a seat in the pilot’s chair and headed for space.

              “You’re still fussing?” They had been flying for over and hour when they finally stopped, and he had tuned out most of the noise she was making. He walked over to the computer situated across from her and pulled up the file for her to see. “I need answers, which means, I’m gonna remove that gag from your mouth.”

              Riddick pulled out a long blade and ran it gently down the side of her face to her neck and down to her chest. He cut her scarf and loosened it from her mouth leaving her hands bound behind her back.

              “Where did you get that file?”

              “From a prison transport vessel.”

              “That’s me, but I am not Furyan, nor have I done any of those things.”

              “How do you know you’re not Furyan?”

              “Because Furyan’s are extinct.”

              “Then why are you looking at one?” He stared at her like an animal studying its prey. “Suddenly you’re scared?”

  “Because…Furyan’s are…” Her voice cracked.

              “What? Blood thirsty animals.” He had a mischievous grin on his face just before walking back to the computer. “The descendants of the worst kinds of humans? Murders, rapists, psychopaths. That’s what the history books say, isn’t it?”

              “That’s what people say. Furyans have been stricken from records, they’re all but a myth.”

              “Except they’re not. A whole planet of people wiped out by an army under the orders of a man afraid to lose his grip on power. A genocide no one would morn if the inhabitants were…blood thirsty animals.”

              Illiana grew silent. “None of that explains that file.”

              “Or maybe it does. Why would someone put a bounty on you?”

              “I don’t know.”

              “You’re lying.”

              “I’m not lying. I’ve nothing to hide.”

              “How does a schoolteacher afford something as expensive as a Shivall Silk scarf?” He held up the bright colored fabric. Shivall Silk was made from the shedding skin of the Shivall Slug. Over time it’s skin would become dry and leathery. It would cocoon itself and ooze a liquid to soften the stiff skin allowing the Shivall to break free of its old-weathered skin and emerge with a new one. The dry cocoons were harvested and spun into silk.

              “That’s none of your business.”

              “Either you’re not who you say you are or your turning tricks to make some extra credit.”

              “I am exactly who I say I am.”

              “You’re not from Orion-4.” He points to a small landmark in the background of her photo and the rough cropping of someone beside her.

              “No. My family is from Biscay.”

              “A lot of wealthy people live in Biscay.”

              “If you’re hoping to use me as ransom you’re shit out of luck. My family isn’t the paying kind.”

              “So what kind are they?”

              “The dead kind. I fled Biscay after some men attempted to assassinate my father. They killed my mother instead. Once I escaped to Orion-4 a family friend notified me my father had been found washed up near the river.”

              “This family friend. You still keep in touch?”

            “Occasionally I receive correspondence from him. He’s still on Biscay.”

              Riddick made his way to the pilot chair and set a course for the planet.

              “Do you think maybe you can untie my hands now? I’m starting to lose feeling in my fingers.”

              “Only if you promise to be a good girl.”

              Illiana rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I can go anywhere. I can’t fly a ship.”

              Riddick unbuckled her seatbelt and stood her up to cut her hands free. She rubbed her palms as the tingle in her hands eased with the flow of blood returning to them.

              Biscay was just entering the planet’s winter. During that time, the planet was very dimly lit by its tiny sun, it always appeared to be late evening no matter the time of day.

               “You can ditch the sunglasses.” Joked Illiana.

               “Light hurts my eyes.”

                The shuttle door opened, and she took in a deep breath of fresh air. “I haven’t been back since I left. I can’t say I miss it. I never cared for the cold winters.”

               Riddick threw a crewman’s jacket over her and the two made their way to her father’s old office building. It no longer read “Andov and Juric Consulting”, instead it read “Juric and Associates”.

               “Can I help you?” Asked the receptionist.

               “I'm an old family friend of Mr. Juric. Is he in today?”

               “Yes, but he is currently in a meeting.”

               A side door opened, and two men walked out lightheartedly laughing. As one exited the lobby the other stood blankly at the sight of her.

            “Illiana? What are you doing here?”

            “I came to see you.”

             “Annette, take a message for any calls that come through.” He pulled her into his office and Riddick followed. “You shouldn’t be on planet.”

              “Why?” She watched as he frantically closed the curtain.

              “When did you arrive?”

              “Not too long ago. Edgard, what is going on? Yesterday, I had 5 armed men after me on Orion-4, bounty hunters.”

              “I know, some men came to me looking for you.”

              “Did you tell them where I was?”

              “No, of course not.” Edgard Juric leaned against his desk, looking at both Illiana and Riddick. “I wish there was an easier way to tell you…”

              “Tell me what?”

              “You were adopted.”

              “What?” Illiana's heart sunk.

              “Your parents never told you for your safety.”

              “So, she is a Furyan Refugee.” Spoke Riddick. “I told you.”

              “Edgard…?”

              The man just nodded. Illiana took a minute before diving any deeper into the matter.

              “Why did her parents adopt a Furyan child?”

             “Because of their hardiness. Illiana, your parents tried desperately to conceive a child. The closest they ever got was a still birth and an infant that died two weeks later.”

            “Who else knew about my adoption?”

           “Only one man by the name of Gee, or something to that extent. He was the one who piloted you to Biscay. In good time too. The Furyans were attacked the following day by Necromongers.”

          “Were the men who came to see you Necromongers?”

          “No, but they may have been sent by the Empire.”

         “What about a paper trail?” Inquired Riddick.

        “There were none. The only thing to link you to the Furyans were those involved in your adoption.”

       “So, what now?” Illiana looked towards Riddick.

       Edgard walked over to a painting and removed it from the wall to open a safe hidden away. Inside was a lock box that he handed to Illiana. The box contained a bank card to a trust fund set up by her parents and photos of Illiana and her parents when she was first adopted. In one of the photos, a man was seen passing her to her mother and in the background, an aircraft.

      “I’m sorry, but this is all I have. It was with your father's office things. Maybe you can track down the aircraft if it’s still operational.”

     “Thank you.”

Chapter Text

     Illiana and Riddick left with the lockbox. She grabbed a few supplies while he searched the directory of a transport terminal for any registered spaceships matching the hull number of the one in the picture. It was a long time ago and possibly scraps by now, but as luck would have it there was a ship with the same hull number that had arrived at Dimanu earlier that day. The city was a customs check point for merchants that traded goods between star systems. It was always busy so they would have plenty of time to get there before the pilot’s cargo was cleared.

     Illiana was just about to meet up with Riddick when she spotted one of the men from Orion-4. She quickly turned the other direction and took the long way around to their rendezvous point.

     “What took you so long?”

     “I saw one of the men from Orion. They’re here.”

     “Let’s go. I tracked down the ship that brought you here.”

     Just as they took flight a second ship dropped down in front of them. The pilot was recognizable as one of the bounty hunters. Riddick immediately increased power to the thrusters, but their ship was old and worn. The other ship matched their trajectory and blocked their ascension. Although the ship Riddick piloted was old, it was smaller and easier to maneuver than the other vessel. He cut all power sending the ship plummeting towards the surface. Illiana held on tight hoping he knew what it was he was doing.

     Riddick re-engaged power and directed his thrusters forward going underneath the bounty hunter ship and taking off into orbit. He set in a course for Dimanu on Treus-6.

     Illiana removed her seatbelt and walked to the back of the small ship. There was a small bed next to a window where she sat and stared into the vast depths of space, thinking of her parents and everything that was happening.

     “Have you been to Furya?”

     “No.”

     “Have you met any other Furyans?”

     “Yes.”

     “So, there are others.”

     “Those I’ve met are either dead or as good as dead. The Necromongers converted some of us after the genocide, there is no help for them now.”

     “It sounds so barbaric, killing an entire race over fear of losing power.”

     “And yet we’re the savages.”

     Iliana dozed off and woke a few hours later with a cramp in her neck. She walked over to the cockpit to see how much longer they had before arriving at Dimanu. Riddick didn’t respond when she asked. He was still, appearing to look out of the main window, but when she passed her hands in front of his goggles, he didn’t react, so she assumed he had fallen asleep.

     She made her way back to the computer and decided to see what she could find on him. The information she discovered was minimal but very detailed, laying out a short military career, various prison stints, and an even longer list of victims.

     “Find what you’re looking for?”

      Illiana turned abruptly, not hearing him sneak up. She exited the directory and avoided eye contact. She imagined a pair of fiery demon eyes hidden behind his goggles as he looked at her.

     “You’ve killed a lot of people.”

     “You shouldn’t believe everything you read. I’ve killed far more than they have listed.”

     “You sound proud.”

     “Nothing to be proud of, except I’m still here and they’re not. Everyone I’ve ever killed had it coming.” He looked her over. She still refused to make eye contact, but could feel his gaze. He grabbed her chin and forced her to face him. She grabbed his hand, scared he was going to snap and kill her too. He pulled his goggles off and for the first time she saw his polished eyes reflecting the dim light of the shuttle.

     “Never break eye contact with that which you are afraid of. It’s a sign of weakness.”

     Illiana met his stare and he slowly released her face. She rubbed her jaw as he returned to the pilot seat.

     “And to answer your question, we’ll be at Dimanu in two hours.”

     “So, you weren’t sleeping.”

     “I was too busy thinking.”

     “About the transport ship?”

     “About what I’d have to do for you to let me peel you out of that tight leather jumpsuit.”

     “How about die.” She fired.

     “That’s it?”

     “Stay close, keep your head down, and don’t speak.” Ordered Riddick when they arrived. Illiana threw the crewman jacket back on along with a hat, and heavy scarf. Dimanu was a hot spot for smugglers and thieves and she looked like an easy target for trouble with her well-groomed appearance.

     They made their way through the colony to a bar and took a seat at a table.

     “What are we doing here?”

     “Looking for our pilot. The terminal operator on Biscay was nice enough to let me go through his records.” Riddick gave her a smug grin.

     The cargo manifest listed Lipididon canisters. Lipididon was a highly acidic gas and needed to be transported carefully. The pilot’s cargo would need to be thoroughly inspected before he continued with his delivery. If there was any damage done to the canisters and the gas were to leak it would liquefy the soft tissue of his lungs and he would be choking on his own blood before he realized what had happened.

     “How do you even know he’s here?”

     “Call it a hunch.”

      Illiana pushed her glass of ale to the side. “If he doesn’t show up soon, I’m going to piss myself.”

     “Bathroom is that way.” He pointed. As soon as she entered the facilities their pilot entered and made his way to the bar.

     “I’ll take a pint.”

     “Put it on my tab. Gee, right?” Asked Riddick.

     The pilot looked Riddick over with strained eyes. “Do I know you?”

     “No, but I’m hoping you can help me. Tell me what you know about the Furyan you delivered to a couple on Biscay 30 years ago.”

     The man looked at Riddick as if he had seen a ghost before laughing uncomfortably. The bartender passed him the pint.

      “On second thought, I think I should go.”

    Riddick grabbed the man’s shoulder and sat him back down. “Not before you answer my question.

    “I don’t know anything about a Furyan baby.”

     Riddick slid the photo from Edgard to the man.

     “Where did you get this?”

     “Doesn’t matter. She’s all grown up now and there are some very bad people looking for her. Know anything about that?”

     “I’ve never said a word about her to anyone, I swear.”

     “Why don’t you tell me about her adoption?”

     “I can’t.”

     “You can and you will.”

     Gee took a large gulp from his pint and recalled what he could. “I was merely a pilot, you’ve gotta understand. The child’s mother insisted she be sent away.”

     “Why?”

     “I don’t know, but can you blame her? The whole damn planet was wiped out shortly after.”

     “Who set up the adoption?”

     “You keep saying adoption. It was more like ‘Here take her’.” He took another large drink from his glass. “I had come across the planet on accident, Furya doesn’t have a predictable orbital pattern. I figured I could land just long enough to do some repairs and see if it was really all it was talked up to be.”

     “And?”

     “The whole planet is a dutch oven, how those people survived and adapted in a place like that is a feat of nature. I made my repairs, grabbed a couple of supplies, and when I got back to my ship there’s a woman waiting with a baby.”

     “So, she just hands over her newborn? That doesn’t sound very motherly.”

      “No, but the way she pleaded for me to take her, it was like she knew what was coming. I took the kid and figured I could dump her in an orphanage some where and be done with her, but after what happened with the Necromongers, I figured as long as she was alive someone would be after her.”

      “How did you meet her adoptive parents?”

      “I ran into a guy in a bar on Biscay. He made a joke about me bringing her in to have a drink and I told him she was for sale. I remember feeling a little uneasy when he suddenly became interested, but he explained he knew a couple who were looking to adopt. To be honest, I’m a little relieved to know she survived after all this time.”

      Illiana opened the door to the bathroom to see Riddick speaking to the Gee. She halted her exit once she saw one of the bounty hunters walking up to Riddick and placing a blade to his neck. Two more appeared behind him and escorted him out. The one with the knife saw her peaking from the bathroom door and made his way over. Illiana locked the door and looked around. There was a small window, but she would need to break it to get out and the brute would have broken through the door before she could squeeze through to escape.

     The handle shook on the door before bursting open. The bounty hunter scanned the empty bathroom before making his way over to the stalls. Illiana, who had been hiding behind the door snuck out behind him and over to the bar.

     “I need you to come with me.” She grabbed Gee’s arm and walked out back into the alley.

     “You’re the child.”

     “You remember me?”

     “Well, you were only a week old at the time…”

              “Those bounty hunters that took the man you were speaking to have been looking for me and I don’t know why.”

              “Well, now is your chance to make a run for it.”

              “No. They’ll just track me down again. Do you know who may be looking for me?”

     Gee shook his head not wanting to be involved anymore than he was. Illiana suddenly got an idea.

     “Take me to your ship.”

              “Any sign of her?” A tall, weathered, man named Turk walked down the ramp of the bounty hunter ship. Beside him was a woman with long black hair smoking a cigarette.

              “That don’t look like a female Furyan, Dino.” She snickered.

              “And you don’t look like no blonde, Blondie.” The burley man walked Riddick up the ramp of the ship.

              “Still, he’s not a bad catch.” Admitted Turk.

              “No offense, but you’re not my type.”

              The bounty hunters didn’t leave immediately. They knew Illiana was still on planet. Dino, Blondie, and one of the rookies went to search for her while Turk and two others stayed onboard.

     Riddick heard yelling coming from the hall as the door to the holding cells opened. One of the men pulled Illiana along and pushed her into the cell next to him tossing a bag she was carrying in behind her.

              “Looks like we’re getting paid.” The crewman had a big grin on his face as he exited the room.

              “You aren’t very good at playing hide and seek, are you?”

              “I wasn’t trying to hide.” Informed Illiana. “You’re the only person who can help me find out who is after me.”

              “So, this is a rescue?” He chuckled. Illiana watched uncomfortably as he dislocated his shoulder to slide his cuffed hands in front of him. “Do me a favor will you? Take off your bra.”

              “You’ve gotta be kidding.”

              “Your bra has an underwire doesn’t it?”

              Illiana looked down at her feet and huffed before walking closer to the bars dividing her and Riddick’s cells. “I can’t do it with my hands cuffed behind my back.”

              Riddick unzipped the front of her jumpsuit exposing her bra and smirked. “I promise, I’ll be gentle.”

              He pressed the wire against the fabric until it broke through. He slowly zipped it back up, finding her discomfort amusing. He used the wire to pick the lock on his cuffs and then helped to free her of hers. Illiana grabbed her bag and pulled out two gas masks.

              “We’re going to need these.”

              “Why?”

              “Lipididon.”

              After picking the lock on the cell doors, Illiana and Riddick hid in a maintenance shaft as the ship broke through the planets atmosphere and entered space. They put on their masks and waited patiently. It wasn’t long into the flight when Dino came into holding to check on them. And it was clear he wasn’t feeling good. Illiana had asked Gee to help her rescue Riddick. He was reluctant until she pulled $5,000 UD from the account her parents left her. The two of them had replaced one of the emergency O2 cannisters on the outside of the ship with one that contained Lipididon and removed the solenoid valve that controlled it’s flow. Once the ship powered for takeoff the valve had begun leaking the gas into the ventilation system.

              Dino coughed heavily, wiping the blood droplets from his lip as they watched him stomp out through the grates below. Illiana followed Riddick through the maintenance shaft towards the flight deck. The six crew members were waiting for orders from Turks. Two of the rookies stood in the back, one was already showing advanced signs of exposure.

              “Fuck.” Blondie looked as the younger one fell to the floor convulsing while throwing up mouthfuls of blood.

              There was a beeping from one of the computer consoles notifying them that one of the oxygen reserve tanks was empty. Turks slammed his hand against the panel.

              “The bastard is screwing with our air!” Turks purged the ventilation on the ship, flushing 10% of the ship’s air supply. “Find them!”

Chapter Text

              Dino picked up his shotgun and took the two remaining rookies with him to find the prisoners. Blondie grabbed a large hunting knife and two handguns before leaving in the opposite direction. Riddick followed Dino and urged Illiana to stay put.

              Dino entered the infirmary to have a look around. One rookie followed and the other stayed to watch the hall. The latter of the three coughed heavily while trying to stay alert.

              “Keep your eyes open.” Dino cleared the room and turned to see the rookie standing watch was gone. He stepped out into the hall but saw no one.

              “Where’d he go?” The other gripped his gun tightly, the sweat buttering his hands. He followed Dino who continued down the corridor.

              The rattling of pipes echoed behind them and they both turned. Dino wiped the blood from his nose and continued on taking a hit to the chest from Riddick who swung down from above and kicked him with both feet. The rookie fired multiple shots as Riddick slid towards him, slicing the insides of both thighs before stabbing him in the chest. Dino quickly got to his feet and delivered a strong hit to Riddick’s ribs before picking him up and tossing him into the wall. The two wrestled a bit before Dino found his gun within reach. He punched Riddick over and over before going for it. Dino cocked the forearm of his shotgun and aimed at Riddick who knocked the barrel away as it went off hitting a pipe. The steam blew back at Dino allowing Riddick to take control of the gun and shoot Dino in the face point blank.

              Illiana couldn’t fight the itch in her throat anymore. She tried to muffle her cough beneath her mask. She noticed when she did, the seal on the side of the mask shifted. There was a small tear and inside were tiny blood droplets. Considering she wasn’t nearly as sick as the others she was hopeful her exposure had been minimal, still, her uncontrollable reaction to the chemical caught the attention of Turks who casually walked over and opened one of the hatch doors. He reached in and grabbed her hair, yanking her up through the panels.

              “Come here!” He tore the mask from her face. “That was a pretty clever trick.”

              He flung her into the wall and picked her back up after she fell. He coughed and then spat the blood onto the ground.

        “What’d you guys to contaminate our air supply, huh?”

        “I added a little Lipididon.”

        “What?” Turks grabbed her arms and pushed her back against the wall.

              “What do you want from me?”

              “My money. Word on the street is The Collector is the one who put the bounty on you. You see, he likes to collect rare, one-of-a-kind items. You’re the last female of your species. After I hand over both you and Riddick I’ll be set for retirement.”

              “You’ve gotta find him first.”

              Blondie found Riddick laying on the bed in the crew quarters waiting for her with a smile.

              “You feeling lucky?” She smirked.

              “Seeing how it’s you that walked through that door and not your boss. Yea, I am.”

              “Turks is not my boss.”

              “Your lover then.”

              “He’s a quick fix.”

              “How about a little something to get your heart going?”

              “What did you have in mind?” She approached Riddick slowly.

              “Come closer and I’ll show you.” He sat up on the side of the bed and grinned.

              “If I gotta get that close sweetheart, I’d be better off with Turks.” She pointed her gun at Riddick who stood up. “Now be a good boy and let’s go.”

              He started walking out of the door before turning and knocking the gun from her hand. She pulled her second and began shooting as he dodged each shot. She dropped the clip and rolled over to her other one. Riddick kicked it away as she swiped his legs and mounted him. He flipped her over and she spun around kicking him in the head.  Blondie jumped to her feet and pulled out her hunting knife. She swiped at Riddick, nicking his side before taking aim for his throat. He leaned back avoiding the blade, grabbed her arm and broke it at the elbow. She yelled dropping the knife into her other hand and tried again, this time he twirled her around into the wall and shoved the blade into her chest.

              “Was it good for you?” She smiled as he removed the blade and she fell to the ground.

              “It sure is quiet.” Illiana sat in the chair across from Turks who was amused by how calm she was. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard any gun shots.”

              “They’re probably picking up all the pieces.” He snarled.

              “Well, there goes your retirement. I mean, are you going to give him to The Collector in a box with instructions on how to put him back together?”

              “That must be a Furyan trait.”

              “What?”

              “Being a pain in the ass.” Riddick walked onto the flight deck. “No need to worry, I’m still in one piece.”

              Turks walked over to Illiana and rubbed her shoulders roughly. “Take one more step and she's dead.”

              “It don’t make no difference to me.”

              “Really?” Turks picked up a small parry knife he was using earlier to slice an apple and made a small cut on the side of her cheek. Riddick didn’t flinch even though every fiber of his body wanted to break Turk into pieces.

              “I’ve spent decades surviving on my own. You think just because she’s Furyan I’m supposed to get sentimental?”

              “I guess not. If you’re not here for her you must be here for my ship.”

              “Well, I’m definitely not here for you.”

              Illiana heard a click come from behind Turks. He aimed his gun at Riddick and she lunged out, grabbing his hand trying to wrestle it away. He pushed her forcefully into the cockpit and she fell into the steering yolk and control panel. The artificial gravity disengaged as the ship did an immediate nose-dive, and everything not secured began floating.

       “Push the yellow button!” Yelled Turks as he tried floating back towards Riddick.

       Riddick and Turks grabbed onto the floor grates while Illiana grabbed the pilots chair and hit the button. Everything came crashing down, including the rookie who had died on the flight deck earlier. His head smacked against the arm rest resulting in a loud snap as his neck broke before hitting the floor. Illiana looked down in horror before returning her attention to Riddick and Turks.

              The parry knife was sticking out of the  back of the pilot’s chair. Illiana grabbed it and ran over to Turks who managed to submit Riddick with a choke hold. She stuck him multiple times in the side. Riddick flipped Turks over his shoulder, locked in an armbar, broke his arm, and snapped his neck.

              “I was starting to wonder when you were going to do some work.” He said as he rose to his feet.

              Illiana dropped the knife and looked at her bloodied hand.

              Riddick moved the bodies that were on the flight deck into another room before taking control of the ship. Illiana found a med-kit mounted to the wall and cleaned the cut on her face. When Riddick sat down, she noticed his shirt was torn and bloodied. She grabbed a couple of butterfly bandages and some antiseptic and lifted his shirt.

              “I’ll be fine.”

              “I know you will.” Illiana sprayed the alcohol on his side and he tensed up. “Come on, I thought you were tougher than that.”

              He grinned and looked down at her as she wiped the wound and applied the bandages. “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

              “I wonder what my students would say after hearing their schoolteacher just shanked someone.”

              “Shanked?” Riddick laughed.

              Illiana took a seat in the copilot chair and curled up.

              “How long have you been a schoolteacher?”

              “Five years. All I can think about is their little faces walking into the classroom wondering where I am. Why are you helping me?”

              “I don’t know.”

              It was a stupid answer, but one she felt was honest.

              “So where are we going now?”

             “Somewhere we can rest and unload some dead weight before it stinks up the place.”

              They weren’t flying for very long before an alarm began flashing.

              “What’s wrong?”

              “One of the fuel cells is leaking. We can try to make it to Helios Prime and get a new one, but it’s still a ways off.” Riddick began shutting down most of the non-essential systems to conserve energy. The ship soon became chilled in the darkness of space as he lowered the heat output inside. Illiana grabbed a blanket and rejoined him in the co-pilot chair, dozing off shortly after.

              Riddick found it hard to focus on navigating the ship. Illiana was sleeping quietly for the most part with the exception of a few whimpers that escaped her lips. He was becoming more aroused in her presence and couldn’t shake his lustful desires for her. He got up to fix her blanket and couldn’t help but run his hand over her thigh and slightly between her legs. It was hard for him to pull away, but did so just as she moaned. He threw the blanket over her and headed to the facilities to wipe down with a cold rag. Just as he exited the small room a large jerking motion rattled the ship.

              Illiana woke up and looked around. A monitor blinked as Riddick hoped back into the chair.

              “We’re not going to make it to Helios Prime.”

              Illiana buckled her seatbelt and Riddick set a course for the nearest planet. He tried to pilot the craft through the atmosphere, but one of the thrusters had all but given out. The ship was snagged by a small cliff and sent spinning into a tar pit.

              “Let’s move.”

              Illiana followed him unsteadily to the back of the ship where he opened the hatch. He grabbed a bag and began throwing in items before tossing it to Illiana.  He removed the two remaining power cores and a few pieces of equipment before they made their way off the ship. She followed Riddick unquestionably through the rough terrain, doing her best to keep up. He was impressed how well she endured the trek to higher ground in the cold windy climate.

              There was a small crevice in the mountainside, that led into a wider section of a cave. Riddick led the way listening for any signs of its inhabitants but found it to be empty.

              “We’ll take shelter here and ride out the storm coming in.” He reached into the bag from the ship and handed her a handgun and signal flair. “If something happens before I get back…”

              “Get back? Where are you going?”

              “To have a look around.”   

              Illiana moved to the back of the cave away from the small draft that crept through the opening. She bundled up in a coat and wrapped the blanket around herself for warmth. Her eyes were becoming heavy, her fingers burned, and the temperature in the cave felt like it dropped down into the negatives while she waited for his return.

              She was just beginning to doze off when she heard a scraping sound coming from outside, unaware if it was the wind or an animal. She reached for the gun and pointed it at the entrance, relieved to see Riddick she put it down. He had grabbed a few more items from the ship which was now completely engulfed under the tar and brought back what looked like a wooly boar.

              “What is that?”

              “Dinner.” He placed a few chunks of bark and some pieces of wood near the opening of the cave to start a fire. Illiana watched as he butchered and skewered the creature.

              The cave was warming up nicely by the time Riddick had finished cooking the meat, but the fire wouldn’t last through the night. Riddick pulled a piece of meat off the skewer and offered it to Illiana. She was no longer scared of him, but she didn’t know how to handle his crude behavior. It was hard to tell if he was being flirtatious or just a dick.

 Riddick's urges for her weren’t getting any easier to suppress. Even after leaving the cave in the cold climate of the planet her pheromones taunted him.

              He broke off a chunk of the barbequed boar and handed her the rest making his way towards the cave entrance to see how bad the storm was getting.

              “Any idea how long it’ll last?”

              “No. We’ll have to wait it out.” He walked back over to the boar and started skinning the rest of it and cutting thin strips of meat to hang over the fire to dry out. They had self-filling water bottles that could pull moisture from the air so water wouldn’t be much of an issue with the storm, but their food supply was limited to a couple of survival pouches and the boar. He took some of the ash from the fire and placed it on the inside of the boar skin to better clean it.

              “Is there something I can help with?”

              “How about getting our bed ready?”

              “OUR bed?”

              “It’s going to be a cold night, best way to keep warm is to huddle together under the covers.” He smirked.

              Illiana rolled her eyes and found a fairly level spot to lay down. Riddick pulled a cylinder from one of the power cores and rewired it before placing it back in. Soon it was glowing dimly but putting off some heat inside of the cave.    

              “Do you know where to find him?”

              “Who?”

              “The Collector. That’s who Turks said placed the bounty on me.”

              “The Collector lives on Acktarus Prime.”

              “Is that far from here?”

              “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

              “You said you wanted to know who put a price on my head and why.”

              “And now we know.”

              “So, what? I just live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder for bounty hunters?”

              “Get used to it.”

              “Like hell I will! You kidnapped me and brought me all the way out here and for what? Jack shit!” Illiana confronted him.

              “You would have been taken from Arris even if I hadn’t come to save you, probably be mounted on a wall some where in his trophy room.”

              “I suppose I should thank you then.”

              “What you need to do is back away from me…right…now…”

              “I am not afraid of you.” Her tone was firm as she stared him down.

              Riddick pushed her against the wall of the cave and forcefully pressed his lips into hers unable to control himself anymore, his hands roamed her bodysuit wanting her insatiably, unzipping her clothes and pulling them off like a crazed animal. Illiana thought of how scared she should be, but instead she was aroused, pulling at his shirt as he unfastened his pants. He lifted her up, plunging powerfully inside of her caring little for delicacy. Illiana grabbed his arms unprepared for the ferocity of his movements, still she desired him without reason, and she whimpered with every thrust, scared her moans would be taken as the cries of a wounded animal and tempt some creature to find them. Her nails pierced his skin giving him an adrenaline rush and boosting the sensation of her body against his groin.

              When they were done, he laid her down on the pallet she made to sleep and rested beside her, exhausted. Although his sexual desires had been quelled, he still felt drawn to her. Illiana turned towards the back wall unable to face him and soon drifted off into sleep.

              It was early in the morning when Riddick woke. He caught another whiff of Illiana in the air, she was still sleeping peacefully. It wasn’t until an hour later the crackling sound of thunder woke her. She looked down beneath the blanket realizing she was still nude and began dressing again, shielding her body under the blanket.

              “It’s a little late for modesty don’t you think?”

              Illiana stood to zip up her suit. When she took a step closer to the power core her leg gave out. It was embarrassing. She half expected him to give her a boastful line about how good he must have fucked her, but he didn’t. Instead, he stood to his feet and held out his hand.

              “I’m fine. The ground isn’t the most comfortable place to sleep.” She felt sore and swollen, he had been rough, but she enjoyed it, more than she thought she would.

Chapter Text

     They were stuck in the cave for three days during the storm. The thunder in the mornings rattled Illiana’s bones and around lunch time the wind would pick up and blow in the frigid air along with it. Neither said anything about what had happened that night. They sat silently in each others company lost in their thoughts.

     The sun had finally come out on the fourth day and it was relentless. The humidity made it worse. Illiana unzipped her top a bit to cool down and began fanning herself.

     “What is wrong with this planet? It’s been 20° and today it’s 110.”

     Riddick sat on the ground tinkering with a transmitter in hopes someone would come along and find them. “Pacing is only going to make you hotter. But if you insist on doing it, I’d recommend stripping down to your underwear.”

     “How about you focus on one task at a time?”

     “I thought I had already taken care of you.”

     “Did you?” Illiana walked to the back of the cave where it was cooler and rested against the wall staring him down. He picked up the transmitter and went to place it outside the cave somewhere high to increase the chances of its signal being picked up.

     Illiana was board. She kept thinking about her classroom and the children. Her happy thoughts of teaching were interrupted by the foul smell of the boar carcass that was still in the cave. The cold air had kept the smell tolerable but now the intense heat had soured what was left. Illiana grabbed one of the tusks and started pulling it outside. When she got to the ledge she used her foot to push it over the side. She looked around inside of the cave trying to figure out how to clean the fluid that had leaked from it.

     “That’s a smell I won’t for…” She quickly turned around at the sound of footsteps. “Who are you?”

     A young man stood near the opening of the cave. He was average height, his sandy blond hair was butchered by a self-groom, and he didn’t look very old, maybe early-twenties. Illiana dove for the gun laying next to where she slept, but the man drew his own.

     “Aht!”

     Illiana raised her hands.

     “My name is Illiana. I was stranded here after my ship crashed.”

     “You by yourself?”

     “No.” Riddick grabbed the guys gun arm and tossed him into the wall, forcing his arm against his throat.

     “Please…please don’t hurt me.”

     “That depends. Who are you?”

     “My name’s Jessie.”

     “What are you doing here, Jessie?”

     “I live here…about two miles that way.”

     “Alone?”

     “No. Three…four…four if you include me.”

     The young man was terrified as Riddick assessed him.

    “You guys got a radio?”

     Riddick and Illiana followed Jessie to an outpost. The heat was physically draining and all Illiana could think about was sitting beside a pool with her feet in the cool water.

     “Jessie, you little shit!” A man with shaggy black hair on the roof of the outpost leaned over and watched the three walk up to a barrier that surrounded the facility.

     “I found a couple that got stranded down by the tar pits.”

     “We’re definitely not a couple.” Clarified Illiana. Riddick smirked.

     A third man, old with grey hair and a weathered face, walked out to greet them.

     “Deak, this is Riddick and Illiana.”

     “I’ll be damned. We don’t get many visitors out this way. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Deacon, you can call me Deak for short.” He reached out to Illiana, offering a friendly handshake. He looked Riddick over and tilted a dusty cowboy hat to him.

     “Honey? Who is it?” Called a woman just before walking out. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

     She tossed a small towel over her shoulder and brushed her grey streaked brown hair from her face as she greeted them.

     “Jessie said they got stranded here.”

     “I’m Renee, I guess you’ve met my husband and Jessie. ELI!”

     The man on the roof popped his head over the side again.

     “That there is our son Eli.”

     “You folks come on in, it’s hotter than a whores cooch outside.” Insisted Deacon.

     “You guys live out here?” Asked Illiana.

     “Going on three years. We were doing a little research down here with a couple other scientists when things got bad. I’m sure you folks know the weather out here is a bitch.”

     “Language, Deacon.” Scolded Renee.

     “Our crew ran into a few problems and we lost some folk. We thought about evacuating but there wasn’t anything for us to go back too. Me and Renee put a big chunk of our finances into helping fund this research, trying to terraform the planet enough to make it inhabitable. So we stuck it out.”

     “I apologize if I’m being nosey, but you said, Eli was your son?” Inquired Illiana.

     “Yes, Jessie’s father was an engineer. He was killed by one of the Hellcats trying to secure the perimeter.”

     “We were hoping to use your radio and get a signal out.” Interjected Riddick.

     “Got somewhere you gotta be?”

     “Yea.”

     Deak chuckled and playfully hit Riddick’s shoulder. “Come on, it’s this way. Renee, why don’t you take the pretty lady over to the biosphere and show her your garden.”

     Illiana was delighted by the sight of the biosphere. The vegetation was diverse and the air fragrant.

     “I can’t believe you all have managed all this in three years.”

     Renee showed her their hydroponics system and explained how they had managed to keep the plants healthy on such a harsh and unpredictable planet. She enjoyed the educational walkthrough and they met back up with Riddick and the others a little after in the main cabin of the outpost.

     “It’s going to be a cold night, the two of you are more than welcome to stay here until someone picks up that message you sent.” Offered Deak.

     “We wouldn’t want to impose.” Said Riddick.

     Deacon let out a heavy laugh. “I like you. If you wanna go back and sleep in that hole in the wall that’s fine by me, but I’m sure your lady wouldn’t mind a nice bed to sleep in.”

     “I’m not…” She started.

     “What do you think, babe?” Riddick grinned humorously.

     “I don’t suppose you have a shower?”

     Renee showed them to their room which had a small private bathroom.

     “There was a doctor assigned to this room about your size, you can have a look at the clothes in her drawer and see if anything fits. I should have dinner ready in about an hour.”

     Illiana looked at the room after Renee left. Of course, there was only one bed for the two of them slightly bigger than a twin. She walked over to the dresser and pulled out a couple of the uniforms that were tucked away.

     “I like the white one.” Stated Riddick.

     Illiana threw it back in the dresser and took the grey one in the bathroom with her.

     Illiana didn’t want to hog the hot water, but it felt so nice to wash her hair. She grabbed a bottle of shampoo that was sitting on the rack, still half full, and began lathering her hair and body, unaware of any invasions of her privacy as Eli and Jessie peaked through a small piece of paneling that was damaged.

     She walked out drying her hair to see Riddick laying on the bed.

     “I saved you some hot water.”

     He stood to his feet and removed his shirt, before kicking off his shoes and unbuckling his pants. She continued past him showing little interest. It was hard to divert her attention, however, after his shower when he came out and dropped his towel by the edge of the bed. Illiana had found a book in the doctor’s collection that she had sat down to enjoy while he cleaned up. She peered over the top of the pages, admiring his physique in passing.

     “I take it you’re more into fantasy than fiction.” He slipped into some clothes he had come across.

     “What makes you say that?”

     “Because you haven’t taken your eyes off me since that towel hit the floor.”

     Illiana grew flush at his observation and turned the page.

     “Thank you, so much for your hospitality.” Illiana said after dinner.

     “You are very welcome. However, I’d appreciate it if, until your ride shows up, the two of you could help out around the place. There’s a few things here and there I’ve been meaning to take care of, I’m sure a strong man like you could be useful. As for you Miss, I know Renee could use the company.”

     “Me too sweetcheeks.” Smiled Eli. Renee kicked him under the table and apologized for his crude humor.

      “Of course. Hopefully, we’ll be off your hands soon.”

       Renee got up from the table and began clearing plates with the help of Illiana. “Anyone care for some cake?”

       As Renee turned the corner of the counter her sleeve got caught on the basket of produce she had harvested earlier. One of the tangerines rolled over the edge and Illiana kicked it back up into the basket.

       “Nice catch!” Clapped Deak.

       “Six years of soccer.” Smiled Illiana.

       “Betcha can’t do it twice.”

      Illiana grabbed the tangerine once more and kicked it around like a hacky sack before kicking it over her shoulder and into the basket again.

       “That’s the most entertainment I’ve seen in a while.” He chuckled as Renee passed him a plate of cake.

     Illiana stared at Riddick as he got into bed beside her. “Is there a problem, sweetcheeks?”

    “Don’t call me that.” She rolled her eyes and slid further away from him while staring at the ceiling going over everything in her head.

     “About what happened in the cave. I was…not thinking clearly.”

     Riddick ran his hand across her stomach and pulled her waist closer to him. Her body felt like it was going to explode, she wanted to pull away, but also desperately wanted to feel him again. It was frustrating not being able to explain why she felt the way she did around him. He was a dangerous, wanted man, who had killed dozens of people. She should be running to get away from him, yet she wanted him closer, his arms around her, his manhood inside her. His lips were so close to hers she could almost taste them, and then he pulled away.

      “Sleep tight.” He rolled over and went to sleep.

      Illiana was dreaming of Riddick’s arms wrapped around her when the sound of thunder woke her to an empty room. She got up and found Eli in the kitchen drinking coffee.

     “Morning sweetcheeks. Thunder wake you?”

      “Is it like this every morning?”

      “Usually. The weather changes so quickly during the day and night the thunderstorms usually strike first thing in the morning. Coffee?”

      “No, thanks.” She was becoming uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her. “Where are the others?”

      “Around. Your…friend, is with my dad on the roof.”

     She made her way outside feeling his stare the whole way.

       “Good morning! I take it you slept well?” Called down Deak.

       “Yes. Do you guys think you should be up there working on that in this weather?”

       Riddick and Deak were rewiring and adjusting one of the solar panels that had come loose in the night after some rusted bolts finally gave out. The clouds were rolling in quickly and lightening scattered all around them.

       “No, but that’s why I have him doing all the work.” Laughed Deak as he pat Riddick on the back. “It’s a good thing we got up here when we did. Another windy night and this panel would have been scraps.”

       “Good morning.” Renee walked out of the Biosphere pulling off her dirty gloves. “You boys hurry up. It’s looking like a big one.”

       “Another storm?” Inquired Illiana.

       “They roll through pretty frequently this time of year. In a day or two it’ll pass. Come on, I could use some help in the Biosphere.”

       Illiana helped Renee with some maintenance on the irrigation system. Jessie and Eli were play fighting in the kitchen when they were done, and Renee shooed them away.

       “I swear, it’s just my luck I never ended up having a girl. Do you and Riddick have any children?”

       “Oh no…I mean, we haven’t been together that long.” Illiana saw Eli lingering around and figured it was probably best to go along with the charade. “I’d love to have kids one day, I was…am a teacher.”

       “That’s a wonderful job, especially if you don’t have kids yet, you can get a taste at what your in for.” Chuckled Renee as she started to heat a pot of water.

       “You guys have been down here for so long doesn’t it get lonely?”

       “At first it did. Even with my family and taking Jessie in, but we got through it. We do occasionally get a passerby or we may send out a signal to trade for additional supplies like when our backup generator went down. To be honest, I kind of like the peace.”

       The loud boom of nearby thunder rattled the paneling on top of the outpost and rain began pouring down just as Deak and Riddick walked in.

       “Looks like we finished just in time. Jessie, go lock down the windows.” Deak walked over and flipped a switch on the wall.

       “What’s that for?” Asked Illiana.

       “The fences.”

       Eli grabbed a prickly pear off the counter and began peeling it. “There are some pretty dangerous animals on this planet. Huge fleshy beasts with horns as long as their bodies, bears that you wouldn’t think are so cute and cuddly with their under bites and spiked fur, tigers with teeth bigger than my hand…”

      “And dick, I’d assume.” Snickered Riddick prompting a laugh from Deak.

      “Stop trying to scare her, boy.” Deacon shooed him away.

       Illiana spent most of the day reading while Riddick roamed the facility helping Deacon and looking around. She was sitting in a desk chair deep in thought when he entered.

       “Thinking about me?”

       “Do I look nauseous? Something’s been bothering me.”

   “What about?”

    “This family. Renee said the rest of the research team died, but there aren’t any graves.”

    “They could have been burned. Wild animals would smell the corpses beneath the ground and dig them up.”

      “What about Eli? Doesn’t he look a little old to be their son?”

      “Perhaps.”

      “I’m probably just being paranoid.”

       “You’re observant.”

      “I’m on edge. If The Collector knows about me, then what’s stopping the Necromongers from coming after me too.”

      “They won’t.”

      “How do you know?”

       “Because I killed the man responsible for the genocide of our people 3 years ago. Necromongers have no interest in hunting us down.” He took a seat at the foot of the bed and began removing his boots.

      “I appreciate you helping me.”

     “You’re welcome.”

      “But I think once we make it off this planet, we should go our separate ways. I’ll only hold you back and you have your own bounty to worry about. I figure I have enough money left in that trust that I could find somewhere to start over.”

       “Even if that were true, I think its out of our hands.”

       “Meaning?”

       “I didn’t read your file on the prison transport. I saw it there but I didn’t read it until after I escaped. I recognized you.”

       “From where?”

       “A past life. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now. Furyans believe in a spiritual connection that travels through this life and every life after.”

       “Like soul mates.”

       “Your pheromones led me right to you on Arris. They make me feel like a crazed animal and draw me near.”

      Illiana thought she was going mad after having the same experience after Riddick left the cave. She walked over and placed one of his hands on her waist. “Is that why…I feel…every time you touch me…”

      “Because you belong to me.”

      He pulled her into his lap and wrapped her legs around him. Riddick nuzzled her neck before latching on and marking her flesh, as she removed her shirt, the suction of his mouth excited her as he laid her down and removed her pants. He turned off the light and removed his goggles before opening her legs for a taste. His eyes shined wildly as he watched her reaction.

      “I won’t be so rough this time…” He entered her body steadily and the energy between them flowed in sync giving them a heightened sense of euphoria. Their skin became more sensitive, their emotions more powerful, and the overall sensation was pleasurable beyond anything they’d experienced, even in the cave, as they accepted their destiny.

       Illiana didn’t question her desires for Riddick after learning he, himself, felt vulnerable to them too. Riddick laid under the blankets and rubbed Illiana’s thigh that was draped across this abdomen. She was fast asleep under his arm. He had spent his entire life fighting for survival always on the move. Suddenly, he felt content.

Chapter Text

       Riddick walked into the store room where Eli and Jessie were pulling out a split piece of meat. It looked like a hyena with leathery skin and a coarse strip of hair down the length of its body. It had already been gutted and the useless parts discarded.

      Eli just looked at him and pulled out his knife. Jessie took a seat on the stool and watched as he skinned the beast.

      “You hungry?” He snickered.

      “You kill that yourself?”

      “Yep. Renee made stew with the other half, and some damn good jerky too. These guys here, they’re scavengers. They eat what they can find, so their flavor has a unique taste from one another.”

      “Is that so?”

    “You know what I always found funny? People who eat other people always say they taste like chicken.” Eli laughed. “I imagine you’d taste a lot like pork, not too salty. No, you’re lean. Just enough fat to add a savory flavor.”

      “Fantasize about me often?”

      Eli grinned as he hacked off the back leg and placed it on a side table. “Not you.”

      “I didn’t think so. I’d be careful if I were you.”

      “And why is that?”

      “A good predator never underestimates its prey.”

      The bad weather blew through in three days’ time, just like the previous storm, but this time the weather that followed was more tolerable. Waking up next to Riddick was comforting, but Illiana still felt a reluctance that something just wasn’t right.

      “I’m going to try and send out another signal for help today, but I don’t think we should wait around much longer.”

      “What’s wrong?” Illiana lifted her head from his chest and looked at him.

      “You’re right to trust your instincts about these people. Now the question is do you trust me?”

      Illiana nodded, not knowing what he was suggesting, but he hadn’t let her down yet. She managed to smile and rub the stubble that was starting to form around his chin and neck.

      “Time for a shave.”

      “I thought you like it rough?”

      “I wasn’t talking about your face.”

      Illiana was outside on the roof reading a book, enjoying the weather, while Riddick sat in a chair next to her shaving. He looked around getting a feel for the terrain around them and trying to figure out their best route for travel.

      “Just who I was looking for. I’m going out hunting, wanna tag along? I could use the bait.” Joked Eli.

      “Why not take Jessie?”

      “That little shit ain’t worth a damn. The two of you are the biggest thing he’s brought back yet.”

       “I need to send out another message.”

      “The storm damaged one of the panels on the receiver, Deak should have it up and running again when we get back.”

      Riddick glanced over at Illiana who thought things were just a little fishy suddenly.

      “Alright.” He ran his knife up the last side of his chin and wiped down. He walked over to Illiana and kissed her cheek while whispering. “Keep your eyes open.”

       “Be safe.” She smiled as if everything seemed fine.

      “Jessie!” Yelled Eli, as he grabbed his crossbow and arrows. “Shut down the fence. We’re going out.”

      “How far out are the hunting grounds?” Asked Riddick.

      “Not much further.” Eli led him up a trail near the tree line about two miles north of the outpost. The terrain had softened slightly due to the vegetation present.

      “You looking to take down anything in particular? Or just me?” Asked Riddick

      “Now why would I do that?”

      “You cant seem to keep your eyes off my girl, for one.”

      “No harm in looking, right?”

      “Only one way to find out.” Riddick stopped in his tracks and looked around.

      “What?”

      “I heard something.” He pulled his knife and Eli raised his crossbow. “I’ll follow you.”

      “I ain’t stupid. You think I’m gonna let you knife me in the back?”

      “You think I’m gonna let you shoot me in mine?”

      “Shoulder to shoulder.”

      The two made their way through some brush and found a litter of baby boar rummaging around. The two men began backing away as the mother appeared thrusting her nose into the air and stomping her feet as a warning. They were only a few feet away when Eli turned to see Riddick throw his knife. He turned slightly and watched it wedge itself in a male hog charging straight for him. It did little to slow the beast down as it continued hauling its 1,200lb body in Eli’s direction. He dodged its large tusks and took aim, hitting the creature in its hind legs. Riddick ran over and grabbed one of the boar’s tusks, steering them away as he removed his knife and brought it down on the creature’s head. Eli fired another shot straight through the eye socket and it collapsed mid-run, dead.

      “Nice shot.” Riddick removed his knife and felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He vaulted over the boar and broke off the end of the arrow that was sticking out.

      “This boar ain’t a bad catch, but to be honest I think Renee had her heart set on serving you up.” He prepped his crossbow for another shot as he circled the boar waiting for Riddick to appear. “Besides, you’d be a lot easier to tote back than this fucker. I guess I can have Jessie come out a little later and help me load it up onto a transport rover.”

      There was no sign of Riddick on the other side of the boar and Eli began backing away. He walked over to a small slope and looked down.

      “Where the hell did you go…”

      He walked back over to the boar and heard crackling branches just before Riddick jumped down from above. The two scuffled in the brush before falling over the ledge. Riddick held on tightly to Eli as they rolled and stopped near a cliff with a rapidly moving stream below. Eli dug his finger into Riddick’s shoulder where the arrow had penetrated, before head-butting him and knocking his goggles off his eyes. Riddick took a step back, blinded by the sudden flash of light. Eli picked up a fallen branch and hit him over the head, toppling him over the cliff where he watched the rapids carry him downstream.

      Riddick was tossed around underneath the rapids, hitting his head and gashing his leg against the jagged rocks below. He lost consciousness and awoke several hours later caught between the branches of a fallen tree, the water splashing against his face. He began pulling himself up and felt a sharp pain shoot across his thigh. He gritted his teeth and continued on, pulling himself from the water onto the shore.

      He looked down at his pants and pulled at the edges of the tear opening it to see how bad the injury was. It was a pretty long cut, but not deep enough to cause any real damage. Daylight was fading and there was no telling how far down stream the current took him before he got stuck in the tree. Riddick removed his belt and fastened it above the cut before following the stream back up river.

      Shortly after the men left Renee asked Illiana for a hand in the biosphere. One of the flow regulators for the irrigation system had come lose and needed to be readjusted.

      “I just tried to do it myself but the system kept re-engaging. I just need you to keep the switch from turning back on while I recalibrate the flow.”

      “What is that?” Illiana covered her face as they entered. The air was Earthy with a mildly rancid smell.

      “Fertilizer. All the water pooling in the plant beds is keeping it from settling into the soil.”

       Illiana was glad the repair only took a couple of minutes and went back inside with Renee when they were done.

       “You hungry?” Renee washed her hands and offered Illiana some fruit from the basket on the counter.

      “I’ll wait until that smell leaves my sinuses.”

     “Dinner may be a little late, depending on what time the men get back.”

     “I’ll be fine. I haven’t had much of an appetite today.”

      “Well, I hope it comes back before you wither away, there isn’t much of you already.” Grinned Renee. “I think I’m gonna go lay down for a bit, would you mind grabbing some basil and parsley from the biosphere once it airs out?”

      “Sure thing.”

      Illiana stepped outside a few hours later and saw Jessie on the roof.

      “Any sign of them?”

      He just shook his head.

      She looked out in the direction she saw them traveling. “It’s been six hours. Maybe they caught something big.”

      “Maybe.”

      “Let me know when you see them. Okay?”

      Illiana walked into the biosphere and grabbed a small basket to collect the herbs Renee requested. Most of the excess water had soaked down into the soil but there were still a few parts that were flooded.

      She knelt down beside the planter and started snipping pieces of basil. The water pooling beside the plant bubbled as something surfaced from below the soil. Illiana picked up the small white, object and realized it was part of a human finger.

      She dropped it and gasped. “That’s why there are no graves…”

      “Well what the hell am I supposed to tell her?” Renee threw up her hands and paced. “Are you sure?”

      “Yes. I’m positive.”

      “You got sloppy.”

  N   “Whatever. Me and Jessie are gonna go grab the boar. We'll be set.”

      Illiana walked into the kitchen surprised to see Eli with Renee. The two looked at her like they were spooked.

      “I didn’t know you guys were back.”

      “Illiana…Riddick didn’t make it back.” Renee didn’t know what else to say so she got straight to the point.

      Illiana laughed and continued to do so even when their expressions didn’t change. “Why…where is he?”

     “We got surrounded by a pack of hellcats. We back tracked across the river but the bridge collapsed and he fell in. I tried to catch up with him but he disappeared under the water.”

      Illiana placed the herbs on the counter and headed to their room without a word. She laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling waiting for that sinking feeling of loss to hit her, but she felt nothing. It all seemed so quaint. As soon as Riddick brought up leaving he goes on a hunting trip and doesn’t come back.

      There was a knock on the door and Renee peeked in. “I wanted to come check on you.”

      “It’s hard to believe. It’s going to be a minute, I think, before everything sinks in.”

      “I understand. I am so sorry. Is there anything I can get you?”

      “No, I think I’m just going to lay down.”

      Riddick finally stopped to rest for the night. His leg throbbed and the air was getting cold. There wasn’t much around for shelter in the scattering of woods. He looked around until he found a tree that was propped up by some rocks. He grabbed some branches to fill in the backdrop and began digging a hole to start a fire. The small enclosure didn’t offer much protection against predators but it kept the cool air at bay while he tried to warm himself and dry his wet clothes by the fire.

     Meanwhile, Illiana was restless. She felt so many emotions, but none was loss. Riddick was becoming suspicious and said they would need to leave regardless of a ship picking up the distress signal. She decided she would have to make the journey on her own. She was a Furyan, a survivor, no matter the risks she needed to take it.

      After everyone went to bed, Illiana took a small bag into the kitchen and started to toss in some supplies. Renee kept the pantry stocked with dried goods and vacuum sealed meals, Illiana was sure she wouldn’t notice a handful of missing packages. She heard one of the doors open and she shoved the bag behind a couple sacks of flour before grabbing a jar of peanut butter and exiting.

      Eli was standing on the other side of the door when she closed it.

      “Late night snack?”

      “I was too upset to eat dinner,” She walked over to the counter and grabbed a slice of bread. “and I cant sleep on an empty stomach.”

     Eli walked over to the other side of the counter. “I got something to take the edge off for you.”

      “No thank you.”

      She was surprised when he walked back over with a shot of moonshine for her.

      “A little sip wont hurt you. A big sip, now that might get you in a whole lotta trouble.”

      Illiana declined once more and he took a swig himself before placing the jug back on a rack.

     “How did you escape the hellcats?”

     “I made it across the bridge first.”

     “And you still managed to kill that boar you and Jessie hauled back?”

     “You don’t sound too impressed.”

     “I’m not. Because I saw you skinning it outside with Riddick’s knife.”

      Eli bit his lip and looked at her before pulling the knife out of his pocket. “I found it on the embankment after I lost him. Figured it would be best to hang on to it. Like a souvenir.”

Chapter Text

      Illiana had made up her mind that she would leave the following night. You could see for miles in the basin where the Outpost lied. It was flat, dry, desert-like waste until you neared the hill side. After everyone fell asleep, she would shut off the electrical fence, and head for the hills. If she could make it there by daybreak she could stop and rest a bit before continuing on and stop to make camp just before nightfall.

     She stepped out of the shower and caught a glimpse of the mark Riddick had left on her neck in the mirror. She touched it lightly, remembering how good his mouth felt on her skin. Maybe it was his cockiness that made her disbelieve Eli’s hunting story. Riddick would never let himself be surrounded by a pack of animals, he was too attuned to his surroundings. Illiana tossed on her gown and stepped out into the room just before feeling a dull pain at the base of her head and blacking out.

    Riddick had only dozed off for a few hours to give his leg time to rest and allow his wet clothes to dry. He got to his feet and began following the river back upstream. When he found a path up the cliff that was easy enough for him to hike he took it, keeping a close eye on his surroundings as the planet’s night creatures screeched and howled.

    He was surprised when he came to a small clearing of broken trees where a shuttle had crashed. It was overgrown with vines and had a prison transport hull number. Riddick was able to override the door and have a look inside. Almost everything had been taken. He walked over to the control panel which still contained some juice from the power core. It flickered a bit and the images were glitchy. He accessed the last logs of the pilot just before they crashed, but there was so much static it was unintelligible. Luckily, the passenger manifest was accessible. Renee Aletto, 47, 2 Counts of First Degree Murder, Cannibalism; Deacon James, 54, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, 3 Counts of First Degree Murder, Murder by Proxy, Cannibalism; Eli Willis, 35, 5 Counts of Rape, 2 Counts of Sexual Assault, 4 Counts of Torture, 1 Count of Arson.

    There were two more listed passengers unaccounted for along with the pilots, all heading to Attica-6 the largest psychiatric prison facility in the system.

    The pain in the back of her head continued when Illiana started to wake, unsure of what happened or what was going on. Her arms cramped up from being tied behind her back at the elbow and wrist. She cringed as she waited for it to subside and her teeth chomped down on a leather bit that was placed in her mouth. Her ankles had been tied back to her thighs like a frog, but seemed to be faring well.

    “It’s not like I don’t pull my share of weight and then some around here!” Yelled Eli while slamming the door. “Well, well, well, look who’s awake.”

    Illiana glared at him as he approached. He grabbed the bag she had packed and lifted it up for her to see.

    “Planning a camping trip?”

    He walked into the bathroom, to wipe down the sweat he had worked up and stood in the doorway shirtless after, eyeing her. He removed his belt as he approached her, Illiana’s eyes never leaving him.

    “Don’t look at me like that?” He brought his hand across her face. It burned and her eyes watered, but she maintained her fearless stare as she tried to wriggle free.

    Eli rolled her onto her stomach, raised the belt, and brought it down on her ass and thighs multiple times. Illiana bit down and refused to scream, even though she could feel the welt’s expanding on her swollen legs after each blow.

    Riddick had found a pair of gloves and bolt cutters on the ship to cut through the electrical fencing once he found his way back to the Outpost. There was a small dip in power when he did, but nothing that would draw any attention. He peered into the window of the storeroom and made his way in. Jessie entered and opened the walk-in freezer, unaware of Riddick hiding in the corner of the room by a table. Riddick closed the door and locked him in.

     Renee was in the kitchen washing dishes calling for Jessie to hurry up. Riddick picked up a knife on the counter and walked up behind her. She quickly turned and pointed a handgun she kept tucked away at him.

    “Drop it.”

    Riddick put down the knife as she walked him back outside.

    “Deak! Look what found it’s way back home!”

    “I’ll be damned. You’re a tough son of a bitch aren’t ya?”

    “I found the transport ship you crashed. I guess you crazy mother fuckers lucked up.”

    “And it looks like you lucked out.”

    “You guys aren’t actually a couple are you? This happy little family of yours is all one big charade for you.”

    “Not exactly. Renee and myself go back quite a bit, don’t we?”

    “We sure do.” She smiled.

    “So, what happened to the rest of the people on board that ship?”

    “Same thing that’s gonna happen to you? It’s been a long time since we had a barbeque.”

    Riddick went for Renee’s gun faster than she could pull the trigger. Two shots went off, one in the air and a second into Deak’s head. He jerked the gun from her hands and hit her in the face with the butt so hard he cracked her skull, leaving an indentation as her eyes crossed, her jaw dropped, and she fell to the floor.

    “You guys fucked with the wrong man.” He stepped over Renee’s body and went to find Illiana.

    Eli stopped what he was doing and climbed on the bed to peak out the window, but couldn’t see anything. He brushed it off as Jessie using some wild animal getting too close to the fence as target practice.

    “We’re having some fun now, aren’t we sweet cheeks.”

    He rolled Illiana onto her back again. She watched him rub the crotch of his pants, stroking his erection as he pulled Riddick’s hunting knife from his waist and stabbed the pillow beside her. She grunted with frustration as he nuzzled her neck and licked the side of her face.

    “I got something that you’ll really enjoy.”

    He reached under the bed and pulled out a teaser wand.

    “Don't worry. It’s not enough to cause any real damage, it’s just gonna hurt ya.”

    Eli used the wand to pull open the gown and expose one of her breast before turning it on. Illiana could hear the current flowing as he rubbed it down the side of her face, down the length of her neck, across her chest and stopping at her nipple where he delivered the first zap.

    Illiana screamed as her body seized up. He smiled, finally getting the reaction he wanted and continued with the other.

    Riddick heard Illiana’s squeals as he moved closer to the room. Eli traced a path down between Illiana’s legs and grinned maniacally unaware of the Furyan’s intrusion. Riddick threw his arm around Eli’s neck and flung him off the bed. His jaw was tight as he circled him. Eli saw the large cut running down Riddick’s thigh and lunged at his waist taking him down. Riddick threw his elbows into Eli's body and Eli pressed his fingers into Riddick’s leg. Riddick wailed before landing a punch to Eli’s face.

    He stood, trying to balance on his good leg. The two of them locked up and pushed each other into the surrounding furniture. Illiana looked over at the knife still stuck in the pillow beside her and pulled her legs up as high as she could to grab the handle between her knees. Riddick began forcing Eli back over to the bed and when he was close enough pushed him into the knife. Illiana rocked it side-to-side as much as she could with her knees before he rolled off onto the floor.

    Riddick knelt down beside him and removed it. He rolled him onto his back and looked him in the eyes. “I told you. A predator never underestimates its prey.”

    He thrust the knife into his chest and twisted it for good measure, relishing the coughs of blood as he died.

    Riddick removed the bit from Illiana’s mouth before cutting away the ropes binding her arms and legs. Her entire body burned and ached, as she tried to gather her strength. Riddick managed to lift her into his arms and carry her back to their room to rest.

    Illiana hobbled into the shower once she felt steady while Riddick locked the place down for the night. He went to put the bodies in the freezer and found Jessie in the corner almost completely frozen solid.

    Riddick watched Illiana limp out of the bathroom holding her towel tightly. She grabbed the bag she had packed and pulled out some saline solution and bandages. “You gonna drop your pants for me?”

    He blushed slightly and removed his pants. Illiana slid another towel under his leg and flushed the wound with the saline before bandaging it up.

    “So, what now?” She noticed his shoulder wound and had him remove his shirt from around it.

    “We wait and hope that if someone finds us, they’re not bounty hunters.” He watched her tend to his arm with little regard to her own well being. “You should rest.”

    “Yea, well, I hurt all over so that’s gonna be difficult.”

    Illiana’s eyes stayed focused on his arm, not wanting him to see the pain they held. He gently took the saline from her and looked her over.

    “Show me.”

    She slowly release her towel. Illiana’s wrists, elbows, ankles, and thighs were red and raw from the restraints. Her ass and thighs had bruises and small lacerations from the belt Eli used to beat her, and her nipples had bruises from the taser.

    Riddick had her lay down on her stomach while he cared for her wounds and she eventually fell asleep.

    Riddick went to the communications console and checked through the history, there was nothing. He scrolled through each day they had been there and looked through each one. ENTRY DELETED.

    “Figures.”

    Riddick trekked back to the location near the cave where he placed their distress beacon. It had been completely destroyed and it wasn’t done by animals.

    Illiana woke a couple hours after he returned. She found him sitting at the kitchen table with his feet propped up eating jerky.

    “How you feel?”

    “Sick.”

    “You should eat.”

    She walked over to the basket on the counter and pulled out an apple.

    “They buried the bodies in the biosphere.”

    “You mean the parts they didn’t eat. I found a transport ship heading to Attica-6. Our hosts were cannibals.”

    Illiana placed the apple back down.

    “I know you’ve been through a lot but I got some bad news. They cancelled out our distress signal and destroyed the beacon at the crash site.”

    “So, what now?”

    “That’s up to you. No one knows we’re here, in my case, that’s a good thing. We can stay and survive on our own or I can send out another signal and see if we get picked up.”

    “The bounty on your head is four times as much as mine. It’d be a bounty hunters dream picking up the two of us, wouldn’t it?”

    “Then it’s settled.”

    Illiana walked back past him towards the bedroom and pushed his feet off the table. “Down.”

    He watched her walk away and waited for her to close the door before putting them up again.

    After a couple of days, Illiana was feeling much better. There was still some discomfort from the bruising but it didn’t hold her back. Riddick removed the bodies from the freezer and burned them in a fire downwind from the outpost. When he got back he found Illiana in the biosphere gardening.

    “I’ve never had much of a green thumb. Let’s hope I don’t kill everything.”

    “I’m not big on fruits and vegetables anyway.”

    “They keep you big and strong.” She laughed.

    “Do your students know you’re a liar?”

    “My students love me.”

    “That’s not what I asked.”

    Illiana grabbed the sprayer and squirted him in the face. She laughed and quickly got up as he chased her into the kitchen and grabbed her. He lifted her off the ground and carried her back to the garden. Inside was a trough that collected rainwater that was pumped into the irrigation tank.

    “No!” She screamed as he tossed her in. “That’s it!”

    Illiana splashed him once more before stepping out, soaking wet, and grabbing the sprayer again. Riddick grinned as he continued to walk towards her as she blasted him and took the sprayer. He backed her against the wall and placed the sprayer between her legs before pulling the trigger. The sensation of the stream against her pants caught her off guard as she moaned. She grabbed his hand but he continued to maneuver the flow of water in an arousing way before placing his lips on hers and dropping the sprayer.

    Her wounds still ached but her sex throbbed for him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

    “You got me wet...”

    “I seem to have that effect.”

    “Don’t get cocky.”

    “It’s a little late for that.” He pulled her tightly against him and she could feel how bad he wanted her.

    Sex was a much-needed stress relief for her and when they finished, she laid in his arms and looked up at him. The blinds were closed and the light was dimmed to comfort his eyes.

    “Were your eyes always sensitive to light?”

    “No. They adapted. You spend enough time in the darkness your bound to come out different.”

    “Do your eyes see things the same way?”

    “No. Without my goggles things appear more vividly.”

    “Really?”

    She climbed on top of him and grabbed his goggles from the nightstand. They were extremely dark as she looked through, letting almost no light in. She placed them over his eyes and then took them off again.

    “Do you prefer seeing with them on or off?”

    “It doesn’t make a difference. Either way if I’m looking at you, you’re beautiful.”

    It had been just over a week since they became the sole inhabitants of the outpost and Illiana wasn’t feeling as home sick as she thought she would be. Riddick didn’t know a whole lot about Furya or their heritage, but he told her everything he had learned as well as trained her in some hand-to-hand combat techniques.

    From what Illiana could tell, with the research data she had be looking over, the planet was due to have it’s winter.

    “It looks like snow and ice for about a month or two and then it’ll start warming back up again. The last recorded ‘winter’ storm left 27 inches of snow.”

    “We’ll manage.”

    “I hated the winters on Biscay. This sounds a hundred times worse.”

    “Don’t stress. You got me to keep you warm.” He smirked.

    The storm hit with little warning. The air that morning had a crisp feel, but the sun was out and shining bright. It got dark about 3 hours earlier, but still, no changes. Late in the night little pings could be heard as hail began to fall. Within a few minutes there was a downpour of it rattling the roof and walls. Illiana woke up and saw Riddick looking out of the window.

    “How bad is it?”

    “Pretty bad. It must have rained before it started, everything is icing over.”

    Illiana got up to look. The grounds surrounding the outpost had a thin glaze that appeared over the dried basin soil. Chunks of ice and dirt flew up as the hail beat into the ground.

    By dawn there was already three inches of snow with no sign of it stopping. Illiana sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee when Riddick came walking in from outside. The hail had damaged the electrical panel controlling the fencing.

    “I can’t fix it, but it shouldn’t be a problem for the moment. Most of the animals I’ve seen so far would be hibernating through all this.”

    “As long as the doors and windows lock. Do you want some coffee?”

    “No thanks. You okay?”

    “Yea, just a little home sick. I miss sitting by the fire eating soup on cold days like this.”

    Riddick opened the pantry. “I got tomato and pea. I still owe you from Orion-4.”

    “I haven’t forgotten. Don’t think I’m letting you off with destroying that scarf of mine either.”

    “I don’t know anywhere around here that sells Shivall Silk scarves, but if I find someone, I’ll be sure to grab one for you.”

    “By grab you mean steal.”

    “I hate to break it to you but I don’t have Shivall Silk money.”

    “I could buy hundreds with your ransom money.” She joked.

Chapter Text

       The snow eased just after lunch. Riddick was in the Med-Room checking out how his leg was healing. He removed a handful of stitches he had placed to help it close and with the exception of sensitive fresh pink skin, it was almost completely healed. His shoulder was still a little tender, but there was no major damage. Illiana came in from the biosphere with a small gathering of vegetables. Some of the plants were starting to wither in the cold, but she managed to gather a few seeds from some that she hoped could be propagated later. She had just tossed them into the sink for a rinsing when a loud blast blew the Outpost door off its hinges.
       Illiana ducked down beside the counter and covered her head. Riddick jumped down from the table to see what was going on. When he came around the corner a team of four men shot him with tranquilizers.
      “No!” Illiana ran towards him as he stumbled to the ground, his body tensed as he tried to fight through the sedatives.
      “Illiana!” Edgard jumped out in front to stop her and wrapped her in his arms. “Stay back.”
      “Edgard? What are you doing?” She tried to push her way through to Riddick as the men subdued him.
      “You’re safe. It’s okay, your safe now.”
      “What?” She was so confused as he and the men escorted the two of them to a ship.

      “Where are you taking him? I want to see him.”
      “Calm down, have a seat. Please.”
      Illiana took a seat at a small table onboard the ship as they took flight.
      “I’m glad I found you. That man who was accompanying you is dangerous. Had I known who he was when you came to see me I would have protected you then.”
      “No, he’s not. I want to see him.”
      “I’m afraid you’re suffering from some kind of Stockholm Syndrome. How long have you two been locked up in that facility?”
      “I’m not suffering from anything. That man saved my life and I want to see him. Now!”
      “My dear, I…”
      “Now!” Her eyes watered.

       Edgard escorted her to the holding cell where Riddick sat surrounded by bars with his hands and feet shackled. She ran over and Riddick yelled, stopping her from touching the bars.
       “They’re electrified.”
      Illiana looked at Edgard. “You cant turn him in, Edgard. Please.”
       “It’s out of my hands. I hired these men to help look for you. In return they get the money for turning him over.”
       Illiana looked at Riddick and her eyes started to water.
       “Don’t you dare cry for me.”
       “Don’t tell me what to do.”
       She gave Edgard a hard look before leaving.

       “It seems you’ve had quite an effect on her.”
       “It’s a Furyan thing. So, you let the hired guns split my bounty in return for finding her. But what do you get out of it?”
       “Piece of mind, knowing she’s safe.”
       “As long as there’s a bounty on her head, she’s not safe.”
       Edgard didn’t reply. He just turned and left.

       There was a knock on the door to her room and Edgard walked in with a plate of food and placed it on a small desk.
       “You should eat.”
       “I’m not hungry.”
       “Quit your griping and eat.”
       “How did you find us?”
       “When I learned that man was Riddick and he was wanted for multiple heinous crimes I set out to find out where you had gone. I learned you were both picked up by the men who were chasing you and that their ship had gone dark.”
       “So how did you know where to look?”
       “The distress beacon.”
       “Distress beacon?”
       “Yes, we picked up the signal at the crash site and we found the outpost nearby. We would have arrived sooner but the weather would have been hard to navigate.”
       “Do the men know there’s a bounty on my head too?”
       “Don’t worry they’re not here for you.”

       Illiana walked into Riddick’s holding area. There were two guards standing by the door inside when she entered. He was slumped over in the chair asleep until he caught a whiff of her scent.
       “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
       “I tried.” She sat down in front of the bars and spoke as quietly as she could without the guards hearing. “The photo in my file was of me and my parents just after I got my first teaching job. Edgard was the one who took the photo. It was hanging in my father’s office up until his passing. He said the distress beacon from the ship led him to us. Am I being paranoid again?”
       “No.”
       “What am I supposed to do? They’re on their way to Boulderkeep to turn you in. It’s a maximum security prison.”
       “I know what it is.”
       “They will execute you.”
       “When they get around to it.”
       “Could you maybe, for once, not be so smug?”
       “I’ve escaped a lot of holding facilities.”
       “Well, maybe you can give me some tips because Edgard seems to think you’ve brainwashed me. He’ll probably have me committed if he doesn’t…I don’t think he knows my suspicions.”
       “Make sure you keep it that way.”
       She looked over at the guards. There was a five man crew of bounty hunters from what she could tell, and around a dozen other crewmen, slaves, who were serving what seemed to be a community service on board.
       “I don’t see how you can just sit there unbothered.”
       “There’s not much else for me to do.”
       Frustrated, she got up to leave. 
       “Illiana.” He called out, stopping her in her tracks. “Don’t think for a second that everything that’s happened up until now was bullshit.”
       “So, what should I think?”
       “It’s not what you should think. It’s what you should know. That I would protect you at all cost.”
       “You can’t protect anyone when you’re dead.”
       “I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.”

       “How much longer until we’re there?” Asked Edgard.
       “About six hours.” Informed Sawyer who was leading the operation. 
       “Good, I’m just making sure we’re on schedule.”
       “I’m about to cash in on the biggest payday of my career. If I could go any faster I would.”

       Illiana followed one of the indentured crewmen into a room with lots of machinery. She grabbed a wrench on a nearby table and hit him over the head before walking over to a computer panel.
       “Cockpit…galley…armory…damn it! Where’s the big red button?” She looked around the room for a cut off switch for the holding area containing Riddick. There was nothing. So, she decided the best chance she had of buying time was to do some damage.
There was a machine at the far end of the room that was cranking a piston. Illiana grabbed the wrench and threw it in, but it ricocheted back out, nearly hitting her, and lodging itself in a pipe. There was a small jerk in the ship and she figured she was onto something. She pulled a sledge hammer from the wall and hit the pipe again causing a large amount of steam to blow through before moving onto another.

       “What the hell?” Sawyer checked his gauges. “I’m losing power in one of my engines.”
       “How is that possible?” Asked Edgard.
       “Something must’ve come loose.” He radioed for a team to go check out the disturbance in the engine room.

       “Hey!” Yelled one of the crewmen entering the room. When he went to grab for Illiana, she swung the hammer down towards his leg, dislocating his knee cap before trying to make a run for it. Two more men were waiting for her on the other side of the door when she exited. The first one who lunged for her was punch in the throat and the other grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back. The man who’s knee she had dislocated popped it back into place and walked over. He hit her one good time disorienting her before they took her to Sawyer.

       “Found the problem.” Said one of the men handing Illiana over. “She took a sledge hammer to a few pipes in the engine room.”
       “What?” Scowled Sawyer.
       “Illiana what has gotten into you?” Edgard gave her a look of disappointment but she offered no response.
       “Lock down her cabin.” Ordered Sawyer. “She doesn’t leave until I give the order.”

       They reached Boulderskeep only an hour behind schedule and Sawyer and his crew couldn’t have been more excited. 
       “Next stop, death row.” Smiled Sawyer as he walked into the holding room.
       “A little late aren’t we?”
       “We had a minor set back when your little friend threw a temper tantrum in the engine room. So, we gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?”
       “You think I’m just gonna walk in there? Where’s the fun in that?”
       “Your call.”
       “I do have one last request. I want to see her before I go.”
       “No can do. She and Edgard left about an hour ago.”
       “Left where?”
       “Fuck if I know, the deal was I follow the tracker to your guys’ location, I get you, he gets her.”
       “What tracker?”
       “The one he had installed in her credits card.”
       “So that’s how that son of a bitch set her up.”

       Illiana had started to stir in the seat beside Edgard as they entered Acktarus Prime. He had one of the men release a chloroform gas into her vent rather than fight to get her on the ship.
       “Edgard…what…where are we?” The room was spinning and the turbulence of the ship only made her dizziness worse.
       “Shhhh…just a few more minutes…”
       Illiana reached for her seat buckle and realized she had been cuffed. “Edgard! What are you doing?”
       “Paying off an old debt.”

       “Holy shit. You made it.” The Warden greeted Sawyer’s crew in the hangar.
       “Yea, we made it.” Sawyer pushed Riddick to the prison guards. “Lets get this over with.”
       The Warden pulled out a tablet and signed off on the bounty. He handed Sawyer the pad to input the bank information for the deposit.
       “I wouldn’t be so quick to hand over that payday. I don’t plan on staying here long.” Informed Riddick.
       The Warden laughed and had his men escort him to his cell.
       “Do me a favor and let me know when the execution happens. I want a front row seat.” Chuckled Sawyer.
       "You got it.” The Warden confirmed the transfer and payment.

       “Why are you doing this? You were my father’s best friend!”
       “Wrong! Your father took everything from me! Who do you think got our business up and running? Me. Who do you think introduced him to your mother? Me. He owed everything he ever had to me! Then I learn he has plans to go into business himself and plans to take MY clientele that I worked so hard over the years for with him! Just like he took your mother from me. He knew I had eyes on her. I wish she wouldn’t have got in the way.”
       “What do you mean?” Illiana began to pull away. “Edgard. You didn’t…”
       His silence spoke volumes as she started to cry.
       “You bastard! Let me go!”
       He unhooked her cuffs from the seat and pulled her out of the chair while pointing a gun at her head.
       “After I turn you in, my debts will have been paid off and I can go back to Biscay with a clean slate.”
       “But not a clean conscience, you murderer.”

       “Mr. Jurich.” A tall, older man approached him wearing a long black robe with very detailed embroidery. “It’s good to see you again. I take it this is her?”
       “Yes.”
       The man looked Illiana over closely before taking her cuffed hands and turning them over to expose her wrists. He pressed a metal fingernail into her wrist until she bled and pulled out a small vial.
       “My apologies, but I need to verify you are what Edgard proposes.”
       Edgard and Illiana followed him into a lab where he placed the vial into a machine. There were monitors displaying different parts of the facility that was set up like a museum. There were rooms full of artifacts, artwork, and creatures. The machine beeped and the Collector smiled.
       “Looks like you’re a man of your word Edgard, as am I.” He pulled a tablet from his pocket and removed him from his list of debtors.
       “I guess this is goodbye.”
       “You’re more than welcome to come back to visit.” Joked the Collector. “Or if you need, another loan.
       Edgard let out a chuckled and made his way back to the ship.
       “I didn’t do any of those things on that bounty.”
       “I know. But I wasn’t sure if Edgard would deliver. After all, he’s been behind on his payments for almost six months. I knew the chances of finding you would increased once I made you out to be a criminal with a track record spanning several planets. There must have been a dozen inquires into your file.”
       “What you’re doing is kidnapping!”
       “Acktarus Prime is out of any planetary jurisdiction. I literally own the planet.” He boasted. “You’ll be in section 203-E. That’s where I keep all my endangered species.”
       He buzzed in an escort. Through the door walked a burly creature hunched over like an ape. It’s muscular structure was definitive under its pasty pink skin. Drool dripped from his toothy jawline as it approached like a dog waiting for its orders from master.
“203-E, please.”
       The creature stood upright adding an additional two feet of height and grabbed Illiana’s cuffs. It lifted her off the ground and dangled her in the air as it took her away.

       The guards escorted Riddick to his cell where a dozen more men awaited him.
       “You guys didn’t have to bring out the welcome crew for me.” Riddick smiled.
       “We just wanted to make you feel at home.” Said one of the guards before tasing him.
       Riddick tried to fight back as they jumped him, beating him with batons, and kicking him down. He managed to grab ahold of one of the batons and cracked it against the face of the guard with the taser. Riddick removed it from his hand and delivered a shock to the groin of another just before wrapping his cuffed wrists around one’s neck. The prison was in an uproar at the sight as he fought his way through the men desperate to track down Illiana.
He grabbed a key card off a guard and ran over to a check point to unlock the door. When inside he used the key to access the cell doors on that level and released the prisoners.
       “What the hell is going on?” Radioed the Warden as alarms started blaring throughout the facility.
       “Riddick’s escaped level three.” Radioed one of the guards.
       “The fucker's only been here for 30 minutes!”

Chapter Text

       Illiana was forced inside of a large room decorated to look like a desert waste. There were red clay cliffs, scatterings of bones, dead trees. Even the lights in the room gave the ambience of a scorched sun bearing down on the Earth. She turned just as the creature threw her some clothes and slammed the door shut.
        “It’s Furya, or so I’d imagine this is how it looked.” Spoke the Collector through an intercom. “Be a dear and change. I want my displays to be as accurate as possible.”
        “I’m not some animal!”
        “There is little difference between a Furyan and an animal.” 
       Illiana picked up the clothes, if you could call them that. A leather bralette with braided straps and leather bottoms that looked more like underwear than shorts.
        “You must be crazy to think I’m going to wear this!”
        “If you don’t change, I will send the Killrot back in to dress you.”
              The door opened and her beastly escort appeared again. She took a few steps back and hid behind a rock where she began to change. There was a hut in the corner with a pallet laid out to sleep. She noticed there were animal skins plastered up as decoration and tore one down to provide more cover over her body.

       After a few hours, a hatch opened and a plate of food was slid in. She didn’t want to eat it but she hadn’t ate since being taken from the Outpost and she could feel herself becoming weaker.
       It looked harmless enough. A slice of meat, with vegetables and some mixed fruit. She ate a few of the berries and her stomach cramped up as it begged for more, impulsively she began scarfing down as much as she could. When she was done, she looked up at the glass viewing window that lined the outer wall of the room and saw the Collector watching excitedly. Illiana wiped her mouth and went inside the hut, out of view from his prying eyes.

       Riddick made it onto the flight deck but the whole place was locked down and the prison was getting out of control. Prisoner’s began unlocking all the cell doors and riots were forming on all levels. A gunshot went off, just missing Riddick’s head and he turn to see the guard responsible get blasted away by another prisoner.
        “Come on!”
       Riddick didn’t move.
        “You wanna get out of here or not?”
        “The whole place is locked down. We’ll have to get to the Warden's office to override it.”
        “Or we can sneak out and take my ship. I only got one condition.”
        “And what’s that?”
        “I’m not leaving without my brother.”
        “Seems like more work going back through that mob just for one person.”
        “He’s not in the general population. He’s in isolation. And with the mess you’ve started I’m pretty sure he’s unguarded.”

        “Dregger?” The man called out. “Dregger?”
        “Ben? I’m here.” He held his hand out of the bars.
        “Move away from the door.” Ben shot the lock on the door and flung it open.
        “And how exactly we you going to escape with him before?” Riddick looked at the man who was missing both legs from the knees down.
        “I have legs, they’re just not on me at the moment.”
        “Obviously.”
       Ben bent down and Dregger climbed onto his back. He tossed Riddick the shotgun and led the way towards an old iron gate at the very bottom of the prison where executions took place.
        “You sure we can get out this way?” Questioned Riddick.
        “Positive. You ever heard of a Heglish?” Inquired Ben.
        “No.”
        “So, they’re these giant mole things, right? They burrow deep into the Earth, miles down where it’s cool during the day and at night they surface. The planet is full of them.”
        “Should I be concerned?”
        “Not unless you spook one.” Input Dregger. “Their backs are armor plated. They’ll curl into a ball and roll away.”
        “One rolled through this wall and crushed a handful of people coming to witness an execution. Then they threw up this gate to keep prisoners from escaping.”
       The stone tunnels were dark and slippery from the water that leaked down from the surface. They followed the small trickle towards an opening, only hearing the crumbling of rocks as the Heglish chewed new tunnels.
        “Where’s your ship?”
       Ben studied the stars for a moment before pointing East to a small mountain range.

        “How did you guys manage to pilot a ship to a prison planet and get locked up?”
        “We got lost.” Said Dreggar.
        “Lost?”
        “Our autopilot malfunctioned and it took us off course. We hadn’t realized we were entering restricted airspace until after we landed and got surrounded by armed guards.”
        “Did you know that’s actually illegal? Getting lost is punishable by a 5-year sentence.” Joked Ben.

        “There she is.” Pointed Ben, as they approached a hauler.
       Once inside, Ben put Dregger down and opened a locker, removing a set of mechanical legs and resting them by his brother. He continued on into the ship getting the engines ready to fire.
        “That’s better. Now I can reach the pedals.” Dregger stood up and Riddick looked down, impressed by the machinery. He took a seat in the cockpit with his brother while Riddick strapped in.
        “She’s been sitting for a bit, so there’s gonna be a lot of turbulence as the water evaporates from the thrusters.” Informed Dreggar.
       The hauler creaked as the ship began to rise. The thrusters sputtered for a moment as the build up of water turned to steam and escaped the tail pipes.

       Illiana had taken a nap in the hut, but it wasn’t very restful. She kept thinking about Riddick and how she would never see him again. The room was hot and she was thirsty. The daytime lights had turned off and dim night lights had taken their place overhead. There was a watering hole under one of the rock formations. She took a few sips and walked over to the glass. The room across from her was tropical. It had a dim green light illuminating the heavy vegetation and a thin layer of mist covered the floor. Out of a pool of water walked a humanoid creature with scaly skin and gills. In the room beside that, a large bird perched itself on a branch sleeping. Its obsidian color was beautiful as it adjusted itself more comfortably.
“Hello?” She yelled. “Anyone?”
There was no answer. She made her way back to the hut and heard a tap on the glass. There was an older man, in tan robes with a long beard staring at her.
        “Please, help me.” Illiana ran over pleading. “The door, I need you to unlock the door.”
       He just shook his head apologetically.
        “I can’t.” He mouthed just before turning around and showing her something that was attached to the base of his neck.
        “You’re trapped too…”
        “I…am…the clerk.” He spoke and enunciated clearly so she could understand. “I…keep records…I observe.”
       She walked away and he tapped again.
        “How…are YOU…feeling?”
       Illiana scoffed at the question before answering.
        “Alone.”
        “Then I will stay.” The man walked away and returned with a chair. He sat in front of the window and gave her a smile. “I…am Olivier.”
        “I am Illiana.” She managed to pull off a smile as she sat in front of the glass.
       She asked him how long he had been there and what the device was on his back. He couldn’t remember exactly, but estimated he had been there for around 10 years. The device in his neck was for tracking and obedience. If the Collector had any issues with him, he could deliver a shock.
        “At my age, I could probably kill me. So, I must stay, and observe.”
        “Where are you from?”
        “Satee. I am an elder.” He explained that Sateebian people were known for their longevity and knowledge. The average life expectancy was 160 and he was 79. 
        “So, you study and document his…collections?”
       Olivier nodded. “I don’t enjoy it. Like you, many of these creatures are alone and dying. Some have completely lost themselves. You are the first in a long time to be able to communicate.”

        “I don’t know about you guys but I can use a drink. Ben, where’s the nearest planet with a bar, specifically a nude one.” Smirked Dreggar.
        “Acktarus Prime.”
        “Fuck no. There’s bound to be one closer than that.”
        “We’re not going there to drink. That’s where the Collector is. He has something of mine and I want it back.”
        “Whatever it is I’m sure you can get another one.” Laughed Ben, who noticed Riddick wasn’t amused. 
        “The way I see it you guys owe me for helping to break out of that prison.”
        The two brothers looked at each other.
        “Acktarus Prime it is.”

        “I had no idea I was Furyan until that bounty popped up. I thought we were all extinct until…”
         “What is it?”
        “Nothing. I’ve had a long few weeks.”
        “You miss someone.”
        “I miss a lot of people.” She didn’t feel like talking anymore. “I think I’ll try to get some rest.”
        “Would it be okay if we chatted a bit more tomorrow?”
        “I would like that.”
       Olivier seemed to perk up at the arrangement. He didn’t get much social interactions.  Many of the collections that could speak were nasty and wanted nothing to do with him. It didn’t matter that he was being held against his will as well, all that mattered was he wasn’t behind any glass.

        “So, that’s it huh?” Dregger piloted the ship down into the planets atmosphere towards the tall towering fortress.
        “There.” Riddick pointed to a shuttle bay and opened the hatch of the ship.
        “I’ll keep the meter running, but I’m not gonna stay forever.”
        “I only need 20 minutes.”

       The alarms went off shortly after Illiana managed to get comfortable enough to sleep. She looked around and watched as Killrot guards made their way past the window towards the entrance. Just after they exited the doors, a pack of wild dogs made their way down the room sniffing along in unison.

        “What was that?” Ben looked at Dregger.
        “Looks like he set off an alarm.”
        “Shit.”
       Ben grabbed a radio and handgun from the locker and opened the rear hatch door.
        “Where the fuck are you going?”
        “To keep an eye out for him, he’s probably gonna be hauling ass.” He jumped from the ramp onto the rocky ledge just below the shuttle bay where they had been hiding the ship.
        “Son of a bitch. First two rounds is on him.”

       The wild dogs had picked up a strange scent and found Riddick walking down the hall of the art gallery. He turned as the sound of their claws hitting the floor behind him.
        “Hey, pooch. Which one of you is a good boy?”
       The three dogs drooled heavily as they showed their teeth. Thick follicles that ran down their backs stood on end at the sight of their mark.

Chapter Text

       Olivier watched from a monitor in his study as the dogs charged Riddick. The Furyan showed no fear as he met them head on. Olivier watched impressed as Riddick fought the pack. Breaking one’s jaw and launching the other back down the hall by its collar. The third managed to grab ahold of his belt and flung him into the wall before pouncing on him, bearing its weight onto his chest. He grabbed ahold of its bottom jaw as he repeatedly hit the creature on the nose.

        “Illiana…” The voice was almost a whisper over the speaker. “It’s Olivier…there was a break in. A man is in the gallery…”
        “Is he wearing goggles?”
        “Yes. Do you know him?”
        “Yes! Is he okay?”
        “At the moment. The dogs have him pinned down in the gallery.”
        “Is there anything you can do?”
       She received no response. He thought over the request for a moment. If the Collector found out that he was helping the intruder he would use the device on his neck to punish him.
       Riddick watched the elevator doors at the end of the hall open but no one was inside. He quickly made his way past the dogs and slid into the elevator just as the door closed on his attackers. He took a deep breath and looked at his side. His shirt was torn but he was unscathed by the attack.
        “Illiana is on the 4th floor in 203-E. I have no control over security but I can help you reach her.” Olivier broadcasted over the speaker.

       The door opened and Riddick cautiously made his way from the elevator through the exhibit looking for 203.
        “Riddick!” Illiana yelled as he came into view and began to beat on the glass. He looked around for something to break it when the elevator doors opened and out walked the Collector. Olivier watched as the two exchanged words before turning his attention to the perimeter camera and seeing the ship.

        “You are a magnificent specimen. One I doubted I could get my hands on, but none the less here you are.”
        “I’ve escaped dozens of prisons, what makes you think your glass ones are any different…”

       Illiana heard the door behind her unlock and Olivier gestured her out.
        “There is a ship waiting, you must go.”
        “Come with me.”
        “I can’t. The device on the back of my neck will go off the second I step foot on that ship.”
        “He’ll kill you anyway.”
        “Torture, maybe. But he needs me to continue keeping his records.”
        Riddick noticed Olivier's actions and kept the Collector talking while the two made their escape.

        “This way.” Olivier grabbed Illiana’s hand and pulled her into a side room as one of the wild dogs turned the corner.
        “Is there another way?”
        “Yes, through the marine habitat. But we must hurry, I do not know how much time we have before they notice you’re missing.”
       She followed him through another door and down a set of steps towards another one of the Collectors exhibits.

        “You’re the only known Furyan alive, or so I thought. I was surprised when Edgard contacted me about making a deal.” Said the Collector.
        “He made a deal to give you something that didn’t belong to him.”
        “Your kind is known for being very spiritual as well as primal, or is it territorial? She is the only female Furyan and you the only male. It would take more than the two of you to rebuild your race.”
        “I’ve had a bounty on my head for most of my life. What makes you think I have time to do anything other than look over my shoulder?” Riddick turned to exit the way he came.
        “Where are you going? Do you think I’m going to just let you walk out of here?”
        “You got nothing I want.”
       The Collector noticed the steel door ajar in Illiana’s exhibit and hurried over to the glass window. He pushed a button on a necklace he wore and a loud buzzer was sounded.

       Ben was crouched down near the shuttle pad keeping an eye out for Riddick when six Killrot guards walked out to inspect the area.
        “Fuck…” He grabbed his radio. “Dreggar, six really big mutherfuckers just walked out.”
        “Any sign of Riddick?”
        “No, but if he doesn’t show up in the next five minutes he’s gonna have to hitch a ride from someone else.”
       Illiana and Olivier ran through the doors of the shuttle pad deck and abruptly stopped. They were surrounded.
        “Hang on a second, I got eyes on two people, a woman and an old man. They’re pinned down.”
        “On my way.” Radioed Dreggar.
       Riddick entered only seconds after.
        “We’ve reached the end of the line, I’m afraid.” Said Olivier.
       A full round of gunshots went off as Ben stepped onto the pad and began firing. After unloading 15 rounds into one of the Killrot he was surprised the beast was still standing. They all turned to look at him as he nervously smiled and reloaded.
        “I think you should have brought a bigger gun.” Snickered Riddick just before Dreggar appeared with the ship and fired two towing cables, hitting two Killrot and pinning them to the wall.
        “Come on let’s go!” Yelled Ben. Dreggar lowered the hatch door as they shot and fought their way onboard. 
       Olivier and Illiana were the first to board followed by Ben. Olivier immediately fell on the ground convulsing.
        “What the fucks wrong with him?” Asked Ben.
        “His neck. He has an implant in his neck.” Illiana rolled him over and Ben grabbed a magnetic notepad from the wall and placed it against the device before yanking it out. 
       There was a thud against the hatch as Riddick lept onboard. One of the Killrot tried to follow, but Ben maneuvered the ship to the left causing it to fall into the rocks below. Riddick lost his footing and fell back, barely grabbing the hatch when Ben released the cables anchoring them.
       Illiana reached down to help him up. He grabbed her hand and kicked up his leg onto the door as it started to close. He felt Illiana’s hand tighten. Her face became tense as she gasped for air and fell to her knees.
        “No!” Riddick’s veins began to swell at the sight if the blade sticking out the base of her ribs. One of the Killrot had manage to throw a knife intended for him when he lost his footing making her the final destination.
       Ben ran behind her for support as she began to collapse back. “Let’s get her to the machine shop.”
       Riddick lifted her up and hurried as fast as he could behind him.

        “I spent a little time during the wars on Arelious stitching up soldiers.” Ben slid everything off one of the tables and started opening cabinets looking for whatever medical supplies they had.
        “It’s in there good, isn’t it?” Illiana could feel her chest tightening.
        “Shhhh.” Riddick rubbed the side of her face.
        “Once I remove the blade she’ll start to bleed out. I need to get some blood and fluids to her.”
       Riddick grabbed an IV tube and rigged it to a second needle. While Ben set up the fluids. Riddick inserted one end of the line in his arm allowing blood to flow through and pinching it off before inserting the second in Illiana’s, initiating the transfusion.
        “Can I help with anything?” Olivier walked in to assist in anyway possible.
        “I can always use an extra set of hands. I’m really sorry but there isn’t much in the way of anesthesia on board.”
        “Just get it over with. Its getting hard to breathe.” Muttered Illiana.
       The bottom of the blade near the handle was frayed, ensuring serious damage would be done by the attacker. Ben lifted the handle slightly and stuck his finger in the wound, pushing down the skin to minimize the tearing. Illiana groaned loudly, and impulsively reached for Ben. Riddick grabbed her hand and she squeezed it as the pain intensified. Blood began squirting once the blade was removed and Olivier hurried to hand Ben the clamp once he found the damaged artery. Tears ran down Illiana’s face as her vision faded to black.
       Olivier checked for her pulse as Ben continued to work.
        “She’s still with us.”
        “It’s probably best she’s not conscious for this next part anyway.” Ben stitched her up the best he could, but he was no doctor. Once the wound in her chest had been taken care of, he made a small incision in the side of her ribs and inserted a tube to release some of the air that had built up. Riddick kept the transfusion going for a couple of hours after the procedure was done before taking a break.

        “How is she?” Asked Dreggar.
        “Still out.” Riddick grabbed a rations pack from the cabinet above the table.
        “I owe you all a great deal of gratitude.” Olivier took a seat at a small table beside Ben and pulled out a notebook and pen.
        “Consider us even.” Said Riddick. “What are you writing?”
        “A memoir. I spent 10 years in that place documenting and cataloging. I’d like to start writing about something more meaningful.”

       Riddick had dozed off in the chair beside Illiana, but woke to find Illiana’s pinky reaching out for his hand. He slid it closer and her eyes started to open. 
        “I thought heaven would be a lot more colorful.” She turned to look at him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
       Riddick couldn’t help but grin.
        “Is that a smile?” She started coughing and eased up as he offered her a glass of water.
        “You’re tougher than you look.”
        “Must be the Furyan in me.” She pulled back the sheet and looked down at her bandaged abdomen and the tube in her ribs. “How long have I been out?”
        “Thirty-two hours.”
        “Help me down.”
        “You sure?”
       Illiana nodded. She felt weak, but not the kind of weakness you feel after having surgery. It was more like a sluggishness of her muscles after being out for so long. There was immense pressure in her upper abdomen once she was upright. Riddick ran his hand up her thigh as he helped her down from the table.
        “Down boy.” She smiled, holding the sheet against her chest as her body pressed against his for support. “I don’t suppose there’s a shirt lying around I could get?”
       She eased down into the chair he was originally seated in while he looked around. He found one and helped her slide it on over the barely-there clothing the Collector had forced her to wear. The intercom paged Riddick to the flight deck. Illiana walked with him, grabbing tightly onto his arm as the ship became turbulent.

Chapter Text

       “We’re caught between two orbital patterns.” Informed Dregger. “I’m guessing that moon's one, but there’s something else that I’m not tracking on any scanners, whatever it is it must be big.”

       What system are we in?” Asked Riddick.

       “That’s a good question. Remember when I said our autopilot malfunctioned. Seems it was the navigational system.”

       “Any way, you can pull into just one orbit?”

       “It’s like they’re over lapping. If I increase our speed and head for the moon, the gravitational resistance could start tearing the ship apart. If I decrease our speed we’re going to get pulled into the stronger path and I don’t know what the fuck that is.”

       “Keep your heading.” Ordered Riddick.

       Dregger took a deep breath and continued trying to maintain a steady path with the ship. There was still occasional turbulence, but the ship was holding.

       Illiana walked over to Olivier and took his hand. “Thank you.”

       “I nearly got the both of us killed.”

       “You gave us both a chance.” She turned her gaze over to Ben. “And thank you.”

       He tipped his flask to her and took a drink. “I know you’ve been out for a while, but you should really lay back down. There’s a couple of bunks in the back. I’ll come check on that tube in a bit.”

       Riddick grabbed a couple of rations and escorted her back.

       “I broke a new personal record because of you.” He sat down on the bed and opened the packets as she laid-back between his legs.

       “What was that?”

       “Fastest prison break. I was in and out in an hour.”

       Illiana took one of the packets and squeezed some of the contents in her mouth. It was labeled Chicken and Potatoes, but had the consistency of cottage cheese.

       “I can’t believe Edgard...”

       Riddick could feel the anger radiating from her body. “He’ll get what’s coming to him.”

       “I wish I could see when it happens.” She squeezed another glob of the packet into her mouth and called it quits. It hadn’t seemed like much work, moving around, but her body was already becoming exhausted. She grabbed his arm and draped it across her stomach before falling asleep.

       They were flying for 3 hours before they were able to catch a glimpse of what was intersecting the orbit of the moon. As the ship was drawn further away from the orbit of the moon, an orange planet came into view.

       “At least it’s not a sun.” Sighed Dregger, but he was still nervous about the debris field they were entering as they were drawn closer.

       Ben jumped into the chair beside him to help navigate. “I don’t trust your driving.”

       “What do you think?”

       “I say we take her down, see if we can find somewhere to make some repairs to the navigations system and figure out where the hell we are.”

       Olivier strapped himself in as the ship swayed, making its way through the debris field towards the planet. The sudden turbulence of entering the atmosphere woke Riddick and Illiana. He made his way to the cockpit while Illiana tried to brace herself against the bunk and wall. Her ribs and chest ached with each jerk of the ship.

       “What’s going on?”

       “This planet was the secondary orbit we were caught in. Gonna see if we can find somewhere to land and fix the navigation system.” Informed Ben.

       Riddick braced as he watched the two brothers steer them down to the planet. They kept their eyes open and spotted a settlement a few miles from where they entered the planets atmosphere. Ben got up from the chair while Dreggar circled around to land.

       “Riddick.” Ben tossed him a shotgun.

       “Are you expecting hostile inhabitants?” Questioned Olivier.

       “No harm in being prepared.” He offered a gun to Olivier who recoiled and declined.

       Illiana took a moment to catch her breath and allow the pain to ease before making her way up to the front.

       “Where did we land?”

       “No idea. You an Olivier stay here.” Ordered Dregger.

       “No.”

       “Illiana…” Riddick started.

       “You really think leaving me here with him is safe?”

       “Yes.”

       “It’s a good thing, you’re the last person I’d take advice from.”

       “You’re staying.” He grinned.

       “Am not.”

       “You got your hands full with her.” Laughed Ben as the men exited the ship.

       “She’s getting in touch with her inner Furyan a little more every day.”

       Riddick had lifted Illiana up and carried her to the machine shop, once she made it clear she wasn’t going to stay put. It was there he locked her in. Olivier was told to keep an eye on the monitors and radio if anything suspicious appeared.

        The men walked through the dusty streets as the planet’s heat beat down on them. Not a single inhabitant appeared.

       “Looks like a ghost town.” Ben wiped some dust off a window and peered inside.

       Riddick opened the door and peered into another. Everything was covered in dust and cobwebs. It was faint, but he could smell a tinge of something foul. He walked into the kitchen and found a pool of dried blood on the ground.

       “The house next door looks the same.” Dreggar walked up behind Riddick.

       Ben whistled and the men went out to see what he had found.

       “Your not gonna believe this. There must be thousands of them.” Ben stood at the edge of a small drop off and looked down at a graveyard below.

       “I know where we are.” Riddick dropped down on one knee and looked out at the vast number of headstones. “It’s Furya.”

       “You gotta be fucking kidding me.”

       “You sure?” Asked Dregger.

       “I saw it in a vision years ago.”

       “I thought the necromongers wiped out all the Furyans. Who buried the bodies?” Ben looked back at the empty town.

       Olivier saw the men approaching the ship and lowered the rear hatch door.

       “Is everything okay?”

       “Yea, if you don’t mind staying on a cursed planet, in a ghost town, next to a mass graveyard.” Ben grabbed a canteen and started to fill it with water.

       Illiana was sitting on the table they used to patch her up, when Riddick came in. She gave him a dirty look but he ignored it.

       “Come on. You can’t be that mad at me.”

       “Hell hath no Fury like a woman’s scorn.”

       “You’ll get over it. Looks like we made it home.”

       Illiana looked at him, unsure by what he meant.

       “This rock we landed on. It’s Furya.”

       “Furya was destroyed.”

       “It must be the teacher in you that believes everything she reads.”

       Ben and Dreggar immediately got started with the repairs while Riddick took Illiana through the town. There wasn’t much to see, but it meant a lot to her to see where she came from.

       He followed her into one of the houses and took a look around. There was jewelry and accessories laid across a dusty vanity in one of the bedrooms. The mirror was covered in a thick crust of dust. Her hand cleaned a small section and Riddick walked over to her carrying a dress he had found in the closet.

       “I’m gonna need some assistance.” She smirked.

       Riddick grabbed the bottom of the shirt she was wearing and started to lift it as she eased her arms up. The motion made it hard to breathe, but the pain was minimal since Ben had removed the tubing.

       “You got that look in your eyes.” He said.

       “And what look is that?”

       “Like you want me inside of you.”

       “It’s not really the time or place though, is it?”

       “This is the most privacy we’ve had in a minute.” He got closer to her and she leaned against the vanity.

       Riddick dipped down, grabbed her thighs, and lifted her up onto its surface. Illiana grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss, but she quickly pushed him away at the sight of a shadowy figure in the doorway.

       “Riddick!”

       He turned and followed the figure. Illiana was in no condition to keep up. She yelled for the others who stopped what they were doing and made their way over.

       “We’re not the only ones here. Riddick chased someone that way.”

       “Get back to the ship with Olivier.” Ordered Dregger as he followed Ben in Riddick’s direction.

       Riddick followed the intruder into a building, but lost visual. He crept quietly through. Ben and Dregger came running up and Riddick pressed his fingers to his lips. He walked into a large room that looked like a library while the two men watched his back. Riddick placed his head against the floor and listened closely.

       “They went underground. Must have a hidden passage somewhere.”

       The three of them checked for loose floorboards and wall panels, but found nothing. Ben noticed a large painting that was crooked. He walked over and noticed some of the dust in the corner had been removed. He grabbed the frame and pulled back. Behind it was a hole that dropped down into what looked like a crawl space.

       “Found something.”

       The tunnel was dark and quiet.

       “I’ll lead. No lights. I don’t want to alert anyone of our presence.” He removed his goggles and began descending.

       They reached an opening to a cavern and could hear the echos of voices.

       “I don’t know how many. I saw a ship and a man and a woman. The man ran after me but I lost him.”

       “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Riddick’s eyes glimmered in the darkness before he stepped into view.

       There was a small congregation of about 9 adults and three smaller children, no older than 10. They all stepped back in fear.

       “I don’t appreciate getting cock blocked.” Riddick looked around at everyone. “What are you doing here?”

       No one said a word.

       “Don’t make me ask twice.”

       “We were abandoned.” Spoke an older man in the back. “Our transport vessel was hijacked. All passengers were released from the main ship and out containment shuttle landed here.”

       “Who are you?” Asked the man he had followed.

       “Names Riddick.”

       A few people began to speak amongst themselves.

       “I guess you’ve heard of me.” He smiled. “So what’s your name?”

       “Weyland.”

       “I take it you’re the leader of this group.”

       “Not by choice.”

       “How long have you all been down here?” Asked Dregger.

       “Four months maybe. We found this town and figured someone could help us. All we found was a mass graveyard.”

       “So, those Graves were here when you arrived?” Verified Ben.

       “The last of the Furyans must have dug them. We found this hideout along with some letters. This is probably the coolest place on this planet.” Weyland instructed for the letters to be brought over. “When the necromongers came a group of elders hid here with some of the children. They called them ‘the Boka’.”

       “The eyes.” Translated Riddick. “They were children believed to see the future.”

       “I assume they’re the ones who dug the graves.”

       “What’s taking them so long?” Illiana got up from the co-pilot chair and began pacing.

       “They can handle themselves.” Reassured Olivier. “You should lie back down, you don’t look too good.”

       “I’m fine. This planet is just hot. I’m gonna let down the rear hatch and try to let some air in.” Illiana started walking towards the switch beside the rear door, but she felt like time had slowly drastically. She looked around as a haze passed over her. She wiped the sweat from her face and before he knew it she was looking at the ground.

       “Illiana?” Olivier ran to her side and rolled her over. “Illiana, dear, can you hear me?”

       Illiana saw him but was unable to speak. It was like she had lost all control of her body as her vision faded in and out. She began shaking and Olivier opened the rear hatch. He got some water and poured some onto a rag to try and cool her off.

       Riddick saw the shuttle open as he, Ben, and Dregger, escorted the people to the ship.

       Riddick began picking up speed as he noticed Olivier kneeling on the ground.

       “Illiana!” He charged onto the ship as she started convulsing. “What happened?”

       “I don’t know. She said she was hot and when she got up she just collapsed.”

       Ben checked her pulse, it was all over the place.

       “It could be an infection, we need to cool her down.”

       “With what?” Asked Olivier.

       Dregger grabbed an tarp and tossed it over her. “Grab me that extinguisher.”

       Weyland who was looking on grabbed the extinguisher and passed it along. Dreggar began covering the tarp with the foam spray. When he had stopped Riddick pulled the tarp away from her face. She was shaking and her pulse was still high.

       “You don’t think she was poisoned do you?” Asked Olivier.

       “No. She would have shown signs of it earlier.”

       The veins in her eyes began to rupture as her body grew still. Her pulse and breathing went back to normal but she was unresponsive.

       “Let’s get her back on a bunk.” Insisted Ben.

      Riddick emerged from the ship a few hours later with no news on her condition.

      “Olivier and Weyland went to see if they could find anything to help her, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.” Said Ben.

       “Well she ain’t dead yet. So, what are we gonna do about these people?”

       “There’s not enough space in the hauler to take on 12 additional people. Depending on the condition of their shuttle I may be able to get life support up and running good enough to tow them back.”

       “Excuse me.” A woman walked over with a little girl. “She wanted to give this to the woman who’s sick.”

       She handed Riddick a dusty bear with a blue bowtie. Riddick knelt down as she placed it in his hand.

       “What’s your name?”

       “Calasandra.” Her words were soft.

       “That’s a beautiful name.”

       “His name is Bartholomew. He took care of me after the crash.”

       Riddick chuckled and looked at the bear. “We’ll I’m going to have him start taking care of that woman in there right away.”

       The little girl smiled just before the woman took her to join the others.

       “Cute kid.” Riddick headed back inside the ship.

       When Olivier and Weyland arrived back at the shuttle they were carrying a bunch if books.

       “Those books better be filled with medicine.” Huffed Ben.

       “She is not sick.” Rejoiced Oliver.

       “Bullshit. She’s been out for over and hour.” Huffed Dregger.

       “Just give me a few minutes. I just need a few minutes.” Olivier began speed reading over the first book he opened and the men just watched.

       “I’m sorry, but this place is completely wiped out. Anything useful is useless after 30 odd years of neglect.” Said Weyland.

       “Why don’t you show me where your shuttle landed so we can see what we’re working with.” Said Dregger.

       Almost three hours later, Olivier called for Riddick and Ben.

       “Illiana is having an awakening.”

       “What the hell is that?” Asked Ben.

       “The Furyans had a very strong spiritual connection. Think back to the Native American medicine man, or voodoo witch doctors of Earth. They saw things others couldn’t explain. The Furyans nurtured this gift among those who showed signs of being chosen.”

       “Like the Boka kids?”

       “Exactly! The Boka usually had their spiritual awakening when they hit puberty. The symptoms they produced are just like Illiana’s.”

       “But that don’t make sense. She’s an adult.”

       “Yes it does.” Interjected Riddick. “We tracked down the pilot who took her away. He said her mother was frantic and insisted she leave with him., like she knew something was going to happen.”

       “Her mother’s sight was passed down to her. It must have gone dormant.”

       “So how long does this last?” Asked Ben.

       “There’s no way to tell. Some are released from their catatonic state after a few days. Some…never come out.”

       “Then what happens?”

       “The Furyans would send those who didn’t recover after two weeks to…the spirit world.”

       “They killed them.” Clarified Riddick.

Chapter Text

       Dreggar and Ben estimated they could have the shuttle up and running in a day, two tops. The nights weren’t too hot compared to the days. The survivors of the crash made a small fire and told stories while a few small animals, who were caught by Riddick and Weyland earlier, were roasting. Riddick didn’t join them. He didn’t fit in with people, they made him uncomfortable. Instead, he sat on the cliff looking out at the graves.

       The group began singing campfire songs hopeful that they would be able to return back to their homes. One by one people began to stop singing and turned their attention to the ship. Illiana cautiously made her way down the ramp. Olivier and Weyland hurried over to assist.

       “My dear, are you alright?”

       “I can’t see.” She said opening her eyes. They had become glazed over with a grey film leaving her completely blind.

       Weyland ran to get Riddick. Before he reached her she picked up his scent. She stood up and looked in his direction. He placed his hand on the side of her face.

       “It’s not permanent.” Assured Olivier. “In two or three days it should begin to shed.”

       Riddick saw the teddy bear in her hand and walked her over to Calasandra. Illiana reached out her hand and placed it on the little girl’s shoulder.

       “I want to thank you. He took very good care of me.” Smiled Illiana.

       “He’s a very good doctor.”

       “He’s and excellent doctor.” Illiana gave the girl a hug after she handed back the bear. Her expression became somewhat tense just before she released the girl. “Is that what you want to be?”

       “I don’t want people to hurt like my mommy and daddy.”

       Illiana looked at the woman accompanying her.

       “Calasandra’s parents were killed in a building collapse two years ago. Her father was still alive when they found him four days later. He passed away from his injuries shortly after being rescued.”

       “I hope if I’m ever in need of a doctor again, I get one as kind as you.”

       Illiana asked Riddick to help her back to the bunk. Her head hurt and not being able to see was starting to make her feel disoriented and nauseous.

       “Are we still on Furya?”

       “Yea.”

       “Where did those people come from?”

       “Their shuttle crashed. Ben and Dreggar are working on getting it ready to tow back.”

       “I feel dizzy not being able to see. It’s just a dark void. I can’t even see shadows in the light.”

       “It won’t last long. Olivier is reading up more on your condition.”

        “I saw that little girl. In my mind. I saw through her eyes. She was in some kind of a medical ward helping small children.” Illiana took Riddick’s hands in hers.

       “What do you see?”

       “Nothing.” She sighed.

       “Really?” Riddick kissed her.

       “Still nothing. But you can try again.”

       He kissed her once more and she shook her head.

       “That’s weird, because I see the two of us sitting in a bar on Nurssa, with you being completely drunk telling me how much you love me.”

       “I don’t get drunk.” She smiled.

       “Why? Cause you’re a teacher who cares what her students think of her?”

       “No. Because four years of college got me a degree and alcohol tolerance you wouldn’t believe.”

       The next morning, the survivors of the crash headed over to their stranded shuttle while the others met them there in the hauler.

       “You sure this is gonna work?” Questioned Weyland, as the the brothers finished up their repairs.

     “As long as the life support systems hold you should be fine. If something don’t look right, radio it in.” Ben handed him a radio and watch the last survivors pile in.

       “Don’t suppose you foresee any problems?” Asked Dregger passing Illiana.

       “Sorry. They come and go. If it makes you feel better I did see you and your brother walking into a…Valentino’s?”

       “Hell yea, that’s the titty bar on Pheobus-7.” He patted Riddick on the back and headed inside to make sure all the cables were secured to their cargo.

       The shuttle jerked to and fro as Dreggar tried to loosen it from the dirt that had partially buried it in the hot dry terrain. Finally there was a forceful jolt and the passenger load was free.

       “Careful when you break orbit.” Said Ben.

       “Who got their pilots license first?” Scoffed Dreggar.

       Riddick strapped in with them as they ascended. Olivier was with Illiana talking to her about the things he had read about the Boka in the rear bunk.

       “You better hope you calibrated the navigational system properly before we circle around and end up right where we started.” Joke Dreggar.

       “Hey Riddick. Don’t think I forgot about that beer you owe us for that little trip to Acktarus Prime.” Said Ben.

       “We gotta make it to a bar first.”

       “How’s it looking back there?” Radioed Dreggar.

       “A little bumpy, but no one’s complaining.” Replied Weyland.

       It didn’t take long for them to find a recognizable system. They had assumed they were days away, but Furya’s unstable orbital patterns brought them closer to the Solaris System than anticipated. Based on what the two pilots had predicted they were two days away from the outer rim, but crossed the border in just 22 hours.

       “How long before we reach an inhabitable planet?” Asked Weyland.

       “Another nine. There’s an outpost we can take you to that will see to it you guys find a ride back safely to your homes.” Informed Ben.

       Riddick went to check on Illiana and found Olivier walking out of her room.

       “Quiet. She just fell asleep.”

       Riddick opened the door and curled up behind her on the bunk hoping to catch a couple of hours himself.

       The door to the shuttle opened once they reached the outpost and the passengers were all thrilled to be back to civilization.

       The little girl walked off with her guardian looking for Illiana. Olivier took her over to the ship so she could say goodbye while Ben, Dreggar, and Riddick went to grab some drinks.

       “So, where you two headed?” Asked Dreggar.

       “It’s better you don’t know.” Smirked Riddick.

       “You know, for a murderous psychopath, your not bad company.” Laughed Ben as he raised his beer.

      “You caught me on a good day. Where you guys going?”

       “Well, the last contract we had expired while we were locked up so it’s time to find another.” Dreggar took another swig from his glass.

       “I know a guy on Eliphen who usually has a job or two available. Not to mention there’s a pretty good titty bar on the planet too.” Said Ben.

       “You know. I know a guy on Eliphen too. Owes me a ship. Mind if we tag along?”

       “Sure thing.” Agreed the brothers.

       Illiana took a seat at the bar on Eliphen and ordered a drink. The film covering her eyes had shed and they were clear and vibrant once more as she glance over at the man beside her. Her black dress was split high enough to expose a large portion of her hip and thighs on both sides.

       “You can put that on my tab.” The shaggy red haired man beside her smiled, giving her a glimpse of his gold grill as he looked her over. “You’re husband let you come out dressed like that?”

       “Would you let me come out dressed like this if you were my husband?”

       “Sweetheart, if I saw you wearing that, you wouldn’t have made it to the door.” He bit his lip and ran his fingers across her thigh.

       “Gifford! Long time no see.” Riddick took a seat next to the man and spun his chair towards him.

       “Riddick?” The man’s throat cracked as he laid eyes on him.

       “It’s funny that I find you here. I was just talking about you owing me a ship.”

       “Riddick…I…I wondered where you’d gone. I heard you did a stint in Threefold.”

       “I gave it about two weeks before I got bored. Went to Verseti not too long after that. They had the best prison beds I ever slept on.”

       “Look, it’s been really rough these last few months. I got a junker in the lot...”

       “A junker? I heard the weapons business was booming these days with the war brewing on Cellus-6.” He grabbed the man’s jaw and opened his mouth. “Nice teeth.”

       “They’re fake.” He popped the gold grill out and put them back in. “There’s a lot more competition in the market these days. I do have a deal set up. A really big one. I could bring you in, give you 7% of the cut.”

       “Seven percent? Come on Gifford you know me better than that.”

       “That’s the thing, I do know you and so does everyone else. If word gets out that I’m working with you people will be too scared to do business with me. Look, 10% is the highest I can go.”

       “Let me think on it.” Riddick peeked over at Illiana  and stood up. “You look bored.”

       “You look exciting.” She smiled and sipped her drink. Riddick took her hand and began walking away.

       Gifford’s jaw tightened as he watched the Furyan leave with his eye candy.

       When they got to the shipyard and found Gifford’s ship they used the key card Illiana had lifted from his pocket at the bar to release the security docking clamp to keep it from being stolen and boarded.

       Once inside Riddick jumped into the cockpit and started the engines.

       “It’s smaller than I was expecting.” She said, looking around the inside of the one pilot craft.

       “Yea, but if Cadillac made spaceships, this would be it.” Smirked Riddick as he ascended.

       Illiana walked over to the pilot’s seat and climbed into Riddick’s lap.

       “Kind of hard to see where I’m going with you sitting in my lap.” He rubbed his hands up her exposed thighs mischievously.

      “That’s what autopilot is for.”

      “You sure you want to do this?”

       “I meant what I said about you looking exciting.”

       “I mean about this trip to Biscay.”

       “Yes.” She said without question.

       Edgard walked into his flat and turned on the light. He placed his briefcase on the kitchen table and walked over to the fridge to see what he had to eat.

       “Nice place.” Illiana sat staring at him from the living room couch.

       “Illiana? What…what are you doing here?”

       “Paying a visit to the only family I have left in this world. You were like an uncle to me.”

       Edgard’s eyes searched the room for Riddick and watched nervously as Illiana approached.

       “I’ve had a lot of time to think about what you took from me. And how you betrayed my parents trust and turned me into someone who treated me like some kind of animal. The pain I felt was maddening. And then I thought, this is what Edgard must have felt. Betrayal at every point of happiness he had. And I couldn’t be mad anymore.”

       “Illiana I went down a path I couldn’t return from. I wish it could have all been different but I can’t change the past. I can’t call your father out on his little scheme to put me out of business and I can’t tell your mother how madly in love I am with her.”

       “You’re right. You’re actions left us both here, alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The longer we hold onto the pain the more it hurts.” She eased her arms open and Edgard met her with a hug.

       “Please, forgive me.” He said. His eyes widened and it became hard for him to breathe as the pain from the knife Illiana had thrusted into his back radiated through his chest.

       “Left of the spine, fourth lumbar down.” She said.

       “The Sweet Spot.” Riddick emerged from the shadows with a grin. “That’s my girl.”

       “What have you done?” His words strained as he reached for the blade.

       Illiana gave it a little twist. “Find your forgiveness elsewhere.”

       Edgard dropped to the floor and Illiana watched as he bled out.

       “You alright?” Asked Riddick.

       “Yea.”

       “I wonder what your students would think about you shanking someone in their kitchen.”

       “My students love me.” She said as she pulled the knife from Edgar’s back. “Before we jump planet you owe me some soup. There’s a nice place about 5 minutes from here with the best soup on the planet.”

       “Lets go.” He smiled.