Archive of Our Own

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They say most of your brain shuts down in cryosleep. All but the primitive side. The animal side.

Is that why I'm still awake?

Probably. It figures, the first time I get put in cryo it turns out I'm one of those freaks that don't actually get to shut down. No, I'm stuck here, fully aware of every second that ticks by, every sound, every smell around me.

There are close to 40 heart beats echoing around me, and just as many commingling scents. Enough to make me want to sneeze. Only cryo prevents that. So I'm stuck with the irritation for the duration of this ride across the universe.

Lucky. Fuckin'. Me.

This ship was a split between cargo and passenger vessel. Half the load in trade goods, half in human transport.

The only good thing about this whole fiasco? I finally got the fuck out of the Conga system, and away from those assholes that thought it would be fun to fuck with the pretty girl.

That's one more body on my list. I really wish these idiots would learn to leave me alone.

How did I get here? Well, it started out when I was just some dumb punk kid, pickpocketing people for Zula. Zula was the local jockey for some organized crime honcho. He also had a taste for little girls. I didn't realize at the time, but the majority of his little birds, as he called us, were pretty little sprightly girls, or feminine lookin' boys who could pass as girls.

He took us in off the streets, most of us bein' orphans an' all, taught us a trade, and let us loose on the streets to rob people blind.

I was the second best hand there. Sometimes I wish I wasn't. Gets me into more trouble than I'd like.

I could smell the corruption on Zula. Darkness, pain, sadistic pleasure, sex, exhilaration, and something I didn't want to name that made my stomach turn. Something I smelled on some of the other young kids.

I knew what it meant, and I managed to avoid him for the most part.

Then when I was around thirteen he noticed my avoidance and started gunning straight for me.

I figured it was time to leave the nest then. And maybe take a bit of the take along with me.

Only, I didn't quite make it in time. I managed to break into his rooms just fine, and got ahold of quite a bit of the stashed stolen goods, a good amount of creds, and was on my way out when he caught me red handed.

He pinned me, made this horrible speech about what he was going to do to me, and then he tore my clothes from me, and started in on me.

When he hit me I saw red and a wicked pain sliced through my consciousness. The next thing I knew I was standing over his bloody pulp of a body, covered in his blood. My senses heightened to the point of near-blinding pain, hearing amplified so I heard everything withing a half mile radius, smell ramped up to the point that every scent was simultaneously its own, and part of a whole mess of stink at once, vision so sharp my eyes ached, skin so sensitive that everything felt like needles.

I didn't notice until later, but all I could taste was blood. My own blood, not Zula's. I had bitten the fuck out of my own tongue, lips and cheeks with my brand new pearly white fangs; my eye teeth had become razor sharp with a secondary slightly smaller set beside them, and matching fangs on the bottom.

Accompanying that there was a rush of blood from between my legs that signified the beginning of my transition from girl to woman. The raging beast inside me had also woken in that moment, and as I discovered later, taken over to protect me.

I barely managed to grab my bag of loot and bolt.

I never looked back, instead focusing on survival on my own. And right into trouble more times than I'd like to count. Stupid men looking for revenge for Zula, or the ones who came after. Or just the ones that wouldn't keep their hands to themselves.

It led me to where I am now, barely of age, over twenty dead men under my belt, aboard a ship bound for New Mecca, and a fresh start with forged IDs and a chip on my shoulder.

Growing up on the streets taught me how to survive on my own with no real home to call my own, and nothing to my name I couldn't steal, so I figured hopping a transport to a different planet in a whole different system where people might not be hunting me would get me out of trouble for a while.

I fuckin' hate being wrong. The Universe must have one hell of a sense of humor, putting my ass on this boat. If it wasn't for cryo I would have started laughing when the alarms started blaring.

Too bad I had to live through that fucked up cargo dump. Turns out I picked the wrong fuckin' ship. A sick twist manifested in my gut as cargo cabins disengaged from the rest of the crashing ship with a lurch.

Cryo disengaged, allowing my limbs to move as I and fourty or so other passengers plummeted through atmo to our deaths. I hit my head on the glass in front of me when my body lurched forward.

Hello chaos, my old friend. I blacked out.

***
Running full tilt wasn't getting her anywhere. They were still close behind.Shots rang out as she bolted in between the buildings and launched herself up into the air, twisting to plant her foot on one side of the wall and propelling across the alley toward the iron railing of the balcony far above.She ducked inside and out of sight just as one of the idiots behind her barelled into the alley."The fuck she go?" He asked, looking around.Alyna smiled and pressed her back to the cold concrete of the abandoned apartment building, slowing down her breathing so he couldn't hear her panting. She crouched down and drew the knife from her boot.Acid green eyes flashed in the dark."I just want the fuck off this rock." She muttered to herself.She didn't have to wait long before his partner showed up."You look around here, I'm heading up there for a better look."  A wicked grin spread across her face.The other guy, wiry thin and greasy looking, smelled like synthetic street drugs, made his way toward the fire escape ladder.He barely made it through the doorway before her itchy fingers tightened on the blade, the other clutching at a second knife. It arched through the air, and his neck. A silver flash flew past him, finding its mark as well.Arterial spray barely missed her as she darted across the bare floor to the other side of the building and down the concrete wall. She was gone before her victim stumbled back out the door and over the edge of the railing, clutching his red soaked throat and gurgling out his last breath.The partner lay in a pool of his own blood on the filthy alley floor, a second blade embedded in his chest.The girl flipped her hood up over her pitch black hair and made her way into the crowd on the street, headed for the transport station.Time to make good on that plan of hers. She merged with the crowd as soon as she could and made her way toward the ship.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"I am not going to die on this useless excuse for a planet." The dark haired woman stated out loud. She had come to only minutes before, half pinned under a cryopod that had broken from the wall. The man inside was already dead, if the huge shard of metal protruding through his bloody abdomen meant anything.Alyna shifted the pod over a little more and slid out from underneath. She sat, breathless, getting her bearings. She had a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing else. She had somehow ended up flung from her cryopod, and ended up pinned beneath the one she'd woken under.She finished checking herself over and got to her feet. She started slowly checking all the other remaining cryopods, of which there were only about a third of the original fourty in this section of container. None of them were fully intact, including the one she had been flung from. She found no other survivors.From the amount of light and sand that was spilling into the large hole in the side of the container, Alyna guessed she was in some kind of desert. Just great. So she set to gathering as much as she could that might be salvageable, finding her beat to hell duffle among the personal belongings of the passengers. She also located an intact medical kit and two canteens of water, shoving them into her bag. She found a rucksack containing woman's clothes that were only slightly large, and a few feminine care products. She stripped off her torn tee and shredded skinny jeans, changing into a steel gray tank top and loose fitting navy cargos. She held on to everything else, shoving the feminine products into the med kit, just in case.As soon as she was finished changing she heard shuffling and stopped to listen. There was an odd scuffling coming from the hull. From below. Followed by a faint trill of some sort that sent chills straight down her spine. She went into stealth mode immediately, lightening her steps and carefully, quietly, shuffling through the remaining personal items of the dead passengers before stowing everything. She found several pairs of welders goggles, donning one set and carefully putting the rest away.Lowering the goggles to block out as much of the searing light as she could, Alyna made her way outside.The goggles were a godsend, much better than any sunglasses she'd ever had. Outside she took a look around. What she saw made her send up a prayer of thanks for her survival to whatever gods might be listening.The wreckage stretched out for miles in both directions. Smoke still rose from several of the torn and twisted remains of passenger container. Shaking her head, Alyna turned to regard the twin suns. Taking a deep breath she started for the closest section of wreckage, hoping that maybe she would find some more survivors, or at least some more supplies. Maybe a weapon of some kind.She had a feeling she was going to need one soon, if those odd whooping trills she had heard from beneath meant anything. She needed to find out of anyone else was alive on this heap, before the source of those noises found them first.***Alyna made her way up toward the last piece of wreckage, the nose and first cabin of the ship. Davis, the only other survivor she had found on the way, trailed behind her. They were headed toward the voices of other people. Alyna took the lead, still carrying her salvaged supplies. Davis, a big bald man, was carrying a second bag of supplies, and a large machete. Davis was chattering at her, likely to alleviate some of his own anxiety. It was starting to get on Alyna's nerves. She was about to snap at the poor man to shut up when something drew her attention.The smell of other humans was something she knew, but this was something altogether different. Something intriguing. It was masculine, sweat, leather, metal. But there was an underlying musky scent that screamed predator. Something she couldn't quite place. Almost feline. Interesting."Davis, be careful." She told the man as they made their way past a part of the ship. He nodded, allowing her to take point. She made her way close enough for someone to hear and cupped her hands around her mouth."Hello! We came looking for any other survivors! My name's Lyn. There's another man with me, don't be alarmed." She called, giving the alias she had booked passage under. She heard the sound of excited speech and then a woman bolted out of the opening. She had dark skin and black hair flying around her shoulder's, dressed in leather. Likely a prospector."Oh my god! There are others!" She shouted back into the ship. A young kid and a short skinny man followed her out. At first Alyna pegged the kid as a boy by the dress and haircut, but then the distinctly unique scent of mentrual blood hit her nose and Alyna knew, this kid was a girl, disguised as a boy. A runaway then.Alyna and her companion were suddenly swarmed with welcoming hands, introductions being passed around. The prospector woman was Shazza. The kid was going by Jack. The diminutive man was called Paris. He carried the scent of fear so strong it permeated the space around him, souring the air. Alyna pegged him for a coward. Not long after that Shazza's husband Zeke made an appearance. Davis offered to help the man move the bodies of the dead, and the two were welcomed into the fold. They also received warning about a convict who had escaped after the crash. A man named Riddick.The scent that she had caught earlier, the one with distinctly animal qualities. She caught sight of a rather large bald man, heavily muscled, perched under a large umbrella not far away. He was wearing a pair of goggles similar to her own. No one else noticed him. Alyna said nothing. Instead she made herself useful, helping the others to scavenge. After all, it was something she was good at, and if a few supplies never made it past her pockets, well, none the wiser.Her mind dwelt on the convict, however. She was itching with curiosity.***The desert was dreary and miserable, with three suns, one just rising over the horizon, the other two slowly circling at an angle that spoke of eternal sunlight. The whole landscape, the rocks and dirt, took on an amber color through her treated goggles. But at least the lenses cut the glare and helped her sensitive eyes to adjust.The two of them were put to work, helping the others salvage as much as possible from the ship while waiting on the rest of their group, the ships pilot, a lawman, a holy man and his three sons, to return. The unspoken bit about Riddick lingered in the air, causing tension.Alyna actually wanted to meet this Riddick. See if he was as dangerous as they said. His scent was rather enticing to her. And maybe he wasn't exactly what the rest of this group thought. Hell, look at her. She was a tiny, unassuming little girl with over twenty bodies to her name. Most people saw her as harmless, even the mercs who had been hunting her. She of all people knew that not everyone was what you expected them to be.The girl, Jack, hovered right beside Alyna, asking questions and being generally curious. Alyna indulged her, talking amiably. She waited until she could catch the kid alone before pulling her aside, leading her farther into the container where no one else was around. Jack looked up at her curiously."Jack, you need to take care of that before it becomes a problem." Alyna motioned vaguely downward. Jack looked confused for a second, and then she blushed."I... I-" she started to stammer out some sort of reply, but Alyna was already rifling through her bag for the med kit and handing Jack the feminine products."Go take care of it, I'll guard your back." With that she shoved the girl toward the shadowed alcove and turned so she could watch the front. No sooner than the girl made her reappearance, Shazza stepped inside and motioned to them."The others are back. Come on." The darker woman turned on her heel and was gone. Alyna glanced down at Jack. The girl gave her a grateful look and headed outside. Alyna followed, lowering her goggles over her eyes, having lifted them in order to see properly in the shadowy interior of the ship.When she stepped into the sun she was met by a grim faced man in blue and a blonde woman in a pilot uniform. A dark skinned man and three boys, ranging from early to late teens, were there too. All were dressed in the traditional chrislam robes. The lawman did a double take at her, noticing her eyewear. She raised an eyebrow, but otherwise ignored his reaction.Alyna sighed as yet more introductions were made. She shuddered slightly when John's, the man in the blue uniform with the gun, shook her hand. Something about him was off. Unnatural. But there was an odd pull to him as well. Something nearly as compelling as the scent of the dangerous escapee. Alyna filed the information away for future use.***Alyna ran hard, her legs pumping as fast as she could manage. The sound of gunshots and screaming were drowned out by the whooping echoes of the things underground. There was blood in the air. Fresh blood. And the scent of terror. Fear coursed through the woman as she fought to catch up to Shazza and the other's that had bolted for the mass grave as soon as the first shots rang out.But they hadn't heard the screaming. Two grown men screaming like that. It wasn't a good sign.Alyna crested the hill, passing Fry as she went. Just in time to see Shazza launching herself at the convict, Riddick, screaming at the top of her lungs.Alyna helped subdue the angry and frightened woman, handing her off to Fry and going to see what was left in the hole the men had dug.Blood. A lot of it. The copper tang of it turned Alyna's stomach. The air reeked of fear, pain, and desperation. And death. But there wasn't a single body, or body part to be found.And odd sickly sweet scent lingered as well. Almost reptilian.Zeke and Davis were dead. The monsters below were far too quiet now. Likely they had taken their meal farther underground, away from the light. Shaking her head, Alyna headed for the ship. That's where Johns had Riddick locked up. Time for Alyna to find out about the supposedly dangerous man.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Alyna did not like Johns. He was rude, crass, and he leered at her more than was healthy. He creeped her out more than a little bit. And still, her eyes were drawn to him over and over. The way he ogled her chest made her want to punch him. Maybe he'd be stupid enough to trip and fall into one of those stupid holes. The only thing saving him was the fact that he looked at Fry and Shazza the same way.The unnatural, chemical smell to him masked a good majority of his natural scent, making it hard to figure out his moods, as she generally did with everyone else, bit it also made him incredibly easy to track, and thus avoid. Which is exactly what she planned on doing.Alyna had just finished helping Shazza and Fry pack up everything they were taking on the little jaunt through the desert that was planned, and was wandering around. She didn't have a breather, having declined it so someone else could have it. She was also pilfering everything she could manage that wasn't nailed down. This led her inside where Riddick was being held, where she'd intended on ending up anyway.Alyna heard voices and slid into the shadows, listening as Riddick spooked Fry. She climbed her way silently up to the rafters of the ship, lifting her goggles to rest on top of her head, held in place by her ponytail. From there she had a clear view as Riddick played his manipulative game with Fry. And that's all it was. A spike of arousal and primal fear from the blonde filtered up to her hiding place. The scent of manipulation and power, and an undertone of mild lust came from Riddick. Alyna wrinkled her nose.And then Jack spoke up, her scent the everpresent curiosity, and a hint of something else, making Alyna smile at the girl's audacity. It was obvious by the blonde's reaction that she hadn't heard the teen sneaking up on them. Alyna had known the second the preteen had followed her inside."Where the hell do I get eyes like that?" She asked, enthralled with the man. He turned from Fry to the little girl, strange silver eyes shining. Alyna drew in a breath. His eyes were absolutely beautiful. No wonder the kid was so enthralled. Couple that with his honed muscles, bronzed skin, and the air of danger around him, and it was an incredibly heady mix. Lyn wasn't immune to him either."You gotta kill a few people." He told the girl in his deep gravelly voice. Tingles spread through Alyna at the clear sound. The scent of amusement came to her. It was a sweet, bitter and spicy thing. Almost tangible. Riddick was really enjoying this."'Kay, I can do it." The little girl replied eagerly."Then you get sent to a slam where they tell you you'll never see daylight again. You dig up a doctor and pay him twenty menthol cools to do a surgical shine job on your eyeballs." The man explained."So you can see who's sneaking up on you on the dark?" Jack asked excitedly, her voice raising in pitch. Alyna was going to have to work with the girl to help her learn to conceal her gender better. It was a safe bet that Riddick already knew, and the others would figure it out before long."Exactly!" Riddick confirmed, sounding pleased with himself."Leave!" Fry snapped. When both Riddick and Jack looked at her she sighed and repeated herself, this time softer. More of a request then a demand. Jack did as asked this time. She was already planning something, if the mischief that rolled off her in waves was anything to guage the kid by."Did I kill a few people, sure. Did I kill Zeke or that other guy? No. You got the wrong killer."Alyna almost snorted. She knew that. If the others would just listen they would hear it too. And feel it. This entire planet had an unearthly stillness to it. The things under the ground, they were hungry. And that hunger permeated the air. It was all around them. Digging from below and devouring the dead bodies from the crash, and the few living ones Alyna hadn't gotten to in time. There was one section of the container out there that she hadn't even gone inside, even though knew it was one containing medical supplies.The things had managed to dig through the bottom and had started devouring everyone inside. And from the screams she had heard, not all of them had died in the crash."We checked the hole. There were no bodies." Fry stated."Look deeper." Was all the convict said. Fry stormed out, a mix of anger and exasperation. Alyna relaxed for a moment. There was a beat of silence before his attention shifted."And just who might you be? Hidin' in the shadows spyin' on me?" He asked, leaning back against the wall where he was chained. His eyes were on her, exactly where she was hiding, unseen by anyone else. She shimmied off the beam to drop down from the ceiling into a slight crouch. Out of the concealing darkness directly in front of him and looked him in the eye. She could just see the darker color of his iris bleeding through in the darkness."Me? I'm just an innocent bystander." She answered him with a non-answer. He threw his head back and laughed. It was the second time she'd heard that throaty laugh. This time it was in pure amusement.  And this time it had the same effect. She shivered all over and had to fight down her reaction to him.His head snapped back toward her and his nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed. The smell of animal musk increased."No, there's nothing innocent about you. Tell me the truth. Who are you?" He demanded. Alyna didn't bristle, as she usually would if anyone else gave her an order. That reaction puzzled her, but her animal only shifted in response. She took a step closer, almost within his range of movement. "You're like me. Something not quite human. What do you see with those eyes of yours?" She wondered out loud. She took another step, her hands lifting as if to touch him. Too close. Before even her enhanced senses could react he had jerked forward, both legs snapping out and grabbing her behind the knees. He pulled sharply.She fell forward, catching herself against him. She was half laying across him, one leg between his, the other on the outside of his muscular thigh. She was practically straddling his leg. She braced herself on his chest pushed herself up. His knees tightened around her leg, holding her in place. Her animal purred in response, shocking her."You didn't answer me. Who. Are. You?" He bit out. Alyna bit her lip. Her heart rate spiked and her breathing sped up, even in the thin atmosphere, but Alyna didn't back down. She may be young, but she wasn't stupid. And she wasn't afraid of this man, regardless of the reaction he garnered from everyone else. In fact, she was quite the opposite. Something inside was drawn to him. She wanted to touch this man as she had no other. She wanted to obey his command. She wanted to trust him. Her animal clawed just beneath the surface, demanding things she didn't quite understand.She looked down at his black clad chest for a moment before she reached out and laid her palm over his heart. The beat was strong, steady. Comforting. She wanted to curl up against his chest and just exist. She wondered if he would like her there. If he would hold her. Keep her safe. Instead she looked him in the eye. Those peculiar, silver-blue eyes."My name is Alyna. Lyn, for short." Her voice had dropped in pitch, just enough to betray the direction of her thoughts."Lyn, huh. Nice name. Richard B. Riddick." He introduced himself. Alyna opened her mouth but he chose that moment to lean in and scent her neck. She shivered, but didn't resist. She didn't want to resist. He made a pleased sound in his chest."You smell good. So tell me, Lyn, what exactly do you mean, that I'm like you? Not quite human." He asked, voice low and husky in her ear."You smell more like an animal, a predator than a man. If I had to guess, some kind of big cat. And you move like one too." Riddick actually drew back and looked at her, studying her. His scent was a mix of curiosity, calculation, interest, and a spike of something sour she didn't like. Suspicion? Then it settled into comprehension."So, its not just me then. You can smell it too. Interestin'. What else can you do, girl?" He asked, staring her in the eye."I can smell emotions. I have heightened senses, just like you do, I'm bettin'. Was born different. I'm wicked fast, stronger than normal people, and I have an animals instincts. To hunt, kill. Protect. The only difference is I don't have your eyes.""Very interestin'. Seems like you and I have somethin' in common. So I'm betting you can hear them too." His eyes glanced briefly downward. Alyna nodded, looking down where his legs were holding hers."I'm not going to run. You can let go now." She told him. He didn't budge. He did lean in, however, lips just brushing the spot under her ear sending shivers up her spine, forcing her to bite back a moan."Nah, I think I like you right here, Alyna." He told her, her name slipping off his tongue like silk against  her skin. She did moan then, his voice setting off little sparks along her nerve endings."Riddick..." She bit out. A low rumble started in his chest. Was he... purring? Before she could fi d out it stopped. He tensed for a moment, then he jerked his hips, throwing her back off of his lap suddenly. She heard it then. The others approaching once more."Go. Back to perch." He bit out, sounding more than a little displeased. Alyna brushed herself off and did what he said, barely managing it on shakey legs. She could smell her own arousal, hot and sticky in the air. She was almost embarrassed. But then, it had been a long while since she'd had a good fuck. And Riddick was hitting all her triggers, whether she wanted him to or not. Some of those triggers had never been tripped before.She didn't even question the fact that she had obeyed without a second thought. She trusted her animal, it had kept her alive this long.She had just gotten herself up into the pipes again when she heard the footsteps entering.When Johns made his appearance, a sickening smell followed him. The scent of fear, and arousal, under the burning smell of morphine. Alyna had finally placed it, after lifting a half spent medical kit that had one dose in a bottle, but no syringe to administer it. He had a sadistic streak a mile wide, and apparently he got off on intimidating people. Disgusting.Acid green eyes watched and waited as Johns made his stupid deal with Riddick. The 'no shivs' part made her smirk. As if.Alyna waited, breathing shallowly until the gunshot rang out."Fuck you!" Riddick yelled. The raven haired girl flinched back against the bars, her heart pounding as the exchange continued. "I want you to remember this moment." Riddick told the merc menacingly. Alyna felt her spine tingle. The promised violence in that voice was palpable. Already he was calculating.And then Johns was gone and she was alone with Riddick once more. Only this time  there were no chains holding him. He stood watching the merc move out of sight. The barely restrained urge to do damage was inherent in the strain of his muscles and the way he held himself perfectly still. Then his eyes turned straight to her."Come on out, girl." He called to her. A command?  She dropped down again, much steadier, having regained control of herself after their little exchange."I don't trust him Riddick. He smells like deceit." She told the man in front of her. He was at least half a foot taller than her, and quite a bit wider. Not that she didn't have some muscle of her own. And she would bet that she was just as quick with a blade."I don't." He stated, turning to her again as he pulled his goggles back on. She chewed the inside of her lip, debating whether to go all in and throw her lot in with Riddick. It was clear that Johns was a merc. If he knew about the price on her head... Fuck it. At least Riddick wasn't ruled by greed. His instincts were the only thing he obeyed. She could trust that a damn sight more than the mercurial nature of others. She made the decision to throw in with the predatory beast before her."Are you going to do what he said? No shivs?" She asked, cocking a hip to the side and crossing her arms. She was honestly curious. Riddick just laughed."We'll continue what we started later. Just don't let them catch you stealing and sneaking around." He told her before brushing past her and out into the bright sunlight. He threw back one last comment, causing her to smile foolishly. "By the way, nice choice of eye wear."Reaching up and retightening her ponytail, she pulled her goggles back into place and followed at a more sedate pace. And she was definitely ogling that well formed ass of his.Fuck if he wasn't just yummy all over. And she was determined that she was going to get a taste.***Alyna knew she was in trouble. The entire way to the settlement she was trailing around behind Riddick, barely paying attention to anyone else. His scent was intoxicating. Dark spice, leather, sweat, steel and blood, and that animal musk that she couldn't get enough of. It drew her in and wrapped her mind in a haze. Her inner animal was practically purring.So much so that she didn't even notice Johns creeping up on her until he spoke into her ear."You know, you're playing a dangerous game, little girl. Riddick'll chew you up and spit you out." He whispered conspiratorially. So he'd noticed where her eyes kept straying.Alyna jumped, and whirled on the merc. Her acid green eyes flashed. Anger pulsed through her at her own distraction. Johns stood there smirking at her. She growled inwardly."I can take care of myself, thanks. Worry about yourself, Johns. You know, if I can smell the lust on you every time you think he's under your control, don't think he can't smell it too." She snarled at him. His eyes went wide, then narrowed dangerously. Those impossibly blue eyes. The anger seething below the surface was tinged with something else she didn't  want to identify. Yeah, she had just made an enemy of Johns. Oh well. Maybe now it would be easier to off the prick.Over his head she noticed a gap in the bone of whatever beast had fallen here. She took her chance and leapt lightly up through it and deftly climbed her way to the top, leaving the others behind."Crazy bitch." She heard him mutter. She knew she had him spooked, and no one else had seen her, save Riddick. She stayed up there in the relative shade of massive slabs of bone, picking her way through the bone yard's higher path, keeping ahead of the group.She took in the sight of death and desolation all around her. This whole planet was a wasteland. She turned to look at the massive towering spires far behind them. Where Fry had almost lost her live. Yeah, it was a godsdamned hive. But how far did those tunnels and caverns run? She stood there contemplating long enough that she heard the others pass her. She turned away, heading back in the direction they had been heading.She followed across the backs of the skeletons, until she spotted the settlement. Covered in dust and sand, it looked like it had been abandoned long ago. The elements were steadily attempting to reclaim it, but with no plant life it was slow going. A memory of something she once heard came to her then.
All things it devours,

Birds, beasts, trees, flowers,

Gnaw at iron, bites at steel,

Grinds hard stones to meal,

Slays kings, ruins towns,

And even beats high mountains down.
Yes, time claimed all in the end. As it eventually would this place.She dropped down beside Riddick. Her foot twisted slightly on landing, as she had misjudged the heigh, lost too deep in her thoughts. An arm was there, steadying her. She looked up into sliver eyes. His gaze made something in her stir. Something inhuman that shifted beneath her skin. She felt herself flush and pulled away.Had there been something in his expression? A tenderness that was out of character for this hardened man?She must have imagined it. Just as she was imagining the faint scent of longing following her on the wind.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Alyna was picking her way around the settlement while the others were working on the skiff, and the Imam was trying to get the water filtration system up and running before people started succumbing to dehydration. It wasn't bad yet, but Alyna had noticed dry and cracking lips already. Pretty soon it would start becoming a problem. Especially with multiple suns shining down on them.Tempers were getting short. Irritation was a constant scent on the air. Shazza was busy working on patching the wings, with Paris helping by fetching tools for the dark skinned woman. Fry and Johns were checking the skiffs systems.The Imam and two of his boys were messing with the water filtration, trying to figure out how the mechanism worked and get it running so they could all get a drink. It was slow going. Maybe they should look up at the solar power dome on the roof that was caked with grit. Jack and the youngest boy were nowhere to be seen, likely off getting themselves into trouble, as kids were won't to do. Johns had sent Riddick off to find some more materials that were needed, or at least that was his excuse. Alyna was sure he just didn't want the convict near the skiff.And she was exploring, looking for more useful items. And familiarizing herself with every hidey hole and niche she could locate.So far all she had found was a bunch of dusty glasses, a lot of abandoned knickknacks and personal items that unnerved her, and a few barely useful miscellaneous things like bandages and tape sealed inside boxes, untouched by the elements.She was currently shuffling through some things in one of the dwellings when she scented Riddick. She turned to find him just inside the door, leaning against the frame, arms crossed, watching her. His eyes on her felt like embers igniting under her skin."You know, its not polite to stare." She stated."Just enjoyin' view." He teased. Her animal preened. She blushed. Hot it gotten hotter in her suddenly?"Did you need something Riddick?" She asked, setting the teapot she had been looking at back on the table."Have you noticed just how much stuff is left here?" He asked her, motioning around the room. Alyna looked around again. There were photos still on the shelves, dust coated glasses and plates sitting on tables, books left as if the owner had set them down intending to return, and then just didn't. That was the biggest tell."Yeah. These people didn't leave. There's just too much junk. They would have taken essentials, like canned food, eyeglasses, photos. Something happened here. Something bad. I can feel it in the air." She said, wrapping her arms around her middle, despite the oppressive heat. She didn't give in to the dark feeling that had been building since she'd woken up pinned under that cryopod full of dead meat."And if we don't get off this rock, the same will happen to us. Those things are waiting for something. They're gathering. I know you hear them." He pushed off the doorframe and walked into the middle of the room. He stopped a few feet from her."You know, Johns isn't planning on taking everyone. That skiff won't hold us all." She admitted what she had been thinking ever since seeing the small emergency ship. It might hold half their number, but only just. There was no way everyone here was going."You noticed that too. Good." He flashed her a smile. A smile full of teeth. She shivered."I don't plan on being one that gets left behind. I'll ghost the fucker first. And anyone  else who tries to stop me." She growled. He looked at her then. Really looked, giving her the full body once over. An appreciative, slow cant of the head, and an eyebrow quirk followed."Strong survival instinct. Admire that in a woman." He said. The low thrum of desire became tangible. He wanted her. But right now there were more important things."Survived this long. Not plannin' on letting a run of bad luck"So what do we do about him?" She asked, leaning back against the table, arms behind her for support. He moved a bit closer. He was only a few feet away now."All in good time. Want you to just keep an eye on things. They don't want me anywhere near the skiff, so maybe you can be my eyes and ears." He suggested. Alyna didn't know much about ships, but she was a fast learner. And she had already been curious. Anything to increase her skillset and keep her breathing."OK, tell me what I'm looking for and I'll do what I can. But in return you make sure that those kids make it to the skiff when shit goes south. And it will go south, in a hurry. I can feel it." She gave her own terms. The adults she couldn't give a shit less about. But Jack, Suleiman, Hassan, Ali? They were just children. Innocent. They deserved to live. And she'd make damn sure they did. Especially Jack.For some reason Alyna had felt herself drawn to the girl. Possibly because she saw the shadow of mistrust in the girl's eyes. Knew why she masqueraded as a boy. Knew the mark that abuse left on a child. It was a look she herself had carried once.The satisfaction and approval in Riddick's scent was.strong."Agreed. You have any weapons yet?" He fingered the bone shiv she had noticed him shaving with before. When Johns had commented Riddick had come back with a retort about it being a 'personal grooming appliance'. As if that were its primary function. Alyna smiled and produced one of the small throwing knives she had 'procured' from Paris's stash of antiquities."Don't worry about me. Kitty has claws, and knows how to use them." She tossed at him teasingly. Her comment had a different effect than she had anticipated. His eyes went dark and he took a step toward her. The smell of his arousal hit her like a brick. It was thick and spicy, and she wanted to melt. Before she realized it he had closed the distance and had her pinned against the table, his arms a cage on either side of her.This close she could see the flare of his nostrils as he took in her scent, no doubt picking up the responding heat he had brought forth. Fuck if that didn't turn her on more."Your playing a dangersous game, wildcat." He told her. His voice had dropped into that husky tone again. Alyna bit back a moan. It was as if his voice stroked along her flesh, making the beast rise to the surface and demand attention.But she had to focus. Had to keep her mind sharp. She couldn't let her intense attraction to him become a liability."Who said I'm playing?" She asked, tapping a previously unseen blade against his leg, or more specifically, his femoral artery. She purred inwardly at the fact that she had managed to pull the blade on him.He glanced down and chuckled. Amused. So he had let her pull the blade. He was playing with her."Put that away, I like my women willing." He backed off slightly. Alyna bit her lip, her animal urging her to follow as he withdrew. So she did, surging forward and kissing him hard, blade forgotten.He kissed back without hesitation, one arm wrapping around the back of her head, carding into her black curls. The other followed the curve of her back down to her ass where he squeezed, lifting her into the hard planes of his body.His tongue pushed its way into her mouth, twining with hers momentarily, then mapping out her teeth and the roof of her mouth. She moaned into the kiss.It was a feral, wild thing. She bit down on his bottom lip and he groaned, nipping right back. He took control, demanding her submission. She reluctantly gave in, allowing him to plunder her mouth.When the need for what little oxygen was in the air became too much she pulled back, panting. She met his intense gaze. At some point during the exchange both of their goggles had ended up getting pulled. Hers were still dangling from her ponytail, while his had hit the ground. He made no move to retrieve them, seeming loathe to release her. She was loathe for him to as well. His arms like Iron around her, holding her against the planes of his body felt like ecstasy."I don't know exactly what this is, but I want you. My animal has never wanted a man before," She admitted to him. "But now isn't the time or the place. We better both make it off this rock." She left the rest of the thought unsaid."We will. One way or another." He promised. And then he was gone, leaning down to snag his goggles and re-don them as he swept out the door and disappearing.Alyna fixed her goggles and went back to sorting through things, trying desperately to calm her racing heart, and the impatient shifting under her skin.***The raven haired woman was just putting a cleaned teapot and a tin of vacuum sealed tea leaves and snacks that looked fairly well preserved in her bag when she heard a shrill whistle."C'mon. You're missing the party." She heard Johns saying in that backwater drawl that was oddly appealing. She made her way out of the domicile when she heard Riddick echo it with a pronounced impersonation of that same drawl. It was comical when he did it, but no less appealing. More so, since it was Riddick.The sheet fell from the coring room, revealing Jack, with a newly shaved head and makeshift goggles on her face. Alyna laughed and dug in her bag for one of the pairs she had salvaged from the Hunter-Gratzner.As Jack made it to the ground, grumbling, Alyna caught up to her. Fondness for the girl bloomed. It was obvious that they were both drawn to the big man. Not for the same reasons, perhaps. The girl saw him as someone to emulate. A role model. When she looked at Alyna she didn't see that, yet.Likely because in the girl's mind women were weak. Prey. It was all she'd ever seen. Men, especially men like Riddick, were strong. So Jack was trying to make herself seem less like prey, and more like the predator. Alyna could get behind that. Besides, what harm would it do to let her learn from Riddick? She might pick up some of his survival instincts. And that was something she sorely needed. Alyna would try to take Jack under her wing and show her that females were the stronger sex, and that she could be strong too. But that would take time. And time was a short commodity here."Jack, these should work better. They're treated to block harmful light." She told the girl who eagerly accepted the gift and switched out her cobbled together ones for the better ones. Now she definitely resembled the convict. "So where is Ali? The Imam's boy?" "Dunno. He might have gone inside." Jack told the older woman, looking back at the building. The solar domes on top of the building were still partially covered, and hadn't moved yet.A bad feeling took root in the huntress' gut. The coring room was one place they hadn't explored yet. Now that the tarp had been pulled away the faint scent of reptile drifted from the place.Alyna sent Jack on to the others and headed back toward the coring room to collect Ali before he got himself hurt.She found the hole he had climbed through, and followed the scent. Adolescent fear had a different scent altogether than the fear of adults. It was somehow both stronger, as children were afraid of everything, it seemed. And it was softer, because children hadn't yet learned that most of the things they feared were true, in some way, as adults already knew what dangers lurked out there.Ali smelled of the Imam, a sort of mix between frankincense and linen, and the soft lingering floral scent Alyna couldn't place. All three of his boys smelled like it. Their other parent, perhaps?It was this scent that Alyna followed to the boy. He was standing in the middle of the room, looking around in the shadows.Alyna didn't want to scare the boy, so she made a deliberate shuffling noise as she moved, so he knew she was there. He turned to her. She waved the boy toward her."C'mon, there's water, and your father's waiting." She told him. He turned to her, starting back toward the exit, when the tarp that had covered the solar dome shifted in a gust of wind and fell completely. The whir of the machines starting up brought with it a trill that had Alyna's hair standing on end. The smell of reptile was stronger."Ali! Run!" Alyna shouted, starting forward as a fluttering mass of tiny bat-like creatures dropped from the rafters and swooped around the room. Ali didn't make it in time, having been most of the way across the room, before they set upon him. Alyna was forced back when a second group broke off and came at her. The sting of dozens of tiny bites enraged her. She slashed out at the air, knocking several of the little beasts to the floor, either stunned, or dead. She pulled a throwing knife to slash at the rest.Ali was screaming now. He had run when the bat-things attacked. Alyna couldn't see him, but she smelled the acidic scent of pure terror and pain. She stumbled toward his screams, still fighting off the swarm.She batted and slashed several more aside until the light, what little there was, forced the things back into the shadows. She moved toward the door that had slammed.When his screams suddenly cut off and the smell of death filled the room, Alyna dropped to her knees a few feet from the door. Anguish washed over her and she let out a keening scream. She couldn't save the child. Her arms wrapped around her middle and she keened again. She dropped her blade, her grief for the child overwhelming her. Her animal cried out at her failure to protect the child.And then an explosion rent the air, a gunshot blowing a hole in the main door.The sensory overload was too much. She blacked out.

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Riddick made his way into the room, accepting a glass of water from the Imam. Most of the others were already here, the exceptions being a few kids and the woman, Lyn.He scented the air, searching for her scent, but found it absent entirely. That made him more than slightly uneasy. It bothered him that she wasn't here.There was something about her... Something Riddick was drawn to. It was both familiar, and also very foreign to him. But her scent called him. It was contradictory, delicate lilacs, sweet water, and clean stone, along with the scent of blood, and animal. Something in his mind stirred, but he couldn't place that smell.But it spoke to him on a deeper level than anyone else had ever gotten. He felt the urge to be close to her, to touch her. Hold her. The very idea of it gave him a kind of satisfaction he had never known. One he had longeg for most of his life. She felt like something he'd never known; home.That in and of itself puzzled him. But he had seen the way she reacted to him. Seen that she was like him. That was new. He'd never met anyone else like him, ruled by their instincts, the animal beneath the surface an intrinsic part of who they were. Until he had scented the little spitfire in the shadows watching.And when he'd laid eyes on her he had felt that immediate want. Sex had always been an itch to scratch, just another biological need to sate. At least it had been. Now he had to fight the urge to hunt her down and spend hours exploring her body. Learning what she liked. What made her fall apart in his hands.But more than that he felt the need to just hold her. He'd never experienced that particular feeling before. Nor had he ever wanted to kiss anyone. He had kissed, and been kissed, a few times. But on the whole it was unsatisfying and bland.That single kiss he'd had with her was the only one he had ever truly enjoyed. Or gotten lost in. Her taste, the feeling of her plump lips under his, her taste. It had all been exquisite. He wanted more.And he didn't like it when she wasn't close by. His animal didn't like it. Made him feel like his skin was too tight, itchy. Where the fuck was she? He wanted to go track her down and drag her back, not letting her stray far from his side. But he also knew she was capable of surviving on her own. She was a predator too. Fierce and capable. His animal felt proud of that fact. So he waited. She'd be here.Riddick glanced around, his nose wrinkling from the sheer volume of differing scents in the room. Rotting fruit, anise, burnt coffee, frankincense, leather and oil, metal, and the lingering undertone of tomato leaves, along with Johns' ever present chemical scent that made Riddick want to sneeze. Hated that smell.The Imam began to pray, likely blessing the water and thanking his God for it. Riddick tuned it out in favor of gauging Johns' and Fry's suddenly off smells. Fry was the source of the burnt coffee scent, an odd thing. Guilt and resignation did not make good food for thought. What had brought that on?Maybe that conversation he'd overheard in the boneyard had something to do with it. The one that had earned his respect, and interest, before he'd met the wildcat who occupied his thoughts now. Hmm, he would have to watch them both. Especially with Johns acting more smug than before.A second later Jack walked into the room, garnering many odd looks with her freshly shaved head and sporting a pair of welder's goggles suspiciously similar to the ones that Lyn wore. They carried her scent too. He inhaled deeply, the knot in his gut loosening a fraction."What?" The teenager challenged the silence. Paris spoke up then."It's the winner of the look alike contest." He remarked sarcastically to the room.Riddick smiled as he took a drink of slightly copperish water. The kid had guts, he'd give her that. He felt an odd sense of pride that she chose him to mimic.Johns and Fry brushed it off."So, who were these people?" Paris asked, coughing to cover his discomfort at the lack of a response to his joke."Geologists, most likely. The core samples and equipment would suggest as much." Shazza supplied."Nice of them to leave so much of their stuff here. So why'd they leave their ship?" Fry asked, pacing slowly, looking at everything still sitting around collecting dust."S'not a ship. Just a skiff. And it's disposable, really." Johns explained."Like an emergency life raft?" Paris asked, shifting in his seat."They probably had a big drop ship take them off planet." Shazza took another drink of water, grimacing slightly at the taste. Riddick shook his head. No one was thinking! What the hell was wrong with these people? Did they have no observational skills whatsoever?There was no fucking way they had left. They just hadn't found the bodies yet. Riddick didn't bother hiding his disgust."Come on, these people didn't leave. Whatever got Zeke and the other guy got them. You don't really think they left with their clothes on the hooks, photos on the shelves?""Maybe they had weight limits. You don't know-" Shazza started. Riddick interjected."I know you don't prep your emergency ship unless there's a fuckin' emergency." He leveled a look at the dark skinned woman."He's fuckin' right." Jack chimed in almost cheerfully, sipping her water."You watch your mouth!" Johns snapped."He's just saying what we're all thinking, Johns." Fry spoke up, her hand landing on Jack's shoulder comfortingly. "Hey, where's Lyn?" Jack asked, looking around. "She was right behind me." At that moment something caught Riddick's attention. The knot in his gut came back with a vengeance. A distant echo of flapping and scuffling came to him from the direction of the coring room, where he had last seen Lyn. Followed by screams, Lyn's and one of the kids'. Riddick barely registered the Imam asking after his youngest son before a wave of protective anger crashed over him. Lyn was in danger."Coring room!" He snapped out as he bolted. The scuffle of many feet following as he took off at a dead run didn't register, nor did Jack's shouts of his name. He hit the chained doors just as a scream pierced the air. The aroma of death flooded out into the air as Johns blew the chains off the door and everyone piled inside.What they found left all of them rattled.Lyn was lying on the floor, bleeding from a dozen cuts, and the bloodied body of the youngest member of the group lay several feet away, the evidence of dozens of chunks of flesh having been torn away by mouths full of razor sharp teeth clearly visible.The blackening bodies of several small bat things lay crumpled on the floor around the two, some bearing knife wounds. Riddick scooped the unconscious Lyn into his arms, Shazza following after. As soon as his arms were around her the raven haired woman went limp as if she knew she was safe, instead mumbling the same words over and over again. Riddick carried her into one of the well lit buildings and laid her across a table."Here, let me." Shazza started looking over Lyn's wounds. Most of them weren't too deep. A good thing, as they hadn't salvaged much in the way of medical supplies. The dark woman turned to Riddick."Go get some water, and find me something to clean the wounds, and something to use as bandages." She went back to checking Lyn over.Riddick left to do as asked. He pulled several shirts from a closet and a good amount of water in a clay bowl and returned to find Jack sitting at Lyn's side, hunched up and curling in on herself. She reeked of fear and grief. Shazza was sitting beside the girl, one arm around her, talking quietly to her in a comforting tone.He sat the bowl down in front of them and started ripping the shirts up for bandages.Shazza left Jack and went about cleaning Lyn's wounds, the woman finally having succumbed to the exhaustion of the ordeal and passing out fully.Riddick left her to it, knowing that Shazza would take care of her. There was a tenderness in her toward the green eyed woman, one that Riddick would hazard a guess stemmed from a relationship with a younger sibling that Lyn reminded her of.He knew the feeling, somewhat. He had a soft spot for this woman, beyond the lust that had made itself known the second he scented her in the shadows back at the transport ship, and the respect she had earned. This was something much softer, and it puzzled Riddick. He barely knew her. How could he have feelings for her? No living person had ever invoked anything like this from him. He was a survivor. He needed no one. But something inside told him that had changed irrevocably the second she had entered his life. He needed her. Granted he knew there was something about her that was utterly unlike other people. She moved with an inherent grace that drew his eye. Her odd acid green eyes glinted catlike in the right light, and she was fast, and light on her feet. Quick with a blade, dangerous. Lethal. Fierce. And oddly protective of kids.She was sexy as hell with that body. Curves in all the right places, and lean muscle where it counted. She was much smaller than him, standing at around five and a half feet, and he knew from experience that she felt fuckin' perfect in his arms. She felt like she'd been made for him.But she was also observant, resourceful, and smart. He knew that just from watching her. He had observed a few of her stolen moments where she let down her act for a few minutes out of the view of others. He'd seen her watching everything around her with a keen eye, missing very little. She was much like him. A predator.But that gave him no real reason to develop feelings for her. She was fully capable of betraying him if it suited her. Just as he was capable of the same, if he had to. Feelings be damned. But then, what of her demand that he make sure the children made it to that skiff when things went bad, as was inevitable? She obviously had a weakness for children. How deep did that weakness run? Their deal wasn't exactly watertight. There were loopholes aplenty. And besides, she hadn't held up her end yet, as it were. To observe and report. Who was to say that she would divulge everything she learned instead of keeping useful knowledge to herself.Regardless, his chest still felt tight at the sight of her, injured and so vulnerable. And the protectiveness that gripped him. It was a complication he didn't need. Especially with her true loyalties unknown. He had to fight this.She moaned then, barely conscious. He had the urge to reach out and run his fingers across her cheek. A comforting motion. Something a lover might do. Or a family member. He stifled it.Instead of hovering and bringing attention to the tenuous connection between he and Lyn, Riddick went to help Johns and the Imam bury the boy, tamping down his worry over his woman until it was an afterthought.He would compartmentalize everything that was in his head until he had time to sort through it. Until then he had shit to do. He still couldn't resist one last look back at her as he left.She lay with one arm bent toward him, almost as if she reached for him subconsciously. Her raven black riot of curls hung over the edge of where she lay, cascading around her face, and over her shoulder, no longer held back in a ponytail. She must have lost it in the attack. Dirt streaked her skin, and she looked young. Too young.***Alyna came to, groggy and disoriented. This was compounded by the multitude of stinging places along her left shoulder and side.The sound of raised voices reached her ears."-no? Well then how about you figure something out? Because we have less than two days to get off this rock before that happens, and I don't see that happening with you procrastinating about the power cells! I don't care how you do it, just get the damn things here, Johns!" Fry was yelling."I'd love to Carolyn. But you and I both know that as soon as I do that, Riddick will ghost us all and take off as soon as he gets the chance." Johns shot back,volume only slightly lower."Ugh! You keep saying that, but I haven't seen any evidence that he's as bad as you say. In fact, all he seems to be worried about is surviving, just like the rest of us." The blonde snapped."Yeah? Except his survival hinges on is letting him go when this is all over. Do you think he believes for a second that we actually would? It doesn't matter if its the truth or not, as long as he believes it ain't, we're as good as dead. If you're OK with that then so be it, but I for one, ain't taking that chance." There was no reply, aside from a slamming door.Clearly they didn't know that Alyna was within earshot. And boy had they given her a lot to process.So there was something that was due to happen in less than 48 hours, which meant they were in trouble. And Johns was taking his sweet time bringing the power cells from the Hunter-Gratzner on the assumption that Riddick didn't believe he would cut him loose.Astute assumption, aside from the fact that Alyna didn't think Riddick cared one way or the other about anyone aside from Johns, unless they were to stand in the way of his freedom. The only one with any kind of target on their back was the merc. And he'd earned it. What he didn't realize was that he had more than one predator gunning for him, now.The thought made her gut twist in a peculiar manner. Godsdamn, she had to get over this weird fascination with the treacherous bastard!The fact that Fry was pushing said that there was dissention in the ranks. Maybe Fry didn't think Riddick was that dangerous either. At least, not if they all gave him what he wanted. And from what Alyna could tell, that was his freedom. He was an animal who had been caged. He wanted life outside that cage. One where he was left in peace instead of hunted.But Johns never would. He was too damn greedy to even consider it. Hell, if he knew about the price on her head he would do the same to her, and more than likely leave everyone else here to rot. Greed ruled him.Fry didn't seem to understand that she was taking a dangerous chance with the blue eyed devil. One she was on the losing end of.Great. This was just a lovely development.Alyna rolled over and got to her feet. She found that the majority of her wounds had been bandaged up. Mostly it was her left side that had taken the brunt of the attack, with a few smaller wounds on her legs and face that had been left to close up on their own.All in all she was lucky. Ali hadn't been. Grief tore at her over that. She hadn't been able to do anything for the boy. Growling at herself, she shoved the grief away. Dwelling on his death would only weaken her. Distract her. She needed to hone the razors edge, not dull it.She took a deep breath and let the animal rise. Centered, she refocused on what she had to do to get off this planet alive. To do that she had to deaden herself to things like this. Feel nothing for people who would feel nothing for her.She thought back to the whole thing one more time,  analyzing every detail for information she could use to survive the next time. Because there would likely be a next time.Those things were vicious, and wicked fast. Alyna had barely managed to fight them off before they got a good bite in. If those were the adolescents, then what did that say about the adults?They had been batlike, obviously nocturnal since the sunlight had caused them to become aggressive, frenzied. And the damage the little ones had done had been enough to kill a child and injur her. The adults had to be far more dangerous.Shaking off the dread that settled over her at the thought, Alyna got to her feet and went to find the others.***"You're awake!" Shazza all but chirped at her as soon as the dusky skinned woman spotted her stepping into the sunlight, blinking rapidly. Where the hell were her goggles? The light burned her eyes.Hands groped for her bag, only to find it wasn't hanging across her shoulders. Right, because she had been injured, and her injuries tended to. Alyna turned to Shazza."Yeah. I... Where's my bag? I need my goggles." She asked the other woman. Shazza stopped tinkering with the sandcat she was currently fiddling with and turned to Lyn, one hand coming up to block to suns."Didn't have it on you when Riddick pulled you out of the coring room. Could have gotten left. If you wanna ask that's where he and a few of that others are." Shazza stood up, dusting herself off and coming over to stand beside Alyna. She looked the younger woman over, assessing her state. "Thanks Shazza. What about... Ali. He didn't make it. How is Imam taking it?" Her face fell. Guilt weighed heavily on her. She shoved it away violently. She hadn't been able to save him. The nasty things were wicked fast, and she'd barely managed not to get eaten alive herself. No reason to be guilty."He's taking it better than most. They buried the boy over on the other side of the settlement. Imam's praying with the other two boys. How are you feeling? Any signs those things might be poisonous?" She asked, concern coloring her features. Shazza reached out as if to touch Alyna. She moved subtly just out of the older women's reach."I'm OK. Thank you, by the way. I figured it was you that took care of me. So thanks. And no, I'm not dizzy, or sick or anything. I don't think they carry any toxins. Did the others figure out what those things were?" Alyna shifted from foot to foot. Her eyes were beginning to really ache. She needed her goggles before the migraine set in. Having extremely sensitive eyes was hell. Especially here where the light was harsher than anything she was used to."Looked like some kinda bat thing. Anyway I won't keep you. Go find your things. When you're done maybe you can come help me with this beast. My helpers seem to have deserted me." Shazza said, heading back to continue trying to get the sandcat working. Alyna nodded, heading off toward the coring room. Absentmindedly she reached over and scratched at her shoulder. Her wounds were healing, and they itched like hell.Voices were coming from the open doors."Other places weren't secure. So they all ran here. Heaviest doors. Thought they'd be safe inside. But they forgot to lock the cellar." Riddick gravelly voice drifted to her. A tingle went up her spine. Gods that voice did things to her.She rounded the corner to find Johns, Fry and Riddick standing over a set of open cellar doors. A green glow from one of the emergency flares eminated from within."So that's where those monsters came from, huh?" She asked, announcing her presence. Though Riddick had heard her approach, no doubt. She joined the others, glancing down into a pit of bones, picked clean. Alyna could just see where a few of the bones had been snapped in half by sharp teeth. A shudder ran through her."Well, well, sleeping beauty's awake at last. Good of you to join us." The merc remarked. Alyna gave him an unimpressed look."They don't like the light. It burns their skin." Riddick told her. He nodded toward several blackened objects over in the corner of the room. Alyna moved toward them, to inspect and see just what it was that had attacked. That she was hearing beneath the sand.From what she saw they were pterosaur-esque, wings attached to forearms, hind legs meant for running, and barbed split tails. The oddest feature was the shape of their heads. Triangular, with sharp beak-like mouths full of razor sharp teeth, and long bone stalks on either side of their heads. Likely eyes, or sensors of some sort. From the whoops and trills they likely used echolocation, which would mean these sensors were only good up close. Good to know.The sounds from below had been much louder, and the things moving around down there were bigger. Something Fry knew from her little excursion into the termite mound formations where Zeke and Davis had died while Riddick and Alyna had been getting acquainted back on the ship."Well, whenever you're finished, let's board this place up and get the hell outta here." Johns practically snarled. He left. He reeked of cowardice. Fry followed close behind, leaving Riddick and Alyna. Lyn was still looking at the dead ptero-bats when Riddick held something out to her. Alyna glanced up to find her bag dangling from his hand. It was a little the worse for wear, a few tears in the fabric, but no damage that would be a problem that she could see.She reached out and took the canvas bag, slinging it over her shoulder."Thank you." She told him simply. He didn't reply, just turned to leave. Alyna opened it to inspect its contents. None were really disturbed, but her lost goggles were nestled inside with the last spare set she had. There was also a small box inside. Alyna pulled it out and looked it over. And then she laughed."Waterproof matches." She said in wonder. Obviously Riddick had discovered them during his search of the encampment. For which Alyna was grateful. If these things didn't do well in the light, then all the better to have as much as possible.She had a couple of the electric torches she'd found while scavenging, and a few other things. But this added another possibility.Maybe she could pay Paris a visit, see about getting another bottle of his alcohol. Plans started turning in Lyn's head. Time to start putting them to action.

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Riddick didn't linger after Lyn's reappearance. Instead he went off on his own once more. He wasn't exactly a people person, as it were.Alyna didn't exactly expect it of him. But she had information for him. So she lingered around, helping Shazza, taking the chance to bond with Jack and teaching the girl a few things that could be useful, while playing tool fetch and carry for Shazza and the others when needed, and doing what she could to help the progress of the sandcat along.When the engine turbines finally started turning and the vehicle turned over all three females let out woops of joy. After that Alyna drifted around, helping Fry and the Imam with the wing patching, and Fry cajoled her into finding some tubing to patch something in the skiff's life support systems. A few of her trips gleaned some pretty damning, and damned useful information that she would share with Riddick later.Pretty soon it became clear that time was passing fast. Jack and Hassan, the second of the Imam's boys both fell asleep while helping the adults. Shortly after Suleiman started having trouble staying awake. Then Shazza and Fry were seen dozing off in the middle of their respective tasks. It was the Imam who suggested that they sleep in shifts. Of course it came down to a fight with Johns before it was agreed upon. Why was a man who hunted down dangerous people for a living so damned stupid?The children would be allowed to sleep as long as they needed. The others split shifts between them. It was during Alyna's shift that she discovered she couldn't sleep. The situation was too dire, and her animalistic brain wouldn't shut down. It kept urging her to find the convict.So she got up and headed out to the skiff, intent on looking  for Riddick. She didn't fond him, but found Fry working on the skiff, half asleep. Alyna offered to trade her shifts and the pilot was happy for the break, switching sleep shifts with Alyna without protest. She gave the raven a few instructions for the simple repairs that were needed, product of being left out in the elements for over two decades, and wandered off to get a little rest.It was about two hours into this that Johns decided to pay her a visit. His scent didn'tbother her as much, havinghad time to get used to it. She could detect things other than morphine from him now at least. But it still made her itch to punch him in the throat. Especially that scent of arousal and power. But it didn't carry the same sickening scent as it had on Zula."So, you still playing your game with Riddick?" Johns asked faux casually. Alyna sighed and wiped at her cheek where the grease from the interior panel that held the tubing she was replacing had accumulated. Sweat beaded on her brow and had soaked her shirt through. She sat back and took a drink from her canteen, buying a minute to answer."I don't know what game you mean, Johns. I ain't playing nothin'. Just tryin' to survive this rock, just like everyone else." She drawled out, screwing the top back on her water. She looked up at him. The chemical smell was stronger now, and the shakes were less noticeable. So, he was fresh from a good dosing of morphine. Great."Don't play stupid with me, girl. You an' him, thick as thieves. Don't think no one noticed how fast he swooped in to the rescue when the boy died, and those things got at ya. It was like he actually cared about you. The only way that'd happen is if you two was fuckin', or if there was something you could do for him that made you useful. Nothing else." Johns snarled. Alyna picked up the mustard smell of jealousy wafting off Johns. She barely contained her cringe. Or was it a cringe at all? She ignored the possibility that it could be anything but. She did not feel guilt, or hurt at his disgust."I ain't fuckin' nobody Johns. And maybe I am useful to him. As much as anybody here on this rock is. Don't think I don't know its the same for you. As soon as we wear out our use, then you'll cut us loose to save your own hide. I ain't stupid, and I ain't blind. Don't mean I'm gonna open my legs for you either. You want that, go find Fry. I'm sure you got her fooled as to your character." She deadpanned. A snarl twisted his face and he made an aborted move as if he were going to strike her, but pulled up short. Alyna wished he would have hit her. Her fingers were itching to bury one of her fists in his hair and slam him into a wall until he bled."Just remember, girl. He don't care about nobody but himself. This game you think you're runnin', it's gonna get you killed." He snapped and turned to leave. As soon as Johns was out of earshot a deep chuckle sounded from the other side of the skiff. Riddick stepped around the corner, watching the directon the merc had left in."So, playin' games without me, I see. Makes a man sorta jealous." He tilted his head at her. Why did she find that completely adorable? She leveled a glare at him, covering her discomfort. Her goggles were up on top of her head since she was in the shade, so she knew he saw it. "I wasn't lying, Riddick. I ain't a whore to go fucking anyone who wants a taste. You included. You want me, you show me, and you ask nice like. Don't expect it, 'cause it won't end well." She informed the convict. She knew it was contradictory to her earlier actions, but wanting someone, and acting the whore were two very different things. And wanting Riddick so much, knowing that he could decide she was more liability than ally left her on shaky ground. She did not like that one bit.Riddick was an attractive man. She wouldn't deny it. And if he wanted her, and was willing to treat her right, then so be it. What may be, may be. But if anyone expected her to lay down and take it, as she suspected Johns did, then they would find out the hard way that she didn't play that way."Never said you were a whore. And I already told you. I like my women willing." He said deliberately. Something in his voice gave her pause. Had she heard a thread of longing in his voice just then? Alyna looked hard at him. He didn't even flinch. There was no scent of deception coming off of him, and no indicator that he was being anything but honest. Could he want her as much as she wanted him? She shoved an unwarranted bubble of hope right back down in the depths.Focus on survival. Everything after that is relative. But it didn't change the fact that she wanted to experience what it would be like to have this dangerous creature in the most intimate way."Good. Because I meant what I said. I do want you. But now is neither the time, nor the place. So we both better make it off this rock." She turned and regarded the panel, shifting her hip to the side. It was as fixed as it would get. Alyna turned, brushing dust off her cargos and picking up her things."Glad to hear you ain't gettin' cold feet." He smirked. She could detect the lust in his voice. Not to mention the spicy scent that surrounded her in the ships close quarters.Smells so fuckin' good. Her mouth started to water. Alyna pulled a bitch face to cover her reaction."Too damn hot for that here. Besides, I found some things out, playin' the good little helper for everyone. Apparently there's an eclipse coming. Just under twenty-four hours now. A total, lasting eclipse. Guess who's coming out to play then?" She informed him of her discovery."Interestin'. So who all knows about this. Not Shazza and Paris, or there'd be a mite more panic going on. The Imam?" Riddick asked. "I don't think so, at least not yet. But Fry and Johns do. Which reminds me, apparently there is some dissention in the ranks. Fry wants to get the power cells here to start prep for take off, and Johns wants to wait. He keeps leadin' on that you're the bogeyman incarnate. Fry doesn't quite believe it." She told him. She looked at him from the corner  of her eye, guaging his reaction. The look that crossed his face had her frowning. He only hummed, thinking. "Alright. Give me some time I'll think of somethin'. In the mean time keep up the charade." He told her. She nodded and turned back to look at the skiff. She opened her mouth to tell him the progress so far, but when she turned back he was gone, not even her sensitive ears noting his retreat."Okay then. Guess its business as usual."  She snarked at the air where he had been. Maybe she should go scouting around in the canyon, seeing as Johns was dead set on keeping them on this god forsaken planet until the last possible moment.

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Alyna smiled to herself. Her little trip had proven very useful. Along with her original throwing knives and the two blades she had scavenged she now had several bone shivs and a large blade made from one of the rib bones from the giants in the canyon. It was practically a short sword, sharpened to a keen edge by a flat stone. Alyna was pretty proud of it.And she had made it back around shift change, when Johns was heading to sleep and Fry was sitting in the skiff finishing the full systems check."So how's she lookin'? Descent enough for flight I hope." Lyn asked. Fry jumped as if she'd been shocked."Everything's fine. What do you want?" The blonde snapped. At first Alyna was puzzled and then both Riddick and Johns' scents reached her nose. Ah, so that's it. Time to play her part."Jeez, Fry, I was just askin'. What's got you so worked up?" Alyna asked casually. The pilot had to visibly calm herself before she answered, though Alyna pretended not to notice. Riddick must have started on his plan, whatever it was. Most likely to discredit Johns and give Fry a reason to ignore him and bring the cells needed early enough to get off planet before the looming eclipse reached them. That's what Alyna had planned on doing."I'm sorry. I think the heats getting to me. To all of us." She tried to explain away, waving a hand dismissively. Alyna nodded understandingly. The heat was oppressive and she was sweating miserably, which added credibility to her little facade."Alright. Well, if things are lookin' good Shazza's almost got the sandcat fixed up enough to go pick up the cells and anything else left at the wreck. You want me to go find her?" Alyna asked innocently."No, let her rest. She's exhausted. We'll get them later." Fry hedged. Alyna picked up the odor of guilt again. Fry wasn't comfortable lying to them. Good to know. Alyna figured it was time to clue the captain in on a few things."Well, we might want to hurry. I don't know if you've been to the orrery, but I think something's about to happen. Saw an eclipse on the model, but I'm not sure when its coming. I didn't want to alert anyone, but I figured you should know, being the captain and all." Alyna slyly made her play. There was no surprise at that."Thanks, I'll take it into consideration. It shouldn't matter. We'll be leaving soon." A dismissal if Alyna had ever heard one. She took her cue to leave. Well, that went about as expected. Now it was time to go keep herself busy for a bit.***Alyna took note of the changing temperature. It was getting cooler. Not by much, just a degree or two. But it was significant, nonetheless.Which meant that the eclipse was looming closer than expected. Alyna pegged it less than an hour rather than a day. Oh joy. Time to start kicking things into high gear.She shoved her makeshift torches into her bag, gathering up all the supplies she had stowed away in the domicile she had been staked out in.It was closer to the edge of the encampment, but still close enough to the center, the skiff, close enough to hear things. Which is how she had spent the last little while. Quietly listening as the activity of the rest of the group picked up, everyone else seemingly rested enough.Alyna stepped lightly as she made her way out into the light. Shazza was wiping down the solar dome of the sandcat, Jack and Suleiman assisting. Or more accurately, chattering at her and occasionally passing her more water to clean away the grime. Johns was surveying the skiff.The others were scattered, doing their own thing. Alyna wondered when they would realize.She made her way to the roof of a building and kept watch. She noticed Riddick was nowhere in sight. The fuck was that man up to? A quarter of an hour passed this way. She surveyed the ground, the other survivors, and looked for a sign of Riddick, or the eclipse.At this point it was clear that they were down to the wire. It was already too late. Johns had succeeded in dragging his feet. So how many of them were going to make it through what came next?A frisson of alarm shot through her, her inner beast clamoring for her to get somewhere safe.Alyna looked to the skyline. Just there at the edge of the horizon, she saw it. The discolored halo of a planetary ring beginning to rise. She grinned to herself, fangs glinting. And then she raised the alarm."Look! What the hell is that?" She shouted. The hornet's nest responded predictably to being kicked.Things happened in a blur of shouting, and motion. Panic filled the air, making her wish she couldn't smell it. Smelled like burning hair. Shazza was yelling about the sandcat being solar, and suddenly the cells became priority number one."Where's Riddick?" Jack exclaimed, her voice pitching higher, nearly betraying her femininity. "Just leave him. He wouldn't wait for us." The bespectacled man sniped. His voice grated on the huntress' last nerve.Alyna was tucked onto the bed of the vehicle, wanting desperately to kick Paris in his face for his mouthiness when Riddick leapt on, startling the fearful little mouse. He glanced over at her, and she dipped her head in a miniscule acknowledgement.She knew he smelled her amusement. She suspected that he'd done it on purpose.And then things got real.

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Alyna should have known. It was never going to be as easy as she hoped, but this was ridiculous. The entire trek for the power cells was pointless. As soon as they had gotten to the Hunter-Gratzner the planet had been looming, the edge of the main planet beginning to show.The halo was beautiful, the array of color stunning. And deadly in its beauty. It leant itself as a perfect distraction for the monsters that lurked under the ground.Supplies and cells had been gathered in a mad rush, but no one anticipated the speed at which the eclipse came upon them. No one except the two predators among the frightened sheep.Within a half hour the darkness descended. And as the ring of the planet arched across the sky toward this planets excuse for night, they ascended. The pterobeasts spiraled upward toward freedom, and feast.And Shazza lost her life to impatience. Now the dwindling group of survivors were trapped inside the hull of a compromised ship. With at least two of the creatures somewhere within. Alyna and Riddick both heard them. Smelled them. Like a pit of vipers."Fuck, that was close." Alyna heard Jack remark. She glanced back at the kid."It ain't over." The predatory woman turned to regard the group. Just then the banging started. Clicking and a trill.Fry looked to Johns expectantly. Riddick spoke up then."C'mon Johns, you got the big gauge." He taunted."I'd rather piss glass. Why don't you go fuckin' check?" The merc rises to the bait, proving the point Riddick had been making. Alyna snorted. Paris commented then, fear driving his words and actions more than sense. Alyna ignores the ensuing scuffle, listening hard. They are surrounded. Its closing in on them. The others hear it too, once it becomes loud enough.Suddenly the entire group, reeking of fear and desperation, are moving fast. Johns is cutting the walls with the torch, and others egg him on. Panic rising around her like a tide, drowning her sense of smell. The chatter of frightened voices fades as the beast rises up in Alyna, quieting the rioting human side of her mind. The beast sifts through the burnt hair scent of panic, the sickening stench of rotting fruit that is fear, and the dark impulse to stalk, hunt, attack. The predator knows that others are nearby. She can sense them. They smell too sweet, musky, dangerous, reptilian. She hears the clicking and snapping they make, and she herds the others through the hole created, taking up the rear guard and shoving objects in the way of the opening just as creatures attempt to follow. It isn't until she slips on the smear of blood that she realizes that they haven't entered a secure section.It doesn't matter now. There's nowhere else to go. She drops into a defensive slink and circles, following the sound of one of the predators.Riddick is moving in the shadows, she goes to scout the other side. Then she hears it. Riddick tells one of the Imam's boys not to run. Flight instinct kicks in though, and the Imam calls out. Chaos ensues.She's too late to save Hassan. As is Riddick, who had been much closer. She can smell the anger and regret he feels at not saving the child. She feels it too, but rejects it, tamping it down. The larger creature strikes at her as she moves to join her partner in the fight. And then gunshots ring out as Johns blows the monster away. Her acid eyes turn to him.But it seems that no one but Riddick notices the flash of feline eyes reflecting the light on Johns' weapon. Or the glint of metal between her fingers.Alyna shakes the momentary urge to attack off, and returns to rational thought. The beast has receded for now.Fry shined a light on the thing. Its skin crackles and burns away, blistering in the light, even in death. They all jump when the thing's arm moves. Nerves still active after death."So the light does hurt them." The blonde commented. Riddick raised an eyebrow."So if this is the same as the other things, then they must have been babies. This is an adult. I hope." Alyna surmised. The others agree. The rank scent of fear ratchets up a hair more.After it quiets down, the others begin taking stock, a plan formulating from this confirmed information. Alyna takes the chance to study the corpse. It has a triangular skull, and the long bones on the side of its head hold no eyes, but they do seem to be some form of rudimentary sensory organ. It is bipedal, its tail slightly more dexterous than she had previously theorized, and its forearms conceal a large retractable claw that it would use to spear unsuspecting prey. Interesting.Alyna joined the others, keeping watch on Riddick, and Johns, who seems intent to sit back and throw kinks into Fry's planning, or suggest the coward's approach of staying put, until it finally reaches a tipping point."How much you weigh, Johns?" Carolyn queries."Around 79 kilos to be exact--" the pit cuts him off."Because you're 79 kilos of gutless white meat, and that's why you can'tcome up with a better plan--""Is that fuckin' right?" The merc pulled his gun. Alyna makes a move, just as Riddick does the same. The green eyed girl has her bone blade to Johns' throat, and Riddick has his shiv pressed against the merc's femoral artery. The blades defuse the situation fast.Johns sits down, for once shutting his mouth as the others outline the plan.Gather light, and tow the four cells to the crash ship. Alyna smiled bitterly to herself. This shit was going to end badly. Jack was exuding terror. The female predator stuck close by the kid, offering whatever comfort she could. Jack smiled gratefully at her as they worked, pulling the silicone light tubes and stockpiling what small amount of supplies they had.They are ready to leave, the power cells strung together and harnessed to Riddick. Alyna tried to offer to help him pull the cells, but he shook his head."You kept your end. I'll keep mine, wildcat. Protect the kids, they're gonna need you."She nodded. Her green orbs rested on the girl. She felt the animal rise again, intent on keeping the kid close. Keeping her safe.If it killed her, Lyn was determined that Jack would survive this godforsaken place. One way, or another.***Paris was dead. He had strayed from the light. And from the sound, he hadn't made it far. Alyna hadn't looked.This entire foray into the night was quickly becoming a disaster. Riddick had circled the mouth of the canyon, and Alyna knew inherently that whatever waiting there for them was going to be bad. She could hear the shrieking and whooping of over a dozen, if not more, of the things hunting them. She was pretty sure they were cannibalizing their own as well, if the pained cries were anything to go by.Fry reeked of terror, and if Alyna could smell it, she was certain that Riddick, and the creatures waiting in the dark hunting them could smell it too. From determination to survive, to pure terror in the time it took for the lights to blink out. And she hadn't even seen what Alyna had. Or heard it, for that matter. If she could smell the things Alyna did the pilot would lose her mind to the terror that would consume her weak mind.The discussion wasn't helping. There were more of those creatures massing along their back trail, and with Jack bleeding..."I think we should go now." The Imam's voice carried. The holy man's eyes were directed exactly where Lyn's thoughts were. Riddick glanced back at Alyna for a moment. Then at Jack, beside her. She couldn't read his expression, but thought she smelled something from him. That longing again. And something else that made her bristle. Regret."I don't know about that. Especially with the girl bleeding." Alyna felt cold wash down her spine. Riddick had just outed Jack. Pure fury blossomed in her gut. And a protective instinct stronger than anything she'd felt before. They had made a deal."What the hell you talkin' about. She ain't cut." Johns commented, looking at Fry. Riddick met Alyna's gaze. Her eyes went wide, then narrowed at him, the promise of retribution burned in her. For a moment Riddick looked regretful."Not her," he turned and jerked his head at the young girl, "Her."All eyes turned to Alyna. She silently begged him not to do what he was about to. Riddick closed his eyes, irritated."The kid." He ground out.Jack's eyes went dinner plate wide and the fear and uncertainty made Alyna drag her closer. Fury burned in her gut. She was going to make Riddick pay for that. Fry turned on the child."I-I just thought it'd be better if people took me for a guy. I thought they'd leave me alone instead of always messing with me." The girl stammered, sinking into Alyna's hold."Jesus Jack! Why didn't you tell me!" The pilot snapped. She took a single step forward, but stopped short at the rumbling growl that issued from the green-eyed woman's throat. Alyna bared her fangs at the entire group, her protective instinct roaring to the fore, tearing through her already shredded control."Leave her be! Can't you see she's already upset? Don't blame the child for protecting herself." She didn't quite recognize her own voice, it was overlaid by the sonorous growl.Fry and Johns both took a step back. Johns glared at Alyna, but Fry realized that she was correct. And found herself afraid of the female predator. She backed off. Alyna's animal felt a deep satisfaction in that."I-I'm sorry." The blonde shifted from foot to foot, unsure what to do in this situation."They've been nose-open for her ever since we left. In case you hadn't noticed they go off blood." Riddick intoned. He glanced at Jack. Jack had her too-thin arms around Alyna's waist, clinging to the huntress like a lifeline. Alyna's beast wanted to curl around the kid, making her feel safe. Protected."Don't worry Jack. I won't let anything happen to you." She told the girl quietly. She felt Jack relax incrementally."Look, this is not going to work. We're gonna have to go back." Fry stated. Alyna's head jerked up, fire and indignation in her eyes."What did you say?" Johns demanded. "You're the one who got us out here in the first place and turned us into sled dogs." Johns was pissed, the scent a spicy tart smell that made Alyna's nostrils flare. It wasn't... unpleasant."I was wrong, I admit it, okay. Can we just get back to the ship? The pilot asked. She was.close to tears, her frustration adding an odd counterpoint to the spice."I don't know Carolyn, nice breeze, wide open space. I'm starting to enjoy my fuckin' self out here." The merc snapped."Are you high again? Just listen to yourself." Fry outed the merc. Alyna almost stepped in, but Jack's grip on her tightened. And Jack was her priority. Fuck the pilot. And the merc needed to be brought down a peg or ten. She let it play out."No, no. You're right Carolyn, what's to be afraid of? My life is a steaming pile of meaningless shit anyhow. So I say mush on. Canyons only a couple hundred meters and after that it's skiff city. So why don't you butch up, stuff a cork in this fuckin kid and lets go." He directed the last at Alyna. She snarled at him."She is the captain, we should listen to her." The Imam cut in, defending Fry. Dread suffused the blonde, choking, cloying. This was getting out of hand. Alyna glanced at Riddick. He was watching quietly, letting it all unfold. He'd be no help. Great."Listen to her?"Johns paused dramatically. "When she was so willing to sacrifice us all?""What's he talking about?" Jack asked, voice trembling."This does not help us--" Fry attempted."During the crash she tried to blow the whole passenger cabin, tried to kill us in our sleep." He outted her. Retribution for her revealing his addiction."Shut your mouth!""We are fuckin' disposable. We're just walking ghosts to you, aren't we?" He threw at her."Shut your fuckin' blow hole!" She screamed, launching herself at him. He knocked her away. The roaring of her own blood was deafening. When Fry made a lunge at Johns Alyna shrieked, a strange sound even she didn't understand. Jack buried her face in Alyna's chest. Imam spoke up again. "Fine. Fine! You made your point. We'll all be scared." He said, stepping forward to face the merc."Oh, Carolyn. How much do you weigh now?" His parting shot sent Alyna over the edge."Enough! All of you don't get just how much is at stake here! We are going to die on this fuckin' rock unless we get to that goddamn life raft! There is no going back, and there is no argument! If you want to die, so fuckin' be it, but I'm getting off this planet full of hunger and death. So either go back, and wait like mice in the dark until bloody death comes for you, or move forward and fight. Pick one." She glanced angrily at the entire group, taking them by surprise.Alyna turned, pulling Jack with her, straight to Riddick's side. The alpha regarded her with an impressed quirk of his lips."Get us the fuck out of here." She stated, staring him straight in the silver-blue eyes. He studied her for a moment, and then a sexier smirk played across his face."Guess the verdict's in. Light moves forward." Johns tossed at the pilot, snapping a flare into ignition.  The rest of the group followed. Alyna let Riddick walk ahead, Jack needed the protection of the group, not isolation, regardless of how much she wanted to join the alpha. Johns joined the convict ahead instead. Lyn's eyes narrowed at the merc. But her bitterness toward him had eased. At least when it mattered he wanted to survive.They walked on in the dark, torches held aloft, keeping together in a knot. The raven haired female kept watch around them. The creatures were cautious of their light, but getting bolder. Several times she caught sight of one making a move for them. Most missed because of their own fear. On the occasion that one became too bold, Alyna 'tripped', bringing her torch close enough to burn and drive the monster away, startled, or lashed out unseen with a blade.After a bit Alyna caught the thread of the conversation. She slowed. She trusted Riddick. But Johns she did not. She knew better than that."What do you think they're talking about up there?" Jack asked. Too perceptive. Far too perceptive. But what could be expected of a child who grew up far too fast. Alyna would know."Hang back." She said quietly. Fry, finally alerted to what was going on ahead, nodded sharply."A little more space 'tween us and them.""Battlefield doctors decide who lives and dies. It's called triage." Johns dropped casually."Kept callin' it murder when I did it." Riddick rebuffed."Either way its something I figure you can grab onto." The merc said conversationally."Sacrifice play. Hack up a body, leave it at the start of the canyon. Like a bucket of bait." Riddick commented.Trawl with it. We got extra cable on the sled. Drag the body 40, 50 feet behind us." The merc said."Nice embellishment." Riddick almost sounded impressed."I don't wanna feed 'em, I just want to keep 'em off our scent.""So which one caught your eye?" Riddick asked, turning to glance back. Alyna saw the predatory glint there. He was signaling her!"No, no, no, don't look. Christ. What the hell's wrong with you?" Johns admonished. Alyna caught his scent. He smelled resigned, not like he wanted to do this. But it seemed like he didn't see another choice.Alyna could see his thought process. It was something a hunter might do. It was almost admirable that he would sacrifice one of them to save the rest. If that was his true intention."Alright, enough  of this shit. You do the girl and I'll keep the others off your back. Not too big a job for you, is it?" Johns voice came to her loud and clear. She saw Riddick turn."I'm just wondering if we don't need a bigger piece of bait." Her beast said."Like who?" Johns asked. And then all bell broke loose.

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Alyna threw Jack backwards, the gunshots echoing all around them. Alyna's green orbs flashed, her vision sharpening."Protect her with your life." The predator snarled at the pilot. Fry nodded, dragging the entire group backward, running like rats. Alyna turned her attention toward the skirmish ahead. Riddick and Johns were circling each other.Alyna dropped into a stance and drew one of her blades."One rule," Riddick spoke, shedding the light belt he wore. The blue eyed devil snarled, face twisted into a grimace. The scent of impending violence started to raise her excitement, the beast rising to the surface.
Show time.
"Stay in the light." Alyna finished for him. Johns jerked around to face her. Riddick didn't flinch. He knew she was there. Had sent her the signal that shit was about to hit the fan. Trusted her as his second."Told you girl, dangerous game your playin'." The merc called."Good. I like 'em dangerous." The raven dropped into a crouch, one hand ghosting over the ground, blade flashing in her other hand. She let her beast to the forefront, the instinct to attack, to bury her teeth in his throat and taste his life leaving him, became a thrum in her head, a need. A low growl eminated from her throat.Riddick let out a throaty laugh."Well, wildcat. What you waiting for?" The big man asked.The merc swung his firearm around to get her in his sights, but as soon as he did she wasn't there anymore. She dropped lower and pushed with her legs, propelling herself straight at the merc. She was under his guard, throwing him backward and off balance almost before he could blink. The gun spun out of reach, into the dark as Alyna knocked the merc back on his ass.He threw a punch, but she managed to deflect. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she pinned the arm he'd swung with to the ground.This close the chemical scent of morphine was strong, but there was an underlying scent that was pure Johns. And it carried an animalistic heat that was almost like Riddick. Different, but so similar that it drove a spike of lust through Alyna. Taken aback by the feeling she momentarily let her grip loosen. And then she was on her back, Johns forearm across her throat."You're like us..." She managed to growl out. And then Riddick had dragged the merc off of her. The males scuffled, Riddick getting the upper hand for a moment. His blade flashed, and a crimson slash bloomed across Johns' back."Riddick! Don't!" She cried. She didn't understand why, but something inside was screaming at her not to kill Johns, despite vice versa being true only moments before."He'd do the same to either of us!" Riddick roared. Yeah, he was pissed now."Riddick, he's one of us. We can't kill him." She pleaded. Johns scrabbled for his gun. Alyna got to her feet just in time to see one of the monsters running across the sand straight at the merc. Without thought she darted forward and slashed at the creature, throwing it off course. She heard Riddick curse, but she was focused on the angry, hungry thing in front of her.She drew a second blade and went at it, slashing in quick succession. It shrieked as its throat opened, and then it arms drew back bleeding and slashed to ribbons. As it drew one arm back, the retractable claw ready to strike there was a blast beside her and suddenly her face was a mess of splattered brain matter and bone. Johns stood there, gun aimed at the thing she had just saved him from.She braced herself to have to attack, but it didn't happen, as the merc dropped to his knees.The light died suddenly. Alyna darted forward and braced her arm under his, dragging him up."C'mon Johns, we can't stay here." She told him. Riddick was pissed, but for some reason he was going with this. He lifted the merc on the other side. They towed him up to his feet. Once he was up he stood on his own power. Barely. He was bleeding pretty bad now."Should ghost him. He'll do worse to us." Riddick warned again. Alyna looked up at him."Riddick, there's something about him. Something most humans don't have. We can't kill him. I can't let you, ok." She let out a heavy sigh.Riddick retrieved her torch, and set it beside her. She was inspecting the wound in Johns' back. "With him bleeding like that its gonna attract every one of them to us. It's dangerous." The convict gave in. For the moment."You need to find the others. Get them all back here. We're all going to make it off this rock, Riddick." She looked up at him, green eyes reflecting the torch flame.The big convict eyed her closer for a split second. The interaction seemed to drag out for much longer as the determination in her acidic eyes and the suspicion in his communicated their intent.Then the silver eyed beast ceded to her. Something she was dead certain he never did. An imperceptible nod and he turned and was gone.Alyna braced the merc up and pushed him forward toward some temporary cover. He moved under his own power, but only just. The iron tang in the air was overlaid by that everpresent morphine chemical scent that burned her nose. She shook off the effects and leaned the man against a rock formation. She expanded her senses checking for signs of the predators that hunted them.Noting that it was clear, for the moment, Alyna took her blade to the hem of her shirt, cutting a swath of fabric from her already torn clothes and beginning to bandage Johns' wounds.  "Heh, just couldn't wait to get naked for me, could ya?" The merc murmured, his blue eyes slitted and watching her. But Alyna could smell his gratitude."Not even in your dreams, Merc." She said back. He lifted his hand and grabbed her wrist as she attended to him, stilling her. But there was no force in his grip. She locked eyes with him as he eyed her. She didn't back down, a second battle of wills played out silently."You don't really think we're gonna get off this hellhole, do you girly? With all the things huntin' us?" His voice rasped, close to breaking. Johns was at his limit. Time to take charge.Alyna pulled her wrist from his grip firmly and returned to bandaging him."Yes, Johns. I absolutely do believe we will get off this planet. Because I didn't live through the shit that came before this to die here, now that I've finally found others like me. I am going to drag you and Riddick with me, and I'm going to make it alive. So are you." She told him. There was no waver in her voice when she spoke. Just conviction. A few tense seconds later she added, "And so is Jack. So don't try that shit again."He opened his mouth to reply but no words escaped as light came into view. Alyna tightly tied off the strips of her tank top, now no more than a crop top, earning a hiss from the merc, and turned to the group of survivors that Riddick led.She stood. The others eyed her warily. Riddick brushed past her to find his own place to sit on the ground. "We rest here, and then we head on to the settlement." She said, turning to the Imam. He nodded.Alyna looked back and met Jack's eye. The girl was terrified. Her scent was so pungent that it was a wonder the others weren't picking up on it with their sad human sense of smell. But there was another scent there too. The steel of her determination. Alyna quirked the side of her mouth up into a smirk and nodded to Jack. The young girl nodded back shakily, the terror lessening some and the steel growing stronger.She waved the girl over. Jack obeyed, coming to a halt beside Alyna. Her eyes were downcast. That bugged the shit out of the female predator. She tucked a finger under Jack's chin and lifted her face."Don't do that. It's a sign of weakness. And my family is not weak. So you don't lower your eyes. If someone challenges you, you look them in the eye. Don't ever back down. Because you're strong, Jack. Strong enough to survive this long. So you're strong enough to make it off this hellhole. Got me?" Alyna lectured the girl. Jack straightened up, meeting her eye with a new confidence. She nodded to Alyna."Okay, Lyn. I'll be stronger. Promise." She said. Her scent was cut through with the steel resolve. Alyna grinned."Good girl." She praised. Jack grinned back.Alyna turned and looked to Riddick. His silent stoicism didn't surprise her in the least. But she could smell his surprise, and his approval.So he was good with her teaching Jack to be stronger. The girl needed a family. A good role model. For all her faults, Alyna was a survivor, and she was connected to this girl in ways she didn't understand. Connected to Riddick. And Johns.She had been through hell so many times in her life, this new one was nothing she couldn't handle. It was ironic though. She had lived her whole life worried about number one. Never getting attached to anyone or anything. And now, here she was, picking up strays on a planet full of death, and things that wanted to sink their teeth into all of them.And she had a new determination not to let them.Now they just needed a game plan.***Riddick was at a loss. He  had had the chance to end his greatest threat's life, only to stop dead when a girl he had only know for a collection of hours told him not to.A girl he felt a strong connection to. One he couldn't explain, couldn't shake, couldn't fight. She had a hold on him.And for the life of him, he didn't understand why he didn't want to break it.All his life he had broken the bonds that tried to hold him. And now, here he was. Submitting to one.It was stupidity. But he trusted Lyn. Trusted her implicitly. So when she had stayed his hand, he had given ground he would never have given for anyone else in the 'verse.William J. Johns was still breathing.And according to the female predator, he was like them. How in the hell was that possible?Then again, the merc had doggedly hunted Riddick across worlds. Subdued him more than once.It was Riddick to blame for Johns' morphine habit. The sliver of shiv that he'd left in the merc's back, pressed against his spine. Had to be agonizing. Riddick felt mild regret about that.Maybe Lyn was right, and the blue eyed devil was like them. Maybe the reason Riddick hadn't killed him yet was because somehow he sensed that as well, subconsciously.Not that it really mattered much. If they didn't manage to get off this planet it meant they were all dead meat.How to get them all to that ship was the problem. Or maybe it was a puzzle to solve. Riddick felt the gears start turning.

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Johns' wounds were bandaged as well as Lyn could manage. She was sitting there beside him, the merc leaned over with his arms braced on his knees. He had thanked her quietly for tending him, but was silent now. Silence from the merc made Alyna uncomfortable. It wasn't like him to keep his thoughts to himself. But she didn't attempt to wrest him from his thoughts. She sensed a change in him, after the showdown between the three of them.Riddick was sitting across the way on another rock, watching them carefully as he prepped equipment for the next leg of this journey. He hadn't said a word since the fight. The canyon was ahead, and Alyna didn't know how many of them would make it through. It was wishful thinking to believe that they would all make it unscathed. There were too many hungry ptero-things out there waiting in the dark. But Alyna would be damned if the kids didn't make it off this heap. If Jack didn't. She had promised the girl. A promise she intended to keep.The quiet was broken when the Imam made his way over to Riddick as he was sharpening one of his shivs.He had been making the rounds, sending up useless prayers.Alyna scoffed softly when he asked the convict to pray with him. His answer didn't surprise her much."It is painless." Imam tried to convince the big man."It's pointless." Riddick clarified."Just because you don't believe in God, Mr. Riddick, doesn't mean that he doesn't believe in you." The Imam stated."Think someone can spend half their life in a Islam with a horsebit in their mouth and not believe? That they could start out in a liquor store trash bin with an umbilical cord around their neck, and not believe?" Riddick's retort didn't surprise her either, though the bit about being tossed in a liquor store dumpster with his umbilical cord around his neck made her hurt for him. Maybe they had more in common than she had initially thought."No, you got it all wrong, Holy Man. I absolutely believe in God. And I absolutely hate the fucker." He concluded. But the holy man was unperturbed. Alyna shook her head at that."He is with us nonetheless." The Imam countered."Teo of your boys are already dead. How much faith do you have left, Father?" Riddick came back. The Imam was quiet at that."Doesn't mean that your God believes in us either, Imam. I'd keep your faith for yourself. You need it more than we do." She remarked. Johns let out a low chuckle beside her, but kept his thoughts to himself. Alyna felt Riddick's eyes on her, though his hands never stopped what they were doing and his face remained impassive. She looked back to the Imam."Or maybe you should have more faith." He gave her a pointed look. Alyna didn't put much thought into that. Her faith was much like Riddick's. She believed. She just didn't believe that a so-called all powerful deity really gave two shits about any one member of the human race. Let alone all of them.If he did, then why was there so much needless suffering? Why did kids like her end up under the thumb of men like Zula?No. She didn't think God cared a wit about his so called children. As far as she was concerned, God was just another dead beat dad.She turned to finish putting away the medical supplies she had used on Johns, and mentally prepared herself for what was to come.***Alyna cursed their luck about halfway through the canyon. Metaphorical shit was definitely hitting the proverbial fan. Fry was slowly losing her shit, the Imam and his last boy, Suleiman, were starting to flag, and Jack was a determined, but terrified ball of nerves. Alyna kept the younger girl close, but it was just a matter of time before one of the nasties took a swipe.They had entered the canyon, following Riddick's directions. A swarm of more adolescent things had come at them at the very start. Fry had lifted her molotov torch into the swarm, setting the one that swooped by too close on fire. Jack had followed suit until Alyna had given her an admonishing look. Riddick was behind them, dodging flaming bat beasts. Jack gave her a sheepish look. Johns made no comment, but he didn't get far from Alyna either, though it was a struggle. His injuries from the fight were starting to get to him.At the point that blue blood started spattering the ground the idiot blonde defied Riddick's shout of "Do not look up!"She looked up anyway. Alyna let of a snarl at the dumb bitch. She was slowing them down, putting her people in danger. The free-for-all was dropping body parts, blood, viscera all over them. When it happened, it happened fast.A live creature had concealed itself among the bodies and bits of its own, lying in wait. It struck out, aiming for Suleiman, who was on the outside of the group. Instead it caught John's, who had pushed the boy out of the way, seeing the treat a split second quicker than Alyba had."Fuck!" The merc screamed as the thing stabbed him in the ankle with that spear-claw. "Get this fuckin' thing off me!" He yelled frantically. Lyn didn't hesitate, whipping around with blade in hand. She charged it, shrieking her rage at it. She slashed the arm holding her beta, severing it. Imam and Suleiman dragged him back, detaching the thing from him and wrapping Imam's headwrap around the wound to bind it.Riddick had moved past them, determined to make it to the skiff. Jack called out to him, following. Before Alyna could register what had happened Jack was trapped unter a large piece of bone, holding a frantic creature off by mere inches, screaming for Riddick at the top of her lungs while it slammed its triangular beak into the makeshift shield repeatedly.When Fry aimed the flashlight at it, the creature screeched in pain as it's skin bubbled and cracked, but it was so intent on Jack that it didn't seem to be phased. Alyna made a move, but was far too slow.Riddick drew a shiv and was on it lightning fast, slashing until the thing's own bowls lay pooled at his feet. Finally the monster fell, after Riddick had laid open its entire abdomen. His rage made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.Lyn reached Jack before Fry did, and only marginally quicker than Johns could limp over, dragging the shaking girl into her arms. Jack buried her face in Lyn's shoulder, trembling like a leaf and fighting hysterical tears."Did not know who it was fucking with!" Riddick roared, standing over his kill.Alyna looked up at him at the same time he looked over at her and Jack, and just as Johns laid a hand on Lyn's shoulder, protectively. His other hand hovered above Jack's head, not sure if his touch would be welcomed, but wanting to comfort her all the same.The look in Riddick's eyes left Alyna shellshocked. The emotion there was a seething, burning rage. As if this thing had dared to come after something that was... His.The sudden flare of Riddick's scent that hit her was a shock to her system. He smelled of a primal rage, and something else that was reminiscent of warm fur and ozone. Combined with the scent of Jack, steel and fire, and John's scent of earth, and the overlapping chemical scent of morphine, and Alyna felt her inner beast stir. One thought hit her as hard as a freight train.-Pack.-Her beast had never reacted this way before. It had urged her to run, to fight, todefend herself, or hide. But never had it reacted by claiming another being as Pack. And here it was claiming three at once. A deadly convict, a runaway child, and a merc who had betrayed all three of them, on multiple occasions in Riddick's case.This just proved how fucked Alyna's life truly was.***Alyna refused to let Jack stray from her side as they reached the midpoint of the canyon. This was it, the flat out sprint to the settlement, and the skiff. She had an arm wrapped protectively around the kid's shoulders, guiding her and pushing her on. The Imam and Suleiman were right behind them, with Fry trailing them as a rear guard. She had Johns' gun since the two chrislams had him braced between them, helpinghim along. Riddick had the cells attached to leads, dragging them behind him. The light was at his back, as per his orders.They were surrounded on all sides by death, desperation clinging to them like a shroud.And then the sky opened up and loosed true rain on them. The torches they had switched to after the sled lights had gone out started to sputter in the heavy drops that pelted them.Riddick stopped at a rise and threw his head back, laughing."Where's your God now, Holy Man?" Of course, Imam didn't say a word.

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Riddick couldn't keep himself from glancing back at the group, his eyes inevitably drawn toward Lyn as they moved. The artificial light of the electric torches and the one battery operated lantern the woman had salvaged guiding their way in the downpour, now that the alcohol bottle torches had gone out.He couldn't help the newfound feeling of respect for the little wildcat. She'd held her own with Johns, and kept up with Riddick himself. And then to see her in action against the bioraptor. His inner animal had damn near roared in approval. Riddick didn't question his instincts. And his instincts wanted this woman fiercely. He'd never wanted anything but freedom this badly. When she'd called him off the attack on the merc, never had he stopped when intent on the kill. But just her voice was enough to pull him back from the bloodlust. He'd never been one to let another get close. Especially with his past. But he hadn't even realized that he had allowed her in. Not until she already had a kind of pull on him. One he couldn't seem to rationalize away. So he didn't try.But it was more than just her. The kid drew him too. Jack. She was a scared, wild eyed kid who had obviously  been through hell in her young life, and had hyper focused on him. He saw the hero worship in her guileless eyes. And he almost wanted to be worthy of it.But the truth was that Richard B. Riddick was not a good man. He was a killer, a convict, and an animal. Part of him wanted desperately to rejoin the human race, but he didn't have the first clue how. Or whether he should even try.Maybe... maybe if they made it off this rock he might try. He shook his head at his thoughts. Was this what Riddick was? Was he so weak willed that he would try to be something he didn't think was even a part of himself any longer? And for two females no less. And the younger wasn't even his kid. But he still felt fiercely protective of her. Of them both.Mine. His mind whispered. He ignored it.Lyn, he knew could protect herself. She was fast, and dangerous, with the animal instinct to keep her breathing this long. He had no doubt it would keep her alive long after this. She was a survivor. But Jack, she didn't have the same animalistic ability to suss out a threat, let alone the skills to fend off said threat. Maybe in time she could be trained. Lyn had proven that when she had started to coach the kid with some success. But in this moment she was as defenseless as newborn. And that grated on his nerves like nothin' else could. He wasn't used to feeling the need to protect and care for another. It felt... Alien. Riddick glanced back at them again. It was a compulsion, and one that was bound to get him hurt if he didn't pay attention to his surroundings. Especially since every time he did it left spots in his vision.He didn't really notice the drag of exertion from the weight of the power cells. They were an afterthought. At least not until one of the cells caught on something and jerked him to a halt."Fuck!" He cursed, glancing down to see what he had snagged on. It was the body of one of the monsters. It had dropped in a slight recess in the dirt, and the others had obviously fed on it, as half of its ribcage was exposed.He hadn't noticed it before it caught the power cell because it had been lying flat and blended with the ground in the dark, even to his eyes. When the cell dragged over its body it had rolled just enough to catch the cable of one of the cells between the ribs. It had been dead for a while. Long enough for its body heat to fully dissipate.It took Riddick far longer than it should have to realize that this would slow them down. This was dangerous.Just long enough for the entire group to catch up. He turned to shout a warning just in time for Suleiman to shine the fucking light from the second electric torch in his eyes, blinding him. He let out another curse.***"Riddick, wha-?" The blonde pilot managed before she stumbled over the body and the power cell. She dropped the latern and let out a shriek.Alyna had made it to Riddick's side, with Jack tucked under her arm."Shit, you ok?" She reached out to the convict. He didn't pull away from her touch, though he blinked rapidly. She had seen him stall, but what had happened next had been too quick for her to shout a warning. And now Riddick had been weakened.Alyna glanced at Johns. He had hobbled over to help a shell shellshocked Fry, as had the Imam. This was bad. Extremely bad. If the convict was temporarily blinded, he was vulnerable. And Alyna didn't think Johns wouldn't hesitate to retaliate for earlier, despite the difference in him. And Alyna knew he wouldn't stay his hand at her request as Riddick had.She had watched him. He had kept his eyes on her, and Riddick, an unreadable expression on his face.Alyna didn't have time to contemplate what Johns would try, even wounded. Because Fry's shriek had attracted attention. The whooping trill of several creatures sounded off, closer than they should have been. Lyn turned just in time to see Suleiman get snatched up the canyon wall, the torch wrapped around him bouncing against the rock. He couldn't even cry out before the light was gone.The Imam cried out, reaching for his son, but Lyn darted forward to lock her hand around his arm."No! He's gone. I'm sorry, but hes gone. We have to move! The skiff is right there, we have to move!" She shouted, her instincts kicking into overdrive. They needed to get the hell out of here. To the settlement and off this fucking planet. She turned to Riddick.He was shaking off the temporary blindness. Finally. Jack was at his side, tucked under his arm. The rain chose then to become a true torrent."Riddick, can you make it?" She asked. He nodded, wiping the rain from his eyes. "Good. We need to get the hell out of here. Johns, we need your light at our back. Fry, Imam, Jack, in the middle. Riddick and I will get the cells. Keep up, or get left behind."She issued orders like she was in charge, but no one seemed to want to argue. Jack went over to Fry and Imam. Johns nodded and took his position. Lyn turned back to Riddick.He was looking at her strangely. She ignored it and went to untangle the snagged cell. She kicked the rib that the cable had wedged against until it broke. She pulled that cable and another up over her shoulder. Riddick took up the others once again.Alyna braced herself. This was going to  be a hell of a race. Especially with one of her pack injured."Move!" Riddick roared, taking off. They moved faster now that his load was lighter. She kept pace, the balls of her feet digging into the slick terrain. The others just managed to keep pace. Johns managed well enough, even hurt. Alyna wasn't going to let anyone else die on this fucking rock.She shouted orders at them periodically, warning them of obstacles. She glanced back once, to find Jack straying too far toward the edge of the light. She snapped at the girl, who veered back toward the center.Once a ptero-bat attempted to swoop down on them, but she yanked her bone sword from her hip and clipped it. It shrieked and dove out of sight.Riddick didn't let her stray too far either. If she veered, so did he.And then, like the sun rising after a storm, the lights of the settlement came into view. They were nearly there!

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They were almost there! The skiff was dead ahead. Just a few feet.They'd made it. They were getting off this planet of death. She slowed at the gangway of the skiff, dropping the cables. Riddick dropped his load as well. The Imam made it into the skiff.Her pack was safe. He was safe.Elation bloomed in Alyna's chest as the relative safety of the skiff surrounded her.It was cut short however, when Fry screamed, mere feet behind Lyn. The whoosh of wings made Alyna go cold. Fear bloomed in her. Something she hadn't truly felt even out there facing death at every step.When Jack echoed the pilot that fear built into terror.No. Not her. Not now. Please. She pleaded, almost praying to the Imam's god, despite her words earlier.Lyn turned to find Jack splattered with blood, Johns just lifting his gun toward the threat. But he never pulled the trigger. One of the ptero-things had skewered Fry with that wicked claw, the tip jutting through the front of her chest.Thank the gods it isn't Jack. Alyna's relief was palpable. The pilot had been the target. Her hand still held Jack's. And then it didn't. She was yanked up into the night. Jack stared stunned.Then Riddick was there, pushing Alyna toward the skiff. He reached Jack, pulling her toward him. She turned and shoved her face into his chest. He wrapped and arm around her, almost posessively, and guided her inside, passing Johns with an unreadable look.The relief of getting to the skiff was dampened by the attack literally at their door. They had been too quick to drop their guard.Alyna knew she should feel guilty that she had been relieved when it was Fry and not Jack. But she felt none. Just a bone deep gladness that her newfound pack was still intact.Jack slumped in the corner of one of the fold down cots beside Imam. Johns stood guard at the door, leaning against the wall for support. His ankle was bleeding through tne cloth wrapping it. It was going to need patching up. And Alyna needed to check and see just how much damage there was. An injury like that could be catastrophic. If the bone had been damaged and healed wrong it could mean Johns' career. Or his life if the stubborn merc refused to quit being a merc.Riddick said nothing as he hooked up and got the system up and running. Lyn headed for Jack. She slid in on the girl's other side, leaning her head on Jack's shoulder. Jack reached down to take her hand, clinging hard. She didn't ask if the girl was ok. She knew the answer. None of them were. This whole damn situation had fucked all of them up beyond repair.Imam extended his arm out to include her. She took the comfort he offered. The holy man may not be pack, but he was a friend. They had survived hell together. There was no changing that. They were irrevocably tied to one another, all of them. They sat there in stunned silence as Riddick finished with the cells and went to go begin the start up checks.Johns hit the bay door panel. The hatch closed with a whir.He limped over and sunk into the second seat beside Riddick. He said nothing. There was.no animosity there now. Johns was not the same man. Something inside him had shifted the moment Alyna had laid a claim on him. He was conflicted now. His scent warred between exhaustion, confusion, and hope.Alyna hoped that he would embrace his animal side, and turn over a new leaf. He deserved it, after this. A rebirth. They all did.Riddick had already gotten the ship started and was powering up to take off when he suddenly lowered the throttle. Alyna looked up, thoughts coming to a halt. Jack's sudden panic was palpable. Johns gave Riddick a raised eyebrow."Riddick what the hell are you doing?" The kid asked shakily. Riddick didn't answer right away."Riddick?" Alyna queried. He glanced back at her. She saw something in his eyes, a sadness she didn't expect.The sound of bodies hitting the hull of the ship and the echoing trills of the creatures was unnerving. Jack frantically clutched at Alyna's hand."Can we just get the hell outta here now?" An edge of hysteria was just discernible in Jack's voice. She sounded more like a little girl than she ever had."We can't leave," Riddick said quietly. Johns started to speak but Riddick cut him off. "Without saying goodnight."Before anyone could respond to that he punched the throttle  full blast. The lights flared on.The shriek of dozens of the bioraptors as they recoiled was nearly deafening. They took off, slamming into more of the creatures as they shot toward the upper atmosphere. And then in the space of a breath they were clear, rewarded with the sight of stars ahead.***Alyna held Jack close to her side until the girl finally passed out. Imam had moved over to the other cot to give them room. He was quietly praying. Alyna left him to it. His grief was strong. He deserved the time to feel it, accept his losses, now that they weren't running for their lives. She had tucked the girl into the bed awkwardly. Jack had clung, unwilling to let go of the older female. Alyna had finally slipped her bag free, after getting the supplies she needed to tend to Johns ankle from it, and slid it under the girl's head. It held her scent, and Jack latched onto that sense of safety and comfort.Alyna had accepted that this young girl had now become her responsibility for the foreseeable future. Her animal was insistent on it. She had no idea exactly how she would manage to take care of another human being, seeing as she was a fugitive, and had been on her own since before she was Jack's age. But for that kid, she would do her damndest.Pack was pack. Pack was family. And Jack was a part of hers now. That wasn't going to change.The raven left the girl to rest. She was the only one able to get any form of rest after the hell that was that M344/G, according to the computer. Alyna renamed it Hades in her head.Riddick was laying in their course. Johns was watching the convict closely, with an odd glint in his eye. Not a malicious one, like before. This was something else entirely. Every once in a while he glanced back at Alyna. He was still bleeding. The cloth around his leg was bright red and the smell of his blood was giving her a headache. Her animal urged her to tend his wound. It didn't like another pak member being injured. The clamoring to fix the hurt was irresistible.She went to him."Time to get you seen to, merc." She told him."I'm fine. Worry about yourself, girl." He tried to brush her off. She narrowed her eyes."Johns, I have no problem knocking you the fuck out to tend your goddamned injuries, so either let me, or I will knock your brain loose." She snarled. Uncooperative macho bullshit. Pissed her the fuck off."Whoa there, woman. The fuck you so aggressive for? This about me bein' 'one of you'?" He demanded. Her irritation mounted."Let her, merc. It'll make you feel better and stop her threatening. Both on my nerves. So shut the fuck up or I'll knock you out so she can fix your stubborn ass." Riddick growled, cutting his eyes at Johns. Alyna scented his rising annoyance. She flashed the big man a grin, more teeth than anything."Christ, what's with you? All of you lost your fuckin' minds." Johns grumbled, but he didn't resist when she knelt down to unwrap the headwrap.He hissed when she pulled the last layer from his skin. Alyna finally got a good look at the wound. It wasn't good, but it wasn't as bad as it could be.The claw had sliced a deep gash across Johns' ankle and lower calf, but it hadn't hit his Achilles tendon. It had.mostly just cut the skin,but there was a.part of his claf that looked like the muscle was torn. Thats where the majority of the blood came from.Alyna carefully cleaned away the blood and grime from the area, treating it with the antiseptic she had managed to squirrel away in her bag. Then she applied a salve meant to prevent infection and promote healing. She wrapped it in fresher bandages, tyeing off the end. He let out a pained spund occasionally until she had finished with him."Shirt now, merc. I want to treat that cut." She told him. He hesitated until she stood up, glaring, and made a move to take it off herself."Fine, fine. I'm movin'. No need to get handsy." He snapped, removing the offending garment. She unraveled the scraps of her tanktop, cleaning away more blood and grime. His skin was warm, and surprisingly soft under her ministrations. And his skin smelled pleasant, under the unnatural chemical scent. Warm. Like gun oil, the scent of a storm brewing, ozone and rain, and a hint of that animal musk. Different from Riddick. More like a canid than a feline. But it was there. And it spoke to her animal.She applied more of the antiseptic to clean out the knife slice. It wasn't deep. Superficial, though it would scar. Definitely not life threatening if kept clean and free of infection. More salve went on it. Johns jerked and hissed when she applied it. The stuff must sting.She pulled more bandages from her bag, her supply dwindling. But no one else was injured this badly. So she sacrificed them. After she finished tending him, she moved away. His hand shot put, catching her wrist. She stopped, his firm grip not surprising in the least. He didn't hurt her though.She met his eye. His ice blue gaze made her stomach flip."Thank you." He rasped. His relief and gratitude were equally strong in his scent. Pretty soon he would start coming down from his last dose of morphine. She worried about that. Withdrawals were hell. She'd seen it a thousand times.But she was pretty sure he'd lost his stash at some point on their mad dash. So he would have to deal with tnat. She may not like it, bit it was something he had to handle on his own."You're welcome, Johns." She told him. Then he surprised her."William." He said. She didn't comprehend."What?" Her brows furrowed in confusion."Call me William. Or Billy. Not Johns. Don't feel right, seeing as I owe you my life." He told her. His scent was shot through with conflicting emotions. But hope was the strongest."William, then." She conceded. This man was a part of her pack now. She would treat him accordingly. Johns-- William, nodded at that.Alyna moved up beside Riddick then, laying her forearm across the back of the pilot's chair and resting on his warm shoulder. He didn't even blink at her touch. His skin was hotter than William's. Rougher. But it felt more right. She'd not deny that."So, what are we going to do now? Were bound to run into someone eventually. Lots of questions. Could even be a merc ship. So what do we tell them? About you?" Alyna asked softly. Riddick took a moment to finish what he was doing before turning to regard her. Then he did something she did not expect. He reached up and circled her wrist in his larger hand and tugged her around in front of him and into his lap.Her back to his chest, he buried his nose under her hair and breathed her in. She sighed slightly. The warmth of his body against hers, and the feel of his arm wrapped around her middle holding her to him in a steel embrace served to settle her inner beast.It must have done so to his as well, because she felt the tension leave him all at once."That would be a good question. Johns, do you have an answer?" Riddick glanced up from her neck at the merc, whose eyes were riveted to the obvious display of affection. There was a hunger there in his eyes that Alyna knew too well. But was it directed at her, or Riddick? Or both?"S'far as I'm concerned Riddick died in the crash." The merc answered, looking away. There was no scent of deception on him. A low chuckle rumbled in Riddick's chest."So Billy Badass actually is human. Who'd have thought." Riddick teased. Alyna saw William's eyes slide closed, his jaw clenched. He was uneasy with Riddick's teasing. But then, he did have his reasons. Riddick may have relaxed quite a bit, but there was still an edge of the predator to him. He didn't trust William at all. With their past, who would? In Riddicks place Alyna wouldn't trust the merc either. But she did trust her instincts, and hers were telling her that the merc was being truthful."Sounds good to me. Tell 'em Riddick's dead. He died somewhere on that planet."The timbre of his voice did something to Alyna. She shifted slightly in Riddick's lap. His iron hold on her didn't let up. If anything he held on tighter, almost grinding her into him. She regarded him out of the corner of her eye. His face gave nothing away, despite the fact that the scent of his arousal, spicy and intoxicating, bloomed around her. She wasn't surprised in the least when she felt him growing hard under her ass.But now wasn't the time for that, and they both knew it. Especially with yhe tenous bond that had formed between the trio."How long do you think it'll be?" Alyna asked, refocusing on the nav computer."Ghost lane. Could be a while." William commented. Alyna knew that the life support on this ship would only provide for so long. That meant one thing; they were going to have to go into cryo soon. Oh joy.Imam chose that moment to speak up, having heard the whole conversation anyway."I will put myself into cryostasis then, until we manage to make it back to some form of civilization. I will put Jack under as well. But we should discuss what is to be done when and if we are eventually picked up by a passing ship." The holy man made a good point."You're headed for New Mecca, right?" Alyna asked."I am. I have family waiting there." He told her. She looked at Riddick."New Mecca would be a good place for Jack to start over. Do you think we should leave her there with Imam?" She queried softly. She didn't want to part with the kid. Pack was pack. Alyna knew her past would eventually catch up to her. Jack would likely end up getting caught in the crossfire. But Jack was her responsibility. She would see to it that the girl could survive. Could defend herself. And when it happened, she hoped that Jack would be strong enough to handle anything that came her way. Because Alyna would have to go.Her instincts lashed out in protest at the idea of leaving Jack behind. Riddick let out a low growl as well. He kept his thoughts to himself though on that matter."Maybe the girl would settle in and make herself at home. But honestly I think we all know that's a longshot. After the shit she's been through she needs to be trained, needs to learn to defend herself. You both know it as well as I do." William surprised all of them by speaking up in favor of  the things Alyna and Riddick had obviously been thinking. The merc had his arms crossed over his chest, leaned back in the chair, legs braced on the floor. He looked as if he was certain of his statement. Imam cleared his throat."I do believe that Mister Johns is right in this. The girl needs someone to guide her. The things we all experienced on that planet were horrific enough for us, and we are all adults. She is but a child, in the midst of her emotional development. She needs someone who has shared these experiences and can help her learn to cope with them.""Exactly. That kid won't be one to settle in somewhere normal with people who've never seen the shit she has. That one is the kind to do something dumb, rebellious. She'd get her fool self into trouble she couldn't get out of if we try to put her somewhere she don't fit. Square peg, round hole." William stated."Exactly. She needs to be with someone she trusts. Someone she's imprinted on." Imam gave Alyna a pointed look. "You're not wrong. I can see it in her. And I fully intend to be there for her. I don't know if that will be much better, but I intend to try. She... Matters to me." Lyn looked down at the floor, considering whether or not she should admit to her past while they were feeling their feels. She hesitated a jot too long."We all got ghosts. Some of 'em don't seem to want to stay dead. Mine more than most it seems." Riddick commented. Alyna nodded her agreement."Well, I've said my piece. Whatever you decide to do with her is your choice. I'm gonna to go check out. Holy man's got the right idea." With that the merc stood up, stretching. He winced as the bandages on his back pulled. Alyna's eyes were drawn to the merc then. Her animal sat up and paid attention. Though not as tall, or well defined as Riddick, the merc did have some muscle on him. And he wasn't to bad on the eyes if she was being truthful.Despite the way he had been when this whole thing had begun, the merc was showing a different side to them now. He had seemed to have given up his plan to drag Riddick back to slam. He hadn't lied when he said that he would consider the convict dead. Alyna was glad of that. Now to convince him that he belonged with them. And to convince Riddick that he did as well."I think that now would be a good time to excuse myself as well. I think I will enter cryostasis now. I bid you both farewell for the time being." The holy man bowed his head slightly and turned to do exactly that.Finally as alone as they would get, Alyna became aware of Riddick's attention on her.Only her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Alyna stayed where she was, leaning against Riddick's chest. He wrapped an arm around her stomach, his skin against her midriff thanks to her much shortened tanktop. I was almost like a brand across her. Her animal purred at the touch. It felt right.The holy man and William both went to make good on their intentions, Imam tending to Jack first and then himself.William had gone to hook himself up on the other side of the ship.The sound of them moving around, and the mechanical thrumming of the engine, and the ship itself, coupled with the warmth of Riddick's body, and the exhaustion from the last few days finally caught up to Alyna. Her eyes drooped, body heavy. She turned to nuzzle into the skin of Riddick's neck, where his natural scent was strongest. It surrounded her, calming her. Before she knew it she dropped over the edge of sleep. For the first time in her life, she fully relaxed into slumber.***Riddick held Lyn cradled to his chest. She had been so worn out that she had literally curled into his lap, took a deep inhale of his skin as if she needed it like air, and promptly passed out with her head tucked under his chin. He didn't mind it as much as he thought he would. She felt good in his arms, tucked against him.He liked this feeling. Liked the fact that she had trusted him enough to protect her that she actually fell asleep. It was no small thing. Riddick knew that she had lived a hard life, similar to his in many ways. You didn't develop the insticts, the skills, or accumulate the scars they had without having earned every second with blood and sweat. Part of him wished she hadn't had to go through all that. Riddick ran his index finger over a raised line across the side of her ribcage. He hadn't had a chance planetside to look at her, to really notice things about her.Well, aside from her nicely perky average sized breasts, the nipples that hardened every time they'd had a second alone together. The round, pert ass that made his mouth water, especially with the way she moved, that predatory gait that made her hips roll just right. He had wanted to grab a handful of that ass more than once. Her toned but plump thighs, defined arms, and that flat belly with not an ounce of fat to be seen. Long dark hair that he wanted so badly to touch and see if it was as soft and riotous as it looked. Large almond shaped eyes framed by thick lashes. Small, slightly upturned nose. Those pouty lips that had brought on more than a few fantasies about what he'd like them to do, the upper lip nearly as full as the bottom one. And those fangs she had flashed. Riddick groaned. He was hard already, but thinking about those fangs sinking into his skin and leaving behind marks? Fuck. He was throbbing.Her scent drew him in, calmed him. But it could also raise his blood pressure and make him harder than the stone she smelled of. He wanted her. His animal wanted her. Wanted to chase her down, claim her hard and fast, and mark her with his teeth, his scent. He wanted to make her his, goddamnit.But he also wanted to comfort her. To simply touch her. Hold her. Kiss her.He wanted things he had never known. And that made him wary. Everything that had ever mattered to him was ripped away, without fail. He dreaded the thought of that happening with her.Riddick brushed a strand of hair from her face. And it was as soft as it looked. Her eyes fluttered in sleep. Riddick wondered what she was dreaming about.The tension had fled him as he watched her sleep. And he felt the weight of the world sinking away. He was tired too. Here they were safe. If anything came at them the skiff's sensors would alarm them.And he had a soft, warm woman in his arms. One that wanted to be there, and trusted him. One just as lethal as he was.Riddick closed his eyes and let himself drift, his thoughts falling away. Despite his state of arousal the animal uncoiled enough to allow true slumber for the first time in Riddick's memory. ***Alyna woke feeling warm. Good. Safe. Wait...Her brows furrowed.Her bed had a heartbeat. And was breathing. Her green eyes popped open. She glanced up to confirm her suspicion. She was laying across Riddick's chest. She had dozed off while sitting in the hunter's lap. He seemed to be asleep as well, goggles pushed up off his eyes.Alyna looked around the ship. Imam, William and Jack were all hooked up to the cryo tubes.Alyna shifted almost imperceptibly. Riddick's eyes shot open and his arm around her went tight as a steel band, holding her in place. For several long seconds he asessed the situation, before relaxing minutely."Mornin' wildcat." He said in a sleep rough voice."How long did I sleep?" She asked. Riddick looked at the read out on the console."Hm. 'Bout twelve hours." He answered. Alyna's eyes went wide."Twelve hours? Damn. I usually don't sleep that long." She told him."Needed it. Both did." He said. Alyna's lips tilted up in a small smile.He had let her sleep on him. Had held her. Had fallen asleep right along with her. And he seemed to be in no hurry to uproot her from her spot. She found that endearing. Alyna moved to stretch, arching her back against Riddick's chest, inadvertently grinding her backside down into his hips. His hands flew to her hips, a groan leaving his throat as he shot hard as a rock under her. Alyna felt herself flush. The mood had flipped from sweet to sensual in the time it took her to take a breath."Woman, you keep that up I'll have you naked and I'll be balls deep in a heartbeat." He rumbled. Heat suffused her entire being, arousal ripping through her so fast she wondered if she was spontaneously combusting."Fuck, Riddick. Keep talking like that and I'll beat you to the naked part." She told him. He chuckled at her. His lust permeated the air and he rolled his hips, grinding his cock into her."Doubt that, wildcat. Been wanting to fuck you since I laid eyes on ya." He told her. Gods, Alyna was ready. His touch, his voice, his scent. It all had her rolling her own hips, grinding down on him. They were lined up perfectly. She could feel his cock against her slit, so hot she felt it through their clothes."Gods, Riddick." She panted. He responded by trailing one hand up her stomach, under the ripped edge of her top. Alyna let out a hiss when his rough palm cupped her breast. One of her hands flew to cover his as he kneaded, rolling the nipple and pinching it. "Mm, feel better than I imagined. Fuck, Lyn." He groaned. She continued rocking her hips back. She had shifted her legs to either side of his, grinding back on him, the friction a delicious counterpoint to his hands on her skin.His blunt nails were digging into the hip he still gripped, the sharp bite of pain heightening her pleasure. But she didn't want to climax like this. She wanted more, skin on skin. She wanted to explore his body, and feel his hands, his mouth on hers, inside her. She was getting impatient. The clothes in their way made her growl.She yanked his hand away from her breast. She tore what remained of her shirt over her head. It hit the ground, forgotten as she flipped around on Riddick's lap. His silver eyes glinted when she straddled him like this. He took in the sight of her bared breasts. She bit her lip and braced her hands on his still clothed chest.His palms skimmed up her sides, thumbs brushing the underside of both breasts, then over the nipples, both of them hardened now. He looked up to meet her gaze as he leaned down to take one in his mouth, laving and nipping lightly. Alyna gasped at that, he sucked hard, before letting the it slip from that sinful mouth, then moving to the other to do the same."Gods..." she moaned, head falling back. Riddick took that chance to release her other nipple to kiss and nip his way from breast to collarbone. When he bit down a little harder there she let out a sharp cry.He continued his way up to her neck, where she was highly sensitive. Her arms snaked around his back to clutch at his shoulder blades. The muscles in his back shifted beneath her palms.He was gentle at first, leaving open mouthed kisses along her skin, and licking a line along the column of her throat. She didn't quite expect it when he bit down on the spot just below her ear. Alyna moaned, hips jerking and her arms clutching at his shoulders."Fuck! Y-yes..." she clung to him, the rush of pleasure so heady it made her head spin. She managed three words that made him still for a moment. "Riddick, need you." "Damn, woman. Making it hard to control myself." He ground out between gritted teeth. Alyna knew exactly where this was going to end up. And she was more than ready for it. She guessed that it was going to be one of those frenzied, rough kind of couplings that left both parties covered in scratches, bites, bruises and sore in all the right places. That's exactly what she wanted. She needed him with a ferocity she had never felt with any other partner she had been with. She wanted him to take her hard, fast, and make her lose her mind in the pleasure of it. Her animal craved him the same."Don't want you to control yourself. Want you wild, like the animal you are. Because I plan on giving as good as I get, Riddick. Want your teeth on my skin, want you inside me, want you to take me. Make me submit, want you to fuck me 'til neither of us can walk after. Want you." She told him, pulling back to meet his eye.He studied her eyes for a long moment, a tenderness she didn't quite understand in the depths of those silver-blue orbs. She saw the moment his control finally snapped.He surged forward, lips claiming hers in a bruising kiss. He slid his palms under her thighs and stood with her, carrying her the few feet to the wall of the ship. He let her legs slide to the ground momentarily. She made a mou of disappointment when he broke the kiss, feeling bereft.But she was rewarded with him tearing his own shirt off, baring the hard planes of his chest for her. He kicked off his boots next, shoving them aside with one foot. He didn't stop there, popping the button on his cargos. Her mouth watered as he lowered the zipper,  his cock springing free. Fuck, he was big.She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his length. Her fingertips only just touched around the girth of him. Riddick hissed, hands flying to brace himself against the wall as she stroked him hilt to head. Alyna slid her thumb over the slit, gathering the precum there and smearing it across the crown.She bit her lip as he thrust into her hand. He let out a groan when she tightened her grip. One hand moved to cover hers, showing her how to stroke him the way he liked. His head dropped to her shoulder, where she felt his breath ghosting across her collarbone. She reveled on the sight of him.He was absolutely magnificent. And she had him shuddering and fucking into her grip. She felt powerful, with Riddick giving her this moment of vulnerability. She knew perfectly well that he could have brushed her hand aside, and stripped her down, taking full control. But he had given her this.And fuck if that wasn't enough to floor her. This beautiful, strong, vicious, killer was giving her a moment of his weakness. She was touched. She twisted her grip a little on the downstroke and it shattered the tender moment. He snarled, hands going to her pants now. He had them undone, thumbs hooked into the sides of her pants and panties and slid halfway down her thighs. She released him and he dropped to his haunches, making short work of the laces on her boots and dragging them and her pants off completely.He sat back, arms braced on the wall to either side of her hips. His gaze raked over her nakedness. He grinned a wicked grin and leaned in to place a gentle bite on her inner thigh, her mons with its thatch of raven curls, her hipbone. He lifted her thigh over his shoulder, a hand sliding up the back of it and up the curve of her ass. She looked down at him, fully open to him. He glanced up before he flicked his tongue out to lick a hot stripe along her slit before he buried his mouth against her core."Ah! Gods yes!" She cried as his tongue delved into her. He let out a growl at her taste. The strokes of his tongue had her on the edge, already turned on acutely. He slid a finger into her, stretching her while his tongue worked. Now she was barreling headlong toward orgasm. Her sharp moans urged him on. A second thick finger joined the first, scissoring and curling just right.Close... So fuckin close. She let out a throaty moan. His eyes snapped up to meet hers, a wicked grin curling his lips. He doubled down on her.When his tongue flicked across her swollen clit, and he sucked on the bud, she peaked. She let out a long keening moan as she came on his tongue, fingers digging into his shoulders to brace herself. Riddick lapped at her, coaxing her through her orgasm until she cried out. "Enough! Please!" He retreated, fingers and tongue leaving her sex.She panted and dropped back against the wall, wrung out. But he wasn't done with her. He dropped her leg from his shoulder and stood, only to lean down and lift her up by her thighs to wrap her legs around his hips. His cock nudged her wet heat. "Gonna fuck you now Lyn. Need inside you." He told her. She realized that he didn't know her true name, and it bothered her. She wanted to hear it fall from his lips."Alyna. My name is Alyna. Need to hear you say it, Riddick." She told him. His eyebrow raised slightly."Alyna." He said. Her womb clenched at the low, husky way he said it. Gods it sounded so right when he spoke her name. At that moment he pushed inside her, the head spearing her. Fuck, he was so big, stretching her. She loved it. He worked his way into her slowly, thrusting shallowly at first. He was being so careful with her. She got impatient with that fast. She shifted her hips just as he thrust, seating him fully within her. They both cried out in unison as he filled her completely. The burn of him stretching her open was exquisite. She loved how he felt inside her. She didn't give him time to recover, swiveling her hips."Fuck, Alyna. So goddamn tight." He all but whispered. He took the hint and took over. Her head lolled back as he picked up the pace. Her nerves were sparking in just the right way, Riddick hitting that spot that made her see stars as he fucked her. Alyna felt herself cresting that wave again,  much faster this time. It built higher, wave after wave climbing to impossible heights. He gave a particularly hard thrust and she came.He growled, his pace becoming erratic as he felt her come around him. He had lost all sense of gentleness, pounding her so hard her hips slammed into the wall. He was hitting so deep, it felt so goddan good.She was on the verge of yet another orgasm, crying out every time Riddick bottomed out, then withdrew to the point he almost slipped from her only to slam back inside. It was exactly what she had wanted. Her body seized up as she came yet again. She had never come this fast, or this hard in her life.She had just come down from her latest orgasm when Riddick pulled out. She started to protest until he dropped her legs to the floor and spun her around, pressing her upper body against the wall and gripping her hips to position her how he wanted her. Then he slid into her from behind, hitting that delicious spot from a new angle.Oh. Yeah, she definitely liked this position just as much, if not more than the first. She could feel him throbbing inside her, loved how his hips slammed into her, skin slapping, bodies being jarred by just how hard he was fucking her. His big hands dragging her hips back to meet each thrust. He was grunting with the effort. It felt like he was trying to fuck her through the damn wall. And she wanted more. Couldn't get enough.She glanced over her shoulder at him. His eyes were trained on hers, watching her as she moaned for him. The shockwaves from the force of him jarred her whole body so hard she had to brace her forearms against the wall, hair sliding over her shoulder. Riddick slid a hand up under her sternum between her breasts to her throat. He put pressure there, enough to force her head back, and make it hard to breathe, but Alyna loved the feeling. She moaned louder.Riddicks grip tightened for a moment and he was starting to lose his rhythm, stuttering as he pounded into her core like a piston.Alyna knew he was getting close. She was already about to climax again. The pleasure was so intense she thought she was burning up from the inside out. "Gods, Riddick, yes. Right there, right there! Gonna come. Gonna come. Make me come, please..." she uttered a litany of pleas as her orgasm built until she couldn't hold back any longer."That's it, wildcat. Come for me." He demanded, laying himself across her back and sinking his teeth into that sensitive place on her neck. With a growl. She did, screaming his name as she pulsated around him, milking him. His hips stuttered and a couple of thrusts later he started coming with a roar in her ear."Alyna!" She felt him coming, jet after jet of hot seed lashing her pussy.They both collapsed against the wall, Riddick pinning her with his big body as they came down and recovered enough to move. Alyna was sure she would have marks all over, but she felt pride in that. Riddick had left his mark, his scent, on her skin. She wanted that.They managed to catch their breath a bit, and Riddick released her neck and moved away from her, his cock slipping from her. She could feel their commingled fluids leaking down her thighs. She felt an odd satisfactionin that. Riddick recovered enough to drag Alyna away from the wall and up against his chest. Her animal purred inwardly at that.Mine. Her animal staked its claim on him. Alyna agreed.He didn't say a word, just dragged her toward the only unoccupied bunk, sinking down onto it and dragging her to rest against his chest. She rolled over in his arms, wrapping hers around his waist and curling toward him. Riddick let out a contented purr. Alyna seconded that. And despite having just woken up from a long sleep, she was already tired. Riddick was too. He tucked her closer to himself and buried his face in her hair, breathing her in.They lay there, tangled in each other, drowsy and sated, the animal in both of them content.Pretty soon they had both drifted off again, neither realizing just what fate had in store for them.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

~4 Years Later~
"White Queen to Rook Alpha. I'm in." Alyna Leon Riddick, otherwise known as Leo to outsiders, said into the comm. The raven flattened herself against the wall. Her Comm buzzed."How many times I gotta tell you, I ain't your fuckin' Rook."  Edmunds bitched. She rolled her eyes. This was a constant. The techie hated being called Rook. His argument was that the Rook was limited to linear movement on a chess board, and he was a hacker, able to move anywhere he wanted. Leo had explained repeatedly to the young gun that Rooks were one of the more useful pieces. The idiot still wanted to be called a Knight, as if their movement wasn't even more limited.Leo hit the comms again, this time on the wide channel."Bishop, would you kindly slap Rook Alpha back into his fuckin' place before I take his ass out back an' shoot him." She deadpanned. A chuckle sounded across the line, followed by the sound of impact and an indignant "Hey!" from Edmunds."Queen said you're a Rook, that's what you are. So shut the fuck up." A voice with a country drawl told the idiot."Thank you, Bishop." She told her brother in arms. William Johns gave her a noncommittal sound."How we doin' White Queen?" He asked. She refocused on the mission. The target was ahead, ensconced in the center of the room, females surrounding him with chains around their ankles that allowed for free movement, but not escape.This guy had over a dozen young girls under the age of 15 in his personal harem. The girls had been taken from Helion prime and the surrounding worlds in the last 6 months. Billy had gotten the contract and come to Leo for her help on this one. Anything that had to do with kids he consulted her on.She never turned the merc away. He was pack, and she had precious little of that left these days.Especially after Riddick had up and disappeared six months after they made it to New Mecca. And Jack... pain lanced at Leo. Jack had chosen her fate. She had rebuffed Leo when the huntress tried to help her. But the damn fool was so godsdamned dead set on finding Riddick that she had taken off with a crew of mercs that Leo could smell deception on, but couldn't touch.The only thing Leo could do had been to tell the girl that she was Leo's family. Jack had looked her dead in the face and said 3 words that slashed deep."So is he."Leo pushed it away. She had relived that moment so many times. But it still felt like a fresh wound, even four years on. As did Riddick's leaving.Leo shook off the memories and forced herself to focus. This job was relatively easy. The bastard was wanted for sex trafficking, and the deaths of several young girls.Billy had come to her and asked him to help with the extraction, because he didn't want any of the girls hurt, and Leo was stealthy enough to manage that.Especially with the scumbag in a drug induced haze, laying insensate on a divan, naked. He smelled of opiates and pungent herbs.Leo's disgust was hard to hide. She launched herself into the fray. The girls scattered and the pig barely responded before she had his ass in a stranglehold. She choked him fully unconcious and dropped his dead weight to the ground.Looking around she saw terrified eyes in too young faces, too much of their bodies on display. Some were completely naked, others wore scraps of lingerie they shouldn't have known existed until much later in life.Leo dropped the mask and hood of the her balaclava and revealed her face to them, attempting to set them at ease some just knowing she was a woman. Didn't do much."You're safe now. My brother and I are going to get you home." She told them. They didn't believe her, which she understood. She hit the comms again."White Queen to Bishop. Black Pawn has been neutralized. Confirm, Black Pawn has been neutralized." She let Billy know. A relieved sigh sounded on the other end."Copy, White Queen. White Knight Alpha and Beta are comin' in." He confirmed and cut comms. He would be here with Kass and Speers. The two mercs were decent. All trained by Billy's father. And Boss Johns didn't allow fuckheads into his house.Leo had met him and his second in command only once. But when Billy had told him that Leo had saved his life, the stonefaced man had embraced her like kin.He had smelled of discipline and calm. A stone layered over with lemongrass. He smelled of a forest. There was no hint of the animal to him, but he watched everything around him like one.Leo had liked him immediately. And the woman, Dahl. Billy viewed her as a sister. She clearly felt this way as well, embracing him hard, relief a blast of spicy citrus, the sourness of residual fear, and then love. A scent Leo had misunderstood at first, until she saw the sibling-esque bond between them. It was the blooming of wildflowers and warm sunlight. Boss Johns carried a variation of that scent as well, like sunlight on stone.In Dahl, Leo had noticed a predatory gait, the inherent grace of a hunter. No animal scent like her packmate, but was clear that she was dangerous.Leo had been impressed. More so when Billy had informed them of her fugitive status, and exactly why she was a fugitive. Killing men who hurt innocents didn't rank as high on the list of worthy of bringing in to them.Instead they had helped set her up a new identity on Helion Prime. As Leonora R. Lynn. Adopted daughter of Boss Johns, adopted sister to William J. Johns.Few knew her true name was Alyna, or where she had come from. She had taken on Riddick's name, to honor their mate bond. Not that Riddick knew this, seeing as he had taken off shortly after they had all made it to Helion. His excuse was mercs on his tail. Especially after the Kublai Khan.That idiot Toombs had chased Riddick all the way to Helion, despite Billy's defense of the man.Toombs was the one responsible for the nice little scar Alyna sported from cheekbone to eyebrow, somehow miraculously missing her eye.Riddick had seen it, and the stab wound she had gotten from the psycho bitch captaining the ship, as a failure to protect her. She saw it as another proof of her survival. Riddick wouldn't listen, stubborn as a rock. He had insisted that in order to protect her he had to leave her.Alyna had argued that she could protect herself. She'd proven that back on Hades. But he had left her anyway, after a bout of frantic, desperate sex that had left her sore, marked all over, and passed out in their bed. When she'd woken he had been gone.It had been his way of telling her goodbye.She was still furious with him.She dragged herself back to the present as Kass entered with a set of magnetic manacles in hand.Kass was one of those tall, willowy blondes, who wore her hair in braids down her back. She was rather plain in appearance, with a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and gray eyes.Speers followed. A shorter, rugged looking middle aged man with a few scars and shaggy brown hair.And behind him was Billy. He hadn't changed overly much in 4 years. He kept his hair short, of course, and he often wore the body armor typical of a merc. The only marked difference was the necklace that hung around his neck, a stainless steel chain with a stylized wolf fang pendant that Leo had gotten him a year after Hades. She wore an identical one. There were two more hanging on a hook above her bed.And the tribal tattoo he now sported from his shoulder blade down to his wrist on the right side. It was made up of a band with a panther with silver eyes prowling through shadows, one of a leopard that bore acid green eyes lounging in a tree, the next of a blue eyed wolf howling at the full moon, and the last of a smaller coyote with hazel green eyes that stared from the cover of a dense forest.It suited him, and he often wore tank tops now, showing off the piece to the world. He was proud of the art inked into his skin depicting his pack.Leo had changed drastically. Her riot of raven curls that had once fallen to her hips was shorter, only coming  to the bottom of her shoulder blades. On the right side she had it shaved down to the skin in a cyberpunk style, braids holding it back from her face on the other side. She had a small tattoo on that side, two sharp triangles in a dark teal along the edge of her cheekbone and temple, accentuating the scar, and her acid green eyes.She bore tribal band tattoos around both biceps, and a full back piece of a stylized tribal leopard that looked as if it had been superimposed over her muscles.While Billy wore body armor, Leo preferred stealth, dressed in tight black cargos, a fitted black long sleeve top, a large balaclava style cloak that wrapped around her upper chest, stopping at her ribcage, with a mask to cover her lower face and a hood that engulfed her whole head and wrapped around like a scarf, leather straps holding her various knives around her waist and a sleek bone handled sword in a black leather sheath across her back.She had on knee high boots with modified soles to minimize sound, with yet more blades hidden away in them. Fingerless leather gloves covered her wrist and half her forearm, and a set of throwing knife sheaths that held a dozen blades were concealed along her wrists.Her eyes were lined with kohl, and and she had streaks of silver and blood red throughout her hair. She looked as dangerous as she was.All in all she had become more of a predator than she had been even back then. Riddick wouldn't recognize her now."Good work, Leo. Bastard's in custody." Billy said, clapping her on the shoulder. She nodded, tugging her hood back up.Kass was rounding up the girls, and Speers had the target in the manacles, dragging his ass out the door toward their ship."Yeah. Just glad to get this shit over with, Billy. Sickens me what he was doing to them." She told him He nodded, blue eyes glinting."Yeah, you and me both. Anyway we can get these girls home and end the nightmare for 'em." He said. Leo followed him as he went to help the other merc with the terrified young girls. At least now they were clothed. She turned to go back towards the ship. She ached, especially after missions like this. She missed Jack fiercely, but had no idea where she was.Missed Riddick too. But if she couldn't find Jack, then Riddick was as good as nonexistent. He was good at hiding.Times like this, she wanted to abandon her new life, leave Billy behind and search out her mate. Bring him back to the fold. But she had no idea where to begin.And her pack was already scattered enough. She wouldn't leave him behind. They had both been left behind for the last time. From here on out it was all or none. They had made that pact three years ago.She went down the hall into her bunk, settling her weapons in their places on the wall mounted weapons display cabinet, shedding her hood and dropping back onto her bed. She reached up to finger the silver wolf fang necklaces. Riddick. Jack.Fuck, this hurt. The pain built up every day. She couldn't keep fighting it. She needed her pack. Needed them all together again in a way that ripped at her very soul. Beasts like her needed their kin more than their own beating heart.Leo, Alyna, curled in on herself then, allowing the pain to overwhelm her. She cried.Somewhere in the middle of it Billy came to check on her. Finding her like this, yet again. He hurt for her. The rest of their family had deserted them. And it was destroying her in front of him. He hated it. She knew that. Could smell the burning rubber of his anxiety.He climbed into her bunk, as he had done many times over the last few months especially, and he pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her."Never gets easier seein' you like this Lyn." He told her. She knew. Just like seeing the pain in his eyes when he had a bad day with his back that almost made her regret convincing him to wean himself off the morphine and find a doc good enough to  remove the piece of shiv that had been against his spine.The nerves were a fucked up mess, but at least he wasn't in danger of the shard one day shifting and paralyzing him for the rest of his life.But when he had those days they usually ended up with Alyna curled against his back, her unusually high core temp making her like a human heating pad. It seemed to be the only way Billy could get any relief. He never touched painkillers again, too afraid of losing himself as he had back then.And when Alyna grieved their shattered pack this was the one thing that eased her inner beast. Kept her sane. Kept her from destroying everything in her path in a blind fit of rage and anguish as she had three days after they lost contact with Jack.So this had become yet another aspect of their lives. Most days found them occupying one bed, or any comfortable space really, taking comfort in the bond between them. Alyna had accepted this. And today her animal was riding her hard with the demand to track down the other half of her pack relentlessly, and drag them back to make her family whole once more, to return her mate to her. It had brought her to her knees with the force of this longing.She couldn't fight it much longer. The urge grew stronger with every day that passed. She was slowly losing this battle. She needed the comfort that the pack bond provided to ground her. And apparently so did Billy.So there they stayed until Billy's holo rang. He reluctantly pulled away from her to answer it.Alyna curled into the warm spot he had just inhabited while he stood to pace as he often did when he was talking on his holo.Alyna's nose twitched when she picked up a flare of surprise from Billy. And hope.That call changed their lives, forever.It had been Imam. He had found Jack.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It's hard, carrying on when everyone you care about is gone. There is little to tie you to life. To anchor you to reality.It was hard for Lyn, mourning Riddick. Her mate. The man she'd handed her heart to. And then to lose the equivalent of her little sister? It had just about broken her. Thankfully she still had Billy. Her pack brother. The two of them had cleaved together to get through.She had just about given up hope when Abu al-Walid literally reopened the wound with three small words. Three words that under any other circumstances would not have affected her in such a profound way.Wouldn't have cut like a blade flaying the skin from her entire being. Nor given her such a renewed sense of hope, only to rip that hope to absolute shreds in the next breath. Highest high, to lowest low."I found her." He had said.He had found Jack all right. In a slam. And not just any. A triple max slam on a world where the orbit of the planet was so close to it's sun that the very planet was remade as it passed, leaving behind it an ever shifting hellscape.Crematoria.Alyna's inner beast howled to learn that her pack sister was imprisoned in hell. Because the mercs she had signed on with had double crossed her and in the midst of it she had ended up killing most of the crew.He didn't know the details, but then, he didn't have to. For Jack to end up in Crematoria it had to have been bad. They all knew it. Alyna couldn't even fathom what Jack could have possibly done to deserve that.But she knew that she damn sure wouldn't just leave her there. And as it turned out, neither could Billy."It's gonna be tricky. Gettin' in'll be the easy part. It's the gettin' out that'll be the challenge." He said, blue eyes flashing wickedly. They were on their way to the triple max now. They'd wasted not a second. As soon as the Imam had told them Jack's location they had sent the crew home, contacted Boss Johns and borrowed a smaller ship in far worse shape than Alyna's Peregrin 66, and plotted a course. A little less than thirty six hours from now and they would be on approach to the flaming pit.Anticipation coiled in Alyna's belly. Her hands flexed, itching for blades in her hands. The beast was calling for blood. The violence that was sure to be waiting for them left an electric current in the air.Alyna couldn't fuckin' wait. Nor could the animal within. It yearned to hunt, track, scent her packmate and follow the thread until she located the girl and made damn certain she was in one piece. And the gods have mercy on anyone who got in her way.She sure as fuck wouldn't.***The plan had been hashed out. It was rather simple. Alyna was going to pose as a captured bounty. Some hacker known for crashing some bank firewalls and clearing out the credit accounts on a few of the inner rim planets. She was small fish compared to the regular bounties. Just over 13k. But she wasn't as well known that her description was too specific. She had similar hair and eye color to Lyn, though. Which was why they picked her. Billy was going to "haul her in" to Crematoria in their borrowed ship, which had been given a few downgrades on appearance to look like a rust bucket on it lasts legs, and then the engines would give him trouble, preventing his departure. After that he would assist Alyna from the ship via a set of discrete comms, after getting in good with the guards a bit in order to get information on Jack.Alyna, in the guise "Sierra Argosia" would track down Jack and haul her ass out of this hell, to the ship, and they would get the fuck off planet as quickly as possible. It seemed simple enough.Until they got to the damn slam and the sleezy guards had eyed her a bit too closely.And then shit had hit the fan when the big dumb one had recognized Alyna for who she really was. Apparently that happens when someone puts a fuckin' brand new bounty on your head. Alyna hadn't had a chance to respond before the bald fucker had popped her with a tranq strong enough to drop a grown man. Fuck. Thankfully her metabolism would burn it off pretty quickly.She snarled, a shiv dropping into her hand. She lashed out at the first guard to get within range, slashing his throat in one move. Crimson arced across the room and he dropped, hands clutching in vain at his sliced carotid. Her vision swam, but she pushed it aside, going for the next man in her field of vision. She darted to the side as he lunged for her clumsily. She planted the shiv in the sweet spot, letting loose a torrent of blood when she jerked the blade free. He fell to his knees, spinal cord severed, as lifeblood pumped from him. He was dead in seconds.The raven turned to take out another man, only to get hit by another tranq. She shrieked a warcry and whipped her hand toward the man with the tranquilizer rifle. The blade she had thrown embedded itself in his left eye. He screamed and dropped the stupid gun, clawing at his face.She darted forward, but the big Russian snatched her bicep, snapping her backwards. She didn't give in, throwing her lower body forward to deliver a kick that shoved the weapon into her victim's eye socket deep enough to end his miserable whimpering along with his life. Dizziness swamped her as the second tranq's effects joined the first. She was going to go under.Alyna heard Billy fighting back, his enraged roars registering just enough to make the beast rise to the surface and thrash for control against the meaty paws that held her back, but by that point it was too late. Her vision went black.And somewhere in all of the fighting, Alyna's comm, in the form of a silver ear stud, managed to get lost.***Abu al-Walid felt guilt for the part he had played in this entire scheme. He had told Aereon all about Riddick, and the man's superhuman abilities. And then he had told her of Alyna and Jack. How Riddick had softened only toward the two females. He had revealed everything he knew.And then he had helped her put a bounty out on Alyna. He had discovered where Jack had been sent to, and efficiently baited the trap.When word reached them of the capture of the young Furyan woman and her merc partner William Johns, in their attempt to rescue the younger girl, they set the rest of the plan in motion.The call was put out. A bounty of 1.5 million credits on one Richard B. Riddick was enough incentive to launch an army of mercs looking for a payday.Riddick would not be so easily captured, but he would seek out the one who had put this new bounty on him. Of that the Imam was certain. And when he did, Aereon would put her own plans into play.Allah willing, Riddick would help them. If the prophecy the elemental spoke of was true, then the Furyan was the last hope of the entire 'verse.Hopefully the return of his family would matter enough to motivate him, as altruism surely would not.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Snow and ice got nothin' on the true cold that is the human heart. Temperature can only drop so much, while human cruelty and disregard knows no depths.At least that's how Riddick saw it. Otherwise how could a man betray the person who dragged his ass out of the fire?Toombs wasn't really the surprise here. But the 1.5 mil bounty on his head coming from Helion Prime? Now that was a whole different thing.Riddick contemplated his options as he prepped himself for cryo. It was a ways from UV 6 to the Helion system. And Riddick had been alone with his thoughts the whole way out here to this frozen heap. Had lived with his decisions every hour of every day since he got here. But even a backwater planet like this wasn't far enough away. That tenacious merc had found him here too. It had taken a few years, but he had come. Riddick should have ghosted his ass. Should have ghosted the fucker a dozen times over. Especially after... No. Riddick didn't let himself dwell on that right now. Only pain lay on that particular train of thought. Too bad his subconscious mind decided that down that path they were definitely going.He refocused on plotting the course into the nav system of this shithole ship, thoughts spiraling. It seemed like a long trip to Helion. But in the grand scheme of things it wasn't long at all. Less than a month to get back to the light, the brightness, and everything he hated in order to get this latest noose off his neck.Course set. Time to hurry up and wait. The cryo needle sunk into his skin, and Riddick felt the sluggishness seeping into his muscles. He never went fully under. The animal within only allowing him to sink so far before the primal side took over.His last thoughts before the lucid dream began was of the women he had left behind, unable to fight off the memories any longer. Nearly five years he hadn't truly let himself think of them. Now he seemed able to think of naught else but.The child who looked at him as her brother, who had held admiration and hero worship in those hazel green eyes for the man who had dragged her off that hellhole full of death. The crooked smile that called to him and invoked a sense of protectiveness so strong it actually bothered him. Jack.The man who had once been his greatest enemy, but somewhere in the course of events on Hades, had proven himself as more than a treacherous bastard. He had protected those who had come to matter to the hunter.And her... Acid green eyes set like gems in a face so delicately, deceptively beautiful, marred by a single scar over one brow and cheek. Eyes that looked at him with a deeper emotion than he had ever seen directed his way. A tenderness that threatened to break him. Lips that spoke his name, a voice that touched a part of him he thought long dead. Trust so deep she wouldn't hesitate to put her life in his hands. A raven black cascade of curls that made his hands itch to run fingers through those tresses, to marvel at the softness of them. A curvaceous body made for his hands alone to touch, to hold.Riddick ached, the desire to do exactly that an overwhelming wave he couldn't fight. Truth be told, he had no desire to fight it.But in order to protect her, them, he had left them behind, safe with the holy man and the merc he had come to trust, against all odds, and in spite of their history. Johns wasn't the same man he had been before Hades. Something in him had shifted, because of her. She had seen the animal within the merc, and somehow brought it to the forefront. The treacherous nature of the mercenary giving way to the beast inside as it fought its way past the drugs and conditioning that had blunted his true nature, because of her.Riddick knew firsthand the effect she had. He himself wasn't immune to her. She calmed something in him, and at the same time his animal became hyper focused. Far more dangerous. It confused him. Riddick had lived by his instincts alone for so long he didn't differentiate between the man and the beast much. He viewed himself as all animal. Until he had encountered her. The beast had shifted, calmed by her presence, and enflamed to passions the man had never felt the like of. It had made Riddick sit back and take a good, hard look at himself. The animal part of him had claimed her without hesitation. The man, however, had been reluctant. Sex was one thing, but to bind himself to another irrevocably? The man had balked.Riddick had been alone all his life. Never had he thought about letting anyone get under his skin like Alyna had. As much as he hated to admit it, Riddick knew that as much as he felt for her, as close as he had let her get, seeing her hurt, weakened, had cut him deep. He knew that if he let her get any closer then he was allowing himself to become weaker.And it was a weakness that would cripple him if anything happened to her.Toombs had driven that fact home when he had scarred her face back on that Merc carrier, nearly blinding her. And that had left her open to the crazy merc bitch's attack. The primal fear and rage that had taken over Riddick then had consumed the man entirely. It was a weakness he couldn't afford.So he had left, essentially abandoning her on that planet, and running across the 'verse with the excuse that if he stayed it put her, and Jack in danger. In reality it opened Riddick up to more pain and loss than he could stand. So he had fled before the possibility could come to pass. Yes, it was a cowardly action. And he had hated that part of himself every day since. His animal grumbled at his moment of cowardice.He had regretted letting the human side of him win as soon as he had stepped foot on UV 6. But he knew that it truly was safer for them with him gone. His resolve had redoubled, the animal both seething, and recognizing that the man was right. Not that it liked that in the least.But now here he was, on his way back across the expanse of space toward everything he had once despised. The animal side was happy about returning. The man was finally in agreement. The two sides had finally reconciled.And if this bounty on his head had originated where he suspected then it meant Alyna and Jack were in danger. And that he would not abide. Not again. Now it was no longer safer for him to be gone. Now he had to come back in order to protect what was his.The human weakness within was lessening, and the animal side was rearing its head. The primal side was rising now. And it refused to sleep any longer.The cryo drugs kicked in fully.He thought back to the time on the Hunter-Gratzner, something different about the thought. Almost as if he wasn't alone inside his own head, but he couldn't shake off the thoughts under the cocktail of drugs.
They say most of your brain shuts down in cryosleep. All but the primitive side. The animal side.

The Furyan side...

***
'And once you wake, truly wake, you'll remember too.' Shirah touched the glowing handprint on her chest and then reached out, her hand landing directly over Alyna's heart. The warmth of that touch sunk into her chest, startling her into wakefulness.She jerked upright, the dank twilight of the stone walls replacing the sight of row after row of grave markers. Her chest heaved and she fought to catch her breath, heart pounding a staccato beneath her ribcage. Cold sweat drenched her skin, a change up to the too hot perspiration that beaded her skin from the sheer humidity of this place. She shook herself, running her fingers through her hair, settling down enough to actually get up.Pushing herself to her feet the huntress moved out of her chosen lair into the exterior of the cavern that Crematoria's prison inhabited. The subterranean structure was familiar to her now, after the last two months here. The perpetually rust colored stone, the damp heat, the fall of warm water down from the springs somewhere above. She had quickly familiarized herself with all of it. Which is how she had discovered the plethora of small caverns and landings of flat rock that most of the other inhabitants of this hellscape hadn't.Billy sat against the side of the cavern entrance, watching the movement below and above. The haphazard catwalks and cells built into randomized levels descending from the guard's nest down to the pit were cycling through the usual routines.This side of the wall held no metal catwalks, the stone too sheer in several places to support the structures, or too fragile in others due to deposits of hematite and magnetite that wouldn't support any amount of weight. The color was hard to differentiate from the iron ore since they were so similar in color, and so mixed throughout that most of the other convicts and inmates steered clear. It was here that Jack-- now calling herself Kyra, made her primary residence.It had taken Alyna less than twenty minutes after being dropped semi-unconscious into the pit to pick up the fiery girl's scent over the overwhelming copperish tang of the iron ore, the scent of slightly acidic water, and the surprisingly clean scent of limestone above the sheer ocean of unwashed human bodies. Groggy and slower than usual but thankfully not completely out, she and Billy had fought off the dumbasses who had attempted to come at them from all sides upon being dumped down here by the idiot guards. As it was, the big Russian and the seeming guard captain had both earned themselves a death sentence at her hands.In the melee Lyn had gained a length of chain and a crudely formed blade made from what she guessed had been a metal sheet of some kind. She'd used it to sever the femoral artery of the next man that had come out of the woodwork at her. He died screaming, followed closely by the snap of bone as Billy broke his opponent's neck and dropped him to the ground.They backed toward each other, taking on every stupid bastard that came at them. It was after they had killed about a dozen, and taught the dumbasses just how deadly they could be, that a man had stepped up and introduced himself as the Gov'nor. Lyn had dismissed him as soon as he made it clear he didn't intend to kill them.She hadn't bothered to dignify his question of whether they were convicts or inmates with an answer. Billy had followed her lead, acting the silent second. Alyna had immediately taken in the details around them, finally picking up Jack's scent. Above them on a shadowed catwalk a young girl with a mane of red hair and hazel green eyes watched them. Alyna had recognized her instantly. Thus the game of chase, ending in a stalemate had begun. Eventually Alyna had caught up with the teenager on one of the higher catwalks, where the scent of another kind of animal filtered down."Jack! Stop fuckin' runnin' from me!" Alyna had snapped. Jack did, turning to her."Don't. Don't you call me that! You lost that right the day you abandoned me to those mercs!" Jack had snapped back. Hurt lanced at Alyna."I never abandoned you. I couldn't change your mind, you're too damn stubborn." Alyna dragged a hand through her hair, frustrated. Jack turned back then, anger inherent in every move she made."You knew what they were going to do to me, didn't you?" The younger girl demanded. Alyna closed her eyes."No, but I had my suspicions. I tried to stop you, but you were so damn determined. And I was hurting too, just as much as you were." The raven opened her eyes and looked back at Jack. The girl was taken aback by the raw hurt in Lyn's green eyes. "I couldn't change your mind, and Billy wasn't even there. We both tried to find you, but it was like you dropped off the map. We didn't hear anything until Imam called us and told us you were here.""Yeah, and why are you here now?" The teen demanded, a waver to her voice that would shatter them both. Alyna could see the fragile suspicion Jack was obviously fighting to maintain like a shield. Alyna softened a bit, knowing just how breakable Jack truly was. Her anger was crumbling, giving way to the pain and sadness she had kept bottled up, and now the seal was breaking. Tears pricked Alyna's own eyes."I'm here for you. I came to bring you home, Jack." Her voice broke. Alyna clutched at her chest, over her heart. Her face was open, showing the emotion she had only ever let one person see. That finally broke the dam. A sob ripped from the younger girl's chest. She threw herself at Lyn then, and the raven wrapped her arms around her packmate, finally breathing in her scent right from the source. Relief washed over her. They had found her. Their pack wasn't as splintered and scattered as it had been. They needed to heal, obviously. But now they could. They had time to heal the rift between them, and then together they would get the fuck out of this place and go home."I've got you, Jack. I'm here, I'm with you." She murmured to the girl who had an iron grip around her waist. The young woman had buried her face in Alyna's shoulder, soaking the material of her shirt with tears. She pulled back and wiped her eyes, reclaiming some of her composure."Kyra. It's Kyra now." She said in that small voice very like the child she had been. Alyna smoothed a strand of wild hair away from Kyra's face, taking in her matured appearance. Pride swelled in her chest. Her packmate was beautiful. As radiant as her spirit. Still a girl, but almost a woman. With a center of steel that kept her alive."Alright, Kyra." After that Billy had stepped up and laid a hand on the girl's shoulder, having caught up and stood back, knowing that the females needed this reconciliation. Billy had accepted Alyna as his alpha long ago. Kyra had held onto that hand, and been reluctant to let either of them go, but this was not the place to show weakness. They were secluded enough, but not ever completely safe. So they had found shelter, the three of them wrapping around each other and taking comfort in their renewing bond.Kyra had touched Lyn's hair. "Went for something more badass, huh? Never could stand to look too feminine. Maybe I should do mine that way." Lyn had laughed lightly at that."How about we find you something more your own speed, kiddo. Something to make you look like the fierce warrior you are." She had replied. Billy grunted his approval at that. Which is how Kyra had ended up sporting dozens of tiny braids, holding her hair away from her face, and simultaneously making her look wilder, more dangerous. They had slept in a pile of tangled limbs, sleep being a relative term in a place where they had to be on guard 24/7.Now here they were, months later. They had made progress on healing the rift, and surviving the guards, and the hellhounds that were loosed on them once a "day" by the sadistic pricks, along with the other criminals here.Those who regarded themselves as Convicts seemed to have their own social system down here, and tended to be the ones who were willing to trade and share information with one another, but never the guards.The ones called Inmates were the slimy weasels that sold out their fellow man and did the guards work for them. Alyna preferred to call them Walking Corpses, as she tended to leave them bleeding out and broken beyond repair in her wake.Most had learned to give her a wide berth, as anyone who got in her way tended to stop breathing pretty quickly. The Convicts had a healthy respect for her, which was cemented by Kyra at her side. The little spitfire had earned herself a reputation. All the better.Billy didn't tend to do as much of the killing, but he didn't allow anyone to disrespect or disregard him either. He had become known as the Shadow here, since he rarely spoke to anyone but Alyna and Kyra, and was just as deadly as they were when provoked.Now the three shared this lair, away from the general population. The hellhounds didn't venture out here as much, not with so much food concentrated in one place. Only three came out this far, the ones with the single digit ear tags. From Alyna's observation one of them was pregnant, the other two extremely protective of her.Alyna had watched them extensively, likening their behavior to her own pack. It was so similar as to be almost identical. It had given Lyn the idea of taming the hounds, and taking them with her when she got them all out of this hellhole."What's that look for, Lyn? Thinkin' too hard again?" Billy asked. Alyna ignored the question."Where's Kyra?" She had noticed her packmate's absence when she had woken from that recurring dream. Normally two of the three were curled together to sleep while the third kept watch. He pointed toward the more densely populated area. "She's gettin' breakfast." He intoned flatly. Which meant the mischievous firebrand was either stealing from the lesser inmates, or working out a deal with one of the Gov's people for a few days' supply. Good, because Alyna couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something was coming."Strange clouds." She remarked absently. "The fuck you on about?" Billy asked, knowing it was likely some obscure reference to something Alyna had watched or read. She did that a lot."Strange clouds. Means somethin's coming." She confirmed. He hummed a noncommittal sound and stood to head inside the lair. Alyna sat down in his place to wait for her packmate to return with food. They had things to do today. But as time wore on a seed of worry sprouted in the pit of Lyn's gut. She couldn't shake it, so she compartmentalized it and kept her eye out.

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Riddick manoeuvred his way through the crowd toward Imam's house. He had been jolted from a cyclical dream upon entering atmo, alarms blaring and everything becoming a blur of action.He had ditched the ship since he had illegally landed, likely gaining the notice of the entire planetary defense system. Which is why he had left the damn ship registered in Toombs' name. Let the idiotic merc take the fall. It served him right.Riddick couldn't help but notice the chatter all around him. Every person spoke in terrified whispers. Riddick paused to listen, his curiosity getting the better of him.They spoke of an army of the undead, drifting across the 'verse destroying world after world, proceeded by a comet. They spoke of death and conversion on multitudes of worlds. And now this prophetic comet had been seen in the skies of Helion.Riddick shook his head. So this was the reason for Imam literally putting out a call for Riddick, in the only way he knew to guarantee a visit.Of course, that didn't mean Riddick was going to save the holy man's skin again. Though, he would at least hear him out. He owed the man that much.He continued on his way, discovering upon arrival exactly how desperate his friend was. And Riddick didn't hold it against him. The man had already lost three sons to a hellworld. Now he sought to protect his wife and the young daughter that played in the small bedroom as her mother showered. Riddick found a way in and made himself comfortable.When the Imam stumbled in on Riddick shaving the no longer necessary hair from his head, his inferences were confirmed. For a moment, even after the child made her eavesdropping known, and revealed how Imam truly felt about Riddick's saving his life on Hades by portraying him as some kind of hero, Riddick thought about walking away. But if the man had gone to all this just to get Riddick here, it meant that he was willing to deal with the devil himself.But Riddick wasn't prepared for the answer that came as a result of his next question."So now who do I have to kill to get this payday off my head?""I will summon them, if you're willing to wait. I know that you do not care for the troubles of others, Riddick. But will you at least hear us out? That is all I ask of you." The holy man nearly begged. Riddick glanced back at the holy man."Just get 'em here."***Kyra slammed a fist against the side of the cage she was stuck in, cursing herself for being unable to resist needling the fuckwit guard who had a thing for the young ones.She had only been trying to get some food, for dick's sake. And now here she was, locked in an even smaller box with hungry howling beasts that wanted a piece of her. Lyn was going to worry, as she always did. The older woman trusted Kyra. Treated her like an equal. As did Johns. It was a rarity in the girl's life. Not a single other person had given her a fair shake since she had run from the foster family at eleven. So she hated to give Lyn any reason to doubt her, or worry about her. It was bad enough that Kyra's own mistakes had landed her here. And to compound that Alyna and Johns had come to drag her ass out of the fire and ended up in it themselves.Guilt over that ate at Kyra. She had been an angry kid with a chip on her shoulder, and a giant case of hero worship for the criminal that had saved their asses five years ago. And she had been pissed when Riddick disappeared overnight, blaming Alyna for not convincing him to stay, or to take them with him. She'd blamed the woman, knowing full well that it had been all Riddick who ditched them.Now she had done exactly what Imam had been afraid of. She had become like Riddick. Stuck in a slam, pissed she had fucked up everything. She had forgiven Alyna for any perceived slight the moment she had turned up in Crematoria. Before that even, when she realized that Lyn wasn't at fault. But Kyra still carried the guilt like a lead weight on her chest.She had been trying to help the raven haired female and the now former merc try to figure a way out of this pit and off the godforsaken planet, but had come up empty at every turn. Now she was here, locked in with the hellhounds, unable to do fuckall to fix the clusterfuck that was her life. She slammed her head against the side of the cage.She noticed one of the hellhounds beside her wasn't growling, snarling or howling. It was laying down, watching Kyra calmly. Taking a better look Kyra noted the distended belly of the reptillian hound.So it was a she. The one they saw out by the lair. Kyra scooted over, testing her luck. The hound eyed her cautiously. Kyra held a hand up slowly. The hound, number 6 by her ear tag, lifted her head, eyeing Kyra. Then she did something that made the redhead grin. 6 let out an unimpressed snort and turned away, dropping her massive feline-like head on her paws and ignoring Kyra.It was a damnsight better than trying to tear her way through the cage to make Kyra her dinner.***"It is said, the comet always precedes them. These world-enders." Abu al-Walid turned to Riddick. The criminal simply looked back, expression carefully neutral. "The Coalsack planets are gone. Nearly eight million settlers missing. The entire Aquilan system is gone, too. Helion Prime shares its sunlight with all worlds nearby. If we fall, they fall. And after that... My god how do I save my family."Riddick continued watching the girl trying to catch his attention. A hero worship a little too close for comfort in her young eyes."Have you heard anything I've said?" Imam demanded. Riddick snapped his gaze to the holy man's."You said it's all circling the drain. The whole Universe. Right?" He said coolly."That's right." Imam's stress and anguish were palpable. Riddick eased the door closed, blocking Ziza's view."Had to end sometime." He stated. Just then a knock sounded at the door. Riddick watched silently as three Arab men filed in, greeted by the Imam. Riddick knew immediately that none of them was the one who had put the bounty on him. They reeked of nerves, and a fourth scent followed them. That of a woman."The one you want is now here." Imam told him.He silently regarded them, standing to pull the mask from one man's face. The others removed theirs without prompting.A breeze whispered past, saturated with the cool wind scent. Riddick flipped the blade in his grip, extending it just as she attempted to pass by. She revealed herself, a woman dressed in white. Her pale eyes locked on his."Whose throat is this?" He demanded. Imam stepped forward."This is Aereon, an envoy from the elemental race."Riddick didn't care. He only half listened as Aereon and the Imam explained the reasoning behind the bounty. He stopped, startled when Imam informed him of the story of male Furyan children strangled by their own umbilical cords. He cut his silver eyes at them.When the banging on the door started Imam begged the convict to stay. But Riddick was no hero."Not my fight." He ground out. Then Imam said the one thing that actually hurt."So you would leave us to our fate? As you did them? As you did her?"It gave him pause.And then all hell truly broke loose.

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Kyra smiled at the disgruntled huff that the hellhound loosed at her."Oh, come on, it's not that bad, is it?" She asked as her fingers worked through the bars to scratch at the female beast's neck. She was met by shined eyes so reminiscent of Riddick's. She looked unimpressed."Zhao is a good name for you." The young woman attempted to convince her new friend. The hellhound simply shook herself and laid her head down beside the bars. Apparently this discussion was at an end."Huh, you even act like him a little bit."Kyra leaned into the bars, close enough to feel the heat from the soon to be mother.Then she heard the guards. Apparently her time out was over. Just lovely. "Looks like my time's up Zhao. See you at feeding time." She said. The hound bristled in aggression at the guards. So Zhao didn't like her "masters" any more than Kyra did.The guards brought in that stupid crate again, yelling and trying to throw their weight around, as if Kyra couldn't slit their throats in a heartbeat with one of the blades hidden on her person at all times. She didn't fight them too hard, putting up more of a front. Especially since her calm seemed to be keeping the hound slightly calmer beside her. Zhao still snarled and snapped at the hand of a guard who got too close, and roared her outrage at Kyra being removed from her sight. Apparently the beast had been more enamored of Kyra than the girl had originally thought. This proved to be interesting. Kyra was shuffled into the crate to the soundtrack of hounds growling, howling and raging in their cages, the loudest and most fervent being her companion. The fiery girl made her decision then. Zhao, her brood, and whatever pack she claimed were now a part of Kyra's own pack. When she, Lyn and Billy made their move, Zhao and hers were not getting left on this fucking rock.When they dumped her unceremoniously back in the pit she gave a sarcastic salute and made herself scarce before Baldy could attempt to grope her again.Yeah he was definitely at the top of her kill list. Kyra made her way to the outer zone of the pit. As she hefted herself over the side of the precipice she was met by both vivid green and icy blue gazes of her packmates."The fuck you been?" Johns demanded, arms crossed over his chest, that tattoo on full display. Kyra had to admit it was a striking piece, and to see her own representation on his arm had touched a part of her she thought was dead. Especially since they had spent so little time together before, and given that the merc had tried to sacrifice her to save his own skin back on Hades. But to know that he had grieved her, had marked a symbol of her in his skin to wear for the rest of his days, it had done a lot in making ammends."Locked in the cages with the other animals." She told him."What for this time?" Lyn asked, flipping the metal shiv she held around in her hand to pick some grime out from beneath her nails. Kyra grinned."For bleeding a pig who got too handsy." She replied. Lyn looked up, a glimmer of pride in her neon eyes."Good. But that does set us back a bit. Time to get to work.""About that. I made a new friend in the kennels. She comes with us." Kyra told Lyn. The older woman cocked an eyebrow."She?" She intoned. Kyra nodded. Billy mimicked Lyn's expression."Hellhound. We bonded. She let me close enough to touch, and tried to fight the guards when they took me out of the kennels. I'd say she claimed me. So I want to take her with us when we go.""A hellhound claimed you. Ok, well I guess that adds another thing to our list." Lyn agreed without much prompting. Kyra was almost disappointed that there hadn't been a fight over it. But Zhao and her pups were getting off this planet with her, and Kyra couldn't be happier."So, I guess we get to work then." Billy said.Lyn and Kyra both nodded. The plan was being put into motion finally. They were getting off this rock one way or another. All of them.***Vaako felt the apathy deepen a bit as he watched his "wife" play her political games. Batting her eyelashes, moving with that serpentine grace, and speaking in that honeyed venom voice he had grown to despise. Deceptive words and actions that he knew well not to trust. Lest the snake bare her fangs and strike.Yes, his Dame was a cold blooded snake, hypnotizing her prey and coiling around them before delivering the swift death blow. Vaako preferred a more direct approach. Rather than deceive his target he struck hard and fast, giving no quarter.He cared nothing for the games and machinations she delighted in. He preferred his own sort of games. Ones his Dame had no taste for, not like she did the political intrigue. And lately her avaricious eye had been on the Lord Marshal. She had been whispering her desire for the Lord Marshal's throne in Vaako's ear. Urging him to try for the throne. As if her desires should be his own. Vaako wished nothing so much as to set her straight, and put her in her place. To be done with her ambition once and for all.In all honesty, Vaako couldn't care less about the throne, or the Lord Marshal. Of late he had been growing more and more restless. More violent in his urges.He had been going on more of the campaigns, only easing this relentless need to do something in the midst of bloody battles. It did little to slake his bloodlust, but it was better than nothing.But even that was becoming tedious. The campaigns were against planets with nearly incompetent militia. Weak defenses, and weaker minded sheep, that let themselves be converted into the Necromonger armada with little resistance.It was less than appealing to say the least. And as far as Vaako could tell it was beginning to weaken their armada. Raw recruits too soft and unfit for battle at all replacing the battleborn and seasoned warriors culled from far more savage worlds.Vaako was starting to think about asking the Lord Marshal for permission to lead a campaign against a stronger opponent. There had to be one out there somewhere. A challenge. Something for the Commander to sink his teeth into. Something to assuage this longing in him. To satisfy the part of him that he wouldn't openly admit to. Helion Prime sure wasn't it.And Dame Vaako was easy to predict. He had chosen her for her craftiness and cunning. Her ability to twist her opponents to her will so easily. Now she just bored him. She was no longer anything but an irritant. Albeit one he had chosen himself, but an irritant nonetheless.And yet the feeling of something just beyond the horizon niggled at the back of Vaako's mind, growing stronger by the day. An insistent tugging that drew him away from his taught beliefs. He could only hope it was something worthwhile. But that had to wait. For at least another battle. They were descending on Helion Prime now, sweeping aside defenses that a child could overcome and slamming down the iron fist of conquest. He ignored the tugging that led him onward, dismissing it as a need to join the battle.But it was there regardless, the chafing, itching drive to do something he couldn't explain. Ever present in the background.

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They were coming. Soldiers. Riddick could smell them as they came up the stairs, rank sweat, leather, and the sour essence of fear and panic combined. The Imam and the Helion council were protesting, to no avail.Riddick didn't care one way or the other. There was but one thing he wanted now. And Imam was the only one who could give him the information needed.He didn't hesitate to defend himself as soldiers flooded into the room."You're not afraid of the dark are you?" He asked, dousing the candles with bare hands. He didn't even register the sting as he flicked his wrist. The shiv slid into his palm like claws being bared. His hand felt complete once more. Time slowed down for the beast in human form.He lashed out, slicing into flesh and hearing the grunt of pain. The iron tang of spilled blood filled the air, driving his animal into frenzy. A predatory satisfaction settled into his very core, urging him on. Another flash of blade, another pained sound.He took the soldiers out quickly, scaring the last off with barely a look. He was disappointed to let the coward go, but he had other matters that called his attention. He turned to the man still in the room with him. Imam stood there, terrified, drowning in the stench of it. But Riddick could tell that not all of it was directed at him. Imam was terrified of the shouts and noise of people in panic outside. "You mentioned her." He lifted a brow, half his upper torso turning just enough to regard the holy man with a cold and focused gaze. What Imam said next made Riddick go cold."Jack ran. Went looking for you. People died. She got sent to prison. I forget the name, but it's a world so hot that no living thing can survive on the surface." The holy man told him."Crematoria." Riddick knew the place. And if Jack was there, he wasn't going to let her stay there. He turned, but was stopped dead when Imam spoke again."There is more. A year ago I found out. I told Alyna. She and William went after her, but I have heard nothing from them since. I fear they are dead, or imprisoned as well." Fury overtook Riddick then. A fury he didn't quite understand. He turned on Imam."Let me get this straight, not only is Jack stuck in a slam that may as well be Hell itself, but you sent my mate there too?" The cold edge of his voice scared even Riddick. He had never been quite this angry before. His anger tended to be a simmering fire beneath the surface, vented in explosive action. Never the sudden dead cold that it was now. There was no fire, no explosive action. Only the certainty that someone would die for this. And that Crematoria would not know what hit it when he was through."No, Riddick. You did not see the grief Alyna was dealing with. Not as I did. It was as if she had lost a part of her heart. Both her lover and her sister, gone. She was falling apart. She was reckless in her efforts to find the both of you. I merely gave her the information that she would have gotten from somewhere else. Somewhere much more dangerous than I." The scent of sadness, guilt, misery, and pain flashed over the holy man."You sent her into that hellhole, knowing what could happen." Riddick's words were low, cold, and edged in steel. The man before him shook his head."She would have gone no matter how she found out. And I feared that it would be worse for her coming from any other source. I simply gave her what she needed without it costing her something far worse. She needed hope, Riddick. She was dieing of a broken heart." Imam said quickly. The truth of Imam's words struck hard. Pain tore through Riddick. She had suffered all that because of him. He knew that. He had left, taking her heart with him. Even as he left his own behind, so he knew the ache his woman carried.And Jack leaving had been nearly as bad. Riddick knew that leaving had been the wrong thing to do, even if he did it for the right reasons. But because of him his entire pack had suffered, splintered, and now he had no way to know if Lyn was even still alive. A deep seated sorrow bloomed in him. And a need to fix what was wrong.Riddick knew what he had to do now. He moved for the window. "Take your family, get them somewhere safe." He threw over his shoulder as he drew his blades. Looking to the sky he took note of the strange ships that were descending. Good, he needed to kill something. And get a ship. He leapt from the window to the ground.He landed crouched and immediately launched himself into a run. Scenting the air, he picked up an unnatural chemical scent, almost like bleach, heavy in the air. It bothered him, for reasons he couldn't identify, but the closer the invading force came to him, the stronger the scent.***Commander Vaako stepped off his transport and touched the ground of Helion, and immediately felt a frisson of something go up his spine. His instincts were screaming at him that something was about to happen. He turned to Irgun, the man closest."Irgun, sweep the residentials. I'll be following with the lensor team. Anything unusual you report directly to me." He snapped out. Irgun gave a grunt and a nod and took off toward the most heavily developed area with his squad.Vaako motioned his team and followed at a slower pace. There was something drawing him in that direction. Something that Vaako didn't quite understand. But he followed it nonetheless. He trusted his gut, and it never lead him astray. Especially a pull this strong.Something caught his eye, almost like a flash of something in the dark. Something extremely familiar to a part of Vaako.It was almost like... No. It couldn't be. The Furyans had been wiped out. Vaako knew that better than anyone.But he had seen the momentary flash of shined silver eyes too many times to count. There was a Furyan here.Vaako's first thought was to warn the Lord Marshal. But the darkest part of his mind advised against it. Since the moment he had stepped foot on the planet something within had begun to stir. Something he had long since thought Purified away with the rest of his past.And despite Vaako's logical reasoning, he allowed his less logical side win this time. He chose to say nothing to his Lord Marshal. A Lord Marshal he found himself questioning more and more, the steadfast loyalty beginning to wane as time went on. To the point that he only stayed with the armada for the blood and violence that usually soothed the quiet shadow within. The one that was starting to stretch and awaken from its forced doze. So no, he wouldn't put the Lord Marshal on alert. He'd let this play out.Instead he found himself wondering about this Furyan survivor. And just how much was about to change.Another part of him wondered at what all of this meant for him specifically. Would this new Furyan be the spark that would ignite chaos once more? Would he, for it was definitely a male Vaako had seen, be the one to fully wake Vaako from this endless cycle he had come to despise?The violence inside him was growing stronger by the day. He had to fight the urge to spill the blood of his own legionnaires during training, or even one of the courtiers that walked past him in the corridors of the basilica. The itch to fight crawled beneath his skin. An itch that was not satisfied by the paltry soldiers from the civilized worlds.No, Vaako craved a real fight. The sting of blows landed on his own skin, as well as the satisfaction of landing his own hits. The split of skin, scent of blood and rage, and the high that came with it. The exertion of his muscles, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he fought for his own survival. The danger of actually having his life in the balance.Vaako had a feeling that he was about to find exactly what he was craving. And a part of him, a big part, was trembling with anticipation.Vaako was excited. In fact his body has even begun to react in a way he hadn't in the entirety of his time with the Armada.He was hard and aching, thrill shooting through him. A wicked, vicious grin spread across his face. He couldn't quite wipe it from his face and don't his semi-permanent stoic mask. His soldiers had taken notice and it made them unsure. Vaako never showed emotion of any kind. But the nervous soldiers meant little to him. Because something inside him was changing, shaking off the monotonous shroud he had worn too long.***Riddick paused amid the throngs of soldiers and people fighting for their own reasons, a strange scent hitting  his olfactory nerves and burning a path through his focus. It was enough to cause the convict to stop mid-slash, just barely missing his target's jugular. It was a split second pause, just enough to register the scent of spice, diluted by more of that chemical that muted everything around him and bled from the men who had swarmed from the ships touching down. Shaking it off to analyze later, Riddick threw himself back into the carnage, dropping enemies like insects.He had been vaguely following Imam and his family, keeping an eye on them to make sure that they made it to the shelter. He had lost them in the crowd however, and now looked for them. What he found wasn't what he had hoped. Lajuun and the child, Ziza were alone. Imam was nowhere in sight. Riddick doubled back, looking for the man he had come to call friend, and still has did despite everything. But he was too late. He found Imam's talisman in a splatter of blood at the edge of a balcony and the man's lifeless corpse staring up into nothing far below. The chemical-muted scent of a soldier met him. He picked up the serrated blade that was drenched in the same scent, as well as his friend's blood. He would ensure that Imam's family made it to relative safety, and then he would hunt down the fucker, and end him. The beast rose to the forefront, crying out for retribution for their fallen. The man let out a primal roar and set to hunting.***Riddick stalked along the edge of the amphitheater, the milling crowd around him parting without thought as he passed. They were so intent on the contingent of Necromonger soldiers, as Riddick had gathered, that they hardly noticed yet another predator among the sheep.He kept his hood up, blocking as much of the bright sunlight as possible, but also to keep himself hidden from the sight of the man he fully intended to kill at the nearest opportunity. One of the strangely dressed necromongers was acting out his speech to the masses, the so called Lord Marshal watching closely, and adding in a few words here and there to emphasize a point. It was obvious that he read from that particular script quite often, the practiced words and gestures all just a part of the act.Riddick paused to watch as one man spoke out, refusing to be subjugated. His protestations didn't last long as the Lord Marshal made a move. The convict's eyebrow shot up when the military leader seemed to split himself in two, a shadow seeming to rip the very soul from the poor bastard who had stupidly opened his mouth to bleat.Interesting. Very interesting. These people attracted his attention more and more with every minute. The spicy musk he had scented during the battle was strong here, almost stronger than before, with less of the chemical overtone. Did that mean that it was one of the soldiers? And why was it getting more prominent?Whatever the reason, it was enticing to the point of distraction. Riddick kept glancing from face to face, searching for a hint of who it might be.Of course, it was then that the Lord Marshal commanded the crowd to kneel once more and swear fealty to him. To convert.People dropped to their knees all around him, but Riddick didn't budge. He knew that this was the moment to avenge the Imam's death. He had already been watching the one who smelled of the holy man's blood.One of the soldiers broke away and approached him, removing his helmet and revealing a sharply chiseled face that Riddick found himself responding to."This is your one chance. Take the Lord Marshal's offer and bow." The soldier spoke in deep voice, smooth as velvet. The scent that had been plaguing Riddick hit him square in the face. He felt himself react in a way he didn't expect. He felt his cock stir in his pants. This man was attractive in many ways, and apparently he appealed to Riddick's animal. Confusion clouded his hind brain. Riddick already had a mate, but this man enticed him."I bow to no man." Riddick stated, looking the man up and down. There was little he could glean from the generically shaped armor, but the other was only a bit shorter than Riddick, with gray-green eyes and dark hair pulled back into a series of braids at his nape, a pleasantly strong jaw, cupid's bow lips, aristocratic nose, and a hint of stubble.Riddick definitely liked what he saw. Which confused him all the more. He rarely reacted to anyone. And Alyna was the only person who had ever reacted this strongly to. But his animal was almost purring at the idea of touching this green eyed man before him. There was no conflict, no guilt as he would expect. Just a feeling of rightness that both unnerved Riddick, and made him want something he couldn't have. Not until he either found Alyna, or discovered what had happened to her.The thought of her being dead sent a fresh pang of grief through him. "He's not a man. He's the holy half dead who has seen the underverse." His green eyed soldier stated.His? He had no reason to lay claim, but apparently his animal had already decided."Look, I'm not with everyone here. But I will take a piece of him." Riddick stated, pointing out the one responsible for Imam's murder. Said murderer hefted the two massive war axes he carried and moved toward the center of the amphitheater, obviously accepting the challenge. Green Eyes glanced between them."Then a piece you will have." He said in that velvet voice that went straight south. Riddick suppressed a shiver and stepped forward. Facing off, Riddick let the brute have the first move. First the axes came at Riddick. He dodged back, avoiding being hit twice, and then swept under his foe's guard and flicked the blade into his hand. He buried it to the hilt in the other soldier's gut, retracted it and stabbed twice more, twisting on the last blow, the blade angled up into the heart of the bastard who had robbed his friend of life.The brute fell, sliding down the steps limply, already dead. Task finished, Riddick turned to go. The lord Marshal's voice rang out. "Stop him!"***Vaako felt the Furyan's eyes on him, assessing. He responded with more feeling than he had in some time. He felt the Furyan's gaze like a caress against his skin. It made his body flush with a heat that had been absent since his purification, but was making it's reappearance.This was something that Vaako hadn't thought possible. Yet here it was happening. Could the Furyan undo the purification? Vaako felt the burning need to find out. The shadow beneath his skin shifted, almost like fur against the inside of his skin. It felt good.Vaako watched the interaction between Lord Marshal Zylaw and the Furyan closely.Zylaw approached the Furyan. "Irgun, one of my best." He said in a conversational tone. The Furyan barely glanced at him. But somehow Vaako had the impression that the stranger's gaze missed very little."If you say so." Dismissive. Vaako liked his attitude already."What do you think of this blade?" Zylaw asked, handing over the blade he had dispatched Irgun with.The predatory man took it and spun it skillfully around his hand."I think it's a half gram heavy on the back end." Then the feral man attempted to return the blade he obviously had no wish to claim.Zylaw's eye twitched, but he concealed it quickly. Vaako's interest doubled yet again."In our faith, you keep what you kill." The Lord Marshal's hand covered the other man's, squeezing. His eyes narrowed."Are you familiar to me? Did we perhaps meet on some distant field?" He asked suspiciously. The other man canted his head. A feline grace showed through with every move."You'd think I'd remember." Came that gravelly voice that went straight through him. The Furyan jerked his hand from the Lord Marshal's."You'd think I would too. Take him before the quasi-deads." Came the command.Of course the Lord Marshal's ploy to convert this man failed. When Zylaw ordered him brought aboard the ship it looked as if the Furyan would fight it.Vaako found himself stepping forward, but was beaten to the punch by his own wife."Perhaps the breeder would come if he were but asked politely. No need for force." She said, turning to glance at the Furyan. Vaako seethed for a moment, but remained silent. It furthered his goal either way. He was content to allow it this time. But if the snake made a wrong move Vaako might just get her for it."It is a rare offer. A visit inside Necropolis." She said in her best seductive voice.  But the Furyan didn't glance at her. It was nearly impossible to tell, but Vaako felt his eyes on him rather than his viperesque wife. He felt the head to toe glance, sending heat through him in ways he wanted desperately to explore. His dick twitched behind his armor."Maybe. Been a long time since I smelled beautiful." The Furyan canted his head in Vaako's direction imperceptibly. Vaako raised a brow."Then allow me to show you the way." The viper hissed, sliding her arm around the Furyan's, oblivious that the Furyan wasn't talking about her, but her husband. Vaako felt the need to remove that arm. From what was his, and from her body. As they turned to enter the basilica he stepped a bit closer. The masculine scent of the Furyan hit him and Vaako had to fight back the groan of pleasure that nearly clawed it's way up his throat. He had to play follower for the time being. But damn this man smelled better than anything Vaako had ever scented.***The entire basilica was decorated with massive statues of men and women in varied states of torture. Sharp edges and spikes were everywhere. Riddick found it distasteful, despite his claimed profession. He lifted his goggles, taking in everything around him in the much dimmer light.The woman he feigned following reached up to touch his face. He barely restrained his growl."Beautiful eyes. Come. The last 6 Lord Marshals have called this home. Magnificent, isn't it?" She asked, leading him further.He looked up at it, subtly scenting the air, taking in the scent of his green eyed soldier. It irritated him that this serpentine bitch smelled of what his animal fully intended to claim. The man was still conflicted."True of us all," came another voice. The Purifier. Riddick caught sight of something that turned his stomach at the same moment that the smell of decay and death hit his nose. He quite nearly recoiled. Rows upon rows of human bodies hung from some odd contraption, metal spikes stabbing into both sides of their necks."Converts, recieving the mark of the necromonger. They learn how one pain can lessen another." The Purifier stated. Riddick didn't respond, instead taking in the intoxicating scent of the soldier who was now walking at his side. It momentarily disoriented him.His mind cleared though at the sudden surge of irritation spicing the air. Riddick turned to see his green eyed soldier backing away, heading up the stairs. The woman had lead him up onto a strange flower shaped platform. Looking around Riddick noticed that the Lord Marshal and his cohorts were now looking down at him from a balcony above."The more you resist them, the greater the damage will be." Said the woman, startling Riddick, though he didn't show it. However he did drop the blade he had apparently earned into his hand, immediately on alert, ready to defend himself.Eerie whispers filled the air, muttering nonsense. The gravity increased tenfold then, dropping Riddick to his knees. Searing pain invaded his mind. He fought it, but could feel them rifling through his memories. Knives in his head. "-the Riddick-" he barely heard through the haze. His anger built, and he fought that much harder. "-Jack... A woman, Lyn... Furyan survivor! Kill the Furyan! Kill the Riddick!" The haze lessened and he broke free."Kill the Riddick." The Lord Marshal commanded. Then the fight was on. Soldiers came at him from every direction. He didn't think, just attacked. When the platforms that had descended with the writhing bodies began to rise, he slid into the space, seeing his chance for escape. He made his way off the Necropolis ship and just made it outside, headed for a ship when the pursuing Necromonger cruiser exploded. A familiar, and not entirely unwelcome scent surrounded him.He turned slightly."Let me guess, a five man crew this time?" Toombs voice grated at his nerves, and he ignored him up until the last sentence."Any questions?""Yeah. What took you so long?"Riddick knew this wasn't the last time he would see the green eyed soldier. He would return for him. For one reason or another. He was going to make the Necro part of his pack.***Billy growled low in his throat. Something was up. The guards were more active than usual. Shouting, stomping around and making themselves seem more than they were. The cowardly animal puffing itself up to seem like more of a threat. Which meant just one thing.Incoming bounty. And finally their chance for escape. He turned to the woman beside him, his alpha. His sister.He knew that if he was feeling the stirring of the aether, then so was she. He grinned back at her with a feral baring of teeth that promised violence was to come."It's time, Lyn." The pupil of her acid green eyes narrowed to slits and she returned the deadly smile with her own.Billy was ready for it. His animal shifted beneath the surface, aching for freedom. And soon they would have it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Riddick stepped into the prison guards roost, taking note of the exits immediately. One bay door, he had come through, one smaller door that likely led to a catwalk, and a hole in the middle of the floor with a towing cable attached to a pulley leading down to the main prison.The female merc lead him to the cable and attached it to the manacles. So this is how they literally dropped prisoners into the pit. Interestin'.Riddick surveyed the landscape below. Everything was rusty red, with steam wafting from jagged cracks in the stone. The air was heavy and humid. Moisture coated everything. Riddick's skin was already sticky with it. Pair the humidity with the rust color of the landscape and that meant that this place held a high concentration of iron ore. The copperish tang in the air only supported that.Riddick glanced up to the cable his wrist were now linked to. He noted a few spots of rust there as well. So much for decent equipment. Most of these mercs skimped on everything."So this is Riddick." A thick accent asked. The diminutive merc with the nasally voice. Obviously the leader here. The big fucker next to him shared the accent. Old earth Russian. A dying language out here. Common, Arabic, and Mandarin Chinese were the most widespread language spoken.Riddick looked up as the cable began to whirr, lowering him into the pit. Finally. The beast in him stirred. Scents were hard to differentiate in this place, overridden with the tang of iron and questionable water, but for a moment he had caught something. Something familiar. His chest tightened. They were here.The cable stopped a dozen yards down with a jerk. Riddick glanced up, his attention back on the exchange in the roost."What in the bowels of Christ are you talkin' about? 700k?" Toombs demanded."Don't take this one, boss." The big Russian told the leader."See, Anatoli here, he has a nose for trouble." The little Russian thumbed his nose. "And this one, this Riddick guy...""Big, big trouble.""So 700k is good money." He drawled at Toombs. A nerve in the merc's jaw was ticking now. He was about to say something very stupid."I'd take the money, Toombs." Riddick called, knowing that this would goad the merc into the opposite. One of the guards restarted the crank and Riddick began his descent again."These are dangerous days, if you believe the talk." The head guard started in a storytime tone."Talk?" The merc sneered."About dead planets. About some ghost army. About them." The guard hissed."Them?" Toombs asked, disbelieving. Riddick would normally agree with the merc's decision and disbelief. If he hadn't just had a run in with this supposed ghost army himself."I'll run the numbers again. It takes a couple of days probably. So you can stay as my guest. At least here we are all safe. Yes?" The merc offered a toast to Toombs with the shitty vodka he had doled out."Yes, boss." The big guy said. Like a good lap dog. Toombs wasn't having it."I'll give it a day. One." He held up a finger to emphasize, then tipped his shot glass and poured the vodka into the hole, right past Riddick. The convict laughed in his throat. Now he had a day to get to his family and get the fuck off this hellhole. Likely those Necro sonsabitches were going to follow. He wondered how long it would take them to catch up. Half that time? Maybe it would be his green eyed soldier. Wouldn't that make it easier. But for now an entirely different pair of green eyes were his priority.During his musings he had made it most of the way to the ground, hovering a few feet. Hangin' like bait.After all, if they're still on the books, they ain't dead.Riddick focused on escaping his cuffs. The rust hadn't weakened the cable, and the manacles had a weak spot that would shatter them like glass. He twisted his body upward, rolling the cable around his torso multiple times. This was gonna hurt, but it was worth his freedom.He dropped, body rolling fast, the end of the chain not quite snapping when he hit the end of his tether. But the manacles gave just enough. Just a little more aught to do it. He rolled his body back up the cable, a little higher this time. More height, more force, and less chance of the manacles hanging on that last little bit and possibly shredding his wrist.He dropped the second time, putting his strength into yanking down hard at the exact moment that he hit the end of the chain. As expected, the manacles shattered, metal scattering in every direction. When he hit the ground several things happened at once.Several other inmates ran at him, attempting to kill him for whatever it was worth to them. But they didn't know who they were fuckin' with.One died badly, impaled on his own shank, but not before he yanked Riddicks goggles almost all the way free of his head. One got his neck snapped when he crashed to the uneven ground. Another came at Riddick with a sharpened pipe, like a spear, and ended up knocked back and landing badly with an audible snap of bone. The next one got kicked hard enough in the sternum that it snapped, and punctured something internal. A fifth never reached Riddick because a length if chain dropped out of nowhere and wrapped around his neck, yanking him back and up to slam into the cavern wall. He died instantly.At that exact moment a scent like spice and pure water hit Riddick like a sledgehammer to the gut. His gaze snapped up to meet one of acid green set in a feline face. Her cloud of black curls had been tamed into a wrapped braid down one side of her neck, the other shaved close to the scalp. The scar over one eye, now accented by triangular tattoos in a bright teal, gave him a pang of regret and shame, while the rest of her incited a wholly different reaction. Longing, lust, warmth and triumph bloomed in his chest."Lyn..." he whispered. But rather than greet him with a similar reaction she snarled at him, a hatred in her eyes he knew he deserved. A flash of red beside her revealed Jack. All grown up, a woman now. Petite, and all slim sinewy muscle, and feline grace. Much like Alyna. Her hazel green eyes flashed anger at him as well. And then they were gone."There are inmates, and there are convicts. A convict has a certain code. And he knows to show a certain respect. An inmate, on the other hand... pulls the pin on his fellow man. Does the guards' work for them. Brings shame... To the game. So which are you gonna be?" A man with curly brown hair, dressed in a ragged duster said as he walked out of the shadows, picking up the metal pipe that lay on the ground a few yards away, while speaking. He converged on the downed wielder of said pipe, attempting to crawl away with a broken humerus. The speaker impaled the bastard with his own weapon, putting an end to the suffering just as he finished saying what he felt had been so important.Riddick had watched him as he completed his spiel. Then he lowered his goggles once more."Me? I'm just passing through." He said before brushing past to track his family down and get them the fuck out. He had already started planning exactly how he was going to escape.***Riddick. He was here. Alyna's mind and heart were both in a tizzy. She couldn't figure out if she was happy to see the motherfucker, or angry enough to rip his godsdamned head off! She stalked the catwalk far above him, watching as he slunk into the dark to find a place to hole up.He knew she was watching. And she was fully aware that he was tracking her as well. This was the way with them. Animals, keeping one another in their sights.Kyra was there too, on the other side of the rusty catwalk, watching. Waiting. And Billy was somewhere close behind her. She could sense his hesitation. His anger at Riddick. Her mate had essentially abandoned them all.But he had come back for them. Her animal made its opinion known.But it wouldn't stop her from confronting him. From giving him a serious piece of her mind. He had climbed his way up the side of the wall, close to their perch. Was that where he was going? Yeah, it was exactly where Riddick was headed. He had skirted the catwalks entirely, and made his way up the magnetite and hematite cliffside.And it was there he was waiting. For her. ***Alyna pulled herself up over the lip of the cliffside, crumbled bits of magnetite clattering down the sheer rock face. She had steeled herself for this confrontation long ago. But now she felt her resolve crumble bit by bit. Much like the rocks she had loosed on her ascent to her hidey hole.She kept her eyes trained forward on the man she had searched for for so long. The one who held her heart, even now with her anger at him well past boiling point. The growl in her chest rumbled continuously, a sign of her lack of control. Her hands had curled into claws.And there he stood. Leaning against the stone wall at the hollow entrance, entire body both strung taught as a tripwire, and as relaxed and languid as a hunter in his home habitat. Of fuckin' course he was.His goggles were up, revealing his molten silver eyes to her. He was watching her, his features an unreadable mask. She knew that her own face was twisted into a snarl. She paced across the edge of the cliffside, her feline stride carrying her from one side to the other and back again. He spoke first, surprising her."Been a long time since I smelled your kind a' beautiful. Too long, Wildcat." He stated. Her temper flared from a relatively controlled flame to an inferno. Pupils dilated, breath quickened and feral rage clawed its way up her throat."You have no right to call me that! Not when you left me, left us." She hissed. Her heart was pounding a staccato in her head, and her adrenaline had spiked."You might be right. But it's what you are. A beautiful, wild predator. Surviving out here all on your own." He drawled, gauging her reaction. He sounded proud."Exactly, Riddick. Surviving on my own. Without you. Even after you promised. You left! You walked away from your family!" She snapped, throwing her hands wide."I did what I thought I had to. To protect you, Lyn. You and Jack, and Johns." He stated his defense plainly. But something about it took her aback. This wasn't the cocksure Riddick she knew who never questioned himself. He sounded uncertain. Sad. Remorseful. Damn it! How dare he come back now and show her this side of him after so long."Exactly. What you thought was right. Abandoning your mate, your pack, and all. Without bothering to ask what we thought. Without having faith in us. You thought us weak. And left us behind! You left me behind Riddick! Even after you promised me you never would!" Alyna shot back at him almost hysterically. Her eyes had begun to burn with hot tears she couldn't afford to shed, and her whole body trembled with her anger. Riddick pushed away from the wall, taking a step toward her.Wrong move. Alyna's razorwire thin control snapped and she swung without thinking. Her fist connected with Riddick's jaw, and snapped his head to the side. Without hesitation she followed through. Her elbow made contact, and she spun away, kicking out at his legs. He didn't go down, however. Instead he turned into the strikes, parrying her every move. Her fists blurred with every punch, legs snapping out to strike at his side, his leg, his abdomen. He blocked her, only striking out when necessary to keep her from landing a vital blow. Then she leapt from the ground, aiming a kick at his head. She connected, whipping his head and torso to the side. She followed through with an elbow that caught him in the ribs. Riddick twisted out of range again, swiping away the blood from a busted lip. "Lyn." He growled in warning. His feral mate paid him no heed, continuing her onslaught. She was faster than he remembered. She feinted left, and landed another blow to his ribs on the right side, and slid under his guard and behind him, kneeing him in the back. He whirled, but she was quicker, backtracking and executing a flip off the cliffside. Her leg came down at him, but she had misjudged in her haste, the weak spot in the cliff crumbling just enough to slow her down as she went airborne.Riddick saw her mistake and snapped out a hand, catching her leg mid strike and spinning her midair so that her back was to his front. He wrapped both arms around her, pinning her hands.Alyna let out a snarl and tried to fight his hold, but to no avail after he had snatched her out of the air, giving her no leverage. Her animal went wild, thrashing and trying to loosen his grip. But he didn't relent.Eventually she exhausted herself, sagging in his deceptively gentle hold. Despite herself she noted how good it felt with his arms around her, his solid chest to her back, and their bodies pressed close. She could feel the way his arousal dug into her lower back. But he didn't act on it. Instead he just held her."Are you finished?" He asked, gravelly voice even."Fuck you!" She snapped at him. Her body may be exhausted, but her anger was not. Riddick dipped his head, shoving his nose into the crook of her neck on the side where her hair had been shorn.When he inhales deeply, Alyna knows she has lost. The tears she cannot afford to let fall do exactly that. Her vision blurs as the hot saline makes tracks through the grime on her cheeks. Her entire body sags against him. His scent surrounds her, musky and dark. Enough to make her weak."Never shoulda left, Lyn. Never shoulda left ya behind." He murmured against her skin. The rumble of his voice vibrated through her, and shattered her will. A ragged sob tore from her. And he held her close, gathering her up and turning her into his chest. Her hands fisted in the material of his shirt and held on with a death grip while she cried into his pectorals. His big hand rubbed her back, soothing her, while he remained silent. He knew that she needed this.Once her tears had been spent she remained there, letting him hold her. Taking comfort in the embrace of her mate for the first time in nearly five years."We looked for you. I hunted for you. Never found you. Jack ran away, looking for you. I tried to stop her, but I couldn't. Wouldn't listen, the stubborn brat. Then she was just gone too. Couldn't find either of you. Not til Imam..." she explained, trailing off at the holy man's name."I know. He filled me in on everything before they showed up. He's gone, Lyn. Necros got him. Got Helion too." He informed her. Alyna looked up into his silver gaze. Gods how she'd missed it."He's... Dead? Necros?" She asked, heart aching for her friend."Necromongers. Some kinda half dead army conquering their way across the 'verse, converting or killing everything in their path.""Oh, yeah. Heard of them." She said flatly. "Never had a name to give 'em, but I've heard stories of how they descend on planets like a swarm of locusts, destroying everything in their path and taking the survivors, killing any that resist. Relentless, invulnerable, and unstoppable. Some invincible army of ghosts." He lets out a snort. Lyn looks up at that."Not invincible. And not ghosts. Flesh an' blood enough to kill. Least the ones I got on Helion were.""You were there? You got away?" She asked softly."Yeah. Even saw the inside of the damn ship. But they ain't my problem." He tells her, eyes burning into hers, clearly telling her where her mate's priorities lie."Good. At least you came back to me. Back to us. Where you belong." She smiles that wicked smile that ignites something in him he had thought dead before he found her back on that first hell planet.He doesn't hesitate, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Her arms twine around his neck and she pushes herself into his chest. His thicker arms encircle her waist, drawing her closer while their lips, tongue and teeth clash, the iron of blood from his split lip flavoring the kiss. She does one better, lifting a leg to wrap around his hip. Getting the message he slides his big hands under her thighs and helps her to wrap both her lithe legs around him.He can feel the heat of her through their clothes. He's missed this. Missed her. He turns, pinning her between him and the stone wall, hips pressed into her, thigh sliding between hers, hitching her up higher. Lyn breaks the kiss, letting out a hiss of pure ecstasy when he rolls his hips into her. Fanning the flames of passion once again, but this time in desire rather than anger."Riddick..." she says his name like holy men say prayers. It spurs him on. His mouth drops to her neck, leaving kisses and light bites along her skin. Her head tilts to give him access, fingers digging into his shoulders. Her pelvis grinds into him, the back and forth pushing him closer to the edge. They're both breathing heavier, the pent up lust driving them on.Riddick cups her breast through her tank top. Her nipples are hard, digging into his palm. He squeezes a little, earning a broken cry from her. And then her top is yanked harshly up and his mouth closes over the swollen bud. Alyna's head falls back against the rock. There's no stopping now.Alyna slides a hand down Riddick's chest, nails leaving white lines on his skin that will soon enflame. She cups his cock through his cargos. A low growl starts in his chest. His animal agrees that this feels right. This is what they need.He bites down a little harder on the breast he is mouthing, his other hand massaging the other, pinching the nipple and causing his mate to bite her lip, her whole body throbbing. But there is one place she wants his attention now more than anything."Fuck, Riddick. Need you. Now." She cries out. He responds by thrusting against the hand that is massaging him through his pants once, and then Alyna finds herself being carried into the mouth of the cave that has been her shelter in this hellhole.Before she has time to piece her thoughts together she's flat on her back on a relatively smooth part of the floor and Riddick is between her thighs, undoing her pants and sliding them down her legs with deceptive gentleness. She watches him, licking her chapped lips as he frees his cock and kneels once again between her thighs.His silver gaze meets hers as he leans down and places a reverent kiss to her hip bone. Her eyebrows furrow in question, but he doesn't answer, instead kissing the other hip bone. His mouth leaves soft kisses across her abdomen and breasts. As much as it is against both of their natures, Alyna finds it soothing, and it enflames her desire more than she expected.When Riddick's fingers find her core, she nearly thrashes off the floor. He finds her clit and assaults her with sharp pleasure, just the way he knows she likes. Like he learned in the six months they spent on Helion. Her spine arcs, her body writhing into his touch as he brings her to orgasm with just his touch. Then he enters her with first one, then two fingers. Alyna bites her lip and moans for him. He knows what he's doing to her. She fucks herself on his fingers, and he watches her thrash and whine, knowing that it's not enough. He works her pussy, stretching her, curling in just the right way to have her at the edge of orgasm, begging him for more.Then he withdraws his fingers, lifting them to his mouth and licking them clean of her taste. She makes a sound of protest at his absence but she quiets, watching him."Fucking missed how good you taste." He practically growls. Alyna watches him, her core clenching around nothing."Riddick..." She begs him. He chuckles at her, knowing exactly what she's begging him for.He doesn't keep her waiting. He slides his hands under her ass, lifting her hips to meet his. She cries out, hands going to his forearms where they have her lower body suspended from the floor.And then he enters her in one smooth motion. Alyna loses it and comes around his cock, crying out loudly, giving no fucks if the others hear her or not. They knew this was more than likely to happen when they finally found Riddick. Her pussy is clenching, spasming, and both far too full, and stretched perfectly at the same time.Riddick doesn't give her a chance to adjust, pulling nearly all the way out and then slamming back into her again and again, keeping her right at the edge of coming again. Her nails are digging into his skin hard enough that she knows shes drawing blood, but neither of them care as he sets a punishing pace. Alyna lifts her hips to meet his every thrust, rocketing them both toward completion.Riddick is already close. It's been too long since he lost himself in this woman, his mate. And she is so tight, and perfect, and it's all he can do not to come. Pleasure is building with every second. Lyn can tell by the way his hips are driving into her with near desperation.She cants her hips in that perfect way that sends them both over the edge. She comes hard around him one last time, screaming his name as the tidal wave of pleasure crashes over them both. Riddick let's out a deep growl and slams into her one last time as he comes long and hard, his seed branding her from the inside. He doesn't move for long seconds, his arms locking her hips to his as they revel in the high.Then he slowly pulls out of her and lowers her to the ground, collapsing beside her and dragging her close to shelter her against his muscular body. They are both covered in layer of sweat, shaking and sated.About then the world crashes back in on the mates as a voice interrupts their post coital haze."I really hate to break up this reunion, but we need to get our asses in gear Lyn." Billy's voice comes from just outside. Alyna knows he's right. They have one chance, and despite how good it feels to be laying in her mates arms, covered in the evidence of his claiming, drifting in the afterglow of their explosive lovemaking, they really can't afford to be wasting time. Lyn sighs harshly and moves away to retrieve her pants and tug her tanktop back into place.She glances over her shoulder as she pulls a leather thong from a pocket and uses it to tie her now loose hair back away from her face. A tendril of inky black falls across her eye on the unshaven side."Time to go." She says as she watches him put himself back in order again as well. A pang of disappointment hits her like a lightning bolt as he lowers his goggles, hiding his molten silver gaze from her.Rationally she understands, but the irrational part of her longs to drag him back down, kiss him senseless and go right back to bathing in his scent and the feel of his skin as she lays against his firm chest, and remain there for the rest of time.Unfortunately they have an escape to plan and execute. She smiles as he comes up behind her, hands resting on her hips, and leans down to inhale the commingled scent of them both that now adorns her skin.He follows her without a word as they step back into reality.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"What's the plan, Lyn?" Riddick asks her as the other three go about gathering supplies. Mostly home-made shivs, and a few rations packed into small rucksacks that look like they've been through hell a few times.Alyna glances up from tucking a wicked looking blade into her boot. Acid green eyes flash in that dangerous way that gets Riddicks hackles up in a good way and his nether regions feeling tight."Way I figure it, mercs brought you in on a ship that's probably better than any that the guards here have squirrelled away. Best bet is take them by surprise when the mercs are getting ready to leave, scoop up Kyra's pets, and charge the doors, take the guard's nest, and ride the sled up to the hangar. Shouldn't take much to get the ship running and get the hell off this rock while it's still night side." Alyna outlined the plan they had figured out. Now at least they had more muscle on their side.Riddick turned to the younger female, eyebrow raised. "Pets?""Hellhound. Can't leave my girl behind on this rock. Or her mate and any other pups she still has. You'll like her. She has your eyes. And your personality. Plus she plays my favorite game.""Favorite game?" Riddick's curiousity piqued."Who's the better killer." Jack, or rather Kyra bared her teeth in a wicked grin. But there was no mirth in it. And that tone spoke volumes. As did the flash in her hazel eyes that told Riddick that just because Alyna had forgiven him, and Billy seemed to as well, did not equate to forgiveness from her as well. No, that reckoning would come in time. And Riddick fully expected it to be nearly as violent as it had with his mate. Just with a different outcome."Just hope they all feel that way too. And that they don't mistake any of us for a snack." Billy spoke from his crouched position at the cliff edge. He had a beat to hell lookin' spyglass to his eye, surveying everything from the other inmates to the guards. "Be ready to move, it's happening damn soon." Lyn nodded at the information, moving into position beside Billy. The tattooed man handed over the spyglass and turned to look back at Riddick. He spoke to Riddick for the first time since he and Lyn had exited the cave."Don't look like your time away did you any disservice. Look like you can keep up. Lyn trusts you. Don't break that trust again Riddick." The man spoke, giving Riddick a once over. Apparently he hadn't completely forgiven the Furyan."Don't plan to. Know it didn't do any of us any favors." Was all the bigger male replied.Billy didn't bother posturing. He took two steps and laid a hand on Riddick's shoulder. He met Riddick's eye, or tried to despite the bigger man's goggles covering his eyes."Good. Because she's not the only one who needs you here. We all do." Billy stated evenly. There was a scent in the air around the former merc that had the Furyan's animal shifting. Riddick didn't reply.As the others finished their prep, an alarm started blaring. The loudspeaker broadcast one of the guards shouting "Feeding time!"Kyra grinned and bolted across the stone, scaling the wall to a smaller outcropping where she had a better view. "Time to meet the rest of the family." She said with wicked glee. Alyna shifted her weight, guaging her balance with the rucksack on her back. Billy just unsheathed a blade from a hip holster and took his stance. Riddick took note of the other prisoners scrambling for shelter, or trying to get out of reach of the beasts that had been unleashed on them. Several were too slow.From what he could see they were massive lupine-feline hybrid creatures with large scales that bristled as they moved. He lifted his goggles to get a better look. What he saw was beautiful. Deadly from nose to tail, they were one dangerous killing machine. Lethal grace and quicksilver speed. Covered in plates of armored scales, with pronounced canines, massive paws with three inch claws, and a whip tail that ended in a flared scale that was razor sharp.Alyna and Billy turned to head for the cave and out of the way, but Riddick stepped out into the open. The waterfalls that made up most of one wall wasn't far from where they had holed up, and he'd had a rinse in the water earlier so he knew they concealed several good places to wait out this feeding frenzy. He leapt down from the ledge and made his way to one of the catwalks. Kyra was edging along the higher ledge, following closely. Riddick made the the falls and located a good perch.He was right. The feeding frenzy began to die down, more than a few of the creatures passing him by in a post-dinner lethargy. However he got his chance to see one face to face. This one wasn't as lethargic as the others. And it was far more alert. It stuck its nose through the curtain of water, snarling. Its hackles raised and rattled, scales merging from dull silver to vibrant red. However, what the beast hadn't expected was to meet an identical set of eyes as it's own staring back at it from a human face. Though it didn't smell like a regular human. This one had the scent of a predator.Riddick stared the hellhound down, never so much as twitching, until the male hound finally settled its scales back down and returned to the dull silver color. He regarded Riddick with a tilt of its head, and then retreated from the water, planting himself on his haunches and waiting expectantly. Riddick followed him, reaching out a hand to run over the armored head of the hound.The hound closed his eyes in pleasure and let out a rumble that Riddick took to be the animal's version of purring. Raising a brow, Riddick settled himself beside the male hound and continued to stroke the bridge of its nose. Eventually he found a spot that his hound particularly enjoyed having scratched and it practically climbed into his lap, like a massive cat, and the chainsaw rumble of his hellhound's purrs got louder."It seems like you found a friend." Kyra said from her spot on the ledge above. The hellhound snarled, head whipping around and he bared his teeth at the young woman. Riddick growled back and patted his hound's side a little harder, making him settle."Ah-ah. Kyra is pack." Riddick told the male firmly. He looked back at Riddick for a moment, and then dropped his head back onto Riddick's thigh, content to let the issue drop in favor of attention.A second later Kyra dropped to the floor softly and edged her way around to the opposite side of her pack brother. She looked from Riddick to the hound, and back. Riddick reached out and took her hand, slowly guiding her to the spot on the hound's head where he enjoyed being scratched most. The male allowed it, eyeing Kyra warily for a long moment before giving in and pushing his head into her attentions. Kyra grinned, and the Furyan's lips quirked up in a half smile.When two more hellhounds meandered right up to them it wasn't really a surprise. One was heavily pregnant and she nosed at the male in greeting, which was returned in kind, before laying down by Riddick's feet. The third, an adolescent male judging by his much smaller size, sat down beside the female and wrapped his whip like tail around his paws.Kyra reached began showing the female the same attention her apparent mate had been enjoying. Before long she had all three of the hounds accepting her touches, strokes and pats.The female only tolerated so much before she flopped down just out of reach, but the adolescent crawled into Kyra's lap and demanded all of her attention. It seemed that once she had gotten past his apparent indifference the male was quite playful and affectionate, if the lick he delivered to her cheek meant anything. Clearly he was still young enough that the conditioning of the prison guards hadn't fully set in.When the buzzer rang out and the bigger male huffed and pushed himself up off of the Furyan's lap in a bereaved sigh, Riddick knew that Kyra was right. They weren't leaving those hounds in this place. He watched the younger male reluctantly give up the attention and follow his mother, looking back at Kyra multiple times as the three hounds retreated, before rising to his own feet and heading back to Alyna and Billy.***"Oh joy. So you have one now too then." Billy said flatly. He had been watching the entire exchange with Riddick, Kyra, and the hounds that she had now named.The only response he received was a shrug from the convict, and a grin from the kid."Actually there's three." Kyra corrected. "Dao, Feng and Zhao.""We're going to have a fuckin' menagerie by the time we get off this rock." The ex-merc muttered. Alyna shook her head, but she was failing to hide her amusement. She glanced up to where her mate had been staring for the last few minutes.Riddick was watching the guard tower as it disengaged its locks and rose to the surface. She could see him calculating. Alyna had been confident in their escape plan before her mate had reappeared. Now she was absolutely certain of it. Riddick wouldn't let them fail.Smirking to herself, she leaned back against the stone wall, arms crossed.It was only a matter of time. So they would wait for night. And this time when they escaped this little slice of hell, she would make damn sure her mate didn't leave again.***When it happened, it happened too fast. There was a flurry of gunfire, a cacophony of screams, and then silence. The entire prison heard it and headed for the guard tower.Riddick and Alyna were first through the door. Taking note of the bodies strewn throughout, and the busted door to the transport.Kyra looked to Alyna."Guess that means it's time to go." She stated. At a nod from her packmate, the younger girl turned to go get the hellhounds."Guards must have jammed it from the other side and took off through the tunnels. They're abandoning this heap. And leaving everyone else here to rot." Billy said. Riddick verbally walked through what had gone down, his observations covering his turning mind.With the door jammed from the other side there was only one option now. The surface of the planet. Alyna's plan went to scrap at the busted door. Now they would do this Riddick's way. She let him take the lead.A few other prisoners decided to take the chance upon hearing Riddick's explanation of what had gone down, and what his pack was planning."If you can't keep up, don't step up. There's only one speed. Mine." He stated just as Kyra returned with three bristling beasts in tow. The other prisoners backed off quickly, but the three massive hounds barely batted an eye at them, sensing that something big was happening.The big male brushed against Riddick. Patting the ruff of scales at Dao's neck, he mentally prepared himself for what was to come. Zhao, Dao's heavily pregnant mate, approached and sniffed at Alyna's hand before butting against her hard, demanding acknowledgement. Lyn looked down at the beast, more than a little intrigued. She patted the female, who huffed a happy noise.The others seemed to calm some at seeing the hounds interacting, though most kept their distance. Not all, however.When another prisoner got too close to Lyn the female hound bristled, dull red scales flaring to bright crimson and a vicious snarl ripping from her throat. Her whip-like tail lashed out, slicing across the prisoner's thigh. His cry of pain was enough to satisfy the hound as the man backed up quickly. A low rumbling chuff had both Riddick and Alyna's eyebrows lifting. That made every two legged being in the room that wasn't part of the pack keep their distance.Kyra chuckled as she rubbed at Feng's snout. The adolescent male leaned into the attention and rumbled at Kyra, curling around her. It seemed that their newest pack members had found someone to bond with. A very good sign. They would follow.Riddick turned toward the controls."Stay close. We're moving." He growled. Alyna nodded. Kyra and Billy moved to start looting the dead and dieing guards, Billy handing a wicked knife to Lyn.As machinery whirred and clanked the platform rose into the night. As soon as the breached the surface the race was on.They piled out the shattered plate glass window and started across the surface of the burnt out world. Ash choked the air, and the volcanic rock crunched beneath their boots. Riddick took the lead, heading straight across the surface to the hangar. Alyna's beast stirred. It was time to run.***Vaako growled in irritation at the team of men around him. They were tracking the ion trail of the Merc ship that had taken the Furyan off Helion. It lead them straight to a backwater planet of fire.Vaako had volunteered to track down the escaped man, knowing full well that he had no intentions of returning to the basilica, or the Lord Marshal. He was done blindly following. And now he had something else that had become more important. The Furyan survivor he felt inexplicably drawn to.Before he had left, he had contemplated slitting his wife's throat, but in the end had decided that it was a waste of time. He was impatient to hunt down the man who intrigued him. He would have carried through with disposing of his team and just taken off with the ship, if not for the hitch in his plan.The purifier.The man had been sent with him for some reason, and despite knowing that he could end the man just as easily as the soldiers aboard, something stopped him. A curiosity.The purifier had a scent. After all the time Vaako had spent in the armada, the purifier had never carried a scent. But now he had the faintest hint of sage and sand. And something in the Commander wanted to know why. So here he sat, issuing orders to half dead men who would soon be fully dead, tracking down a Furyan survivor, with a man he had hated since his conversion riding beside him silently.The planet was looming on the view screen, a half burning rock that was slowly being consumed by its own sun.And somewhere down there his Furyan waited. Anticipation had Vaako on edge. They began their descent. Soon he would be free. The beast within coiled, ready, awake for the first time in as long as Vaako could remember. No, he definitely wasn't bored anymore. The monotony of his existence was broken, and he was waking up. His blood pumped hot in his veins, skin tight, muscles jumping with the adrenaline rushing through his bloodstream.Vaako was so fucking ready.Then the unexpected happened. The Purifier caught Vaako's eye and motioned him aside. The Commander raised an eyebrow, but followed the other man to a quieter corner. After checking to be sure that they were alone and not being eavesdropped on, the Purifier spoke."Lord Vaako, you and I seem to be of the same mind. I've noticed that you are developing your senses again, as I am. And I don't believe that you plan on returning to the Armada either. It would seem that the time has come for all of the survivors of Furya, would it not?" The man's blue eyes met Vaako's very surprised green ones."You are Furyan as well? I didn't think that any others had made it off the planet other than myself." Vaako's mind was spinning."Oh yes, a few managed to make it. There are perhaps a dozen among the Armada of Furyan blood. However, none of us are alpha's. And there was only one omega who managed to survive. That would be you, Lord Vaako. The last of the Furyan omegas. The rest of us are merely betas. Which explains why you are such an accomplished warrior. And why you are so drawn to the man we were sent to hunt down. He is an alpha." The Purifier explained. Vaako was conflicted, not sure whether to be glad that at least some of his people had lived, or angry that it had been so few, and that they were now subjugated by the man who had wiped out their race.Vaako's silent contemplation prompted the Purifier to continue."It seems that neither of us mean to return to serve under the Lord Marshal. I am merely to deliver a message. The Lord Marshal believes that this Riddick will kill me in the process. What he will not expect is for his favored Commander to desert him as well. But I wish you luck, Lord Vaako. Perhaps you can do what I could not and end the Necromonger empire." With that statement, the Purifier nodded to Vaako and turned to leave. Vaako didn't know what to say, if anything, so he merely watched the other man walk away. This bombshell gave the green eyed warrior much to think about. And much to plan.***The hangar was just over the next rise. Alyna was covered in sweat and ash, streaks of it across her skin. Zhao ran beside her, scaling the cliffs and rock faces, and bounding over ridges as if she was born for it. There were less of them now. Only Riddick, Kyra, Billy, the hounds, Alyna and a sparse handful of convicts. Still too many to fit on one ship.The sun was catching up quickly. But they could make it. The hum of another ship however, was not expected.When they crested the last ridge there was a strange craft hovering there, pouring out armored soldiers. The hangar door was open, the guards fighting feebly as they were blasted by the energy weapons these new bastards carried.Riddick growled."Right on time, you necromonger fucks." He drew his blades and dropped to his haunches behind an outcropping of blacked rock."Hey Kira, remember that favorite game of yours?" He called."Who's the better killer?" She replied, crouching behind a boulder. Alyna was beside her, surveying the battle. Billy fell into line beside Riddick, with the big male hound on his heels. The female was slinking into position behind him, and the other male was crouched beside Kyra. Riddick grinned."Let's play."

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The battle wasn't a long one, but brutal and bloody. The necros targeted them, and the remaining convicts went down. The hounds were in a frenzy, launching themselves at the Necro grunts one after another, ending many of them with aborted shrieks and grunts, and a spray of blood.The Governor had fallen just in front of Alyna, muttering something about a woman named Hellen, or Helena. The one who had shot him was there, gun pointed at Riddick. Instead of firing he met Riddick's eye for a long moment then nodded once.Alyna's heart was pounding, animal roaring, but before she could move, the soldier turned and began firing on his own men.By the time they reacted it was too late. All but two of the necromongers were dead in moments.The one who had turned on his own threw down the gun and glanced back to Riddick."If you want off this rock we need to go now, before they track my ship." Riddick gave him an appraising look and then glanced at Alyna. She scented the air, detecting no deception. She gave the affirmative. His short nod at the hangar had her moving. The hounds had escaped the fray relatively unscathed, and followed right behind Riddick."What the fuck was that?" Kyra exclaimed."Guess we're about to find out." Was Billy's reply. Alyna agreed. She was going to find out one way or another. Her hackles were still up, the haze of battle born bloodlust still clinging to her. And after seeing the Necro pointing a damn gun at her mate, she was feeling a little twitchy. They all followed."I was sent to bring you back for execution. I'm not going back. But there is one slight problem." The Necro said, leading the way into the hangar. There stood a familiar face, to Riddick at least. The Purifier."I won't stop you. I'm just a messenger." The Purifier spoke, looking right at Riddick."You got five seconds to deliver your message, 'fore I bury this in your eye." Riddick told him, tapping his shiv against his arm."Riddick?" Lyn queried from where she stood beside him. He shook his head imperceptibly. She stayed quiet, keeping a nose out for the chemo signals of both the Necro men."The Lord Marshal is expecting Commander Vaako to report you as dead, but I doubt that will be happening, seeing as the Commander just slaughtered his own men. So I am to tell you this. He is willing to let you live, on the condition that you stay far away from Helion. Away from him." The Purifier spoke calmly."And just why is the leader of an armada that slaughters it's way across the 'verse killing or converting everything and everyone in their path, so willing to let one man go?" Riddick asked."The Lord Marshal's reasons are unknown to me. But I have knowledge of a planet of warriors so fierce that they held the Necromonger Armada at bay for a decade. And the story about a young warrior who sought the counsel of an elemental to find out if his ambitions would come to fruition. It is unclear what the elemental told him, but afterward he cut a bloody swath through these warriors, destroying every young alpha male. Even strangling some with their own cords."Riddick flinched at the Purifier's words."And what's that got to do with me?" Riddick demanded, grip tightening on his blade."Because you are the last surviving alpha of the Furyan race. Not many of us made it off that hell. Just you, myself, Vaako here, and a handful of others among the Armada. And the few who were off planet when the Necromongers destroyed Furya." The Purifier told Riddick, slowly unbuckling the clasps on his robes and peeling them away from his chest to reveal a glowing blue handprint. Riddick and Alyna both reacted, Riddick barely flinching, and Alyna starting forward with one hand outstretched to trace the handprint, feeling as if she were entranced by the sight of it. In reaction a spark ignited in the air sending out a wave of energy that washed over all of them.As if a switch had been flipped a blue glow sprang to life on the right side of Riddick's pectorals, a matching one on Alyna's chest. Kyra and Billy both gasped as a dimmed version of the handprint formed on both of their chests as well, while Vaako dropped to his knees groaning and tearing at his chest plate. It fell away to reveal the same mark pulsing so bright it was nearly white.The Purifier glanced around at all of them."Well isn't this interesting. Not just one alpha survivor, but two. And one is a female," He gestured to Alyna. "And two beta halfbreeds. Riddick, you have no idea how much this gives me hope for our race." The Purifier said as tears welled in his eyes."So they can't all be dead, if the three of you exist. None of you are old enough to have survived the destruction of Furya. There are more out there." Vaako smirked from his kneeling position."I don't know about all of you, but I'd rather not burn up in the sun, so can we move this little tete a tete indoors?" Billy asked, glancing back at where the sun was coming over the horizon.All of them moved into the hangar, the hounds following, except for the Purifier. He stood staring at the approaching sun."I am afraid I won't be joining you when you leave. We all began as something else. I've done unbelievable things, terrible things, in the name of a faith that was never my own. And he'll do to all of you what he did to me if he can. The Necromonger in me warns you not to go back. The Furyan in me hopes you won't listen. But I can never go back." The Purifier finished delivering his message, and turned towards the sun that was now crossing the runway. Before anyone could stop him, he walked right into it.***"So you are Furyan as well?" Alyna looked at the Necro who stood among them. Former Necro."I am. I just barely survived the destruction of Furya." Vaako answered as they prepped a ship for launch. It would be a tight fit for all of them, but manageable."The Purifier said that we are alpha's, and that Billy and Kyra are halfbreed betas. So what does that make you?" Alyna asked from her spot directly beside her mate. She was subtly scenting the air, taking in his strange yet inviting aroma. He smelled of forest, and the musk of a predator, similar yet different than Riddick's."I'm truly the last of my kind. An omega. Zylaw sought out every omega he could and destroyed them. I was a child when he found me and hadn't presented yet, as it takes an alpha to awaken an omega. I didn't even know until today. I believed myself a rather willful beta.""So what's the difference between beta and omega?" Kyra asked, petting her hound's flank. The pup ate up the attention, none of the hounds reacting to Vaako except to move out of his way when he moved."To be honest, I'm not entirely certain. But from the few memories I have recovered, omegas served alphas in many ways. Mostly as second in command, or occasionally as a mate." The entire ship went quiet as if a bomb had been dropped."Riddick has a mate. Me. He doesn't need another." Alyna snapped, venom dripping from her tone. Vaako turned to look at her this time. Truly look at her.She was tall enough to reach his shoulder height, toned muscles showing that she was far from weak. Scars littering her golden skin reinforced that observation. She moved with a deadly grace that drew his eye. Her black hair hung down her back in a tight braid, one side shaved close. Her acidic eyes bore into him, the promise of violence in them. She had a scar across one side of her face accentuated by two bright teal triangular tattoos around her eye. She had a slender waist, medium sized breasts, hips flaring wide and thighs of solid muscle. She had weapons concealed across her body.She was beautiful and deadly.She reminded him of someone. Hazy memories had begun surfacing, and one of them was of a woman who looked so similar to Alyna. The only difference would be that Alyna had spiral curling black hair threaded with artificial silver and red streaks while the woman from his memory had blonde. He took in her scent, that of pure water and stone, with hints of flourishing foliage and pine. She smelled like a river in the forest. Her scent sent a spike of arousal through him that was completely unexpected.Until now Vaako had been solely focused on Riddick. But Alyna appealed to him equally. The shadow beast beneath his skin purred.Mine.Vaako's eyes widened. Oh, fuck. "Lyn, stow it. We need to get of this rock first. Then you can all fight it out. Or fuck it out with the way you're all sizing each other up. But later." Billy commented. That snapped them all out of the territorial display."You helped us, even though it meant betraying your own people. So you are welcome to come with us, for now. But the second you step out of line, Furyan or not, I will fucking gut you and feed you to Zhao." Lyn threw over her shoulder as she walked towards the only decent ship.Vaako had to fight the urge to adjust his cock as he followed at a safe distance.Riddick eyes him before turning to follow his mate.The other girl, the redhead patted him on the shoulder as she passed."Watch your back Ghost man. Because she isn't the only one watching." She offered with a glint of steel in her hazel eyes.They were all wary of him. Vaako could deal with that. He'd eventually earn their trust, because he was not going to leave the only two potential mates in the 'verse. He was with them now. And Furyan's mated for life. And he felt that his place was here. With both of them.He followed.

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Getting off Crematoria wasn't too difficult. The mercs had left Alyna and Billy's ship in the hangar, and had apparently been planning on using it to bail this backwater. The necros got to them in the battle, before they could finish loading up their cargo. But food and water had been first, stowed in the bay already. Next had been a crate of clothing and bedding that smelled of unwashed guard, but was useable.Alyna and Billy got the ship prepped and ready to go while Kyra got the hounds on board and settled into an empty room. She stowed her rucksack on the top bunk and let the hounds take the bottom. It wasn't a big ship, but from what Alyna and Billy had told her while they were planning their escape it was just a loaner from Billy's father. They had a bigger ship, the Seeker, a Peregrin 66, fast, sleek, but pretty big for it's class, stashed on one of Helion's moons. That was where they were going. To pick up the Seeker and then get the hell out of dodge.Riddick and Vaako were in the cargo bay getting everything secured for the takeoff. The convict was refusing to let the Necros out of his sight, and away from the cockpit. He trusted Alyna to get them off this rock safely. But he didn't trust the Necro. Despite the draw to him, Riddick was being extremely cautious.