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Chapter 17

Riddick saw the medic and the captain. He didn't see the gun... not until it was too late. Carolyn fought to get around him, trying to place herself in between the gun and his now turned chest. His strong arm held her away from his body. He knew when the medic fired the gun; he had to have Carolyn out of the way. In a brief instant, Riddick saw everything. It all passed before him. The mistakes, the regrets, the good, the bad, and Carolyn.

The captain gave the order and the shot rang out.

"Nooooo," her voice screamed at the moment the gun fired. Riddick was blind-sided and thrown into the wall, taking Carolyn with him. The bullet hit flesh with a sickening sound. Riddick knew the sound of skin being torn away and landing detached on the floor, but he realized he wasn't hit. He reached down to his boot and unholstered the gun he had taken from John and pointed it upward at the silhouetted medic and fired. It looked and felt like slow motion as Riddick's bullet found its mark.

The medic doubled over and dropped to one knee. He turned his head upward and looked at the captain with accusing eyes. The captain stood emotionless, still chewing on his cigar, staring back down at him. Blood seeped from the doctor's mouth as he spoke.

"You said you could control him. You said this plan would work," he choked.

The captain blew smoke from his mouth down into the dying man's face. "I will control him," he smiled," But as for the plan working... it just didn't work for you," he laughed.

The medic realized what a fool he had been. He was dying with the knowledge that he was a fool. He looked down at his bleeding stomach, his hands covered in the same blood he was trying to stop flowing. He collapsed onto his face waiting for the inevitable end.

Riddick reholstered the gun and looked at Carolyn with wild eyes. "Where are you hit?" he yelled. She looked at him touching his body checking to see if he was hit and then herself.

"I'm not," she said with surprise.

"Well, then who......"he turned to see beside him, another body, lying limp and bleeding. He recognized the dark, long, hair. He rolled her over and knew the face.

Valia.

He scanned over her and saw the wound. This one was mortal. Her eyes were closed giving Riddick the impression of death. He looked away from her and back to the captain. The fat man hadn't moved. He stood there in the corridor smoking his cigar, smiling at the situation. Riddick stared holes in the man. Still, he never moved.

"Richard," a tiny whisper came from the woman he thought to be dead. Strangely, he turned his head to a name he hadn't known in so long. He lifted her head onto his knees and brushed the hair from her face. He looked her over again. The medic's shot was as good as Riddick's and hit the same place. The combination of the gunshot wound and Carolyn's slash had made her once beautiful stomach as mess of flesh, bone, and intestines. Her hands seemed as if they were trying to hold her insides in place.

Looking more closely he realized that's exactly what she was doing. A small pang of guilt ran through him. After all the things this woman had done to him and to the people he cared about, he still felt some sort of emotion. Was this what it was to have a conscience? Was this what it was like to feel for people? He looked over to Carolyn, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes showing a degree of regret. Yes, her eyes showed the same thoughts he was thinking. This was what it was like to truly be human. This was something he had avoided. Now he knew why.

"Richard," the voice whispered again. Riddick looked into her eyes.

"I'm here," he answered.

"I am so sorry..." her apology cut off by coughing. Blood oozed from the corners of her mouth and nose, she was fading quickly. Riddick tried to comfort her.

"Shhh, don't talk, save your strength," he tried to reassure her. She softly shook her head.

"No, there's no more strength to save, no more fighting, finally I will have peace."

Carolyn scooted over from the wall to sit beside Riddick. Valia's eyes focused on her. She weakly moved her arm to Carolyn and took her hand. Without breaking her stare, she placed it on top of Riddick's with hers atop both. Carolyn looked down at the strange union of hands; blood dripping in all directions. It looked like a sick pact made by desperate friends. Valia gently squeezed their hands making Carolyn's eyes come back to her face.

"Take care of him. He's a good man," she said faintly.

"I will," Carolyn told her as her eyes flashed to Riddick who was still staring down at the pile of hands. Valia's attention then moved to Riddick. His stomach went icy as he saw death looming in her face. It was so close. Her mouth never moved but he heard her.

"I'm sorry for everything," her mind said. Riddick smiled.

"I know," his mind answered back.

"There's a bag in the computer room. There are a few things that might help you in your escape." Riddick nodded.

"I understand." Valia's eyes blinked slowly.

"I knew you would," she paused trying to catch her breath," So many things to say and not enough time." Her hand went to his face smearing the deep colored blood onto his cheeks. The blood was warm as she placed her hand on him. He thought it strange how comforting that felt for him. The other hand came off of the pile of hands and went to Carolyn's face. The moment she laid her hand on her skin, she was propelled backwards in to the wall. Riddick looked back down at Valia.

"What are you doing?" he asked alarmed. Valia smiled.

"Shhh, my last gift to give. Goodbye, my love," whispered for the last time. Riddick sat looking into her eyes. He watched her drift away as her hand slid off of his face to her side. Like that... she was gone. He looked to Carolyn; she was shaking her head trying to clear it after being thrown against the wall. His eyes went back to Valia's. He carefully closed them and touched her cheek.

"Good bye," he said quietly as he moved his knees, gently placing her head on the hard steel floor. His emotions were in turmoil. He hated this woman. He threatened to kill her as often as he could. She killed Jack, she tried to kill Carolyn, and she tried to kill him. Yet, he couldn't help but feel loss. He told her she could never have redemption from him; that he would never forgive her for what she had done. He knew that wasn't true. He couldn't be a man or a human being without forgiveness. At least for some.
Rising to his feet he still stared at her. Carolyn stood up next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder. It felt good to have her touch him.

"I forgive you," he whispered to her. All thoughts were then interrupted.

"How fucking touching," the captain said loudly. "It took her long enough to die. I mean, good Christ, couldn't she have just died quietly?"

Riddick's head turned slowly from the floor to where the captain stood. With the cigar still in his mouth, he stared at him; a red fog surrounded the fat man in Riddick's mind. A red fog of hatred. The captain seemed unaffected by Riddick's glare.

"I'm disappointed in you Riddick," he began," I figured you as a man of vision. I figured you a man who was smart. Now, I see that you are truly pathetic." Riddick's laugh echoed through the hallways.

"Oh? Is that what you think?" he mused. The captain nodded.

"Yes, I do. If you were half the man I thought you to be, you would have killed the girl yourself. If you were a man, you would have joined me and reaped the rewards. If you were a man, you wouldn't have killed the doctor with a gun but with your bare hands. That is the Riddick I wanted to see." Riddick kept smiling.

"Believe me, that Riddick still exists," he took a step toward the man but stopped as Carolyn's grip tightened on his shoulder.

"Really?" the captain mused. Riddick smiled at the man. He then turned his head to Carolyn and took her hand off of his shoulder. Her bewilderment was evident. He turned his attention back to the overly cocky captain, taking another step toward him. Still, the captain didn't move.

"Riddick," Carolyn began. He put his hand up and motioned her to stop talking. He continued walking to the captain.

"You are a fool, Riddick. I could have given you everything you ever wanted, but no, you had to be difficult. If you had joined me, the girls would still be alive. BOTH girls would still be alive." Riddick shook with anger at the mere mention of Jack. He continued slowly forward. The captain's cocky face was beginning to look worried. He brought out the controller to the obedience chip Riddick had in his chest. Riddick stopped and smiled. The captain, still thinking Riddick's chip was in tact, ran his fingers across it's metal covering, almost petting it.

"Do you remember the last time I had this out?" he asked Riddick. He nodded.

"I do."

"Do you remember the pain of it? Do you remember how you felt?" Again Riddick nodded.

"I do." Still smiling, Riddick took one more step toward the man. From six feet away, He could feel the man's heartbeat getting faster and faster. He could see his breathing becoming labored and worried.

"I see you didn't learn anything from the last time. You're still defiant."

"To the end," Riddick almost laughed. Now the captain laughed.

"That's right Riddick.... And the end is now," he snarled throwing his cigar down. He brought the controller up and pointed it at Riddick. He stared at the captain, folding his arms, waiting for the man to find out his little secret. The captain motioned to Carolyn," I hope she was worth it." With that, he gritted his teeth and pushed the button.

Riddick stood motionless with the small smile on his face as the captain looked at the controller with confusion. He pressed it again waiting for Riddick to fall to the floor and writhe in pain. Nothing. The captain's smile was gone as his eyes went to Riddick's. Sweat began to pour from his body as the reality of the situation dawned on him. For a moment, they just stared at each other. Riddick finally broke their silence.

"What's the matter, Captain?" Riddick asked sarcastically. "Not having the effect you were hoping for?" The captain stood baffled.

"I don't.....understand," he stammered. Riddick unfolded his arms.

"I do," he said bringing his hands to the neck of his t-shirt and pulling. The captain watched as Riddick tore open his shirt to reveal his chest and the burn where the implant had been.

The captain stood in the hallway; mouth gaped open, realizing that his worst nightmare was about to come true. He stared at Riddick with a sick fascination, knowing the amount of pain he had to have endured to release himself from the chip. Riddick stared back at the man with a smile of satisfaction. Judging by the way the man's face lost all color and the fact there was a puddle forming on the floor under the captain's feet, he got the desired effect he was looking for.

The captain's mouth tried to speak but his voice made no sound. He looked like a silent movie. Riddick touched his burn, clenching his teeth in pain as he stared a hole in the captain. Finally the man found his voice.

"R..R..Riddick," he stammered, trying to smile, "I can make you a rich man." Riddick took a step forward, the captain took one back. "I can give you your freedom." One forward, one back. "I can give you anything you want." Riddick stopped.

From behind, Carolyn watched him stop. What was he doing? Why did he stop? He wasn't actually considering this was he? She didn't understand.

"Riddick! What are you doing?" she shouted. He turned his head, not really looking at her.

"He's offering me anything I want. All I have to do is name it," he answered her.

She stood in astonishment. She was about to comment on her disbelief when she heard something. Something faint. Her head turned toward the direction of the noise. Meanwhile, Riddick turned his attention back to the captain.

"Anything I want?" he asked. The captain nodded.

"Anything." Riddick brought his hand up to his chin as if he were actually considering his offer.

"Hhhmmm, what do I want?" he looked to the ceiling, thinking. Slowly his gaze came back to the captain. "I know what I want," Riddick's eyes turned to slits and his hands went to his side, balled up in fists. His voice low and furious. "I want Jack back."

The captain's smile slowly melted off of his face. He realized the whole thing was a rouse. He knew Riddick was going to kill him. He started to take steps back, trying to put space between himself and the man who would end his life.

Riddick's hate began to overflow its boundaries. In his mind he could feel the captain's neck breaking in his hands but he knew there was no way he could be that merciful. He wanted to hurt him, he wanted him to suffer as everyone else had suffered, and he wanted him to die the worst death. He began to close in the gap between the two of them with stealthy steps. Six feet, five, four.....

"RIDDICK!" Carolyn screamed. He spun around. Carolyn was looking down the corridor to her right. Gunshots rang out. She ducked and ran to where he stood.

"Guards, coming," she said breathlessly. Riddick shot a look at the captain who had backed so far away that he couldn't reach him. He was yelling orders into his communicator.

"Deck six, near med lab. Kill Riddick on sight!" he yelled. Riddick started toward him, Carolyn grabbed his arm.

"No," she shouted," We have to get out of here!" Riddick shook his head.

"I can't. I'm so close," he almost pleaded.

Carolyn grabbed him by the arms, turning him to face her instead of the captain. His body faced her yet his eyes stayed on the captain. Carolyn quickly slapped him across the face bringing him back from his homicidal trance. His eyes focused on her. For a moment she was frightened but his hard eyes softened as he looked at her.

"Riddick, we have to go," she said quietly.

He knew there was no choice. Looking up, he saw the captain disappear down the corridor. Together they turned toward the computer room. Riddick took Carolyn's hand as they started running. Up ahead a shadow fell on the floor, alerting him to someone's presence. Riddick stopped and pulled the gun from it's binding on his leg and aimed for the shadow. As he came around the corner, Riddick lowered the gun. John stood there smiling. At that moment, shots rang out as the guards came into view. Riddick and John opened fire as Carolyn was pushed down onto the floor. Taking cover inside doorways, the two expertly exterminated the enemy as if they were a finely tuned machine. After killing four of their comrades, the remaining three-retreated back down the dark passage they came from. Riddick waited a moment to see if they would return or if he could hear anything. After which, he motioned John that it was clear and to come out. The two walked out into the corridor and stood looking at each other almost as if they were sizing the other up. Riddick could still see Jack in his eyes but yet there was something else. There was something about this kid that Riddick couldn't place. Something that haunted him about his blonde short hair and green eyes. He admired him, though. Riddick put out his hand. John smiled and shook it heartily. Carolyn stood up and joined them. She looked back and forth between them wondering how this strange union came to be. Riddick saw her confusion and smiled at her.

"I'll explain later," he said walking forward and putting his arm around John.

The trio started back to the computer room, when an almost inaudible, soft sound hit their ears. The sound of a gun cocking from behind them. All three turned to the sound and saw the medic on his knees with his gun pointed at them. Blood covered his face, hands, and body. Somehow he was still breathing. Like a flash, Riddick brought his gun up and pulled the trigger. Nothing happen. The medic laughed a garbled, blood-choked chuckle and put his other hand on the gun to steady it. Riddick pulled Carolyn behind him. John came from behind and stood in front of the both of them.

"John, get out of the way!" Riddick yelled. John stood looking at the medic, brought up his gun, and fired. John's face showed no emotion as the medic's head disappeared. One second there, the next gone. Blood splattered in all directions, even ricocheting off of the walls to hit John in the face. The man's dead body hit the floor with a wet sounding "thud". The boy turned back to face Carolyn and Riddick, quickly wiping his face against his arm and glancing at the blood.

"Let's get the Hell out of here," he said taking steps in the direction they had intended. As he walked between them and down the hallway, the two simply stared at each other and then back at John, amazed at what they had just witnessed. They followed him.

"You must have made on Hell of an impression on him," Carolyn teased. Riddick looked at her with sarcasm.

"Wasn't me." The three continued down the hall to complete their mission.

Riddick stood in front of the computer screen, punching in the last minute details of their escape plan. His mind kept wondering to the boy who earlier, saved his life. His eyes traveled around the room until he found John. He sat in the corner where Riddick had originally tied him up, still sitting in the same position, knees to his chest, arms wrapped around them, head down. He looked younger than his estimated 14 or 15 years. Right now, he looked like a little boy. Riddick flashed a look to Carolyn; she returned it with a look of confusion. She was thinking the same thing.

What was he doing? Why did he help them the way he did?

These questions were burning a hole in Riddick's mind. He turned away from the computer screen and went to John. As he stopped in front of the boy, John's head came up and their eyes met. Holding the boy's gaze, Riddick crouched down to come to eye level.

"Are you alright, John?" he asked. He regarded Riddick with strange fascination.

"Yes," he answered. "Why do you ask?" Riddick shrugged.

"I don't know. I get the impression something's wrong."

"There is something."

"What is it?" John sighed almost afraid to tell Riddick. He didn't want to sound like a baby.

"I have a lot of friends here and I want them to come with us when the ship separates." Riddick began shaking his head.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down John. I can barely figure out how to get the three of us out of here much less a bunch of kids."

"We may be a bunch of kids," John said standing up, holding Riddick's stare, "But this KID just saved your ass," he paused taking a deep breath "We can hold our own." Riddick put his hands on his head and walked toward Carolyn. She stood looking at him with her hands on her hips.

"What the fuck are we going to do with him?" he asked motioning to John. Carolyn shrugged.

"It was your idea to take him along." He regarded her with a sarcastic smile as he turned back to John. He pointed his finger at John.

"Alright," Riddick said with a defeated sigh," But they are on their own. If they aren't where they need to be when it's time, that's it. They get left behind." John nodded.

"We can do that. You will have yourself a fine crew," John said proudly.

"I don't want a crew, John, I just want to get out of here alive." The boy walked to Riddick.

Smiling up at his new mentor," That, I will promise." Riddick looked down at him. He put his hand on his head, feeling the texture of his hair.

Why did he care so much about this boy? Was it really redemption or something deeper? Whatever it was, they would figure it out in time.

One hour left to self-destruct. They had to hurry. Gathering up all of the things they would need, Riddick picked up the bag Valia had left in the room. There inside, he found the tranquillizer, a roll of tape, and the implant gun. He could only imagine what her plan was concerning him and these three objects. He only shook his head thinking how she died as well as how she lived. He couldn't hate her, especially since he had done things in his own life that might be deemed more evil than hers. He felt sorry for her. John brought him out of his daze.

"Riddick, I am going to get the others. I will meet you at the secondary bridge", he turned toward the door. Riddick put his hand on his shoulder and turned him around.

"John, don't be late. There's no way of stopping this. If your friends don't come right away.... Forget them." John nodded.

"Don't worry, I know this ship better than you do." he went back to the door. It opened and John stuck his head out to check the corridors. Quickly, he flashed back to Riddick, "There are some uniforms over in the corner. I thought they might come in handy. You'd better get out of here. They'll figure out where you are soon enough."

"Good luck, John, "Riddick said after him. The boy nodded and disappeared around the corner.

Riddick stared at the door after it closed. It was almost as if he was expecting someone to come through it. Why was he so concerned about this boy?

Carolyn came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He turned around and faced her. Slowly his arms slid around her, bringing her closer to him. The hand on his shoulder went to his face, feeling the stubbly growth on his chin. He closed his eyes engulfing himself in her touch.

"Where are we going from here, Riddick?" she asked. His eyes opened and focused on her.

"There's a planet in the Barian system called Phetack. I have an old friend there who will hide us and give us new identities."

"The Barian system is far away." Riddick nodded.

"Exactly, far away from here. A long way from everything. You'll like it there. It's beautiful. Plus we will be safe until we figure out what we are going to do and where to go." She moved even closer to him, placing her head on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat. After a moment she looked up at him.

"I will go anywhere you go. I only want to be where you are." Riddick smiled, moving a piece her bangs out of her face. I didn't seem to matter how many times he heard her voice, when he did, it made his chest tighten and his pulse race. She stared at him with total trust, something he was not accustom to. God, he loved her. His hand went around her head, into her hair, and pulled her back into his chest. He closed his eyes again, this time resting his head on hers, enjoying the moment of peace. He decided this was as good a time as any.

"Carolyn," he began. Her eyes came up to meet his. She watched him a little confused by the look on his face.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Carolyn..... I....." he stammered.

Suddenly the ships lights got dark and an alarm began to sound. A voice tore through the silence.

"Alert. Alert! All personnel! The captain has issued a shoot to kill order for Richard B. Riddick! Shoot on sight! Use any and all methods to exterminate him. Bring the woman in alive if possible. This is a class 1 order! Reward to the man who finds and kills Riddick!"

The two broke their embrace and ran to the other side of the room where John had put the uniforms. Riddick grabbed one and tossed the other to Carolyn.

"Put this on!" he yelled at her. They dressed quickly and went to the door. Guns in hand they took deep breaths readying themselves. Riddick turned to her. "Get to the secondary bridge and get everything ready to go!"

"No," she shouted back," I'm not going anywhere without you! We leave together or not at all!"

"If something happens..."

"Then it happens to both of us," she finished. Her face was hidden underneath the uniform and mask but he could imagine her look. He touched the outside of the mask.

"Together, then," he said. She put her hand on his and nodded. They turned back to the door as Riddick opened it. They stepped out into the corridor, looking both ways and then turning right. They moved at a steady trot, passing guards and making their way to the main deck. Riddick looked down at his countdown watch. 44 minutes and counting. They needed at least 2 minutes for safe clearance. Carolyn tapped him on the shoulder.

"Where are we headed?" she asked.

"Captain's bridge," he replied. Carolyn knew the captain's time had come. They made their way passed all of the guards running in all directions searching for them into the main corridor leading to the captain's bridge. Riddick looked around. He saw no one. He grabbed the mask that hid his face, slid it off, and threw it onto the floor. Carolyn watched the mask hit the floor.

"What the Hell are you doing?" she asked. He never turned around to face her.

"You had better stay here," he said quietly and in a voice Carolyn wasn't familiar with.

"Why?"

"I don't want you to see what's going to happen inside."

"Riddick..."

"Carolyn, the way you feel about me will change. I don't want you to see this." He started forward to the door. Right before opening it he stopped and finally looked back at her. A chill went through her as she saw him change right in front of her eyes. The softness of his smile, the warmth of his expressions, the love in his heart... all gone. The man that stood before her was the cold-blooded killer she had met on the planet. This man loved no one or anything. His muscles twitched and he turned back to the door.

He put his hand on the hard, cold steel. His mind dug deep into its blackest parts, finding the hatred that dwelled there. The hatred for him. He grabbed hold of Valia's bag and he pushed the button to open the door.

The sound of the door made all heads in the room turn. Riddick raised the gun and began firing at anyone armed. Those without a gun he would kill hand to hand. One guard fired as Riddick dropped to the floor. He was dispatched quickly. Two others in the corner shot at Riddick, they too, met with a quick demise. Looking around the room, there were still three more guards. Riddick smiled. They all drew knives. Getting to his feet, Riddick threw the gun away, slowly bent down, and took his shiv from his boot. He gazed at it realizing how far they had come together. This piece of polished bone had saved his life and taken others. It killed those creatures, the captain's pet, and it killed Johns. The thought of the latter still made him smile. He looked to the men waiting for him. Now.... This shiv.... Would kill them.

The men looked nervous as he approached them. They did exactly as he knew they would. They formed a circle around him. He laughed to himself. This would be easier than he thought.

The first one lunged at him from the front at the same time as the one from the back. Riddick slashed his shiv forward and kicked the man coming from behind. He flew back hitting the wall. Getting his attention back to the one rushing from the front, he saw the third coming from the side. As the first man approached he dropped to his knees, taking the guards feet out from under him. From the side, his attacker tried to stab him in the side. Riddick rolled away, jumped back to his feet, and firmly planted his boot in the third man's mouth. The man fell to the floor unconscious. Without hesitation, Riddick went over to the fallen body, grabbed his head, and snapped his neck.

One down, two to go.

For a moment he stood waiting for the next attack. The man he had put against the wall was now getting to his feet as well as the first man. Riddick shook his head. One in front, one behind. How typical. They charged at the same time. Riddick slashed upward with his shiv cutting the front man's arm while chopping at the second man causing him to drop his knife. The first man grabbed his wound as the other bent down to pick up his fallen weapon. As he bent over, Riddick's foot came down on the back of his neck pushing him downward to the floor. He didn't stop there. The man let out a short yell as Riddick's foot went to the floor with the man's head under it. The first man's eyes grew wide with fear as he heard the second man's skull crush under Riddick's boot. Riddick's eyes went from the skull to the frightened man with slow calculation. He started toward the last guard, twisting his foot on the head of the dead man for good measure.

The man stayed on his knees with his hands up, stammering with fear. His pleas fell on deaf ears. Riddick was going to make them all pay. He wanted to make sure that Jack's death was well avenged with all the blood he could spill. Quickly, without a word, he slashed his throat in one stroke. The man grabbed his neck as blood covered his hands.

Riddick stood without emotion and watched the man's life seep out of him. He crumbled into a lifeless heap at his feet. He knelt down touching the growing puddle of blood. Without a word, he smeared it on his own cheek.Riddick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Letting it out he opened them and scanned the room. There was the captain, crouching under a table, visibly shaking. Their eyes met as he strode over to the hiding man. The captain stared at Riddick's boots as he stood before him.

Slowly, Riddick crouched down to come face to face with his enemy. With no sound, he grabbed the captain by the shirt and drug him from under his hiding place. The man kicked and screamed as Riddick drug him to a chair in the center of the room. Turning toward the captain he gabbed him with both hands, jerking him into an upright position in front of him. They came eye to eye.

"It's your turn," Riddick purred softly through his clenched teeth. He threw the man backwards, landing in the chair. The captain struggled until Riddick put a foot in the middle of his chest pressing him firmly into the chair. Not being able to move anything but his head, the captain thrashed it from side to side and screamed at his assassin.

"Come on, Riddick! Snap my neck! Cut my throat! Cut off my head, but whatever you're going to do... get on with it!" he yelled. Riddick stood unmoving, staring at the captain. Finally, he moved forward, foot still in place, to tell the captain his plan.

"Snap your neck.... Why would I do that? Cut your throat? Naw, cut off your head.... that would be nice, but there's a problem with any of these methods," he said getting right in the condemned man's face," They are all too fucking quick."

Pulling away from his face, he reached into Valia's bag and pulled out all three things. The captain's eyes watched them all come out of the bag wondering what horrible expiriences lay before him. Releasing his foot, Riddick took the tape and began wrapping it around the captain, binding him to the chair. When he was securely bound he stood back and looked at the man.

"Do you feel helpless, captain?" Riddick hissed. "DO YOU?" He ran his hands over the stubble on his head, fighting to control the urge to snap his neck, cut him into little pieces, and bathe in his blood. "Well, now you know how that little girl felt waiting in the darkness of that box YOU put her in."

The captain could only shake with fear. Riddick smiled insanely. "Do you know how I have wished and dreamed of this moment?" he paused as if he expected the man to answer. "No? Well, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm going to give you the chance to die painlessly or to die in a way you never thought possible. Ok?"

The captain nodded.

"I have here a tranquilizer. I will administer it to you before I let all of the blood from your body drain out. You won't feel a thing. Or, I will kill you slowly, painfully, and laugh the whole time. Which would you prefer?" The captain looked at Riddick as if he were crazy.

"The tranquilizer," he whispered. Riddick stood with his hand on his chin.

"Of course you would and I will let you have it if you answer one simple question for me and answer it right. Fair enough?" The man nodded. "Good, now here is your question." He paused having to take a deep breath as he turned his back to the man.

"What happen to Jack's body?" The captain's face turned sheet white.

"What do you mean? She died," he stammered. Riddick shook his head.

"No, no, no, I mean what did you do with it? At her funeral. Burial in space, cremation...what?" The captain knew the answer he was looking for wasn't going to be his.

"There was no funeral. Her body was jettisoned into space." The captain saw Riddick's body stiffen from behind. As he stood there realizing what the captain had just said his mind wondered. It went to Jack and the way she smiled at him, the way she dressed like him, the way she thought he was a good man. He then went to Carolyn. Could she ever love him again after what he was about to do? The hate swelling inside him, the revenge he had waited for, it was here. He turned to the captain, eyes steely, voice deadly, and fists clenched.

"Wrong answer," he whispered. Riddick became a blur as he quickly reached into Valia's bag and pulled out the obedience gun, put it to the captain's chest, and shot. The white-hot pain that Riddick had experienced was now apparent in the captain's face. He screamed and howled as the device attached itself inside of his chest. He thrashed, to no avail, the tape was tight. As the pain passed, the captain sat panting and sweating. Riddick watched as he tried to regain control of himself. Looking down at the fat man, he smiled while bringing out the controller. Touching it gently, he bent down on one knee to be on the captain's level.

"Do you believe in God, captain?" Riddick asked. The man wasn't sure if he should answer. "Well? Do you?" The captain shrugged, confused by the question.

"I don't know," he mumbled. Riddick stood up, turned, and walked across the room. He stared down at the shiny controller, rolling his finger over the button that would release his vengeance. He took a deep breath and turned back to the captain.

"You say you don't know if you believe in God?" he asked. The captain nodded.

Riddick smiled and brought up the device. "Let's find out if God believes in you."

 

Chapter 18

Carolyn stood outside the captain's bridge guarding Riddick and his revenge. Every couple of minutes a guard would run by still looking for the two of them. The time in between guards was torture for her. She could hear faint sounds coming from inside but nothing she could clearly make out. She thought of what he said.

If she saw what he was doing, could she still love him? Could the dark depths of his mind be that black and rancid with hate? She wanted to know so badly what was going on in there and yet there were parts of her that didn't. Riddick was right saying that she might not feel the same about him. If she saw, would she still want to be touched by hands so soaked in blood? Would she want to be looked at with eyes that held so much hate?

She shook her head trying to rid her mind of the things she was imagining. She tried to rid her mind of the knowledge that no matter what her worst thoughts were…. what was going on inside that room… was far worse.

Faintly she heard a scream come from behind the door. It was the loudest noise yet. What was he doing? What if something happen to him? What if someone shoots him or kills him? Shouldn't she be there to watch his back?

She turned toward the door putting her hands on it, pressing, as if she thought she could move it. She wanted to go in so much but she remembered his words again. Closing her eyes, leaning her head against the steel, she thought of him. In her mind a quick flash of his face. Her eyes snapped open. She saw him. She closed them again and tried to see him once more. More flashes of images she could only hear. She felt sick as she saw blood dripping from fingertips she could only conclude were Riddick's. She saw his teeth and fists clenched. She saw dead men lying on the floor, their eyes staring at her blankly. Then she was in his head; the blackness of his thoughts, the hate that she could almost smell, the evil in his mind.

She opened her eyes as she dropped to her knees. Her head hurt from the images she had just seen. She couldn't stand to look at his mind any longer. She sat on her knees, her head against the door, panting. She never realized how much hate could live in one man's mind… until now.

Riddick stood over the captain with the controller aimed at him. His hand shook with anticipation when he felt her enter his mind. He turned away from the captain, gritted his teeth together and closed his eyes.

"No, no, no," he whispered to himself. "Don't do this."

He felt her go into the darkest recesses of his mind. He didn't want her to see all of the evil he had committed. His worst fear was he would lose her to a past he couldn't change. He felt her grip on his mind let go. He turned back to the captain. He was still struggling against the tape. Riddick reached down and pulled out the shiv. He walked to the captain and cut the tape, freeing him. The man sat staring at Riddick. Quickly he jumped out of the chair and made a beeline for the door. Without even looking at the fleeing man, Riddick pointed the controller in the captain's direction and pushed the button. From behind him, Riddick listened to the man scream and hit the floor. He closed his eyes and savored in the sound. Chills ran up his back and the captain choked on his own screams. He released the button and finally turned around. He strode to the heap on the floor, stopped, and bent down on one knee. He cocked his head to one side and studied his victim.

"What's the matter, captain? Are you in pain?" Riddick asked sarcastically. The captain tried to speak but could only pant and spit.

"Really? Hmmm." He stood up and went to the door where he knew Carolyn was. He touched the door as if he knew she was leaning against the other side. She would try to come in soon. He knew that. He couldn't allow that. Knowing that the captain would be unable to move, he went to the wall where he had thrown his gun, picked it up and went back to the door. Without thinking, he shot out the controls to the door.

Carolyn jumped as the controls on her side of the door exploded in sparks. Standing to see the damage, she understood what he had done. She started banging on the door.

"Riddick! Riddick, open this door! Damn you! Open this door!" she screamed.

Her hands began to hurt as she kept beating on the steel. Finally exhausted, she stopped, turning her back to the door and sat down. He had just locked himself in the room with no way of her to get to him. She knew that's why he'd done it. She glanced down at her watch. 30 minutes to get to the secondary bridge. Carolyn did the math in her mind. She separation doors would close at the 5 minute mark of destruction and full separation would take place 3 minutes after that leaving them 2 minutes to get away.

That is what Riddick had programmed. He had intended it to be close. She looked up at the ceiling, feeling how tired she was. Her mind wondered to him. They had come so far for it all to end like this. Looking back, she was amazed how far they had come. With her eyes closed she played it all back in her mind like a movie. Everything from the first time she saw him to the first time he kissed her. An entire lifetime seemed to have passed between those two incidents. Each one excited her when they happen. It made her smile.

Turning her head she looked up at the door controls. They smoldered from Riddick's gunshot. Suddenly she heard footsteps headed toward her. She scrambled to her feet and stood by the door. Around the corner, John came into view. He raised his gun to Carolyn. Confused why he was raising his gun to her, she remembered she was still wearing the uniform. Quickly, she flipped the helmet and mask off. Seeing her face, John lowered his weapon and smiled.

"Hey, where's Riddick?" he asked. Carolyn motioned toward the closed door with her head.

"In there. With the captain." John's eyes grew wide.

"Why?"

"He's going to kill him. He's going to kill him for Jack."

"Revenge for the girl?" Carolyn nodded. John looked at his watch. "We don't have time for this. Get him out of there!"

"We can't!" Carolyn spat. "He's blown the door controls." John looked at the door and then back to her.

"There's another way," he said. "Get your helmet on and come with me." Doing as he said, Carolyn started to put the helmet and mask on but guards had spotted her. Shots rang out. John reached into his jacket and brought out his communicator.

"Marcus, I need help at the captain's main deck door!" he shouted over the sound of the gunshots going on around them. The voice on the other end replied.

"Be right there," he said. John put it back in his pocket and reloaded as Carolyn kept cover.

"We've got to get him out of there!" John shouted. Carolyn nodded.

"I know! I know. You go, I will hold these guys and wait here for your friend. Go get him!" John looked at her.

"Are you crazy? I can't leave you here."

"Yes, you can and you will!" They both ducked behind the door as bullets whizzed by their heads. She looked at him with all seriousness. "Go save him, John. Bring him back to me." He understood what she was asking him to do. He nodded.

"Alright, but take these." He handed her his gun and communicator. "Marcus will be here any minute." She nodded.

"Take care, John," she said hugging him. He looked at her strangely.

"I will." With that he peeked around the corner as Carolyn laid out gunfire to cover his escape. He was gone.

Riddick could hear the gunshots from his side of the door. At first his heart froze with the thought of Carolyn being shot. But the noise kept going telling him she was alive and had help. He smiled. John. He turned away from the door and focused back on the captain. He still lay on the floor but recovering from his initial shock. Riddick walked passed him to one of the chairs in the room and sat facing him.

"Isn't this what you wanted, Captain? This Riddick?" he asked. The captain rose to his knees and spat on the floor.

"Fuck you," he whispered. Riddick laughed.

"So, tell me, captain. Believe in God, yet?" Not waiting for his answer, Riddick hit the button again sending the captain into immediate convulsions. While watching him roll on the floor, Riddick felt his need for revenge filling. He thought of himself as a cup being filled with water. Every time he pushed that button a little more water filled his revenge glass. He smiled knowing it wasn't close to being full.

He released the button, letting the captain live a little longer. The man lay on the floor holding his chest, his breathing short and labored. Riddick sat staring at him, unfeeling.

"Are you ready to answer the question, yet?" The man gave no response. Riddick continued his game. "You know, captain, I did a little research on these little devices of yours and do you know what I found out? I found out that after a certain amount of times that this button is pushed, sooner or later, your heart bursts." The man on the floor stared at him through mounting tears. Riddick continued. "I mean it just… explodes! That's gotta hurt. Don't you think?" He sat twirling the controller in his hand. The captain sat up looking at Riddick.

"This accomplishes nothing!" his voice garbled with blood and spit," You can't bring the girl back. You will never escape off of this ship." Riddick leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees.

"Oh, you're so wrong about that. You see I don't plan to leave the ship, not in the sense you mean, just half the ship." The captain's eyes grew wide.

"You're going to blow up my ship," he stuttered.

"That's right, I'm going to blow up your ship. And just like you're suppose to….the captain will be going down with his ship." The man tried to speak. Riddick smiled. "Oh, don't worry, captain, by the time the ship goes, you'll be dead. That I promise."

"Riddick…." The captain began. His plea was interrupted by his own screams as he grabbed his chest. He thrashed around, knocking over chairs, and kicking walls, waiting for the pain to end. Riddick kept the button down listening to his pleas of mercy. He was unmoved. Suddenly he let go the controller and stood up. He could hear someone. A door opening and closing. He scanned the room to find the source. That's when he saw the shadow in the corner. Grabbing his gun, he pointed it at the shadow. Hands went into the air and a cautious voice emerged from the stranger.

"Riddick, it's me," the voice said coming out from the darkness. John walked out into the dim light that surrounded the room.

Riddick lowered his gun. "What the Hell are you doing here? How did you get in?" he asked.

"I told you, I know this ship inside and out," he replied. He looked over at the heap that was the captain, on the floor. "Is he dead?" He asked.

"No, but he will be, soon." John nodded.

"So, I heard," he said starting to walk toward his new mentor. "Riddick, we have got to go. We don't have a lot of time." Riddick shook his head.

"No, I'm not leaving until I get what I want."

"And what is that?" John asked. Riddick walked over to the captain and stared down at him. Calmly, quietly, he kicked the man as hard as he could in the stomach. The captain yelled out. His coughing and gasping only seemed to make Riddick more determined to hurt him. He turned back to John.

"I want revenge." John stood motionless as the captain focused on his face. The captain struggled to his hands and knees.

Staring at John he smiled. Riddick watched the strange exchange of looks going on between them. "What the fuck are you looking at, dead man?" he asked the captain.

Before he could answer, John did. "He's looking at me."

Riddick turned his head to stare at John. "Why?"

"Help comes in strange forms," the captain replied instead. He flashed a look at the captain and then back to the boy. John took a step toward the fallen man, not even acknowledging Riddick's stare.

"I'm not here to help YOU old man," he hissed. The captain's smile faltered.

"What?"

"That's right, I'm not here to save you. I'm here to save him and to watch you die." Riddick's confusion mounted until he couldn't take any more.

"What the fuck are you talking about, John?" he shouted. John walked over to the captain and looked down at him with hatred that almost rivaled Riddick's. Without a word, John lashed out with his fist, knocking the man onto his back. As the man lie there, John turned back to Riddick who, by now, was completely confused. He grabbed the boy's arm.

"What is going on?" he asked quietly. John locked eyes with Riddick.

"He's my father," the boy said jerking his arm from Riddick's grip and walking passed him to one of the chairs. He sat down staring at the man. Riddick's mind raced. He looked at John, to the captain, and then back to John.

"He's your what?" he tried to ask calmly. John looked up from the man to Riddick.

"My father." Riddick began pacing. How could he kill this man with his son standing before him?

"John, you need to leave," Riddick said quietly. John shook his head.

"No, I want to be here when he dies."

"I can't allow that." The boys stared through him.

"Yes, you can. I want to see him die. I want him to suffer. Just like you, I want him to pay." Riddick shook his head not knowing what to do.

"No, this is wrong, you have to go."

"I won't. He killed my mother, he killed my friends, he's tried to make me just like him. Now, I want to see it end."

"John," the captain whispered," You can't mean this." John looked up at Riddick.

"I suggest you carry on. We don't have a lot of time." Riddick's mind was whirling. Someone wanted to watch him kill. He didn't know if he could finish what he started. Not with this boy here. John stood up and walked to where Riddick stood. Not breaking eye contact, he ripped the controller from his hand and pushed the button himself. The captain fell off of his knees onto the floor, convulsing in pain. For a moment Riddick only stared in strange fascination but then came out of his trance to grab the devise from the boy.

"John!" Riddick screamed. "What the Hell are you doing?" John ran up to the heap of a man and kicked him. His eyes flashed to Riddick.

"Will you just kill him! Hurry up and kill him!" he yelled as he started kicking the captain repeatedly.

Riddick rushed to him and grabbed him around the arms and drug him back to the chair. The boy's eyes were wild and filled with hate and the desire to kill. Riddick wondered, is this how I look to other people? Is this how they see me?

He couldn't believe how much this boy was him. So full of hate and love at the same time that it was driving him mad. Trying to act like he was so strong when he just wanted to be a scared little boy. So angry at the world for his stolen life, he was willing to do anything to end the pain. Riddick hugged the boy as he trashed around trying to get loose from his embrace.

Finally, exhausted from the fight, John simply cried. Riddick held the boy not really knowing what to say. His eyes traveled to the captain who was beginning to move. Hatred welled even higher than before for this man. He would die. But not at the expense of John's mind. If John sat through this he would be lost. Riddick couldn't imagine anyone going through life the way he had. He would sacrifice his revenge plans for this boy's life and the hope he could still have one. Riddick pulled back from John, held his face, and looked deep inside of him.

"John, it's time to go," he whispered. The boy shook his head.

"Not until he is dead," he whimpered back.

"No, he's already dead," Riddick looked at his watch. 15 minutes and counting. 10 minutes to get to the other side of the ship.

"John when the ship blows, he's dead. Let this go and let's get out of here." The boy stared back at Riddick. He began to object but realized he wouldn't win the argument. Finally he nodded, wiping his eyes. They stood up together and faced the captain. Riddick walked toward the man and crouched down beside him. The man's eyes were barely open enough to see him but his ears worked just fine to hear his words.

"You're going to die now, captain," he whispered in a gruff voice. "And for the few moments you have left, think about this. Your son hated you more than I did. Your son will become mine. That is my ultimate revenge." He stood up and went to John. He put his arm around him.

"Let's go."

They started for the secret door that John had come through. At the last moment Riddick turned his head to ask the captain," So? Do you believe in God?"

There was no answer. Riddick laughed as the door slid to his right to reveal the opening. John stepped through and began walking. Riddick started through and stopped just over the threshold. Watching John walking further away, he put the controller down with the button facing the sliding door. Riddick stood looking at the captain as the door closed. As it did it pushed the button down sending the captain into another fit of pain. For a moment he listened to the screams and then turned away, walking down the hidden passageway. The door held the button down just long enough to hear the captain's screams come to an abrupt end. The captain was literally wearing, his heart on his sleeve, Riddick thought smiling. Finally, it was done.

Gunfire rang out as they entered the main hallway leading to the door where Carolyn and Marcus fought off the guards. Riddick and John started running, trying to catch the guards by surprise. With Carolyn and Marcus on one side, Riddick and John came around the back, trapping them between the two groups. After a few moments, the few guards gave up to the small band. Riddick directed the guards to a small room and locked them in by blasting the door console. Looking down at his watch, John spoke up.

"We gotta move!" he yelled. Carolyn ran up to them, grabbing Riddick around the neck and holding on for dear life. Riddick realized when he was with the captain he wasn't sure if he would ever feel her arms around him again. Now that they were, an overwhelming sensation to hold her took him by surprise. He dropped his gun and put both arms around her, squeezing her to where she could hardly breath. His hand grabbed her hair and gripped her, keeping her close to his chest. For a moment, they were the only people in the corridor until John repeated himself.

"We gotta move NOW!" They both looked at him and then down to Riddick's watch. 7 minutes to get to the separation point.

"MOVE!" Riddick yelled.

The four of them started running through the halls toward the secondary bridge. They jumped into the lift to take them to the 12th level where the bridge was. Standing there in the lift they all had the same question…would they make it?

Riddick looked down at John. So strong and yet so scared. He didn't know who admired whom the most. If he admired him more or vise versa. "John, are your friends aboard?" he asked. John nodded.

"Ready to get the Hell out of here, sir."

"Good, once the blast doors close, there's no opening them back up. We've got three minutes of prep time before actual separation, the blast doors should protect us from any other guards that may find us."

Everyone nodded. The lift doors opened to barrage of gunfire. The guards were blocking the hallway to their destination. Diving behind the walls of the lift, they realized they were pinned. Carolyn threw John the gun he had given her and he fired back. One of the guards blew out the control panel to the lift door and it started to close. Seeing their escape route disappearing Carolyn jammed her gun in between the closing doors giving them a small exit. Riddick poked his head out from behind the wall to see their adversaries.

"Looks to be about four of them," he said. "Marcus, you and Carolyn make a run for the corridor when I tell you. John and I will lay down cover fire until you make it." Marcus nodded. Carolyn objected.

"We all go together!" she shouted above the noise. Riddick flipped a look at her.

"We don't have time to argue! Move your ass!" He and John leaned out from their cover and began firing randomly toward the guards. Marcus grabbed Carolyn and pulled her out into the corridor, diving under cover before the guards could fire back. John lifted his gun and fired. There was nothing. He was out of ammunition.

Riddick looked at him with weak confidence. "Your turn, kid!" John stared at him with blank eyes.

"I can't leave you here," he finally answered. Riddick flashed a look to Carolyn, who was motioning them out, and then back to John.

"I'll be right behind you," he said to the boy.

He eyed Riddick with suspicion but finally darted out. He, too, dove behind cover joining Carolyn and Marcus. Riddick looked down at his gun knowing he was low on ammo. Carefully, he aimed for each guard as they stuck their heads out from behind cover. One by one, he picked them off. After the last one fell, Riddick came out of the lift, grabbing Carolyn's gun that was jamming the doors. He threw it to John.

"Watch the front. The blast doors are just ahead. Make a run for it!"

Again they ran. John was in front, Carolyn and Marcus in the middle, and Riddick bringing up the rear. They could see the blast doors ahead.

"There it is!" John yelled.

Just as he crossed the threshold of the blast doors, shots rang out again. Riddick turned to see two guards coming around the bend behind them. Gun less, Marcus and Carolyn continued running toward the cover of the walls of the doors. John was shooting from behind them and Riddick from a crouched position in the hallway. John got one guard, which left the one for Riddick. He could hear behind him, John's gun click empty. Looking over his shoulder at the trio waiting for him, he saw the doors were slowly beginning to close.

"Forget him, Riddick, run for it!" John screamed. Knowing it was his only chance; he turned to the doors and ran to them. Riddick didn't hear the guard shoot. It was only when it hit his leg that he knew he had. He hit the floor face first, turned onto his back as he hit, aimed his gun at the guard, and fired. A hole appeared in the man's chest instantly. His lifeless body hit the floor with the same sound as the blast doors when they closed behind him. Scrambling to stand he turned to the doors. The faces pressed against the bulletproof glass were ones of disbelief and ultimate sadness. He walked to the glass with a satisfied smile. At least they were all safe. Carolyn was the first to break.

"Open this fucking door!" she screamed banging on it with her fists. Riddick slowly shook his head. He pressed the intercom.

"There's no way to, Carolyn, you know that," he replied with an eerie calmness.

"There has to be a way!" she still screamed. Riddick put his finger to his lips.

"Shhhh," he said. He looked at John who had tears welling in his eyes. "John, you take care of her for me. You are one Hell of a man. Thanks for everything." John wiped his eyes and looked at the ground.

"Damn, Riddick, this wasn't suppose to turn out this way," he whispered.

"Never does, John. This is how it goes. Take care of yourself." He looked to Carolyn whose tears streaked her face. "Could I have a couple of minutes with her alone?" John looked down at his watch.

"That's all you have until separation." Riddick nodded. John turned to leave.

"Good bye, Riddick."

"Good bye, John." Marcus put his arm around John, nodded his head to Riddick in acknowledgment, and led John away. Carolyn stared into his eyes pleading for this to be some horrible dream. Riddick tried to smile.

"I guess it's just you and me," he tried to joke. He was having trouble looking at her knowing this would be the last moments he would have with her. She leaned her forehead against the glass.

"It's not fair. Tell me this is just an awful dream" she whispered. He nodded.

"I know. But let's not waste what little time we have on fairness." She put her hands up on the glass. He did the same. With their hands touching in their minds, they could almost feel each other.

"We've come so far, I can't believe it's going to end this way," she was now crying openly. He moved his hand from where hers was to where her face would be. On the glass and in his mind, he touched her cheek.

"Don't cry for me. This is a fitting end. I finally became the kind of man I always wanted to be. I have you to thank for that. You and John are safe and will have great lives. I helped make that possible. My sacrifice is worth that. You were willing to die for me, Carolyn. I'm willing to die for you." He pused trying to get a grip on his emotions. "You were the only thing I ever did right."

She put her hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs. Her knees were so weak she thought she would fall to the floor. But she had to be strong for him

"I don't know what to say,"she whispered. "There are so many things." Riddick looked down at his watch.

"Pick the important ones," he said knowing they only had seconds.

"I love you. I always will." The ship began to make noises, preparing to separate. Riddick looked at his feet in regret.

"I should have told you sooner," he said swallowing hard,"But, I love you. I don't know why I waited so long to say it. I guess, I didn't know I had it in me.. but I do." Riddick looked up at the ceiling where the noises were coming from. Their hands pressed even harder on the glass.

"I don't want to say good bye," she yelled. The ship started to shutter.

"Then don't," he said. He heard the latches releasing. "Carolyn, do you believe in God?" She looked at him strange. Then nodded.

"Yes," she answered as the ship began to separate. He smiled putting his hands up. "Then we will meet again."

He watched as she began to fly away from him. His heart torn as he watched her hands ball up into fists and pound on the glass. He hoped she couldn't see the tears running down his face while watching his life slip away. He didn't want her last memory of his to be that.

Faintly he could hear her voice saying "no, over and over and over.

Riddick turned his back to her, not able to watch anymore. He was amazed how calm he felt knowing he was going to die. He chuckled thinking to himself how he had done such a good job making sure no one would survive, that in the end it cost him, his own life. He started to wonder through the halls, hearing the sounds of men in the distance screaming that the life pods didn't work. Now, he wished they did.

The computer was now counting out the time remaining until detonation. 1 minute, 30 seconds. He found himself in the launch bay staring at the old skiff. The ship that had saved his life, only to bring him here to die. Riddick climbed aboard and something caught his eye. Jack's broken goggles. She dropped them when they left the ship. He sat in the pilot's seat, staring at them. He remembered how she looked in them. It made him smile. Looking out over the bay he wondered if this is what it was like for people who were dying. Did they reflect on their lives in the last moments? Did they regret?

He did. There were so many, he couldn't even think of them all. As he tried, a strange vision came over him.

"One minute until self destruct," the computer said.

"Not enough time, not enough time," he muttered to himself. He quickly punched in some numbers and looked at the console.

Would it work? He had to try.

________________________________________________________________________

Carolyn watched him turn away from the glass. She memorized his face before he did. She would always hold the image of him with tears streaking down his face. He said he loved her. Finally, she knew. She left the glass window and went to her seat. The boys were hustling around her doing this and that, readying for their long flight to Pheteck. Carolyn didn't move, she couldn't move. She could only see his face. John came into the room and sat down next to her. They didn't say anything at first; he just put his arm around her and brought her head to his shoulder. John stroked her hair and finally spoke.

"Carolyn, you've got to get to the pilot's chair. We NEED you in the pilot's chair," he said quietly. She sat up straight and looked at him. She could see herself in his eyes. What she saw made her sick. She looked weak and helpless, two things she despised. She quickly wiped her face and stood up.

"Let's go," she said. Walking to the pilot's seat the computer counted.

" 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."

As Carolyn sat down in the chair, the distance began to glow. The explosion of the Rena Falcon grew in brightness to where she had to shield her eyes. The shockwaves approached.

"Get a hold of something," Carolyn shouted to everyone around her. The wave caught them and shook the ship with minimal force.

Finally the bright glow on the horizon died down and ultimately disappeared. With it, went Riddick. All the boys cleared the cockpit to finish prepping the ship, all but John. He stayed next to Carolyn for the next several hours. They didn't speak, they didn't touch, they just looked.

After all the preparations were complete, Carolyn and John began putting the others in their cryo-tubes for transport to Phetack. She acted like a mother tucking all of her children into bed at night. It was strange to her that she felt like that in a way. Like they were her kids. Finally she got to the last one, John. He climbed into his tube and looked at her.

"You're not going to leave me too, are you?" he sounded like such a child and not the man she thought of him as. She had to smile and remember he still was a child. A brave one, no doubt, but still a child.

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" He shrugged.

"I don't know. It just seems everyone leaves." Knowing he was thinking of Riddick, too, she put her hand on his head and tousled his hair.

"Nope, you're stuck with me, kid. Now, quit worrying and sleep. You deserve it."

He nodded. She kissed him on the cheek and closed the tube. It took only seconds for him to fall into his deep sleep. She stood in front of John's tube listening to the silence of the ship. It gave her the creeps. She didn't feel safe anymore on a ship where he wasn't with her. She hurried into her tube, setting all the controls to wake her when they were a week outside of Phetack. That should be enough time. She closed the tube and for the moments before she slept, her thoughts, her mind, her heart, and eventually her dreams went to Riddick.

Finale - Epilogue