Chapter 1

'They say your brain shuts down in cryosleep, all but the primitive side. No wonder I'm still awake. Always awake, never catching a brake. I took two people off of that rock 5 years ago and now both of them are dead. I guess I should consider it a consolation that I got the men who killed them but some how that doesn't seem to be enough. Two months ago I had a chance to have it all, an army that could rule the galaxy and best yet, I wouldn't be the hunted any more. Should of known it was to good to be true. I killed the man that killed everyone on my home planet but that was only the beginning. The universe still doesn't have its perfect balance, or so that old woman said. I had sat on that throne and watched a darkness start to swallow the planet, a darkness I couldn't even see through. Aereon told me to run and go to the Tabacin System, to a planet named Sevlyn, there I would find the only thing that can stop the darkness...light. Little does she know, I'm no one to go looking for the light.'

The only light in the cab of the skiff was the controls, now set on autopilot. The buzz of the engine was a peaceful noise in the silence of space. Riddick didn't really know where he was headed, just that it wasn't any where near the Tabacin system. He wasn't going to kid himself, he wasn't a hero, he had already fought his fight. Kiera flashed through his mind, she shouldn't have tried to be like him. Everyone who got to close always seemed to get burned. His mind went back to that day, a day he would never forget.

He remembered how everyone bowed to him, like he had been their Lord Marshal all a long. 'You keep what you kill', for him it was more you 'kill what you keep'. He had to admit though, he had never seen anything like it. The ground shook, the people screamed, "The under-verse has come!" As the skies got black and the darkness started to engulf the world, headed straight for them. That is when

Aereon had crabbed his arm and said, "It's come, the darkness has finally come to us. Riddick it is up to you now, you must restore the balance. If not everything will be gone." Riddick didn't really know what to think of that but he knew the blackness that was coming was something to get away from. He had always been good at getting out of impossible situations.

Riddick was suddenly jarred out of his thoughts when the skiff shook, like someone had fired on it. Riddick sprang to attention, taking the controls and making the shields over the windows retracted. What he saw made him raise his eyebrows slightly. Directly in front of him were 5 battleships and at least 100 fighters.

"Shit." Riddick looked around to see if his 6 was clear. It wasn't however, three fighters tailed behind him and one fired hitting the skiff's engine dampener. Everything went dead as the skiff floated helplessly. Riddick sighed as he sat back in his chair, having no option but to wait. He didn't have to wake long though, two fighters soon clamped on to his ship and started to hull him toward one of the battleships. Riddick didn't recognize the red star symbol, it had a yellow snake wrapped around it and was everywhere on the battleships. What would a fleet like this be doing in the middle of no where? The only thing Riddick was sure of was that these people, whoever they were, were going to regret taking this prisoner.

Riddick stood still as the door to the skiff was finally opened and soldier after soldier filed in with guns ready. His reputation must have preceded him.

"Take him." Came a voice from outside the skiff and Riddick felt the darts hit his neck and arms. Tranks, Riddick thought. His reputation had indeed preceded him. Everything went black as Riddick felt himself fall and hit the floor.

Riddick shook off the drugs as he found himself in what looked to be a laboratory. His arms and legs were bond and he was also chained to the wall. His goggles were gone but he noticed them across the room sitting on a counter. It was dark in the room and the buzz of odd machines could be heard. Riddick didn't know if it was the drugs but he kept hearing this squeaking noise as well, like a rat. The door opened then, letting in a piercingly bright light. Riddick flinched as he closed his eyes and turned his head toward the darkness. The door shut and once again darkness ruled in the small space. Riddick sighed slightly, but he knew he wasn't alone.

"I was told you could see in the dark but not in the light."

Came the male voice, it was commanding but at the same time almost friendly. Riddick blinked as the spots in his vision went away. There stood a tall man who had a slight smile on his face. A brand showed on his forehead that was a star. There were four other men in the room, guards. Riddick new they were not just plan soldiers though. They smelled different, there was no fear, no emotion at all in fact.

"True of many of us." The man went on, resting comfortably against the counter. "A gift that has a big price." The man continued picking up Riddick's goggles.

"It has it's moments." Riddick said coolly. "You must either really be frightened of me or your looking for something." The man smiled with that and walked up to Riddick.

"I like a man who gets straight to the point. My name is Esiah Mital Preaz."

"Richard B. Riddick escaped convect, you?" Riddick said with a slight smile.

"Oh I'm much like you Riddick. We are all prisoners of something. I am the man you are going to be working for." Preaz said this with a smile as he placed the goggles on Riddick's head.

"You are going to find someone for me."

Riddick cocked his head slightly shaking off Preaz's hand with annoyance..

"Now why would I do that?"

"Simple Riddick, you do it or you die."

Riddick popped his neck as his voice got more serious.

"Slow down chief your scaring me. I'm not a Merc, but I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding someone else for the job."

Preaz who had turned around to go back the wall of screens, now turned his head to look at Riddick. A snarl came across his face as anger shown in his eyes. He turned and back handed Riddick across the face. Riddick turned his head back to face Preaz, clinching his fists.

"You do not want to get on my bad side, Riddick." Preaz said seeming to regain his composer.

Riddick didn't miss the protruding fangs that had appeared from Preaz's mouth but now receded.

"No." Riddick said calmly, "YOU do not want to get on my bad said."

Preaz snorted at that and walking over to a tank that was across the room, stuck his hand in.

"Do you think Furyans are the deadliest thing in the galaxy? Well my friend before the end we will see which one of us is the fiercest animal in the zoo."

Riddick heard the squeaking sound again and watched as Preaz pulled out a small scorpion looking bug.

"Do you know what this little fellow is?" Preaz asked petting his hand sized bug.

"Can't say I've had the pleasure." Riddick said as he studied the bug carefully from across the room. It was hideous, with small black eyes and large clause that look to be for borrowing.

"This is a Tankine." Preaz said proudly. "They are parasitic by nature, digging into a living animal to live in their bodies."

Riddick looked once more around the room, he was starting to get a very bad feeling in his gut.

"I personally developed this little guy myself." Preaz continued walking over to Riddick. "You see a Tankine rests in the back of your neck where it can kill in an mila-second if you try to take him out. I call him Hornis, he carries a tracking devise in him." Preaz paused to give Hornis one final stroke.

"I think your going to make a lovely host for him." Riddick stiffened as Preaz opened his hand and let the creature crawl on Riddick's shoulder. Riddick tried to brake free but it was hopeless, the creature quickly borrowed itself into his shoulder and moved under the skin. He cried out then, the pain being sharp and intense. It was shortly over though and Riddick felt everything getting slightly fuzzy. Preaz got his attention by turning his head to look at him. He had a smile on his face and he said.

"Good. No here is your mission."

"I'm going to kill you, I promise." Was Riddick's reply.