Chapter 2 – Shadows

Imam was not happy. Landing on this particular planet was not his idea. Of course they needed a ship, a proper ship, not just a star hopper like the one they have been travelling on, but here? Lygesus 4. Skyscrapers towered over the planet casting dark shadows, though there was not much light to begin with. The atmosphere, an unhealthy clot of fumes and NOxs, centuries of heavy air pollution had created permanent smog over the planet blocking out most of the 2 suns' light. It was never dark as such, a constant twilight. Compared to the radiance and cultural heritage of Helion Prime this was hell, well not hell, he'd just been there and left with a convict and girl dressed as a boy, no, this wasn't hell, but it was an urban maze of dirty buildings and seedy businesses, it was uncivilised.

"My kind of place." Riddick chuckled. The holy man could be read as easily as a merc. He didn't like the planet but it had a reputation for being… unbothersome, mercs came but rarely found what they were looking for, if they did, he smirked, they weren't generally leaving unless in a body bag.

Jack was still gripping the gun under her jacket. It wasn't loaded, Imam had complained but Riddick had already removed and hidden the ammo' from her. He didn't give a reason, he didn't need to, but she wished she knew why. He was still grinning to himself; a part of her was fascinated in him, but a bigger part was creeped out. She had seen that look before.

"You're not scared of the dark are you?"

She wasn't before then but it would be some while until she could sleep through the night without screaming upon awakening. She wondered how long they would stay here. There was only so much she could watch Riddick do on a hopper, there was only so much he could do. A dark thought crossed her mind; she could learn a lot more if he killed someone. She shook her head, disturbed by that thought. Gripping the gun harder she started up to Riddick.

"Now where do we get a decent ship?"

A junkyard. If it was good enough to be called that. Scraps of metal littered the area, a few mechanics blasting blowtorches, and tens of ships piled in every free space.

"Anything take yer fancy?" The guy was chewing on something that once resembled a cigarette.

"We'll take that one" Cigie, as Jack had mentally dubbed him, turned to look in the direction Riddick was pointing. He smiled pulling another stick and jabbed into his mouth. Jack grimaced, this guy was repulsive. "It's gonna cost yer."

"Price."

Lighting his cigarette he drawed it in deep.

"The kid."

Jack flinched, and gripped the gun, her knuckles turning white matching her blanched face. She waited for Riddick to say no, for him to draw out his shiv and press it coolly to the guy's grotesque neck before shredding him to pieces as he had done to the bioraptor of T-2, but he remained still and silent.

Cigie withdrew his stick, blowing smoke rings into the air. Waiting for an answer.

"The boy is not for sale."

Imam stepped forward, glancing at Riddick, "but maybe this will cover the fee." He pulled a ring off his finger and handed it over. Picking it up he pulled out a magnifier, analysing the jewel set in the ring. After awhile he pocketed it. "Always worth a try. The amount of adults who sell their kids out. Make a good profit of his hide if yer changed yer mind, but for that I will make sure that ship gets yer anywhere yer want. Give me 2 days."

Thanking him, Imam drew Jack away on the promise of food, he briefly glanced back at Riddick who had not moved, but decided not to call out. The girl was hungry and so was he. They left Riddick in the junkyard's shadows.

Riddick returned the blade hidden in his hand back to its heath. "The kid." If Imam had not spoke that junkyard dog would have been ghosted, and not quickly either. He was still considering whether to finish him off, nice and slowly. Drawing his hood over his head shielding his eyes from the little light on this life forsaken planet he slipped into the darkness after the kid and the holy man.

Cash was passed into Cigie's hand. "Yep, a guy in goggles about 6ft, a priest of Rabbi or something, they're probably heading to New Mecca and yeah a kid, scrawny must have shaven his head a while back, badly mind yer, and wearing yellow googles." He chuckled, making money off money, not much money but enough to get him talking.

Two men, military uniform, armed with the type of weapon that scarred him shitless. He could care that he'd sold out Goggles and his crew but the smell of money in his grubby hands was making it a whole lot easier not to. So much easier he was totally oblivious of the loaded gun aimed at the back of his head.