A/N: Finally, another chapter! Sorry it took so long…life happened, along with my accident prone husband. *rolls eyes* Big thanks to everyone who has added 'Burn' to their favorite/follow list - I seriously didn't expect so many people to like it. To everyone who reviewed: You are awesome. Individual thanks will, of course, be posted to the Tumblr account (link in my bio). This one's a little short, but I wanted to get something out for y'all; more of a filler chapter. Without further ado, Chapter 3! Oh, and the usual disclaimer that I don't own Riddick or the franchise. Wish I did.

Chapter 3

We were escorted into a room not far from the hangar where Riddick was ordered to lay on a metal table, immediately being strapped down and rendered immobile by two of the mercs, the others keeping their guns steadily aimed at the smirking convict. They obviously weren't taking any chances this time around. A little too late, I thought, inwardly rolling my eyes.

Once Riddick was secured they moved on to us, slapping cuffs on our wrists. I discreetly tested their strength; we weren't breaking out of these any time soon.

"Move," a merc ordered, prodding Imam with his gun.

They wheeled Riddick out first and we followed, five watchful mercs leading the way down a long corridor, cryo-chambers lining either side. How big is this ship? I thought, eyeing the high ceilings and walls, and then, What the hell? Taking a closer look at the chambers, I realized they were all full of…bodies.

"Have you seen anything like this before?" Imam questioned Riddick, keeping his voice low. The mercs ignored us, seemingly unconcerned with us conversing.

"Merc ships?" Riddick replied. "Plenty. Just trying to figure out how it all goes together."

"You and me both," I muttered, knowing his mind had to be whirling, seeking answers, looking for weaknesses. The only thing I knew for certain was that this place wigged me out. The creatures had just plain scared me - this whole situation was creepy and it made me very uneasy.

"It is a plantation operation," Imam divulged, surprising me. How did a holy man know about these things, especially when I didn't? "A boat like this loads up at port, signs on as many men as it can hold, then goes out for months, sometimes years at a time. However long it takes to fill their stores."

"Except a merchant rig's usually harvesting ore, maybe crops, not people," Riddick pointed out.

"Captured bounties on one side," Imam replied, motioning his head, "Contracted manpower on the other."

"Just add heat," Jack quipped, causing me to snort.

"You know a lot about this shit…for a holy man," Riddick remarked, voicing my previous thoughts.

Imam shrugged. "I hear things."

"Riiiight," I said skeptically, eyeing him. When he just shrugged again and smiled I knew he was going to keep mum on the subject.

We fell silent, our footsteps echoing around the seemingly never ending hallway. I wasn't necessarily complaining - who knew what was waiting for us at the end? The longer it took to get there, the better.

"Must be a special kind of desperate dick signs on to this," Riddick said suddenly, goading the merc walking next to Jack.

Before I could blink, the pig-faced man's rifle butt connected with the convict's face. "Shut up!"

"You're the exception, of course," he amended facetiously. "For you it's life experience."

I bit down on my lip - hard - to keep myself from laughing. Not that it didn't look fun, but I was going to leave the egging to the pro. Until I had a better handle on what the hell was going on here, I planned on keeping my mouth shut. Then again, I had a bone to pick with that assfuck Junner, so there was a slight chance of a change of plans.

We were finally nearing the end of the hall where more mercs waited when Jack whispered, "So, what's the plan? It's not like we haven't gotten out of worse. The way I see it, we can take these jerks when - hey!"

A large, redheaded merc grabbed her by the shoulder, cutting her off. "This is where we get off princess."

"You too, preacher," another one ordered, herding Imam towards Jack.

Refusing to be manhandled I took a step forward, intending on joining the other two, but came to a sudden halt when a hand roughly grabbed my arm. So much for not being manhandled.

"Not you," the man barked, shoving me back towards the first group. Alarmed, my eyes shot to Riddick, the smallest hint of a frown flitting across his face. They were separating us…what game was being played here?

"I will pray," the holy man said, glancing between us.

I nodded my head once as Riddick replied, "Not for me."

The two groups parted, heading in opposite directions, our small band officially split.

"I won't leave without you guys!" Jack called out as she was led away, "I'll find you!"

I didn't bother to turn around, knowing it would be useless. Sparing a glance at Riddick, I saw the same concern I had on my face mirrored in his: Jack would make good on her promise, but would probably end up getting herself killed in the process. I felt a headache coming on and raised my hands to pinch the bridge of my nose.

The two of us were quiet as the mercs led us along a much shorter hallway than the last, and then into a large room where - surprise - Junner stood, waiting. Fan-fucking-tabulous.

"Set him down and leave," the tall man ordered coolly.

While the mercs quickly acquiesced and got to work on Riddick's bindings, I took a quick survey of the room. The lighting was crisp and held a bluish tint that reminded me strongly of the two suns from our previous planet. Human forms twisted into the most odd, grotesque shapes adorned the entire area, causing me to swallow nervously - from where I stood I couldn't tell if they were statues or real people.

A large, familiar presence rose to stand beside me, the mercs exiting the room with the holding table in tow. Frowning, I realized that we were both still cuffed. Damnit. Riddick popped his neck and jerked his head before descending the steps in front of us. Hoping he had some semblance of a plan, I followed behind, his body blocking mine.

The dark haired asshole waited for us at the bottom and gestured for Riddick to precede him further into the room. Purposely sidestepping, the convict dropped behind me to create a barrier between Junner and myself. Good, I thought, sending mental daggers to the beanpole. Too bad they weren't real ones.

As we wandered deeper into the room, an imposing figure caught my attention and I moved closer to get a better look. With an almost morbid fascination I examined the male figure, feeling Riddick at my side as we studied the extremely life-like, very nude man..statue, whatever it was.

"Hmmm," Riddick rumbled.

There was a plaque beneath the structure that read, 'Killer of men. Furya'.

Furya…why does that sound familiar? I struggled to remember where I had heard that name before, but drew a frustrating blank.

"What are you doing?" I hissed at Riddick, noticing his extended hand in my peripheral vision. He didn't answer, just reached out a finger and touched the thing's lip, a tongue suddenly flicking out to meet the digit. I couldn't hold back the strangled squeal that weaseled out of my throat - it was alive!

"The hell…" Riddick breathed, withdrawing his hand. Junner was suspiciously quiet behind us and I glanced over my shoulder to find that he stood a few paces away, a smirk on his face.

I focused my attention back to the Furyan statue - no, man - as he slowly turned his head, Riddick and myself following his line of sight. I started when the large man at my side suddenly dropped down onto his knees and I stared in surprise at a red mark on his neck. I met Junner's gaze, a twisted grin stretched across his pale face, some kind of dart gun in his hand. How did I not hear him? I fumed.

"All right," Riddick drawled, unhurriedly rising to his feet. "Now you have my attention."

"A necessary precaution," the refined female voice from the hangar said smoothly, the woman entering through a curtain. "You attempt anything uncivilized - killing me, for instance - I detonate the explosive charge Junner's just implanted and sleep well tonight. Walk with me."

Chillingsworth was tall, thin, beautiful; her long, white dress was alluring, accenting her larger chest and small waist, the fabric peek-a-booing in certain areas that had me raising my eyebrows. Pale skin and pale hair that hung down her back completed her ensemble, giving the woman an almost otherworldly look. I almost childishly, instantly hated her. Nobody should look that fucking perfect, I growled inwardly. Then the logical side kicked inthrowing a, Jealous much?, into the mix. I almost groaned aloud - now was not the time for mental arguments, especially when I most certainly was not jealous.

We started walking at a leisurely pace and I quickly cleared my head, trying to stay focused.

"You're not putting me on a pedestal," Riddick told her, his voice flat.

"No, of course not," Chillingsworth agreed, surprise on her face. I breathed a sigh of relief, then almost choked on my spit when she continued, "You're strictly for my private collection."

Fuck. I knew that bitch was crazy.