Disclaimer: please see previous disclaimers :), thanxs

Author's Note: Heys everybody, short chapter here, but hey, at least it's an update right :) anyways, I'm still so surprised the people like reading this story as much as I like writing it! Thanks to everybody who has favorited this! I'm surprised, but gratified! Anyways, thanks for reading, please enjoy this next short installment, and more next time! Naja


Kyra nursed her rage, squatting on a ledge on the side of the shaft, scowling into the hot, humid air. Riddick. The sonofabitch. Anger and hurt burned in her belly, turning her stomach into a pit of fire and her head throbbed with unshed tears and angry thoughts. She needed somebody to talk to, to swear at and she was glad she'd found the small piece of shining metal just inside the second gate. Anore was looking for her. She could tell Anore all about it. Anore would understand.

Crematorian night had fallen and Kyra was just waiting now, waiting for the perfect moment. Which was…now. The lights-out period had arrived and lights suddenly faded, leaving only the faint orange and red glow of the lava flows that ran below the prison shaft and Kyra leaped from her ledge, climbing quickly and agilely up the side of the shaft. She slipped through the shadows and found herself before the first gate, where she sat and crossed her legs, waiting.

"Interesting hiding spot." Kyra jumped, metal flashing into her hand and she was on her feet. Silver eyes shone at her in the dark and she snarled.

"Go find somebody else to annoy." She snapped and sat down again. Riddick's frame was hidden in the dark, but she heard his bulk moving, the soft, furtive scrape of his boots on the stone as he crouched across from her.

"I can't think of anybody I like better to annoy." He told her and she heard him laughing, the soft puff-puff of his breath escaping. She wondered what he'd do if she cut his throat. Not that she'd get the chance, he'd have her neck snapped like a twig before she'd move half an inch. "What are you doing up here?"

"Meeting someone."

"Who? A boyfriend? You use protection?" Riddick's voice ground her nerves and she thought of several very inventive ways to kill him.

"No. I'm meeting Anore."

"Who?"

"Anore. She's a good friend of mine. She steals things for us." Kyra said with gritted teeth. "Now get fucking lost."

"Tall woman, got world class tits and long brown hair? Mother of one of the guard's spawn?" Kyra's patience snapped and she showed him her blade.

"Shut your mouth Riddick. Anore and Orla are good people, unlike you. She used to be a convict here, until three years ago when Anatoli got her pregnant and he took her topside. Now she helps us out, steals medicine and supplies for us. Gives us news. She actually cares about people, so why don't you get the hell out of here before I show you how little I care about you."

"Don't have to be so defensive kid."

"I think she'd just like to be left alone." Anore's voice was light and slightly amused. Riddick whirled, tensing and Kyra chuckled breathily, turning to acknowledge the woman who'd just snuck up on the famously aware Riddick. "Hello Kyra."

"Nor!" Kyra greeted her cheerfully, dismissing Riddick with a turned shoulder—though she wasn't quite brave enough to turn her back on him. He was too unpredictable. "Whatcha got?"

"I got a question. Something's got the Boss all hot and bothered about you Riddick. Anatoli's nose is practically screaming out loud and the Boss wasted good platinum to make a deep space long-wave call to our check-station. Had them do a deep space scan for any ships might be pursuing you." Anore's voice was hard, cold and angry. "What did you bring with you, stranger?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The Boss is still up, waiting for the response to that call he made. That's not like him. He's not usually that aware." Anore snorted in derision. "I have good friends down there in that hole with you and my daughter to think about. What, exactly, is it about you that's got everybody so worried?" Anore's frame blocked out the light from the control room and even though they couldn't see her face (well, she couldn't but Riddick could) Kyra could bet her eyes were fixed on him, intense and waiting. Kyra had been pinned by that gaze enough to know what it felt like—rather like being scanned by lasers, every inch of you suddenly exposed to critical attention. Riddick was silent for a long moment before he drew in a slow, insolent breath. Apparently Anore's famous, impervious, piercing gaze had no affect on him. Or he was faking.

"Necromongers." He said and Kyra looked at him, curious, then swiveled her eyes back to Anore, when the woman drew in a sharp breath and cursed.

"The Gray Ones follow you?"

"I don't know their cute little nicknames, but ten to one it's them." Riddick said coldly. "I take it you know of them, not just rumors."

"I know of them. I've had more than one unpleasant run-in with them." Anore paused but when nobody said anything she continued, "If they follow you we have problems."

"What are Necromongers?"Kyra demanded, looking between the two. She anticipated a good complain session with Anore, but the meeting was turning more and more into some sort of conspiracy plan! Damn Riddick!

"They're bad news." Anore said flatly, "They're religious fanatics who believe that by dying in this universe they get to go to a Paradise called Underverse."

"Where they all live happily ever after, blah, blah, blah." Riddick said derisively. "If it is them, and you're so helpful lady, why don't you help us out of here?"

"How long has it been since you left Helion? How much of a head start did you get?"

"Only about two days."

"We have some, but not much time then. I agree, we're getting the hell out of here. I don't have access to the gate codes or else I'd have broken out a long time ago and the Mercs have the only ship. Whatever we do has to be done before they leave, taking our only transport with them."

"There's no others?"

"No. The guards are as much a part of Crematoria as the convicts, we get a supply ship every three weeks, but it stays only long enough to drop supplies in the hangar and go. And that's a good thirty klicks from here—"Anore suddenly broke off and the three fell silent. A voice could be heard somewhere above them and Anore turned back to them quickly. "I must go, we'll meet tomorrow night. Oh and Kyra—beautiful work on the Brute Squad."

"Thanks." Kyra said, pleased. "How'dja know?"

"I'd recognized your handiwork anywhere. And by the way, Anatoli's got a few additional licks coming from me for that."Anore's voice hardened into a savage, merciless hiss. "I think he'll think twice about scraping with anybody for a while. Be careful enta and I'll see what I can find out." And then she was gone. Riddick looked at her vacant spot with something like respect and Kyra grinned.

"Interesting." Riddick said magnanimously. Kyra's grin widened.

"Now, about these Necros."

"Let's get away from here before somebody hears." Riddick snapped and vanished into the darkness. Kyra groaned to herself and punched the stone wall before getting to her feet. Sometimes, she'd just love to beat his face in for being so…so…so controlling.

Anore lay quietly in wait. Orla was fast asleep in her bed, the door firmly closed. She wouldn't hear a thing. She sat, cross legged, in the center of the bed and waited. She knew he was postponing coming home, she knew he knew what was coming. The swollen bruise on his throat had been sign enough without the lacerations on his arms and the egg on his head. The damage done to the others had been more than enough to tell her who'd been responsible and what the unlucky bunch had been up too. Anatoli knew better. He'd been warned about picking fights with her friends. He could beat all he wanted on the Inmates, but the Convicts weren't his territory. It had been a long time since he'd broken the rules…anger tickled her spine and she waited. Patiently. Kyra had given him a proper beating, but he would know her displeasure too.

The door opened and her lover stood, uncertain, in the doorway. It was dark in the room, so he couldn't see her, and she was risking her night-lenses so she could enjoy the apprehension on his face. He looked like she wanted him too, as if he somehow knew she was there, and had an ugly premonition of what was about to happen. She saw his nostrils flare trying to scent her out with that famous 'nose' and she grinned savagely. He stepped inside and the door slid closed behind him. She rose to her feet silently and she saw him stiffen, as if he sensed her state of mind. He really did know her far too well.


End note: Thanks for reading, until next time friends! Naja