This chapter is here thanks in large part to your reviews so, hooray! And thanks!

Please enjoy!

Vaako

I shifted on the bed, trying to ease some of the tension in my back, but gave up when it was clear it would do me no good. My eyes caught on a flash of gold as my wife stomped around furiously in front of me; the distraction was a welcome one and I let my mind wander. I vaguely remember an old saying the breeders used to use, something about using more muscles to frown, and judging by the slight ache in my face, I would have to guess it was true.

I had spent less than half an hour with my wife and was already regretting coming back. I was also fervently wishing I had somebody, or something, to kill. Maybe I would go pick a fight with Kyran. On the bright side, I was so irritated right now there wasn't much room for thoughts of my predicament with Riddick. I stood, moving away from the bed and began pacing on the opposite side of the room. The droning lecture currently assaulting my ears was one I had heard a number of times since my failure to kill Zhylah. I could have recited it in my sleep at this point.

Grunting my acquiescence at some point she was making, I sped my pacing, trying to relieve the urge to throw her into a wall. I ignored her pointed glare, and indicated she should continue. If we get through this quickly I might be able to keep myself from strangling her. She huffed, lithely shifting forward to block my path. I stopped in front of her, fuming at her audacity. It must have been obvious in my face because she quickly moved out of the way again. I snatched her wrists in a crushing grip as she reached out, trying to feign concern for me. While I had once believed that her actions meant she cared for me somewhere in her shriveled heart, I was well over her fake attempts at tenderness.

The only thing she would ever care for was her station, and her ability to flaunt it in the face of others.

Yanking her hand free she tried again, this time placing her hand on my chest. The amount of effort it took to not roll my eyes was astronomical, but at least we were nearing the end of her tricks. After her attempts at seduction failed I would be given the cold shoulder, sporadic guilt trips, and when those failed she would resume flitting about the ship as if nothing were wrong.

She steps closer, attempting to press every inch of herself against me. throwing her hair back she pressed forward again, fisting the material of my shirt. Shifting her eyes down the visible portions of my body, she opens her mouth, her words lost in a sharp gasp. I glance down quickly, concerned at the confusion I see on her face, her eyes locked on the side of my neck.

I shift a hand to my neck, trying to determine what she's looking at. As if broken from a trance, her eyes dart up to mine and she quickly releases my shirt. Wondering if she's finally managed to think up a new trick, I watch her warily as she turns on her heel, stopping at the door to throw one last disdainful comment my way.

"I don't know what you've been doing these past couple days, but whatever it is, make sure it won't affect me."

That was the second time I'd been abruptly left alone in the span of as many hours. Admittedly, I wouldn't complain about either instance, but I was beginning to worry there was some important piece of information I kept missing. She had been staring at my neck, hadn't she? At the purification marks, perhaps.

I would have to do a proper examination tomorrow, but for the time being, sleep was in order, because I was once again without a distraction. Fighting my rising frustration at the thought, I slump onto the bed. Maybe it really was time for another purification. For now, the oblivion of sleep would have to suffice. Settling into a more comfortable position, I focus on slowing my breathing as I try and push away my thoughts about Riddick and Dame Vaako before finally drifting into a less complicated reality.

-XXXXX-

I pulled myself out of bed early the next morning, deciding it was better than trying for another hour of fitful sleep. The images flashing through my mind were reminiscent of the dreams I used to have as a breeder, and were further proof I should visit the purifiers as soon as possible. I had always assumed purifications were permanent, since I hadn't seen or heard otherwise. Apparently I was wrong.

Throwing a quick glance at my wife's silhouette on the bed, I step into the hall and turn towards the basilica. The first batch of recruits would soon be done with purifications and preparations necessary for integrating them into Necromonger society would require my attention. It was a never ending process that became somewhat arduous as time went on, but it was my responsibility as First. At least this would mean I'd have something to keep me busy today.

I glanced at the statues looming over the hall as I made my way towards the purification chamber. They seemed somewhat more ominous than usual, casting a dark feel to the room, and doing nothing to improve my mood. I had assumed that Riddick would have them changed, given their significance to him, but they were one of the few things he had seemed to not even consider changing. I wonder why…

I jumped at the voice that rung out behind me, turning to look for its owner as they finished speaking.

"Is everything alright Commander? You seem… troubled."

I shook my head at one of the lesser purifiers, before realizing he was waiting for an answer. "I'm fine. I was just admiring the hall," I said, attempting to inject some authority into my response. I hadn't even realized I'd stopped to ponder the statues, standing in the middle of the Basilica for no apparent reason.

Making a mental note to find some way to offset the disconnect between my mind and body, I took my place in front of the purifier, and we made our way to the new recruits. It was going to be a long day.

-Xxxxx-

I ran a hand over my face, sighing into the empty room. The last batch of recruits had finally been placed, the Elite observers gone, and the purifiers had slowly filtered out of the room as the night wore on, leaving me to my task in peace. Giving a final check to the data pad, I turned the screen off, placing it on a shelf. One at the end of a long line. There were thousands of these data pads, each with just as many names; The history of Necromonger conquest.

My hand lingered on my face a moment longer as I glanced down the row, before slipping to my side with a dull thud. I turned towards the door, calling for the lights as I went. My footsteps echoed quietly down the hall, the only sound on the now silent ship. This time of night was reserved for patrols, last minute work, and secret meetings. It was unlikely I would be disturbed on my way back to my room. My only hope now, was that my wife would be amongst those sleeping.

I slowed somewhat as an odd clicking noise reached me near the end of the hall, pulling me from my thoughts. The sound was familiar, but one I couldn't quite place. I drew closer to the opening of the hallway, staying just inside the shadow it cast. The noise was growing louder, but it was the snuffling that caught my attention now. The hounds!

Adrenaline flooded my system as I remembered Riddick's nightly outings with the hounds, my mind kicking into overdrive as the fight or flight instinct took hold. The noises sounded far enough away I would likely make it across the hall, but I'd have to be quick. Sprinting across the basilica, I skirted the edge of the dias, making sure to place my feet as quietly as I could. I had always considered myself fairly graceful, stealthy even, until I had met Riddick. Now the quiet shift of my clothes as I ran seemed impossibly loud.

I saw the mutts coming around the corner as I slipped behind the column and out of sight. I was sure they would come looking for me, but as I held my breath, the sound of their claws remained on the far side of the hall. Apparently they hadn't seen me then, or didn't care. Riddick called out to them, giving them leave to explore, and I took opportunity of the sound to duck into the nearby hall. I would have to take the long way back to my room, but I was almost happy for the time the walk would afford me.

I couldn't help the feeling of disgust and regret that seemed to swirl inside my stomach as I realized what I'd just done. To think I would run… This issue with Riddick needed to be resolved as quickly as possible, but I wouldn't be getting anywhere in this state. I would find an answer later. Right now, I needed a release. I made a sharp turn, stomping into the hallway to my left rather than continuing on. There wouldn't be anybody to spar with, but I could at least practice my forms.

I reached the sparring arena 5 minutes later, not bothering to disrobe in the bathroom, and instead dumping my clothes in a pile next to the ring. I took a deep breath, finding my center before I began moving around the ring. It felt odd, fighting an imaginary opponent, but as my breathing sped, and I began to feel the familiar burn of exertion, that thought fell away. My movements got faster, harder, more desperate as the minutes ticked by, and I continued, embracing exhaustion as it slowly came.

Riddick

This was my favorite time on the ship. Right now most of the softened, high ranked officials were asleep, leaving the halls nearly barren. That meant no simpering, scheming, deceiving assholes to deal with. It also meant it was a good time to let Beiste and Shakarri out to roam.

I had made the retrieval of the hounds top priority but by the time I got back to crematoria, they were the only two left. I had gotten them on the ship, their health returning quickly but hadn't considered much beyond that. Less than a week later, all three of us were looking for a way out. I took them on the raids which were a welcome relief, but with all three of us, the hunt had become almost too easy. Back on the ship it didn't take long til we were looking for another fight. It was common sense to keep them with me on the ship. It didn't make much of a difference for them, but I liked having them around.

I wasn't surprised when they started going after anybody who got close enough. That at least gave them a sense of satisfaction and calmed them down and it meant I didn't have to deal with hardly anyone. The damage wasn't too bad, a couple Necro's here and there, and it kept the rest of them on their toes. I enjoyed every minute of it. My greatest stroke of genius had been taking them to the bitch fests i was supposed to sit through. Whenever someone had come to whine about being poked or insulted I would let the hounds out into the crowd to have some fun; that effectively ended the session.

That had also been their undoing. While their reputation was enough to keep most of my advisors at bay, Vaako remained fearless, his proximity allowing him time to nag. At first his persistence had annoyed me, but he had balls. Watching him trying to convince me it was in my best interest to leave them in the room was when I figured out how much fun I could have with him. He was too proud to beg, but he got damn near close. Not to mention he made some good points.

I gave in finally, after he presented a schedule for me to take them out that worked around guard rotations. They were free to run around the ship, and I was free to move about without having to deal with my duties as Lord Marshal. I missed the fear, watching the Necro's shift around when they came in a room, but it worked for us.

As we made our way to the grand hall, I tried to ignore the dissatisfied feelings lingering from my latest pass at vaako. I may have been the one to throw him out, but that didn't make our unfinished business any less irritating. As we round the corner, Beiste and Shakarri fan out to look for new scents as I make my way to the throne on the main dias. I ignore the twinge in my gut I feel every time I walk up the steps and slump into the cold metal of the seat. Staring blindly in front of me, I let my mind wander.

Unsurprisingly my thoughts quickly turn back to Vaako and the unfortunate turn of recent events. There has to be some way to make him realise how badly he wants this. My passes at him don't seem to be making a difference, and he obviously isn't going to get there on his own. All my pushing seemed to be accomplishing was my own growing frustration and need. As Lord Marshal it would be my right to claim him, but as much as I enjoy the rush of the fight, in the end I want him begging.

Begging…

The screech of Beiste's claws on the floor draws my attention and as I sit watching them, a plan begins to form. Calling them both over I stare back at the familiar liquid silver eyes and smile as the last vestiges of my plan slide into place. Shit, even if this plan doesn't work it'll at least be entertaining.

Alrighty! So, that's the end of a chapter that was a long time coming. As a special bonus for continuing to read the story of an unreliable author I made it my mission to have another chapter for you all up soon. And I did it! All that's left is to edit it and get it formatted. So if you can forgive me for being a little shit, please look for the next chapter soon!

P.S. Please, please, please review