Chapter 4

He said he wasn't going to hurt you, she scolded herself as a sob echoed off her stone walls. God, I'm glad it's dark in here. He didn't hurt you. That's what hurts so much. It's easier when they just rush through it and get it over with, no matter how much it rips me apart, but that… She sighed and sniffled. That makes it worse. That he didn't want to hurt me and was just so god damn gentle. Makes me miss Jason even more. She curled into a tighter ball and let the sobs wash over her. It wasn't the first time. She'd get it out of her system, take a shower, fall asleep, and be okay tomorrow. Not fine, but okay. Jason's gone, Sevic. Just face it. He's not coming back. He can't. You have to do what you can to survive. But for what? I don't have anything left. I don't have Jason. Hell, I don't even have me anymore. This isn't me. Subservient, compliant, passive. He'd be disappointed. But I have to be this way to survive, and he wouldn't fault me for that. She covered her face with a violently trembling hand and let out another snort of a sob, cringing as the sound bounced back. The others would hear her, and that quieted her down a little. But why should I try so hard to survive? There's nothing left to survive for. What's survival just for the sake of surviving? There has to be some payoff, and this is no payoff. Christ. What happened to me?

You said it wasn't going to happen again. Riddick couldn't still the voices arguing in his head.

It didn't. I didn't do anything to let her in. I just saved her a beating.

You gave her hope that someone can get her out of the mess she got herself into.

I didn't give her hope. Hell, she probably didn't even get herself into the mess – it was probably just given to her. He sighed and scratched his belly, still pacing his room, just listening to his thoughts. What's one more try at humanity, huh?

Another life lost because you let them get too close.

It won't happen that way.

It always happens that way. You should have just quit while you were ahead.

When was I ahead?

When Kyra died.

How is that ahead? Losing the only person that saw me as another human and gave me something to live for.

She died, Riddick. Just like everyone you let in. Just like Carolyn and Imam. You need to just stop letting people in and live your life.

Does luck ever change?

Not likely.

Well, no one deserves to be treated that way. I don't have to let her in, I just have to protect her.

Like you protected Jack?

Shut the fuck up. Riddick sighed and plopped into a chair, taking a long swig of the drink he'd just poured himself. The brown liquid burned its way down his throat, quieting the voices for now. He'd do what he could without risking her life. He'd protect her without taking her in. It could be done, right?

The look on Vaako's face was priceless when Riddick walked into the meeting hall. A mixture of shock and satisfaction. Riddick just continued past the doors and took a seat at the head of the long table placed in the middle of the room, gesturing for everyone else to sit down.

"I've been offered a deal, of sorts," he started, working to make his voice as deliberate and dangerous as possible. He nodded to Vaako. "Commander Vaako has offered the services of this committee to lead the armada in exchange for my assuming the role of Lord Marshall." The other Lords and Commanders nodded thoughtfully. "I'd like to alter the deal a bit, if the committee will agree." Vaako coughed suddenly, glancing at the others.

"Shall we hear the alteration before we agree to it?" one asked. Riddick tried not to grin. Smart man. Mental note.

"I would like to serve as a member of the committee," he stated. A lull started through the crowd of leaders, but Vaako hushed them. "Not as the final vote, but as an equal vote among the rest of yours. I've invested in this group as many of you have," he said, biting back a cringe as that picture of Kyra flashed through his mind. Vaako's eyes lowered – he knew the reference. "I'd like a say in return for my…" he trailed off and paused, a small smirk playing on the corners of his lips, "appearance as the Lord Marshall, with as scary as I seem." Someone smarted off, and received a growl. "The perception isn't entirely misplaced, asshole. Better watch it." The commander nodded and shut up. "If the alteration is acceptable?" No one outright answered. Riddick stood, and the others started. He chuckled inwardly. "Do I have to ask for a secret ballot, or can we all agree I've earned a place in the decision making process?" Vaako finally stepped up and became the first to agree to the terms, followed quickly by the others. Only a few dissented, but it didn't matter much for now.

"I'd like to ask the, um, Lord Marshall for a first order of business during this session, if I may," Vaako said quickly, glancing up at Riddick slightly as he addressed him as Lord Marshall. All he got was a twitch of the eyebrow, and Riddick watched as Vaako relaxed a bit after that.

"Actually, I do." Vaako's eyebrow rose. "The call girls. Darkened hallway." Commanders glanced at each other as though they didn't know what he was talking about. "Oh come on," Riddick drawled. "You all know about it, I'm sure. If I can find out my first day on the job what it's all about you have to know." Vaako cleared his throat, and Riddick glanced at him. "I have a suggestion that may improve their attitudes toward their roles." Vaako nodded for him to continue.

"You can't possibly want to let them run around like the rest of us," a Lord scoffed. Riddick scowled, satisfied with the man's reaction. For a collection of the top warriors in the Necro world, these guys were easily scared. Granted, this was Riddick, but had they never heard of a poker face? "They shouldn't be beaten when someone that requested them sends them away without using their services," Riddick said flatly, eyes daring each Commander and Lord individually to dispute him. "Don't request them if you don't want them, and don't punish them for a bad request," he continued.

"The Lord Marshall's request seems reasonable," a Commander to his left said confidently, adding a small nod at Riddick.

"He's got a vested interest," one in the back said quickly.

"Explain yourself," Vaako requested, voice low.

"The one he requested has a tendency to turn cold. Their services lack when they do that," the man explained. Riddick got his temper in check.

"You would too if you were forced into whoring yourself out," Riddick spat, watching the man close his mouth and gulp down a swallow. "Look, all I'm asking for is that they be treated like servants and not property. They might just warm up to the idea if you don't threaten to throw them a beating for every mistake. Truth is, they're not going to enjoy it because they're forced into it so why not make their lives a little easier?"

"Next he'll be asking that they be turned into the general population," another commented. "That it'll make them happier to be free to choose."

"I just might do that," Riddick retorted.

"They're put in those roles for a reason, Lord Marshall," he continued.

"And what reason would that be?" Riddick pressed.

"They're unruly, most of them previously married to a non-convert, and hence less likely to ever choose to commit themselves to one in our population."

"So?" The man seemed surprised at Riddick's question. "Look, for now just promise me they won't be beaten for anything, or starved, or anything you wouldn't do to piss off your own personal servants. I'll settle for that for now. Is that too much to ask?" It was agreed, and Riddick didn't pay much attention to the rest of the meeting. As the meeting was closed, Riddick pulled Vaako aside and asked if they could speak privately. All this roleplaying was starting to piss him off, but there were just a few more things he had to do before he could return to his quarters and beat the living shit out of something. What that was he hadn't yet decided, but he'd figure it out when he got there.

"What worries you, Lord Marshall?" Vaako asked quietly once the others had moved away from them in the hallway.

"Don't call me that unless it's in a fucking meeting." Vaako nodded slowly. "Are there cameras and microphones in my rooms?"

"Just cameras," Vaako said with a shrug.

"I want them out."

"They're for security, Riddick."

"I don't give a shit," Riddick insisted. "I want them out. Privacy. I was in a prison for most of my life. A dark one." Vaako's eyes widened, but he didn't comment. "It pisses me off to think someone might be watching." Vaako nodded. "I mean it, Vaako. I'll kill the security team and do it myself if I have to, but they're coming out one way or another."

"I'll send a team in to remove them," Vaako promised. "And for the record, I'm glad you decided to take part in leadership." Riddick rolled his eyes. He couldn't help it.

"I'm not the leader type," Riddick snickered. "I just want to make sure you all don't try to fuck me over just because I'm not playing the role well enough." Vaako shrugged, as though that were reason enough. "How long do you really expect I'll do this?"

"I haven't given it much thought, honestly," Vaako said slowly. "I'm sure you'll figure out how you want to end your roleplaying eventually." Riddick was just glad he didn't say it was his rule. He would have punched him dead in the face for that.

"Start thinking about it, Vaako. You're the one that talked me into this shit in the first place," Riddick snapped, turning on his heel.

"Which girl did you request?" Vaako's question stopped Riddick in his tracks. She'd hinted that the situation wasn't openly discussed. Guess it depends on who you are.

"You don't give a fuck," Riddick snapped, disappearing down the hallway.