Author's Note: Hey Afro-Rican thanks for all your information, helped me a lot! I'm glad it made your day! LoL …. Letting ppl know would be great. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to you……

"He's in the Alkaline System." Nathan announced to his goons and I five days after we accepted the hunt.

"How do you know?" Lex asked as he downed his beer. He was the closest to Nathan and seemed to have a death wish. Well in a way they all did, did they know who they were going after? Christ, according to some of the articles I've read fucking armies couldn't take this guy down so what the hell are the seven of them going to do wound him maybe? Yet again, creed is greed.

"If I know our boy, there only three planets in that system. Two of them are dead leaving only one. It's run by convicts law doesn't exist there, perfect place to hide, Don't ya think?" Nathan finished all proud of himself for figuring it out. I was sitting in a chair not far away listening.

"How do you know he's not in another system?" Another goon voiced.

"I don't but it's the one we're closest to so it's the one will start with." Ahh so he didn't know for sure, just took a guess, hell I could of done that.

"Laura, we won't need you on this one. Better to stay out of harms way." I saw the glint in his eyes and wondered what he really meant. I nodded.

"I need a break anyway and besides I don't have a death wish but you boys have fun now!" I only half joked as I stood up to leave the little meeting. Nathan had other ideas.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" He asked with a hint of anger in his voice.

"What I don't have a death wish or you boys have fun now or is it I need a break?" I was pushing him he knew and so did I except I didn't give a shit.

"You know what the fuck I mean!" This time he growled from across the table.

"Okay fine lets face it this guy's the best of the best at what he does. A goddamn killer, but not a stupid one. I mean who have you got that even compares to this guy? Going after him is fucking crazy, death is almost guaranteed. But no you'll chase him to the bowels of hell just so you can have the 5 million. Aren't I right?" I was furious but no one said a word, could of heard a pin drop. I looked up to Nathan who looked like he would blow up any second. Guess he didn't like my little outburst, to fucking bad. I surprised myself sometimes, I could be so ballsy at times but still couldn't sleep without the damn light on. Go figure.

"Are you right? No. Out of line, yes. You are not fucking running the show I am, we already went through this! We are going after him, end of discussion." He slammed his fist into the wall next to him before I could say anything else. I looked at the guys, their mouths were wide open all staring at me. I was finally tired of taking others people's shit so if they wanted to run off and get themselves killed go ahead. If they all were killed I would get the ship to myself couldn't be that hard to fly could it?

Two weeks passed, still looking for Riddick. We landed on Deriuc, the only living planet in the Alkaline system. The one Riddick is supposedly on. They've been looking for a week and a half with no luck. Course they couldn't go in there with badges hanging, guns visible and smiles they had to blend in with the other convicts. Since law didn't exist there any sight or even thought that there was a Merc around they would be killed without a second thought. I was sick of babysitting the damn ship and decided I needed to stretch my legs. But first I had to change out of my clothes in order to fit in. I threw on some black leather pants that fit me like a glove and a black tank that hugged me just right. I let my hair down and put on a pair of chunky boots, grabbed my knife and was ready to roll. I stepped of the ship into the dark not feeling very confident till I reached the city where the lights were everywhere.

I walked for awhile until I found what I was looking for, a hole in the wall bar. It was rundown and not very big but looked like my kind of place. I just wanted a drink, didn't care where I had to go to get it. Doors were open and I walked right in with a certain amount of confidence in my step. In places like these you had to act like you were the biggest dog in the pen, couldn't be shy or unsure, had to look like you knew what you were doing. Many shined eyes followed my movement in the dim light, I tired to forget they were there. I headed straight for the bar hoping there wouldn't be any trouble.

"What can I get ya sweetie?" The bartender stared noticeably at my chest but I acted like I didn't notice.

"Beer and a shot of vodka, better make it a big shot." I said easily watching the mirror in front of me for any movement. I could tell there was still some interest but I had passed the test for now.

"Coming up." He slithered away and grabbing what I wanted. I threw some credits on the bar before heading to the table in the back corner. That way I could watch instead of be watched. I had a view of the door but not a clear one. I noticed a back door just to the right of me, my way out if things got wild. I downed the shot in one gulp loving the feel of the burning liquid run down my throat. My beer was next and that was gone before I knew it. It was then when I felt like I was being watched. My eyes shot around trying to find who it was but I got nothing. I thought I was just being paranoid and imagining shit so I took one last look then headed to the back door. Not seconds after I turned the corner did I hear it open and close again that got me going. My heart was racing, blood pumping, hand already on my knife I turned around waiting for whoever it was. They rounded the corned and were about five feet from me when I saw who it was, the garbage man. Shit. I really thought I was losing it. I turned around laughing at my actions and headed towards the ship. Nathan would kill me if he knew I left the ship. 'Not if you killed him first.' My mind hummed but I didn't think I could do it. My ears interrupted my thoughts this time when I could swear I could hear footsteps behind me. If I turned around I would of blew it so I kept walking when the hairs on my neck stood on end, the wind blew and it carried a musky smell. It was a long shot but I went on it.

"Their looking for you Riddick, right here on this damn planet. There's seven of them out here right now trying to find you." I reached for my knife and pulled it out swinging around. There was no one behind me. Another shit! What was wrong with me? I never got to answer my own question. I was yanked back into an alley by two large arms and shoved up another wall. What the fuck is it with guys and walls? A control thing maybe? Damn it was really starting to strike a nerve. My knife was still in my hand but I threw it knowing it wasn't going to do shit. My back was against the stone wall with Riddick's shiv pressing right under my chin. The strange thing is I wasn't afraid, instead a little curious. The picture I saw was nothing compared to real life. He had to be at least 6'2, 200 lbs and a tab bit scarier.

"Who are they?" He finally spoke, taking off his goggles.

"Mercs, looking for a payday, eight all together." See if he was paying attention.
"You said seven." Ahhh he was.

"I'm the eighth." My breath hitched as the shiv sank a little deeper. I never broke eye contact with his watery orbs, they were truly stunning.

"They never work together whose leading them?" The shiv slid slowly away from my neck and back into its respective place. I didn't care if I lived or died anymore, so I told him what I knew.

"There's really only one, Nathan Peterson. He brought along his team just in case he couldn't handle it. And me well I'm just along for the ride, only wanting the fighting skills out of this whole adventure, not learn how to be some fucking nutcase, don't need any help in that area." I rubbed my neck seeing just the smallest trace of blood.

"Where's the ship?" He sure got straight to the point.

"B dock on the south side." I watched him run a hand over his shaven head looking as if he was deep in thought. I turned to walk out of the alley when his hand caught my wrist dragging me back.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was low reminded me of gravel.
"Back to the ship. Got to be back before they get home." He released me without a word. I walked to the end of the alley when I couldn't help myself.

"You know Riddick I would have told you all that just because you asked. The shiv didn't make my decision any different. I'm not afraid to die but the question really is are you?" I turned around but not before hearing a deep rumble that I took as a laugh. I knew that wasn't going to be the last I saw of Richard B. Riddick.