Notes:

Thanks to:

mytaintedangel

tamekabu

Scouse – so good to have you back! And what a lovely long review. And this chapter just happens to have Khan in it. Aren't you lucky? As for the action, well, the next few chapters will lead up to a battle of sorts, then there will be another one after that.

FluidDegree – I pleased the reading masses! Oh joyous day. What I'm trying to do is keep Riddick very unpredictable – like he will snap easy but it will all be fixed/revealed in the end.

TotallyRiddickObsessed – update!

Other note: I love your reviews. Honestly, it makes my black little heart warm with joy. But, the next few chapters I've already written some time ago, so constructive reviews will be put to work in later chapters. After Chapter XXXII. Yes, it's a while away. But, I'll keep a constant update. Thanks again!

Chapter XXVIII: Liege's Time Kidnapped

Note – Another long chapter!

Liege kicked the door again, furious at being locked up in this room. You'd think they'd have the decency to put her in a bedroom, but no, they locked her up in the cargo hold. With the freeze dried food, the liquor and god knew what else. With a sniff Liege suspected that there might even be a few decaying bodies in the hold.

McKellern even had the audacity to smirk at her as he led her into the dark room. Cursing for what must've been the hundredth time in the past five minutes, Liege deposited herself on a metal box, marked 'FRAGILE'.

She wanted to talk to McKellern, make him help her, make him understand what was going to happen if they harmed Jack. She didn't to see him or any of her other childhood friends-turned-gangsters killed at the hands of a vengeful Riddick. But she knew if they did anything to Jack, there would be no stopping him. Did she have feelings for McKellern? Maybe, but this wasn't the time or place to sort it out.

With a final snarl, she smashed her fist into the metal crate, cursing again when the pain bit her back as punishment. Rubbing her red and partially bloodied hand, Liege thought of what she could do. If she could trust McKellern, he could get a message out to Jack and Riddick.

He could also be completely loyal to O'Calhern, who in turn, would kill her father without second thought if he caught wind of a conspiracy. Scratching that idea, she hummed to herself as she thought of another plan.

A few minutes later a smirk was plastered across her face. That bastard O'Calhern was going to pay. She knew exactly what to do.

As Liege stood in front of the captain, she kept her face emotionless as he babbled on about his so-called "brilliant" plan. 'Brilliant my ass', she thought, watching him gesture wildly with his hands.

"So, lass, ye made yer decision yet?"

"No, O'Calhern," she spit the name with distaste. "But I would like to request the presence of a neutral ally."

"Oh?" He asked, stepping closer to her. She was quite sure he knew that she had knives on her, but it didn't seem to bother him. "'n who would this 'neutral ally' be?"

"Khan. The weapons dealer." She replied, never taking her eyes off his. She had to gauge his every reaction, so she could pass judgments on his thoughts and abilities.

"McKellern!" He called, not taking his eyes off of Lieges.

"Aye, captain?" The man came to his side, glancing at Liege who didn't spare him a breath.

"Go get this Khan, tell 'im Liege's situation. Now."

"Aye." McKellern replied, preparing to exit the ship. Liege took note of the noise sequence of the lock code to the key of the door.

Stepping back, her captor grinned widely and laughed. He turned his back to her and called for beer. If he wanted to get drunk, he could be at it the rest of the week.

Sighing, Liege fidgeted against her bonds, unhappy at being bound when drinks were about to go around. But she wasn't going to be allowed to take part in such joys, as she found herself in the cargo-hold once again.

Liege decided she wasn't going to stand for being bound like this. Leaning down she easily unsheathed a blade from her boot. Tossing it into the air with her hand, she heard the thunk of it as it lodged in the ceiling. Climbing atop the metal cargo, she stretched up and grabbed the hilt in her mouth. Giving a violent tug, it came loose and she had a good grip on it. Quickly falling into a sitting position, she maneuvered the blade so it was directly above the bonds.

'Bloody idiots, using rope.' She thought as she easily cut the bonds. Taking the blade from her mouth, she wiped the hilt on her shirt before she sheathed it again.

Now that she was temporairily free, she rubbed her wrists subconsciously, wondering what fun she could have. She had recognized the ship as one of the type her father used, so she was semi-familiar with it.

Descending deeper into the dark cargo-hold, Liege grinned when she found a pipe hanging overhead. Jumping, she wrapped her hands around it and swung her body up, wrapping her legs around the steel pipe. Pulling herself upright, she began to inch along the pipe, knowing it would led to a wall. A wall being her exit.

Finally finding the wall, she was pleased to see a grate where the pipe met the wall. She considered taking it out with her hands, when she decided it would make too much noise. Reaching behind her, she took out two titanium blades that she kept around for just these sort of things.

These were not for harming people, but for work. Jamming the strong blade between the grate and the wall, she took it out carefully, not making too much noise. She held the grate up with her feet as she sheathed the knives. Leaning forward, she hooked her fingers within the grate and silently set it down on a cargo box beneath her.

Looking into the darkness, she swallowed as she continued on her adventure on a pipe in the ship of her enemy. Liege cursed when she was met with some curves in the pipe, causing her to almost fall off. In complete darkness, she went much slower, not wanting to risk anything.

Suddenly she saw a light ahead, filtering up through a grate in what must've been a ceiling. Grinning, she moved towards it and pulled herself into a venting system. Looking down she couldn't believe her luck when she saw McKellern's head. Looking around, she almost swore when she saw Khan sitting on a nearby stool.

"Now ye listen, 'ere, merchant." She heard McKellern say, her eyes closing at the sound of his voice. Why did he do this? Why didn't he stay with her father?

"I have a name, Irishman, and you should use it." Khan said back, in a cold, yet even voice.

"Thas right, Liege called ye Khan. That be yer name then? Khan?" McKellern taunted, standing up and looking down at Khan, who sat there, emotionless. Yet inside he felt a whirlwind of turmoil – Liege was there? Was she hurt?

"Yes. No need to ask twice."

"Then if I be usin' yer name, ye should use mine. Names McKellern." He introduced himself, with a slight dip of his head. "Now yer supposed to stay 'ere til ole O'Calhern passes out. So I be warnin' ye, tha could take a long while, so get comfy. I'll be checkin' on ye every hour or so."

Khan thanked him and winced when he heard the door lock behind McKellern. Sighing, he moved to the bed and stretched out, wondering what was going to happen now. His fate was within the hands of these people so he had to play everything very carefully.

Knowing this was her chance, Liege silently took out the overhead grate and slowly let herself down from the vent. Khan had his eyes closed and she knew he couldn't hear her. Creeping up to him, she pulled a feather from the old worn pillow on the bed and poked it in his ear.

Snapping awake, he looked and almost shouted in alarm when he saw Liege's face. Soon he quieted and hugged her tightly, glad she was safe. Stepping back, he sat down on the bed again and gestured for her to sit on the stool.

As she sat, she knew she would be bombarded with questions and demands, so she mentally prepared herself. But to her surprise, she wasn't.

"Ye waitin' for somethin' Khan?" She asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

"Well, since your father is out of power, that means you are the heir. The new Reign. The new blood. So, as such, you begin conversations, you were raised to be this person, Liege." He explained, his hand gestures gentle and calming.

"Didn't think of that. Anyway, I need ye to get a message to Jack. Ye will be tellin' the lass tha' she can't come after me quite yet. I'll keep 'er updated with where I'm goin', but I'll be givin' ye the final coordinates so she'll know exactly where I'll be endin' up." Liege said, still adjusting to this sort of power.

"How do you know exactly where you will be?" He asked, suspicious yet he knew she must have a good answer.

"They might be bastards, but they will stick with tradition, tha' much I know." She muttered, looking towards the door. Liege hated being caged like this, unable to be near her father, unable to help her last living family member.

"I see. What is it that you wish Jack to know?"

"Just what I said, she can't come after me but she isn't out of the loop yet. 'n that she and Riddick are in danger. Riddick moreso, but she will be a prime target for these bastards. I know 'e will keep her out o' most trouble, but 'es got to keep a good eye on 'er now."

"Riddick?" Khan questioned.

Liege tightened her eyes and was overwhelmed in stupidity. He hadn't known Riddick was part of this, well, this was time to exercise her power.

"Aye, Riddick. The meanest, cruelest killer around. 'e and Jack 'ave something, 'n I intend to protect it. 'n as such, ye will take only direct orders from me, since I be the new blood. Ye let it slip at all that 'e is involved, I will slit ye from groin to throat, is tha' clear enough for ye, Khan?" She said, the power in her voice evident, she could wield her heritage as easily as she could wield her blades.

"I won't be betraying you, Liege. Your family has always been my number one customer and has treated me the best. I will follow your orders regardless of what you demand." Khan assured her, waving one hand in the air.

"Good. Now when we talk later, in front of O'Calhern 'n crew, I will be soundin' desperate and look nervous. Ye will play up to it 'n fight when they force ye to leave. We clear?"

"Crystal, Liege. Crystal." He replied, standing again when Liege stood from her sitting position. Holding her in a brief embrace he stepped back and rested his hand on her cheek. He was relieved when she didn't step away, he had always seen how wild Liege was and how she denied human contact.

"Thank ye, Khan. For everything." She said quietly.

"Stay safe, my friend." He said, rubbing one thumb over her cheek gently before he vaulted her up into the ventilation system.