Chapter XIII

Picking Up The Pace

"Marius! Get your ass strapped in right now!" Jack shouted, barely hearing him yell back that he was still locking the door hatch. "I don't give a…wait, yes I do, DO IT FASTER, THEN!" She replied, strapping herself in and starting all system checks. He almost flung himself into his seat and, with no instruction, called in for permission to take off. He adjusted the earphones and mouth-piece attachment as he waited for a reply, silently cursing when he realized that all the bags they had brought back with them were not going to be secured and they would have a tornado of clothes and who knew what else spread around the bedroom after they took off. Thanking the voice that gave permission to let them take off, Marius watched Jack work with a fervor that couldn't be healthy. Breathing deeply, he thought back to what had happened just fifteen minutes ago.

"Thanks for everything, Jack." He said as they walked out of the store, relishing the feel of the new fur-lined leather coat Jack had bought for him. They carried the bags as they slowly made their way to the ship. As they approached the port, Jack quickened the pace and Marius didn't want to know why, but kept up all the same. When they reached the ship, she tossed him in with the bags and ordered him to close the hatch. He watched from a half-closed door hatch, his eyes widening as he saw the events unfold.

Five men were stalking towards their ship, many brutal and cruel weapons in hand. He could only guess that they were Bellger's old men, out for revenge. He bit his lip as he heard Jack's claws unsheathe themselves from their leather half-glove. The attackers probably didn't realize it, but that sound was worse then the sharpening of the grim reaper's scythe. Death for all, mercy for none.

"Hey, bitch!" One of them shouted, who was carrying something that looked like a mace with an electric current running through it.

"You'd better not be talking to me like that." She snarled back, her entire body relaxing as she moved forward with unimaginable stealth. Her claws at her side, she looked like a standing panther, the black clothes shining like well-groomed fur.

"You can bet your fucking boy-toy we are. Don't act surprised, you sick bitch, sleeping with boys." One of the others shouted. Marius saw with horror how Jack mentally marked him with a, what was going to be the goriest kill yet. The mere tip of her head told him this and he thought his knees were going to give out. She was a killer, but she wasn't supposed to be a maniac who lusted this.

"Say what you will, children, but I don't sleep with little boys. This also means I won't even consider sleeping with any of you. You all just walked out from behind your mother's skirts; I bet you've got their numbers on speed dial." Jack mocked them, only making them angrier.

Finally the one with the mace ran forward, swinging it from behind his head. Jack caught the handle, wrenching it out of his hand and using her open hand, gutted him from below. As he stumbled away, she spun around and smashed his mace across his head, ripping skin, bone and brain out and letting it fall to the ground. He fell forward, his mouth opening and closing in indescribable pain as he barely clutched his open stomach.

The remaining four were in shock, but finally one of them looked up and aiming with what Marius thought was an old shotgun, shot at Jack. She somersaulted to the ground, not even phased by the bullet that shattered the concrete it hit. Raised in a crouch, she sprung forward without a second's hesitation, narrowly avoiding each shot and, once close enough, backhanded the weapon out of his hand and clawed out half of his face. Slipping beneath his waving arms, she grabbed his head and twisted his neck sharply, letting him crumble to the ground. The other three were ready and charged her at the same time, yelling in insulted anger.

In swift and graceful movements, Jack killed the last three, watching as they all slumped to the bloodied ground. She kneeled and wiped her claws of the mess, her breathing not even labored. Looking up, she saw Marius' pale face in the crack of the hatch and raised a bemused eyebrow. He scampered back and rested against one the walls, sliding down it in terror. Had he been worshipping a goddess of death and destruction? Was she Hades in disguise?

Thankfully, no one had gotten wind of this fight, seeing how they were around the port at odd hours. When Jack pulled herself up into the ship, she ordered Marius to pull himself together and shut the hatch. She had jogged off to the cockpit and he tried to calm his shaking hands to close the door, but it was like trying to control a body part with no nerves in it.

The take-off had been a little rough and as soon as they were set on a course, Jack had risen from her seat and walked out of the cockpit, leaving Marius to his thoughts.

Riddick had heard that the last kill of this murderess had been on one of the other outer planets of Bellger territory, one that was in the middle of their winter. He watched stars and planets pass as his ship moved through space, heading right towards the planet. The authorities had to clean up the area, because it was in a public usage space – the port. But they were glad that someone, even if it was a hunter, was after this woman, so they had taken detailed accounts and pictures of everything they could. Riddick had been the first to receive these files and even he had tensed when he brought them up on the large screen that the rest of his hunters were watching. One or two of them even had to get up to throw up their last meal, a few other hunters accompanying them just to get out the room.

He had taken them down immediately and decided only that he, Laiker and Rex would have access to these. It was clear that whoever this killer was, she had a deep-set hatred for the entire male species. Something his crew was slightly unnerved by, but soon realized they were doing a good deed for men all over the universe by capturing this woman. Yet Riddick knew the backgrounds of these men and they all were less then acceptable as human beings and using the word 'shady' to describe them would be a compliment of the highest degree. She was choosing these men for a reason, although the last kills were Bellger men, so that must have been for self-defense. Something he understood entirely, yet he still didn't see why the killings themselves had to be so brutal.

The two pictures that stood out the most were the ones that depicted wounds that had been obviously dealt by claws of some sort. One slashed across the face, even shattering the cheek bone of the victim. The other was a gutting – from the bottom of the stomach up, the only visible remains of the claw marks were at the top, where they thinned out and eventually lifted from the body. Rubbing his face, Riddick wasn't sure why these stood out. Whoever this was, she was a real animal, an absolute beast that he was nearly getting high off of chasing.

Closing his eyes, Riddick remembered a few good memories of Jack when she was younger, running around and causing general havoc. When he was in a good mood, he enjoyed her insanity, her hilariously morbid comments and her presence. Yet she always surprised him when she would know exactly how to treat him the moment he stepped into their shit apartment. Just by walking around for a few minutes once she realized he had pulled a muscle in his hand, the result of a complicated shiv movement he had used on his target that night. After he had showered, she waited until he sat down on the bed before she sat next to him, watching him for any sudden anger. He had lain down, closing his eyes, welcoming the darkness behind his eyelids. Jack had taken his injured hand into his lap and with both of her small hands, massaged it back into use. Not a word had been spoken, just how he liked it after a job, but she had relaxed and fixed him. He repaid her back by holding her through the entire night, playing with her long black hair and not leaving until she had woken as well.

But the gory pictures brought him back into reality and Riddick winced at the clear-cut claw marks left on the man's face. Even the ends of the cheek-bone were smoothly cut, as if she had smoothed them out with sand-paper when she was done. Rubbing his own cheek-bone in reassurance, he remembered briefly how Jack had backhanded him with her bugnucks on. Damn that had hurt; the ice-pack had barely helped that night. Suddenly the scene replayed in his mind, the silver claws of her bugnucks, the angle at which she had backhanded him and above all, her raging hatred for men. What would possess her to be so violent? Was Jack his target?

When Jack was showering, Marius picked up the clothes that were indeed strewn all over the bedroom. As he did, he decided on one thing entirely. He realized that he had a crush on his mentor, then again, what boy his age wouldn't? Ignoring her body, she was the epitome of excitement and danger, something no one could ignore. But while he might have this crush, after that one killing he had witnessed he grudgingly realized that the only person who could ever match that was Riddick. He must be the only man in the world she would put up with; they balanced each other, no matter how stubborn each of them was about it.

Marius smirked, realizing as well that he could probably be the only man who could stand and even think after how she backhanded him. So what was his job now? He wouldn't dare think of contacting Riddick, not with Jack's plan in progress. Well, once they got back together, he would make sure it stayed that way. He thought that he wasn't so protective of Jack and she could be with Riddick, she wouldn't ever be confused or cold towards him. Barely nodding his head, he left the room with all the clothes neatly folded on the bed, not even registering Jack's wet and barely covered body that stood in the bathroom door.

Once the door whisked shut, Jack moved forward and gathered the clothes she had bought, not much different then what she normally wore, but a little warmer. All the pants and shirts she bought were the exact same except they were made with these fibers that kept the body heat she gave off, keeping her warmer. She also found a pair of gloves that she was going to alter to make a warmer inside for her bugnucks. She had to make sure they were perfect, so they wouldn't screw with her style or anything, but she was pretty sure she had gotten them right. Finishing up the lacing on a boot, she swung her various belts and straps of weapons over her shoulder and left the bedroom. She found Marius in the cockpit, happily snuggled into his new coat and book, occasionally looking up to see that there wasn't an alarm going off.

"Hey Marius." She greeted, standing in between his chair and hers, beginning to strap on all of her weapons. He glanced up at her and smiled softly, shutting his book and setting it on the control panel. "Look, I'm not going to apologize for killing those men. That is the trail I leave for him to find me, you realize."

"Yeah, I know, just, never thought I would ever see…" he trailed off, looking at the stars passing by.

"That side of me?" She supplied, pulling a strap through a buckle and securing it. Marius nodded, unable to speak at that moment. When she settled into her chair, she threw a few switches and then turned to face him. "I know how you feel."

"How?" Anger leaked into his voice, how could she possibly know what it was like to see a mentor turn into a vicious killing beast that took lives as easily as taking breaths?

"Check that anger, it won't get you anywhere." She first said, not looking at him but plugging in a plan into the ship's computer. "You forget that I lived with Riddick."

She was right, as usual. Marius realized that what he was going through, she must've gone through double. Riddick was known to be a killer so she expected the beast, but instead he had shown her an almost paternal affection. To have seen him turn so quickly into…a hunter like that must have shocked Jack to her very core.

"Sorry, Jack." He mumbled picking up his book again.

"Don't worry about it; shit happens." She replied, clearing the holographic screen. "It wasn't a bad idea to get these warm clothes. We're going to be stopping at a few planets that made that last one look like a tropical paradise." Jack informed him, making him look up from his page.

"And I will now ask, 'why?'" He sounded sarcastic and annoyed and Jack raised an eyebrow at him, seeing that he had been spending a little too much time around her.

"To pick up the pace. Winter-based planets hold evidence longer and stronger - that is, if you know how to look for it. Speaking of being chased, I would bet you that the old dog is landing at our last stop right about now." Jack said, smirking deviously. Marius groaned; he hated it when she got sneaky like this, it always ended up badly.

"Alright, what we're going to see is not going to be pretty, girls. The worst of it was cleaned up, but it's still pretty fucking nasty out there. Go at your own risk, if you feel too…sickened to go on, know that you won't be snubbed for coming back to the ship." Laiker announced to the gathered hunters beneath him. Riddick was behind him, going over a few plans with Rex before he addressed his hunters. He walked forward and narrowed his eyes behind his goggles; this was a good test for the newer hunters.

"You heard the princess," he started, amused by the snickers he heard below. "This isn't your day-to-day average kill, you saw the pictures before. I want four groups of six, split up now. There will be a marked perimeter in the shape of a square. The center of this square is the scene of the killing; four boxes will be created within the larger one. Each group will be searching extra outside evidence from the crime in their own box. When you get there, split it for groups of three and work from there. Report back every fifteen minutes; take note of anything that sticks out." He gave out the orders like a general, knowing the plan better then the back of his hand and pleased with the reaction of his hunters. "Any questions?"

One of the newer hunters raised his hand. Riddick saw that he had been heavily scarred in his trial fights, but had somehow survived three separate wound infections. He nodded and accepted his question.

"Sir, if there is a suspect within our search area and they run, how far should we chase?" His gravelly voice echoed in the main control room.

"Good question. There will be a guard of four men at each corner of the largest square. If this happens, contact them, they will spread out and you will chase them and if all works correctly, they will be trapped." Riddick replied, growling out the part of working correctly. His hunters were some of the most respected and admired in the universe and it all depended on how fast and well they worked. "Anyone else? Good, let's go." He ordered, descending the steps, his heavy fur-lined leather duster flapping behind him as he walked towards the hatch.

It didn't take long to get to the scene of the crime and indeed a few of his older hunters were sickened by it and Riddick understandably let them return to the ship. Dispatching the groups of six, Riddick got to work with Laiker, Rex and a few other hunters on the scene itself. There were scuff marks of boots, as well as blood prints from later in the battle. As his crew gathered evidence, he followed the steps of the killer, as if practicing an old dance. Indeed it was an old dance to him, he created the movement himself.

Rex watched on from across the scene, watching Riddick's calm face turn into a dark scowl. The last time this had happened, Riddick had gone into a rage and for the safety of the hunters and ship, Rex had fought with Riddick, if just to release his anger in an almost non-destructive way. Rex shuddered as he thought of how Riddick had raged at him, but he hadn't spoken a word back to him and just defended himself. Even a man of his size and strength was beaten by Riddick and Rex spent at least three weeks in the med bay recovering.

Shaking himself from unpleasant memories, he walked over to Laiker and touched his arm, tilting his head in Riddick's direction. Laiker looked confused at first but his face cleared and he immediately sent the extra hunters back to the ship. Luckily, their work there was done, but they wasted no time in retreating.

Rex cautiously approached his leader, Laiker not far behind. Riddick seemed deep in thought, staring at the foot prints and obviously replaying in his mind something from long ago.

"Sir?" Rex ventured, but he got no reply. "Riddick?" He tried again, still no reply. He gestured for Laiker to step far back, which he resisted at first. He had been in emotional agony when Rex was nearly hospitalized for a month by his own leader. That sort of loyalty could kill him one day and Laiker wasn't too pleased with that idea. He watched from the other end of the crime scene, his hand hovering over the radio in case medical assistance was needed.

Rex stepped closer to Riddick and slowly stretched out his arm and touched his leader on his shoulder, making his head slowly turn and face him. If Laiker was terrified, he didn't want to know how Rex was feeling, standing within killing distance of Riddick. Putting down his hand, he breathed deeply, looking for signs of unpredictable rage.

"Riddick, sir, are you alright?" He asked, receiving a tensed growl in reply.

"When you checked the recent departures of this port, did anything come up with two passengers, a woman and young boy?" He asked back, making Rex swallow nervously, his words lost. Luckily, Laiker appeared at his side and replied for him.

"No, sir, nothing of those criteria. We'll check again when we return to the ship. Are you going to be staying here or are we returning now?" He ventured to ask.

"I've seen enough. You can tell the local authorities that they can clean this up." He sharply ordered, turning on his heel and stalking back towards their ship. Neither of the remaining men moved, waiting until their leader was out of ear-shot.

"What do you think happened?" Rex asked, relaxing his shoulders.

"He recognized the battle movement of someone." Laiker replied, walking over to where Riddick had been seconds before. At Rex's confused look, he explained further. "When you fight, or, I suppose, watch someone else fight, what does it look like to you?"

"A set of movements."

"Exactly, most fighters have their own personalized set of movements that can be passed down to someone they train." Laiker added, suspicions rising to mind.

"So you're saying that Riddick taught someone his set of movements and it is what is being used here?" Rex asked, receiving a nod from his fellow hunter.

"And we can bet that he doesn't just teach his own fighting movements to just anyone. You think when he asked about that woman and kid it's the two from way back? You know, the one that backhanded him?" Laiker looked up at Rex, who was studying the dried blood foot-prints.

"I wouldn't be surprised. But there's the off chance that it's someone who is just copying him." He replied, turning away and walking towards the general direction of their ship. Laiker jogged up to walk with him and shivered slightly, it was still cold within the port. He didn't say anything when he felt Rex's heavier coat draped over his shoulders, but he did end their conversation from before.

"Somehow I bet that chance is slim to none."

Thanks to these reviewers:

TotallyRiddickObsessed- Glad you're liking it. Thanks for reviewing In Vaako's Chamber, too. You reminded me to update ToF, it kind of slipped my mind. Won't happen again.

XinnLajgin-:apologizes to your laptop: Hope you liked this update. It will be quite the strange family, won't it?

njrd – Glad you liked the chapter, makes me happy. Your review made me happier. I'm trying to clear up what's going on between Marius and Jack and Riddick and Jack. Think it's getting better now.

ren3017- And you have the next chapter now. There will be more, no worries. Just got your review for In Vaako's Chamber, glad you liked it. It hit me at the spur of the moment and I might have a follow up. I just needed a small break from ToF.

IT- I sent you the chapter::growls: And I have yet to have it back! That made no sense whatsoever, actually. I don't know if you have me on alert, but I wrote a short one-shot and just posted it. Check it out if you want.

Tinca-Hope you got my email, thanks for reviewing. Hope you liked this chapter and the next chapters.

Poll/Vote thing:

a twist in the plot to make it longer

no twist, make it shorter

whichever one you choose, the R/J action will occur roughly at the same time, I promise

So pick one dammit!