Don't you know it's hard?

It's hard loving you.

Don't you know it's hard?

It's hard missing you.

Chapter 3

Vaako stood overlooking the throne room where the newest Lord Marshall was holding court. Even now, years after having taking over his position he had yet to be converted. Had actually refused. There had been a few rumblings from some of the other Generals but for the most part they had decided to let sleeping dogs lay since he was actively involved, doing everything that was expected of a Lord Marshall.

Vaako had quickly become his right hand and the two had established a working rapport and if Riddick could barely tolerate Dame Vaako, he kept his opinion to himself with the occasional cutting remark that usually flew over the woman's head.

He entertained in his quarters; he was friendly with the soldiers and attended every function he was invited to. Life was much different under his rule.

However, on occasion, Riddick would grow quiet and get a far away look in his eye. Vaako had never been sure what that was all about. Until today.

Looking down at the portable viewer in his hand he listened again to the message that had been sent to the Lord Marshall Riddick.

A message from the planet Furya. A planet that Vaako thought lay in ruins. Evidently not, if this message was to be believed. A wife and children resided there, an entire family in fact, which anxiously awaited Riddick's return.

There was a picture of the Lord Marshalls supposed wife included and Vaako knew that he had seen that face somewhere once before. Tapping his fingers on the banister in front of him he thought for a few minutes before the answer finally came to him. Like a man with a purpose he turned on his heel and headed for another part of the ship.

Riddick, who had been watching Vaako from below, called one of his foot soldiers over with orders to find out where Vaako was going and to report back to him. Half an hour later the soldier was back and Riddick excused himself.

Riddick found his way to the room next to where the destroyed Quasi-Dead had resided, lost in thought.

Vaako, Toal, Scales. It was no wonder it had taken as long as it had before someone had taken Zyhlaw down. Vaako had just grown a set too late for it to do him any good. Keep what you kill. What kind of bullshit was that? He thought shaking his head.

Vaako was leaning over a lensing viewer when Riddick arrived and was so engrossed in what he was doing didn't hear Riddick approach. Reaching around him, Riddick pressed stop, which brought Carolyn's face to the forefront of the lens. "Mind telling me what you're doing with this?" Riddick growled down at him.

"One of the lens techs reminded me that I had not archived this footage yet. I was simply reviewing it one last time."

"You've reviewed it before?" Riddick asked with an arched brow.

"Yes," Vakko replied calmly placing his hands behind his back, making his way around the room. "I reviewed the footage several times on the way to Crematoria."

Riddick remained quiet staring at the screen.

"May I ask who the woman is?" Vaako inquired.

Riddick met his eyes, "A ghost. Nothing but a fucking ghost."

Turning the viewer off, he quietly left the room leaving a thoughtful Vaako in his wake.

"But Vaako," his wife purred. "If the Lord Marshall thinks that his wife is dead, shouldn't we do everything we can to reunite the two? I know I would be forever grateful if someone did that for us," she continued on, draping her arms over his shoulders where he sat in a chair, nuzzling into his neck.

Standing, he shook her off of him. "Always thinking of yourself," he hissed at her.

"No! Always thinking of you! The Lordship should have been yours! He stole that from you!" she cried out before taking a deep breath, smoothing her hair back and her dress down. . "There's nothing that says we shouldn't do everything we can to remind him who his first in command is. Show him who's willing to do anything for him."

"And just what is it you're willing to do for him?" Vaako growled turning on his wife with a hand to her throat.

"Only as much as it takes to solidify your place by his side" she hissed before using a hand to keep his firmly around her throat while using the other to grab his head pulling his lips hungrily towards hers.

The next morning, Dame Vaako showed no surprise when Riddick barged into her quarters. Sitting at her dressing table she spun around making sure her robe spread open to reveal her legs.

"Lord Marshal. What a surprise. What can I do for you?"

Riddick tilted his head and raised an eyebrow raking her with his eyes. "I heard Vaako spent the night here with you and then suddenly disappeared. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?" he asked as he circled around to her back.

Dame Vaako turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. "Why no, my Lord. All I know is that a message came in yesterday that greatly concerned him. He was troubled by it all night. He was gone when I woke this morning so I can only assume that it had something to do with that."

Riddick leaned in close, sniffing her before walking back out the door. Cold-blooded bitch he thought to himself. Next planet he was finding some warm bodies, bottom line.

Waiting until he had left, Dame Vaako turned back to her mirror with a smile on her face.