CHAPTER .

"How do I know you weren't in on it?" Riddick's eyes glowed, "A stolen Alliance weapon, onboard a shabby ship like this? With a fed... and you... that is one hell of a coincidence."

Those words echoed through Book's head... it was obvious Riddick knew what he was, or what he once was... but that wasn't what troubled him... no... it was he had a point.

What where the odds, a stolen Alliance weapon would be on this boat... with a gang of well meaning outlaws and... Riddick... least of all himself... The old preacher felt like he was being told something... but what?

Riddick was sitting on the table as the Doctor finished attaching his nerves... the very fact the man didn't scream was rather impressive. The serial killer clenched his teeth... but somehow put no undo pressure onto the little girl's hand in his own. His sheer level of control was remarkable... probably his companion training, which was unfortunately easy to weaponize. Many retired companions were recruited for operatives for just that reason...

Book lacked that particular skill set. Though his own childhood, of Alliance training, did have it's own uses... River was clearly intended to be a next generation operative... the Alliance had been trying to replace people like Shepard, with super soldiers, for decades now... though judging by the girl's clear lack of sanity... they were still a ways off from a viable weapon...

Book sighed, he thought he got away from all this... he thought he was ready to try to help people... but this seemed to be where God wanted him to be... too many coincidences...

"Seeing as you owe me quite a bit of coin." The Captain casually strolled back into the infirmary, the companion waiting just outside of it... yes, a truly unique grouping of people."I imagine you'll need a job." Reynolds didn't seem particularly good at subtlety.

Riddick stiffened, as the Doctor finished applying a weave to his arm. Then the murderer smiled, "It's not often someone surprises me. But I do believe, you just offered me one."

The Doctor finally walked away from Riddick, and moved to check on his sleeping sister. The Serial Killer looked at his arm, somewhat startled it was fixed so completely. Closing and opening his fist to test it. Book found himself a good deal surprised as well. The kid wasn't lying about being top of his class. Repairing mods wasn't exactly easy.

Mal scuffed, "You live by my rule, refrain from killing people without my okay. You would maybe find a place here."

Riddick studied him a moment as his "Sister" bounced excitedly... still he didn't look convinced. "I imagine your personal companion already filled you in."

Mal stiffened, it wasn't much but it was enough for Riddick to pick up that he indeed liked the woman... but that nothing intimate was happening between them. Though he clearly felt offended Riddick thought he was paying her as his "Personal Companion"...

Riddick sighed, he really needed to stop toying with people so much, but he got a good deal of satisfaction out of it. Still this wasn't the time, "Your, lady friend," Riddick corrected, "No doubt told you my history... While I appreciate the offer, I doubt a boat like this would be the best place to raise a child..." his voice dropped so low Book nearly didn't hear the next bit, "Nor is this the best place for redemption."

Jack deflated.

Mal wasn't done, "It be a good place to learn a trade, I'd be willing to pay an apprentice 5% of every job. Each member of my crew would be expected to take the time to teach her their own speciality. Then, on my boat, Public Relations gets 10%."

Riddick smiled at the rather common running joke in the underworld. Calling common muscle 'Public Relations'. Not to mention those were actually pretty good paychecks for this kinda life. An cabin boys, and girls, usually made 3%, while muscle made 7%

Mal then said something unexpected, "But You're right on one thing, I ain't able to offer you redemption." Riddick looked up at that, as if he hadn't realized he said his last bit outloud. Regardless, Mal didn't let up. "But Ah can promise you, ain't nothing I have you do will add to your troubles. We might not be on the right side of the law, but we ain't pirates or needlessly killing those that ain't deserve it. You might not find redemption with us, but who knows, you just might find a way to rejoin the human race."

Riddick stiffened, whatever Mal just said was significant... but the Captain hadn't realized it... just one coincidence after another... there really was something divine about this meeting.

Riddick looked thoughtful... while Jack tugged at his arm, continuously begging.

After a few moments in thought, Riddick smirked, "I could give it a shot."

"Yes!" Jack cheered, excitedly.

"I still expect that money you owe me." Mal informed.

Riddick shrugged, "I can even show you to a good place to spend it. Their is a reliable ship yard set up, in orbit around Athens. They can do a full work up on your boat, maybe even add some weapons and grappler arms, if your interested."

"I ain't want the attention weapons bring down on a boat," Mal waved off, but regardless, he looked thoughtful, "Still, That you offering to share your connections?"

Riddick grinned, his usual predatory grin... it would have caused a lesser man to shudder... but not this captain, nor any member of his crew. Even the over excitable mechanic seemed unfazed by the expression. By the special level of hell, that girl didn't even seem to register it as anything abnormal at all. "I know people, some of them owe me favors, but most are too scared to deny me anything. So long as they get paid, they will see continued business with me as beneficial, to both their health and pocket book."

Mal nodded, "Could always use new contacts, but if that training of yours, senses even the smallest thing off, I'd appreciate a heads up."

Riddick nodded.

The Captain nodded, then turned to the Doctor, "What about you, Doc?"

The Doctor stiffened. "Pardon?"

"Got any contacts, helpful to my crew." Mal elaborated.

Simon eyed him, "I burned all my bridges to get my sister out... even the freedom fighters, that got her out for me, made it clear they don't want me to contact them again."

"Too bad," Mal sighed, "I wouldn't have minded doing some jobs for them, provided they keep us out of their politic." The man turned, in started walking out of the infirmary, "Non combatants get paid 7%. Keep your sister from doing anything crazy, and if she's able, she can help Jack clean and fetch things for an apprentice wage."

"You're letting us stay here to?" Simon asked.

The Captain stopped, looking over his shoulder, "Did I not make that clear?" he eyed the young man, "Like you said, ya burned all your bridges. Ya'll ain't got no where to go. Sides that, it probably be best for ya ta stay on the move. And Serenity ain't never stop moving... think about it..." He looked back at Riddick, "When you're feeling up to it, Find Zoey. She'll talk you through wiring us your credits, then transfer some back to you and the rest of the crew, based on your percentage. I shouldn't have ta say I want your full bounty." Mal heard about Riddick 'dying' in the public news wave, and could take an educated guess on who that went to.

"Wasting time bringing it up," Riddick agreed. "Though I appreciate you letting me keep some."

Mal nodded, then started walking again, "Preacher, with me." he said once he was out of the room.

The Captain left the group, with Book following him into the cargo bay. "What we gonna do about you, Shepard?" Mal asked. "We can't risk you wandering out in the Verse, when ya'll know our ship got three high priority fugitives... Suppose I use part of the funds Riddick sends me, to make a sizable donation."

Book tried not to be offended... especially considering most preachers were corrupt enough to take that offer. "I have a better idea."

"Do you now?" Mal eyed.

"I left the abbey in order to see the Verse," Book explained. "Maybe do some good along the way. You let me stay, and I'll continue to pay you a monthly check. Plus I could potentially talk other abbey's down in price, if you ever feel like buying your crew a treat of real food instead of flavored protein packs."

Mal look thoughtful... that dinner the Shepard had brought onboard had been nice. It had been years since he had eaten real vegetables and meats.

"Counter proposal." Mal eyed, realizing he was pushing it, but there was no rutting way he could tolerate a preacher living on his boat without some pretty beautiful compensation. "You're rent will be 100 credits a month, which will go to maintain the ship, and YOU provide a nice dinner, like last night, for ma crew, as often as you pay rent."

Book smiled, "I think I can manage that."

Mal nodded, then couldn't resist asking, "There a reason you want to stay on my boat so bad?" as he was starting to grow suspicious. After all, it cost a pretty penny to get real food that regularly.

Book shrugged, "The Verse's most infamous serial killer, is looking to repent for his crimes... Any half decent man of God would seek to help him."

Mal snorted, "Yeah, I imagine that would win you some brownie points towards your heaven." Book frowned hearing his religious beliefs being so casually dismissed. "So long as you don't push him far enough to kill ya, I ain't got a problem with ya attempting to 'save his soul'." Mal waved him off. Though he didn't sound like he believed such a thing was possible... maybe there was more then one soul to save on this boat.

The preacher was well aware it was not possible to save his own soul, before he was condemned to hell for his assortment of sins... but that didn't stop him from wanting to do some good before he died... hoping it would clean up some of the red in his ledger, while knowing doing anything good for selfish reasons couldn't win you a spot in heaven... still... he couldn't help himself from wanting it to be possible...

All Operatives have the mindset of damning their own souls, "For the greater good", being taught from a young age, that such a goal of a safer verse was worth it... still he couldn't help fearing for his soul due to all the horrible things he had done in the name of the "greater good".

Book knew he was a monster... but perhaps he could help others find salvation, instead of simply being deployed to eliminate threats to the Alliance. That is, after all, how most Operatives chose to spend their retirement... for those that make it there...