Darkness Leads the Way

Chapter 2

Betrayal and Darkness

By Chaosdreamer

A Chronicles of Riddick fanfic
Pairing: Slash Riddick/Vaako
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to Pitch Black or Chronicles of Riddick. They belong to David Twohy and Universal Studios. *Pity*
Summary: Next chapter that I had sudden inspiration to do.
I'm sorry when I said this would be the epilogue. I had sudden inspiration and
am deciding to make this fic even longer, as well as tying in the first Riddick
movie with I hope, major success.
Please be gentle and I hope you enjoy this fic. I haven't come across a similar
idea such as this, so I hope it's at least a little bit original.
Warning: Language, harshness. There will be violence and gore, so be warned.

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"It is time that the breeder be promoted to Full-Dead." Dame Vaako hissed softly to her husband, small hands grasping at her husband's darkly clothed forearm, as if trying to keep the man by her side, especially after she had almost dragged him into the secluded walkway in order to talk to him in private.

In her own mind Dame Vaako thought that her revenge was worthwhile and just. Here she was, cast aside, away from the proud and illustrious position as Lady of the Lord Marshall. Replaced by her husband. She nearly cursed loudly at the thought of the Lord Marshall wanting to fuck her husband, while there was already someone more beautiful and perfect right here in front of him.

The Lord Marshall was blind. Too blind to lead them. While Dame Vaako did not trust her husband, she knew that one she had him under her control, then she would rule the Necromonger elite, just as she rightfully deserved.

"Stop this right now, unless you wish to bring his wrath down upon us, Dame Vaako." Cylus Vaako warned, lips thinned with well-controlled frustration, his voice low so as not to draw further attention to where they stood.

"It wasn't meant to be him on the throne! He is a disgrace to the Necromonger faith!" Dame Vaako calmed herself visibly, eyes losing their widened intensity, laying a slim manicured hand against her husband's pale cheek, looking up into his somber dark gaze, "Lord Vaako is a more powerful name than Lord Riddick."

Vaako sighed, lifting his free hand to remove his wife's smaller one, tired of all her scheming, "He may not be the best, but he is what we have." He will lead us to something far grander than our last Lord Marshall. " We have grown soft, arrogant. It was our time to learn that we are not the deadliest of the species."

"Do it for the faith, Vaako! Look at what he has done to us! We are no longer wiping out all humans who are not Necromongers. We only invade in order to steal supplies and food. He has made us no better than thieves."

"Why don't you just tell the real reason why you are outraged by the Lord Marshall's decree of raiding planets?" Met with his wife's silent yet sullen stare he continued, "What upsets you about this change is that you no longer have as many baubles and shiny trinkets to carry upon your various garments."

"Such things befit me, husband. I only ask for what I deserve." She paused, finally adding as an afterthought, "And what we deserve."

"I tire of this." Vaako murmured, turning his back to Dame Vaako with ill-contained frustration.

"And I tire of how you fail to seize the opportunity that is right in front of you!" Dame Vaako complained, loud enough for anyone close by to hear. "The breeder's guard is low, he does not see any of us as a threat. Strike now when he least expects it, and everything will be ours."

"Have you ever thought that perhaps I do not care?" Vaako raised a dark eyebrow at his wife's apparent shock and horror.

"Why not?" She demanded.

"The real question is, why?" Vaako sighed, clearly reading the disbelief in his wife's eyes, "I do not yearn for the position of Lord Marshall. I am quite content to follow a leader who is strong in body and mind. I would assume that you would agree with me that Lord Riddick fits those criteria quite well."

"You're a liar if you say you have not thought at least once of the allure of attaining the position as Lord Marshall." Dame Vaako interrogated.

"True. It does have certain allure. Lord Marshall of the Necromongers." But giving into ego from such a rank would be my downfall.

Dame Vaako scoffed in a certainly unladylike manner, "He is only strong because of his history as a convicted murder-"

"Others would call the Necromongers the exact same thing." Vaako interrupted.

His wife continued on as if not hearing him, "He has also traveled to the Threshold, but you, me, and the rest of the Necromonger elite know that while he did enter and return from the Threshold, he was not given the same illustrious power like the late Lord Marshall. So then, dear husband, Riddick is strong, but is he strong enough to lead such a powerful race as the Necromongers?"

Vaako remained silently, digesting her words. It was true that Riddick had endured the same trial of traveling to the Threshold like every previous Lord Marshall. However, unlike his predecessors, he had not walked back onto the ship basking in the unimaginable glory and powerful form of a Holy Half-Dead.

But look at where the power of a Half-Dead has left our previous Lord Marshall. Vaako thought silently. A sharp hiss of surprise drew his attention, and he realized with half-surprise that he had spoken out loud.

"Your treasonous words could be the end of us!" Dame Vaako said with ill-hidden fury.

"Actually…" A new voice broke in from the shadows at Dame Vaako's back.

Vaako was shocked to find a shiver pass up his spine at the deep familiar voice, ice settling in his stomach, the sensation of fear a bitter tang in his mouth.

Riddick leaned forward out of the shadows, resting his chin on top of Dame Vaako's head, pupils shining in the dark as they pierced Vaako in place with an unmoving stare.

"I think you're both already in deep shit."

"L-Lord Marshall…" Dame stuttered, voice broken and face pale and sweating.

"My lord, it is not as you think-" Vaako began in earnest.

He gasped as Riddick suddenly appeared in front of him, a large hand tangling through his hair, forcing his head back to meet the immovable hot glare.

"Don't you dare beg. You have no right for mercy. I don't take kindly to back-stabbers." Riddick warned.

Vaako flinched, the stinging in his scalp mute to the shame from Riddick's angry tone. "If you would just listen-"

"Too late. You should have considered the price before you betrayed me." Riddick sighed suddenly, shoulders dropping as if bearing an invisible burden, "Was the position worth so much that you were willing to whore yourself out just like your wife?"

"I am not some breeder whore!" Dame Vaako hissed.

"No! It wasn't like that!" Vaako argued, one hand clutching at Riddick's wrist at the back of his head, not trying to remove it, but hoping the physical contact would jolt Riddick out of his rage.

"Why is it I don't believe either of you." It wasn't a question, more like an old fact, apparently something that failed to surprise Riddick, but the disappointment was evident in his voice.


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Vaako muffled the small grunt of discomfort as he was shoved to his knees before the steps rising to the Lord Marshall's seat, head bowed and long tail of hair falling over his shoulder. Over his shoulder he could hear the distinct sound of his wife nearly spitting her rage at the two soldiers that roughly held her by her arms, forcing Dame Vaako into the undignified kneeling position similar to her husband.

"My Lord, please listen…" Vaako began, cringing at the pleading tone in his voice, but hastily wanting to correct the wrong ideas spinning in the Lord Marshall's head.

"Shut the fuck up." Riddick snarled. "I don't take kindly to those who want to stab me in the back."

"Please listen-" Vaako pleaded.

"SHUT UP!" Riddick roared, body physically lifted by the force of his bellow, falling back into his seat after his outburst.

It is hopeless. Vaako's mind whispered in defeat.

Riddick sat in his throne, legs spread wide, fist propped against his temple as he regarded the two through the flat darkness of his goggles, one hand handing idly near the head of one of his Hellhounds. "I can't say I'm surprised." Was all Riddick offered to say to them, the lack of words frigid and heavy, the rest of the Necromonger elite hanging far back from the traitors, murmuring softly and trying to remain as still as statues as they awaited their Lord Marshall's decision.

Riddick finally rose, in one swift motion, as if weightless to his feet. Taking the steps slowly two steps at a time he circled first around Vaako, looking down at the kneeling Commander, Vaako keeping his head bowed and eyes turned away. Moving away from the silent soldier Riddick moved to stand in front of Dame Vaako, one hand raising to brush his fingers along her face in a seemingly soft and tender manner, "You both seem to crave the position of the top of the food chain among the Necromongers." With viper-like speed Riddick's hand moved, grabbing Dame Vaako by the long tail of her hair, forcing her head back, "Neither of you know the true meaning of what it's like to fight for every breath, to try and make sure that the ground won't be stained with your own blood." Riddick tilted his head, birdlike as Dame Vaako twitched and writhed to try to pull out of his strong grip, "Have either of you ever felt real fear, or even tasted your own blood?" Not waiting for the woman to answer Riddick struck, smashing his mouth against Dame Vaako's, the woman's soft cry muffled by a squeak of pain, her eyes widening as blood trickled from between their almost completely sealed lips, shoulders twisting as she tried to pull back from the pain and lack of air.

When Riddick finally tore his mouth away his lips and teeth were red and Dame Vaako gasped unsteadily, small trickles of crimson escaping from the raw wounds on her bruised lips.

"I think I'll let you meet some creatures that are the top of their food chain."

"My Lord?" Vaako asked softly, not understanding, but a thin bitterly cold tendril of fear settling deep in his stomach. If there was such beasts that had gained such frigid respect from the man, then Vaako had every reason to fear for his continued existence.

Riddick continued on as if not hearing him, "A long time ago, a few people and I crashed onto a supposedly uninhabited planet. We soon learned it was far from uninhabited, the residents only able to come out when it was dark. Just our luck that a complete solar eclipse occurred while we were planet-bound, and the residents were eager to have us for dinner." He chuckled at his own joke, "I won't waste time explaining how we escaped, but a couple years back I managed to find the exact location of that planet."

Vaako stiffened as he felt Riddick crouched down behind him, his long dark hair blocking his view as Riddick whispered his last words into his ear, "They'll be having company again very soon."

"What does this prove?!" Dame Vaako demanded, finally stopping her futile efforts to wipe the blood away from her mouth.

"I'll make an example of the both of you. A swift death for traitors is too merciful." Riddick informed, "I want you both to fight for your lives, for your very next breath, and wait as realization finally comes that neither of you will fucking survive, no matter how great or powerful you believe you are."

"You would deny us the Underverse?!" Dame shrieked, the numerous masses of the Necromonger elite gasping and shuddering at the thought of being damned from the great realm of the Underverse, what they all strove so hard to attain.

"Not just that. I'll deny you hope." Leaving those cryptic words Riddick barked an order for the husband and wife to be placed in proper holding facilities until they arrived at their destination.

Dame Vaako screamed and shrieked like a banshee as she was dragged away, bruises rising on her smooth flesh as the soldiers roughly dragged her to the prison ward. Vaako offered no resistance, and noted that the soldiers leading him to his cell were less cruel in their handling, almost seeming to pity their previous First Among Commanders, soon to be damned from the Necromonger faith, and damned from the great Underverse.


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It took almost three days, from Vaako's estimations, to reach viewing distance of Riddick's 'dark planet'. Although he couldn't be too sure, since he had been locked away in a dark solitary window-less cell, with barely any room other than to sit on the floor next to the urinal. His armor allowed him no comfort as he tried to gain at least a few hours of sleep. He vaguely wondered if his wife was faring any better on their plain and meager meals, or sleeping comfortably in her skin-tight dress that allowed no protection from the frigid coolness of the floor to ceiling metal paneling.

Vaako heard the heavy clank before the door began to slide open, shielding his eyes from the painful glare of the light, eyes nearly screaming from the sheer brightness. His very skin seemed to shriek in agony from the immense amount of light, pale skin somehow more sensitive to the burning rays.

"Get up." The nameless soldier ordered, barely allowing Vaako enough time to gain his footing, dragging the Commander down numerous hallways until they finally reached the part of the ship that contained the smallest ships and ground-traveling vehicles. The Lord Marshall and several other Commanders waited in silence as Vaako was forced to a halt in front of them, Vaako not surprised to find his wife already there, her clothing in a poor state, hair matted and stiff, looking no better than his own, probably.

"How far?" Riddick ordered.

One of the techs looked up from the small hand-sized screen, "We are hovering several hundred feet above the ground. Thrusters are at full capacity, keeping up level, and the ships exterior lights are at one hundred percent. The creatures are hovering exactly twenty feet from outside the outermost rim of the lights, but they haven't dared to attack after that first strike."

Riddick nodded in approval, turning back to the two traitors. He motioned with one hand to two large long metal boxes that had been situated behind him. The soldier who had dragged Vaako to the hanger opened the two boxes, revealing an array of weapons, from small throwing knives to their most efficient guns. The other box contained several variations of flares and hand-held flashlights.

"I suggest you use these well." Riddick warned. "You'll be needing them." He appeared to contemplate the two with a brief period of silence, "Any last words?"

"Filthy breeder." Dame Vaako hissed in disgust, hoping her barbs sunk deep into the Lord Marshall's skin. Riddick didn't even appear fazed.

Vaako stared back at the Lord Marshall for a moment, feeling so very tired, so much that his body seemed to ache, "I'm sorry." He finally said.

"Apologizing?" Riddick asked, something akin to disgust clear in his tone of voice.

"No." Vaako informed him quietly, "I'm sorry that you never bothered to listen and hear the truth."

Riddick's body stiffened, his anger obvious even through his goggles. "I don't need to waste my time listening to a back-stabber. I've dealt with enough of them. Trying to whore yourself out to try to get close to me, not very original. If I had wanted that, I would have fucked you or your wife sooner."

Those words hurt Vaako, and he felt disgusted as his human emotions. It was foolish of me not to continue the Purification. I have allowed myself to become so weak, allowing myself idiotic dreams. And now we shall both die without the honor of passing into the Underverse.

"Don't either of you fucking move." Riddick warned, moving away from the two, the commanders and techs following, leaving the two open boxes in front of Vaako and his wife, two soldiers at their back with their large axes drawn and aimed at their back.

The large hangar doors set into the floor slowly began to open, wind and dust flying through the growing opening and whistling and howling through the hangar. The metal boxes shifting and sliding down, falling through the widening crack, Vaako guessing they were some twenty feet or so above the ground, the ship hovering effortlessly, not affected by the planet's gravity or dangerously close proximity to the planet's desert floor or the hovering predators that circled along the wide spread of light that covered the entire ship.

Vaako could just barely see the two metal cases with several items spread out across the desert floor, dust and sand kicked up and spinning around from the high winds that the ship kicked up, the roar of the powerful engines and wind nearly deafening him.

He could also barely make out the long swift shadows along the light's edge, seeing sharp teeth and long wicked talon-like fingers and blades that shot out from the creatures' wrists. The beasts danced and wove along the light's edge, seeming to taunt the two of them.

Death grinning at them with eager delight.

Vaako jumped at the sound of two loud pops from behind, numbly watching as several bright flares were tossed out to land roughly around the two metal boxes.

The axe blades dug into their backs, shoving them forward so that they were dangerously close to the edge of the hangar doors.

Vaako turned his head, hair whipping around his face, taking one long and final look at the Lord Marshall, just barely hearing the man's words over the roaring that filled his ears.

"Enjoy your stay."

With those final words the axes dug further into their backs, prodding them forward, and Vaako and his wife fell, landing in a dusty heap between the bright flares, pain spiking through his legs at their rough landing.

Vaako covered his head to shield his face and eyes from the biting sting of the sand whipping around them, barely making out the ship slowly but steady rising high above them, the hangar doors sealing shut with a loud ringing finality, the roar of the engines and thrusters slowly fading away as the ship began to rise up into the planet's lower level of atmosphere.

"Don't leave us here!!!" Dame Vaako screamed after the ship, her words useless and lost over the roar of the disappearing ship.

So that's it. So simple and final. Vaako thought numbly, watching as their last hope of escaping fading away to become just another bright speck in space.

The unfamiliar clicking and whooping sounds of some large beasts were like some sort of dark melody, sand rustling and the air whistling as creatures swooping and danced around the fading light, scenting the fresh meat that had fallen right into their territory.

Such a lovely meal indeed.

"Vaako!!" Dame Vaako's voice snapped him out of his trance, tearing his view away from the ship, his wife frantically digging into the boxes, trying to salvage what they could, the flares beginning to sputter and dim.

The trilling whoops and clicking of the creatures began to increase as their light source began to shrink.

Vaako moved quickly to help, grabbing several fresh flares, throwing the newly burning flares to allow them more light and more time. Loud numerous shrieks of pain greeted the fresh burst of light, Vaako watching in awe as a large cloud of beast, as small as his hand to three times as large as his entire body rose up into the air or scattered, their very skin scorched by the light. They hissed and spat at the barrier that separated them from their meal, watching and waiting, stretching gnarled talon hands forward just outside of the light's reach, fingers twitching along the light's edge, reaching for they prey that alluded them.

Dame Vaako was attempting to load herself with as many weapons as she could grab, too many for her slight body to carry, let alone allow her to stand. Judging by the way she was trembling and from the bright gleam in her eyes, Vaako was certain that his wife would soon grow mad from fear.

He wasn't too certain if his fate wouldn't be the same.

If he wasn't already dead by then.

"Wait." Vaako ordered, grabbing her twitching hands, faintly noting the small shivers and the clamminess of her skin. "Take only the guns. Take light as well."

Relieving her of the many blades Vaako allowed himself to slide several of the longer, forearm length blades into the sheaths on his thighs, as well as several flares underneath the armor at his hips, making sure they were snug within the belt of his armor. He hesitated before moving away from the small array of guns before moving over to the large ceremonial axe, the same design as the one he had used against the late Lord Marshall.

The past is dead. You'll be dead too if you don't stop daydreaming.

Grabbing two of the shoulder harnesses that had lights built into all sides that allowed for light in front of him and back Vaako slid the larger one over his armor, helping his wife put on the other, the lights making them appear ghostlike within the choking thick darkness that was slowly stalking closer to them, their second pair of flares beginning to sputter and die.

Vaako grabbed as much light as he could that wouldn't weigh him down further or hinder his movements, finally deciding to abandon the rest, too much weight that they dare not drag with them. Dame Vaako looked almost comically small with the large gun clasped tightly to her chest, her knuckles white as she gripped the large handle of the gun, somehow managing to force several of the smaller flashlights into the almost invisible folds of her dress.

"We're wasting light." Vaako said finally, his voice shockingly loud, the whoops of the creatures increasing dramatically at the sound of his voice, "We need to move."

"And where to, my husband?" Dame Vaako asked coldly. "Do you know anyplace that is safe?"

"Anywhere but here. Now go."

"Why should I-"

"Go damn you, or I will leave you here." Vaako warned.

Dame Vaako swallowed whatever words she wished to say, finally following her husband as he trudged forward in some unknown direction, not wishing to be left behind to the increasing sound of the beasts that began to close in.


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It took them at least half a day to reach wreckage from what appeared to have been a cargo ship and its cargo, long coated over with dust and several gnawed skeletons of large and small creatures, as well as what Vaako deduced to be fecal matter.

His legs were stiff and shoulders sore from the weight of the gear and such long travel, the armor not meant for long distance walking. Dame Vaako had managed to stay on her feet by sheer will, although Vaako had been forced to use his knife to rip open the sides of her dress from thigh to ankle so that she could move more quickly and without having to take such small measured steps.

After carefully sliding open the bent heavy doors and making sure it was clear they slid inside, moving quickly and locating the thickest and less damaged area of the ship, holing themselves inside to regain their strength. They unanimously voted not to even bother to try to find any sort of food, dried rations either completely destroyed, already eaten, or probably not even there. Vaako knew that he wouldn't have been able to swallow any sort of food, too sick from nerves and lack of water to attempt any food.

Dame Vaako was huddled in the farthest corner away from the barricaded door, rocking minutely, muttering softly to herself. Vaako sat perpendicular to her, legs stretched out to try to relieve the stiffness from having traveled the distance they had. A halo of light surrounded them from the two harnesses resting between them.

"When will they be coming to get us?" Dame Vaako whispered, Vaako not certain if she was speaking to him or just speaking out loud.

"They're not coming back." Vaako replied.

"They'll come back?"

"No."

"They'll come back. They know that I'll be waiting for them." Dame Vaako continued listlessly, continuing to rock herself, "After all, they need me."

"Stop it. You're just rambling." Vaako hissed softly, trying to shush his wife as her voice grew louder and shriller.

"They won't leave me. They need me. I can't stay here! I don't belong here!!"

Vaako flinched at the low scuttling of claws that traveled outside the room from the ceiling. "Be quiet!" He ordered.

"No."

"Dame…"

"NO! I WON'T! CAN'T YOU HEAR THEM? CAN'T YOU HEAR THEM?!"

Vaako could hear it, the clacking from above louder and for insistent, spreading further to the walls, causing him to shift away in worry.

"They've come back. They've come back for me! I can hear them!!" With robotic slowness she forced herself to her feet, stumbling to the barricaded doors, hands lifting and clutching at the metal beams and other items, attempting to push them away.

Vaako cursed, rushing to his feet, grabbing his wife and yanking her away from the barricade, "Stop it! You'll let them in!"

"They've come back! They've come back for me! And they'll leave you hear to rot and die!!" She screamed, kicking and flailing against his unmoving hold as he dragged her away from the barricade.

"You've lost your mind, you stupid woman." He muttered in disgust, nearly throwing her to the ground, grabbing several long strands of wire and wrapping them tightly around her wrists, forcing her bound hands against her lower back.

Dame Vaako curled up on her side in a fetal position, bound and mad. "They'll come and set me free, they'll come and set me free." Her rambling continued on insistently, never ceasing, a constant buzzing sound grated on Vaako's nerves.

How long can I stay awake to keep an eye on her so that she won't doom us both?

And how long before I too perhaps go insane?


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Riddick was a still and silent as a carved statue, staring through the large nearly invisible viewing window. He stared at the canvas of space where almost seventy-two hours ago the dark planet he, Imam, and Jack had escaped, where the planet had been spinning slowly from between its cradle of neighboring planets that shielded it from its three surrounding suns. Allowing the predators on its surface to roam freely to devour anything that moved, including their own brethren.

Where two traitors waited for their fate. Kill or be killed.

Riddick's lips pulled back in a silent snarl, remembering the rage and betrayal that had filled him when he had determined that Vaako was as much as a schemer as his wife, just as willing to whore himself out to gain more power.

And to think he had actually begun to care for that bastard.

"….My lord…" A tech timidly stepped closer, cringing when the Lord Marshall's gaze flickered towards him, "…a-an Elemental by the name of Aereon is awaiting to speak to you over the comm link."

"…Fine." Riddick said finally, allowing the tech to scurry away, moving purposely towards the large screen and pressing several switches, Aereon's face soon appearing on the large screen with a background of a large library, her serene face greeting Riddick, voice strong and words flowing even with the small amount of static from such a long-distance communication.

"Leadership appears to suit you, my lord." She noted, humor lighting her dark eyes and pronouncing the deep lines of her face.

"You wouldn't bother to get in contact with me just because of that." Riddick pointed out coolly.

"You are wiser than most people believe." She commented.

"Get on with it, Aereon." Riddick warned.

Her eyes darkened visibly, "I have heard of your decision on how to deal with the two traitors Dame Vaako and her husband Cylus Vaako."

"New spreads fast."

"Yes. Especially when one of the party is innocent."

Riddick glowered at the Air Elemental, "You have not say in the matter."

"Vaako was a good man. Not blinded by the ideals of his faith, yet loyal to those he believed worthy of leading or worthy of being protected. You hastened to conclusions without considering what his words and actions truly meant."

"………"

"You have nothing to say, then?"

"You already speak of him as if he's already dead." Riddick replied.

"He will be. It doesn't matter to you probably that his mind will give out before his body. My companions and I have calculated and woven dreams to see the fate of your former Commander. And of your fate."

"And what do you see?" Riddick asked, feigning half-interest.

"You've given up a great man, and you shall feel the loss. You will become colder, harder, far worse than the last Lord Marshall could have ever been. Without a honestly loyal companion by your side, you might as well be a prisoner right back in a cell, because you will never escape the actions of your past."

"…What of Vaako." He asked finally, a small amount of doubt creeping in, remembering the small uncomfortable ache that had settled inside as he spoke harshly to Vaako just before dropping him into Hell with his bitch of a wife. The way Vaako had looked back at him, tired and defeated.

"I'm sorry that you never bothered to listen and hear the truth."

"Darkness, with the metallic scent of blood. He is alone, barely out of the demons' reach, but it is already too late. He is scared and in pain, wanting to die yet unable to step forward into the teeth and claws that wait for him."

Riddick's head was bowed slightly, hands fisted at his side, warring with the more primal and animalistic part of his consciousness that shouted for Vaako to be returned, demanding that the man be returned to his proper place at his side. Warring with the colder and more practical part that spat the man's name, telling him to never trust a back-stabber, a lesson that most fools didn't learn while locked away in cages with the worst criminals in the entire galaxy.

"So what will you decide then, Lord Marshall. Will you save Vaako, thus saving yourself as well? Or is it already too late?"

"You speak as if I've already made up my mind." Riddick grunted sourly.

"I already know what choice you'll make. I only hope that my calculations are wrong and that you'll make it in time."

Aereon didn't not stay any longer, cutting the transmission, leaving Riddick to consider his options.

Riddick's hands were fisted so tight at his sides that his nails broke through his skin and blood trickled from between his fingers.

Should I even bother? What if he just betrays me again? Am I willing to allow whatever humanity I have left to be trampled over?

"Fuck it. Just do it." He growled, nearly breaking the switches on the panel as he began to summon up the channels to order the ship to be turned around. "If he betrays me, I'll kill him with my own two hands."

But first I have to wait nearly three fucking days just to see him again.