Jack eased the ship into the empty space dock and powered down. She was in orbit over Caledonia on the other side of the system from New Sao Paolo. The doors closed and she waited as atmosphere was established before deboarding. As she walked through the main hallway, she could see other ships moored through thick glass. Piles of tourists jostled their way past her, anxious to get to the many casinos planet-side. Jack stayed in step, lest she attract attention by lagging behind.
It was hard not to cry out when someone stepped on her toes, or shoved her. She had to reaccustom herself to pushing back, and giving evil looks. It had been a long time since she had passed herself off as a boy. Under better circumstances, it would take some time for her to get her rhythm back, but she didn't have that luxury.
She was hot, sweltering in fact under the layers of clothes she had put on. It had taken over an hour to bind her breasts. And they were itching now. She should have known better than to put the wool on first. Her hair was piled under a floppy hat. She had used Bacto-Bind- an adhesive made of antibacterial membranes usually applied to serious infections. It was the perfect base for a fake goatee, made from clippings of her hair. Three months dating an amateur actor had brought her that tidbit of knowledge. She strode 'carelessly' along as everyone headed for the shuttle to Caledonia.

Riddick turned over in his sleep. The worn sheet rustled against his skin, waking him up. It had been a long time since he had slept in an establishment that provided bed linen. He had done the vast majority of his sleeping on board the shuttle he and Jack had stolen, five years before. It was a rare treat to lie comfortably ensconced between a mattress and covers, no matter how lumpy. He didn't like it- it was as if it were robbing him of his most basic instincts. He rolled onto his back, staring at the recently repainted ceiling.
Jack was wily, he knew. She wouldn't come straight in. She would arrive completely unnoticed. At least she would if the potential he had seen five years ago had developed into anything. He was going about this all wrong. By the time she got to Sandy, it would be too late for him to intervene; Feds were everywhere. There were too many possibilities.
Riddick sat up and swung his powerful legs over the side of the bed. He pushed himself up and reached for his clothes, mentally reviewing all points of entry to the hotel lobby. He strapped his goggles on listening at the door for any sounds and stepped into the hallway. Then he slipped quietly downstairs to the rack holding an assortment of brochures.
Back upstairs, Riddick pored over the tourist guides. The Gray Line See And Do Cruise. Seven days, four stops. He read the destinations: Carovingen, Caledonia, Skulde, and New Sao Paolo. And here was the key; you could join the tour at any point before Skulde.
According to this, the next arriving Cruise would be tonight, at the Aero-Domino Terminal. He didn't have much time. He threw the other brochures away and gathered the few things he had with him. He stood at the door again, listening for any noise. Two voices in the hall alarmed him.
"I'm telling you, I saw him." voice number one insisted.
"You saw Richard Riddick, in this hotel? Today." Voice number two, asked suspiciously.
"I pay attention to wanted posters, and I know that was him. Goggles and everything. So, if it's him, do I get the reward?" Voice number one had changed in tone, sounding greedy and weak. Riddick backed away from the door and headed for the window. 'Fuck', he thought, 'this is not what I need right now'.
"We'll see if it's him, first. Then we'll see about any reward. Do you know which room it was?" voice two inquired. The voices were getting louder as they neared Riddicks' door. Riddick eased the window open and stepped onto the balcony. He closed it as quietly as he could. Thankfully, the wind was up to cover the noise.
He looked over the balcony; not seeing any agents below or in the courtyard, he climbed onto the rickety railing and slipped over the dura-crete divider into the balcony next door. He had known when he took the room it was a risky move. But at least it was after dark. That would give him the edge for the time being. He perched on the railing and stretched up to the base of the balcony above and pulled himself up, not making a sound.

Jack had purchased a camera, to take pictures. There were several other men on the cruise, doing the same thing, so she didn't stand out. Most of them, she could tell, were businessmen; having a little fun in between meetings and deals. They would send the pictures home to their wives, to be followed by exotic gifts upon their return home. It was all soÂ…middle class.
Jack strolled around a lake surrounded by lush vegetation trying to get a good picture. Jack had never been one for gambling, but she found the natural sights substituted nicely; she had never been anywhere this pretty before. She felt like an intruder.
Ten hours later, everyone boarded the Cruiser. Jack placed herself right behind a family to blend in. The next stop would be Skulde. They would stay there for a day and night, then proceed to New Sao Paolo two days after that. She just hoped Sandy wouldn't give up on her and sell what she needed to someone else.


James Liszka was not a happy man. He was tired from lack of sleep. His stomach was griping about the non- perishable food supplies he had been eating for the past week. He was seated in a small restaurant, talking with Adrian Peterson. He ate hungrily while Adrian gave his report.
"They think she got the ship from Xander, if that's what she was there for. I guess we'll never know, cuz' Xander's gone to ground. Nobody knows where he is. And I mean nobody. We've asked everyone we could think of. The word is he's left the system." Adrian paused to take a sip of water. James stopped chewing long enough to speak.
"Xander? On the run? Nope. Somebody's lyin'. He's still in the Caribbean System. He's got a pretty good crew though, so you still might not find him. What about Sandy?" he asked, resuming his eating. Adrian licked his lips.
"He says he saw Xander the day everything blew up, but not since then. Xander just came to get the money Sandy owed him. It was a lot from what I can tell. Like 10,000 Credits, or something. That's a lot of dough to carry if you don't plan on going anywhere. And where would he spend it? How? It doesn't make sense." Adrian snapped his fingers to get the waiters' attention. Eyeing James' plate, he ordered the same thing; fried farm pheasant with Soko mashed potatoes.
"At any rate, I asked Sandy if he's got any special orders, waiting for pickup. And he says no. But I also know he's got quite a stockpile. Now, don't get me wrong, Sandy doesn't sell to anybody. You gotta have an introduction, and at least two people have to vouch for you. Even then he still might not do business with you. But here's the funny thing." Adrian stopped talking as the waiter refilled their water glasses. James drained it, and the waiter poured more into his glass.
"So what you're telling me is, she probably got an intro from Xander. Who would second it?" he asked. Adrian smiled.
"She is your wife, James. That alone would get her in." Adrian stressed. James winced; it hadn't occurred to him.
"So how come more people don't know about it? If my name is so famous, why can't we find anything?" he asked in frustration. Adrian raised a hand in the air and let it fall.
"I know Sandy was in the military a long time back. Maybe it's some kind of Semper Fi thing goin' on there." He guessed. James stabbed at his salad. "What about the Albion Cartel. What's the word there?" James changed tacks, focusing on a different problem. Adrian sat straight up in his chair.
"That's what I was getting' at earlier. New Sao Paolo falls under their control, so Sandy has to give them a piece of his action, right? He didn't have the full amount this time, and he's been puttin' them off for days. Sandy is never late. So they've been sniffing around, They think he's stalling for us to move in. As far as they can tell, he's got mondo inventory, but he denies it, and they can't fuckin' find it." Adrian paused for effect.
"Plus, all these Feds are wandering around. They think we're going through him to set them up for a fall, so we can take their place. Which to tell you the truth isn't a bad plan, only they thought of it first. They think the whole thing with Jack was just to stir things up. They're fuckin' wiggin' out man. I wouldn't be surprised if they're gearing up for war." Adrian finished, proud of his intelligence network.
James had stopped eating, the food had lost its' flavor.
"We gotta set up a meeting with them now. Let them know we don't know what the fuck's goin' on. Plus…" James lapsed into silence, a startling revelation making him turn pale. Adrian leaned forward.
"What're you thinking?" Adrian asked.
"What if Jack is working with them? Think about it. She's the one person no one would suspect. She and Xander get things going, then when the time is right, and with Sandy's people, take over the whole fuckin' system. How do we know Sandy isn't trying to make HIS move?" James theorized. Adrian nearly swallowed his tongue.
"Don't get all depressed, Jimmy. This is all just speculation. Jack loves you. I can't see her pulling something like this. This could destroy everything you've worked for. Could be whatever she's doing has got nothin' to do with cartels. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Adrian saw James wasn't convinced by his hasty argument.
"She's sneaky. No way she's gonna intentionally smoke five cops. It's too obvious. Most likely she didn't mean to hit 'em. Think about it, Jimmy. They were under attack. She doesn't know what's going on, she just wants out. Jack is tough, but she's not stupid."
"Doesn't change the fact she's a cop killer." James insisted.
"Doesn't mean she's tryin' to set you up, either." Adrian countered.
"Doesn't change the fact that we don't know what the fuck she's doin' here." James snapped. Adrian shrugged.
"All I'm sayin' is give her the benefit of the doubt."
"I see your point." James stood up just as the waiter arrived with Adrians' food.
"I'm going for a swim. Set up a meeting with Mitchell and get back to me." Adrian watched until James was out of sight before reaching into his pocket for his comm-unit. He dialed and waited impatiently for someone to answer.
"We have a SERIOUS problem..."

Xander was getting worried. Jack had been gone too long. Even with federal surveillance, she should have contacted Sandy by now. He listened to the police radio for any reports about- so far there was nothing. He was slightly relieved. At least she knew how to cover her tracks. He just hoped she hadn't given up, or worse,had been killed.
He hated being holed up in the basement of Sandy's house. It was hot and moisture rolled down the walls; condensation from the heat of the day. Then his comm unit beeped. Picking it up, he remained silent as he brought the small receiver to his ear. A voice he recognized came through clearly.
"We have a SERIOUS problem…" Xander listened as Adrian explained what he and James had talked about. Xander tried to calm him down, but he was in a near panic, despite the fact that he was whispering.
"Everything will be fine. Most of this we expected, but we gotta find the girl. We don't need your boss sniffing around, digging up bones. Meet me in Whiteside tomorrow morning. I want to know what you talk about with Mitchell." Xander disconnected and stood up to stretch. Things could be a lot worse.

Jack wandered about the deck of the relatively small cruiser. In another day they would arrive at NSP, and she still didn't have any idea how she would contact Sandy. She ran her fingers along the fabric-lined walls of the ship. It was still early in the morning, and very few people were about. The halls were quiet, and the re-circulated air was cool.
Jack spent the day trying to think of a plan that didn't have some fatal flaw. She walked slowly to the main boarding area and into a shuttle. There were only two other people inside; one pilot and one passenger. Jack ignored them both. She spent the shuttle ride down to the planet staring through the window at the stars.

Adrian followed James into New Bombay Company Headquarters. Up the lift, and onto the top floor. James announced his appointment with S. Mitchell and gestured for Adrian to take a seat in the reception area. Adrian looked pleadingly at James, only to be rebuffed by an angry stare. He quickly took a seat by the air conditioner. He wouldn't get to hear the conversation. He would have to wheedle it out of James afterwards.
James walked through gunmetal gray doors into an office that might have been featured on the front page of Office Glory. The entire room was comprised of blended shades of beige and sand. The carpet was plush and soft. Two overstuffed sofas lined the opposing walls. The ceiling was a study in unobtrusive lighting. Following the gentle design in the carpet, James found himself looking across a desk made of Peruvian knotted Oak at the head of the Albion cartel. He extended his hand and introduced himself.
"My name is James Liszka. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this." He maintained eye contact and kept his voice low. He wanted to remain calm, and focused.
Sara Mitchell rose gracefully and shook his hand. After he had introduced himself, she led him to the nearest sofa and sat down.
"I think I may know what this is about. Hopefully we can sort this whole mess out." She murmured. She snapped her fingers and a small man appeared, carrying two drinks on a tray. She gave one to James, and sipped her own before relaxing on the soft upholstery.
Sara Mitchell was a small woman, tiny in fact. Henna tinted hair brushed the shoulders of a tailored suit. Her eyes were green and sharp, over a pointed nose and crooked mouth. Over all she had the appearance of some sort of predator. No amount of gracious courtesy would change the fact that this woman was rumored to be the right hand of Satan himself. James cleared his throat.
"I don't really know where to begin. So I'll start with what we all know. My wife was with Xander Leland when the police hit his shop. We know she capped five cops while she was there. We don't exactly know what she was doing there. I mean, we know she got a ship, but that's all we know. Now, let me go back to the beginning." James tilted his head back and finished his drink.
"About two weeks ago, she went on vacation, on Cronus Cruise Lines. Nine days later, I come home to find federal agents waiting for me in my own house, telling me she's stolen a ship and killed five of New Sao Paolos' finest. So now I'm here. I want to assure you that what ever it is Jack is doing, has nothing to do with you. We don't know what she is doing, but we're pretty sure it's unrelated..."
"This worries you." Sara interrupted him. James harrumphed.
"Yes it does. I don't know what she's gotten herself into, but it's totally out of control." He looked around for someplace to put his empty glass.
"Would you like another drink?" Sara offered.
"Actually, I'd like some water." He replied. The small man reappeared with the tray, taking James' glass and handing him a tall glass of ice water. James thanked Sara and took a few cooling gulps to calm his nerves.
"I know this all sounds a little crazy. But if the police find her, she's dead. If the feds find her, she goes to trial, then she's dead. I want to find her first." James exhaled and waited for a response. It was slow in coming.
"You're right. It is hard for me to believe that you wouldn't have any knowledge of what your better half is up to. You stand to gain a lot if we fall." She pointed out. James rubbed his burning eyes. He had been too long without sleep.
"Not really. I don't have the manpower for the kind of maintenance that would require. I don't have the resources."
"Who do you think she's working for?" Sara inquired.
"We don't exactly know. At first we thought she went in undercover for the police, and the ship was her payment. Then we thought someone had sent her to the police, and the ship was payment. But none of that really makes sense," he stalled for a moment to fabricate the rest of this lie, "because Xander and his bunch like to fight more than they like to breathe. There would have been no guarantee that she would get away at all, let alone with a ship no one knew about."
"So you think she was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Sara ventured.
"Yeah. We figure she's gotta make contact with Sandy Davidovich for supplies. So we're focusing our attention on him."
"Why Sandy? Why not someone else?"
"I don't think she knows anyone else. If anything, Xander probably set it up." James replied.
"That makes sense." Sara leaned back, sinking into the plush sofa." Tell you what. If we can't find anything that goes against what you're saying, we'll help you find her. Otherwise, your best hope will be that the feds find her first. Do we have an understanding?" she held up her hand to shake his. He readily accepted it.
"That's all I'm asking for, is the benefit of the doubt. I know how this looks, but I really appreciate it." He rose when she did and followed her to the doors.
"Thank you for taking time out of your day."
"I want to get this resolved just as much as you do. Good luck." Sara closed the door behind him.
Adrian stood up when James came out.
"Well?" he inquired.
"I think we're ok- they're gonna look into it themselves." James wiped his damp, shaky hands on his jacket. It was a wonder Mitchell hadn't cringed when she shook his hand. He was too relieved to be embarrassed.
"So, they're gonna look for her too." Adrian guessed.
"No, they're gonna do some digging. They've got all the sources here. Depending on what they find, then they'll look for her." James started for the lift. Adrian pressed the down button.
"So, if it turns out she's not part of this…then what?" he asked.
"Let's worry about right now what. We just gotta wait. Not much else we can do." The doors opened and both men stepped in. James pressed the button for the bottom floor and the car immediately dropped.
"I've been thinking. It's possible Jack may come in a round-a-bout way. You mind if I take a couple of days and see if this pans out?" Adrian suggested.
"You got one day." James readily answered.
"Maybe we'll get lucky." Adrian tried to cheer his boss up.
"We'll be lucky if we don't all get killed." James exhaled.

Adrian stepped off of the transport and immediately boarded a shuttle skiff for Whiteside. He had always liked Skulde. The weather was perfect, and the tropical setting always soothed his nerves. Today though, he would have to let passing through suffice. Still, he let his eyes linger on the beauty of the surrounding paradise.
When he got there, Xander was waiting for him.
"Ok, big man. Whatta we do now?" he asked almost as soon as Xander was within earshot.
"How 'bout keeping your fucking voice down, to start!" Xander snapped. Adrian gave him the finger.
"Fuck you too! I thought she was supposed to be in and out."
"She was."
Then what the fuck happened?"
"She must have holed up somewhere, what the fuck do you think?"
"Everyone's getting' nervous. I still don't see how she's the lynch pin in all of this." Adrian was still unclear on Xanders' 'master' plan.
"To get James involved. Without him, there's no 'secret enemy'." Xander sat on his hands to keep from hitting Adrian, How the man could be as smart as he was and still be dumb as a post, he didn't know.
"OH! So you WANT Mitchell to think James is moving in on Albion turf. I get it. So he goes to ensure peace, which just makes him look more guilty."
"Yeah. Why do you think I gave her my best ship?"
"How're you gonna get it back?"
"I'm one of the only two connections she's got in this system, and Sandys' under heavy surveillance. She'll have to come to me. In the ship, I might add. Then we can do some real damage." James smirked with confidence.
"And everyone'll think it was her?" Adrian was confused.
"They won't know who it is." James pointed out. "By the time they figure it out, there won't be anything they can do."
"But everyone knows you've got something to do with it." Adrian insisted.
"No, they think I have something to do with it, and that's being remedied even as we speak." James pulled out a data pad and showed it to Adrian. Adrian scrolled through the police report and whistled. There, in startling color was a picture of Xanders' corpse being examined by a forensics officer. There was blood everywhere.
"That Jacob?" Adrian asked.
"Yep." Xander said without emotion.
"Guess you never got over that anti-war rally, huh?" Adrian faked a chuckle.
"Nope."
"Wait a minute, You killed your own brother cuz' of something that happened ten years ago?"
"No, I killed him for his identity. He lives on the other side of the galaxy. Nobody here even knows he exists." He explained. Adrian studied the picture trying not to be sick.
"You guys coulda been twins."
"We were." Xander took the pad out of Adrian's hand.
"We have to find her, Adrian. I don't have to tell you what'll happen if we don't." he warned. Adrian stood still as Xander walked away. It occurred to him that Xander was too open mouthed about his plans, which meant he probably wouldn't live to see his share of the pie once this was over and done with. He numbly turned around and hailed a jonny-cab.

When he got back to Skulde, he was too shaken to get on the first transport out. He decided to stop in a local bar for a drink. There was one a couple of blocks away from the main tour staging area. Normally he would have avoided such a crowded place, but this time the tourists gave him a semblance of comfort.
He walked into the bar and looked around the place. Everyone around looked harmless enough. He approached the bar and ordered a vodka double. While he waited, a man approached the bar and nodded to him. He nodded back, not entirely sure what this guy wanted. He was startled when the man sat on the stool next to him and leaned close
"How's it goin' Adrian?" he asked. Adrian blinked a few times.
"Huh?" he asked. "I don't know you, pal."
"Yes, you do Adrian." The voice was low, but this time Adrian recognized it.
"Jack!" He hissed. "Boy, am I glad to see you! Do you have any idea the trouble you've started?" Jack shrugged and cleared her throat and rasped;
"I'll have what he's having." The bartender brought her a drink. She paid him with loose credits.
"That's why I'm glad to see you too." She whispered. "I need a favor." She fell silent when the bartender came close to get a drink for another customer. When the transaction was done, Adrian spoke up.
"Anything. You name it." Adrian was hunched forward. He could hardly believe his luck.
"I need you to get in contact with someone for me." She confided.
"Let me guess: Sandy Davidovich." Adrian supplied. Jack jerked back in surprise.
"Is it that fucking obvious?" she squeaked. She glanced around to make sure no one had noticed.
"Uh, YEAH!" Adrian guffawed. "James is freaking out, you know." Jack slumped.
"I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It just got out of control. I didn't mean to kill those guys!" She added.
"Oh, good, that should go over well with the judge at your trial." Adrian chided. Jack flashed him an angry look.
"I'd love to help you right now. But first, we gotta get you back to James. He's worried sick." He informed her.
"No. Can't you just do what I ask you?" she pleaded.
"He's my boss, Jack. It wouldn't be right to let you slip right through my fingers. What would I tell him?" he reasoned.
"Why do you have to tell him at all?"; she demanded.
"Uh, that's my fuckin' job?" Adrian retorted.
"Listen; I have something else I have to do first. Besides, it's not like I can ever go home again. I'm on the most wanted list now. So I don't see the harm." She argued.
"You have a point." Adrian conceded. "Alright. I'll do this; Xander is nearby. He can get a message to Sandy. We arrange a new meeting time and place, and everything is good." He suggested. Jack shook her head.
"Alright. That'll work."
"How did you get here?" he asked.
"Gray Line."
"The See And Do Tour. I know it well." Adrian quipped. "You stay here while I go make the call. I don't want these yutzes to hear." Adrian left the bar and headed for a quiet spot outside. He was in a quandary. He didn't know who to call first. His fingers chose Xander. He didn't see Jack sneak out after him.
"I got good news, I got a line on her. You got transportation? Take a shuttle and meet me at the Gray Line Boarding Gate at the Aero-Dominus Terminal at ten thirty tonight. See you then." Adrian then dialed James.
"Yeah, James! I think I've got something. I'm gonna hang around a little while longer and see what pans outÂ…yeah I'll let you know. Alright buddy." He disconnected and walked back into the bar.
Jack stayed where she was until she couldn't hear his footsteps any longer. Then she went in through the back door. When she got back to the table she pretended she had been to the ladies room.
"Everything set?" she asked.
"All set."He ordered two vodkas and raised a toast. Jack cocked an eyebrow.
"What's that for?" She asked
"I'm just glad I found you." He replied. He leaned in and whispered, "You still got the gun?" he asked. Jack sipped her drink and nodded emphatically.
"Nope. I ditched it first chance I got." She lied. Adrian looked disappointed, but shrugged it off. Jack finished her drink and set her glass on the bar.
"Wait five minutes, then come to cabin 2005, Glasgow Deck." She instructed. Adrian gave a mock salute.
Jack strolled out of the bar at an easy pace. Once she had rounded the corner, she broke into a jog. Something about Adrians' two calls had a bad vibe. When she got to the shuttle, she stopped running and forced herself to walk on board. The hatch closed and five minutes later she got off on board the Cruise ship. She took the most direct route to her room and threw the door open as soon as it was unlocked. She snatched her tote bag from under the bed and backed out of the room before the door had closed. She locked the door and headed for the dining room.
There was a public lavatory on the far end. It was lunchtime, and the room was crowded. She walked along the wall and slipped in unnoticed. Once inside, she stepped into a stall and peeled off the top layers of clothes and strapped on her harness. She loaded a clip into the gun and holstered it. She put her shirts back on, filling the pockets with spare clips. By the time she was fully dressed again, she was several pounds heavier than she was before. She came out of the stall and looked in the mirror. The clothes hid the gun well.
Jack came out and skimmed the wall until she got the hall. She ran back to her room and flung the door open. After glancing around to make sure no one was around, she went inside. She dropped the bag and kicked it underneath the bed. Less than a minute later there was a knock on the door. She stabilized her breathing and wiped the beads of perspiration from her forehead. Then she opened the door and let Adrian in.

Part 4
Pitch Black Index