Eric smiled and said, â€œjust call me Eric, no master if you please.â€ His face held nothing of the urgency or irritation he felt at not really getting anywhere with this guy. He leaned in some, as close as he dared and nodded his head at the mention of Thomas being an angry drunk. â€œI have faith youâ€™ll behave, you havenâ€™t had much to drink and besides weâ€™re all good people here right?â€ the sarcasm he had wanted to spout went away at the thought of loosing this guy. His emotions didnâ€™t show till Thomas mentioned his loneliness. It piqued Ericâ€™s curiosity for a moment when the thought about it and came up with the fact that it was most likely a bunch of bull. â€œIndeed it does, Iâ€™m sorry to hear that.â€ He said sympathetically.<br/><br/>He sighed and said, â€œyou just donâ€™t get it do you buddy, weâ€™re not going to harm you, weâ€™d like to be your first friends.â€ A smile spread across his face. It was forced and he hoped it looked sincere. He didnâ€™t want to lose Thomas because he wasnâ€™t being nice. â€œI wouldnâ€™t dream of hurting you any more than I have, to which I apologize for. Like you when youâ€™ve been drinking I can get angry. Most of the time it is about comrades killed but other times it is just so I can pick a fight.â€ He said when he heard footsteps coming their way.<br/><br/>--------------------<br/><br/>This was the last door they had to look in for this sector. Murdock had sent the guards away so he could deal with the two of them himself. It was irritating and he was already angry at the fact his guards whoâ€™d been watching Thomas were already dead. It would be too soon for him to retire. Rounding the corner he walked right into the room Kat and Eric were in with the prisoner. â€œI see we are having a gathering.â€ He said his voice lowered and lased with the anger he was feeling. â€œThere is no need for that Miss Katherine.â€ He said indicating her knife.  â€œYou two wait for me outside, I would like to have a chat with Mr. Thomas alone.â€ The pitch in his voice lowered again, and took on a character Eric had never heard before. It was slightly terrifying.<br/><br/>Standing up straight Eric saluted the captain, after the initial shock wore off and did as he was told but before he could take one step out the door Murdock said, â€œYou two had better not run off, I would hate to have to search for you again.â€ Without thinking twice Eric muttered a â€œyes sir,â€ and walked out positioning himself against the wall by the door.<br/><br/>Murdock waited for the two First Lieutenants to be out when he said, â€œThomas, you have given us a run for our money, killed some of my men, and made me look the fool.â€ He bore into Thomas with his eyes, un affected by the cockiness showing in the others. â€œI am only going to ask this once, politely. What do you know?â€ he paused then a grin spread across his face. â€œI know you were terrified of Riddick, do not try and deny it. There is one thing you have to ask yourselfâ€¦who was the one who taught him?â€