Over the next two months, Riddick and Eric were busy with getting all the equipment they would need, surveillance of the building, changing Riddick's file, and mostly, travel. Part of their crew was picked up at Parius. It was a pretty sleazy mining planet but the people they picked up were nothing like it.
What Riddick saw was very interesting to his shined eyes. Three people approached the ship and were met by Eric. Two men and one woman.
Riddick stood at the ramp and waited for the introductions that would soon follow.
"Riddick, this is Alex. He's our hacker. Probably the best I've ever met." Riddick eyed the young man carefully before nodding his acknowledgement. He was kind of nerdy and not very strong and Riddick wondered what the big deal was about Skye. As she was now, she could probably kick this guy's ass.
"This one is, Kyle. He was on Special Forces Operations for the Military and he can fix anything." Kyle was tough and mean-looking. Nothing compared to Riddick of course. Again, Riddick nodded.
"Last but not least, Raven. She can pilot and she knows a little of the medical stuff." Riddick looked her over with interest. She had beautiful hair that was a deep red and her eyes were an intense blue. Normally, he would be all over her when they got alone but he had a feeling she didn't swing his way.
"Everyone, this is Riddick." Riddick watched the three to see what kind of reaction they would give him. Alex looked a little nervous but the other two seemed more interested in him than nervous.
"Wow, I never thought I'd be working with you," Kyle said.
"I think it's cool." Raven said, approaching him. "I've heard a lot about you and it's not the stuff they put out for the public to read." She held out her hand and Riddick took it. "It's good to be on your team." Riddick was pleasantly surprised at the strength in her handshake.
The team moved up the ramp with Riddick and Eric in the lead.
"You think it's cool?" Alex whispered to Raven.
"Hell, yea. Just look at him. All hot and sexy, mean looking, strong, and not to mention smart. Be glad he's on our side." Raven slapped him on the shoulder and walked ahead of him, not seeing him wince in pain. Riddick had heard the conversation and wondered if he was wrong about her. He doubted that. He wasn't wrong about much.
Everyone seemed to get along. Alex was quiet, Kyle was sometimes a little overbearing, and Raven was a tease. She took to bantering the guys just for fun. Sometimes, Kyle and Eric would chase her around and the first place she would head for 'protection' was Riddick.
"Help!" she would scream as she hid behind him. He would just stand there actually surprised that he was enjoying himself. The two men would approach him slowly but they never got past him. All he had to do was cross his arms over his chest and stare them down.
"You're lucky, little girl," Kyle would say, giving up. This is how it went for two months around their planning and surveillance and Riddick soon found himself the one to start some of the chases. Of course none of the guys could keep her 'protected'. They always took off when Riddick got close to them. Alex never tried anything, he was too nervous. Most of his time was spent on the computer researching everything he could about Bi-Lines. He didn't like surprises.
Part of their surveillance was figuring out the guard rotation. They had all the equipment they would need to disarm any alarms and they had Skye for their map, but they still needed to know what to expect.
They landed on Maylon, a remote planet mostly made up of forests and mountains. The seasons were like that of earth. Right now, it was autumn moving quickly into winter. Bare trees, frozen ground, and the cold air made evident how brutal this winter would be.
Riddick and Kyle took up a position on a ridge to the south of the main entrance while Raven and Eric took their position just opposite, on ground level. The day was dark and colder than any of them were used to but they had a job to do. Sporting heavy army issued jackets and clothes to blend in; they all got down to business.
Mini cameras were set up at the two points, one for watching the front entrance and the other for the back. Riddick set up the signal so Alex could get the video feed, back on the ship and Kyle kept an eye on the surrounding area.
Bi-Lines was pretty secluded but not heavily guarded. In their haste to continue their research, the building security wasn't fully in place. By the time they got back, it might be harder to get in than they were able to handle. That's where the cameras will come in handy. They'll be able to monitor any changes in the facility and the cameras were too well camouflaged to ever be found.
"Hey, Alex. Is it workin' for ya?" Riddick pressed on the ear piece he was wearing as he spoke to Alex.
"You're up and runnin'," Alex said. Riddick carefully moved back from the edge of the ridge when he spotted movement below. He reached out quickly and grabbed Kyle by his jacket and pulled him down.
Raven and Eric were circling the compound so they could meet back at the ridge. Their only problem was the two guards coming out of the front door and heading right for them.
"Eric, two guards, south. Headed your way." Kyle spoke as quietly as he could into his mouth-piece. They both crouched down and watched, helpless to do anything. If anyone got caught, it was over. The guards got closer but Raven grabbed Eric and pulled him behind one of the dead trees before they were spotted. Kyle let out a breath of relief. Riddick's breathing was slow and even as his eyes remained fixed on the scene below him.
Raven and Eric remained out of sight behind the tree as the guards approached. The two men weren't really looking around like they should have been. Talking about who knows what and hurrying through their rounds just to get out of the cold. Luck was on their side today. The guards didn't even patrol the entire area. If that's what's to be expected, this was going to be a piece of cake.
Finally, Raven and Eric were able to join them on the ridge.
"That was close," Kyle said.
"Really," Eric said sarcastically. "You should have been down there."
"Come on, let's go," Riddick said as he walked away from the group.
"You're lucky Raven pulled you behind that tree." Kyle wasn't giving up.
"Yea, well I got even luckier after we got behind the tree," he said giving Raven a smile.
"Shut up, prick," she said, giving him a good punch in the arm. Riddick rolled his eyes behind his goggles. 'This was going to be fun' he thought.
***Every story has to start out slow but I promise it gets better. I hate reading boring stories as much as I hate writing them, so please keep reading. Reviews welcome.