It had been a long night for Riddick. He just couldn't sleep. Maybe it was the fact that there was a stranger in the house, one that happened to be a young woman. Standing in the hall yesterday he noticed that she was slightly intimidated by him.
True, she was Hocks's niece, but she still could mean trouble. Jack seemed to like her, at least she spoke. It was funny how that when they were out in public Jack hated strangers, she couldn't get out a single word.
Opening his eyes fully, he stretched slowly. His arms and hips cracking. He walked across the room and slipped on his usual clothes. Black cargo pants and a tank top. He laced up his boots and put on his goggles, just incase she had the lights normal.
Walking into the kitchen he found Jack already sitting at the table half way through her breakfast. "So where did you come from?" Jack asked in between bites. "Pluto ll." She said casually. Minx was leaning against the counter, her ankles crossed, and her hands gripping the tile. She looked cute in tight black jeans, and a simple red tee-shirt. Kind of like a porcelain doll with an attitude.
He noticed she had made coffee, enough for three people. The food processor gave a nagging buzz, and Minx turned to get her food. Eggs, and two pieces toast. She grasped the plates like a pro waitress. Then moving to the coffee maker, handling the pot with a steady hand. He noticed how she walked, her feet stayed on the ground a little longer then most, and she took smaller steps, that of a dancer. She set her food down with great ease, and sat down.
He walked into the kitchen, Jack looked up immediately. "G'morning Riddick." She said her mouth half full of pancakes. It made him smirk, "Hey kid." She then turned her attention back on Minx. " What is Pluto ll like, I heard it is like that place back on old earth, uhNew Yacht or something." Jack stated, taking a swallow of milk. Minx smiled slightly, when she seemed to notice Jack's milk moustache, she touched her upper lip. Jack took a hint and used her napkin.
"Yeah, it's a lot like New York. Especially on the eastside of the planet from where I lived." She said calmly, beginning to eat. Riddick noticed the pain in her words, her mood changed from ease to stressed. Riddick sat down a moment later and ate. He had almost the same as her, except it was a bigger portion. Jack talked about the planets they had seen, and Minx commented on a few of them but didn't say more then a couple of sentences.
Riddick's chrono chirped signaling that it was 15 till 0800. He put his plates in the food processor and hit clean, Minx did the same. "See ya Riddick." Jack called after him. "I'll be back for lunch, like usual. Imam might call today, you know how to screen it." Riddick said casually. He saw Minx at the corner of his eye, waiting at the door. Jack nodded.
They stepped out into the cool hall way in silence. A few people said some good mornings to Minx, calling her Jenny instead. On their way Riddick was stopped by his only assistant, Grant. He was young, but wanted to be seen as a man. He had the same wide eyed expression as Jack. "Hey Riddick, Jenny." He said not taking his eyes off the young woman. Riddick nodded. Minx gave a faint smile, "Hi." She said.
"Hocks wanted me to help you with the wiring today, said it would get tight in some spots, you know the drill." Grant said, still not looking at Riddick. "Yeah. Just come by after lunch." Riddick said. He could tell that Grant was only half hearing what he was saying. "Alright. And Jen, Bengie has some work for you this afternoon, says to go up to the deck after lunch." He said. Minx nodded.
Grant left them in a hurry. Said something about being on an errand. He's got it bad for her. Riddick thought feeling a faint smirk at the corner of his lips, as they entered the elevator. They were alone, a faint sent of jasmine and roses drifted over to him. It must have been Minx. The silence filled the lift as it arrived at the mid floor where his office was.
Minx exited with Riddick but was almost run over by a running guy carrying some tools, Riddick grasped her wrist and pulled her backwards a split second before they would have collided. Her back hit his chest, but she was too small to make any impact on him. "Uhthanks Riddick." She said distractedly. "Any time." He answered keeping his tone indifferent. "Are you, going to let me go now?" She asked suddenly. He nodded, swiftly letting her go, not realizing he was still holding on to her wrist.
There was an awkward silence the rest of the journey to Hocks's office. It was a journey, parts being hauled on carts that took up most of the hall way, people walking quickly from one place to another side by side. Riddick noticed that Minx paid all of her attention to what was around her. Ten minutes later they were sitting in front of Hocks.
"I have been put in a very difficult position. Kyle Gets, my partner in financing this freighter, phoned me yesterday. At our next stop, we will be picking up a load of new freight, but along with it are a couple of people that are there to service it while it is in transit. So, just a warning. Plus I want to talk to you about the work that needs to be done down there." He said standing up.
Riddick noticed that Minx had relaxed considerably. She had sunk into her chair. "How is the wiring going Riddick?" Hocks asked. "It's coming along but hey need to be melted and fused together. Plus it needs programming." He said. "Well, I'll send Grant down with a burner for you, and have Minx do the programming. The manuals down there as well." He said casually.
After a lengthy talk on the mechanic situation of the ship Riddick and Minx headed down to the main engine room.
