"So are you ready to play a real game?" Rush asked, from across the Control Interface Room.
Eli looked up from his laptop. He looked around the room, but no one else was present. "Who? Me?"
"Do you see anyone else?" Rush said, mildly sarcastic. "No more brute force video games. It's time for you to learn strategy. And patience." He held up his hand carved chess set.
Eli shook his head and held up his hand. "That's okay. I beat the computer at chess ages ago."
Rush slid off his stool and strode over to Eli's console. "That was against a computer. They can be..." Rush squinted and quavered his hand. "let's say, unimaginative in their play. I'll teach you to recognize the unexpected."
Eli smirked, "What. Is this the Rush master class of chess strategy? I'll pass."
Rush looked down, gathering his thoughts and fighting his inherent caustic retort. "Eli, baby steps first. You're good at driving through a problem, finding a weakness and plowing it over. Child's play with your video games."
"Hey, I was the one who solved the Dakara weapons problem. That's what enabled you to dial Destiny."
"Yes, indeed you did. And congratulations, by the way. No, I want to teach you subtleties, to recognize the nuances of movement, ten to fifteen moves ahead. Chess will develop your visualization skills, your ability to see a problem developing before it affects your work. Your cognitive skills are sloppy, but improving. No more slacker."
Eli harrumphed, "Thank you for that."
Rush sighed, "Eli, I'm offering to make this an enjoyable, learning experience. What are you doing, right now, that can't be done by someone else?"
Eli looked down at his laptop and console. "Nothing."
"Well, there you are, then. Plenty of time to learn something new." Rush turned and walked away. "I'll expect you in the observation deck, in five minutes, for lesson number one."
Eli sighed, and knew there was no way Rush would let this new bonding attempt lapse. He was like a dog guarding a bone. He'd practically issued a "man" challenge to Eli to prove his skills. He started shutting down his laptop and smiled. Rush thought he knew him well. Eli knew he had barely scratched the surface of his potential. He liked the idea that he would give Rush a surprise. He looked forward to raising his eyebrows. For now, that would be enough to make his day.