It was shortly after lunch (where Jack had more than made up for missing breakfast) when three electric carts were brought around and parked in front of the women's dorm. As Garcia watched anxiously, her luggage and electronic equipment was loaded onto the first cart.
"I am so nervous," she confided to 464. "I have been talking and Skyping with Professor Chastain since forever, but I have never actually met him." She self-consciously pushed her hair (blond with pink accents) out of her face.
"You'll like him," was the immediate assurance. "Everybody does. He's so nice to everyone and terribly patient with the students we send him."
"And I just gave him a fresh haircut," 658 added with a smirk. "Although that new mop-headed assistant of his is the one who really needs one."
"I may like him, but will he like me?" Garcia worried. "He's seen me on the computer screen, but – "
"It'll be fine, Penelope," Lynn spoke up. "Spencer has been with him for over a week now and I have no doubt that he knows all about you. Don't worry about it."
"Easy for you to say," Garcia muttered as she double-checked to make sure everything was securely packed into the back of the cart. "This isn't the first time you've made this trip."
"The last time she made it, I was with her and she was driving a horse and wagon," Hotch chuckled as he walked over to help Garcia adjust a box. "This time she's going without me or the horse."
"Instead I am going with two kids," Lynn pointed out as she climbed into the front seat of the second cart. "Including one who is undoubtedly going to insist on trying to drive." She turned to glare at Jacob who had climbed into the seat behind her.
"I could steer," the youngster protested. "It can't be all that hard."
"Not a good idea," Hotch told him. "You don't want to jostle your books and luggage around. Remember, they are stacked on the back of this cart along with the books and research materials for Professor Chastain."
"Now," Hotch walked back to the third cart where 539 was busy double-checking the boxes destined for Farm #2. "Is everything all set here?"
"As set as it's going to be," the accountant replied. "We have the supplies that came in on yesterday's boat, several boxes of mangos and papayas, and a box with some of the new tops that the workroom is making – Like that pretty one Miss Penelope is wearing." He smiled over at the tech.
"It did turn out nice," Lynn agreed with him. "I wasn't so sure when I faxed the design over a couple of weeks ago, but the workroom did an excellent job of following my instructions."
"I like it," Garcia declared as she smoothed the fabric. "The drawstring gives it some shape while the length covers my – behind. And this cotton fabric should be cool during the summer months."
"Let's hope the women over at Farm #2 agree with you," 539 told her. "Because, if they do, we are going to order some more fabric and assign a group of our workers to start sewing them. Hopefully, we can start shipping before the winter months arrive. That's when demand is the greatest."
"Tourist season in the Caribbean," Hotch commented knowledgeably.
"Now," he looked around. "Have the drivers arrived yet?"
"Just giving them their final instructions," Commander explained as he led a group of three young men over to where carts were sitting. "Right, Men?" he glared at the trio.
"Straight over via the main road, spend the night quietly, and then straight back with 586 and the baby and whatever boxes Farm #2 wants to send with us," the driver in the lead responded.
"That's right," Commander confirmed. "No going off road and no goofing off – Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," the three drivers chorused.
"Okay – Off you go." Commander gestured towards the carts. "And I'll see you all tomorrow afternoon."
The young men quickly climbed into their respective drivers' seats and, within minutes, the carts had disappeared down the dirt road.
"So, we are staying here?" Jack asked his father. "While Lynn and Jacob get to visit with Uncle Spencer and The Professor?" He scowled unhappily.
"Jacob will be visiting his father," Hotch pointed out. "The same way you are spending time with yours. And, Lynn needs to talk with Professor Chastain and Reid about the new patent application the three of them are filing. Afterwards, she will be meeting with Four, the Farm Manager of Farm #2, to discuss ways to improve their products and their production. She has several ideas she wants to run by him."
"Now, 603 is working on a project that I want to help him with. Are you interested in coming or do you have something else to do?"
"May as well," Jack grumbled. "You took away all my hand held video games and everyone here always seems to be working."
"The kids your age are rotating through the various jobs on the farm to see what they are good at and what they enjoy doing," Hotch explained patiently. "It's good preparation for their adult lives."
"Well, I'm going to be a lawyer," Jack declared. "So I don't have to do anything around here."
"Have it your way," Hotch replied. "Now, the project I'm going to be helping with is over here – "