1682 Words, this chapter
Chapter Five, Transfer 3: Rio
Becker paced Ops. Lester eyed him, sighing. If only Jess had been able to say three magic words. Maybe his Security captain would actually spend some time in Security.
"I'm going to charge you for floor polish," he said.
"Huh?" asked Becker. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Lester rolled his eyes. "I think I should have sent you to Rio after all. You're useless here."
Becker frowned. "I'm…just making sure Ops is secure."
"Oh, please! Do not insult my intelligence!" cried Lester. "We all know why you're here, don't we Connor?"
"Um…I was trying to ignore Action Man."
Becker looked at Connor, like he was just now noticing him. "Where's Cherry?"
"She had to take her kid to the doctor. Flu," said Connor.
"And Connor is in between destructive experiments," said Lester. "Thankfully, so he graciously offered to fill in."
Connor was frowning. "They don't all cause destruction."
Lester replied by raising an eyebrow. Connor turned back to the ADD.
"I hope Miss Parker finishes linking up the Rio ARC soon," said Lester. "I've nearly had my fill of this…angst."
Becker frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Lester shook his head. "Of course not."
Connor chuckled.
Becker kept frowning and tried to make himself busy with reports.
A short time later, Connor said. "Hey, we're getting a signal from Rio."
Becker sped to the ADD nearly knocking down Lester.
"Good Lord!" The director straightened his tie and sighed. "I need a drink," he said, going to his office and locking himself inside.
Connor laughed as Becker sat beside him, straightening his hair and checking his teeth in Jess' mirror.
"Shut up," Becker mumbled.
"I didn't say a word."
"You didn't have too, Connor."
Connor smiled.
The monitor changed from a screensaver to a picture of a mocha-skinned man. "Greetings from Brazil…oh, it is you, Laptop Man."
Connor laughed heartily. "Laptop Man? I like it!"
Becker frowned. "Where is Jess?"
"She is out, Laptop Man."
"It's Captain, Captain Becker."
"You are Beck-er? You are the man meu amor has chosen over me?"
Becker gave a smug smile. "I guess."
"I did not like you before, Laptop Man."
"That's fine. I don't like you either, Pecos."
"I am not Mexican! My name is Pedro!"
Becker smirked as Connor stifled a laugh. "Right, sorry," said Becker, not at all apologetically. "I have ARC business with Jess. Connect me, please."
Pedro slowly looked Becker over. "Very well. Enjoy the view." He smirked evilly.
"What did that mean?"
"I dunno, Connor. I didn't like his smirk."
"Yeah, it was…mean," said Connor.
Becker tried to calm his nerves as the monitor changed. The picture was of a beach: beautiful sand, green, lush trees, and jeweled blue water.
"Come in?" asked Jess' voice. Jess didn't appear on screen.
"Oh, God, I hope she's not wearing a skimpy bikini," said Connor. "Anyone want to switch places with me?"
The other male techs all cautiously shook their heads. "Cowards," said Connor.
Becker gripped his chair tightly. "But smart cowards." He cursed. Jess in a bikini would certainly be a pleasant sight, but not one he wanted to share with a room of men.
"Is she on yet? I have my eyes closed, so don't kill me," said Connor.
Becker gave a slight chuckle. "I keep forgetting that you're smart, Connor."
"Why take chances?" asked Connor.
"I'm so sorry," said Jess' voice. "If I let go of the transmitter, we'll lose picture. I'm trying to attach it to this rickety old shack."
"That's fine," said Connor. "We'll call back. Why don't you go and change?"
"Huh?" she asked. "Wait…got it. Now what were you going on about?" She finally appeared wearing bright pink shorts that fell halfway to her knee, and a sky blue tank top sprinkled all over with gold rhinestones. "Why should I change?"
Becker smiled. "Because he's insane. You can open your eyes, Connor."
Connor peeked at the monitor and sighed with relief. "Hi! Nice, decent outfit, Jess."
"What are you idiots talking about?" she asked, looking down at her clothes.
Becker laughed. "It's not our fault; you're the one on a beach."
Jess still looked clueless.
"Yeah, how were we supposed to know what you were wearing?" asked Connor. "Take Becker, add you in one skimpy bikini, and next thing you know, I'm blind."
Jess laughed and blushed. "Oh. You're right. I hadn't thought about that. Anyway, I am on duty. No bikini." She focused on Becker. "Hi."
He smiled. "Hi. How are you?"
"Fine. Tired. We've been all over Rio it seems. We started this morning in the Centro section, trying to make sure the historic buildings were all wired up to the ARC. Then we headed into some of the upscale, wealthy neighborhoods, and now…" She sighed.
"You Ok?"
"Yeah, it's just frustrating," she said. "Have you ever tried to set up wi-fi in a beach setting?"
Becker and Connor both laughed.
"Can't say that I have, Jess," said Becker.
"Me either. Sounds fun, though."
"It isn't Connor! Honestly, if one more person says that I'm blocking their sun, I'm going to stick these new sandals where the sun doesn't shine!"
"Miss Parker!" cried Connor, laughing. "Such language."
Becker laughed.
"I don't give a hoot!" she cried, stamping her foot. "I'm hot and thirsty and sand is going everywhere!"
"Stop! Stop! Please, Jess don't continue," said Connor. "I do not want to know where the sand is!"
Becker laughed again.
Jess sighed. "You're stupid, Connor. The sand is mucking up my work! Computer chips don't respond well to it."
"Sorry you're having a hard time."
She sighed. "Thank you, Becker. I'm Ok." She smiled. "I feel better just seeing your face."
Connor made gagging sounds.
Becker popped him on the head. "Be quiet. Ignore him Jess." He sighed. "I wanted to hear your voice too. I couldn't sleep, thinking of you."
"Anyone got something for sore stomachs?"
"Connor!"
Jess giggled. "He's funny," she said. She smiled at Becker, who smiled back. They just stared at each other.
Connor rolled his eyes.
"So…no time to enjoy the beach, huh? That's too bad."
"Yeah, Becker, I'm sure you're broken up over it," said Jess, chuckling. "Somehow I didn't think you'd approve of me sunbathing or splashing in the water."
"Do whatever you want, in that outfit, at least."
She laughed.
"Brother," mumbled Connor.
"I wouldn't have any fun anyway," said Jess. "You aren't here."
Becker smiled.
"Ugh!" Connor shook his head. "I'm going to have to leave. There's too much mush."
"Sorry, Connor," said Jess. "Tell Lester that we're on track. I should be done in a few more days."
"Halleluiah!"
Jess giggled. "Yeah, my thoughts too, Becker."
Connor put up with more mush from the two of them. Then something appeared on the monitor that made him nervous. "Maybe we should, uh, sign off."
He looked nervously at Becker.
Becker tensed. "Jess, I don't suppose you have to move down the beach, do you?"
"No, why?"
"Becker doesn't like the view."
Jess turned and saw that a group of men had gathered a short distance from her. Each man was fit, sweaty, and owned glistening tight abs. "Oh."
"Yeah, oh," said Connor.
Becker frowned. "No big deal." He wasn't convincing Connor though, because he could see Becker's hands forming fists.
"You're right," said Jess. "It's not a great view. Those guys are completely blocking the ocean," she said seriously.
Becker grinned like he'd won a lottery.
Connor shook his head, laughing. "It's love. She can't see the fit half naked bodies in front of her."
Jess looked around her. "Do you think they're fit? They're…OK. I guess."
Connor laughed harder and Becker smirked with pleasure as Ops London broke into giggles.
"What?" asked Jess.
"Nothing. They're stir crazy. They envy you," Becker told her.
"I envy them," said Jess.
London Ops now snickered and scoffed.
"So, it's a beach in paradise, big deal. I want to be there," she said and pointed at the laptop.
"Yeah, you're crazy, Jess," said Connor. Ops murmured in agreement.
Becker smirked. "I wish you were here too. Or I was there. I miss you."
Jess dropped the wires and transmitter and moved to the laptop. "I miss you." She traced along the monitor, as if she was caressing him.
"You'll be here soon."
"Right." She sighed. "I guess I should get back to work."
"OK."
She giggled slightly. "I am sorry that when you connected to us, you had to greet Pedro. Was it horrible?"
Becker smirked. "Not for me."
Jess laughed. "He was moody today. We left him inside. Paula, I mean, Private Fuego, said Pedro doesn't mix pleasure with business well. Or at all."
"So you left him behind," said Becker, smirking. "Poor thing."
She giggled. "Yeah." She looked off, at something behind the laptop. "OK. I see Paula has usurped a beachside business. It will definitely help having a real structure to hold the transmitter. Paula's just...I mean, I love her, but…she's a bit aggressive. She scares me a little."
Becker laughed. "Sounds like my kind of soldier."
"Oh, you'd approve of her, for sure. I hate to go, but…"
"Get Brazil wired up and come home…to me."
She squealed.
"Ow!" yelled Connor. "That was NOT professional, Jess! Now I'm deaf."
"But you still have your sight, so quit whining," said Becker.
Connor stared at him. "That's mean."
Jess giggled. "I better go before Connor loses more senses."
"Too late. He has no sense at all, you know."
"I'm leaving!" cried Connor.
"No, no, don't," said Jess. "I'm disconnecting."
"We'll talk again soon, Jess. Be safe," said Becker.
She smiled sweetly and blew him a kiss.
The picture went back to Pedro. "Ugh. Working on a beautiful beach," griped the Brazilian. "What a waste."
"She's not there to take in pretty scenery, mate," said Connor.
"Sim. It's a pity, too."
"Sim? What, like in a simulation? Dude, what are you talking about?" asked Connor.
Pedro rolled his eyes and disconnected.
"He didn't sign off! How rude!" cried Connor.
Becker laughed.
End of Chapter Five