Update: Originally there was a mature chapter after this one. In keeping with the guidelines of this site, the chapter has been removed. I added a few lines at the end to blend into the final chapter. The mature nature of the missing chapter is simply alluded to. Thank you. Feel free to private message me if you'd like to read the adult chapter. It is available on another site.
Part Three: All Hail the Conquering Hero
Becker strolled into the canteen like a soldier on a mission. As he moved, the red cape flowed down his back. He was dressed as a Roman centurion: a red tunic, a brown leather kind of tunic over the red tunic, gold metallic armor over those, and brown sandals that tied up his calves. He held a gold helmet, with large red feather plumes sticking out along the top.
He found the little group he was looking for, including the lovely Grecian, Jess Parker .
"You look incredible, Jess," he said.
Jess wore a light blue and white, lightweight mini dress. It had two pieces, the top one was mostly white, with blue stripes running vertically along the sides. This top tunic had no sleeves, and a scoop neck, both lined with the light blue. An attractive, large silver, circular pin, with an owl face depicted, pinned the top of one shoulder.
The blue stripes then ran horizontally along the bottom of the top tunic. About five inches of the second tunic were visible below the top tunic of the chiton-inspired outfit. It was the same color as the top-white, with blue stripes along the border. The whole outfit came to Jess' mid-calves.
Jess' hair was down, with a simple blue ribbon, slightly darker than the blue of her dress, tied around her head. Her hair ended with soft curls about her shoulders. She wore shiny silver sandals, with a heel of about three inches. Her legs were bare. Deliciously bare, thought Becker.
"You do," he said, "You look beautiful."
Jess smiled, then moved a few steps to kiss him on the cheek.
"Thank you. I decided that this is an inspired outfit and that I am definitely taking liberties with history."
"Nothing wrong with that," he said with a smile.
Connor came over with a glass for Becker. "Have some Hemlock," he said. "I'll be playing the part of Socrates this evening."
Becker smirked. "Perfect casting, Connor. You eggheads should stay together."
Connor smiled. He wore a long, draping white chiton, that hit the floor. "It's actually two sheets," he said. "I know, Jess, but yes, I am cheap. I also see no reason to stop screwing up history, now. I mean, I've actually been there."
"It was the cretaceous, Connor, not Roman times."
"I know that Abby, I was talking in general terms. At least I changed my costume."
Abby smiled. She wore the same purple, rocker chick toga of the original toga night.
"I like it," she said. "I'm wearing it, so deal with it."
Jess smiled. She admired Abby's confidence.
"By the way Becker, nice outfit," said Connor.
"I take several liberties with it," he said, winking at Jess. "First, I'm not carting this thing around all night," he said, ditching the helmet.
"This" he said, pulling at the brown leather hanging down from under the breastplate, "is not real leather, Abigail," Abby smiled and gave a thumbs up.
"And this breastplate is cheesy. The real ones are so much cooler."
Becker unhooked the breastplate revealing more of the plain brown tunic. It was obviously not leather now, much too light. Jess liked the tunic choice, it was lightweight enough that you could see his muscles underneath.
"You've seen actual, real centurion armor?" asked Connor.
Becker smiled. "We have connections, don't we Carly?"
Carlson smiled and winked. He was dressed similar to Becker, but he was wearing silver armor, and he had a silver helmet on. Leave it to Becker, thought Connor, to come with a legion to command.
"So, I don't want to hear any nonsense about inaccuracy, because, people," he whispered. "I'm not really a Roman legionnaire."
Jess giggled. He was so funny, and so handsome. "You look fantastic," she blurted out and immediately blushed.
Becker smiled widely. "Good enough," he said. "The suit's done its job. It got Miss Parker to blush."
"That's not hard for you, mate," quipped Matt. Emily elbowed him, and he smiled.
"Where have you been, Matt?" asked Jess.
"They had a little trouble with another dragorax, so I helped out. Sorry, no special outfit tonight, Jess."
"That's alright. I'm just glad you're here."
"Anyone hurt?" asked Becker.
"No. Your men actually perform fairly well without you," he said, shooting Becker a smile.
"Yeah, I know."
There was some commotion from the kitchen, and Bernie, his sous-chefs, and some servers all appeared carrying trays of hot, smoking food.
"I'm sorry that I didn't go all out folks," said Bernie. "I had so many requests for pizza, spaghetti, and lasagna, that I decided to just make those. Plus, Lester decided most of the budget should be spent on wine."
"I'm worried about him," said Jess. "I'm thinking he may have a problem with alcohol."
"The only problem I have with it, plebeian, is if you try to take it away from me," said Lester, sitting atop his throne, pouring a glass of wine.
"Where the hell did that come from?" asked Matt, regarding the box-like seat, with purple drapes hanging down the side, complete with a cushion footstool.
"I had the lads in maintenance pop it out for me. They get to keep it when I'm done." Seeing Becker, Lester said, "Oh, you're a roman, and a centurion, here, have a glass," said Lester, handing a glass of wine to Becker.
"Thanks, Caesar," said Becker.
Lester raised his glass in toast with Becker. He ignored everyone else.
"The rest of you riff-raff can drink whatever Bernie has." He eyed Connor and Jess. "They aren't even Roman, get rid of them."
Connor retreated but Jess stood her ground.
"You are over-acting Lester," said Jess.
"You heard Caesar," said Becker with a smirk. "What are the conquered masses any way, slaves?" He slowly approached her, as she backed away.
"I don't care for the way you are looking at me Becker."
He kept advancing, and she kept slowly retreating. "Come here, wench," he said.
"Wrong time period," called Matt.
"Becker, stop it," she said with a grin. "I mean it. Stop it."
He grinned wickedly and lunged for her.
"Ah!" she screamed and darted around the canteen tables. "Becker!"
"How dare you deny the might and glory of Rome!" he shouted.
Jess smiled, aware they were being watched. She just didn't care. Becker was chasing her and she enjoyed it.
"I do deny it!" she yelled. "You're all just a bunch of bullies."
Becker raised his eyebrows, and lunged again.
"Ah!" she screamed, running out of the canteen, followed by the centurion.
"I do not believe we shall be seeing the Captain or young Jess again for some time," said Emily, sipping a glass of white wine.
"How'd you get that wine?" asked Matt.
"Lester gave it to me," she said. She wore the same elegant white and gold toga-gown of the last toga night. "I am a Roman lady of high class, he informed me."
"Caesar drinks with the upper crust, you know," said Lester. "What are you wearing, anyway, Anderson?"
"I had to assist with an anomaly, so sorry, Lester, it's just my regular street-clothes."
"How barbaric," said Lester, lounging back in his throne and eating some grapes. "Someone really should be feeding these to me."
"I don't see any volunteers, sorry," said Anderson.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the ARC, a chase was still underway.
"I said halt in the name of the holy Roman empire!" cried Becker.
"No," said a giggling, slightly out of breath Jess. They had run all the way to the lounge, and with a skeleton crew monitoring the ARC and the anomalies, they had not run into anyone.
Becker swaggered. "You've run out of room, Grecian hussy."
"Don't you call me a hussy!"
Becker smiled wickedly, and shut the door to the lounge with his leg.
Jess' eyes grew wide. She was trapped.
"I've got you now," he said, then turning his voice soft and tender, he said, "Surrender."
"Oh, I might," she said, with an equally wicked smile. "Make it worth my while."
Becker slowly crossed the room towards her. "I intend to."
"Prepare to be conquered," said Becker.
Jess backed up, smiling. She felt her legs hit the lounge's couch.
"I'm prepared," she said, then teasing, she added, "If you think you're centurion enough to take me."
Becker smiled. "Oh, I am. I promise."
End of Chapter Three