5 ON THE OTHER SIDE

< National Security Agency HQ

UTC-4 0917 PM

Break Room >

A plain room, with standard LED flush mount lights, a couch facing the window front, a round table with a bunch of wooden chairs towards the other side, and a mini kitchen set up against the walls. The lights were out. While a mild source came from the city lights outside, an artificial blue light illuminated part of the room. The source: a game console.

Jack, the second candidate for promotion, was slouched on the couch, playing a game. There was no reason for him to worry about getting the promotion. Instead, he was rather excited. Of course, he was aware that the top candidate would undoubtedly be One Shot, that perfect record holder. His smile widened. That would be his downfall. He giggled, as he rose another level in the game. The door to the room opened and Jack raised his head to glimpse over the edge, and immediately retracted as Chris turned on the lights abruptly and for a moment, Jack went blind.

"Argh, Chris!" He casually greeted his superior whose eyes were glued to his cell phone.

"Jack," Chris acknowledged his presence as he went over to the coffee machine on the counter and started refilling his cup with his coffee of choice: espresso.

"You know, you shouldn't drink so late. What if you can't fall asleep later?" Jack jested, while his focus returned to the game.

"Mind your own business, Jack," Chris stated flat out, still facing the coffee machine.

"Can't you love all your little chicks equally?" He sighed.

"I didn't know you were a chick, but it does explain a few things."

Jack sat up, annoyed, and was just opening his mouth to retort as Chris gave him a sign to be quiet as he held up the phone to his ear. "Report." Then he was quiet. Suddenly his expression hardened. His narrowed eyebrows were surely a sight to behold. "You never failed before. What happened?"

Jack perked up. "Failed? Who?? One Shot?! WHY?"

Christ professionally ignored his input and focused on the call. But then his expression dropped to complete confusion. "Pardon? An angel?"

"What about an angel?"

"What do you mean you met an angel?" Chris clarified his expression.

"He said he met an angel?? Did he get a girlfriend or something? Well??"

"SHUT UP, JACK!" Chris finally lost his composure. Then he sighed. "Are you still in Althaire? Alright. We can talk about it on Monday when you get back. Don't worry about it too much." He hung up the phone and turned to Jack. But Jack was no longer in the room.

Chris sighed. What an impatient fellow. And so predictable. He leaned against the counter and stared down at his phone. And a grim expression entered his face as he watched the automatic recording of One Shot's smart glasses.

"An angel, he says," he mumbled as he paused the recording when a woman showed up. Such a naïve kid.