We all paused, listening. The forest was alive. Not just with wind and rustling leaves, but movement. Growls. The distant, shrill cry of something I didn’t recognize.


    I frowned, eyes narrowing at the darkness beyond the fire’s glow. “How fast do you think the local wildlife is leveling up?”


    Ryan scratched at his jaw. “Fast.”


    Danny nodded. “Portals might be spawning mobs already.”


    I chewed on that, staring into the flames. It was only a matter of time before we’d have to deal with them, before the wilderness around us would stop being just wilderness and start being something a lot more dangerous.


    <hr>


    We’d been driving for hours, putting more and more miles behind us, when the quiet hum of the Peregrine was interrupted by a chime from the control panel. I glanced down at my GPS, noticing a new icon blinking a few kilometers ahead. Huh.


    My hands tightened on the wheel, my eyes narrowing. “A portal? Right on our path to the signal?” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.


    “Great,” Chris said, leaning forward, his eyes bright with excitement. Of course, he''s excited. Any excuse to show off. “Right when things were starting to get boring. Think we should check it out?”


    The chatter in the back went quiet, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, waiting for me to say something. I thought about it for a moment, weighing the options. Stopping to delve the portal would take time, and we still had the signal to investigate, but portals often meant gear, supplies, and credits. And this one was practically begging us to explore it. Plus, it would give Ryan something to do other than brood. Honestly, we all needed new weapons, armor and those juicy [power cells]. We were outclassed.


    “Could be worth it,” Zoe said, breaking the silence. “I mean, last time, we found some pretty sweet gear. And it’s not like we’ve got a deadline on this signal, right?”


    “Right,” Danny said, perking up. Probably hoping for something to impress Zoe with. “And who knows? We might find something that helps us when we get to the signal. Better armor, maybe another plasma weapon.”


    Emily glanced over at me, her expression thoughtful. “I know we’re focused on the signal, but it might not hurt to take a quick look. We’re well-equipped, and if this portal has anything new, it could be worth the detour.” And it might finally shut you two up about Ryan.


    Ryan chimed in, his tone more pragmatic. As usual. “We should be careful, though. We’re not exactly in a rush, but we don’t want to waste a whole day here. If we go in, we need to make it quick. Hit it, grab what we can, and get out.” If only it were that easy, it’s never that easy.


    Joey nodded, still thinking it over. “I’m with Ryan. If it’s an easy clear, we should go for it. But let’s not get sidetracked. We’ve already put a lot of miles behind us today.”


    Chris rolled his shoulder again, like he wanted everyone to know his arm was fully functional. “Hey, I could use the practice,” he said, grinning like we were gearing up for a friendly spar instead of walking into who-knows-what. “Don’t want to get rusty.”


    I shook my head. “Just don’t overdo it. You’re fresh out of the pod, not invincible.” As the wildlife leveled up, we would need to keep up. So far, our Energy Weapons and armor were more than enough, but if these critters leveled past level 60? We''d need a hell of a lot more.


    “Close enough,” he shot back with a cocky shrug, clearly loving his chance to show off. Classic Chris.


    <hr>


    Around the cabin, the energy shifted as everyone started getting ready. The lighthearted banter thinned, replaced by that quiet focus. I felt it too, that edge-of-your-seat thrill that came with diving into something new. My heart was pounding, and yeah, I was trying to play it cool, but the truth? I was hyped. A new challenge, a potential jackpot, this was exactly why we were out here.


    Zoe was already securing her new LR-64 "Solar Flare" plasma sniper rifle, her grin sharp and dangerous. “Looks like we’re about to have some fun,” she said, her voice laced with excitement. That sparkle in her eye? She was so ready for this. Zoe thrived in the chaos, and honestly, I admired the hell out of her for it.


    “Don’t let your version of fun get us all killed,” Emily chimed in, going through her gear. She wasn’t exactly worried, just practical. “We’re not here to break records, Zoe. Let’s just get in and get out.”


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Zoe rolled her eyes, but her grin didn’t waver. “Relax, Emily. We’ve got this. You’ll see.”


    Chris laughed, leaning against his seat like he hadn’t just spent days being useless in the med pod. “Seriously, Em. We’ve done this a hundred times. This one’s no different.”


    “Except it is,” Emily shot back, her tone firm. “The more runs we’ve done, the cockier you get. And that’s how mistakes happen.”


    <hr>


    I checked the map on the Peregrine’s control panel, seeing the blip marking the portal’s location almost dead ahead. “Alright, everyone. We’re making this quick. Let’s see what’s waiting for us.”


    I eased the Peregrine forward, the vehicle rumbling as it pushed through the thinning forest, heading straight for the portal. The sun was high, casting long shadows as they approached, and the air felt cooler, a slight breeze rustling through the young trees. As the kilometers ticked down, I could see the energy signature on the display growing stronger, the portal’s presence pulsing on the map.


    Whatever it was, it was close. And with any luck, it would be worth the detour.


    The terrain had leveled out, making for a smoother ride, and the young growth around them allowed more light to filter through, casting dappled patterns across the hood of the vehicle. The mood inside was still one of anticipation, but the familiar pre-dungeon buzz of excitement was starting to settle over the crew.


    In the back, Ryan was checking over the charge levels on his PR-64 "Starfire Lance" plasma rifle, giving the barrel a quick polish with a rag. Zoe, sitting across from him, had her feet propped up on a storage crate, her own gear laid out beside her. She watched him for a moment, a sly grin slowly creeping across her face. Here we go.


    “You know, Ryan,” she said, her voice light and teasing, “you’re spending an awful lot of time making sure that rifle’s shiny. Hoping it’ll make up for your aim?”


    Ryan looked up, catching her smirk, and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m sorry, Zoe. I didn’t realize we were handing out advice on shooting now. I mean, you do have that fancy plasma sniper, but when was the last time you hit something smaller than a barn door?”


    Zoe’s grin widened, and she leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. Oh, she''s laying it on thick now. “Pretty sure I saved your ass the last time near the river, remember? If I hadn’t been there, you’d be a lot shorter right now.”


    Ryan snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, okay, sure. But let’s not forget how many shots it took you to get that perfect hit. What was it, three? Four?”


    Zoe’s eyes narrowed, and she sat up, tossing the rag she’d been holding at him. “Keep talking, and you’re going to find out just how many it’ll take to shut you up.” God, she''s really trying.


    <hr>


    I checked the map on the Peregrine’s control panel, seeing the blip marking the portal’s location, almost dead ahead. Showtime. “Alright, everyone. Let’s see what’s waiting for us.”


    I could see the energy signature on the display growing stronger, the portal’s presence pulsing on the map. Stronger than usual.


    As we crested a small hill, the forest opened up, revealing a stretch of flat, rocky ground ahead. In the center of the clearing, glowing with a familiar, eerie light, was the portal, a shimmering oval of energy hovering just a few feet off the ground. It pulsed as if waiting for us to approach. Or daring us.


    I slowed the Peregrine to a crawl, bringing it to a stop a safe distance from the portal. I could hear the crew shifting behind me, preparing for what was to come. The earlier banter died down, replaced by a focused, alert silence. Game time.


    “Well, there it is,” Chris said.


    I nodded, my hands still on the controls. “Alright, everyone. Gear up. We’re going in, but we’re not staying long. We grab what we can, and then we head straight for the signal.”


    Emily and Zoe exchanged a quick look before checking their weapons. Partners in crime. Ryan and Joey were already double-checking their gear, adjusting straps, and securing their packs. Danny, seated near the back, had a determined look on his face, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a readiness for whatever we might find.


    <hr>


    I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar anticipation settle over me. Here we go again.


    I settled the Peregrine into ''Outpost Mode,'' its stabilizing legs hissing into position, digging into the earth, and leveling our vehicle against the rough terrain. The low hum of the energy shield activated around us. The shimmer of our oval shield caught the light from the portal ahead, making it look like a mirage at the edge of reality.


    My heart was already racing; it was that high you only got before a portal mission. This was my specialty, and it was like the portal was calling to me. The others didn’t get it, not like Zoe and I did, and probably Ryan. For us, this wasn’t just another job. It was the thrill, the adrenaline hit we lived for.


    The crew began to file out of the Peregrine, the air outside cool and crisp, carrying the faint hum of the portal’s energy. We gathered our weapons, put on our armor, and formed a loose circle in front of the shimmering portal, each of us falling into our familiar roles.


    I stepped forward, glancing at each member of my team, my eyes lingering on Chris for a moment, gauging his readiness. He gave me a nod. Good. He''s ready.


    “Alright, you all know the drill. We move in, clear it out, and we don’t take unnecessary risks. Let’s see what’s waiting for us this time.” I said, stretching my leg a little; my scout suit was already riding up. Ugh.


    As the portal’s light reflected off our armor, I felt a surge of confidence, bolstered by the trust I had in each of them. We had done this before, and we could do it again. Hopefully without anyone almost dying this time.


    [System Message: Operation Site]


    Description: Intelligence reports indicate that a long-abandoned military base has reactivated its defenses, posing a potential threat. Your mission is to infiltrate the ruins, bypass or disable the defensive systems, and hold the command center for 10 minutes to establish remote control.


    Gateway: Stable


    Recommended Level: 64


    Maximum Level: 76


    Mission Objective: Secure the command center for 10 minutes.


    Environmental Hazards: Chemical Warfare


    Time Limit: N/A


    [End of Message]