The Portal Effect

Chapter 2

We went straight there, finding ourselves accompanied by another group of trainees. They were level three agents in training, meaning they had three years of training behind their backs. We were level eight agents in training, with four additional years of defense training. We were nine years old when we were put into the program.

The Patrol Officer was waiting for us, the holo-table activated and showing where we were taking over. It was three miles north of the base, in an abandoned town designated "Glass Town" for it's glassed appearance.

"You guys will be taking over for Johnny's level six group and Amanda's level five group. Meet them at the river bridge halfway. Trade information. Tell them to report to me, as well as to med bay for check up. You will do the same on your return." he said, his voice low and gravely. We all nodded.

"Torres, your group will take west, Harley's will take east. Walk along the town road for a mile, as well as inside the town. For reference, each mile marker is a painted red X." I knew it was just to make sure we knew what to do, the brief was boring. I knew it by heart.

Once he dismissed us, we grabbed knapsacks and went to change into proper clothes. If I was correct, our patrol would be six hours long. So that meant we would be out until seven tonight. At the latest, our replacements would arrive by eight.

"Let's see how boring this one is." Nick grumbled. I was ahead of them, but Alex Torres walked up to me and blocked my way.

"I know you and your group has more experience, but don't think you get to walk over us." he said.

"Don't worry Torres. If we wanted to 'walk over' you, we wouldn't have agreed to do both single group and double group patrols." I told him before walking around him. He seemed shocked at my response. He must have wanted to seem intimidating.

"What was that about?" Jessie asked as she caught up to me. The three girls from the other group caught up, avoiding my eyes.

"He wanted to fight for dominance." I joked. Jessie laughed as we took our stalls and changed. Five minutes later we were headed outside into the forest. The PO watched us go before closing the door.

With any luck, it would be a quiet patrol. But the insurgent groups were acting up as of late. Something set them off, and they were attacking villages and small camps. We weren't allowed to intervene unless they came for the base.

When we reached the halfway point, the other group was already there. They looked exhausted.

"How long was your shift?" I asked. Torres grumbled something, which I took as he didn't want to be kept waiting.

"Seven hours. The group before us had some weird interaction that sent them back an hour and a half earlier. We tried to ask what happened, but all we got was the team had been exposed to a gust of mildly toxic gases coming from one of the buildings. We didn't find any trace of the toxin however." the lead said, shrugging. She must be Amanda.

"Strange." Torres said, but he spoke with a hint of boredom. Amanda gave him a look. If Nick was hated because he didn't care, Torres was hated because he didn't care and showcased that carelessness openly. Even in front of superiors.

"We didn't have much trouble." said the other section leader, Johnny.

Amanda pulled me aside as the others filled in and finished trading information. She looked back at them before speaking, "Something weird is going on out there. At some points throughout the shift, it was total silence."

"What do you mean total silence? That's not possible in this area, with all the wildlife and the wind." I said, hoping she wasn't trying to spook me. She shook her like she had read my thoughts. Amanda didn't seem like the joking type either.