My Job Is... Evolver?!

Another Attempt

"You're under house arrest today," Penny stated during breakfast. Storm glanced up aghast. Penny ignored his glare while she continued eating in the diner.

"House arrest?!" Storm repeated. "Listen, I know yesterday didn't go too well but that's no reason to keep me locked inside the cabin for the whole day! That's not how [Full Essentials] works so I'll be fine!"

"That's not why." Penny nonchalantly corrected.

"Then what's the reason?"

"I just don't like you." She answered. Storm scoffed and leaned back in the seat.

"Is that a valid reason?!" He raised his voice. Penny set down her fork and picked up her napkin. Storm patiently waited for a response as she wiped her mouth gently.

"Jeez, you're so insolent." Storm muttered under his breath. Penny shot up from her seat and Storm jolted back, raising an arm in defense. When nothing was thrown his way, he slowly gazed back towards Penny.

She had just gotten up to clear the table.

Storm let out a tremendous sigh of relief before Penny walked back and kicked his leg. She gestured for him to get up, beginning to head back towards their cabin. Letting out another sigh, this one out of frustration, Storm begrudgingly obeyed.

"Give me your key," Penny ordered when they had returned. Slowly, Storm reached into his pocket and retrieved his copy. He tossed it over to her who swiftly stashed it away.

"So what am I supposed to do?" Storm asked while Penny sat down at the table. An icon from the Nexus popped into view in front of his face. It was an invitation from Penny to an online game. Storm turned his attention back to Penny.

"Is there another option?" He asked.

"If you beat me, you can do whatever you please for the rest of this trip." She teased. Storm hesitated, wondering about the offer for a few seconds before selecting the green circle.

"You're on." He sat down across from Penny as the neurochip pulled up the competitive game.

It turned out Penny wasn't just good at her job. Storm stared at the holographic screen in total frustration as the words, 'YOU LOSE' faded in for the hundredth time. Penny glanced up with a bored expression while eating a popsicle, wondering if Storm would continue.

"This isn't humanly possible," he gasped before accusing her. "You must be cheating somehow."

"I'm getting really tired of having to say 'I didn't' every time you lose," Penny stated. Storm shook his head. It had been almost two hours since they started playing and noon would be rolling in on them soon. He wanted out. Storm didn't come to Yellowstone just to be trapped in a cabin all day with a wolf in sheep's clothing guardian.

Coincidentally, there was a knock upon the door, notioning Penny. With the last bite of her frosty treat, she slid out from her chair and made her way to the front door, leaving Storm with his thoughts.

"I don't mean to be rude, Mr. Lockehart, but when it comes to even statistics, you're chances of winning are close to zero percent." The Nexus spoke out. Storm ignored the comment as he leaned back in his seat and rested his eyes.

"May I make a suggestion, Mr. Lockehart?"

'No, you may not. The last time you did, I ended up passing out.' Storm argued.

"That was of your own accord, Mr. Lockehart. I had merely been present at the case." The Nexus replied. Storm let out a deep sigh and gave in.

'What's your idea?' He inquired.