Chapter 3: The Shifting Wilds
The hour of waiting in the pod felt like waiting for a dentist appointment you really, really didn’t want to go to.
Ryan spent most of it fiddling with his Utility Knife, which still looked like a cheap knife, even with its fancy new "Potential Refinement Slot."
He tried to mentally extract the ’waiting’ part of the hour, but his SSS-Tier system didn’t seem to cover impatient time travel. Shame.
In the CommNet, Chris "Boulder" Magnus was living up to his new nickname.
Chris_Boulder_Magnus: Alright folks, barrier’s coming down soon! No need to panic! Boulder’s here, and I’m ready to scout ahead! My B-Tier ’Kinetic Surge’ will make short work of whatever’s out there! Who’s with me in spirit?!
A chorus of digital cheers went up for Boulder.
BigTony77: YEAH, BOULDER! Show ’em what Outpost #7 is made of!
PrincessFluffybutt: Be careful, Mr. Boulder! But if you see any fluffy Persians, please let me know!
ConfusedCarl: I’m with you in spirit from the safety of my pod, Boulder! My tough elbows are cheering you on!
Ryan watched with a mix of admiration and nervousness. Boulder certainly had guts. Or maybe he just really wanted to use his new power.
Suddenly, the pod door which Ryan hadn’t even realized was a door because it had been so seamless hissed open with a sigh of escaping air. It slid smoothly into the wall, revealing a brightly lit corridor.