Before the sixth set could enter, the first came out. Fritz waited until the portal reset and then opened it. Group three exited early, and seven stood by when four came back. Barclay eyed the last waiting group. Fritz reset the door again, and sent group seven through.
“What happened?” Fritz asked the major. “You're early.”
“No we're not, but why is group seven still here?” she said, and held up her stopwatch. Fritz looked. It showed five minutes and ten seconds. While they stood there, the fifth group came back.
“As we suspected last night, time shifts inside the portal.” She went into Ashley's room, where Ashley and Linda joined her. George, speaking for the first time, asked the soldiers in the corridor if anyone needed to use the bathroom. He led more than half the assembled troops
