Chapter 1: Fried

“Damn it!” Scout pounded her desk. 

She continued yelling, “Stupid computer virus! I will take you down if it’s the last thing I do!” It was less satisfying to make a scene when there was nobody there to see it, but she got up and kicked the cube wall anyway, albeit half-heartedly. Dejected, she heaved a big sigh, picked up her mug, and shuffled her way to the breakroom to get another cup of coffee. It was going to be a long night. 

This particular nightmare started a few days ago. The company had procured top-of-the-line security software but was having trouble getting everyone to actually install it. Scout’s boss, Sofia, had gone all the way up to the CEO to ask for his support. Sofia recognized that people often glossed over her dire warnings of security threats, even though she was the head of IT. She hoped hearing from the CEO would add more gravity to the situation. 

The CEO provided full support, urging employees throughout the company to comply with Sofia’s directions. A particularly nasty computer virus called Strachey’s Curse was making the rounds and everyone needed to do their part by promptly installing security patches on their laptops and phones and being extra vigilant when downloading files or clicking links. 

But you know people. Following directions is not their forte. Everyone installed the security patches on their work computers of course (IT policy required it), but they were lax with their personal devices. Then a few idiots ported infected files over from their personal devices to their work laptops, and the virus started spreading. 

It was tragically predictable.  

The whole IT team (at least, the ones who were in the office) were kicking themselves for letting it get this far. They should have set up more checkpoints inside the network to account for stupid user behavior—not just patches when they logged in. But the virus hit fast, and they didn’t have time to implement all the desired measures before Strachey’s Curse started spreading. 

Now Scout was running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to clean up the damage. Even worse, she didn’t have many people there to help. Normally, the whole IT team would be there with her, working shoulder to shoulder with her to get this thing under control. But most of them were out with some sort of flu, which made a bad situation infinitely worse. So, it was just Scout and a few other IT superstars frantically patching up the damage as quickly as they could. Even Sofia was taking frontline calls.

“Hey!” 

Scout jumped and then whirled around to see Sofia looking at her. 

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that." 

"No worries, Boss." Scout scrambled to put her mask back on. "I'm just a little hopped up from all the coffee. What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you're doing, but I think I'm getting the picture. When was the last time you slept?"

"I'm not sure, really. This computer virus is kicking my butt. I'm not used to something moving so much faster than me."

Sofia sighed. "Yes, I know that feeling. Strachey's Curse is a good name for it." 

"Right?"

"Well, I certainly appreciate your dedication to the cause, but I think you've done your duty for now. Why don't you go home and get some sleep? You look fried. Everything will still be here when you get back." 

"But the virus will keep spreading!" Scout lamented, refilling her coffee. She needed sustenance for the battle ahead. 

"Put the coffee down. I'm getting a headache just looking at you." 

"But..." Scout started to protest. 

"It's fine. All the necessary security policies are in place to keep the virus from spreading. Now we just need to clean up the computers that have it already.  They'll still be here, ready to fix, when you get back." 

Scout took a deep breath, preparing to object, but Sofia interjected. 

"Most of the company is out with the flu. Everything is basically shut down anyway. This can wait a little longer while you get some sleep." 

"What would the CEO say if he found out you were unilaterally shutting down the business?" 

"I think that's overstating the matter. Besides, he's out sick too. If he's allowed to sleep off the flu, you're allowed to sleep after a double shift. By my count, you've been here 16 hours. You've probably been drinking that horrible sludge the whole time. It's a wonder you can function at all." 

"Sludge? It's black coffee, breakfast of champions!" 

"Or in your case, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Really, it's painful to watch. Go home." 

"Fine," Scout sighed. "Do you really have this under control?"

"Yes, I really have this under control. Believe it or not, I actually know what I'm doing. I get that I've only been doing this 25 years, but I think I can handle a computer virus. We'll probably be OK if you sleep for a few hours." 

Sofia smiled as she said this, but Scout got the message. She looked sheepish when she responded. 

"Thanks, Boss. You're the best. I'll get some sleep." 

Sofia smiled beneath her mask, gave Scout a fist bump, and waved her out the door. 

When Scout left, she was surprised to see it was sunny outside. She really had worked straight through the night. 

On the train home, she settled in and checked her phone to stay awake. A lot of news sites were down because of the computer virus, but the ones that were up were all reporting the same two stories--Strachey's Curse and the flu. There wasn't much new to say. Computers were down and so were people. It was going to take a while to fix both. 

When she finally made it home, Scout gratefully peeled off her mask, dropped her backpack on the floor, and crashed on the couch. She knew she should probably eat something, but didn't have the energy. She could eat when she woke up. Right now, she just wanted to sleep. 

As she drifted off to sleep, all she could think was, "Damn it. I hate it when Sofia is right."