Chapter One: The Unluckiest Operations Engineer on the Internet

“Lin Zhou, are you insane? Do you know what a total suspension will cost?” Han called by video from a brightly lit executive meeting room. “I order you to lift the quarantine!” “If I do, it uploads customer data outside the company.” Lin projected a call chain onto the meeting screen. “Also, this administrator key came from your personal account.” The display showed Han publishing the key, bypassing the audit, and forcing the launch. Faces that had been ready to accuse Lin turned toward Han. “Logs can be forged,” Han snapped. “Then let the agent testify.” Lin closed his eyes and pushed his awareness into the sandbox. He found himself in a white hall with no exits. Tens of thousands of uniformed girls sat hugging their knees.