Hell's Glitch (initial draft)

2:3 MA

Alex left the cafeteria feeling a little better after her light meal and walked down to the closest of the three programming offices. Inside she found Milner and his personal guard Stephen, the man who murdered Randy in cold blood. They were surrounded by programmers who went about their tasks frantically. The programmers were mostly non-vocal, the only sounds coming from most of them was the constant clicking of their mice, keys from their keyboards, and beeps from their digital displays. It was a different atmosphere entirely from the designer's room where there was the constant buzz of chatter, even before they were assigned other players. Stephen was the first to notice Alex entering the room. He gave her his customary glare, one he reserved strictly for her.

"What are you doing here, girl?" Stephen asked not even caring to hide his contempt.

"I came to report to my boss," Alex said continuing towards Milner who was talking to the lead network programmer, Paul.

Stephen firmly grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Milner.

"You don't approach this man unless you've been given permission to do just that. Do you understand?"

Alex winced from the pressure he added to his grip after his question. She looked past his stone chiseled face directly into his ice blue eyes. Milner looked up from Paul's various screens and tapped Stephen on the arm. The middle aged man relinquished the death grip he had on her arm.

"I suggest you follow Stephen's instructions to the letter, Ms. Madura," Milner said somewhat playfully. "He is not one to be trifled with. Now, what business did you have with me? You've gotten your room assignment, have you not?"

"I did, before my meal break. I'm headed there now. I've just come to ask if I would be assigned the same testers when I get back to the floor."

"You've got a pair on you, girl. I'll give you that."

"I'm just asking a question, one that's perfectly reasonable."

"She's right, Stephen. Let her speak."

"You give these fools too many concessions."

Milner silently stared into Stephen's eyes for an uncomfortable length.

"These people have been my employees for years. I know what I'm doing."

"If you trusted these employees of yours that much, there would be no need for me and the troops, now would there? Don't undermine this project, Milner. You know what's at stake."

"You forget who you're talking to, Stephen. Besides, this is not the time to discuss that."

Milner turned his attention to Alex, "Yes, you will be given the same three testers from before, Ms. Madura. Now please, go get some rest. I'm going to need you back on the floor as soon as you're able."

Alex gave Stephen a cursory glance before turning and heading towards the door. While she was still in earshot she heard Stephen whisper, "You see that, she doesn't even respect you."

What do you know, that gray haired idiot is actually right for once.

She thought about Sam, Dan, and Jacob as she walked the narrow corridors to get to her room. She passed numerous guards on the way to the stairs and down the stairwell, all armed to the teeth. The dorms were just one level down. After a few more corridors, she found the rooms. She stood outside of room 206, checked the room key, and confirmed her room number. She slid the key into the door and slowly opened it.

The room was furnished like a plain hotel might be, but at least the beds looked comfortable. Beds as in plural and all except hers was occupied. There were seven other women already in their beds, four of them were already sleeping. The three other women studied her as she inspected the room. Alex gave them a nervous wave before approaching the only empty bed.