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The test went well. Almost too good, considering how much new code was in there this time around. The features list was twice as long as for the original version, and a few of them were rather complicated - especially since it all had to be sidelined in the main source before the release.

He had just one more set of test to complete before calling it a night (or an early morning more likely, he didn't want to look at the timer right now). That's when he thought he heard the sound again. Coming from somewhere below his current position - even if he was supposed to be in the metaphorical wine-cellar of the system. Obviously someone else had been busy adding 'utility' layers to the new version.

Should he ignore it? Just finish of the test-set and log off, write up the commentary to accompany the automatic results and recommendations? Yeah - that would be the best thing to do. But then, if he had been the kind of guy who did the right thing - he would probably not be working for the company - most definitely not on the system - and no way what so ever on this kind of added actions.
Five minutes later he was down below, having seen the door to the lift real easily when he actually bothered to look around rather than just sticking to the test of his own boundaries and interfaces. He opened the next door - and the sound was gone. An empty room greeted him, no traces of anyone or anything that might have been making the noise. And no obvious ways out. But since the door he was standing in was impossible to make out, the other exits would probably be equally blended into the general surrounding. The craftsmanship was amazing. Classy and delicate code, blending so seamlessly into the walls that he actually put in a pin before closing the door behind him - rather safe than messed up big time inside some room so secret it made his stuff look like a regular billboard. He had almost forgot why he came down in the first place, so good was the design, so subtle the shifts, that for the first time since joining the company he actually felt that there was something to learn.

Now, he only had to find out what - then maybe how and by whom, in order to get a better grasp on the whole level below. But that would obviously have to wait - his test set was still due, no point in giving the impression that the test were overly hard (or that there were any flaws in his design). No, the exploration could surely wait another day or two - and then maybe he could do some mock-ups over the weekend. So, he started back towards the elevator - just as the sound started again. From somewhere really close by this time. He was certain of it.

...and he said am I awake, dreaming or just tuned in?

Rebooted

And then it was night. But it didn't really matter, as he was still sitting in front of the screen - waiting to have another go at the test set. It was getting close to a new release, so he had to put in the long hours, no matter what he felt like - or what else might be needed outside the system.

A sudden flicker in the left corner caught his attention as it was starting to drift onto the mail and message client. There. It is ready. And once more he logs in, picks up the interface and starts off down the corridor.


Things are different, but still it easy to find the path into the deeper parts of the system - where his module is sitting, somewhere behind the main paths, but still hidden from the casual users - and more importantly; from their watchers. Because there was no point in watching - if somebody was already watching you. So, they had to hide it well, test it better and design it out of this world.

And so he turned the corner once more - into the hallway were they had met that first time, more than a year ago already. Yet still he felt the impact of crossing the spot she had been standing in, trying not to step in the virtual (or imagined) footprints of her system. What had gone wrong? Or for that matter - what had seemed right enough to get the entire thing started? He had known all too well what it meant to discuss his work - even with someone else working on testing the inner part of the system. But still he had given it a shot. Sure in his own work - and his ability to spot the more 'shoddy' systems in place in the company's messaging framework.

...and he said how can I actually be here again?