[Neoxenon]

“Well Jo, we did send an email out last week about the server upgrading tonight,” I replied. “It’s going to take about 4 to 5 hours for the patching, rebooting and testing, so I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do to make it go faster.” I heard a loud sigh over the phone, “I need the data urgently for my report. So I can’t get any work done tonight?”

I took a deep breath, anticipating an earful from her, “There is another network for the copiers and email system. You can still access those, but the database system will be down for about…” There was a click and the line went dead. I chuckled as I placed my phone back on the table. The gang members were never known to waste their breath with us mere mortals, especially when we were of no use to them.

I casually checked on the other network to ensure that it is still up and running, lest I get another call from the feminazis for disrupting their plans for world conquest. The network seemed to be working fine, but I spotted a networked copier on another floor reporting an error about its paper feeder. Since the server update was going to take all night, I decided to take the time to go troubleshoot the copier.

I took the lift to the 29th level, and the entire office was in darkness except for a meeting room. As I walked past, I could see from the narrow slits of clear glass between the frosted stickers that it was the Gang of Five having a discussion late into the night. They earned their reputation of being bitches through their cold, calculated ways of interacting with people, and they had their ways of looking haughty and condescending whenever they strode around the office.