The KQL Mysteries Season 1: Chapter 11
The Dawn Revelation
Catch up on this series by going to: https://aka.ms/KQLMysteries
New chapters release weekly.
As the first light of dawn crept through the blinds, Jon and Jordan’s eyes were fixed on their respective screens, the glow casting long shadows across the rooms. The local IP address flickered on the monitor, a stark reminder that the Night Princess was not just a specter in the digital realm but a tangible presence in their own city.
Jon’s voice broke the silence, issuing a stressful realization over Microsoft Teams. “We need to move fast. She’s here… in this location!”
Jordan’s mind raced. “Your local server farm! It’s the only place with the infrastructure to handle her operations.”
Jon grabbed his gear and headed out, the morning chill biting at his resolve. The server farm was a fortress, rows upon rows of servers humming in the dim light. Jon reached the datacenter.
“I’m here,” Jon said to Jordan.
Jordan’s headset crackled to life. “Jon, I’ve found something. Server-Rho. It’s running hot, way above the others.”
Jon’s reply was swift. “On my way there.”
Jon reached Server-Rho, the heat emanating from it like a beacon. Jon’s hands flew over the keyboard, commands flowing into the system.
let targetServer = "Server-Rho";
shadowNetwork
| where ServerName == targetServer
| extend InfiltrationDetected = iif(TrapTriggered contains "_trap", true, false)
| project ServerName, InfiltrationDetectedThe server’s response was immediate, a series of logs unfolding before them, revealing the Night Princess’s digital footprints.
“Infiltration confirmed,” Jordan announced, her voice steady.
They initiated the final phase of their plan; a countermeasure designed to isolate the Night Princess and sever her connection.
let isolationProtocol = datetime_add('minute', -5, now());
shadowNetwork
| where InfiltrationDetected == true and TrapTriggered contains "_trap"
| extend IsolationInitiated = iif(now() > isolationProtocol, true, false)
| project ServerName, IsolationInitiatedThe server lights flickered, and the hum of the farm changed pitch. They had her cornered.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a figure stepped into the light. It was Sarah, their trusted colleague and Jon’s boss. Her eyes were cold, a stark contrast to the warm smile they knew.
“Sarah? You’re the Night Princess?” Jon’s disbelief echoed in the room.
Sarah’s smile was thin, almost apologetic. “I had to make you see, Jon. The vulnerabilities were there, and you wouldn’t listen. I had to push you to make the changes.”
Don’t remember Sarah? Check out the 2023 holiday episode: https://github.com/rod-trent/KQLMysteries/blob/main/README.md#the-kql-mysteries-2023-holiday-episode
Jordan’s voice crackled through the Microsoft Teams connection and was unforgiving. “By threatening the entire network? By playing us?”
Sarah stepped forward, her hand outstretched. “Let me help you fix it. Together, we can make it impenetrable.”
Trust was shattered, but Sarah’s skills were undeniable. They faced a choice: accept Sarah’s help and rebuild stronger or turn her in and risk the gaps she knew so well.
The decision loomed over them, a new day bringing the promise of resolution or the peril of deeper shadows.
Stay tuned for Chapter 12…
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