The glass-walled executive lounge on the 42nd floor of NexusTech Tower smelled faintly of bergamot diffuser and expensive aftershave. Friday evenings usually carried a different scent: freedom. Vicky Reyes had already powered down her triple-monitor setup, slung her leather tote over one shoulder, and was mentally halfway to the rooftop bar on Victoria Island where her friends were waiting with chilled palm wine and gossip. She was twenty-six, single, ambitious, and—most importantly—off the clock.
Then every screen in the building flared red.
EMERGENCY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTIVE – LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
VARIANT X-17 CONFIRMED. HIGH TRANSMISSION. IMMEDIATE LOCKDOWN OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PERSONNEL.
NexusTech Headquarters designated Level-4 containment zone.
All essential sta
