Alexis Constance Mugabe stood staring at the skeleton that was the remains of the institute, the dust from the debris coated the air as it mingled with the smoke from nearby burning buildings.

She tore her gaze from the uprooted remains of the once impressive D.R.E.G labs headquarter to stare impassively instead at the state’s vice-governor has he struggled up the wreckage to stand beside her, the side of her mouth curled up in amusement at his bemused look.

it’s been a week since the institute building burrowed up from below to put an end to the simple uneventful lives of the Lagosians, leaving them bewildered and frightened.

Her sore mood sugared up a bit at the look on the vice’s face as he gaped at the massive building before him.

Alexis was amused at the politician’s discomfort, they had always had this sense of assurance that they were prepared for anything.

Their lying skills would put a lie detector test machine to shame, their thick skins were impervious to pressure, scandals and anything the public and the media could throw at them. Their slick tongues could convince a fish to forget how to survive under water. But now everything seems not to be working as they crumbled under the pressure from the media and masses.

this is because they were clueless themselves, just as confused as the public; the institute was built around the colonial era and co-financed by the British government long before the African country gained its independence, even after that, the institute operated independently until the coup that brought about the military regime, they then allied with the military government for a while until the country’s government passed over to civilian rule, the institute went back into secrecy but kept controlled ties with the military and then to the federal government.

As far as the public was concerned, they were simply a pharmaceutical company from the United Kingdom.

“The general public is not buying our story,” the vice governor said, wiping the perspiration from his face before he continued. “Thanks to social media the videos have been posted and shared so many times to call it a freak storm, a man hung in the air hurling fire from his mouth and hands for goodness sake. The governor demands a full statement; we cannot defend what we are not aware of if you don’t cooperate with us.

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“The DREGs Labs are in talks with the president” Alexis answered curtly. “If madam governor wants answers, let her find it in the presidential villa at Abuja, this has gone above state jurisdiction.”

“State jurisdiction be damned, this disaster happened within the state, an answer is best given else a scapegoat will be prosecuted for this.” The deputy state governor snapped, a hint of his political arrogance finally showing.

Constance bristled at the veiled threat in the deputy governor’s statement.

“If I were you your Excellency, I’ll be careful about what drops from my tongue at these trying times because words are like saliva, once it leaves the mouth it can never be taken back. Losing the upcoming election will be the least of your problems if the rumors of your shady dealings with the so-called pharmaceutical company turned den for illegal experiments on human beings comes out. And not to talk of the embezzled funds and mismanaged governments contracts during your tenure, the masses might just get their scapegoats after all. So, for the benefit of the both of us just do what you do best, convince the public with your fake promises and leave the rest to us, like I said this is beyond you now.”

Constance grimaced in satisfaction at the deputy governor’s discomfort; she was in mourning and has little patience for some whining selfish politician. She ignored his glare of outrage as she turned her attention back to the wreckage in dismissal leaving the deputy governor with no choice but to leave, grumbling and cursing as he struggled over the wreckage.

A few moments later, a lanky man moved out from the hidden place where he stood watching the exchange between his boss and the deputy governor. He was garbed in the combat greys of the institute Askari elite guard.

“It’s not enough that I inherit your enemies’ father, now I have to deal with the problems you left me.” She growled at nobody in particular. “Find them, bring them back alive if you can or bring them back in body bags.” Alexis Constance Mugabe said, her eyes still fixed on the institute building.

"And the pagan god?" He croaked.

"Our mutual friend will take care of him; the children are all you should be concerned about." was her stiff reply.

The silent man simply grunted in answer and morphed back into the shadow from where he had appeared from.