The meeting with Adeola had created a new kind of tension in the air regarding the mission. It was no longer fear of disease; it was anticipation of a political retaliation. Reuben knew that his denial had been a declaration of war. Collins would not respond with a second smile and handshake. The next move would be harder, sharper.
The need for mobility and adaptability had never been so clear. They were bound to the mission, an immovable object. The south-west quadrant debacle had demonstrated to them that speed of reaction was important. They needed to be able to move their operation, to respond to outbreaks where they occurred, and to vanish from the administrative bullseye if necessary.
Reuben was in the mission's storeroom, temporarily their command center. The paper map of Makoko h
