Elena's first act as newly appointed Director of Existential Biological Threats was calling an all-staff meeting three days after Klaus Webb's facility was secured. The auditorium filled quickly, staff members curious and anxious about what the sealed facility discovery meant for their institution.
"We've identified a pathogen that operates according to principles we don't currently understand," Elena said directly, no preamble, no soft introduction. "It adapts faster than we can develop countermeasures. Everything we've built, everything we've trained for, becomes obsolete if this pathogen reaches general population."
The room erupted in questions. Elena raised her hand for silence.
"Here's what happens now," she continued. "We're restructuring entirely. Half our current operations shi
