That evening, back at their safehouse, Zarah and Ayodele reviewed their strategy. Their ultimate goal was to expose the corporations' leadership—shadowy figures who rarely appeared in public and operated through proxies.
Tunde had given them a critical lead: a hidden facility in Lagos where sensitive documents were stored. These documents allegedly contained contracts, offshore account details, and communications that would directly tie the corporations to illegal activities.
"This is the smoking gun we've been waiting for," Zarah said, her eyes blazing with determination. "If we get this, they're done."
"But it's not just about getting in," Ayodele warned. "It's about getting out alive. They'll be expecting us."
Tunde spoke up. "There's an access point through the shipping docks. Minimal security, but it'll still be risky."
"We've faced worse," Zarah said firmly.
---
The night of the operation, the three of them dressed in dark, inconspicuous clothing. Zarah carried a backpack with her equipment, while Ayodele handled navigation. Tunde, though still under suspicion, had been given the task of monitoring their surroundings and ensuring they weren't followed.
As they approached the facility, the air grew thick with tension. The docks were quiet, save for the distant hum of machinery. They slipped through a side gate and into the shadows of towering shipping containers.
"Over there," Tunde whispered, pointing to a small building with dimly lit windows. "The server room is on the second floor."
Zarah nodded, taking the lead. Inside, the building was eerily quiet. They moved quickly, avoiding security cameras and sticking to the shadows. When they reached the server room, Zarah set to work, connecting her laptop to the system.
"This will take a few minutes," she whispered.
Ayodele kept watch by the door, his eyes scanning the hallway. "Hurry," he said. "We don't have much time."
The download bar on Zarah's laptop inched forward agonizingly slowly. Just as it reached 75%, an alarm blared.
"They've found us!" Tunde hissed.
"We need a few more seconds!" Zarah shouted, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway as armed guards approached. Ayodele raised his voice. "We hold them off here. Finish the job."
---