Dawn broke over Lagos like a fiery _ọ̀ṣ̣up̣a_, the sky a canvas of pink and orange as Kemi and Tariq moved into Obalende's thriving chaos.
The air pulsed with the _rat-tat-tat_ of drums, vendors shouting deals on _ọgọ̀gọ̀ro_, _puff-puff_, and warm _agege bread_ as the smell of grilled plantains wafted like incense through the crowds.
This was Lagos at its most alive-raw, unapologetic, hungry.
Obalende junction, the heart of it all, was already buzzing.
Street hawkers wrestled with makeshift stalls, _danfo_ buses honked in a stalled traffic dance, and a cluster of _Aladura_ churchgoers in white robes sang hymns with fervor, competing with a corner DJ spinning Fela's _"Zombie"_.
The remnants of EkoBot's shutdown lingered like a ghost-some lights flickered, ATM screens were dark-but the people? They were just getting started.
Kemi adjusted the USB drive in her pocket, the calabash now a quiet reminder in her bag.
Tariq nodded toward a raised platform, where Naomi Adebayo stood, a mic in hand, her sharp suit contrasting with the colorful madness.
"_Ẹ n kọ̀?_ Do we rebuild?" Naomi's voice cut through the noise, amplified by hacked speakers.
The crowd leaned in, phones recording, as the Architect continued.
"EkoBot's gone, but Lagos remains.
We shape it-with code, with culture, with _ọmọ̀_. Who's with me?" The roar swallowed the words.
People surged forward, some waving phones with #LagosUnbound, others holding signs-_"Tech for People, Not Profit"_, _"Restore Our Streets"_.
Kemi felt a shiver.
This was bigger than her, than EkoBot.
Tariq dragged her into the mix.
"We need to move! Meetups for every district-Makoko's repairing boats, Yaba's hacking routers, Surulere's spinning beats.
What's our play?" Kemi's mind raced as they wided into a food-lined alley, vendors calling out _"Ewa agoyin! Jollof rice!"_.
They grabbed paper plates, eating as they planned.
Naomi jumped down from the platform, joining them, a tech-bro type and a _giọ̀n gọ̀n_ drummer trailing behind.
"This is Ade, leads the Lekki Makers," Naomi said, nodding to the tech guy in a faded _"I ❤︎Lagos"_ tee.
"And Juwon, Surulere's heartbeat.
We split into teams: infrastructure, communication, security.
EkoBot's void won't stay empty."
Ade, glasses perched on his nose, unfolded a hacked city map.
"Power's patchy, but we've got mesh networks up.
Problem is, the _bad guys_ will come for the data centers Juwan, dreadlocks swaying, beat a staccato on his _giọ̀n gọ̀n_. "We got noise. Let's make sure it's louder than fear.
Tonight, _jùjú_ party at Marina Beach.
Invite the city."
The plan formed fast.
Kemi took _Makoko_, coordinating with fisherfolk to patrol the waters, turning the lagoon into a people's shield.
Tariq took _Yaba_, mobilizing hackers to spread an offline meshnet.
Naomi would tackle the government talks, while Ade secured the tech hubs.
And Juwon... Juwon would make sure the music didn't stop.
As the sun climbed, the crowd thinned into focused clusters.
Kemi, Tariq, and the crew did a quick lap of Obalende, spreading the word.
At a _kurkura_ chicken stall, they bumped into Rasheed, a street coder who winked.
"Got a fix for the traffic lights," he said, tapping his laptop. "Make 'em pulse to the beat.
Like Lagos _dey_ dance."
Naomi smiled, eyes sharp.
"Do it. But keep it safe.
We don't know who's watching."
The USB drive burned in Kemi's pocket.
What was on it? Something for the city, or a key to more secrets? By evening, Marina Beach was a different beast.
Bonfires lit the sand, drums thundered, and the smell of roasting _suya_ drew a swarming crowd.
Juwon's crew took the stage, blending _apala_ with synth beats as Lagos let loose-dancing, laughing, hacking the night.
Kemi spun with strangers, the calabash slaying empty but the city feeling full.
Then, just as the _giọ̀n gọ̀n_ peaked, a discordant whisper cut through-the sky darkening with drones.
EkoBot logos flashed on screens around the beach.
"_Unauthorized gathering.
Disperse now,_" a cold voice commanded.
The music faltered. The crowd stilled.
Kemi's grip on Tariq's arm tightened.
But Juwon leapt higher, grabbing the mic.
"_EkoBot's dead, Lagos is alive! Play, play, PLAY!"_ The drums swelled.
The crowd roared.
And the drones... hovered, confused, as the people took over.
For a night, Lagos was ungoverned, unbought, unbound.
Naomi appeared beside Kemi, eyes gleaming.
"It's beginning. But tomorrow, the real work starts.
Are you ready?" Kemi glanced at the USB, the night, the city.
"We're just getting started."
The beat dropped harder.
The fight for Lagos had a rhythm now.