The facility's exterior door gave way faster than Hunter expected once the federal liaison's authorization came through, a routine industrial lock no match for the entry team the liaison brought in ahead of Hunter's arrival. By the time Hunter, Carver, and Ren stepped inside, the front rooms had already been cleared and photographed.
"Nobody's here," the liaison said, meeting them just past the entrance. "No staff, no equipment running, nothing active. But it hasn't been empty long. There's still power in half the building."
"The spike Sable flagged," Hunter said. "It was due two days ago."
"Then whoever was here left right before it," Ren said. "Which means someone knew we were coming."
They moved through the building together, past a reception area with furniture still in place, down
