The reinforced entrance remained closed when Johannes arrived.
Two DASF squads secured the surrounding underground corridors while Engineers worked around the exposed frame. Most of the remaining rubble had already been removed, leaving the entire entrance visible beneath the Core.
One of the Engineers stood back from it.
"This thing is ridiculous."
Marcus looked over.
"What happened?"
"We tried sampling the frame. Outer layers are normal enough. Steel, ceramics, composites. Then we hit the inside and this happened."
The Engineer held up one of the cutting heads. Its edge had been visibly worn down.
Johannes approached the entrance and subconsciously placed his left thumb on one part of the door frame.
When he realized what he had done, he stepped back and scratched his head.
"Sorry. Muscle memory."
The Engineers ignored his attempt. One of them crouched beside the lower frame, clearing dirt from a narrow section exposed beneath the wall.
"Hold on."
