The briefing ended with a low electronic tone. Screens dimmed to standby mode. Personnel resumed their tasks, though every pair of eyes in the room still flicked toward the three visitors—curious but disciplined enough not to stare for long.
Albert stood first.
"Ward, run the post-brief tour."
Ward nodded, tapping his tablet. "Come on. This part'll help you understand how we operate."
Ragna stretched her arms until her shoulders cracked. "As long as it doesn't involve more invisible screens and talking walls."
Mira shot her a look. "Please behave."
"I'm trying," Ragna said defensively. "Your 'trying' and my 'trying' look different."
Lyris rose last, brushing off imaginary dust from her skirt. Her eyes flicked to the walls—metal, seamless, unnatural. "If this is only your planning chamber, then the rest of this fortress must be… impressive."
Albert paused by the door. "We don't call it a fortress," he corrected. "This is a Forward Operating Base."
