The Directorate witness arrived before sunrise, while the hospital junction still smelled of mineral dust and disinfectant.
Four A-rank suppressors came with her, wearing unmarked gray combat coats and carrying sealed restraint cases. They walked in a diamond around a black instrument mounted on a wheeled frame.
The frame's metal looked too clean for the patched hospital alley, as though its makers expected every place to make room for it.
Nox waited beside the repaired anchor line with Vasa, Dr. Leto, Kendra, Diana, and Emilia. The hospital director had agreed to witness the inspection in the reception alcove rather than the treatment wing.
Patients moved behind a closed door twenty paces away. The new junction contract remained projected above the floor.
The witness showed a Directorate seal, then a System custody receipt.
