In the van outside, Riley Davis typed furiously. “I’m in. Kessler’s environmental controls are on a closed loop—but his personal tablet is mirroring his vitals. Heart rate spiking... there. I’ve locked his remote detonator. He can’t crack the seal remotely.”

Kessler turned it once. Twice.

Kessler hesitated. That was the opening.

“Boys,” Kessler’s voice echoed from a speaker. “I see you. One wrong move, and I crack the seal. The spores aerosolize.”

Mac whispered into his sleeve mic: “Riley, now.”

Jack cuffed him before he could blink. “Should’ve taken the deal, mushroom man.”