Download and install VMFS Recovery from DiskInternals.
He opened an SSH session to the host and ran the vmkfstools and esxcli commands he’d practiced in quieter times. The output showed the VMFS-6 signature present but not mounted. A careful probe confirmed the host hadn’t claimed the volume exclusively—good news. That meant he could mount the volume read-only to inspect without risking writes. He mounted it, like easing open that locked warehouse door and stepping inside with flashlight in hand.