12-19-2014, 09:30 PM
The elevator came to a stop, and the doors slid apart. The hallway beyond was less like a hospital and more like a bunker. The walls were iron plates, the floor cement, but all were brightly lit. The recirculated air was clean, but smelled vaguely of sanitzer. Nikolai stoutly proceeded to a large glass column at the opposite end, its red glow drenched the walls a hellish paint while the sounds of his steps echoed in the metal tunnel.
"These facilities were constructed during the Cold War. The Kremlin could sustain a direct nuclear hit and those down here would be safe until the fallout recovered. When the structure was built, it was impregnable, but with our state-of-the art advances, is a self-sustaining island. Life on the moon would be less isolated. Thus, we are safe from the world above, and yet, they are safe from what harbors down here."
The column swirled to life, sensing Nikolai's hand as he waved his palm across the surface. The surface rippled and a map came into sharp focus. The layout of the Facility depicted three levels with a singular main corridor off which branched various rooms. "The upper level is for research."
He gestured at the various laboratory spaces. While he didn't point them out specifically, living quarters for the workers were also apparent. "The lower levels were once designed as weapons holds."
There was a glint in his eye when he turned toward Michael. "The weapons held now are likely not what the original architects had in mind, but they suffice."
Suddenly, a pulse of energy, like a burst bubble of power, snapped his attention sideways. It was over within a second, but there was doubting exactly what he felt. The glass column showed movement in the floor below, but Nikolai was not concerned.
"You two aren't the first of my ascendants to be placed in key positions of my government."
"These facilities were constructed during the Cold War. The Kremlin could sustain a direct nuclear hit and those down here would be safe until the fallout recovered. When the structure was built, it was impregnable, but with our state-of-the art advances, is a self-sustaining island. Life on the moon would be less isolated. Thus, we are safe from the world above, and yet, they are safe from what harbors down here."
The column swirled to life, sensing Nikolai's hand as he waved his palm across the surface. The surface rippled and a map came into sharp focus. The layout of the Facility depicted three levels with a singular main corridor off which branched various rooms. "The upper level is for research."
He gestured at the various laboratory spaces. While he didn't point them out specifically, living quarters for the workers were also apparent. "The lower levels were once designed as weapons holds."
There was a glint in his eye when he turned toward Michael. "The weapons held now are likely not what the original architects had in mind, but they suffice."
Suddenly, a pulse of energy, like a burst bubble of power, snapped his attention sideways. It was over within a second, but there was doubting exactly what he felt. The glass column showed movement in the floor below, but Nikolai was not concerned.
"You two aren't the first of my ascendants to be placed in key positions of my government."