Lieutenant Parker was bringing up the rear and saw Cowan glancing around. “Sir, all the rooms, and the corridors are individually fashioned steel structures. Each of these structures rests on a bed of very large springs, and each of those springs weighs close to a half ton. In the event of a nuke strike, or even an earthquake, the springs will drastically reduce the movement and therefore decrease the damage in here.”

At the end of the corridor, they approached another large door. There was another plexiglass plate on the wall and Cowan pressed his right hand against the plate. Immediately the computer voice said, “You are not authorized to enter this area.”

“Let me, Sir. You aren't set up yet,” said Parker, as he moved to the front of the line.

“Good morning Lieutenant Parker,” said the voice as the door slid open.

They stepped into a spacious elevator and as soon as the door shut, they began a rapid descent. The doors opened again, and they stepped out into the center of another wide corridor. There was a door to the left, at the end of the passage, marked 'COMMAND CENTER.' To the right, there were several doors on either side. There was another elevator at the far end; above its door was a sign that read 'ENGINEERING'. The small party turned to the left passing another door marked 'MESS HALL', which didn't have a Plexiglas palm reader. Across the hall from the Mess Hall was a door marked 'HEALTH CENTER'.

Parker's hand worked the scanner, and the double doors to the Command Center opened, revealing a lot of activity. Technicians were standing on yellow ladders, running orange fiber optic cable from conduits in the wall to computer terminals. New systems were being installed, and the far wall was being painted. There was a large central console with four chairs facing it, off to the right. Most of the electronic work seemed to be centered around this console.

They located General Fitch in a recessed office off to the far left. As soon as he saw them, he was on his feet and moving toward them at a rapid pace. “James, Amy, glad you're here! Things are a little crazy.”

“Sir, this facility is amazing!” Travers exclaimed.

“It sure is. I'm still a bit overwhelmed myself; fortunately, it isn't too hard to find your way around.”

“Will this place meet our needs?” Cowan asked.

“Definitely, with the changes I've ordered, I think it'll be close to perfect.”

“We saw a little on the way in here, but I'd sure like a complete tour when there's time,” Cowan said.

“Let's go. The sooner we get the tour completed, the sooner I can get you both working,” Fitch agreed. “I assume there were no problems with the last experiment?”

“None sir,” Amy agreed. “They all woke up without incident. The staff is packing up and awaiting instructions.”