“Exactly,” Fitch agreed. “This was designed to serve about three hundred people, but we need to be able to handle several thousand. The engineers have confirmed the expansion is possible. The problem is, when these people wake up, we don't know what they'll face. They'll need a sizable amount of food, perhaps enough for one or two years. That means a massive amount of food storage space, including warehouse-size freezers. I don't think eating MREs for two years will cut it,” Fitch explained, referring to the military's pre-packaged Meal Ready to Eat packets which could be eaten anywhere, anytime and would last on the shelf for many years.

They left the Mess Hall and headed further away from the command center. “Hopefully they'll have plans for the Health Center and the Mess Hall ready soon. I plan to triple the number of workers on site. There are already housing quarters under construction outside for the workers, and after the wake-up, they'll house some of the former sleepers,” the General explained.

They passed the elevator which had brought them down to this level and came across more doors on either side of the passage. “These rooms are mostly built, but again, they'll need to be expanded. I suspect this is where we'll house the sleep capsules. The architects checking to see how far they can be expanded. I suspect initially there will be a core team of about one hundred and fifty to two hundred sleepers who will be awakened, to investigate the situation outside. When the time comes to start rebuilding, the rest will be woken. We'll also need to have specific individuals who are keyed to awaken if specific circumstances occur, such as a medical emergency, a fire, or a reactor issue. The systems will constantly monitor outside environmental factors, and if specific parameters are met, key personnel will then be awoken to make a final decision,” Fitch explained.

At the end of the hall was another large elevator. Fitch touched the plate in the wall and a detached voice spoke. “Good morning, General Fitch.” The elevator doors slid open.

Fitch started talking as the elevator descended. “This level houses all the behind-the-scenes stuff including the reactor room, waste disposal facilities, water purification, and computer center. There'll be a need for a manufacturing center; they'll need to build anything they don't have, along with having the capability to create things which won't survive for long periods of time, such as batteries. They'll also be installing the print shop down here.”

“Sir, why will they need a print shop?” Travers asked.