Introduction
Nestled in the Centrepoint Peaks to the east of Seng Karash and north of Kel Rasha, Mount Dakhan is the official headquarters and seat of House Shar Dakhan on Aeotheran. It is built inside the top third of a mountain, which can be sealed in times of attack and unrest.
History
Following the House’s return to Aeotheran, and the need for a more open rule than previously held, Quaestors Takagari "DarkHawk" KogaRyu and Malisane Sadow and Aedile Sanguinius Tsucyra decided on a more visible and secure base than held previously.
After surveying many of the planet's natural amenities, the House Summit found a mountain in the Centre Peaks and decided on this as a secure location that both overlooked much of the central continents and would be safe from invasion or unrest. Rather than building on or amongst the mountains, the Summit undertook a vast construction project to hollow out the top third of the most prominent mountain and build their base inside.
This was done in secret mainly with outside contractors for security reasons and only the House and Clan summits were aware of the project until completion. A rumour briefly circulated that the contractors never left the planet and may have succumbed to an accident on project completion but this was never confirmed.
Layout
Exterior
When sealed the base looks like just another mountain, with a typically craggy exterior and seasonal snow. However the sides contain moving sections that lift and then retract into the mountain revealing the hangar, balconies, walkways and several garden terraces built into the sides, all covered by force fields that keep out the cold and protect the inhabitants from falling or purposely jumping. The peak of the mountain also retracts to reveal an observatory and the offices of the Quaestor and Aedile, all protected by transparent reinforced glass.
The building also has extensive turbolaser and ion cannon defences built into the top and sides, as well as silos for surface to air defences. When under attack these can be separately sealed or opened from the rest of the building.
The building also has glass turbolifts up the sides of the mountain down to the ground, which are also covered by the moving panels when necessary. These is separate from the interior turbolifts that allow access through the middle of the building.
Upper Living Quarters
The upper living quarters of the building are laid out for the members of House Shar Dakhan, each being a suite of rooms and offices on one or two levels decorated to the members taste. Each quarters has one or two shielded balconies which overlook the continent and ocean beyond and depending on the direction they face, Seng Karash and Kel Rasha on a clear day.
There is also an exclusive members dining area with an outside terrace where members and their guests can relax and socialise with each other or have some quiet time.
The upper living quarters are not accessible to the lower ranking inhabitants of the building except for security patrols and maintenance droids.
The Academy
This is an overall name for several levels of libraries, laboratories and physical training areas below the above living quarters.
The first three levels contain libraries with books, scrolls and holocrons acquired by the House or borrowed from the Shadow Academy, though most of the information held can also be accessed via the secure computer system. The area has a relaxing, low light atmosphere and comfortable furniture suited to study and has both an open area where silence is appreciated and several private rooms for debate. In addition there are balconies for study or contemplation with the atmospheric shielding.
The next three levels contain the laboratories and specimen storage area. These range from small laboratories for private individual work to larger facilities the height of several levels for larger projects each are hermetically contained to avoid contamination in and out of them, and contain the latest technology for members use.
There are also a number of shielded containment areas for specimens ranging from monkey lizards to rancors, and there is a private hangar here separate from the main one to avoid contamination or escape of specimens, or if sentient specimens are brought in for experimentation.
The final levels of the Academy are designed for the pursuit of physical excellence. These include several large swimming pools, spa areas and gymnasiums, seperated for member and general use.
There are also a series of hologramatic combat suites allowing members and military personnel to experience training and combat in a range of environments and against a variety of opponents, designed and improving on the concept of the Antei Combat Centre. The safety can be enabled or disabled depending on the choice of associated risk.
Lower Living Quarters
These contain the smaller more basic living environments for garrisoned personnel in the base which typically holds a battalion sized force,as well as civilian administration, maintenance and scientific personnel.
They range in size and comfort based on rank, with the exterior balconied quarters set aside for senior officers or visiting civilian dignitaries. Like the above members quarters this has several canteens and bars for relaxation and socialising, though a standard of behavior is imposed in these and is expected to be maintained.
These can be accessed by House members from the private quarters above, though as previously stated this is not reciprocal.
The Armory
Again, this is a collective name for storage and maintainence of weaponry and equipment supplied to the members and military personnel in the base, as well as replacement parts for the defence systems and ship parts where needed by the maintenance facilities in the hangar.
The Hangar
This is built into the lower levels of the base, with a large entrance either side big enough to allow entry to several smaller ships at once or a larger freighter sized vessel. Like the rest of the base the hangar can be enclosed by the exterior panels to seal it from entry in times of attack, or for containment if necessary.
Inside the hangar is large enough to hold dozens of ships at once, from small fighters to freighters. In the centre are large turbolifts for access to the above or below levels for both personal and goods transport.
There are multiple repair stations where crews and droids maintain ships and load and unload supply vessels, as well as security stations in case of a hostile entry to the base.
Power and Hydroponics Facility
The lower levels of the base are set aside for facilities to maintain the base and its inhabitants, with an intention to make the base contained and self-sufficient in all contingencies.
The upper levels contain hydroponics, where food is grown under artificial light including vegetation and artificial meat products, as well as a small farm for a limited number of actual livestock for food. This facility can support the inhabitants of the base more or less indefinitely, though the House also ships a range of other foods to suit members tastes ordinarily.
The next level contains water storage, water is pumped up from underground through pipes leading up from the lower solid levels of the mountain, again giving a more or less inexhaustible supply of clean fresh water.
Below the water storage are the oxygen recycling plants, ensuring that the base has an independent air conditioning system when sealed in times of attack or if the atmosphere of the planet were to become uninhabitable. This includes a system that filters air up through the building and cleans out any impurities or contaminants.
The final level contains the power generators, which combine traditional nuclear generation with geothermal power facilities from the earth below to ensure a continuous supply of power to the base, which can be adjusted to restrict power to essential systems where necessary.
Summit Research & Development
State of the art research facility, was commissioned by Quaestor Quentinshadows to help research new military technology that could enhance the armaments of the Dark Jedi Brotherhood.
The upper level contains scientist dorms providing modest accommodations for those who work at the lab, also contains all the meeting rooms, and Offices of the top research directors.
The lower level contains the research laboratories, and secured testing areas to prevent any collateral damage from their experiments.