Archangel
The Heart Of SLA On Dante

SLA Industries current domination of the war on Dante is in no small part due to its huge central command, manufacturing and training facility know as 'Archangel Base'. Although to call Archangel a military base is something of an understatement as in the years since its initial construct it has grown to take on city sized proportions and stands unequaled as the largest instillation on the planet, dwarfing the former central command bunker at Slayers Fist which it was built to replace. Accommodation blocks, training facilities, warehouses and factories spread out over an area so large that Archangel now requires its own road network and public transport system. For a newcomer it is often impossible to navigate without a map and personnel on their first leave there frequently get lost. A vast spaceport operates 24 hours a day bringing in personnel and equipment from 'New Hope', while an equally large number of troops leave from the bases many airports and on convoys each day, bound for the front-lines and SLA's many outposts on Dante.

The base is built roughly where the original colonists choose to construct their first settlement and space port, making it well placed in the center of Dante's largest continent. The site also allows access to one of the many large rivers which flow to the oceans and through an extensive dredging and reconstruction program it is now possible to sail members of the SLA Dreadnought fleet up river to where an comprehensive port facility is under construction on the outer northern edge of the base.

The bulk of Archangel sits at the center of a vast defense grid which extended several miles out from the city to form its perimeter and which comes under attack daily by various factions attempting to probe it for weaknesses. Mostly this is done using automated drones, cruise missiles and other airborne weapons, although occasionally armored columns and artillery are brought up to try and pound the complex. All opposing forces on Dante see the destruction of Archangel as the key to SLA's defeat. And as a result of these constant attacks, over the years the exterior defenses have grown into a vast maze of fortified walls, emplacements, missile batteries and bunkers, as more and more items are added to shore up the perimeter walls against attack. Further out from this wall come early warning guard towers and extensive sensor systems which alert the defenders of incoming targets and allow the 'Valhalla' laser grid to be brought on line. Valhalla is able to vaporize instantly most supersonic targets that come into range, destroying them before they can detonate, including the many cruise missiles and boosted artillery rounds fired at the base by rival companies. The ten colossal armoured towers that hold the laser generators dominate the Archangel skyline, rising above the other buildings at regular intervals along its perimeter wall. Although even this system has proved fallible, when 100 years ago at the height of one of the worse communications blackouts to hit the base a Thresher suicide squad were able to hijack and re-enter an orbital freighter, which using its FOF transmitter to avoid the numerous anti aircraft batteries, they then smashed into the northern sector of the Archangels spaceport at maximum velocity. The impact caused the destruction of several square miles of the base with the loss of countless lives and resulted in the implementation of several strict security protocols for inbound flights intended to prevent it ever happening again.

Not only does Archangel look like a city in design, it also offers many facilities of a city to those who are stationed there or passing through during training. Civilian run bars, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities have grown up over the years to service the vast military population and the work forces from the numerous factories, manufacturing plants and research establishments that the base supports. This civilian population is controlled under strict martial law, but even the Dante High Command recognizes that the troops need somewhere for R&R and to spend their pay. As a result virtually any service or item that can be legally purchased on Mort (and quite a few that can't) can be found on offer somewhere in Archangel's civilian quarter.

The architecture of the base is mainly dictated by the harsh environmental conditions found on the planet and the constant threat of attack. Squat, thick walled, grey tower blocks and low fortified bunkers make up the majority of the buildings with few traces of decoration or embellishments. Many of these structures are windowless to allow better protection and those that do have views to the outside sport narrow strips of heavily armoured glass complete with thick, rapid closing blast shutters. Most entrances are set below street level and it is not uncommon for buildings to have several sub-basements, some even offering access to the vast underground complex that Archangel rests on. The entire base was designed with the intention that some day it may need to be defended from inside the defense grids, if the perimeter walls were ever breached. For this reason the buildings and streets are built into a complex pattern that would force an attacker to fight every inch of the way to get to its center. In the unlikely event that Archangel should ever come under direct attack everyone on the base would be expected to fight and this includes the civilians and military police stationed there. Because of this all non military personnel must undergo Civil Defense training at the age of sixteen and be ready to draw weapons and armour from the countless emergency armories and caches constructed around the complex in the event of a breach.
As well as being at the center of the military command on Dante the base also serves two other important functions, as a training center for new Militia recruits and as a clearing house for much of the weaponry and equipment that is sent down from New Hope satellite. A third of the city consists of the vast training facilities where new personnel go through the standard six week induction course to become Dante infantry and before assignment to the line.

Lecture halls, shooting ranges and assault courses are all present on the base to allow new recruits to be taught the rudiments of battle tactics, weapon usage and maintenance and a crash course on Dante environment and survival. SLA engineers have also constructed a vast area on the outskirts of the base known as 'Satan's Playground'. This is a faithful reproduction of several kilometers of the front lines where recruits go through their final ultra realistic simulations before being shipped out. In addition the sector also has many advanced training facilities and simulators for those who return to the base after their first tour to undergo tuition in such areas as piloting, mechanical skills and advanced weapons systems. Each of the main military forces such as the Marines, Medevac, Air Corps and Engineers have their own training schools at Archangel, including the highly specialized Dante Special Operations unit where potential spies and saboteurs are instructed.

A Short Guide To Archangel

The Ebony Spire

At the heart of Archangel stands the Ebony Spire, a vast imposing structure that houses the command and control center for the entire planet and the living quarters of the Supreme Commander and her staff.

An immense, windowless, kilometer and a half tall, tower of seamless black ceramic armour which dominates its surroundings. The complex is under constant guard by a special Marine detachment answerable only to the War Witch herself and is even rumored to have its own miniature version of the Valhalla anti missile defense system. Although, if this does exist, it appears to be being reserved for a dire emergency, as the Spire armoured outer shell appears to be more than adequate at repelling all types of conventional attacks. With its sole discernible entrance and several meter thick walls many consider it the single, most heavily fortified building on the planet and capable of surviving weapons strikes even up to the mega tonne range.

Few, apart from the military elite, ever have quarters in the tower and the underground complex it stands upon and it is widely suspected that there are numerous hidden entrances to the Spire leading into the underground tunnel systems. Only a very small number of ordinary troops ever gain access to the Ebony Spire and it is seen as a great honor to receive an invitation there, unless of course you have done something in violation of the Company in which case it is unlikely that you'll ever come out again. The tower is also known to house the only Stigmata unit on the planet, who are rumored to even have the power to 'retire' the Supreme Commander if they see fit and act as Mr. Slayers eyes and ears on Dante. A key target in any rival company attack, the spires placing at the exact center of the Valhalla grid means that as yet nothing has even come close to testing its strength.

The Labs

Today, virtually every one of SLA Industries major sub companies has a lab or research facility established at Archangel. Many favoring the high security of the base which allows them to conduct sensitive research in relative safety compared to other areas of Dante. A large section of the base is now devoted to these centers and operates under tight security as each company jealously guards its secrets.

Although the military and S.I.D arrange security personnel, many of the larger labs also provide their own forces from off world, apparently not willing to take any chances. Many of the top researchers also have accommodation in this area and it is extremely hard to get access to without numerous passes and authorization, not only from the military, but from the labs themselves. Several unfortunate accidents have occurred in this sector through the years, due to lost military personnel encountering patrol drones or Stormers without the proper authorization. Many worry what the R&D departments are up to at the heart of Archangel and that one day something is going to go seriously wrong. Others claim that several thing already have, but that they have been carefully concealed by SLA's high level security and propaganda teams.

"Hey no need to get rough, I was just looking for a bar and got lost, okay. Look you don't have to keep pointing those guns at me like that, how was I to know this area was off limits. I know I don't have the proper authorization, like I said I was looking to get drunk, not rip off research secrets..."

Private T.K.Mullholland
Karma Research Center - Archangel

The Third Eye Tower

The tallest building in the complex baring the Ebony Spire, the Third Eye Tower houses the main Dante media and propaganda unit who are responsible for reporting on and promoting the war throughout the Worlds Of Progress. This building contains all the editing and production facilities where programs are prepared before being sent off planet as well as several large studios where portions of shows are filmed before broadcast. Much of Third Eyes work is in perpetuating the idea that SLA is winning the war on Dante and that despite the several centuries old deadlock is actually gaining ground. Numerous programs are put together from footage taken in the field by the CMG (Combat Media Group) and after undergoing careful screening by various high level Internal Affairs Operatives is released for broadcast to the off world networks.

Some of the more popular shows such as 'It's a Blast', clips of the wars best vehicle to vehicle combat, 'Mad Minute' and 'Maximum KIC', on the spot reporting from the front lines, have been running for many hundreds of years with generation after generation tuning in to watch the war as it happens.

The Tower is also at the heart of the Dante propaganda machine with every attempt being made to make the war appear sexy, courageous and just, and to encourage new recruits to join the Militia. Much of this work involving the use of well known media figures from the SLA Militray such as Commander Amity Takaya.

Due to its height the tower has sustained numerous hits from munitions that got past the Valhalla Lasers during the many years of enemy attacks and hearsay abounds that Third Eye have been attempting to get reassigned to safer offices. This has apparently been rejected by the High Command as no other department wants to occupy the building either.

"Look I don't care if she's busy, I want to talk to Commander Van Braun and I want to do it now. We've just had another cruise missile hit on the tenth floor and if she doesn't look into moving us somewhere safer, I'm going to get onto Head Office about Military harassment."

Alistair T. Jackson
Head Of Third Eye News Division
Archangel Base - Dante

The Under City

Beneath Archangel exists a second city almost as large as its over ground counterpart. Miles of bomb hardened tunnels have been built under the base to connect the enormous subterranean storage silos, emergency bunkers and the immense power plants that keep the city alive and feed the Valhalla lasers and the defense grids. The network is so large that a complete subway system has had to be developed over the years to allow rapid transit around this underground maze. In recent years the tunnel system has even been extended under the perimeter defenses allowing rapid re-supply of munitions and troops to the front lines. To protect against infiltration by enemy units these tunnels are fitted with numerous booby traps, security scanners and populated with hunter killer drones, MPs are also charged with making regular patrols throughout the complex to check for any signs of incursions.

Rumors circulate of further tunnels that still exist from the time the base was originally constructed and which have become sealed off from the main network by war damage and seismic activity. Many believe that there may still be ancient storage silos filled with old technology and untouched by the fighting down there waiting to be discovered after over four hundred years. Several R&D labs have sponsored expeditions into the damaged sectors although non to date have had any success and many have not returned possibly having fallen victim to still functioning antique security systems.

A more real mystery surrounds the small number of crazies and deserters who are known to live in some of the deeper tunnels. Scrounging from the storage silos to stay alive and from time to time actually attacking maintenance personnel, these ghostlike figures are a constant annoyance to the MP force of Archangel who have had little success in catching them or discovering how they negotiate the many security measures and traps that have been installed.

The Valhalla Towers

These huge armoured, 800 meter high, columns, tower above Archangels skyline and hold the key to its air defense systems. Each of the ten massive structures is crowned by an immense turret containing multiple high powered lasers which can automatically track and destroy virtually anything that invades the cities airspace. During nighttime air raids the sky is lit brighter than day as the defense grid pumps out millions of watts of power into the atmosphere knocking missiles and artillery rounds out of the sky before they can detonate. Evenly spaced along Archangels inner perimeter wall, the towers are a prime target for enemy sabotage and so apart from the Ebony Spire are among the most heavily defended structures on the base. Each has its own small garrison of specially designed Stormers and is surrounded by rings of gun emplacements, mines and fortifications. The routes through the under city to the Valhalla towers and their power generators are equally well defended and the tunnels around them bristle with drones, sensor systems and regular patrols. Despite this, over the years, there have been numerous attempts by spies and teams of commandos to gain access to the towers and although all ended in bloody failure this has not deterred rival company forces from trying.

The River Styx

This vast three kilometer wide channel which leads to Dante's ocean was originally a natural river till it was extensively dredged and widened to allow the passage of large shipping. The majority of the Styx flows through SLA Industries held territory, but near its mouth it passes through the front lines and for several miles is flanked by DarkNight forces on it western shore and Thresher on its eastern. Both rival companies have built extensive shore batteries on the channels banks and any incoming ships must run the gauntlet of these guns as they proceed to the port facilities at Archangel. Mining of the channel and the attempted ambush of ships is also common, as is use of the river to mount assaults towards SLA lines. As yet though no Dreadnoughts have been lost journeying to and from Archangel base, with their immensely heavy fire power and armour allowing them to fight their way through. Two massive lock gates guard the entrance to the SLA Industries port and these combined with several heavy gun batteries on the rivers embankments have, as yet, deterred any determined attempt to attack Archangel via this route.

The Styx gained its name through its use as a dumping ground for bodies from various front line assaults. After intense fighting thousands of bodies are often simply bulldozed into the river to dispose of them where they drift out to sea on the tied. During the many periods of unwavering heat that occur throughout the summer months the stench of rotting, bloated corpses is overwhelming and rivals that of the free fire zones at their worst. This is intensified by the vast number of chemicals and waste products that the factories and manufacturing plants of Archangel pour into the river each day.

"You want to know what embankment duties like? Well it's the pits man, the absolute pits. You should see the crap that floats past everyday, bits of Stormers, bits of humans, bits of just about everything. Hey man you sure the smell ain't getting to you, you look kinda green. Piece of advice, if your gonna hurl for gods sake don't take your helmet off to do it, last guy that did passed out and almost fell in....and I'm sure as hell not going to jump in and pull your ass out if you do.."

Private - Hiram Dulce
34th River Styx Artillery Battery - Dante
Copyright CMG - Unsuitable for transmission

Proteus Space Port

The largest spaceport operated by any company on the planet, Proteus provides landing facilities for hundreds of Dropships and transports every day and caters for the constant flow of new personnel and supplies sent down by New Hope. Heavily defended against air attack and sabotage, a strict security protocol is observed for all incoming ships, especially after the incident in year 800. Unfortunately this has also resulted in several, regrettable, friendly fire incidents, with incoming SLA transports not transmitting their FOF codes in time and getting shot up by the defense grids.

A prime target in any attack to take Archangel, Proteus has its own large standing, security force and several armoured units to aid in its defense. The port also offers extensive repair and refit facilities for ships and services much of SLA's current fleet of Dropships on a rota basis. In addition the base houses a small production facility, manufacturing spares for the orbital fleet and preventing Dante being hundred percent reliant on imported items.

The space port is also the site of Dante's main Glyph Pillar, which allows Ebon navigators to fold to the planet. Standing at the center of the complex it is heavily defended and under 24 hour guard to prevent sabotage. A task which falls to an elite Necanthrope/Ebon unit known as the 'Keepers Of The Gate'.

A small planet based orbital interceptor squadron is also stationed at the Proteus Spaceport, who's main duties include VIP escorts and flying cover for priority cargo's such as R&D materials or vital supplies. Due to the length of time required to attain orbit this force is unable normally to contribute to system defense, although they can be called on in an emergency. It was originally planned to station a much larger force at Proteus, but in the end these ships were diverted to New Hope and Black Dawn at the request of Admiral Hood.

The Civilian Quarter

This section of Archangel is reserved for the civilian work force and non military employees who work at the base. It is also the center of the bases extensive R&R facilities and home to many of its bars and nightspots. Entry to this sector is only usually given to military personnel on leave and various security posts and MP patrols serve to keep the area off limits to troops in training or on duty.

All civilians are kept under strict martial law for security reasons, although few seem to mind this as many are the results of several generation of SLA employees living on Dante, some dating back to the original colonists and have grown use to the constant supervision. The population is pretty much self contained and very few civilians either leave Dante or are allowed to move there, although some will be moved about between SLA's various bases on the planet in response to demands for workers and other personnel.

The Armitage Hospital

The largest hospital facility on the Dante, Armitage receives thousands of casualties daily from all over the planet. The extensive network of buildings can play host to hundreds of thousands of patients at any one time and provides numerous LAD and biological replacement services to those lucky enough to be reached by Medevac units in time. Most troops unofficially refer to the hospital as the 'Meat Factory' due to the speed at which many of the injured are patched up and put back into the field. The hospital also houses the largest Karma research and manufacturing facility on the planet, outside their labs at Zodiac Nine. This unit undertakes numerous lines of research into battlefield medicine as well as providing the full range of Karma products and upgrades. Many of which are manufactured on the spot to help meet the constant high demands the war produces. Personnel who qualify for, or can afford, additional implants such as Marine Corps troops are also generally sent here for their operations and recuperation periods.

Armitage is also known to operate a small Stormer production facility and this is used to supplement the type D-966 units produced at Zodiac nine and the other models shipped in from Artery such as the 313's. The facility is also capable of producing various 'custom models' when needed and can fit upgrades and additional equipment to existing Stormer units.
Many combat troops are convinced that Armitage also has a more sinister area deep at its heart commonly know as the 'Wards', these are allegedly where those who fail psyche tests or who crack under pressure are sent for 'treatment'. Barrack room jokes abound about being sent to the Wards, although in reality many truly believe they exist. Where these rumors come from is not clear although they are known to date back virtually to the construction of the hospital itself, and the fact that the complex does have many restricted areas only seems to keep them going.

The Manufacturing Districts

Not all equipment, weapons and vehicles are shipped to Dante. Many are built on planet by the vast automated factories that make up a large proportion of Archangel base. These plants run night and day churning out parts, weapons and ammunition to feed the war effort and are only shut down for short periods of necessary maintenance. Raw materials are shipped in from the few mining centers still operating on the planet and these production facilities help to make SLA's forces less reliant on imported items. Much of the sector is constructed underground, the factories forming part of the immense under city and at times of crisis it has not been unknown for munitions to be shipped straight from the factories to the perimeter defenses. There is always a constant and heavy MP presence around the sector as these factories make a prime target for sabotage, especially since many have civilian work forces and maintenance staff. Numerous patrols and spot checks of personnel take place there daily with few regular military venturing into the sector unless their sent there.

The I.A. Building

A large, squat, bunker like building in one of Archangels northern sectors, the I.A. Building houses Dante's main Internal Affairs division and is center of its operations. Protected by its own security force, which operates independantly from those of the Militray the building is off limits to virtually everyone, even members of the High Command. IA has its own vehicles stored at the building and even has a small landing pad and hanger bay incorporated into its roof from which its fleet of private aircraft operate. Virtually all Dante's Internal Affairs divisions have their quarters in the building and it is extremely rare for them to be seen outside its walls, unless on a specific mission.

The Dump

Not actually in the base proper, the area known as the 'Dump' is outside the inner defense perimeter and contains the waste of Archangel for the last six hundred years. Often returning aircraft and vehicles from the front lines and patrols are so far gone when they limp back to the base that there is no point in attempting to repair them and so, after being stripped of anything useful, they find their way to this vast vehicle graveyard.

The Dump is an immense landfill site several kilometers in area where not only vehicles, but every other kind of waste from Archangel finds its way. Acres of rusting, rotting machinery stretch in every direction and it is thought that examples of virtually every type of weapon and piece of equipment ever used in the war is buried in there somewhere. Teams of researchers and techs climb all over the Dump daily in search of antiques, or simply trying to find hard to requisition spare parts or components to get a system running again in a hurry.

The Dump is not without its hazards though, not least the large numbers of items deposited there from the company labs and the many ancient munitions that were not properly stripped before weapons systems were consigned there. The population of Skaggs, and other vermin, is huge, with them hiding out in the wrecks and feeding on the waste, despite numerous attempts to drive them out. There are also suspicions that some of these animals have mutated due to the large numbers of chemicals and old radioactives that saturate the water table, often becoming bigger, stronger and more aggressive. Some 'Crazies' have also made their home in the maze of war relics and regular raids are conducted by the bases MPs and other units to try and flush them out.

Captain Jacks

The most famous nightspot in Archangel. Captain Jacks Bar dates right back to the first colony and has the proud boast of never having closed down for a single night since its opening in 081. This is despite being relocated several times and being the site of numerous drunken brawls, which resulted in wholesale destruction of the fittings, and verged on becoming full blown riots.

Over the years the club has steadily grown in size till it almost rivals Mort's Pit in facilities offered and varied clientele. The club now occupies several rooms in what was once a huge fortified warehouse on the south side of the civilian quarter and its six massive bars have played host to virtual every type of personnel serving on the planet.

Inter unit fights at Captain Jacks are common despite the bar having a door staff consisting mainly of retired Stormers. Many of these brawls have become legendary, especially when they resulted in MPs and even S.I.D security personnel needing to be brought in to break them up. The worst fight on record occurred in 788 when a Southern Wasteland Infantry Battalion on R&R tried to take on several squads of Kodachi Base Marines. This fight also holds the record for highest number of fatalities in one evening. Door policy at the club is tight and entry is usually only permitted to military personnel, with Research staff and sub-company security normally being excluded. Anyone with more than ten years service on Dante qualifies to wear a 'Captain Jacks' logo on their armour and this is a good way to spot experienced veterans.

As a result of its success on Dante, several other branches of Captain Jacks, have been set up on other War Worlds including Cross, Charlie's Point, Satan's Tear and Hedra, over the last four hundred years.

"I'm sorry sir, your not coming in. Look I'll ask you once more nicely to leave and then I'm afraid I'm going to have to hurt you very, very badly. Not that I'd enjoy doing that, but it's just house policy you see...."

Ex-Militia Stormer 'Black Death'
Captain Jacks Doorman

Nexus Air Base

The base of operations for the majority of SLA Industry's aircraft stationed at Archangel and also the site of its flight school and central training facilities. Nexus air base was constructed on the opposite side of the Archangel complex from Proteus to prevent both it and the space port being destroyed in a single large scale attack. Surrounded by heavy AA batteries and with its own personal security units, the High Command is keen to prevent the complex ever being used as a bridgehead for attacking airborne forces.

Nexus is the largest of Archangels four air fields and houses over 20,000 aircraft of varying descriptions. An extensive repair and refit center keeps the fleet flying and there are numerous workshops for the upgrading and retrofitting of aircraft with new developments in weapons systems and avionics. Both FEN and GA have large labs and private runways on the field, where they continue to develop fresh concepts and improve on existing designs. FEN is known to currently to be working on an improved version of the Kilcopter at Nexus, attempting to give it heavier weapons and better armour to bring it in line with the FX66 Warbeast VTOLs. GA is also developing a single seat multi-role fighter at the air base and have been seen flying several prototypes from their private runway.

Satan's Playground

The closest you can get to the Dante front lines without actually going there, Satan's Playground is the most realistic simulator used in troop training and is designed to prepare Militia members for their initial tour. Carefully copied from several kilometers of the worst battlefronts and populated by robotic, computer controlled enemies, the Playground can be used to recreate a variety of combat and environmental conditions for training purposes. While undergoing these combat simulations troops wear special laser activated, jolt packs which respond to fire from the various drones used and either stun or inflict mild burns to simulate weapons hits.

Heavily guarded, more to keep trainees in the than prevent unauthorized entry, the final test for all Militia is to live in the playground for four days without any kind of support. Although the Playground is supposedly 'safe' there are numerous casualties and even some fatalities during exercises there, often as a result of malfunctioning robotics or accidents. Real life wildlife such as Skaggs have also infiltrated the area over the years causing an additional hazard and there are even rumors of a small number of crazies who hide out in the vast training area. Although despite numerous searches by Archangels MPs nothing has ever officially been proved.

The Glass House

The Glass House is the headquarters and main base of operations for Archangel's extensive Militray Police force. One of the oldest buildings in the complex it gains its name from the large reflective panels that cover much of its outer surface, a strange architectural feature totally out of keeping with the rest of the base. The upper levels of the, vast, squat tower block house the forces command and control facilities, while the lower levels and the various basements are used for training facilities, shooting ranges and storage of the Militray Polices large number of patrol vehicles.

The building also has Archangel's largest militray prison incorporated into its lowest level where various types of criminals, from simple AWOLs, petty thieves and D&Ds, to murders and even some serial killers, are held pending judgment. Known commonly as the 'Stockade' this facility has extremely high security and is heavily defended from the outside due to the fact it is often used for the incarceration of low level personnel from rival companies.

The roof of the Glass House has its own hangers and launch pads for the MPs large fleet of helicopters and SCAFs, as well as a small spaceport capable of receiving shuttles and dropships which is mainly used for prisoner transfers up to New Hope or Black Dawn.

The Slab

Headquarters to the Militaries Special Investigations Division, the 'Slab' is another one of Archangel's older buildings and one which has stood virtually since the bases construction. Resembling a huge upright slab of weathered grey concrete, pocked with numerous munition hits, the building houses the control and command staff for all of SID's planetary operations as well as those responsible for Archangel security.

Extending as deep underground, as it is tall, the building has a variety of sub levels and numerous basements, many with access into the Under City. The Slab also provides training facilities for S.I.D officers and provides housing for these, and its permanent staff. The building also has its own, small, maximum security detonation center and interrogation facilities for high level prisoners. Like other Archangel complexes the S.I.D has its own highly trained security officers who guard the Slab and have had been forced to defends it on several occasions against rival company suicide squads attempting to free prisoners.

Due to its relatively small size Gundancer Claw's Ebon Affairs Unit also has its offices in the Slab with several of the upper levels being reserved the departments use and off limits to other personnel. These areas are virtually a security zone within a security zone and have their own Necanthrope and Ebon guards, security systems and defenses.

In recent months the Slabs security has been supplemented by several teams of specially modified Stormers provided by Karma. This is rumored to be in responce to the capture of several high ranking enemy personnel, supposedly including a number of renegade Ebons who are currently undergoing interrogation there both by S.I.D and Ebon Affairs.

The Slab also serves one further purpose, although not strictly an S.I.D one, in being the only building to have the equivalent of a BPN hall where personnel can go to sign up for various types of Hazardous Duty. This facility is open twenty four hours a day and has gained something of a notorious reputation over the years. This stems from the many stories in circulation telling of drunken troopers waking up after a hard nights R&R at Archangel to find they'd inadvertently signed up for Hazardous Duty on a dare.

" What do you mean I'm going to Darkside ??? Look I told you I had a few too many cans of Slosh at Captain Jacks and after that everything got a bit fuzzy.......Hazardous Duty.. No I don't remember anything about Hazardous Duty....."

Private Peter. T. Walker
Unwilling Hazardous Duty Volunteer
S.I.D Custody
Archangel Base