The massive hydraulic lift descended three hundred feet beneath the northern ridge, carrying the young commander and his core officers into the subterranean heart of the North City Municipal Armory.
Fluorescent light strips flickered to life along the vaulted ceiling, illuminating three consecutive tiers of blast doors that slid open with smooth pneumatic hisses.
Each security bulkhead bore the faded insignia of the pre-Merge municipal council, now overwritten by the silver crest of the First Citadel.
Behind the third security gate lay an underground cavern large enough to house two full mechanized infantry regiments.
Rows of automated storage racks stretched into the distance, stacked with crates of tactical combat gear, enchanted rifles, and high-caliber munitions.
At the center of the staging bay stood eight armored transport gunships, their composite armor hulls gleaming beneath the industrial floodlights.
