The Vault

The **Darkwater Maximum Security Detention Facility**, codenamed **The Vault**, was one of several New Republic prisons as well as being the most secure.

## Description

The prison was several stories in height, and fairly large in its width and length. There were few viewports, owing to its location deep in an ocean on Dolphus I, however those that existed were stronger than necessary to withstand the pressures of the deep.

### Layout

#### Cell blocks

Each story included several cell blocks, seemingly simple corridors with cells on either side. However to the average person they would seem to be spaced unusually far apart. This space was required for the design of the cells and the cell blocks themselves.

A single corridor branching off of one side of a more central hall was considered to be a cell block, with each receiving an aureknumeric (alphanumeric) designation. The entrance to a cell block was blocked by a secure magnetically sealed and magna-locked turadium door, with the designation being printed on both sides of the door. Within a cell block there were many rayshield projectors, with them being placed outside each cell door, between each set of cells and a pair on either side of the cell block door for added protection. The projectors dividing the cells were controlled both from a terminal just inside the door and from the prison control room, and the ones around the cell block door itself were controlled along with the door.

Each cell block had six visible cell doors, made of turadium and also magna-locked, on each side, totaling twelve. However, the design of the cell block doubled this number of cells. Behind each visible door was usually a solid barrier, which served to fill the gap usually left by the cells, which would raise or lower both to be accessible to the visible door and to move from the door and into the position they often were in - an added measure of security. When a cell was called upon the barrier would retract into a usually empty space behind it to make way for either cell.

#### Cell

Each cell was composed of molecularly bonded armor, with a magnetically sealed/magna-locked turadium door of its own. They were mounted to rails on the back and side walls, to best prevent it from coming off the rails and maintenance needing to be performed, on which they were raised or lowered. The wall opposite the door had a small hatch, lockable from the outside, which served as the endpoint of a vacuum chute. These chutes were fed from a slot beside the outer cell door and were used for the delivery of food rations, the packages decomposing fairly rapidly to eliminate the need for waste collection.

The cell featured a small bed, surrounded to make it look like a cut-out in the wall, and blanket. Behind a divider low enough to maintain visual surveillance but high enough to offer some degree of privacy separated a combined toilet, sink, and faucet for hygiene purposes. These fed through a number of hoses to a combined waste tank. Additionally the cell was climate controlled to not be unbearable, and to accommodate the requirements of various species; this was not controllable by the prisoner. A single recessed light spanning about 3/4s the width of the cell provided light, and was covered by a grate to keep the prisoner from interfering with it. The cell was completely soundproof both ways, excluding microphones concealed in the cell for security purposes, preventing sound from escaping and sound from being heard within. A cell also featured a loudspeaker for use, although this wasn't very often.

#### Personnel accommodations

While not the best place to be stationed, the facility included barracks, a mess hall, and rec rooms for those who were off duty.

#### Control room

Separated via magnetically sealed and magna-locked turadium blast doors was the control room. From here any of the several units of trained personnel were able to monitor and control every aspect of the facility in safety; with work stations for each on duty controller that included monitors and control panels for the various security systems. Also here were specialized communications terminals from which all encrypted communications both to and from the prison went through, with at least one person manning comms at all times.

Connected to this, and similarly separated from the rest of the facility, were its own barracks, food preparation and dining area, and refresher units.

The control room did not have exclusive control over the facility, with localized terminals being placed throughout the prison to control various systems within the smaller area that it was restricted to. For example: while the control room could operate doors remotely, this was often done at the door itself using either the terminal or even the door lock controls themselves.

#### Other

There existed areas on each story that contained a few sonic showers, specifically for prisoners which were used at regular, but somewhat slow, rotations. These were monitored to prevent, discourage, and intercept suspicious activity. Each stall had an independent ray shield to prevent escape.

On one of the floors were a series of secure rooms for questioning, in which the prisoner would not only be restrained but would be "chained" to a specific location in the room.

On one of the lower levels was a carbon-freezing chamber, which in practice was rarely used but existed as a contingency. There were assorted personnel who were cross trained to operate it. Individuals who were carbon-frozen were on life support to sustain them.

### Security

Security within the prison was designed to be tight and over the top. Various sensors line the facility, all feeding to a secure central control room. Some of the systems in place included: pressure sensors placed under the floor panels; audio sensors lining hallways and cells; concealed cameras throughout the facility, with few if any blind spots and every cell being monitored; low-powered laser detection systems higher than the human detection range; infrared motion trackers; and the previously mentioned ray shields.

Additionally, automated laser traps were common to see within various corridors including but not limited to the cell blocks. Despite their name, these often were operated remotely from the control room.

All of these sensors and weapon emplacements were not a replacement for a security presence, and the facility was regularly patrolled by a mix of droid and organic security personnel.

## Personnel

Among those stationed at The Vault were security, who were specially trained and equipped as a specialization of New Republic troopers; technicians; controllers, which as a unit had their own specific posts; medically trained personnel; and pilots. These personnel were rotated periodically, but rather slowly at six standard months.

## Secrecy

The very existence of The Vault was a closely guarded secret to the New Republic government, much less the location of it. To this end many who are not stationed there but are taken to perform other duties, such as to question a prisoner, were not informed of their location. Similarly, the personnel were strictly ordered not to disclose the location or the facility, leading to the unconfirmed but likely theory that not even all of the personnel stationed at the prison know where they are.

The screening process for those to be stationed at The Vault were extensive, requiring a high level security clearance. Additionally all personnel were made to sign various non-disclosure agreements, with any potential whistle blowers immediately being discredited.