Space 0

The Locus

Space 146

"The Entrance"

METF soldiers on patrol near the FARO

**Space 0,** also informally known as **The Entrance**, is the first accessible space through the Mullins Portal (and, assumedly, other natural portals that may exist). Previously discovered in its first iteration in 1960 following the Mullins Experiment, the 1964 disturbance in the Other lead to the loss of the first Space 0 - and the previous Forward Anomalous Research Outpost (FARO) that had been established by the Anomalous Research and Intelligence Office. The current iteration was discovered after the reactivation of the Mullins Interspatiotemporal Permeation Device, and the initiation of the Stout Initiative; it has stayed in a stable connection to true reality ever since.

The current space that occupies "Space 0" is the first space in what is known as Cluster Alpha. It is a **Category 0** space, indicating its lack of danger to human life, and is currently the only known space to harbor a permanent human habitation - this is within the confines of the ARIO's FARO, which was set up in the closest department store to the created portal and currently harbors over hundred staff on rotation between Space 0 and true reality.

## Description

**Space 0** resembles a mall atrium or entrance, with a consistent flooring of slick marble or granite that often becomes subject to "microflooding" from the condensation of a pervasive mist throughout the space. Lighting fixtures illuminate the level alongside indecipherable and coherent neon signs alike, spelling either real and existent franchises or signing symbol through unknown alphabets. Despite being an "entrance", researchers presume that the space is infinite in size as a result of structural repetitions occurring for several hundred kilometers from the starting point.

## Cryptids

**Space 0** has virtually no cryptid activity reported. The only notation of cryptids being present in any capacity within **Space 0** was found in preliminary exploration reports filed in 1964 by METF explorers, who described *"distant humanoid shadows running into the mist"*. No other signs of life have been reported since.

## Metatopography

### Entrances

Currently, **Space 0** can be directly accessed from the open Mullins Portal. It can also be accessed by the aberrant space known as The Locus, which seems to serve as a "hub" of navigation between several known spaces.

### Exits

**Space 0** can be exited through the Grand Lobby Gateway, a consistently repeating gateway that occurs every fifty kilometers along **Space 0**'s sole navigable hallway; this will lead to Space 1. Alternatively, Space 146 can be accessed by entering a rare iteration of the space in the form of dark glass doors hiding the interior of what seems to be a restaurant franchise of unknown identity.

## Forward Anomalous Research Outpost

*Main article: Forward Anomalous Research Outpost*
The Forward Anomalous Research Outpost, or FARO, is a military outpost administrated by the ARIO, a subdivision of the United States Department of Defense dedicated to anomalous research. The current iteration of the FARO takes the form of a fortified two-story department store to the immediate right of the Mullins Portal, and has a rotational population of 125 ARIO researchers. Due to the infamous history of the sudden loss of the last FARO and the nightmarish possibilities of its denizens prior to the 1964 disruption of the Other, the current FARO is built to be maximally self-sufficient. This includes state-of-the-art hydroponics that source water from the local environment and a sophisticated furnishing of the FARO interior to true reality standards, with appliances utilizing the electricity present in the walls of **Space 0**.

The FARO is split into several subsections, ranging from the beginning airlock and researcher barracks to a recreation room, laboratories, armory, agriculture section, and temporary rest station for Metatopographical Exploration Task Force contingents to stay at prior to travelling further into the Other. Despite the low (but apparent) risk of spatiotemporal dislocation similar to 1964, current staff of the facility emphasize its comfort and stability.

Interestingly, the FARO is located only a few meters away from the Locked Entrance, a portion of **Space 0** that showcases what seems to be a permanent amber and crimson sunset through translucent windows and undamageable metal gratings.