Underground

The underground is the main setting of the facility, and where most major events take place. It’s where prisoners to the facility reside, and where all doctors in the story work for The Overseer to help facilitate his operation.

Its opposite is the Aboveground.

## About

The underground facility is where The Overseer’s experiments with Mnemosyne are carried out. Prisoners in various groups (sects) afflicted by his experiments are kept underground in rooms catered to each individual, and observed while in other rooms that they’re permitted to mingle in. However, people affected by Mnemosyne are not the only ones that reside there.

Workers are also heavily implied to live underground, as they are, by proxy, prisoners of the facility as well. It is possible for doctors to sleep there as well if they so choose, though most don't. The only known exceptions are Mom, who is revealed to essentially live underground because she is so connected to and fascinated by it, and The Overseer, who is often so busy that he doesn't always get to go home.

The underground facility is kept secret from the general public and is only known to a handful of The Overseer’s employees, who are all chosen for a specific purpose.

## Purpose

It’s not exactly clear what The Overseer’s intent for Mnemosyne is, even to Lucius who has been by his side throughout a majority of the underground operation. It’s also not certain why The Overseer established the facility to begin with (or even if it was him who did).

Very little has been revealed about his reasons for the operation, beyond wanting to facilitate the creation of a stable version of Mnemosyne that effectively wipes memories without much interference or issue. He seems to want to eliminate specific kinds of memory associated with one’s personality and life rather than just general knowledge. This comes with some exception, however, as it is implied he's removed memories of certain learned things, such as information and memories surrounding the previous Ten. He has yet to successfully eliminate or suppress memories without the risk of these memories coming back, or without the risk of damaging a subject’s brain to some degree. Removing small bits of information is the easiest and most attainable for him, but the total elimination of personal memories has been difficult. Other symptoms of the drug are ones he does not appear to take as much issue with, but still studies intensely.

What little information has been garnered by Ten through eavesdropping and copious question asking has still left her in the dark about why The Overseer runs the facility, however in Chapter 83, she overhears him express that he never truly wanted to run this place the way another unknown man named Nicholas did. It’s possible, then, that The Overseer had interest in research based on memory, and only adopted the facility once he saw the opportunity to initiate that research arise.

## Induction

Prisoners are brought to the facility primarily by Lucius, though Milos was apparently once responsible for it, and later worked alongside Lucius to kidnap subjects or workers. While he occasionally does get orders to help Lucius even now, he is generally seen as unreliable by his superior because of his tendency to do as he pleases and ignore blatant orders, so the responsibility is often left on Lucius’ shoulders. The Overseer himself occasionally may go out to carry out this task, depending on whether he thinks he needs to be there.

Ten learned of the process, formally called an “extraction”, primarily during her confinement. For workers who are not necessarily part of the main operation and are only brought on as “slaves” to The Overseer’s whims, extractions are simple, and little research on subjects is necessary beforehand. However, for patients who will be subject to Mnemosyne trials, much more effort is put into the process.

It isn’t known just how subjects are found to begin with or whether they’re taken from areas primarily close to the facility’s location, but typically, everything about a subject will be researched–medical records, close relatives, daily routines, and more are all subject to study. Lucius appears to be the one who specializes in this process, as he is The Overseer’s right-hand man and apparently knows his way around aspects of both physical and cyber security (e.g. data encryption, behavioral enforcement, examining cameras, acting as a hitman, etc.).

## Groups

There are a variety of groups within the facility that are split into “sectors”. The main sector, for example, is Sector A, which houses all the Numbers. Other sectors by name are not explicitly said.

### Workers

*See: Workers*

Workers are those who are kidnapped for the purposes of general busywork, such as cleaning, body removal, general assistance, cooking, and more. Essentially, they are taken to the facility and trained into dependency using Red Valentine so that they are easier to control and more obedient.

Workers, of which there are three different kinds (cleanup workers, nurses, and chef), carry out various cleanup tasks or other minor tasks that the doctors don’t care to spend time doing. They primarily answer to The Overseer, though Lucius also has command over them as well and is often responsible for dosing them regularly with Red Valentine.

Aside from the chef who resides within the kitchen area, workers are only allowed to freely roam the halls if they have been given a task in another part of the facility. It’s not clear how much of the facility they are allowed to traverse, but it can be assumed they are limited.

The amount of workers is also unknown, though the highest number referenced in any worker class thus far has been five.

### Prisoners

Prisoners are those who are explicitly brought to the facility to be injected with any given trial of Mnemosyne, then promptly studied until they are deemed no longer of use or interest to The Overseer. Prisoners are kept in fairly small groups, of which there are more than one. It’s unclear how many there actually are, though the main ones are the Numbers and the Letters.

They are seen as generally disposable unless proven otherwise. The Overseer has expressed himself that he does not value his prisoners, while Cyrus has warned that prisoners are easily replaceable based on his experience watching people die or be taken away. While the process to replace a prisoner is lengthy due to the amount of research necessary, it is reportedly otherwise easy to do. Often, if The Overseer finds a prisoner too frustrating to deal with, he will send Lucius out to take them away either to repurpose them, or kill them outright. Attempted escapees, rowdy prisoners, or prisoners whose responses to Mnemosyne negate its effectiveness are all at risk of being killed. There are always exceptions, but it is unclear just why beyond a prisoner of interest being too fresh or too in need of studying to be removed. Ten, for instance, is reportedly one of these exceptions.

Prisoners may sometimes die circumstantially, however. Pregnant prisoners who do not last long after abortions and/or another dose of Mnemosyne will often be discarded. There are also countless instances of suicidal prisoners who make an attempt on their lives in the hopes of escaping the facility and the misery it brings. There is no real effort made by The Overseer to prevent this from occurring.

### Selects

Selects are first mentioned during Ten’s confinement to The Overseer’s room, and later mentioned on occasion when she eavesdrops on various conversations. There is not much known of the group, though it’s inferred that the Selects are simply a temporary group of prisoners who are being held for future use. At first, Ten assumes they’re just potential candidates for the facility being spied on in the real world, until further references to the group imply they’re sanctioned underground.

So far, the selects have only been referenced in conjunction with workers. Any instance of a worker’s death has roused discussion of the group, and it’s implied that workers are replaced using members of this group first and foremost.

In Chapter 63, The Overseer relays to Lucius that selects have a tendency to “fight back”, and later on in Chapter 83, one even is said to have made an escape attempt. It’s clear the Selects are not under the influence of any kind of drug akin to Red Valentine and are thus fully conscious of their actions.

## Lifestyle

Little is known of the day-to-day affairs of other groups, but for general prisoner groups, there are a few things that are well-established.

### Attire

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The fabric of all the uniforms is fairly thin and stretchy, and thus easily tearable either in case of an emergency, or for the purpose of visits. All uniforms have a particular color that a prisoner’s doctor is permitted to choose for them.

All the uniforms are said to be scrub-like, but much thinner and softer than something like scrubs. Male prisoners are dressed in a shirt and pants, while females get “gowns” that leave their legs bare. Shoes are not given to the prisoners.

The only variation to prisoner uniforms is in their swimsuits. Each sector likely has a recreational area with a pool, and white one-piece bathing suits or swimming trunks are provided for each prisoner to dress in for swimming.

Prisoners uniforms are usually colored, but the default is a white gown or shirt/pant set. Usually, when a prisoner is first brought to the facility, they will be dressed in white.

### Schedule

While not being taken for visits, checkups, surgery, or other necessary procedures, prisoners are permitted to roam about in a gated recreational area that has multiple rooms. While there is not necessarily a set schedule for events while within this area, there are meals prepared at specific times, and prisoners will be alerted to mealtimes. Moreover, prisoners are called to bed or to visits via an intercom system. In Ten’s sector, it is Mom and later Monica who are responsible for making these calls.

Beyond the recreational areas, the prisoners are taken to and from their rooms at specific times in the morning and night. While the morning schedule is fairly loose and doctors are permitted to take their assigned charges to the gate at any time so long as they get their work done after, it’s night time that’s a little more strict. Lingering for too long during visits is also looked down upon, as visits are generally timed and strictly managed so that doctors don’t get too distracted, or so that there is not too much time for exchange of information.

## Prisoner Locations

### General Sectors

Little is known of any sector other than the Numbers’ (Sector A). If the sectors are all similar, it is likely that they all have living areas and recreational areas too. It’s also possible that the “lesser” groups are not quite as cared for, and might not have as many activities since their freedom is more limited.

### Bedrooms

Bedrooms of prisoners are often labeled “#A”. They are plain rooms with a metal desk, a bed, and a bathroom that only serve to give prisoners a place to rest or recover, though many doctors engage in sex with their charges here too.

The bedrooms are typically decorated to don the same colors as the particular person who resides there. For instance, a prisoner whose gown is orange will have an orange tint to their walls and their comforter.

Bedrooms are also one of the only prisoner rooms that require access via a personalized keycode that are only accessible to the doctor of the prisoner, or The Overseer and Lucius, who have access to all rooms. Other rooms are accessible by most anyone.

### Exam Rooms

Technically, the bedrooms are lumped in with the prisoners’ main rooms, of which there are four. However, only three of those are considered “exam rooms”, which in story is also synonymous with something like a playroom, since visits often take place here. While bedrooms are #A, the other exam rooms are labeled from #B to #D.

**B rooms** are often a general exam room that can double as both a “doctor’s office”, and a visitation room. These rooms house lots of materials for first aid and general checkup or procedures, but also do carry a variety of adult toys and tools for visitors’ pleasure.

**C rooms** are large rooms which house different kinds of furniture that are curtained off by section. They are fairly interchangeable and can help doctors create specific scenes with specific kinds of furniture or props. Larger beds than the ones in B rooms are also stationed here, in the case doctors want to fool around in groups with the prisoners.

**D rooms** are dungeon-esque visitation rooms which have a black floor and metal loops on the ceiling, and have more involved contraptions for kink play in conjunction with the usual toys and tools.

### Recreational Areas

*See: Recreational Areas*

The recreational areas are various rooms behind a locked metal gate where prisoners are permitted to mingle or entertain themselves. There are several activities offered here, including a garden to walk through, a theater to play around or watch movies in, a rec room, an arcade, and more.

## Other Locations

There have not been many other places seen by Ten so intimately aside from a few, though she has made note of room labels such as BASEMENT, A SECTOR, SURGICAL, and POST-CRITICAL in Chapter 68 on her way to being returned to Yosuke after her confinement. There are undoubtedly other halls with other sectors, other important rooms where different tasks or procedures are done, and places where the workers may reside, but little is known of the facility layout otherwise.

Anything Ten witnessed was through special circumstances during her confinement, and as a result of her waking up early from her doses of anesthetic since she is an outlier whose body does not react to the drug as typical bodies should. There have only been a few major named areas outside of the ones prisoners are permitted in.

### The Overseer’s Room

This is where Ten’s confinement takes place. It’s a fairly dark and small place with a multi-screen console, file cabinet with important documents, desk for working, and a bed with chains where Ten was restrained during her stay. Because the underground facility was supposedly used as one for experiments long ago, The Overseer’s room has a drain in the middle of the floor, though it is never used in story, nor is it explained what it's for.

The console in the room is used for various things, such as storage of encrypted and sensitive files and feeds, video surveillance, and general research. The console is large, but connected beneath it is storage where various wires and accessories are held. Lucius, The Overseer, or Gale often sit before the computer to work or observe the prisoners. It’s also a vehicle for communicating on intercoms with whoever needs to be spoken to.

The bed is one that’s welded to the floor and is akin to an old asylum bed, complete with a barred headboard and a thin mattress. The Overseer occasionally may sleep in this bed if he can no longer afford to stay awake and work, or if he has no time to make it home first. While Ten is confined to it, she makes note of cracks in the wall it’s up against, where a bullet was once shot, as it is one of the few things she has to examine while confined. The bed is covered by a curtain hanging from the ceiling, which is often shoved aside when it needs to be. Otherwise, it is regularly kept closed, to keep Ten shut away.

The room also has a bathroom in it, complete with a toilet and a shower and bathtub. It’s much cleaner and ornate than the regular restrooms in the facility, but it is also as bright and lit white as many of the other rooms. While the main area of The Overseer’s room is kept in dark and only illuminated by the screens of the console, the bathroom isn't.

The Overseer has his own home, yet spends a lot of his time underground and thus requires some of these commodities to accommodate him. There are even cabinets in the room where he holds spare clothes, though there are cabinets with weapons, ammo, and medical supplies as well.

### 022 Exam 3

This is an examination room where Ten was taken during her confinement to be examined by Monica. The number of the room implies that there are a few others like it. The room itself is fairly open with cabinets full of medication and other necessary tools for general examinations, a sink for doctors to clean up in, and a chair with stirrups in the middle of the area that patients may be laid down in. Because of the wide area of the room, mobile machines such as a heart rate monitor or an ultrasound scanner can be brought in to assess patients.

Ten has been taken to exam rooms like this in other chapters as well. When she had her first shot, she woke to Nathaniel giving her a pelvic exam, and Lucius overseeing her vitals, in a room much like the one Monica saw her in.

### Interrogation Room

This is a room that The Overseer often has prisoners go to after they’ve recovered from their first dose of Mnemosyne, and was first seen in Chapter 60 via video feeds of interviews between Gale and various Numbers.

The room is often guarded by Lucius, while Gale interviews each patient to discern the drug’s effectiveness at eliminating vital memories. Marks and notes are made during the interview, and should they suspect that the patient has any memories, that is noted as well for The Overseer to either fix, or completely remove. Essentially, patients who he deems not worth the effort of salvaging may immediately be killed, while others who are salvageable will be held onto and worked on further.

While Gale helms most of these interviews, it is shown that The Overseer may choose to himself, as was the case with Ten.

### Operation Theater

The operation theater is seen in Chapter 67, toward the end of Ten’s confinement. It’s a room where The Overseer performs his procedures and injects patients with Mnemosyne.

The room is fairly big, but also shrouded in darkness aside from one center point that is lit by surgical lights that shine over a chair. A tray of materials and tanks for anesthesia and oxygen are always present, as well as screens in front of the chair that display vital data relative to the patient. It’s not clear what else is in the room aside from wires that stretch out into the darkness, and medical imaging displays that hang along the walls.

### Recovery Room

The room is first seen in Chapter 68, after The Overseer has decided to let Ten go back to her doctor after her confinement. It’s a large room with six beds, three on each side, and is meant for patients to recover from procedures of various kinds. Vitals are monitored here, and like with the bed in The Overseer’s room, there are curtains that can be drawn to hide the beds.

## Known Underground Doctors

All doctors in the story do some work underground, with the exception of Yosuke, whose work is done purely aboveground. However, it’s been said or implied that the following workers are exclusively affiliated with the underground:

* Milos Simanek
* Lilah Valentine
* Mom (Formerly switched between both areas)
* Monica Santos
* Micah Galin
* Nathaniel Miles
* Jonathan Giordano
* Richard Lafayette (When alive)