The Old Estate
The Old Estate, headquarters of FIST lays hidden in plain sight in the bustling heart of London. Its entrance is concealed behind the unassuming facade of a charming pub known as "The Crown," situated on a quiet street lined with historic buildings and cobblestone paths. To the casual observer, The Crown is a typical posh London establishment with worn wooden beams, a cozy fireplace, and a welcoming atmosphere, frequented by locals and tourists alike. Its warm interior, filled with the scent of hearty meals and the sound of cheerful chatter, offers no hint of the sprawling labyrinth concealed beneath.
The entrance to The Old Estate is ingeniously hidden within the pub. A seemingly ordinary door behind the bar, marked "Private," leads to a narrow, dimly lit corridor. At the end of this passage, a heavily fortified metal door, disguised as an ancient wine cellar entrance, stands guard. Only those with the correct clearance and a specific sequence of taps on a hidden panel can unlock it, revealing a state-of-the-art elevator that descends deep into the earth.
The first level consists of administrative offices and briefing rooms, where agents receive their assignments and debrief after missions. The walls are lined with maps and monitors, displaying real-time intelligence feeds from across the globe. Holographic projectors and cutting-edge communication equipment are seamlessly integrated into the vintage decor, maintaining the agency's commitment to blending the old with the new.
Deeper within The Old Estate, the corridors become narrower and more convoluted, reflecting the labyrinthine nature of the agency’s work. Laboratories equipped with advanced technology and research facilities are dedicated to developing and analyzing espionage tools, from cryptographic devices to experimental surveillance equipment. In these chambers, scientists and engineers work tirelessly, their discoveries often shrouded in secrecy even from their colleagues.
One of the most secure areas is the Archives, a vast repository of classified documents and artifacts. Endless rows of filing cabinets and shelves hold the accumulated knowledge and secrets of decades, accessible only to a select few, The Truth hidden to many . The air here is thick with the scent of old paper and leather, a testament to the history and weight of the information stored within.
The lowest levels of The Old Estate are reserved for the most clandestine operations. Training facilities simulate various environments, from urban landscapes to dense forests, allowing agents to prepare for any mission scenario. Secure vaults contain weapons and equipment, ready for deployment at a moment’s notice. The constant, subtle shifts in the layout of these lower levels, controlled by a complex system of hydraulics and automated mechanisms, ensure that only those with intimate knowledge of the headquarters can navigate it efficiently.
The Old Estate is not devoid of comfort. Hidden lounges and rest areas provide respite for agents, with plush seating, dim lighting, and a carefully curated selection of books and records.
The Crown remains the perfect cover, The Old Estate, with its ever-shifting labyrinth of secrets and shadows, stands as a testament to FIST's enduring vigilance and ingenuity.
Type
Bunker
Owner
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments