History
Base Alpha is the oldest settlement of the Major Explorer Group, created at the same time as the faction, in 2012. Back in the day, it was the only base of this small yet promising group. Even during its debuts, the base beneficiated from an incredible strategic position, that allowed it to easily be defended, as well as making expansions possible.
The early campement has been created in a recess of the halls, forming a U shape. This providential spot meant two things. First, the settlement was very easy to defend and to control its access, because of the lack of exposure to the most dangerous part of the Level 1. Secondly, this also gave access to an extremely deep section of the corridors. This spot is still put to good use nowadays, as Base Alpha is still expanding in those corridors, who show no sign of dead end as of now. Due to the very peaceful nature of this part of the level, and coupled with the fact that its only main access seem to be the recess, this allow Base Alpha to be both well-guarded and efficient. While the hall part of the base was the most used in its early state, the adjacent parts of the corridors were also used as infirmaries or stockage rooms.
As time passed, the M.E.G, and in consequence Base Alpha, developped itself. The discovery of other levels made the creation of other bases possible. Thanks to its relatively good access to important ressources thanks to the crates of the Level 1, Base Alpha was able to help the newer bases settle themselve by providing them with material, as well as competent explorators. Indeed, Base Alpha became, with time, an important settlement for skilled explorators, that used the outpost as a place to transmit their knowledge to newer wanderers. This, added to the original mission of the M.E.G. to find an exit back to The Frontrooms, made the base well-known for the exploration and scouting skills of its inhabitants. Thanks to this popularity, Base Alpha beneficited from an important ammount of both new and experienced wanderers, looking at a place to stay in and protect, just as it protected them. Optimism and hope are important emotions for people to feel, and the M.E.G. gave exactly that to many. The original goal of the M.E.G. morphed, as time passed, withing Base Alpha, as exploration in general became their domain of expertise. Many discoveries of early levels and their documentation was made possible by explorators of this settlement.
Base Alpha has been, in its history, the theator of many of the M.E.G. most well-known disasters. yet, it survived all of them, and is still standing, stronger than ever. The schism that represented the creation of the B.N.T.G. was one of those events that had shaken the very foundations of the group. In addition to this, Base Alpha has historically been the man target of raids from the U.E.C. or the Masked Maidens.
It is obvious that the base will continue to grow over time, as it always has been the case thanks to its constant influx of new wanderers ready to work there in exchange of a home. Its localization is now the only similarity between the debuts of this place and what it represents nowadays. Base Alpha is now the second biggest M.E.G base after Base Omega, but still smaller than Base Beta, which urban environment allows for a better lifestyle and development overall. Yet, its historical place within the faction, coupled with the nature of the level it is present it, make it certain that the base will continue to grow both in size and life quality.
Base Structure
Location of the initial settlement of Base Alpha on a simplified map of the sector.
Due to the lack of space within the Hub to build structures, the architecture of Base Alpha consists primarily of a massive complex of tunnels and bunker-like rooms carved into the walls of the hub by the M.E.G. As the base was built, expanded, and renovated over the course of over a decade, the architecture and decor of the hallways and rooms are either concrete or residential spaces, while others are more modern rooms with various amenities for other purposes. Though most areas within the base were only used for the M.E.G.'s private affairs, the group has repurposed many rooms for living quarters.
Additionally, as mentioned above, linear space on the base is drastically altered, albeit in a different way than most non-linear areas in the Backrooms; paths that would logically intersect previously traversed areas will lead to completely different places, and routes that would logically take longer to traverse are abnormally short. Despite this, the anomalous geometry of the base and the properties of Level 1 remain somewhat consistent, with certain paths always leading to the same destination, making consistent navigation and mapping of the space possible.
Nonetheless, the facilities of Base Alpha contain a variety of rooms that serve various purposes, including cafeteria rooms, living quarters for civilians and party members, hospital areas, market and trade sections, warehouses, and more.
Area under maintenance and in the process of creation at the M.E.G. Base Alpha.
The Entrance Checkpoint, alternatively known simply as “The Checkpoint”, is the sole entrance to the wider locale of Base Alpha, taking the form of a long hallway with various Major Explorer Group security personnel guarding it. Although the majority of wanderers are let through the checkpoint, persons known to be members of enemy groups will be denied access, often being detained by the security personnel in the area. If one makes it through the checkpoint, they will be free to move on to the intermediary hallways of Base Alpha's premises, and by extension the rest of the settlement’s bounds.
Similar to the rooms within the base, the structural makeup of the Intermediary Hallways of the colony alter in form; one may transition from claustrophobic, crude passages barely kept stable by flimsy wooden support beams, straight to wide, open hallways adorned with bricks and polished granite.
The Lounge, alternatively dubbed “The Recreation Rooms”, are a series of rooms within Base Alpha equipped with various furniture and recreational amenities, open to all wanderers. The items provided vary, ranging from CRT televisions with various CD disks containing movies, various books from the Frontrooms and Backrooms, all the way to arcade machines brought into the premises from Level 25. Although uncommon, these lounges often serve as venues for wanderers to rest after their journeys in the Backrooms and to socialize with other wanderers.
The Living Quarters of the settlement are divided between two groups: the public quarters (which are open to all wanderers with the cost of one gallon of Almond Water) and private quarters (which are open to M.E.G members for free). Although the public quarters are quite small (only consisting of one bedroom and a bathroom) and unfurnished, one can stay within them as long as they please (given that they have paid for the room first), meaning that many people choose to remain within Base Alpha permanently. Conversely, the private living quarters are significantly more upkept, with a kitchen, larger bedroom, and a living room, as well as a rudimentary office terminal that comes with the living quarter.
The markets and food courts within Base Alpha are arguably the most visited area of the locale; many wanderers and groups from all throughout the Backrooms come to here to trade for precious resources. The establishments within the space vary, but range from small cafes and grocery stores to food stands and post offices. Most establishments are required to pay rent to the M.E.G for the space they use for their business, varying from 5 - 50 gallons of Almond Water per month; this makes up a significant amount of the M.E.G's methods for collecting resources for either trade or use in the group's functioning.
Within the expanse of Base Alpha lie numerous private areas accessed through locked doors, which only M.E.G members with appropriate clearance are allowed to access. The structure and purpose of these rooms vary, including but not limited to serving as warehouses for storage of resources, laboratories, offices, meeting rooms, maintenance areas, armories, and more. Due to their value in the M.E.G's operations, these rooms are entirely closed to the public, as mentioned before.
Certain rumors state that a level door similar to those within the wider locale of The Hub exists within the deeper private rooms of Base Alpha, leading to a paradise-like habitable level where the Impresarios of the Major Explorer Group reside in and manage the group from. As these urban legends are currently unconfirmed, no detailed information can be given about this locale at the moment.
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