The track remained remarkably level as they wove through the ice canyon, little effort necessary to go from the unassuming landing site toward their destination.
After a series of switchbacks and several minutes, it came into view. There was a large metal gate set into the side of the canyon, which had been frozen open centuries before. As they passed through the half buried steel structure, they could feel a sense of lost grandeur sweep over them, as the full fortress came into view.
Beyond the gates, a small valley lay between snowy peaks, ringed by mountains. nestled in the center was a large facility, mostly frozen over on the outside, seemingly abandoned, yet still remarkably intact, thanks in no small part to the relative stillness of limbo. The installation was larger than Calico and almost as tall, with reinforced steel walls and ancient banners, sun faded and frozen against the metal walls, likely to crack into fragments at the lightest touch.
It was eerily still and quiet as they approached, the ground in front of the facility clear, in what any soldier would recognize as a defensive kill zone and drill yard. Turrets could be seen among the nearby crags, motionless and ominous.