

Secret Contents of a Certain Government Warehouse

Version 0.1





Compiled by Stirling Westrup

At stirling@ozrout.uucp



This file attempts to catalog and describe the contents of a particular secret government warehouse. In the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark", this warehouse was the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Likewise, the first episode of the "War of the Worlds" TV series shows that the Martian war machines from the first invasion attempt were also stored in this warehouse.

This file is in its preliminary stages still. The first dozen or so entries have been done in more or less the format that I would eventually like the whole list to follow. I haven't had time to do more than a first pass over the rest of the list, but folks are clamoring for a progress report, so I figured I'ld post what I've accomplished so far. Anyone who wants to help out by sending details, corrections or new entries should see the section on editorial policy, to make this compiler's life a bit easier.

Background

The Warehouse

+-----------------------------------------------------+----------------------+ | # | | Area 'A' - Main Storage ! Area 'B' | | ! Refrigerated Storage | | ! | | Assume a uniform ceiling height of 20m (60 ft) ! | | ! | | Scale: 1 square = ~3m (10 ft) ! | | ! | | Legend: ! | | + Wall Intersection # | | - Horizontal, solid wall (armored) +----------------------+ | | Vertical, solid wall (armored) | Power Generators | | O External security door (armored) | and Refrigerators | | = Huge external cargo door (armored) +----------------------+ | ! Mobile internal wall panel # | | # Human-sized door in a mobile wall panel ! Area 'C' | | ! Powered Storage | | ! | | ! | | ! | | # | +--============-----------------------============O---+----------------------+

Area 'B' is an enormous refrigerator. It is separated from the Area 'A' by a wall of insulated panels. The panels are mounted in tracks on the floor and ceiling, and are hinged where they join. They can be folded away so as to form a large opening for cargo to be moved in or out. There is a motor provided for this purpose, with controls on the only section of the right hand wall of Area 'A' that is not mobile. At each end of the refrigerator is a normal sized door to allow folks in or out without having to move the walls. The interior of the refrigerator is kept at a frigid -60 C (-76 F) at all times.

Area 'C' is just slightly smaller than Area 'B'. It contains all of the items which require some form of active environmental protection. This includes all machinery which the collection agency could not (or dared not) turn off. This section also houses all of the equipment that is regularly used by the warehouse, or its staff. Like Area 'B', this area also has mobile walls, and a motor to move them.

Packaging

All of the items in the refrigerated section are sealed in crates to avoid ice evaporation. This is a storage regulation, so even articles which contain no ice, but need to be stored cold, will be in crates.

There are far fewer items in section 'C', than in the other sections. Since the items in this section require some sort of constant upkeep, none of them are stored in crates. Instead, each item has a custom metal cabinet that folds aside to reveal the contents. All of the cabinets are locked, and only the custodian has the keys. (The cabinets would not be particularly difficult to break into). A few of the truely large items in this area are not fully enclosed, but merely have a cabinet built around their control sections.

Markings

The identification codes that are used is a varient on the standard US military scheme. Each code is in the form:

XXX-NNNN-PP

The three letter codes are interpreted as follows:

First letter - Purpose



A Analysis Object analyzes or describes other objects B Battle Object is intended to be used in battle C Control Object extends users control to other objects D Data Object contains or is a large collection of information E Evidence Object is evidence supporting a theory or claim F Specimen Object is to be subjected to further investigation later G Generation Object produces matter or energy H Repair Object maintains or repairs other objects I Invocation Object helps secure a supernatural being's favor or blessing J Enjoyment Object is designed to bring pleasure or entertain. K Transformation Object converts one thing into another L Logic Object performs calculations or computations. M Model Object is a (possibly working) scale model of something N Nourishment Object is intended to provide food O Observation Object gathers information via some sensing method P Propulsion Object is intended to move objects it is attached to Q Duplication Object is intended to replicate other objects R Regulation Object governs the actions of another object S Summoning Object produces the physical form of a supernatural being T Transportation Object moves material, while remaining stationary U Universal Object is capable of an enormous range of operations V Vehicle Object's main purpose is transportation of people or cargo W Misc Any purpose not covered elsewhere. X Unknown No known purpose for this object Y Not applicable Concept of purpose is not compatible with this object Z Reflexive Object provides purpose

Second letter - Principal of Operation

A Atomic Works by harnessing nuclear forces B Biological Object is biological, or has biological components C Complex Machine Uses electronic, electric and mechanical principles D Divine works due to intersession of a supernatural force or god E Electromagnetic Works due to electromagnetic principals F Flow Works by controlling flow of a substance G Gravitic Works by harnessing Gravitational forces H Modifies Laws Works by modifying physical laws I Inert Object is an inert substance with interesting properties J Chemical Object works by chemical reactions K Kinetic Works through manipulation of kinetic energy L Logic Flaw Object works despite the fact that it clearly cannot M Magical Object uses mystical forces N Nanotechnology Object is constructed of billions of tiny robots O Physical Law Works by obeying simple laws of physics (eg. boats float) P Psychic Operates using mental energy Q Quantum Works at a sub-atomic level R Recursive Object works due to effects caused by its operation S Simple Machine Works via cogs, levers, pulleys, springs, etc. T Temporal Object manipulates time U Solid State Object is a solid-state electronic device V Environmental Object interacts with its environment in unique ways W Misc Any operating principal not covered elsewhere X Unknown No known pricipal of operation Y Not applicable Principal of operation is not an object-compatible concept Z Reflexive Object is acted upon, it does not act itself

Third letter - Method of Use

A Autonomous Object is self activated and self controlled B Bi-state Object is either OFF or ON, it has no other controls C Consumed Object must be consumed or injected to have effect D Directed Object accepts commands and attempts to carry them out E Extension Object behaves as an extension of the users body F G H Hand operated Object's control surface is manipulated by hand I Installed Object must be installed or inserted in other equipment J K L Logic Program Object must be carefully programmed before use M Material Object is a raw material in some process N O P Piloted Object requires continuous operation of controls to function Q R Ritualistic Object is operated by ritual gestures, words or activities S T Telepathic Object obeys thoughts or desires of user U Uncontrolled Object is in continuous operation, and cannot be turned off V W Misc Methods of use not covered elsewhere X Unknown No method of use is known for this object Y Not applicable Method of Use is not a concept compatible with this object Z Reflexive Object controls user

Entry Format

XXX-NNNN-PP Area AAA CCCCC SSSxSSSxSSS WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT Where: XXX-NNNN-PP is the identification code AAA is the storage area, one of: 'A', 'B' or 'C' CCCCC is the container type, one of: Crate, Tarp, Pallet or Cabinet SSS is the size in centimeters (length, then width, then height) WWWWWWWWWW is any warning text that may be on the container TTTTTTTTTT is detailed explanatory text on the object

Warehouse Contents