METROPOLIS  

the Machines


Pictured to the left is what is known as the "Heart Machine", which is the central dynamo that generates most of the power to the entire city. Every day it produces an average of 1000 megawatts of power that is transferred through various power nodes throughout the machine room complex. The machine has run non-stop for 25 years with the exception of pausing for preventive maintenance. Unlike most equipment build in the late 1900s to the 2020s, these machines were built not to be replaced.
The heart of the city system was built by Fellar, Inc. and came with a price tag of 78.7 million M. The Heart Machine is under the charge of one man, Grot, a worker who has maneuvered his way up through the ranks by "helping" uncover covert information about the workers. 

The machine found in the center picture is known as the M-Machine, or the Moloch Machine as it is referred to by its operators. This iron beast takes energy produced by the dynamo and superheats water diverted from the underground river. The steam generated is then used to move giant crankshafts which pumps water throughout the city's waterwork systems. A crew of 12 workers are required at all times to man their posts; constantly monitoring the pressure and heat produced by the boilers, keeping them within safe tolerances.

At the bottom, the Pater-Noster machine is shown. Its function is to route extra power where needed. When a node needs additional power, its corresponding number will light up on the dial, where the worker will swing the transfer bar to the new location.

[Table of Contents]