Hephaestus Central Control

"You can taste it, can't you? Andrew Ryan!"

- Andrew Ryan

Central Control is a major area of Hephaestus in the city of Rapture. Jack must pass through here during the events of BioShock.

History
Hephaestus was created to be the heart of Rapture, and Central Control was the brainstem of Hephaestus. While the workers in Harmonic Core #3 saw to the generation of power, maintenance of equipment, and processing of geothermal data, the technicians in Central Control oversaw all the progress and the distribution of the power throughout the city. The area was also housed the central headquarters of Ryan Industries: Rapture Central Control.

Because the facility performed such an essential role to the city's survival, Central Control became a high value target during the Rapture Civil War. Andrew Ryan witnessed his dream for Rapture fracture as warring factions fought just steps outside his office door. In the stress of this situation, Ryan turned brutal. In addition to the increased security, Central Control became the cite of vicious reprisals.

BioShock


After his "evening with Sander Cohen," Jack departs Fort Frolic and sets sail for Hephaestus with his sights set on Andrew Ryan.

Rapture Metro Station
Jack steps out of the Bathysphere like so many employees did back in times of peace. In those days a worker could pause here to check the timetable, get a copy of the Rapture Tribune from the News Vendor, make a call on the Pay-phone, or pick up some supplies from the Circus of Values. The metro station is a vision of heavy industry with large pistons pumping in the water, piping stretching up walls like tangled vines, and colossal art deco statues surrounding the perimeter. Atlas encourages him on, but warns of the advanced danger.

Glass Tunnel
Exiting the metro, Jack finds himself in a winding glass tunnel connecting the station with Hephaestus proper. In the sooty, orange glow emanating from the nearby geothermal vents, Jack can make out the volcanic fields Hephaestus is nested amongst. There's not much to be found in the tunnels except for a couple Pep Bars and cartons of Cigarettes by the trash cans, several drums of oil, and the corpse of a worker who took her own life with a shotgun. The sound of a pair of Splicer can be heard echoing up a head through the confined space.

Entry
Beyond the tunnel is the entry point to Hephaestus. An antechamber is decorated with the Ryan Industries logo while magma flows through large pipes. Down a short ramp is the doorway ahead. A large whistle at the doorway would sound at the start and conclusion to each workday.

In the next room, another imposing Ryan Industries emblem is emblazoned on the front of a central wall beneath a "no gods or kings, only man" banner. A pair of turbine fans the floor the flank propaganda creating an impressive visual; however the eye is drawn to the blood-splattered corpse in the center of it all. It looks as though the victim, seen with a Chemical Thrower, was lined up against the wall and then gunned down. A pile of oil barrels to the right topple over just as Jack enters and attracts the attention of a Leadhead Splicer who walks down from the back of the room.

Further around the corner, a turret is set up to guard the room from unwanted intruders. A Gene Bank is set up by a large control console. In the opposite corner, a pair of frag grenades, 3 dollars, and a storage crate can be found by a Circus of Values. A gigantic length of piping has come loose from the ceiling. Climbing the pipe, Jack comes across a small hiding place where some poor soul attempted to take refuge. A Spider Splicer enters the room shortly after Jack heads up.

Machinery Room
The adjoining room is a cavernous chamber filled with heavy machinery. Two huge pieces of equipment dominate the space. They flank a large pipe stretching down from the ceiling. Beneath the pipe, a Grenade Launcher sits conspicuously atop a desk. Upon approaching the desk, an enigmatic voice encourages Jack to take the present. If he should do so, a frag grenade falls from the pipe, then a heat-seeking rocket. However, the next thing to drop are a trio of Spider Splicers who descend from the ceiling and ambush Jack.

In the northeast corner of the room is a Vita-Chamber, a Health Station, and another Circus of Values out of which a number of treats have fallen out. A U-Invent is in the southwest along with a money clip with 7 dollars while Little Sister Vent is in the southeast. Several canisters of explosive materials litter the room and a Security Camera is set up over the doorway leading onward.

Ryan's Trophy Room
More to come soon.

Behind the Scenes

 * There's an unusual corpse in the Machinery Room. It's a typical Rosebud model Splicer, but it has the Baby Jane model's hairpiece attached to it.