Iron PalaceIron Palace
The first city of Behacor Prime sits inside a sheltering valley, and high upon its cliff wall sits the Iron Palace. Construction of the Iron Palace was begun in 2068 by the first joH of tuq Reshtarc, K'Revik. At the time the First City was nothing more than a few small dwellings, the estates of the Reshtarc Lords, a military barracks comlex and several small factories and warehouses. Completion of the Iron palace in 2075 was marked by a grand celebration, which culminated with a visit by the Emperor himself, the first of many Imperial visitations. In the time it took to construct the imposing palace, the first city had expanded to house the growing legions of tuq Reshtarc and the artisans and craftsmen who constructed the edifice.
The First City now is as impressive as the Palace that looms above it. Numerous skyscrapers reach 75 stories into the sky, and subterranean people movers transport the cities 8 million residents and travelers from one end of the city to the other, while the congested streets are filled with street vendors, grav cars and pedestrians. The city is set in a valley, with some 50 square miles of space. It was decided that as the city grew to fill its confines, that instead of spreading out into the surrounding jungle, it would rise up into the stars. The center if the valley holds the majority of the taller buildings, including the 800' high spaceport.
The Iron Palace.
The Iron Palace has been constantly modified and expanded over the years, to serve the needs of the current joH, and to keep up to date with modern technological advances. The size and scope of the building now covers most of the old city and towers high above even the tallest sky scraper of the surrounding city.
The Iron Palace is formed in the ancient dual concentric keep style. With a large central building, and two tall towers, which are encircled by two rings of battlement encrusted curtain walls. The central structure is cathedral like in its scope. The black metal exterior walls are supported by numerous flying buttresses and columns, all carved with the legends of klingon history, atop these sit marble statues of the past and present joH's. Large stained glass windows allow little of what transpires inside to escape out, and forms the light into eerily distorted colors inside. The walls of the central keep measure an impressive 200' in height and dwarf the smaller functionary buildings within the inner keep walls. These functionary building house the Kelranni Guards, Kuve' servitors as well as vehicle garages, cargo storage, L'eght Beast Corral and the palaces primary transporter facility.
The entrance to the central building is no less impressive. The twin doors are 50' high and depict the legendary battle of Kahless over Molor in a metallic bass relief, although smaller entrance doors, within the grand doors are normally used for non-formal occasions. Upon entering the guest passes through the guard post and entry hall. The entry hall displays the captured banners of foes defeated in battle by tuq Reshtarc, a warning to all guests as to the power of the Line. There are several paintings by the greatest artists of their time, depicting past joH's, hanging along the walls of the corridors stretching in either direction. Opposite the guard post and main entry are the throne room doors. These Iron closures lead to a small anteroom with marble benches, normally used for a waiting room. On the far end of the room are the doors to the Throne Room proper.
Once inside the throne room, visitors are often taken aback by the majesty of the place. It is second only to the High Council Chamber in scope, (some would say the its other way around.) The room is lit only by torch light, high marble columns rise into the hidden ceiling, giving the appearance of immense space, and richly embroidered tapestries of Reshtarc Glories line the walls. The marble tile floor echo the footfalls of all who would walk upon it. Kuve' scurry about and Kelranni stand in ridged postures along the central walkway. The Throne Room itself is apparently devoid of modern technology, it harkens back to the ancient days of the Klingon Race. At the far end of the room, on a raised dais, sits the Iron Throne. It is large and imposing, like everything else in the palace, glided and draped with the purple cloth that marks the Reshtarc Line. Above it, side by side, hang the blood red flag of the Emperor and the ancient Battle Standard of tuq Reshtarc. The Emperors flag was presented by Emperor for service to the Imperial Throne in 2140, while the Battle Standard was awarded to K'revik by the Emperor when he founded the line. It has marked the glories and victories of the tuq from then to the present, although it is far to fragile to carry into combat, and is only removed from the Palace for milirary ceremonies and parades.
The central keep has 10 floors which are set around the centrally located throne room. These house a modern command center, guard barracks, guest rooms, a dining hall, armories, trophy rooms, and full service kitchens to feed a large number of guests and residents. There are also three sub levels, these contain a small research lab, a detainment center, a training room and gym with sauna and swimming pool, and the palaces power and shield generators.
The twin towers atop the central building stretch an impressive 300' further skyward. Within these towers are the quarters of the Linelord and the royal guest rooms for important boq'du and Imperial Visitors. They are accessible only by lifts to the sides of the throne rooms various antechambers. There is no such thing as empty space in a Klingon Building, and all extra space is taken up by the quad-cannons and rocket launchers that provide defense for the structure. At the highest point of the towers are observation decks. These are connected by a small bridge, making the deck quite large. It is here that the various joHwI' have entertained their most important guests beneath the naked stars. It is also viable to note that no building in the city below is permitted to stand more than 750' tall (with exception to the spaceport). This gives the towers 200' of unobstructed viewing space, and allows one to see across the entire city and into the jungle covered countryside.
The First City of Behacor Prime
The spaceport is by far the largest building in the city and is where the majority of visitors to Behacor Prime arrive. Orbital tracking and control reside here, as well as the main transporter complex. The top of the structure holds numerous shuttle landing pads, a large hanger bay, and the air traffic command center. Inside you will find the Mempa Visitors Center, and Security Check Point Alpha, where all visitors must register or face imprisonment. The building also contains numerous gift shops, restaurants, hotels and foreign embassies of Imperial Klingon Families.
Not nearly as tall, but almost as impressive, is the ReCAL Building. Within is the corporate headquarters and main offices, as well as its primary research labs. Much of the Empires future weapon systems are created here and the complex operates day and night. Other buildings of note, are the Mempa Military Command Headquarters, The Behacor Power Complex, the K'Velth Games Dome and the Reshtarc Military(Naval) Barracks Building.
The remaining structures are mostly residential and light commercial. With the edges of the valley taken by the small estates of the wealthier and more powerful Reshtarc. The valley walls bristle with defensive weaponry, from planetary disruptors to anti-aircraft guns, and conceal a series of interconnected military bases. It is here that the majority of the Reshtarc Marines are quartered and receive their training. Several Armor and Infantry Bases as well as a hidden Air Base are held here. Along the walls of the valleys edge can be seen the force screen, designed to keep the wildlife of the planet out of the city, and the gothic towers that form the cities defense shield.
The whole of the Reshtarc City is impressive to say the least, but the thing which most visitors remember, is as starkly honest as it is true, the welcome sign at the spaceport which bears the Lines motto, "We are Reshtarc, we are the Empire".
©copyright 1998 A.Gulbrandsen