Citadele Alexandrin
 Aerial view of the Citadele Alexandrin, 1721 AN | |
| Type | Former military base and intelligence facility (destroyed) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1718 AN-1719 AN |
| Used | 1719 AN-1737 AN |
| Controlled by |
 Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie (former) |
| Current Commander | Brigadier General Emilia Sánchez (final commander) |
| Additional Info | |
| Past Commanders | Colonel Jean Fournier (1719 AN-1737 AN) |
| Occupants | Formerly: 115th Missile Air Defence Brigade, 23rd Arctic Warfare Regiment, Boreal Watchtower Intelligence Center |
| Battles | |
The Citadele Alexandrin was a strategic military installation operated by the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie, situated near Sarensby, Normark, until its deliberate destruction in 1737 AN. Completed in 1719 AN, this fortress-like complex played a pivotal role in Nouvelle Alexandrie's northern defense strategy and served as the headquarters for joint Natopian-New Alexandrian operations in Normark, most notably during Operation Sable Shield against the Confederacy of the Dispossessed. The facility was completely destroyed during Operation Arctic Exodus to prevent its capture by advancing forces of the Confederacy.
Design and Layout
Citadele Alexandrin's architecture melded defensive functionality with technology tailored for the extreme arctic environment. The base's pentagonal layout, which spanned 2.5 square kilometers, echoed traditional star forts while employing modern materials and design principles. At its core stood the Command Hub, a 12-story structure that housed administrative offices, a communications center with quantum encryption capabilities, and the Boreal Watchtower intelligence facility.
The complex featured five radiating wings, each 500 meters long, that contained barracks for 3,000 personnel, training facilities with advanced VR combat simulators, a 200-bed medical center equipped with robotic surgery units, and storage depots with automated inventory systems. The facility was enveloped by 15-meter high, 3-meter thick reinforced concrete walls, interspersed with watchtowers every 100 meters. These watchtowers featured thermal imaging cameras with a 10km range and automated defensive turrets capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute.
The Citadele's structures utilized a composite of carbon nanotubes and aerogel insulation, which enabled them to withstand temperatures as low as -70°C and seismic events up to magnitude 8.0. A 20km network of underground tunnels, maintained at a constant 18°C, connected all major facilities, ensuring unimpeded movement during harsh weather. Power generation relied on a combination of a 150MW geothermal plant and a 300MW small modular nuclear reactor from AlduATOM, which guaranteed energy self-sufficiency until the facility's destruction.
The base employed a closed-loop waste management system that recycled 98% of all waste produced, while its water recycling facility processed 500,000 liters daily, recovering 95% for reuse. The 5,000 square meter indoor hydroponic farm yielded 20 tons of fresh produce monthly, supplementing the base's food supply.
Runway
The Citadele's 3,500-meter runway could accommodate aircraft up to the size of Javelin C-15 Titanhauler transports. Its sophisticated de-icing system, which utilized a network of heating elements embedded in the tarmac, could clear 2cm of ice in under 15 minutes, ensuring year-round operability even in the harshest arctic conditions. This runway proved crucial during the final evacuation of the facility in 1737 AN.
Strategic Importance
Until its destruction, Citadele Alexandrin served as a cornerstone of Nouvelle Alexandrie's northern defense strategy and played a vital role in Raspur Pact operations in the region. Its location near Sarensby allowed for rapid deployment of forces across northern Keltia and provided a strategic vantage point for monitoring potential threats. The base's advanced radar systems and satellite communication facilities contributed significantly to the Raspur Pact's early warning network. In conjunction with other Raspur Pact installations, Citadele Alexandrin helped maintain comprehensive surveillance coverage over a vast area of Keltia and the surrounding waters.
Units and Personnel
Prior to its destruction, the base maintained a permanent staff of approximately 3,000 military personnel and 500 civilian contractors. The 115th Missile Air Defence Brigade became operational at the facility in 1727 AN, following their successful interception of intermediate-range ballistic missiles fired into Normark from neighbouring Cerulea during the Normark-Cerulea war of 1727.
Key units stationed at the facility until 1737 AN included:
- 115th Missile Air Defence Brigade, which operated the base's advanced air defense systems, including the Vulcan Advanced Air Defense System
- 23rd Arctic Warfare Regiment, which specialized in cold weather combat and survival techniques
- Boreal Watchtower Intelligence Center, a joint New Alexandrian-Nordhær intelligence gathering and analysis unit
Boreal Watchtower
The Boreal Watchtower was a state-of-the-art intelligence facility that provided comprehensive intelligence support for Raspur Pact operations in northern Keltia. The facility housed an extensive satellite ground station capable of communicating with and controlling multiple military and reconnaissance satellites.
At the heart of the Watchtower's operations was the AURORA (Advanced Unified Reconnaissance and Observation Remote Analysis) system, a sophisticated artificial intelligence-driven platform that integrated data from various sources, including satellite imagery, signals intelligence, and human intelligence. The facility's signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities were enhanced by the Quantum Interceptor, a cutting-edge system designed by Sarbanes-Lopez Cybersecurity and Lyrica Defense Technologies.
The Watchtower coordinated with other Raspur Pact intelligence agencies through the NEXUS (Network for Exchange of Unified Strategic Information) platform until its destruction in 1737 AN.
Final Days and Destruction
During Operation Arctic Exodus in 1737 AN, the facility was evacuated and destroyed under the "Ragnarök Protocol" to prevent its capture by advancing forces of the Confederacy of the Dispossessed. The destruction included:
- Deliberate overloading of the geothermal plant and nuclear reactor, creating a localized electromagnetic pulse
- Complete destruction of the Boreal Watchtower Intelligence Center and AURORA system
- Dismantling of all Vulcan air defense systems
- Demolition of key infrastructure and facilities
- Implementation of data-wiping protocols across all systems
The destruction was so thorough that satellite imagery taken after the operation showed only scattered ruins where the complex once stood. The loss of the facility created a significant gap in the Raspur Pact's intelligence and defensive capabilities in northern Keltia.
Legacy
The destruction of Citadele Alexandrin marked a significant turning point in Nouvelle Alexandrie's military presence in northern Keltia. Military historians have noted that while the implementation of the Ragnarök Protocol represented one of the most thoroughly executed scorched earth operations in Nouvelle Alexandrie's military history, the loss of the facility's advanced capabilities has created an intelligence and defensive gap that has yet to be filled.
