Hope Island Research Complex (Post Apoc Fluff)

The Hope Island Research Complex was conceived in the late 1970s as a secure facility, proof to nuclear attack, that would focus on the ability to develop technology during and after a large scale nuclear attack or other catastrophic event.

Built beneath more than 13,000 feet of rock, it was the largest of the Cold War era US bunkers.  Capable of housing thousands of people, it was primarily designed for scientists and their families, as well as smaller government and military contingents.  The facility included living, research, communications and production facilities, and extensive supply and raw material storage.

Research and technology companies were partners in the production and operation of the facility, which actively operated during peacetime.  Normal operations were limited to research and development of new technology, and the site was a test bed for budding technology, such as the first functional fusion reactor.

Known as "HIRC",  "The Complex",  "The Bunker", and early on as "The Brain Pit", it continued operation during the decline of the United States, though proved to not be immune to the effects of the decline and associated chaos of the Before.

As the situation in the US and the world became truly critical, disaffected medical researchers released a biotoxin in the facility, leading to a number of deaths, and rendering large portions of the complex unusable at the time it was most needed. Thus, a relatively small population was present when the complex was locked down.

Despite the size of its population, operation of the facility was managed, and eventually the biotoxin was cleaned from the entire facility.  Inside the complex, life continued in relative comfort and security.  Contact was maintained with other government facilities until one by one, most stopped responding.

The devolving world situation was continuously monitored and documented.  Rare excursions, called "going topside" collected data about the surroundings of the complex, though for decades, most of the inhabitants did not see the outside world.

Over time, the complex evolved its own government and culture, but continued to generally follow the intended purpose of finding solutions to problems that came with the apocalypse.  At such time that it was directed, the plan was that HIRC would introduce its technologies to the post apocalyptic world with the intent of helping to restore order and re-establishing the nation.

HIRC maintained contact with, and monitored activity of other outposts from the Before.  There were at least three surviving outposts (there were also several others) that potentially had legal authority on behalf of the former US government, though the issue was obviously quite muddy.  None of these appeared to be following the proper protocol, and HIRC did not receive the direction that it awaited, even after the conditions had been met for the direction to be initiated.  

After much debate, the leadership of HIRC decided that it was time to begin its mission topside,  opening a new chapter in the history of what was once known as the United States of America.