Challenger Deep Research Facility

The heavily fortified main entrance of the Challenger Deep Research Facility, featuring its distinctive pressure-resistant architecture

The Challenger Deep Research Facility (CDRF) is a major scientific installation operated by the Major Explorer Group (M.E.G.) within Level 7 of the Backrooms. Established in 2020, the facility serves as humanity's primary center for studying the biological and physical properties of the Backrooms, while also functioning as a major defensive stronghold against hostile entities. Named after the deepest known point in Earth's oceans, the facility is built into the concrete seafloor of Level 7's endless ocean, protected by advanced pressure-resistant architecture and experimental bio-organic shielding.

History and Construction

The facility's construction began in late 2019 following the discovery of The Hive within Level 7's underwater cave network. Initial exploration teams, led by Dr. Arnold Malkinson, identified unique properties in the surrounding area that made it ideal for detailed research into the Backrooms' fundamental nature. The construction process itself proved extremely challenging due to the hostile environment and frequent attacks by the Thing on Level 7.

The M.E.G. employed revolutionary construction techniques developed specifically for the Backrooms environment, including the use of Almond Water-infused concrete that proved remarkably resistant to both water pressure and entity attacks. The facility's distinctive bio-organic outer shell, grown using modified coral-like organisms harvested from Level 7's depths, provides an additional layer of protection while also helping to camouflage the structure from hostile entities.

Research Operations

The facility's main research laboratory complex, where groundbreaking studies into the Backrooms' nature are conducted

The Challenger Deep Research Facility houses several major research divisions, each focusing on different aspects of the Backrooms phenomenon. The Department of Biological Analysis studies the various entities that inhabit the Backrooms, with particular emphasis on understanding their origins and potential weaknesses. This department made significant breakthroughs in 2023 with the development of Cashew Water as a defensive weapon against previously invulnerable entities.

The Physics and Reality Studies Division investigates the fundamental properties of the Backrooms, including the mechanics of level transitions and the nature of "noclipping" events. Their work proved crucial in understanding the circumstances behind the Edinburgh Incident of 2023, leading to improved methods for predicting and potentially preventing mass disappearances in the base reality.

Perhaps most significantly, the facility houses the Threshold Research Program, which studies the mysterious connections between The Hive and various Backrooms levels. This program's findings have revolutionized our understanding of inter-level travel and led to the development of more reliable navigation methods for M.E.G. personnel.

Security Measures

The facility employs multiple layers of security to protect against both external and internal threats. The outermost layer consists of a network of sonar buoys that provide early warning of approaching entities, particularly the Thing on Level 7. These are supplemented by bio-organic sensor arrays that can detect subtle changes in the surrounding water pressure and composition.

Internal security is managed by the Advanced Containment Division, which maintains sophisticated systems for dealing with potential breaches or contamination events. The facility can be subdivided into isolated sectors within seconds, and emergency protocols include the ability to flood specific areas with concentrated Almond Water to neutralize hostile entities.

Following the Beast of Level 5 incident in 2024, security protocols were further enhanced with the installation of specialized containment chambers designed to hold and study captured entities. These chambers incorporate elements from both modern technology and Backrooms-specific materials, creating environments that can safely contain even the most dangerous creatures for research purposes.

Notable Incidents

The facility has weathered several major crises since its establishment. In 2022, a coordinated attack by adapted Deathmoths nearly breached the outer defenses, leading to the development of the current bio-organic shield system. The following year, unusual activity within The Hive caused a temporary breakdown of the facility's reality anchors, resulting in several research labs briefly phasing into different levels.

Most significantly, the facility played a crucial role during the events depicted in Wanderer (2024), serving as both a refuge for survivors and a base of operations for the M.E.G.'s response to Dr. Malkinson's increasingly dangerous experiments. The facility's advanced containment systems proved instrumental in preventing several potentially catastrophic breaches during this period.

Current Status and Future Plans

Today, the Challenger Deep Research Facility continues to serve as the M.E.G.'s primary research installation, with ongoing projects focusing on understanding and potentially controlling level transitions. Recent expansions include the construction of new research wings dedicated to studying the properties of various Backrooms-specific substances and their potential applications in both defense and exploration.

The facility also functions as a major training center for M.E.G. personnel, particularly those specializing in underwater operations and entity containment. Its unique location and advanced equipment make it ideal for preparing teams to handle the diverse challenges posed by the Backrooms environment.

See Also

• Level 7
• The Hive
• Major Explorer Group (M.E.G.)
• Threshold Research Program

References

1. M.E.G. Facility Construction Records 2019-2020
2. Challenger Deep Research Logs, Series A through F
3. "The Architecture of Impossibility: Building in Level 7" - Engineering Division Report
4. Incident Reports CD-2022-001 through CD-2024-157