Airlock

The silo’s original cleaning airlock now stands open toward what Peter believes is the outside ramp.

Story so far

The Airlock lies beyond the holding cell, on the opposite side of the sheriff’s office from the cafeteria. Its steel bench serves cleaners being fitted with suits, and its viewing glass lets observers watch preparations. Pressurized argon is pumped inside before the outer doors open partway; outward-flowing gas is meant to hold back outside toxins. Plastic curtains covering the pipes burn during the subsequent cleansing fires. A narrow concrete ramp leads toward the surface.

Juliette passed through these gas and fire cycles, and later became trapped with another cleaner when the nozzles ignited. The door reopened after the flames stopped. For her later expedition, clear plastic and crude sensors were installed, and recharging the argon delayed preparations for her return. The gas and flame cycles are automated, with a second burn following work in the Inner Airlock. Now the original passage stands open all the way to what Peter Billings thinks is the outside ramp.

Appearance

A yellow steel entrance with triple-paned viewing glass, a single steel bench, and brightly colored pipes under plastic coverings. A narrow concrete ramp leads outward.

Role

The original passage between the silo and the surface, equipped for suit preparation and automated gas and flame cycles.

Relationships

Juliette — Juliette has used the airlock for cleaning, return, and a sampling expedition.

Inner Airlock — The Inner Airlock provides an additional decontamination chamber.

Earlier in this series

Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:

WoolBook 1

Sources — 7 recorded facts, by chapter

Chapter 20

Clear plastic sheets line the airlock walls for Juliette’s outing.
Pressurized gas flows outward when the airlock opens to prevent outside air from entering.
Recharging the argon delays preparation of the airlock for Juliette’s return.
Crude sensors have been installed in the airlock for the mission.

Chapter 21

The airlock gas and flame cycles are automated.
A second flame cycle burns through the original airlock after Juliette and the attendants finish in the inner lock.

Chapter 34

The original airlock is open all the way to what Peter thinks is the outside ramp.