You swoop down for a landing on the
Defense Platform

This is essentially the roof of the Fortress, and is open to the sky, but a high, thick wall of black stone rings the platform, where rows of cannons loom over the barriers and angle in all directions above and below. A full squadron of sentries, their grim optics ever scanning the distance for danger, is permanently stationed here. Spaced at regular intervals in the walls, narrow openings in the stone allow a view of the desolate landscape far below. These openings in times past - perhaps recent past, judging from the scorch-marks along the walls - served to allow smaller laser weapons to be fired from the protection of the Fort, to supplement the cannons. Even now there's an air of vigilance and mistrust here, as though this precariously-held shred of civilization could fall to an enemy at any moment.

A heavily-armored trapdoor in the center of the platform leads to the interior of the stronghold.