A grand room of metal and glass. Pristine surfaces and proud arches, whose majesty is left unnoticed and ignored. A centerpiece, a giant column, surrounded by sleekly designed shapes and messy ad-hoc wiring.
In an observation room to the side, blinking displays and glowing indicators. A dozen people with their heads down whose breath carries a palpable tension. The hum of fans only interrupted by quiet focused exchanges.
It's a test run of some kind. A culmination of months of work. Some of their destinies attached to the results. Some of them with a lot to gain from the success. None of them believe they're in mortal danger.