The Docks

Horizon City's Gateway to the Outside World

The Docks stand as Horizon City's primary connection to the world beyond the dome, a massive industrial complex where goods flow in and out to sustain the metropolis. Located at the eastern wall of the dome, this unique area features a special architectural configuration where the Green Level doesn't extend fully to the wall, creating a vertical space filled with the constant motion of cranes, cargo, and workers.

Layout and Operations

The Docks occupy a significant portion of the eastern wall on Gold Level, with operations extending vertically through the space normally occupied by Green Level in other parts of the dome. This configuration allows for massive cranes to operate at full height, moving shipping containers between ground level storage areas and the landing pads where aerial shipments arrive.

The area is divided into several operational zones:

• Loading Bays: Where ground transportation connects to external highways
• Container Storage: Vast areas of stacked shipping containers awaiting processing
• Landing Pads: Elevated platforms where aerial shipments arrive via Hyperjets and other aircraft
• Processing Centers: Where goods are documented, taxed, and cleared for distribution
• Worker Facilities: Break rooms, offices, and other support areas for dock personnel

Container City

Beyond the official operational areas, a maze of smaller shipping containers has developed at the edges of the Docks. These containers, in various sizes and conditions, serve as makeshift offices, storage units, and even living spaces for those connected to the shipping industry.

This "Container City" operates in a gray area of legality, with many containers serving as bases for fixers, fences, and other semi-legitimate businesses. Characters like Hammer maintain "offices" in these containers, conducting deals away from the oversight that pervades much of Horizon City.

One of the most significant exchanges to occur in Container City was the meeting between Richard Johnson and Hammer, where they arranged the theft of Emi Tanaka's revolutionary Constant Cloning technology. The isolated nature of these makeshift offices makes them ideal for corporate espionage and other illegal transactions that require privacy.

Entertainment and Gambling

The large parking area adjacent to the main docks has evolved into an impromptu entertainment zone centered around "Dogfight" - a popular holographic game where virtual Hyperjets battle above the loading area. The holo projectors are angled so that the game is only visible from the parking area, creating a natural arena for spectators.

Betting on Dogfight matches is a popular pastime, with both official casino odds and street-level gambling taking place. The games provide entertainment for dock workers between shifts and attract visitors from other parts of Gold Level looking for excitement.

Cultural Significance

The Docks represent both Horizon City's dependence on the outside world and its distinct identity. Despite the city's technological advancement and self-contained systems, the constant flow of goods through the Docks serves as a reminder that no community exists in true isolation.

For many residents, especially those from lower levels who rarely see the dome's boundaries, the Docks offer a tangible connection to the world beyond Horizon - a glimpse of the horizon itself in a city where natural vistas are replaced by artificial environments.