Template:Governmental Organization InfoboxIn the 90000s, the Pluto Vault became famous as the location of a highly classified project called "Project Umbra" that took place in the 6000s. Some bits of Project Umbra were declassified in 90200CE, but enough was made public to attempt to piece together exactly what "Umbra" was. Apparently, an extremely virulent pathogen was discovered on Earth in 5998CE, and was subsequently transported to the Vault and contained. Military commanders at the time wondered if the pathogen could be rendered harmless, and might be able to be transformed into some kind of a "Super Aerosolic Vaccine", capable of eliminating all diseases on Earth. It is thought that sixteen top UFSS generals approved the project, which was started in earnest.
A secondary base needed to be built, far below the original Pluto Vault, but it remained part of it. Unofficially known as the "Umbra Core", it was there that research began to unlock the secrets of this pathogen and render it into the hypothetical vaccine. However, something went horribly wrong in 6002. By this point, the virus was rendered inert through all methods except injection, and if handled properly was completely safe to study, but was not yet ready for clinical trials as analysis indicated that it was unknown what it was capable of in its current state. As it turned out, the researchers had accidentally created a mutagen on their way to creating the vaccine, and one accident would be enough to spell disaster. This was the extent that was declassified, but enterprising individuals have pieced together what likely happened next.
Based on reports that an "explosion" was seen in the vicinity of the Pluto Vaults in 6003, it was thought that the UFSS military had sealed off a part of the base. Officially, this was nothing more than a series of small asteroid impacts. However, recordings unearthed during this time offered clues. Some researchers were heard uttering the phrase "there is something down there", and other recordings had the sounds of banging metal, followed by inhuman growling and screams.
Based on the recordings, it is thought that one of the researchers had accidentally grazed himself with a syringe containing the substance, and had turned into a horrible nightmarish creature. To save the rest of the base, the UFSS military was called in and bombed the elevator shaft leading to the "Umbra Core", sealing the creature forever in its darkened halls. Subsequently, the entire program was made classified until some information was released in 90200. Some controversy surrounded the release, as it was thought the UFSS released some info to save face about what really went on at the Vault, so they could keep their other, more sensitive projects out of the limelight. Since the release, there have been many groups seeking to completely expose Project Umbra, and what exactly they had trapped down there.
Some ex-personnel at the base have reported some strange noises within the vicinity of the old elevator shaft, suggesting that whatever was down there is still there even millennia later, and there was no telling what evolution did to whatever it was. Some have even suggested releasing the thing within a contained lab, as it would most likely be considered an alien species at this point. The Federation's official stance maintains and is adamant that no disaster ever took place.