Central control room

The central control room is a location that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a special room located aboard the Space Colony ARK that houses the main computer.

Appearance
The central control room is a very large and empty room. From the entrance, there is a small platform which has a narrow bridge that extends all the way to the computer, with a very dark and seemingly endless abyss below. The computer terminal is very large. A semi-spherical platform is attached at the end of the bridge and can be risen and rotated. On top of the platform is a keyboard with a floating monitor. The terminal rises from the abyss and has several chords connecting it from the sides of the room, with a large dome meeting it from the top. Where the two meet is a special hidden slot that can hold all seven Chaos Emeralds. Surrounding the dome are four large spherical balls that seem to be magnetic. When activated, the terminal can project holographic images and beams around it.

Features
Being a highly advanced computer, many features are installed with it. Before allowing user access, the password needs to be put in. This password is "MARIA". The computer seems to have all the project files, including top secret ones such as Project: Shadow. The computer can also detect energy readings from objects such as the Master Emerald. Also, although it's not confirmed, the computer terminal may be connected to the artificial Altar of the Emeralds in the Cannon's Core.

Past
Not much is known about the use of the central control room prior to the present day. What is known, however, is that Gerald Robotnik programmed the Space Colony ARK so that when all seven Chaos Emeralds were put into the central control room, the ARK would begin its crash course to Earth. Also, Gerald must have had used this terminal before, as the password is "MARIA".

Sonic Adventure 2
In Sonic Adventure 2, the central control room was used frequently, being like the HQ for Shadow, Rouge, and Dr. Eggman.