[Reminder]

//Matrix Search terminal v1.0.2b//<<4 Mines at marked map co-ordinates>>
-Tags: news, owner, production, last activity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<<Message Protocol>>//To agent{Please repeat my search parameters and continue search until terminated}

int 4, computer 2 (6d6.hits(5)=2) my search
r3, comp 3 + hotsim 2 (8d6.hits(5)=2) agent's search
-browse software makes it 1/2 search time so it should be 30secs/15mins/6hours depending on threshold etc!

You find information indicating that the two Northern mines have been out of operation for the last 16 years, as they became "economically unviable." The two southern mines lasted longer, with Mine D closing 10 years ago and the last a little less than a year after the Kilimanjaro event.

[Csjarrat]

<<Agent, compile results and forward to distribution list; {team}>>

[JackVII]

Mlinzi's commlink chimes with a new message notification. Opening the document attached the to notification, she begins scrolling through Ultra's report. Walking over to the decker and Mwindaji, she says in a low voice, "Thanks for that report, rafiki. I'm not surprised the western mine closed down after Kilimanjaro, things got pretty rough around here. Can you figure out who owned these mines? Might be helpful to know."

Walking over to Alzmer, Mlinzi[ asks, "How are you holding up, Mr. Alzmer? Have you been on an expedition like this before? Let me know if you have any questions that I may be able to help answer."

The elf also takes the opportunity to assense Alzmer while they're stopped.

[spoiler=Assensing Test]Assensing Test: Assensing (2) + Intuition (4) = (6d6.hits(5)=2)[/spoiler]

[Reminder]

Most of what you gather from the human's aura does not surprise you. He is in fairly healthy condition and his depressed mood mirrors what is shown on his face. As you are making your assessment, he looks up to you from where he is sitting on the turf and speaks.

Pretty obvious that I haven't. It isn't what I expected.

[JackVII]

Picking up the man's mood in voice and aura, Mlinzi briefly recalls bits of an old African proverb about bees and honey.

With a faint smile, she says, "I understand, Mr. Alzmer and I'm sorry that it hasn't quite lived up to what you had in mind. But the wilderness is a different kind of place than the city, it's unpredictable. In the city, you can go to a location and know what you're going to get, anything from a football match to a movie. Out here, you never really know what to expect, it just sometimes takes a bit of patience. I know Mr. Hunter has told you about the dangers out here, and he's right about that, this place can be dangerous... but it can also be amazing. There's no telling what we might see out here: wildlife, shooting stars, possibly even magic. I hope that you'll keep your eyes open and give it a chance. For a start, wait until the sun goes down tonight and you can see the stars without the light from a city washing them out, it's pretty spectacular."

Mlinzi briefly pauses before continuning, "Anyway, I'm going to be riding with you on this leg of the trip, maybe we can talk more. By the way, you can call me Mlinzi."

[Csjarrat]

Chewing down the last of the pre-packed rice with a strained gulp, ultra checks his AR feed for the time.
we ready to move on?

[JackVII]

"Let's roll," Mlnzi says. "Come on, Mr. Alzmer, next stop is the mines." The elf walks over to the large Nomad and clambers into the passenger seat. of the vehicle. Releasing her sustained spell, she sends a mental message to Wawindaji. "We are preparing to move again, friend. I would appreciate it if you would resume watching over us."

Assuming that costs another service, Wawindaji is down to one service remaining.

[Csjarrat]

As everyone drifted back to their vehicles, Johannes chucked the spent packaging back into the carry-all in the flatbed so as not to leave any signature behind, making sure the tarp was well secured before climbing back into the cab.
Jumping back into Hot-Sim mode, he re-established connection with the vehicle and opened the throttle, re-joining the road westward toward the mines

[JackVII]

As the convoy started rolling, Mlinzi turned her attention to Alzmer. "So Mr. Alzmer, when you aren't running around darkest Africa, what do you do to keep yourself busy?"

[Reminder]

As the convoy started rolling, Mlinzi turned her attention to Alzmer. "So Mr. Alzmer, when you aren't running around darkest Africa, what do you do to keep yourself busy?"

He looks at you glumly. I read, read about places. And events. True ones, not like kids stories.

[JackVII]

Well, this may be a tough nut to crack... Mlinzi thinks to herself after Alzmer responds.

"Is that what you do for work? Like a researcher or something?" the woman asks kindly. "That sounds pretty interesting. I imagine you know all kinds of things. Is there anything in particular that you study?"

[Reminder]

He laughs. Sort of. Not like that though. Obviously, I study minerals. Well, you would call them rocks.

[JackVII]

"But rocks are incredible! Out of everything on the Earth, rocks are the oldest and have the most history. Imagine the stories they could tell if they could speak." Mlinzi says encouragingly. "I think your work is very interesting and that you will learn much from the rocks in Kenya. Did you learn about rocks at the University you mentioned earlier?"

[Reminder]

"But rocks are incredible! Out of everything on the Earth, rocks are the oldest and have the most history. Imagine the stories they could tell if they could speak." Mlinzi says encouragingly. "I think your work is very interesting and that you will learn much from the rocks in Kenya. Did you learn about rocks at the University you mentioned earlier?"

It's nice of you to say so, even if you don't mean it...And yes, at the University in India is where I learned all of this, about the only place you can. No one cares much about the stones beneath their feet. The others there, they always smiled and pretended to be interested, but I could tell they weren't. Probably why I jumped at the chance when the man came and offered me a chance for adventure.

Didn't change anything. I fit in about as well here as I did there.

[JackVII]

"I do mean it, Mr. Alzmer. As far as you fitting in, you just have to give it some time," Mlinzi said, trying to give the man some hope. "And if time isn't on your side, everyone respects success. I would think you would be admired by your equals if you were to discover a new rock."

"Let me tell you a story that my tribe tells, it's about Simba and Panya, or Lion and Mouse in english. Lion comes across Mouse at a pond and decides to eat him. Mouse pleads for his life, making quite the scene, moaning and crying the entire time. Lion took pity on Mouse and decided not to eat him. Mouse thanked him and promised to help him if he were ever in need. Lion laughed at this thinking how big and strong he was compared to Mouse. Later, Lion is captured in a net set by hunters. The net binds him so much that he cannot use his sharp claws to get out. Mouse hears Lion's struggles and shows up to help. While Lion could not get at the net with his claws, Mouse has no problem chewing through them. Freed, Lion thanks Mouse and promises to protect him from that day forward for saving his life."

"You see, Mr. Alzmer, everyone has skills and just need the right time and place to shine. For you, that time is now. Who else could your employer go to for this expedition? These rocks are the net, you are Mouse, and respect is Lion, waiting to be set free. So cheer up, this is your time to shine." Mlinzi pauses, waiting to see if the lesson hit its mark.