Diplomatic missive to Mexico

[Lynneth]

[OOC: Obviously closed to me and Scofield /OOC]

 

To: Secretariat of Energy of Mexico; Institute of Mining and Technology

From: Principality of Tikal; Directorate of Diplomacy, Directorate of Sciences; University of Guatemala City

 

Topic: Concerning the Cave of the Crystals, Chihuahua

 

Body:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

During a recent endeavour regarding harmonic vibration experiments with various types of crystals, a research team has theorised that a certain type of super-pure crystal found only in the Cave of the Crystals in the Mexican state of Chihuahua may aid them in their research, subsequently turning to the Directorate of Sciences to request diplomatic aid in retrieving samples of these crystals.

As Tikal doesn't have official diplomatic contact with other nations outside of general trade agreements, we would like to negotiate safe passage of a small research team to the town of Naica so that they may lead an expedition into the caves beneath.

 

We would like to note that the UGC's research division is aware of the inhospitable temperatures within the cave and that they will bring their own specialised equipment to permit operations for up to one hour in these conditions.

 

We are looking forward to your reply.

 

With regards,

Director of Diplomacy,

Clemente Marroquín Rojas

Principality of Tikal

[Scofield]

To: Tikal Directorate of Diplomacy, Directorate of Sciences; University of Guatemala City
From: Institute of Mining and Technology, Secretariat of Energy
Subject: Re: Concerning the Cave of the Crystals, Chihuahua

Greetings,

Your request for safe passage to the Cave of the Crystals at Naica has been received and, after consideration, approved and special permits will be issued to your research team authorizing them to operate in the Cave. Your research team are required to comply with Mexican laws and regulations regarding this matter, respect the operations of the Naica Mine, and to preserve to the utmost of their ability the integrity of the Cave of the Crystals. Furthermore, the Mexican Government will not be responsible for any casualties that may occur in your research team as a result of the hazardous conditions in the Cave.

With that said, we wish the best of luck to your scientific endeavor.

Best regards,

Rachel Molina,
Director of the Institute of Mining and Technology
Republic of the United Mexican States

[Lynneth]

To: Institute of Mining and Technology, Secretariat of Energy
From: Tikal Directorate of Diplomacy, Directorate of Sciences; University of Guatemala City
 
Topic: Re: Concerning the Cave of the Crystals, Chihuahua

 

Body:
Ms. Molina,

 

We are happy to hear that our request has been granted.

The team will be informed of the stipulations you have given and will abide by them.

 

For your information: The expedition is slated for launch in 6 days with the teams' arrival at Naica expected one day later. They will remain there for 3-5 days depending on their success in gathering the required samples, then return to Tikal 2-3 days later.

 

With regards,

Director of Diplomacy,

Clemente Marroquín Rojas

Principality of Tikal

 

[Message end]

 

 

As scheduled, the plane towards Mexico took off 6 days after the message was sent. The trip was relatively uneventful aside from having to convince a border guard on the airport that the Tikalese IDs were indeed legitimate, though luckily not having to go so far as to call the agency in Tikal to verify this.

The day afterwards, the team of 8 people arrived in Naica, setting up shop near the mine of Naica, which was the only known way into the crystal caves. For the day, they would only set up and make experimental forays into the caves to test the endurance of their suits, proper collection only beginning the following day.

[Scofield]

"These aren't the (dro)IDs you are looking for."

Border guard Anthony Ramos blinked, feeling like he was being placed into a trance, like something was...probing his mind. Was it from these Tikaleses...?

"...These aren't the IDs that I am looking for." He nodded, still in a trance, as he stepped aside. "Welcome to the Republic of the United Mexican States. Enjoy your stay."

As the strange-looking Tikalese, with their robes and shining stuff, walked by, Ramos blinked and blinked again.

"Man...I gotta stop taking these ecstasy and heroin."

[Lynneth]

[Cave of the Crystals, Chihuahua]

 

After the first experimental ventures with the specialised suits into the depths of the caves went well, it was determined that the researchers could spend up to 55 minutes in temperatures beyond 40 degrees celsius with little problems. However, for safety reasons, they decided to not spend more than 50 minutes, just to keep that extra time as cushion in case of an accident.

During the first few hours of the day, they merely retraced the steps of scientists who came before them and mapped the caves, to get an idea of the layout and the potential dangers within. After lunch, they resumed their work, now actually looking for the crystals that were needed and taking samples from various parts of the caves, keeping them in special pressurised containers that would allow the crystals to survive the next week or two without specialised containment measures.

However, finding the right sample was difficult. Even though many of the massive crystals looked very similar to each other, by no means all were identical. And until they brought them back to Tikal, it was difficult to know whether they had actually found the right sample, even after several difficult forays into side-caves. All three known side-caves, the Queen's Eye Cave, the Ice Palace and the Candles' Cave were subject to these smaller side-expeditions.

 

By the end of the operation (and the third day of going into the caves), nearly two dozen samples between 50 and 200 grams each had been gathered, as much care as possible having been taken to not disturb the crystals too much. Luckily, no accidents had occurred. Tikal's researchers would be able to return home the next day if nothing of note happened between now and then.

[Lynneth]

[Return to Tikal]

 

With no further interruptions, the research team concluded its work, travelling back to Tikal and delivering the crystal samples to the appropriate department without problems.

Analysing the crystals for the most optimal type would thus commence, the endeavour a success.