-Meeting the Mysterious Partner
Knock! Knock!
"Lara, we'll be landing very soon, it's time to get up!" Lara heard the strong voice of Eric Copper outside her private little cabin, as she awoke from her slumber.
"Okay, I'll be out in 5 minutes" Lara replied. In that second, she clambered out of bed and got herself ready. She came out to the corridor, looking out through the rectangular/oval shaped window. It was quite dark, with morning still yet to break out all around. A mixture of whisper clouds floating in the mid-air sky and the beaming lights were underneath the plane and upon the city land. It was a lovely view... Lara could have just stared at it for a long time, just letting her imagination fly by. But now wasn't the time, so Lara began walking along the small internal walkway of the jet, wondering when they actually were going to land.
"Ah Lara, you're here, please take a seat and get buckled up, I think the pilot is going to announce any minute that we're going to land" Eric Copper gestured to Lara in the direction of a empty seat.
Right on cue, the speaker came into life with the voice of the jet pilot.
"Ladies and Gentleman, this is the captain pilot of the flight, we're just about to make our descent into Shimla airport, so can everyone can get their seat belts on please.
The same as before taking-off and during the first hour of the journey, everyone remained silent as nothing but the rumble of the engines were only heard. They soon glided down onto the long winding track, with the brakes put on sharply to grind the jet into a more suitable slower speed. The jet parked up in a private hanger, opened up ready and expecting to receive the airplane.
With all safety and checking procedures underway, the passengers had to stay where they were and each to be given a scan check by the local security control. During this time, Lara took a long stare through the jet window she was sitting nearby. Looking through, Lara was astonished by the incredible landscape view. The airport with the landing strip was upon a mountain top. Shimla Airport is located in Himachal Pradesh, to which Shimla is the capital city of. Lara gazed into the beauty of the city, as a whole mixture of different types of vegetation alongside with built up areas such as housing and both commercial and private buildings. Each was either upon a mountain/hill slope or a flat surface. In fact the area is close to the Himalayas mountain range, so snowfall happens during the winter time, around December to February.
Once the checks had been in the clear, the passengers of the flight had taken their first steps into the early morning climate of Shimla. From exiting the aircraft, the warm humid tropical -like temperature hit and took them by initial surprise, as they were use to the cooler climate in the United Kingdom. Two posh 4x4 vehicles were parked nearby the terminal, ready to pick them up once they exited the private jet. Lara, Eric and Sarah entered one car, whilst the others went in the other one. Immediately as everyone got seated into the cars, the drivers roared their engines to life, and they sped away from the airport. To where they were heading, Lara did not know.
On the journey to the unknown destination, Lara took the time yet again to observe and take in the scenery all around them. This is one of the things Lara loved about going out and exploring the world on her adventures, she gets to see everywhere and embrace the environment and culture of different places. Not forgetting to meet various amazing people, who help and support her during her ventures and even become long time friends with her. The carved twisting roads on the mountainous top gave the two drivers a good challenge on their driving abilities, but they were able to maintain a good pace neither without hesitating once nor without any delay.
"So Lara, what are your first impressions on Shimla?" Eric inquired out of the blue.
"Well, this looks to be a spectacular city. I was overlooking from the aeroplane, and was impressed at the geographical landscape of the region. I hope we delve further and have a little wander around and into the city. What's your view?" Lara wondered, seeing Eric Copper watching the calm environment out of the car window.
"Yes, it is a beautiful place. I've only visited here once for a relational business meeting, but I went around the neighbourhood to where our meeting was held, and the atmosphere of the area was very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed my last visit, and hope to do the same this time around."
Lara nodded at Eric Copper's explanation, and soon after another question was aimed at her, this time Lara felt that Eric Copper was more interested in this answer more than the previous one.
"Lara, I've got a question for you, what do you aim for in life? You know, what are your hopes and dreams? " A curious Eric Copper asked Lara. For sure he was fascinated to hear what her answer would be.
"Now that is a good question, I love solving the mystery of a puzzle and being rewarded with an historic hidden artefact at the end. For me life is one huge adventure, discovering ancient civilisations and uncovering deep secrets that have been hiding for centuries. I am indeed lucky to have such opportunity to experience these moments, and also doing what I have a passion for, which is archaeology and globetrotting around the world...How about you?"
"Haha that's interesting, you do have a unique way about you Lara. For me personally I will answer for when we next meet, since we are close to our destination now" Chuckled Eric Copper, as the car made its final turn heading through a medium sized gateway.
They arrived at the hotel to where the Green Copper Industrial Corporation had owned and operated it. This was also where the team that had uncovered this new finding, and incidentally this was going to be the place where Lara was going to meet her partner during the mine exploration.
Each one walked into the entrance of the grand hotel. It was very elegant, with decor and stunning objects filling the glossy entrance hall. It was quite crowded, as most were employees all ready to welcome in the main boss and the directors of the corporation. A familiar person was already in Lara's sight, as they came over to greet them.
"Now Lara, I believe this will be your partner for your expedition in the mine, sorry what is your name again?" Eric Copper asked the lady, as Lara was shocked of who it was.
"Hello my name is Ayesha, it is a pleasure to meet you" Ayesha charmingly said, as she shook Eric Copper's hand and then onto Lara's hand.
"Ah yes that's right, Ayesha this is Lara, she will be joining you in your journey into our recently discovered mine. I'll leave you two to get acquainted with each other, as I just need to make a few arrangements. I won't be long." With that sentence, Eric Copper dashed off elsewhere, leaving the two alone. Little did he know however that this wasn't the first time the duo had met. When he left, both Lara and Ayesha hugged each other, having not seen one another since Lara left the hospital prior to the incident during their last adventure together.
"Ha fancy seeing you here. It's nice to see you again Ayesha, what a coincidence that you are the partner that they've all been talking about since I got here." Lara delightfully said, still pleasantly surprised seeing one of her good friends.
"Yes Lara same here, nobody told me that you were the person who was coming with me, how did this come about?" Ayesha quickly questioned Lara, wanting to know the details.
"I had an unannounced visitor coming at my home, and they'd explained the situation to me. From then on I couldn't resist the invitation to find out more, and here I am now. How did you get into the fold too?" Lara enlightened Ayesha, as she began to clarify to why she was there too.
"Well, it began a few days ago, where the corporation were looking for volunteers to help out for their search. Knowing that this area has a lot of history to uncover, I'd decided to join in to see what mysteries lay deep within the mine." Ayesha explained to her.
"Cool, do you know when we'll set off to the site?" Lara quizzed Ayesha, wanting to know if she knew the answer.
"Indeed, any second now actually, that's the current schedule I know at this time" Ayesha replied, nearly laughing at the sheer amazement Lara's facial expression had given out.
"What! That's quick! I've only just got here!" Lara silently exclaimed. She only just arrived, yet they were very keen to unravel what is buried underneath the site.
"I know, but they are eager to get going, you should know that the moral of this company is 'speed is of the essence'. Not to worry though, the sites' only a few miles from here. It's only about a twenty minute drive." Ayesha debriefed Lara. Within that second Ayesha noticed Lara's tone changed for when she next spoke.
"Okay Ayesha, can I quickly ask you something?" Lara asked her good friend, wanting to know something desperately before they would embark in the mine.
"Sure" Ayesha was ready for Lara's question, confused by why she'd turned more serious on the change of topic.
"Have you found anything..." At that moment, Lara's sentence was instantly cut off by the sudden presence of Eric Copper...
"Ah I see you are getting along very well. We are all ready to visit the site, Lara, Ayesha, are you prepared to see what awaits for you down in that mine?" Eric Copper asked the two ladies, as they looked at each other smilingly, knowing what each other was going to say to that question.
"We are!" they excitingly said together.
"Excellent, let's get moving then, onward and forward we go" Eric Copper enthusiastically announced, as they made their way from the hotel and into the parked cars just outside. The drivers had set course for their next destination, each one following the lead car in front of them onto the main road. They were heading for the Jungle, to where the discovery was made through unknown seasoned ruins...