June, Year 5

The Simian Hill hospital, built by local miners, opens today in light of the continuing and rapid development of the Simian Hill project.

"Let this hospital stand as an edifice to the enduring spirit of the miners here in Simian Hill."

Villiers Moineau proclaimed the opening of the Simian Hill hospital in light of a population explosion during the ramp up of Phase III of the project. It was the first time that the Rio Preto executive, charged with overseeing the Simian Hill project, had been in Simian Hill since the original planning phase. The almost 75,000 strong population of Simian Hill were present for the opening, in addition to Fort Simian mayor Clare Bevan, opposition leader Rick Green, Sizzle Group executive Bruce Morrison and whiskey merchant William MacGregor. A warm summer day was beginning, marking a year since the Fort Simian Year 4 elections and the beginning of the massive Simian Hill project that had escalated at an immense pace.

"Now, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement. Dredging work for the Simian Ridge site has begun, and construction will begin before the end of the year. Simian Ridge is to be the administrative and commercial headquarters of Rio Preto in this region, and it is with great anticipation that we await the development. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, and for coming out this morning. I look forward to the coming years of prosperity that this project will generate. Thank you."

The view from the hospital over the wastewater treatment facility and mines. Simian Hill, starved for space to accommodate the mining activities.

Villiers waved off a rapturous crowd from the balcony of the newly constructed hospital as he disappeared into the building. The crowd, covering the roads all the way along the wastewater treatment facility opposite the hospital, began to disperse. Mayor Bevan, Rick Green and Bruce Morrison remained however, desperately grabbing their opportunity to speak to the big cheese. A group of security emerged from the hospital and approached the small group.

"Dr. Moineau will be seeing Mayor Bevan. The rest of you will have to leave."

A dejected Rick Green attempted to argue his case to see Moineau; but was ultimately rebuffed. Morrison, reading the situation, was already in mid walk back to his car.

William MacGregor had remained back for a meeting of his own, which was interrupted by the ruckus between Green and security. "But I need to speak with Villiers, I know him! Just tell him Rick is here... oh come on, you're going to let this $%&^! in? Oh so she has an appointment! I KNOW VILLIERS FOR GODS SAKE!"

His curiosity piqued, MacGregor was soon interrupted by a car horn.

"Hey Bill, you coming or what?"

Hu Tse opened up the passenger side door with his right arm, and signalled William in. Hu had agreed to meet with MacGregor to tour the new high density developments of Simian Hill. The two had become thick as thieves in the business sphere, as shrewd but honest operators brought together by developments in Wax Superior. MacGregor wanted to show Tse the possibilities in the new, cashed up mining town, but Tse had a revelation of his own.

"You know how to get to Fitters grove?"

"Yep, no problem Bill."

"So what's new?"

"Well, that Morrison snake offered to buy up all my commercial property. All of it, city entrance hotels, and that little shop in the centre of town."

"So when's payday?"

Tse was taken aback by the comment.

"I'm not going to sell. I've put a lot of effort into it, and Fort Simian is my home. As long as this mine is here, there will be money to be made."

"Well, I sold the factory up on Table Mount. As of next Monday, all my operations will be in Simian Hill."

"What? But why?"

"Morrison made me an offer too good to refuse. Besides, Simian Ridge construction has started. It is going to be so big, that Fort Simian won't matter to the mine anymore. Space is scarce here, if any opens up, it's slated for a smelter or a new mine. There is so little space in the Simian Hill title, that the value of the real estate can only go up, especially for our simple industries. Simian Ridge won't have any of this. It will be a big city."

"But what about your family? What about the community?"

"I'll continue to live in Fort Simian, and commute to Simian Hill like all the middle managers. You should get out too. Industrial taxes aren't coming down, and I wouldn't be surprised if commercial went up. Fort Simian just doesn't have the haggis to overcome the downturn since the lizard disaster."

Tse sighed.

"That bloody disaster, nobody knows anything about it still. Now they're trying to distract us with this new police commissioner to investigate the Pyne murder. I'm starting to wonder why we were so excited about Bevan."

"What, and end up with Green as mayor? I couldn't think of a better reason to get out of Fort Simian!"

The two looked forward as they entered Fitters grove, a now heavily built up, high density, low wealth area of the town.

Fitters Grove, following one year of rapid building and rebuilding.

Tse pulled up next to a green awning with a big BARGAIN sign above it.

"Let's grab a coffee, Hu. I've been spending a lot of time here, getting to know the locals. I've been inundated with orders from these new high density commercial areas. There are three bars upstairs. These miners really like to drink! We're even brewing beer now."

Hu walked along contemplating. As they entered the coffee shop, Hu looked up.

"Now, if I was to relocate here, from what you said, then where would I setup? If real estate is so valuable, where would I put up my hotels and stores?"

William smiled. "I thought you'd never ask. I've made a new friend here, she'll be here in 10 minutes. She can answer that question."

Rapid development has seen Simian Hill net revenues jump beyond two million simoleons a month, bringing a lode of disposable income to these areas.

The door to the coffee shop opened, and a woman entered. She signaled to MacGregor, who indicated to Tse that they would have to move. The woman continued walking, entering through a passageway to the rear of the building. The three found themselves on a small patio, with some makeshift tables and nobody in sight. An employee from the shop followed them out with their coffees, nodded to the woman and then closed the door.

"Isn't it incredible, that there is all this space in front of us, yet by our city title deeds, we have to cease construction on this imaginary line here?" said the woman, turning to William.

"Aye, but it depends on what business you're in. The more scarce the land, the more valuable."

The woman chuckled to herself. "I suppose you're right Bill. Now, I take it this is the gentleman you wanted me to meet?" she said as she sipped her coffee.

"Aye. This is Hu Tse," then, turning to the woman, "and Hu, this is Gillian Maholm. She's been involved with Rio Preto for a long time. She can tell you why you should sell."

Hu looked up inquisitively, his interested piqued. "Well then, what's so special about Simian Hill? I don't see any commercial opportunities."

Gillian put her coffee down and a serious look swam over her face. "It's not here you want to build, it's through there" she said as she pointed through the building from whence they came.

"That's still Simian Hill."

"Not Simian Hill, Simian Ridge. Or should I say, Wax Ridge, South."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm in a bit of trouble with the boys club, that's why we're meeting here and not in the shop we just came from. They've relocated me and my partner to the dredging work there. It won't be a single city title, it will be two. And it won't be called Simian Ridge. It will be called Wax Ridge North for the title closest to Simian Hill, and Wax Ridge South for the title closest to Fort Simian."

"Isn't that Rio Preto property though?". Tse looked visibly worried at the prospect of two city titles worth of commercial to box him out of the Simian Hill market.

"Allocated buildings, what they call "ploppables", will be at the discretion of Rio Preto. Zoned areas, such as yours, will be free for the highest bidder."

"I can't afford that. If this place is as big as you guys think, where would I get the money?"

"Has the Sizzle group offered you any money for your properties in Fort Simian?"

"Yes! How did you know? I just got the offer in the last few days."

"The Sizzle group wants to buy up all the property in Fort Simian. Rio is going to take it over. Ever since the lizard disaster, Fort Simian hasn't been able to finance its assets. Rio wants it for the coal. They will buy up everything, and they will own you. Trust me. And when they have Fort Simian, Sizzle Group thinks the property price will go up and they will cash in. But it won't. The focus will shift to Wax Ridge."

Hu twisted his head at the term.

"Why 'Wax' Ridge? Does it have something to do with the region name?"

"I'm not sure. It's some sort of bizarre convention, but I'm sure that it has something to do with Old Wax. Everything there has 'Wax' in the title. Wax Bay, Cinderwax, Wax Woods..."

"So you think I should ask a higher price and then get in with Wax Ridge?"

"That is what I'm saying."

"And how do you know all this? What do you do exactly?"

"That's a topic for another conversation."

Coal Baron

"Gillian Maholm is in Simian Hill now. Did you know that?" Linda said to Clayton Brand as he awaited Villiers Moineau in the new Metals HQ topfloor meeting room.

"I don't have time for that recalcitrant right now. We are almost at production target. Everything is going well. Don't bother me with these details. Let security take care of it."

"Security doesn't know where she is."

"She'll return to the dredging site, she should have learnt her lesson in Wax Woods. Didn't you see the look on her face after the lizard disaster interrogation?"

The doors to the meeting room opened suddenly. Villiers Moineau and a rough, bulky man with prominent sideburns walked through.

"Linda, Clay" Villiers said to the two meeting room regulars, "I'd like you to meet our new head of coal operations, Cole Bambert."

The upgraded coal facility produces over 400 t of coal per day.

"G'day folks, how ya goin'".

Clay looked up at Villiers. "An Australian?"

"He's the best up and coming coal expert in the company. He will lead the operations on the coalface. He will also oversee the new operations."

"What new operations?" said Clayton, visibly distraught.

"The operations in Fort Simian."

"But.." stammered Clayton.

"The deal with Mayor Bevan was signed this morning. We will officially be financing Fort Simian by the end of the year. Their coal is now ours."

Villiers paused for a moment, and then produced a USB stick.

"Here are some new photographs of Simian Hill. Can you take Mr Bambert through these, pointing out the relevant areas. I assure you they are up to date. He will be staying in the residential suites of the Metals HQ like the rest of you."

Villiers left the meeting room. Clayton inserted the USB stick into the projector laptop, and let the slide show play itself out.

The Metals HQ and Phase I mining site as seen from Fitters Grove.

Fitters Grove, with all the hustle and bustle of the mine operators, tradesmen and contractors.

Fitters Grove main street, with the new smelter in the distance.

Another view of the Metals HQ from Fitters Grove. Some areas have retained their original mine camp charm, with this quaint dirt road.