//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Advancement 
// Story: The Unknown Daughters Reunion: Bequest 
// by Disembodied_Pony 
//------------------------------//

"Here's the report you asked for your highness"  Long Script presented to the empress.

Looking over the report, the empress's expression rose to that of a tiny smile.

"The population has increased by fold, yet density remains low...  Dams, hydro-electric?  ...yes, tension lines!  As well as the presence of electro-mechanical machinery tethered to them.."  she observed as she read and looked over the images.

"In a scant few centuries, they have done much.  And with lesser resources than they had available historically"  She spoke aloud.

"How I wish that I were there to see it being done..."  Moon lamented her attention being drawn elsewhere.

"Script?  Have they yet mined for germanium or silicon, to your knowledge?"  she asked the earth pony.

Shaking his head, he responded;

"Not as far as we can tell.  Their works so far, consist of varying aggregates and metals.  Their infrastructure seems to have been built to focus entirely on agriculture?"

"I presume that a cultural evaluation is not yet available?"  she asked him, his head tilting in response.

"Cultural, your highness?"

"Mmhm.  How they interact with each other, and spend their idle times.  Presuming they have much to spend?"  she clarified.

"Ah!  Yes, that's not been done yet.  To avoid any slip-ups, we've limited our observations, to the macro"  Long Script answered her.

"Slip-ups?"  Moon asked him.

"Unintentional incursions, your highness"  he answered.

"I see.  Speaking of, does the message still stand?"  she asked him.

"Yes it does, it's still intact.  Made of onyx, the ancients have not repurposed it for other uses.  It's proved to be a good choice"

Nodding, the empress floated the report pad back to him.

"The next few centuries, I feel...  Will be the interesting ones.  I wonder how they will makes use of the more subtle minerals that are abundant?"

"Only time will tell.  Meanwhile, if you'll excuse me, your highness?"  He asked.

"Why the hurry Script?"  Moon asked him.

Looking a little embarrassed, he admitted;

"I um...have a dinner to attend, and I'm really nervous..."  he blushed.

"Oh, I see!  Well, off you go then.  Good evening Script, and good luck."  she bid him leave.

"Good evening, your highness"  He bowed, excusing himself with a bounce in his trot.

Chuckling to herself, the empress got up from her throne and walked over to the balcony.

From there, she took wing and headed off in a northern direction.  To a place where a river was once, interrupted by a lake.