James Rodriguez

David knelt, already pulling on latex gloves.

The structure suggests psychoactive properties, but I've never seen this specific morphology documented anywhere.

Remember your own theory?

I reminded him.

These could be causing our experiences.

Exactly why I need samples.

He carefully extracted one mushroom, placing it in a collection vial.

If these produce compounds similar to psilocybin, but with different molecular structure, we could be looking at an entirely new class of neurological agents.

I left him to his work, returning to help complete camp setup.

By 1300 hours, we had established a functional base.

Tents secured.

Communications equipment tested.

Solar chargers deployed to supplement generator power.

The team gathered under the command canopy for lunch and task assignments.

We maintained standard body system protocols.

I instructed spreading the topographical map across our folding table.

No one goes anywhere alone.

Radio check-ins every 15 minutes went away from base.

Emily had overlaid her cultural research onto the map, marking the ceremonial site and potential exploration zones.

The home formation suggests this was the verticultural center.