November 2nd, 2016 – Explorer's Zone
The park had been closed for barely 48 hours, yet the Explorer's Zone already looked different. The crisp morning air carried the smell of damp earth and fresh-cut timber as Lucas stepped through the now-silent pathways. Without guests, the soundscape was replaced by the low rumble of engines and the rhythmic clank of machinery.
Fencing cordoned off the section between the Wild Mouse and the balloon ride. Inside, excavators moved in precise arcs, tearing up the last of the old pavement. Piles of rubble and earth marked the spot where, by spring, the park's newest flat ride would spin into life.
Walter was already on-site, clipboard in hand. "Ground's softer than we expected," he said as Lucas approached. "But the crews are reinforcing it. Won't delay us."
Lucas glanced over the cleared space, picturing the ride's structure in place. A subtle mental command brought the system's project overview into view:
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📋 System Project Overview – Explorer's Zone Flat Ride
Name: Sky Discovery
Type: Technical Park Discovery 16 (custom color scheme)
Supplier: Technical Park – Melara, Italy
Status: Foundation Excavation – 12% complete
Projected Opening Date: March 18th, 2017
Theming: In-house crew – "Global Expedition Discovery" aesthetic (matching Explorer's Zone)
Ride Duration: ~2 minutes per cycle
Capacity: ~480 riders/hour
Budget Source: Park Funds – €1,150,000 (purchase & install) + €150,000 (theming)
Remaining Build Time: 136 days
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"Good," Lucas said, closing the panel. "If they keep this pace, we'll have the foundation poured before the end of the month."
Beyond the fence, a crew was unloading steel rebar, stacking it neatly beside the excavation pit. The neat organization was no accident — Lucas had made it clear from the start that the park's construction sites had to reflect the same attention to detail as its themed areas.
A sudden gust of wind carried the faint, echoing clang of metal from deeper in the Jungle Zone — early signs of the coaster site prep. Lucas made a mental note to check on that before the day was over.
Walter followed his gaze. "Two projects at once," he said with a small grin. "Feels like we're finally moving at full speed."
"We are," Lucas replied, watching as a worker signaled for another truck to back in. "And this is only the beginning of winter."
November 2nd, 2016 – Jungle Zone
The sound of engines grew louder as Lucas walked deeper into the Jungle Zone. Tall construction fencing lined the pathways, its panels covered in printed jungle foliage to keep guests from seeing the transformation underway. Behind it, the land next to Secrets of the Silk Road had already changed drastically from just a few weeks ago.
The ground was bare and level now, the last stubborn roots and rocks pulled free. Bright survey stakes crisscrossed the site, their orange tape fluttering in the breeze. Spray-painted lines marked where footers would eventually rise, the layout of the future coaster already traced on the earth like a blueprint come to life.
Lucas stepped through the service gate, greeted by the familiar mix of fresh earth and diesel. A pair of excavators idled near the fence, operators on break. The main work here had begun back in late September — clearing the old landscaping, rerouting drainage, and laying utility conduits. Now, only the final prep remained before Intamin's own foundation crew arrived in early December.
A mental command brought up the system's active project window:
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📋 System Project Overview – Jungle Zone Coaster
Name: Serpent's Run (working title)
Type: Intamin Family Launch Coaster – Custom Layout
Supplier: Intamin Amusement Rides – Schaan, Liechtenstein
Status: Site Prep – 22% complete
Projected Opening Date: July 8th, 2017
Theming: In-house crew – "Ancient Jungle Expedition" aesthetic (matching log flume's quality)
Track Length: ~780 m
Max Height: ~22 m
Max Speed: ~72 km/h
Ride Duration: ~1 minute 50 seconds
Capacity: ~850 riders/hour
Budget Source: System Funds – €9,000,000 (purchase & install) + €600,000 (theming)
Foundation Start: December 5th, 2016
Track Arrival: February 2017 – installation by Intamin crew
Remaining Build Time: 248 days
---
Lucas closed the panel and scanned the treeline, picturing the launches and sweeping curves that would soon cut through the canopy. The thought of seeing bright green track rise against the winter sky gave him a quiet rush of anticipation.
Walter appeared from the far side of the site, stepping over bundled steel rebar stacked neatly along the fence. "Surveyors say the ground's stable," he said, tapping his clipboard. "Once Intamin's team gets here, they can pour the first foundations before Christmas."
"Good," Lucas replied. "That keeps us on track for February delivery. People will spot the track before they even know what the ride does."
Walter smirked. "And that's when the hype starts."
Lucas smiled faintly, glancing toward the log flume's temple façade glowing in the afternoon light. "Exactly. They've seen what we can do with theming — this is going to raise the bar again."
November 4th, 2016 – Lucas' Office
The low hum of the office heater filled the quiet as Lucas scrolled through the park's media feed. Social channels had been unusually active for an off-season week — not because of the flat ride excavation in the Explorer's Zone, but because of the fenced-off corner of the Jungle Zone.
On a fan forum, a new thread was climbing fast:
> [User: ParkFan92] – "So… who's seen the drone shots yet? That's a lot of space for just landscaping."
[User: RideGeek_NL] – "Look at the stakes and spray paint — that's a layout outline. Could be a coaster."
[User: ThrillHunter] – "Or a giant dark ride. But next to the log flume? My money's on a coaster."
[User: Explorer_Enthusiast] – "If it's anything like the log flume theming, this is going to look insane."
The attached images showed the plot from above — rough earth, survey markings looping in broad curves, and the dense jungle-themed walls blocking public view from the paths. The photos had been taken from well outside park property, but the angle made the space seem even larger.
Another post caught Lucas' eye:
> [User: SteelTrackFan] – "If they're smart, they're talking to Intamin or Mack. That site screams family launch coaster."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, letting the screen dim. They weren't wrong, but he wasn't about to confirm anything this early. Part of the fun was letting the mystery build.
His phone buzzed — a text from Walter: "Explorer's Zone foundation pour scheduled for Monday. Want to be on site?"
Lucas typed back a quick "Yes. Wouldn't miss it." then glanced once more at the forum thread.
The speculation was only going to grow from here, and that was exactly how he wanted it.
November 6th, 2016 – Explorer's Zone
Even without guests, the Explorer's Zone felt busy — not with laughing children or spinning rides, but with the rumble of engines, the grind of metal, and the shouts of construction crews. The air carried the sharp scent of fresh concrete and paint.
Lucas stood just outside the construction fence, watching as a low-loader inched backwards into position. On its flatbed sat two massive, gleaming steel arm sections, secured tightly with heavy straps. Along the side of the truck, bold lettering read: Technical Park – Melara, Italy.
Across the path, three young men stood with cameras in hand. One held up his phone, filming as the delivery was unloaded.
> [User: CoasterScout] – "Technical Park truck spotted at Elysion Park! Flat ride confirmed."
[User: SpinDoctor] – "Looks like a Discovery 16. Big one."
[User: AirTimeAddict] – "If that's true, March 2017 is going to be insane."
Walter approached, helmet tucked under his arm. "First components are here. If the weather holds, we could have the main mast standing within two weeks."
Lucas gave a slow nod, his eyes still fixed on the steel. "Let them guess," he said with a faint smile.
Behind the fence, a crane's boom groaned as it lifted one of the arm sections into the air. Sunlight slid across the metal, and for a moment Lucas could already see the silhouette of what, come March, would send guests soaring skyward.