[quote=Endocrinology]
[b]Nucleus Accumbens[/b]
The nucleus accumbens (NAcc), also known as the accumbens nucleus or as the nucleus accumbens septi, is a region of the human brain in the basal forebrain rostral to the preoptic area. Each brain hemisphere has its own nucleus accumbens. It is located where the head of the caudate and the anterior portion of the putamen meet just lateral to the septum pellucidum. The nucleus accumbens can be divided into two structures—the nucleus accumbens core and the nucleus accumbens shell. These structures have different morphology and function.

[img=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Circuit_du_syst%C3%A8me_de_recompense.jpg/310px-Circuit_du_syst%C3%A8me_de_recompense.jpg]

Research has indicated the nucleus accumbens has an important role in pleasure including laughter, reward, and reinforcement learning, as well as fear, aggression, impulsivity, addiction, and the placebo effect.

Dopaminergic input from the VTA is thought to modulate the activity of neurons within the nucleus accumbens. These terminals are also the site of action of highly-addictive drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine, which cause a manifold increase in dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens.

Research using microdialysis has shown that the levels of dopamine in the extracellular fluid of the nucleus accumbens increase when rats are injected with addictive drugs such as cocaine, heroin, nicotine, or alcohol. This increase in dopamine is believed to be responsible for the reinforcing effects that later stimulate drug-taking behaviour. Functional-imaging studies in humans have shown that environmental cues associated with addictive drugs releases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. The activation of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens is central to "wanting". Dopamine release in the accumbens occurs in anticipation of reward, and facilitates many kinds of approach and goal-oriented behaviours like exploration, affiliation, aggression, sexual behaviour, and food hoarding.[/quote]

Another day, another step towards a completed project. Zachary placed his copy of [i]Endocrinology[/i] in his bag and set out for the day to his hidden garage. He found a strange pleasure in studying this book. He anticipated the end of the day when he would settle down and read it and he thoroughly enjoyed finding out new things in it, and exploring things in more depth. He thought nothing of it, as he was naturally curious so he presumed that maybe learning how he himself ticked was additionally satisfying to his curiosity.

When he got to the street where his project was, he found a group of 8 people already there, scavenging around. They were variously armed, most with melee weapons like swords and hatchets, two had some crude firearms and one had a composite bow with a core in it. There could easily be a host or two among them. He realised that if they found his work unattended they would almost certainly loot it, and even if it was attended they may be the aggressive type of gang which takes what they want by force. He would have to play it cool and stay on their good side. Most people prefer not to start fights if they can, although conduits make an exception, but even so Zachary was reasonably hopeful.

He started by nonchalantly walking down the street to the grocers. One of the gang turned to face him as he was at the door, and Zachary paused and maintain eye contact for a second, letting them know that he was aware of them. Inside, he quickly thought of what preparations he could make. He would have preferred to throw a tarp or sheet or something over the carriage to conceal it, but as he had no such item he did not have that option. He was able to conceal his collection of cores, though. He also decided to leave his bag and plasma rifle in the back room, taking just his air cannon strapped to his back. While he wanted to not appear helpless and vulnerable, he also didn't want to appear over-armed.
As he heard footsteps approaching from outside, he quietly said to himself "OK Kaa'is, let's see if we can take a calm approach." Despite his planning, Zachary was rather nervous as he knew nothing about this gang, whether they would be violent or greedy or difficult to deal with.
[b][i]Cool, calm and charismatic? I can handle that,[/i][/b] Kaa'is reassured him, [b][i]Relax and let me help with the talking.[/i][/b]

Zachary took a deep breath and stepped through the door, which he closed behind him, and into the shop front as three members of the group entered. One was armed with a sword, one an axe and the other a gun, which to Zachary's eye appeared to be a fire core gun. Nowhere for bullets to go in, it just spits out a tight spray of fire. Before they could speak, Zachary greeted them. "Good morning, gentlemen. Was there anything I can do for you and your crew? I'm afraid the food here is a bit off." For this last sentence he gestured at the rotten year-old produce lining the shelves. Kaa'is had basically put all those words into Zachary's mouth, and Zachary was willing to let the words roll out.

Zachary's pleasant manner put the men at ease, although the smell was trying its hardest to undo that. The one with the sword, put a bit off-guard by the warm welcome, eventually replied, "Well, if you don't have food, then we were looking for a few cores."

"Did you have any particular cores in mind?" Zachary asked. While he generally didn't like sharing his hard-earned core hoard, he could spare a few to stay on the pleasant side of this rather well-armed gang.

"Well, umm, we use fire and lightning. We keep our eyes open for any other cores too, especially kinetic," the man replied.

Zachary nodded. "Just wait right here and I'll see what I can spare." Zachary slipped back through the door, the darkness concealing the contents for the moments the door was open. Zachary picked out two fire cores and a lightning core of what he considered to be an appropriate size for their uses and returned through the door. Cores in hand, Zachary walked up to the man with the sword and handed the cores over. "There you go."

The men seemed to be confused at this apparent gesture of generosity. The man he had handed the cores over to lifted them up to eye level to inspect them as if they were somehow fakes. "These are free, right? Or is there some cost?" the man asked sceptically.

"The goodwill of your gang shall be enough for now, and that you carry on your way," Zachary answered.

The men nodded. "Understood. Thank you." Then they left, off to inspect the other buildings in the area for anything of worth. Once they and the rest of the gang had moved on, Zachary moved into the back room and went to work on the engine of the carriage.