The Zetta Sonic

S13 - (Spring) White Box

Their boat stopped on a small wooden bridge. The guide went down first followed by the professor, Mark and his son. Two men wearing t-shirts and shorts were waiting there. The two also wore necklaces with one large dental pendant and carried a long spear with a red tassel.

The guide spoke to them in an incomprehensible language. The native language of the Klostar tribe has never been taught to outsiders. Even so, Mark knew clearly the gaze of the two. Definitely not a sign of hospitality. They do not like his arrival. There's an unpleasant impression emanating there. Lucky for them, Mark doesn't like it there either. The sooner they settle this matter, the better it will be for both of them.

As the three men conversed, Mark spread his gaze around. The houses with wooden walls and thatched roofs stood randomly. There were some standing on the river, parts of its wooden foundation were submerged in water and mossy. Each house has a small stone statue near their entrance. The same height as a child.

“They're scared.”

Mark let his words slip. He could see how everyone was staring at them intently. The mothers standing by the fireplace were unmoved while staring at them. Children who had been playing near the river immediately hid behind the house when they pulled over.

Professor retaliates. “Even if the skin and hair color are similar, they recognize us as strangers. It smells different, it's foreign. When summarized in one word—”

“Dangerous.” Mark knows.

“Look at the bright side, they're already dressed. ICPA provides education correctly.”

Strange things that attract attention. The people who lived in that remote place were already dressed properly. ICPA does support the tribe with various things. From various teaching to food supply. Initially the Klostar tribe was just an ordinary outback tribe with a unique culture and an unfriendly chieftain. However, they are not against the development of the times.

Alex stood by his father. He did not protest or cry, just kept quiet. His wide eyes watched around trying to digest where they were. Small houses such as garden gazebos, unpleasant moist aromas, the sound of friction of foliage as well as foreign animals. Everything was new for the boy.

“I think he'll whine for home once we get here.” The driver turned to his entourage. The woman had sharp eyes and a pointed chin. There was a smile there. “Looks like he's no less attractive than you, agent Hill.”

“Call me Mark.”

“Then you can call me Tesiana. That's my real name in this tribe, not Tasya.” He turned to the professor. “And, the professor, the chieftain has prepared a welcome for you in his tent. These two people will take you there.”

The professor spontaneously took a step back. “Wow, wow, wow. Me only? I don't speak their language. Anyway, Mark is here to keep me company—”

“Friend you to the water source instead of to the tent of the chief,” Tsiana said. “After all, the chieftain can speak our language. No need to worry.”

“What's the reason why he let you into town?” The professor threw a casual question and got the sharp gaze of the woman. “Good, forget. Tell me important things. For example, how can they not spear me or eat me. Kloster tribe is not a cannibal tribe, right ‘kan?”

Tesiana grunts amusedly. He enjoyed how the professor looked riled up. “Make sure you do not comment on hair or decorations in the tent then you will be safe.”

“Annya.” Tesiana. “We'll meet later. Now, the chief asks for your presence only. Better not keep him waiting. If his mood is bad, he can bring us all home.”

“Ke city or to the afterlife?” Again the professor got a sharp look with a sigh. He also hurriedly stepped. “True, it is better not to keep him waiting. Mark, if I'm not back in an hour, please prepare the whiskey. I'm sure I'll need it later.”

The professor went with two members of the spear tribe. Tesiana and Mark exchanged looks. They did not talk after, just cleaned up each other's luggage and then walked towards the village. Tesiana escorted Mark to their cabin and said goodbye.

The cottage was as primitive as it looked. No electricity, no bathroom, no furniture. Only a square-shaped cottage with wooden walls and a woven roof. In the middle, there was a kind of small fireplace. The ashes were still stuck there even though the tribe members must have been trying to clean them up before they came.

Mark put their stuff on one corner. That modern touch seemed completely incompatible with the surroundings. They brought their own batteries to power the technology. Unfortunately, there is not enough power to power electricity or anything else. They have sleeping bags, food supplies, and communication devices. That's enough for Mark and Dominic. But maybe not Alex.

“You scared?” Mark asked his son who was looking at him fixedly while tidying things up. He stopped to see Alex's face better. “We'll be here for two days. Three days at the most. This will be a unique experience for all of us.”

“Can I play with another child?”

“Is there anything that interests you?”

“They pile up rocks and shoot with catapults. I want to try.”

Mark smiled. He patted his son's shoulder. “Then let's take you there. Don't forget about your gift for them.”

Mark took out a few small chocolate bars and handed them to Alex. Before arriving there, Tesiana had told that the children in the tribe loved chocolate products. Most kids love chocolate. That's the easy thing. They hope to bring Alex mingle through the snack.

When they came out of the cottage, they saw several children running from the door. It seemed that the children were also curious at the arrival of their two foreign guests. The group consists of various ages, some of which are the same age as Alex. Mark patted the little shoulder of his son, who was holding a bag of chocolate.

“Have fun, son.”

Alex smiled at me and walked away. Mark watched Alex approach the children. He looks tense and awkward. However, thanks to the brown bag, the atmosphere becomes more fluid. Some older children try to communicate with style. It looks messy but Alex looks happy. Shortly thereafter, Alex had followed the group to play with the stones.

Mark was silent in the doorway of the cottage then snorted amusedly at himself. After making sure Alex was safe, he closed the door to the cottage, and returned to his own pile of goods.

From inside the black backpack, he grabbed the white box with the red cross. He will get into trouble if the tribe sees him, and vice versa. Anyone who saw Mark Hill assemble a gun from inside a box disguised as a medicine box would not end well.