The Zetta Sonic
S14 - (Spring) Wood Piece

When he came out of his cabin again, Mark had been wearing a hat and sunglasses. He paused for a moment at the door. Some residents of the nearby cottage were outside. Most of the women and children. They had pure white skin and black hair like a starless night. Their wide eyes hid another charming black sphere. Plus red lips like blood, Mark recalled his childhood fairy tale.

Compared to her fellow friends who had never set foot in the outside world, Tesiana looked like an alien. The woman was watching the children play not far from her position. Alex was there too. He nodded at Mark as the gazes of the two met.

Mark closed the door to the cottage. He heads to the central part of the village where the chieftain is meeting Professor Dominic. From a distance alone, he could already see the chieftain's hut. The hut is not only towering in the middle of the village, but also has a pair of large stone bear statues. All are in a circle of circular areas marked by stones. The area was quite spacious and airy but also gave a gripping impression as if separating the area of the chieftain from the surrounding area.

On the only open side that was not covered in stone, there was a pair of spearmen. The two men were the men who had picked them up at the river. Mark stopped when the two saw him. Before any orders or anything, Mark turned away.

There's a big rock nearby, right under the shade tree. Mark was waiting for the professor there. Every now and then, he looked at his watch. The digital, solar-powered watch, combined with a special battery, also features a tiny poisoned arrow. Icpa Made. In an emergency, Mark can activate a special system. The system will send a signal to the central ICPA. Not only that, the system will also release the lock on the automatic crushing system.

Mark never used it and did not want to use it.

His attention turned back to the chieftain's cottage. He saw the shadow of someone at the door leading the professor out. It was their chieftain, he was sure. A tall, well-built man, and — somehow — memorable menacing.

Professor Dominic came out of the circle area and headed straight for Mark. “You don't know what I saw in there. There is one advanced laptop, ICPA-granting. Mini satellite, made by ICPA. And, the best coffee to be found on the planet!” Mark made a kiss from his hand. “I can't believe they made me taste that kind of coffee.”

“What is this figure of speech or—”

“I'm talking real! The coffee was really delicious!” dominic Sahut. “Not because of the coffee beans, if you know what I mean.”

“They made you taste that water? I thought it was holy.” Mark lowered his voice.

Dominic nodded quickly. He whispered. “True. That's why they forbid me to tell this to others.”

Mark spontaneously glared. “You just did.”

“Ah, meaning I can't tell the locals here. After all, they don't understand our language.” Dominic blinked one eye while Mark rolled his eyeballs. “Good, forget about it. Now it's time we go directly to the location.”

“They will show you the way? When?”

“After sunset. They must have had a reason to take us last night to the spring.”

“Of course. They wanted to hide it from outsiders. We're. Darkness will make it difficult for us to memorize the way to its springs. Worst case, they can also leave us there.”

Dominic patted Mark on the shoulder. “That's why you're here. Now, it's time to get ready.”

The lodges around it are more far from each other than the cottage they stay at. Instead, the area has more trees and shrubs. Lighting lanterns were also hung there. There's some kind of rope hanging from one lantern to another. They connect into a network. One by one, it starts to light up.

Had Mark woken up in the middle of the night and found himself in that place, he would have easily returned to his cottage through the series of hanging lanterns. The story would be much different if they were in the forest. Wild animals, the contours of the land, even the surrounding population can be a serious threat.

Mark didn't have to feel the gun he had tucked in his back pants. The shirt covers it perfectly. Even so, he knew the gun was still there. He also knew very well that the chieftain asked that every ICPA member who came did not bring weapons. He knew better how every time the rules were broken. Including at this time. Especially if he brought his son.

“Hei,” call Dominic from a distance, “show the way.”

Mark replied casually. “I guess you already know the way.”

Dominic didn't answer, just threw his hand in the air. Mark took off his sunglasses. He realized that night came sooner, even too soon, than he expected. Shortly after the lanterns in the village were lit, the sky had turned pitch-black. The temperature drops quickly and uncomfortable humidity comes along.

They still had dinner at the cottage. The chieftain sent them dinner before leaving for the spring. Mark and Dominic can still enjoy the tribe's dishes. They were avid meat enthusiasts who added spices in large quantities. Delicious and tempting for Dominic. The professor repeatedly wondered if they could drink the appropriate wine.

After eating, Mark went to one of the two windows. Leaning against the wall, he picked up a cigarette and lit it. “Currently?” the whisper was as slow as possible on the figure behind the window.

“I thought you'd quit smoking.” The figure behind the window moved closer to the light, enough to expose his silhouette.

“This is a way not to make people suspicious.”

“I think the professor must have suspected you. But, it's none of our business. Our business is just this.” The hand behind the window held out a triangular piece of wood. There is a winding line engraving on the upper left side. “This is your lead.”

“How about him?”

“Your child is safe. I guarantee. Just worry about your job. Small mistakes can make this tribe more alienated from the world.”

Mark grunts amusedly. “That was coveted by the ICPA and your father. You're different.”

“Of course.” The figure was about to leave but stopped before taking its second step. “By the way, is your son allergic to anything? I didn't want to kill him accidentally.”

“Neg. Just relax.”

No more next conversations. Mark looked at the piece of wood in his hand. A pendant that has been severed from its necklace. He slipped the puck in his pocket and then turned off the cigarette butts that he did not smoke at all. His gaze turned to Dominic. For a moment, he felt sorry. Instead of himself being the professor's protective equipment, the opposite will happen.