The Zetta Sonic
S17 - (Spring) Hip Flask

“Wait! What's the matter?” the professor interrupted before anyone attacked anyone.

“Someone sells Kloster tribe information to the outside world. A person blinded by money and forced to learn their language. You're the one, ‘kan?” Mark threw a question at the man in front of him.

The man did not confess immediately. He spoke in tribal language to his colleague. His partner looked confused. His spear was already clasped tightly but clearly did not know who to aim at. His eyes repeatedly turned on the other three people.

Mark continued. He took out a piece of wood from his pocket without the slightest hint of taking his eyes off the target. “This is one of the evidences obtained when the guards tried to chase you in the forest. You have an appointment with your cabal. The rower, isn't he? He seems to understand our language as well.”

The man nodded quickly.

“According to Tesiana,” says Mark, “this wooden piece is an additional decoration for necklace. You may have already thrown away the necklace, so the chief needs to make sure in another way. This idea is pretty good, ‘kan?”

The man was still trying to argue while continuing to shake his head. From this reaction, his partner also realized. They should not understand the language of strangers. But it was clear that he understood exactly why Mark was pointing at him. It made him lift the spear at his own comrade.

Spontaneous, the man backed off. Seeing himself pressed, the man did not give up. He still speaks Kloster. The spear that was leading to Professor Dominic now has to take turns from Mark, Dominic, then to his partner.

“I don't really understand what happened. But, you're outnumbered, man,” Dominic said. “Three against one. If you did something wrong, admit it. Mark quick. He can shoot you before you even stab anyone.”

The man finally pursed his lips. He dropped his spear on the floor. For the first time, he spoke in a language that outsiders could understand. “Shameful. You're blackmailers. Doesn't matter to us. Only money. Research.”

“Hey, do you know what the purpose of the research is? I'm a doctor. I do research to help people. Do not equate with you who only care about money until you sell your own secret tribe,” reply Dominic quickly.

Mark throws a rope at a fellow guard. “Cave him.”

Although he did not understand the language properly, this remaining guard understood. He tied his own partner's hand. Then Dominic approached. He intended to take his tube secretly. Before his hand could touch the tube, the guard found out. He pointed his spear at Dominic.

“OK, okay,” Dominic said. “It's yours.”

The guard brought the tube to the edge of the spring. He opened the plug and poured all the water in. Looking at that scene, Dominic let out a long sigh.

Mark cleared his throat on the side. “At least you had the chance to research it, prof.”

“And, you have the chance to complete your secret mission.” Dominic stared at his protective agent fixedly. “Tell me. Who uses who? The chief realized there was an enemy in the blanket. He contacted the ICPA leadership. The leader told you to come here to snatch a spy and accompany me to research. That's why they let me come here. So that there is no suspicion, you bring your son. It fools everyone. Everybody is! I thought you guys thought I was special. Smart doctor.”

“Chief contact ICPA leader. I volunteered to accompany you.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Up.” Dominic stepped up and started picking up his things.

“Don't be sad so. At least you got one bottle of water.”

Dominic then stopped. He realized Mark wasn't talking about plain water, he was talking about other water. There was a liquor bottle that appeared on the top pile of his backpack. It's not his. “How do you—”

“I'm fast. Remember?”

They returned to the village when the sky was still dark. Late at midnight or near dawn, Mark could not tell the difference. He also did not bother to look at his watch. The air is cold but moist, the skin feels sticky. He wanted to shower with fresh water. His luggage, traveling in the dark, as well as hearing native language talk all the way made him tired. Their guide did not understand the full incident, presumably the guard tried to explain it in detail.

The village looks more beautiful at night. The chandelier emitted a dim yellow light like a firefly. The sound of insects vaguely mixed with the clanking of wind bells. Shadows caused by trees give the impression of exotic rather than creepy. Mark saw the village in a new light.

From a distance, he saw some people walking at them. Those guys brought their lanterns. The man who walks ahead wears a headband of beads and a necklace of animal teeth. Mark guessed that he was the chief. The man gave his wife. The guards took their prisoners away. Afterwards, he saw Mark and Dominic take turns and reached out to the inner village.

Dominic immediately whispered, “Where do you think he wants us to go?”

“Home chieftain,” guess Mark.

“For what? I think we need a break right now. I'm tired and sleepy.” Dominic spoke carefully. He did not want to talk about water in a bottle while the chief understood their language.

“Interrogation. There must be a lot of things he wants to ask us.”

“Fast. We've caught the traitor he wants. Can't he give us a moment to rest?”

No one paid attention to Dominic's protests. The chief just shook his head. The two remaining guards moved from behind the chieftain. They now stand behind Mark and Dominic as if ready to escort them.

Mark just shrugged his shoulders. “Looks like he won't even give us time to put things down. It's gonna be a long night.”

“Oh, that's right!”

The chief turned around and started to step. These five people walked through the gloomy village road. Mark looked around. Thin clouds move slowly through the moon. The gentle wind made the leaves rustle. Among them, there was another rustle. Someone is coming towards them.

Tesiana appeared halfway running from the other side of the road. Eyebrows wrinkling. Forehead sweating. He looks worried and maybe even scared.

“You can relax now. We managed to catch the traitor from your tribe. Looks like putting him to drive us to the spring was the right strategy. As you may have guessed, he understands the language of outsiders,” Mark said.

Tesiana hurriedly shook her head. “We have a problem. You should come with me. Now.”

The chieftain frowned at Tesiana. The girl hurriedly spoke in the Kloster language. The chief blinked and nodded. He reached out, letting Mark and Dominic go with Tesiana.

“The tribal chief lets you talk to him later,”, Tesiana said as she turned around. “Quick follow me. There is another more pressing issue.”

“What happened?” Dominic asked.

“It's about Alex.”