Meeting

He felt like a total idiot for never thinking of doing the same thing. He wanted to talk to Jinwoon to find out how he had done it. But to do that it would cost him points. "I'll ask him later. Let's see if he can pull it off again."

On Pahodu, Sung Hoon had asked Kuno, Enhi and the other elders to make a list of the things they needed. Jinwoon had already asked the other scientist to come over. "Elder Kuno, what is this village called?" 

To their group, Jinwoon and Sung Hoon were referring to the village as HQ but that seemed like a disrespect to the Pahodu's. "This village is called Obosome. It's not our main village. That is Jamang. All the tribe elders are making their way there. We should go there too." 

"It will take around three hours to get there." Kuno turned to a young man standing to the side. Sung Hoon and the others hadn't noticed him. "Kubo, could you get the animals ready?" Kubo gave a nod before walking away.

"That is my grandson. He'll be traveling with us." Kubo was compared to other Pahodu's a giant. Just like Sung Hoon and Sung Joon, he was around the 1.85. Kuno saw the others looking at him. "Kubo's father wasn't from here. He looked much like you."

Kuno pointed at Jinwoon. "He died a year after Kubo was born." Jinwoon was shocked. 'Was his father also from Earth? It's a pity that he has died. He might have been able to tell me more.' "What about his mother?" Kuno's face became more solemn.

"She was taken away. Kubo's father died trying to save her." "I'm sorry for your loss." Kuno looked at the ground. "I'm praying that one day we'll see her again. I want to believe that she's still alive." Jinwoon wanted to cheer the old man up but he didn't know how.

Thankfully Kubo arrived with the animals. Jinwoon and the others were startled when they saw them. The animals looked just like Earth horses but were four times taller. Kubo had brought four animals with him. Jinwoon noticed that each had a rope ladder hanging from their sides. 

Kuno and Kubo were the first to climb up. After hesitating, they all climbed up too. Sung Hoon and Jinwoon were amazed when they reached the top. There was a large woven basket that could hold around twenty people.

When everybody was settled, Kuno gave a throaty yell. The lead animal took off, followed by the others. "Elder, what are these animals called?" 'Where are they always here?' Jinwoon wanted to analyse the animals to see if they are descendants of Earth horses.

"We call them Elep. Kudo's father was the one who created them. We don't know how he did it but he used the native smaller animals to create these. They were supposed to be used to fight the Jinoco's but these are gentle animals." 

"Every time the Jinoco comes, these animals are the first to run away." Kuno gave a sad laugh. "We use them for travel and for moving the resources." Jinwoon was now sure that Kubo's father was an Earthling and also part of the game.

Despite their large sizes, the Eleps were still fast but that meant that the basket was swaying from side to side. Soon the people of Yangge started to feel queasy. Kuno looked at them with a mix of pity and amusement. "You'll soon get used to it." Jinwoon didn't believe a word of it. 

Three hours later they reached Jamang, Jinwoon and the others were beyond relief. "Let's ask one of the crafts to pick us up later." Sung Joon suggested. He was pale like a sheet. Kuno cou;dn't help but laugh. "Let's go meet the others." 

Kuno led them to an enormous tent. He pulled the flap to reveal a room with animal hides. In the middle there was a long, low table where already thirty people were sitting. When they saw Kuno and the others they stood up. 

A woman with gray hair walked over. "Kuno, thank you for bringing our guests. Kuno bowed. "Elder Abin. I'm glad to see you again." Abin smiled before turning to Jinwoon and the others. Jinwoon gasped when he saw her eyes.

Both her eyes were pearl white. Abin gave a soft laugh. "I might be blind but I can see clearer than when I could see." She looked at each of them before turning back to Jinwoon. "I hope you and I can have a talk afterwards." 

"It will be my pleasure." Jinwoon had the feeling that this Abin would be able to help him with many of his questions. Abin inclined her head before pointing to the table. "We have a lot to talk about and we don't have much time." 

Jinwoon, Sung Hoon and Sung Joon sat at the table while the others sat down behind them. "We'll get straight to the point. What can you do to help us repel the Jinoco's?" Abin looked at Sung Hoon and Sung Joon. 

"We can teach you how to fight. We'll give you weapons and fight alongside you. If you want, we can help you develop your nation." Sung Hoon turned to the other Elders. "We'll take all the help you can give us." 

"The number of us that can fight is not much. We used to have over a hundred tribes with many people but the Jinoco has taken a large part." "We'll have to make an inventory to see how many can fight and then we can make a concrete plan." 

"If necessary we can get more of our people to come." Sung Hoon didn't seem worried. The other elders looked at each other. They wanted to believe that Sung Hoon was right. They had lost so many loved ones that they were willing to do anything. 

"Can you tell us more about the Jinoco's?" Abin stood up and walked to the back of the tent. A few seconds later she came back with a sheet. "This is what they look like." She showed Sung Hoon the picture. Sung Hoon took it. After staring at it for a while he gave it to Jinwoon.

Jinwoon frowned when he saw the black and white picture. The Jinoco looked like 'The Engineer' from the Alien movies. He gave the picture a closer look, and noticed that these Jinoco's no ears. There were holes, like that of a snake. 

"Besides having advanced weapons and spaceships, are there any weaknesses?" Adin and the other elders looked at each other. "We know that they can see clearly at night too. After killing a few we discovered that their hearts are below their diagram." 

"As far as we know they don't have any weaknesses." Sung Hoon sighed. He had hoped that they would get more useful information. These Jinoco weren't indestructible but to make a good battle plan it would be great if they knew their enemies weakness. 

"Is it possible to meet some of the people who have fought against the Jinoco?" Some of the elders nodded. "We can bring you later." Sung Hoon turned to some of the soldiers. "Try to find out as much as possible." The soldiers all nodded.

Sung Hoon turned back to Abin. "We need to meet all the people who are willing to fight. We need to train them as soon as possible." "Don't worry. Kubo will bring you to our warrior tribe. Kubo!" Abin called. 

After a few seconds Kubo walked in. "Can you bring them to the Howa tribe?" She turned back to Sung Hoon. "They can also tell you more about the Jinoco's" Sung Hoon grabbed Jinwoon's hand. "I'll be back soon." He, Sung Joon and ten soldiers left with Kubo. 

When Sung Hoon and the others left. Abin turned to Jinwoon. "Let's have a private talk." Jinwoon stood up as well. "Feel free to ask them anything." Abin looked at the scientist. "Am sure you have many questions?" 

Abin and Jinwoon walked out the tent. "Let's go to my private tent." She walked behind the tent. Jinwoon was amazed at the ease she walked. Two minutes later they arrived at the only tipi shaped tent. Abin pulled the tent open and walked inside. 

Jinwoon followed inside. The inside was a small circle full of fur and cushions. "This place is just for sleep, everything else is done in the large tent." Abin explained without Jinwoon asking. "Sit down. There are a few things I need to tell you and show you."

"Kuno told you about Kubo's father?" Jinwoon nodded. "I... Yes." "Kubo's father, Hyung Woo, was from the same place as you. Just like you he 'morphed'. Jinwoon frowned. "His body changed to fit us." It really seemed like Adin could see Jinwoon's expression. 

"Before passing he left Kuno this. Kuno gave it to me for safekeeping." She took out a thick book. "Hyung Woo told Kuno that there might be someone like him that would arrive. That person should be giving this." Jinwoon's heart began to beat faster. 

"Would he really get the answers he was hoping for?"