Colonization Protocols

First Contacts

Slowly reaching behind, he opened a wrapped satchel,  pulled out a long cloth and stretched it out on the ground. He arranged the remaining contents of his bag in a straight line before taking a step back to watch my reaction .

There were assorted tropical leaves, bananas, dates, an apple, citrus and red spiny fruit I could not identify but obviously fruits with Earthly origins. He also had 2 thin wooden oval bowls which seemed hand carved and painted in red and black.

Portsby whispered to me,"Andros he's obviously presenting you with a gift. Perhaps you should reciprocate?"

Thinking quickly I had Anna get a few blankets and sheets of various colors from the back storage area of the Train.

As they arrived I took them from her and laid them in similar fashion before our alien guest whose eyes lit up immediately at the variety of bright colors we had.

"Ttthank You !" he said stuttered as he felt the silky material with his fingertips.

I was dumbstruck as I realized this alien had just spoken to me in my own language.

Anna nudged me," Did I hear what I just heard?"

"You did and so did I. But how is that even possible?" I asked.

"I am Jezcoot. I am here to speak to your people. Who speaks for your people.?"

"I am Andros Ziko. I am leader of these men."

"Aaandroos Ziko." He repeated trying to get the pronunciation right.

"Jezcoot you may call me Ziko." I said hoping to make it easier on him.

"Ziko! Yes ...." he said with what I interpreted to be a smile on his face.

"I am the Emissary of the Taokin people. The Council of Five is eager to speak to Ziko. We have questions answers.

I understood what he meant and nodded.

"What is this?" he asked mimicking my nodding head.

"Oh that means 'yes' and moving my head like this-" as I moved my head from left to right. " means 'no' to our people."

"Aash!" he exclaimed as he lifted a finger. A movement I took to mean either approval or understanding.

"Please come follow me there?" he asked as he motioned his arm to the trees below. One finger extended outward pointing to a shady spot by a flowing river.

Bringing the night goggles back up to my eyes I focused on the area he pointed at and saw artificial straight lines. Tapping the side of the  lens automatically amplified the image and I could clearly see intricate stone carvings that stood just short of two stories high. It looked like the entryway of a fortress or temple of some kind but it was slightly camouflaged by the jungle trees that hung over its edges.

"The Taokin live there?" I asked.

"Yes. You will follow?" he asked mimicking the upward lilt of my own question.

Looking to my left and right I saw Portsby had arrived, he looked suspicious while Anna's eyes revealed a barely suppressed excitement.