The following day, the sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the landscape as Evan and his squad awaited the next phase of their mission.
From their vantage point, they had a clear view of the village's entrance, where a group of men emerged, led by the Chief of the Sentinelese tribe. The squad instinctively tensed, preparing for a potential conflict.
Evan's eyes narrowed as he watched curiously, wondering if their plan worked. But...
To Evan's surprise, as the Chief and his entourage approached, they suddenly dropped to their knees, pressing their faces into the dirt.
The sight was both bewildering and unsettling. What he had hoped for was cooperation—what he got was something entirely different. The Chief's voice, laden with deep and trembling with reverence, began to chant loudly.
"O, Saviour, we beseech you! Grant us your salvation!" The words echoed through the clearing, punctuated by the collective, desperate pleas of the men surrounding him.
Evan's eyes widened in shock. He blinked in disbelief and glanced at Suri, who stood beside him with a cold, amused expression. She raised an eyebrow, a hint of smirk playing on her lips, "Mr. Savior... Please lead them to salvation."
Evan's lips twitched in a mix of disbelief and frustration.
'Is this seriously happening?'
He took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing Mac. "Give them some of our snacks."
Mac, still puzzled, followed the orders and handed out the goods. The villagers hesitated at first, but as soon as they sampled the food, their reactions were immediate and dramatic. Their eyes widened, and they began to dance with excitement.
"What kind of sorcery is this?" one villager exclaimed, his voice brimming with awe.
"This is the food of the gods!" another cried out, raising a piece of the snack to the sky as if it was a sacred offering.
The chants grew louder, the air thick with fervor. The villagers began to proclaim, "We were right... the gods have led us to him for salvation!"
Seeing this, Evan rubbed his temples, knowing well that a headache was on its way.
The spectacle was both surreal and exasperating for Evan. He watched as the villagers, completely captivated by the food, were lost in their ecstatic celebration. Their belief had clearly only deepened by his unexpected treatment.
'This can't go on...'
Unable to tolerate the absurdity any longer, Evan turned to his team. "Put the helmets on. We're initiating the integration process again."
As the team set about reapplying the headgear to the villagers, Evan took a deep breath.
"Finally, it's over..."
_____
KRUNG!KRUNG!KRUNG!KRUNG!
Elina, a small child with wide eyes, exclaimed loudly, "They look so different! And all those tattoos and piercings—doesn't it hurt, Sister Maria?"
Maria, peering intently at the tribal people, responded softly, "Well, those are symbols of their beliefs and bravery. It's a part of their culture."
After a moment, Maria shook her head with a hint of sympathy. "Poor guys... never even had the chance to taste KFC or drink cola. I really pity them."
Elina's expression turned puzzled as she frowned and looked at Maria with a hint of disapproval. "Sister, aren't you being a bit... racist?"
Maria's eyes widened in surprise. "Racist? What are you talking about? I'm just stating some facts, you little brat..."
Maria then knocked Elina's head softly, eliciting a glare from the little girl.
"Sister Maria...you are a bully," Elina pouted, sticking out her tongue.
Elina's gaze remained firm, while Maria simply shook her head with a bemused smile. The scene closed with the two of them standing side by side, watching the tribal people as they blended into a new, unfamiliar world.
On the deck of a sleek yacht, Suri basked in the sunlight, her gaze fixed on a group of people working in the distance. Her expression was solemn, reflecting her inner conflict.
"Evan, do you think this is the right approach?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Aren't we destroying their culture and this land? They lived here peacefully, and now our presence might ruin everything."
Sipping his cocktail and smiling, Evan shook his head. "I thought the same at first, but..."
He continued, "In a world driven by greed, these tribal lands won't remain untouched for long. With the possibility of World War III looming, this place is ideal for a base. I've ensured that they retain their cultural beliefs and respect for nature. Plus, all the energy here will come from renewable sources. The place will change, yes, but their origins won't be erased."
Suri sighed, her gaze drifting to the nerve gear. Its brainwashing capabilities were terrifying. If the government found out about it, they'd be willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Breaking out of her reverie, she wiped the sweat from her brows. "Everything you invent seems to bring trouble. My life after marriage is going to be quite a nightmare... Haaa! No rest for the wicked..."
Noticing her pensive mood, Evan shivered slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Suri replied, trying to shake off her thoughts. "My vacation is over, so I need to leave."
Evan looked surprised. "Already?"
He had to admit that after staying close to Suri, he had grown attached to her and felt saddened by her departure and would surely miss her.
Suri grinned playfully. "What, are you going to miss me? Maybe you want to give me a kiss?"
"Come on, give me a goodbye kiss..."
Evan froze for a second, and...
Before he could react, Suri lunged at him playfully. He scrambled away with a laugh, dodging her playful attack as she chased him across the deck.