Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 365: Chapter 279: The Script, Part 2

"To the oil company compound."

Led by the Ijiku Village Chief, the group headed for the oil company’s compound.

Their pace was hurried, and every face was etched with a grim seriousness.

When the other villagers saw the Sheriff emerge from the wooden cabin after less than ten minutes, they felt the situation was hopeless.

They thought about how little the white people cared for the Indigenous People, and their hearts filled with grief and indignation.

’All seals in the world are black. Even an Indigenous sheriff won’t help his own people.’

As they walked, Frank, his face a mask of indignation, began to vent his frustrations.

"There’s a reason Alaska has the highest rate of reported rapes in the entire country. The state police are sluggish and inefficient, and their case clearance rate is probably number one, too—for being the lowest."

Frank grew more agitated as he spoke, his voice rising unconsciously. He was clearly furious with the current state of affairs.

"In 2017, there were 145.18 reported rapes per 100,000 people in Alaska. Do you know what the number was in 2013? A staggering 602.6! How terrifying is that?"

"And Indigenous victims make up 61% of that number! What does that tell you? It tells you that the Indigenous People here suffer far too much and have never received the protection they deserve."

"Those do-nothing politicians don’t give a damn about the Indigenous People on any given day. The only time they pretend to remember us is when they’re campaigning for votes, spouting a bunch of high-minded nonsense to trick everyone."

"But the moment it’s time to actually do something tangible for the Indigenous People, they vanish. They drone on and on about ’human rights,’ but when it comes to us, those so-called human rights are nothing but bullshit—completely worthless."

"Fuck it all. Fuck the politicians. Fuck Alaska."

Frank was so incensed he couldn’t stop himself from swearing, venting his fury and resentment at the injustice of it all.

"Aren’t you with the Independent Party? Why don’t you stand up and fight for justice?" Feng Shan asked, glancing skeptically at Frank.

’In his view, a man with Frank’s status and influence should be able to get things done if he truly wanted to help the Indigenous People. So why is he just standing here complaining?’

"Soon, kid. We’re gathering our strength, just like a volcano accumulating energy before it erupts."

Frank’s expression was resolute. He clearly had his own plans and was just waiting for the right moment to act.

Soon, the group left the village and arrived at a remote compound.

The main gate was locked tight, and a high wall completely enclosed the buildings within, making it impossible to see inside. A tall tower erected within the compound, however, provided a clear view of everything outside the walls.

Several armed men stood on the tower, pointing down at Feng Shan’s approaching group.

Feng Shan unpinned the sheriff’s badge from his chest and held it high as he walked to the iron gate.

He pounded heavily on the iron gate.

A small observation slit on the gate slid open, revealing a pair of wary eyes.

The eyes first glanced at the badge, then at Feng Shan’s distinctly Indigenous features.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Crown Land Chief, and the Chief Sheriff for the Far North Tundra Region. I’m here to investigate the rape of Lina. According to a witness, the suspect entered this compound. Now, open the gate and let me in. And while you’re at it, get me your supervisor."

"What bullshit Sheriff? Go talk to our company’s legal department. There are no suspects here. You dare set foot inside without a search warrant, and I’ll fucking shoot you."

"Now, get the hell out of here."

As he spoke, a gun barrel poked out from the observation slit, aimed directly at Feng Shan.

Feng Shan raised both hands and slowly backed away. Once he was at a safe distance, the other party slid the observation slit shut, and mocking laughter erupted from behind the iron gate.

Rejoining his group, Feng Shan gave everyone a helpless shrug.

"They’re demanding a search warrant?"

He said, turning his gaze to Frank. As the only lawyer on site, he was sure to have a solution.

Frank immediately put on an expression of utter disbelief. He waved his arms theatrically, pointing at the nearby oil company compound as he yelled.

"A search warrant?"

"My God! Since when are the laws in Alaska so strict? I must have missed the memo."

"Did you all hear that? It sounded like fighting and someone calling for help in there. Federal law authorizes a Sheriff to take brave action when there’s reason to believe someone is being violently assaulted or a suspect is about to destroy crucial evidence."

"Boys, if you want to be proper, upstanding Sheriffs, you have to act! Give me a gun, and I’ll lead the charge!"

Frank’s words were filled with righteous fury, but his actions were another matter entirely—he was backing away as he spoke.

He finally found some cover and ducked behind it, calling out a final reminder to the others.

"It’s fine as long as you don’t kill anyone! Best to let them shoot first."

A faint smile touched Feng Shan’s lips.

’If you couldn’t read between the lines, you had no business being in Alaska.’

’Since federal law was clear on the matter, there was no need to be polite with them.’

’So they want to shove a gun in my face, huh?’

"Paine, I’m leaving it to you. As long as nobody dies, you’re good."

"YES, SIR." Paine’s face lit up with excitement at the prospect of a fight. He immediately pulled Yves and the other two veterans aside to assign tasks.

Feng Shan then turned to the Ijiku Village Chief and the villagers who were watching from a distance.

"Chief, there’s about to be a gunfight here. For safety’s sake, you should evacuate your people now. It’ll be a mess if any villagers get hit by stray bullets."

A gunfight?

Oh, my Spirit of All Things!

The Ijiku Village Chief had never witnessed such a scene and wanted nothing more than to flee. He rushed toward the other villagers, shouting and cursing until he had driven them away, then ran off himself under the excuse of maintaining order.

"Director, you should pull back, too!" Feng Shan said, looking at Director Roland, who was still filming.

"Feng, this is priceless footage. I’m not leaving. But don’t worry, I’m trained on how to take cover. I won’t be a problem."

"All right, then. Stay safe!"

Feng Shan nodded. Seeing that the surrounding area was clear, he noted that Paine was now approaching with only Yves.

Bat Frank and Mexican Calio were nowhere to be seen.

"Sheriff, the operational plan is ready."

"Let’s hear it," Feng Shan said with a nod.

Paine reported matter-of-factly, "Frank is finding high ground to act as our marksman, Calio will handle explosives on the iron gate, and Yves and I will lead the frontal assault."

"What about me?" Feng Shan wanted to be part of it, too. ’My first-ever gunfight... The thought alone is thrilling.’

"We think it would be better if you commanded from behind cover. After all, you haven’t received formal combat training," Paine suggested diplomatically.

Yves chimed in to dissuade him. "That’s right, Boss. It’s better if you stay back."

He pouted. ’So they think I’m just a liability.’ But they were right. Bullets don’t have eyes.

’He hadn’t been trained for this, either. Hunting animals on the Tundra was a world away from a real firefight.’

"Fine. I’ll draw their fire. That, I can do!"

Draw their fire?

Paine and Yves exchanged a confused look.

’How was he going to manage that? The guys in there weren’t idiots. Whoever shot first would be in the wrong.’

’How could the boss possibly make them shoot first?’

Feng Shan could see the disbelief in their eyes.

’It’s understandable,’ he thought. ’They don’t know I’m a Witch.’

"Get ready. If they open fire, you fire back. I’m going to go talk to them again."

Hearing this, Yves immediately objected.

"Boss, are you trying to provoke them? That’s too dangerous. I suggest we just force our way in!"

"He’s right, Boss. No need to put yourself at risk," Paine added.

Nash went even further, stepping directly in front of Feng Shan, his expression defiant. "Khilla, you can’t go. I’ll go."

’You?’

’If you go, this will end in tragedy.’

Feng Shan knew Nash’s personality all too well. He would willingly sacrifice his own life to protect him.

"Get out of the way. I’m just putting on an act, not actually trying to get shot."

"Really?" Nash stared into Feng Shan’s eyes.

"Truer than gold, buddy!" Feng Shan said, hugging Nash and repeating the words from their first meeting.

Hearing those words, Nash relaxed and stepped aside.

"All right, everyone relax. I haven’t had my fill of the good life yet," Feng Shan said, patting Nash’s shoulder again. He then waved over Director Roland, who came trotting up.

Feng Shan asked with a wide grin, "Director, interested in participating in the live shoot?"

"Interested? Of course I’m interested! Extremely interested!" Director Roland’s adrenaline was pumping. When he shot movies, it was either in front of a green screen or from the sidelines; he’d never truly been part of the action.

To experience it just once would absolutely take his directing skills to the next level.

’The script, actors, props, and camera were all ready.’

Now, all that was left was to start filming. Feng Shan nodded to Paine and Yves, then turned to the ecstatic Director Roland.

"Let’s go. Hold the camera steady and follow my lead."

"ACTION."

...