Page 14
FOURTEEN
As the small plane approached Shungnak, Merritt’s nerves twisted her stomach into a tight knot. The closer they got to the remote Alaskan village, the more the walls of the cramped cabin seemed to close in on her.
Tiikaan’s muscular arm pressed against hers, radiating a searing heat that made it hard to breathe. She shifted in her seat, desperate for some space, but there was nowhere to go.
While it hadn’t bothered her before, the confines of the cockpit forced an intimacy that overwhelmed her, especially since it was getting harder and harder to ignore the way her pulse raced with a single glance from him.
She focused on the view out the windshield, hoping to distract herself from feeling suffocated. The vast wilderness stretched out before them, a breathtaking expanse of pristine lakes, winding rivers, and lush green forests .
In the distance, the village of Shungnak came into view, a small cluster of buildings nestled along the banks of the Kobuk River.
Merritt’s heart raced as she realized the magnitude of the task ahead of her. She had to convince these people, whose way of life depended on the very land her father’s company planned to mine, that HGR had their best interests at heart.
Responsibility drummed into her shoulders like the building thrum-thrum-thrum of an oil drill, and she fought the urge to crumble under the pressure.
Behind her, Nolan shifted in his seat, the hair on her neck moving with his huff. His presence was both a comfort and a source of frustration.
While she appreciated his support, a part of her bristled at the idea that he thought she needed his help. She was determined to prove herself capable of leading the company, even if it meant facing her fears head-on.
Tiikaan adjusted a knob on the control panel, then reached over and squeezed Merritt’s knee. The unexpected touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she snapped her gaze to him. His warm brown eyes held hers, and he winked reassuringly.
“You’ve got this,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing through the headset.
Merritt took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as the plane began its descent. Through the windshield, she took in the brightly painted houses and buildings of the village below. Children played in the streets, pausing to watch the plane’s arrival, and Merritt felt a pang of doubt .
What if the rumors were true?
What if the mine hadn’t properly accounted for the risk of AMD? The possibility of polluting the pristine waters that sustained this community’s way of life made Merritt’s stomach twist with unease.
She had to believe that her father and his team had done their due diligence, that the mine was safe. Too much was at stake if it wasn’t.
The company.
Her dad’s legacy.
The villages along the Kobuk River.
Until she was shown evidence of the contrary, she had to move forward with the reports she had.
Tiikaan brought the plane to a smooth stop, shut down the engine, and came around to help Merritt out. As he offered his hand, she felt herself slipping back into the cold, professional persona she’d adopted around her family.
The need to project confidence had her building up those walls, even as a part of her longed to let her guard down.
“Remember, these folks are a lot more mellow than the Iranian government,” Tiikaan said with a squeeze of her hand. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Just be yourself, and they’ll listen.”
Merritt nodded, but the uncertainty must have shown on her face.
Which version of herself was she supposed to be? The poised, analytical CEO? The compassionate humanitarian who had spent years working in crisis zones? Or the vulnerable young woman who was in over her head, desperately trying to live up to her father’s legacy?
As Merritt scanned the land surrounding the airstrip, she inhaled deeply, the crisp, clean air filling her lungs. The scent of fresh spruce and wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of the tundra, a stark contrast to the recycled air of the plane.
A mama moose and her calf grazed in the pond next to the airstrip, their massive forms seemingly at peace in the untouched wilderness, and she gasped at the sight. The two seemed completely unconcerned with the plane that had just landed.
She had to drag her attention away as two Inupiat men drove up in a side-by-side ATV. The driver, a man in his thirties with a scowl etched on his face, brought the vehicle to an abrupt stop. His companion, a much older man, leaned heavily on his cane as he climbed out of the ATV.
The elder’s friendly weathered face was lined with wrinkles. His eyes, dark and knowing, seemed to pierce through Merritt’s carefully constructed facade.
Nerves rushed back, threatening to overwhelm her, but Merritt pushed them down. She approached the older man with reverence, recognizing the wisdom and authority he carried.
Extending her hand, she introduced herself, hoping that her voice didn’t betray the uncertainty she felt. “Hello, I’m Merritt Harland, CEO of Harland Global Resources. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. ”
The elder’s smile was warm and genuine, and Merritt felt the swarm of nerves settle in response.
“I am Aklaq, and this,” he said, thumping his cane on the younger man’s arm, “is my grandson, Tulok.”
Merritt nodded, then gestured to her companions. “This is my uncle Nolan, our company’s COO, and Tiikaan, our pilot.”
Aklaq acknowledged them with a slight tilt of his head. “We are here to escort you to the school. The people have many questions they want answers for.”
Merritt took a deep breath, forcing a smile as she nodded. She climbed into the back seat of the ATV, swallowing down the suffocating feeling as Tiikaan and her uncle sandwiched her in.
As they drove through the village, Merritt took in the colorful houses and the curious faces of the kids who stopped their playing to watch the ATV’s progress. Several of them yelled in greeting, running after them with laughter, and her heart melted.
She knew that the next few hours would be crucial in determining the future of her father’s company, but more than anything, she had to protect the lives of the people who called this place home.
As they pulled up to the school, Merritt’s heart raced at the sight of the crowd gathered outside. She scanned their faces, trying to gauge their emotions and prepare herself for the confrontation ahead. Some looked curious, others skeptical, and a few openly hostile.
Aklaq led them through the school, explaining that it housed students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Merritt’s eyes were drawn to the display cases lining the open common room, showcasing a variety of cultural art and tools.
Black-and-white photographs of the village’s past hung alongside vibrant children’s artwork depicting scenes of fishing and hunting, another reminder to the subsistence lifestyle that sustained the community.
As they entered the gym, Merritt’s stomach churned at the sight of the crowded bleachers and clusters of people talking. Children weaved in and out of the adults, their loud laughter and shrieks of joy in discordance with the tidal wave of nerves rolling in her stomach.
Aklaq motioned for them to wait by the wall as more people filtered in behind her. In the center of the gym stood a microphone and stand. The setup amplified her sense of isolation, and she fought the urge to shrink back against the wall.
Merritt’s gaze drifted to Tiikaan as he sat in the front row on the bleachers. He met her eyes, offering a reassuring nod and a small smile. She drew a breath and nodded back.
Nolan leaned in close, his voice low and insistent as he rattled off a list of technical points she needed to cover. “Make sure you emphasize the EPA approval and the geologists’ reports. Highlight the economic benefits and the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. If they bring up the AMD concerns, redirect the conversation to the safety measures we’ve implemented.”
His words were sharp and precise, a stark contrast to the mask of calm and soft smiles he wore as he nodded at the people who glanced their way. Merritt’s nerves were wound tighter with each passing second, and Nolan’s instructions only increased her unease.
She had a cursory understanding of mining, at best. The intricacies of the process, the jargon, and the endless acronyms felt like a foreign language she’d barely begun to grasp.
Why had she thought she could do this? Why hadn’t she brought any of their biologists who specialized in this field?
Merritt’s gaze darted around the room, taking in the sea of faces, each one representing a life that could be irrevocably changed by the decisions made in this gym. She fought the urge to bolt for the door.
Instead, she closed her eyes for a moment, picturing her father’s face. He had believed in her, had trusted her to carry on his legacy. She couldn’t let him down.
Aklaq stepped forward, his presence commanding the room’s attention. He raised his hands, and a hush fell over the crowd. “Let us settle in and offer a prayer for guidance and wisdom.”
As Aklaq began to pray in his native tongue, the melodic words washed over Merritt, and she felt a sense of peace settle in her heart. She closed her eyes, adding her own silent prayer, asking God to calm her racing thoughts and give her the strength to serve the people gathered before her.
When Aklaq switched to English, goosebumps erupted across her skin .
“Heavenly Father above and Creator of all, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom as we gather here today. Help us to listen with open hearts and minds, to speak with honesty and compassion, and to find a path forward that honors our land, our people, and our future. Give us the courage to ask the difficult questions and the grace to work together toward a solution. Amen.”
A chorus of “Amen” echoed through the room, and Merritt felt a renewed sense of purpose. She opened her eyes, meeting Aklaq’s gaze with a nod before he turned to face the crowd.
“Today, we welcome Merritt Harland, the CEO of Harland Global Resources, to our community. She is here to listen to our concerns and to share her company’s plans for the mine. Let’s give her our attention and respect as she speaks.”
Aklaq stepped back, motioning for Merritt to take her place at the microphone. She squared her shoulders and stepped forward, putting what she hoped was a friendly smile on. Merritt rubbed her first two fingers and her thumb together on her right hand to keep from wiping her damp palms on her pants.
If only there was a podium to hide behind, instead of the skinny microphone pole.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your community and giving me the opportunity to speak with you today.” Her voice echoed through the gym, and she paused, taking in the sea of faces before her.
“I’ve been to many places around the world, but I have to say, I’ve never been greeted with a view quite as stunning as the moose and her calf that I saw when I arrived.”
A murmur of appreciation rippled through the crowd, and Merritt felt a flicker of connection.
“It’s a reflection of the beauty and importance of this land, and I want you to know that I understand that. I promise you that protecting this environment is a top priority for me and for Harland Global Resources.”
Someone scoffed, and her perfectly memorized speech flew out of her mind.
A scuffle sounded behind her, and she turned. Two teen boys pushed against each other as they made their way into the gym, reminding her of the boys in the refugee camps on the other side of the world.
Merritt looked back at the bleachers, meeting the eyes of a woman in the front row who held a baby on her lap. The child’s wide, curious gaze seemed to see right through her, and Merritt drew strength from that innocence.
“We’ve put extensive safety measures in place to ensure that the mine will not harm the environment or the people who depend on it. Our waste management procedures have been designed to contain any potential acid mine drainage, and we’ve had multiple geologists assess the site to confirm that the risk is minimal.”
The words flowed more easily now, buoyed by the nods of encouragement from Aklaq and Tiikaan.
“Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency has thoroughly evaluated our plans and given us their approval to proceed. We would not be moving forward with this project if we weren’t confident that it was safe for the land, the water, and the people.”
Merritt paused, her gaze sweeping over the room. “I know that you have questions and concerns, and I’m here to listen and address them to the best of my ability. Your input is valuable to me, and I want to work together to find a way forward that benefits everyone.”
Questions flowed for almost an hour. When she didn’t know the answer, Nolan jumped in. His easygoing demeanor, good ol’ boy smile, and extensive mining knowledge made any resentment she had at him being there melt away.
Several people asked about a claim coming from Fairbanks stating the mine was a danger. Her heart clenched as she promised that they were looking into it.
She had to find out who the geologist was and if the claim was true. After looking in their faces and hearing their concerns firsthand, she knew she couldn’t let them down.
As the meeting drew to a close, Merritt thanked everyone for their time and promised to keep them updated on any developments. She shook hands with Aklaq and several other elders, their weathered palms rough against her own.
As she turned to leave, a young man stepped forward, his dark eyes intense. “You say you want to protect our land, but how can we trust you? Your father’s company has a history of putting profits over people.”
Merritt’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt Nolan tense beside her.
The man’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. “Anyone who questions Harland’s reputation is either paid off or disappears. Coincidence? I think not.”
“What?” Nolan stepped forward, disbelief on his face. “No way. I can assure you that’s not how HGR operates. Any business as large as ours is bound to have rumors circulating. That’s all they are––rumors.”
But Merritt wasn’t so sure. Her father’s cryptic message to trust no one echoed in her mind, mingling with the memory of Silas’ hushed words to the HEAS guy about making the geologist problem go away, no matter what. A chill ran down her spine, and she fought the urge to shiver.
She forced a smile, her voice steady despite the unease churning in her gut. “I assure you, we take all concerns seriously. If there’s any truth to these rumors, I will personally investigate and take appropriate action.”
The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Pretty words from a pretty face. But we’ll see if you’re still standing when the truth comes out.”
With that, he turned and stalked out of the gym, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Merritt’s heart raced, and she could feel every gaze on her. She had to act fast to uncover the truth before it was too late.
As she made her way out of the school, Tiikaan fell into step beside her, his presence a comforting warmth in the chilly Alaskan air.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and concerned as he nodded at people they passed.
“I will be, once I get to the bottom of this.” Her own words sounded hollow in her ears .
She climbed into the ATV, her mind racing with questions and possibilities.
As they drove back to the airstrip, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message on the screen. It was from an unknown number, and the words made her blood run cold.
Stop digging, or you’ll end up like your father.