Page 34 of A Rebel's Shot

The elder’s friendly weathered face was lined with wrinkles. His eyes, dark and knowing, seemed to pierce through Merritt’s carefully constructed façade.

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 Tiikâan, 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 Tiikâan 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 twelfthgrade. 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 Tiikâan 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 tothe 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.

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