NOVEL WEB Chapter 430: The Bustling Camp
Redick, having taken out Horned Demon Billy and attributed most of the credit to the leadership of Anchorage and the State Government, was rapidly promoted within the Alaska Security Department, responsible for coordinating the work of the State Police...
When the State Police received a report from the natives, Redick acted swiftly, organizing a team of elite police force, while also summoning a STRE team. He took a plane to Marshall Town, the closest to Mountain Eagle's camp.
Accompanying Redick were his two nephews, Michael and Scott...
He had originally promised to have his two nephews take charge of the security work for Mountain Eagle's trip; however, due to work transfers, this was delayed.
Now, Redick, having confirmed Mountain Eagle's determination to settle in Alaska, simply transferred his two nephews to Marshall Town, close to the camp. After completing the work transfer procedures with them, he rushed to the camp with the two young State Police officers.
Redick, the big fat man, along with his two nephews, loaded a large batch of supplies requested by Mountain Eagle onto a ship, and then accompanied the ship from Marshall to the camp.
He had no idea how serious the situation was...
When the ship docked at the camp's pier, Redick saw a sign made of wooden boards painted with two somewhat abstract brown bears with the words 'Brown Bear Camp' below. He chuckled to his two nephews, "This place looks pretty good, a bit different from what I imagined...
The owner here is a capable person, but I reckon he won't stay here long. If he's not around in the future, you guys should come by more often...
Becoming friends with that guy will benefit your future."
Michael and Scott, both under 30, heard their uncle's words. The slightly balding older brother, Michael, curiously asked, "Why? He's not even a local!
Our duty is to maintain public order around Marshall Town; just because he bought a campsite, does that mean we should give him special attention?"
Redick was well aware of the 'naivety' the two nephews still had from their early police days. He didn't argue with Michael but shook his head, "First of all, Yue Shan is a good man, and secondly, his investments and donations in Anchorage have made him very welcome by the Anchorage City Government.
But most importantly, the primary purpose of this camp is actually to serve the surrounding Indian Tribes.
The daily necessities and trading services provided here allow the natives to live peacefully. If this place ceased to exist, the living costs of the natives would rise two to three times.
Guess who would be troubled when the natives can't hold on any longer?"
Michael realized and said, "I understand, stabilizing this camp, stabilizing Yue Shan, that would more or less stabilize the surrounding natives, right?"
Redick looked at his 'naive' older nephew, "Michael, you and Scott are good cops, but there's still a lot you don't understand.
Wait until you've spent more time in Marshall, and you'll understand that your authority only applies to the residents and natives within your jurisdiction...
With key figures like Yue Shan, you can only offer services, and ensure his satisfaction.
Unless you come up with a plan to replace the role of this camp and can implement it, you won't even have the right to raise your voice to him."
Michael frowned and said, "We're police officers. If he breaks the law, should I turn a blind eye?"
Redick was amused by his nephew's straightforwardness. The moment the ship docked he leapt onto the pier and stood there watching Michael and Scott, "First of all, Yue Shan is also a policeman, and secondly, he has no need to engage in illegal activities here.
Something else I'd like to remind you of - you were born in the United States.
Even the much-hated IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has a thick list inside...
It will tell those 'upright and unyielding' tax investigators who cannot be touched and who can only be investigated after lots of people have met and discussed.
You should also draft a list in your mind, placing Yue Shan at the top of that list.
Because if he decided he's unhappy and wants to abandon this place, unless you can ignore the large amounts of homeless natives, otherwise your conscience will make your career as torturous as hell."
Redick's words left the two young men in silence. Just as he was about to continue to remind them, Little Ruby came running to the pier, happily greeting the big fat Redick, "Hey, Officer Redick..."
With that, Little Ruby looked at the ship full of goods, grinning and asking, "Did the new oil saws arrive? Our boss is planning an Emperor Salmon and fur exchange for oil saws event. Now natives from miles around are waiting for my message..."
Redick was startled. Looking at the messy camp, he said, "Wasn't there a report of dangerous beasts injuring people here?
Why have an event now?"
Little Ruby anxiously climbed onto the cargo ship and rummaged through the cargo boxes. After finding what he wanted, he happily stepped onto the pier and, while pulling Redick towards the camp, explained, "Yesterday our boss organized a hunt. They killed ten Evil Wolves and even captured three people.
It was the people from the Dimension Card Company doing animal experiments; they were controlling wild animals to attack humans..."
Michael, following nearby, frowned and said, "As far as I know, Dimension Card Company has bought a lot of land. If they are conducting animal taming experiments on their land, you have no right..."
Just then Michael heard two frightening roars not far away. As he turned to look...
"oh shit, what the hell is that?"
Two giant wolves with mottled fur were tied near the dock to two big trees. As they passed by, the giant wolves leaped out from under the trees, baring their teeth and lunging at them...
The heavy iron chains were instantly pulled taut, giving a 'buzz' of a crisp sound, then the giant wolves were yanked back...
It was not surprising to find wolves in Alaska, but anyone with eyes could tell these wolves were not normal.
Little Ruby picked up a thick stick and struck one of the wolves on the head forcefully, breaking the stick, yet the giant wolf seemed unfazed, continuing to emit horrifying roars at Redick and the others.
The portlier Redick instinctively took a few steps back, looking at Little Ruby, "Is this the dangerous beast you mentioned?"
Little Ruby, seeing that he had no good solution for the two Evil Wolves, nodded and said: "It's them, there are many more like these in the mountains.
The boss said that the Dimension Card Company is conducting biochemical experiments inside, and these are the modified monsters.
Once they enter the wilderness, Alaska's ecology will suffer a huge blow!"
At this point, Redick realized something was amiss. He looked at the bustling camp not far away and anxiously asked, "Where's your boss?"
Little Ruby spread his hands and said, "The boss took his daughter fishing. He said if you guys arrived, to set up your tents by yourselves...
Oh, he also said that the three captives have confessed. If you're not assured, you can go and ask them yourself.
However, someone from the FBI has already arrived with a group of people, so you might have to wait!"
Upon hearing that the FBI had also come, Redick actually felt relieved, understanding that Mountain Eagle hadn't set him up this time...
With the FBI leading the charge, the Alaska State Police's assistance would be sufficient.
Looking at the excited Little Ruby, Redick sighed and asked, "Who else is in the camp?"
Little Ruby thought for a moment and said, "An ATF tactical squad, an HRT hostage rescue team, a few journalists roaming around shooting footage..."
As he spoke, Little Ruby looked at Redick with a strange expression and said, "Your STER people have also arrived, but they don't seem as imposing as I've seen before.
They keep their necks tucked in when they see the HRT, not looking like tough guys at all!"
Little Ruby's words made Michael and Scott exchange glances...
Alaska's STER compared to HRT is like scouts to regular troops...
Whether in terms of training level or equipment, the FBI-jurisdiction's HRT is among the top tactical teams in America.
It's just that due to different professional duties, HRT has a slightly less aggressive reputation than the well-known Seal and Delta, but their capabilities are certainly not lacking.
Redick knew that things were not as simple as Little Ruby had described, with the FBI sending HRT indicating the matter was very serious...
He rubbed his temples in pain and said, "Alright, I got it. Can you find me a good spot to pitch my tent?
Preferably close to the toilet—I've been having some stomach troubles recently, and I might need to rush back to Anchorage if I can't handle it."
The group arrived at the center of the camp as they talked...
Old Ruby no longer had the appearance of being on his deathbed like a few days ago. Dressed in clean clothes, Old Ruby looked like a competent pawnbroker, sitting patiently behind a huge log table, appraising the furs brought by the Indians...
The quality of the fur determined the price...
Reindeer skin, $50~150 per piece.
Wolf Skin, $200~600 per piece.
Fox fur, $150~300 per piece.
Bear skin, $500~1500 per piece.
The Indians brought not only the furs of large animals but also those of beavers, muskrats, snow rabbits, and other wild animals they had stored at home.
Whenever Old Ruby calculated the price of the furs and an agreement was reached, the old fellow would stamp the price on a business card-sized piece of paper.
Then, the Indians could use this card to shop at the surrounding daily goods stalls...
Wayne's tribe had employed all the children who could count, and these kids would accompany their fellow tribesmen, introducing them to the prices of goods at the stalls.
Gasoline, bullets, shoes, windbreakers, hunting rifles, nails, asphalt shingles, color steel tiles, tools...
Everything was around 30% more expensive than in Anchorage, but the Indians found the prices very reasonable and cheap.
Old Ruby discovered for the first time in over a decade that the camp could actually make money...
If they purchased in bulk, the transport costs could be spread among each item, and as long as they could endure the pain of tied-up capital by extending the trade time, the camp actually had a profit margin.
Of course, to truly profit, the furs needed to be further processed and markets found.
However, that wasn't Old Ruby's concern now; on paper, the camp was profitable and everyone was happy.
Watching Little Ruby rush into the middle of the crowd and loudly announce that the oil saws had arrived, followed by loud cheers...
Then looking over at a tent nearby where a group of guys in FBI jackets wore serious expressions.
Redick stopped his nephew, who appeared to want to go and understand the situation, and said, "Are you hungry?
Let's go find something to eat..."