Hok’s Palace Front Gate (adjoining Hok’s Street Corner)

The sunlit corner of Hok’s Street that feeds directly into the palace's front gate, where a sturdy Chinese gateman mans the guarded threshold. A black Mercedes screeches up and disgorges three Germans, triggering a tense standoff that signals Nazi pressure on General Hok’s domain and the hidden Ark. Dust and smoking tires mark the abrupt intrusion outside the palace walls as wary eyes track the hostile arrival.