Step into the shoes of a beleaguered Linux kernel maintainer navigating a treacherous landscape of political intrigue, compliance issues, and community dynamics. As global sanctions tighten and personal affiliations come under scrutiny, you must make decisions that could either fortify or fracture the open-source community. Face challenging dilemmas, forge alliances, and manage your reputation as you strive to keep the kernel development alive while uncovering the truth behind a shocking removal of contributors. Can you lead a disheartened community through chaos to rebuild trust, or will the pressure of compliance crush your efforts?