Chapters 3-4 of Indiana Jones and the Curse of Rhan

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Posted by Goodsport from adsl-216-102-199-185.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net on July 26, 2000 at 02:13:06:


Chapter 3


---by Muppet


Boston - 1956


    "No sir, I'm sorry"

    "Are you sure?" Indiana Jones asked again.

    "Look, I don't know anything more"

    Indy had the day's copy of the Times in his hand. He was on the phone to the reporter of the story in which Louis Belloq had been mentioned. Indy wanted it to be a coincidence, even a misprint. Louis Belloq - a brother? A son? It couldn't be.

    "You wrote the article, you must know something about him..." said Indy.

    The reporter was getting annoyed. "Look, friend, I'm a reporter, not a biographer. I can't help you". With that, he hung up and Indy was cut off.

    So far all Indy knew was the Louis Belloq was an archaeologist and had announced a new expedition; some small dig somewhere in Greece. The article didn't say what Louis Belloq was looking for, now how long it would take. Indy was intrigued.

    "Coffee, Henry?"

    "What?" Indy's thoughts were disturbed by Anthony Brody walking into the room and motioning towards a simmering coffee pot.

    "Want some?" he asked.

    "Oh. No thank you"

    "What's the matter?"

    Indy didn't respond.

    "Henry? Is something wrong?"

    "Did your father ever tell you about Rene Belloq?" asked Indy.

    "'Rene Belloq'?" frowned Anthony. "No, no I can't say he did. Why?"

    "He made a wise move."

    "Are you all right, Henry?"

    Indy leapt from his seat. "I don't know" he said, and marched out of the staff room. He made his way out of the college, still holding on to the Times, and started the short walk home.

    At home, sat in a chair by the telephone, Indy scoured the article in the Times again and again, trying to gleam a new clue. All he had at the moment was that Louis Belloq was an archaeologist who was headed to Greece to start a dig.

    Indy reread the article. "Louis Belloq, part-time scholar of a major French institution..." Of course! Indy cursed himself for being so stupid. He quickly dialled a familiar number on the telephone. It answered after a few rings.

    "Boston Times" said a receptionist.

    "Hello...can I speak to Max Garner?"

    "Hold the line, sir" There was a pause. Indy waited impatiently.

    "Garner" came a gruff reply.

    "I'm ringing about your Louis Belloq article"

    "Oh! Look, buddy, I already told you..."

    "Calm down," interrupted Indy. "I only need one answer. That's all"

    Garner paused. "Okay, shoot"

    "You wrote that Louis Belloq was a part-time scholar at a 'major French institution'...which one is it?" asked Indy.

    "Hold on". Grundman scanned his desk, scrabbling to dig up the hand-written draft of the Belloq article. He didn't know who this crazy man on the telephone was and simply wanted rid of him. "Got ya!" said Garner, pulling at a piece of paper.

    "Found it?"

    "Yeah, yeah. Hold on," snapped Garner, reading the article. "The place you're looking for is the..." Garner struggled to read out the French "Université de Nantes"

    "But.."

    The line clicked dead.

    An hour later, Indy was on the phone to a mild-mannered secretary at the Archaeological Department of the University of Nantes, France.

    "No, Louis Belloq no longer works here"

    "And you have no contact address?"

    "No sir. Only some family detail"

    Indy paused. "I need to make sure I have the right person," he lied. "Can I ask a question?"

    "Certainly"

    "Is he related to a Mr. Rene Belloq?"

    "Yes"

    "And what relation to Rene Belloq is he?"

    "His son"


* * * * *


Paris, France - one month earlier


    "Wrong!"

    "Wrong?"

    "It has to be..." muttered Louis Belloq.

    In a lavish apartment somewhere deep within Paris, Louis sat at a table with Grundman, trying to figure out several things; the inscription on the scroll, the location of Rhan, the end of the quest.

    Kas watched over the table with a menacing stare. Louis had told Kas to be extra vigilant whenever Grundman was around; Grundman didn't trust Louis, and the feeling was mutual. However, they were currently both hunched over the brittle scroll which promised to further their quest for the Temple of Rhan.

    "These are definite signs of worship; occult references" said Grundman. Louis had to admit that Grundman knew his history, but he was impatient; Louis was meticulous, always double-checking. "And this...this must be the temple" continued Grundman, waving a finger over a drawing of a large stone building, with carvings on the outside walls.

    "Those...those are mountains?" asked Louis, pointing to a picture next to the temple. Grundman nodded. That was confirmation enough for Louis.

    "Ach!" shouted Grundman. "The temple could be in any mountain region in the world!"

    Louis shook his head. "No. Not necessarily. Look at the writing on the scroll, above and below the drawings. It is what I believe to be a 'secret code'" Louis waved his hand to Kas, who automatically
    picked up a book and handed it to Louis. Opening it, Grundman saw a line of drawings, similar to those on the scroll, with letters of the alphabet under corresponding drawings.

    "I don't have all the letters yet. But I found some during an excavation in Egypt...my initial guess of where the Temple is located...and I think I can decipher some of the words..." grinned Louis.

    "Well hurry up and do it!"

    "Patience, patience" Louis concentrated on the scroll, glancing at the book, then the pictures, then a piece of paper he scribbled haphazardly on. "There are two lines of text. One I have never seen before. But this - this top line tells the location of the headpiece of the Staff of Rhan. Once we have the headpiece, we have the final clue to the Temple's location" said Louis.

    Louis continued scribbling. "C.....R.....N..." he said out loud. "...T....H" he concluded.

    "CRNTH?" asked a bemused Grundman.

    "I cannot work out the second and fourth letter" sighed Louis. He stared at the pictures, at his book of clues, thinking.

    "Of course!"

    "Of course?"

    "I haven't got the vowels in my book - I have never had them! That means that the second and fourth letter are vowels...now it is simply a matter of getting the right name!"

    Minutes passed, whenever a name was deduced, it was checked on an atlas. Nothing. Until Louis scribbled in an 'O' and an 'I'. "Corinth!" shouted Louis.

    "Corinth? Where's that?"

    "Greece!"

    "Greece?" shouted Grundman. "Enough of this trekking around! I want to find the Temple of Rhan now! I want my share of the find!"

    Louis smiled. "If you want to find the Temple, you're going to have to be patient. Once we have the headpiece, then we have the Temple...or, at least, a definite link to its location"

    "You sure we can get the headpiece?"

    "Who else would know of its location in Corinth?"

    "Someone might do. That peasant may have shown the scroll to someone before us!" Grundman said.

    Louis paused. "I am sure the headpiece is there"

    "What if somebody has already found it?"

    "Well then..." grinned Louis, "If they don't give it back to us, they won't have long left".

    Kas nodded.

    "Very well" said Grundman. "We leave tomorrow". With that, hid said his curt goodbyes and left Louis' apartment, muttering to himself.

    Moments later, from a window, Louis watched Grundman making his way home. Kas seemed to grunt. Louis, not turning, said out loud "Not yet, Kas. Not yet. Let him get us the headpiece first"

    Louis paused. "Then you may kill him"


* * * * *


    As Indy slept, he dreamt. Of a strange setting.

    A cloaked figure stood in the distance, atop some sort of pedestal. He was clutching what looked like a staff, waving it slowly from side to side.

    Indy was in a cavernous room, dark yet illuminated by the strange presence of the cloaked figure.

    Indy couldn't move. He was tied to a large metal circle.

    Ominous noises - chanting?

    Indy saw a woman's face, screaming. The cloaked figure revealed his face. Rene Belloq!

    He pointed the staff at Indy. There was a terrible surge of power. Like a million rays of lightning crashing down on him, attacking Indy all at once. Indy's body writhed in agony...


* * * * *


    Sweating, Indy jumped up, bolt upright. He was thinking a million thoughts. All of them worried him. Now that he knew who Louis Belloq was, it was only a matter of time before Louis found out who Indy was - if he hadn't already.

    Sat upright in bed, Indy thought.

    Of the future. Of the past...

    "I need a drink"


*************************


Chapter 4


---by Muppet


Corinth, Greece, 1956


    "Here we are"

    "It took long enough" hissed Grundman.

    A battered, slow-moving truck came to a halt in Corinth, a sleepy town in Greece. Grundman and Louis clambered down from the truck and observed the area. Kas came down from the truck and watched Grundman. "Where now?" asked Grundman.

    "Those rocks" said Louis. He pointed to a rocky outcrop, and the three men started to make their way there. As they did, they said nothing, simply walking in silence.

    In minutes they were atop the rocky outcrop, watching the crashing waves of the ocean. Grundman looked irritated as usual.

    "Well?" hissed Grundman.

    "The scroll"

    Kas nodded, handing Louis the scroll with the drawings and strange writing on it. Louis unfolded it, studying it, and showed it to Grundman. "Look at this drawing, the rocks here..." said Louis. "The rocks in this picture are being hit by water - waves - just like the very ones we are standing on!" exclaimed Louis. "I knew we had come to the correct location" he grinned.

    "Don't get cocky" said Grundman.

    Louis ignored him. "And this next picture, it shows where the headpiece was buried". Louis pointed to a drawing of more rocky landscape, but this was different. There were three clear sandy spots in the rocks, set out to resemble a triangle. Three possible locations? Louis wondered. The clear areas also had strange lettering above and below them. From what he could remember, and the new vowels he had discovered reading the scroll, Louis managed to decipher the meaning.

    "Well?" asked Grundman.

    "The writing on the scroll..." began Louis.

    "You and your infernal scroll!"

    Louis snapped. "It is our only clue!"

    "I am sick and tired of -" but Grundman stopped when he felt Kas' mighty hand come to rest on his shoulder, tensing and making Grundman wince. Louis marched up to Grundman. "I am not going to tell you again. Patience. If we rush this, we may never find the headpiece, let alone the temple. You will listen and offer advice"

    Grundman was hesitant, then nodded slowly.

    "Excellent," grinned Louis. "Now, written above the drawing is the word - roughly translated - 'NORTHERN'. Underneath the drawing is another word, this time the translation is slightly more coherent; 'KORFOS'"

    "So we're looking for Northern Korfos?" asked Grundman.

    "A stunning revelation" quipped Louis.

    "Then why are we in Corinth?!"

    "Ah! That's the point. Korfos Bay is just down the road. It has a rocky outcrop, not too large. There is where I believe the headpiece is waiting for us, waiting to be discovered"

    An hour and a half later, the three men had dug up all three of the supposed spots where the headpiece was buried. The area had been practically identical to the one on the scroll, but there was nothing. Louis noted however that the sand, the mud which the headpiece was meant to be buried under had recently been disturbed. This was not good enough for Grundman. They had found an aged, damaged and worthless wooden case, with several old locks and bolts. However, when Kas had ripped the case open, Louis made a discovery he didn't want to.

    It was empty.

    Grundman had reacted badly. "Enough of this" snapped Grundman, throwing down his shovel. "I have had enough!"

    "Grundman," sighed Louis, "What did I say?"

    "Patience? Forget patience!" shouted Grundman, reaching for his gun holster.

    "Very well" said Louis. "Now, Kas"

    Kas grinned slyly.

    "Now?" asked Grundman turning round. As he turned, his view was obstructed by the towering figure of Kas, who had seemed to appeared out of nowhere. However, Kas' presence was very, very real. Kas clasped both thick hands around Grundman's neck. The Commander's face immediately turned a deep shade of red as he gasped for air.

    "I had hoped you'd lead up to the Temple," sighed Louis. "I would very much have liked for you to prove useful. But you've shown that you are a man of no importance".

    Grundman coughed, choking.

    "Any last words, Herr Grundman?" asked Louis. Kas clenched his hands, breaking Grundman's neck. His head slouched to the side and his body became limp and lifeless. "Obviously not" grinned Louis. Kas picked up Grundman's body, and marched over to the waves that crashed against the rocks of Korfos Bay. He lifted Grundman's body up into the air, then threw it into
    the ocean like a bag of trash.

    "I do wish you'd vary your style" smirked Louis. "I do like to see a good, prolonged death".

    Half an hour later, Louis and Kas were sat with a local man, an old person who occasionally mumbled but knew everything about Korfos Bay and Corinth's history. He had been pointed out to Louis by the owner of the Scherzo Inn, a small, run-down bar.

    "Yes, yes, I know" nodded the old man.

    "You know what?" asked Louis.

    "You seek it"

    "The headpiece, yes I do"

    "You seek it. It is evil"

    Louis restrained himself. "A myth, it is not evil"

    "It is...I have been told many stories, many stories. I may be old, but I'm not stupid. I listen, I learn. I remember every tale of Tet Rhan" said the old man. He started to laugh; a gassy, smoker's laugh. "I used to tell my children stories of Tet Rhan to give them nightmares".

    Louis laughed. "What tales did you tell them?"

    "Tales of monsters...ghosts...demons. Evil lords and magic weapons" said the old man. "My children loved it. Until they got too old for stories"

    "And the headpiece?"

    "The headpiece?" sighed the old man. "That is a devastating reality". Louis sat back, stunned. "But it is a story with a happy ending"

    "How so?"

    "It is no longer in Corinth!" smiled the old man, leaning back in his chair. Kas looked as if he was about to attack the old man, but he stopped when he saw Louis motion for him to stop.

    "Why is it no longer in Corinth?"

    The old man cleared his throat, downing another shot of the potent drink he had made Louis buy for him. "It was sold, along with many other items"

    "Oh?"

    "Yes," said the old man. "A man came from the East and took whatever he could of value to sell when he returned to where he came from. He took jewellery, vases, and the headpiece"

    Louis was curious. "How did he find the headpiece?"

    "Chance" laughed the old man. "Pure chance. He had his men dig on Korfos Bay - they found the headpiece under layers of sand, of rock, mud. He took it along with everything else he found"

    "Who was he?"

    The old man seemed to ignore Louis and instead stood up, walking over to the bar. He said something in Greek to the bartender, they both nodded, and the old man turned from his new position at the bar and said, "His last name was Sharilla. He came from Faizabad, in..." the old man consulted the bartender again. "From Faizabad, in Afghanistan"

    "How long ago?"

    "Oh...only weeks ago...not long at all"

    Louis leapt to his feet, nodded to the old man and then swiftly left the bar, Kas following. The old man watched them leave, waited till they were gone and then muttered something about danger to the bartender.


* * * * *


Boston - one month later


    Indiana Jones had just finished another class, taken a handful of essays and dumped them in his office. His faithful students wandered out of the building whilst Indy wandered over to Anthony Brody's office. Indy knocked on the door once, then entered. Brody looked up from his desk. Seeing Indy, he sat back, smiling. "Busy day, Henry?"

    "Not really"

    "Miller's failing 20th century history again" said Anthony, holding up the latest worthless essay by a docile student at the university.

    Indy sat down. "Anthony..."

    "Henry," interrupted Anthony. "I read the Times yesterday. You caught my curiosity the way you were acting. Whoever this Louis Belloq character is I have no idea..."

    "Don't worry about it," said Indy.

    "But I know someone else".

    Indy sat forwards. "Oh?"

    "Yes," said Anthony, taking hold of the familiar article in the Times. "See here, it mentions that Belloq visited a Dr. Jerome Launce in New York before setting out on the expedition. Dr. Launce just happens to be an old friend of mine"

    "He does?" asked Indy.

    "Well, we've not spoken in a year, but you know how people fall out of contact...still, he may be able to tell you what you want to know. I just wish I knew what that was" said Anthony.

    "I'll tell you soon, Anthony. I just need to be sure of something first". With that, Indy left Anthony's office, just as quickly as before and leaving Anthony just as bemused as before.

    Back in his office, Indy made an urgent telephone call. "Dr. Jerome Launce" answered an upper-class voice.

    "Dr. Launce? I'm Henry Jones, Jr."

    "Oh?"

    "I'm calling you regarding Louis Belloq"

    Dr. Jerome said "What is it you want to know?"

    "Did he visit you recently?"

    "Yes, he was here only three months ago" said Dr. Jerome. "I found him to be very pleasant, very good manners...a consummate professional" Indy didn't need to hear this.

    "Why was he there?"

    "Permit me discretion, Mr. Jones. How would you like it if I recounted our conversation to the next person to visit me?"
    Indy thought. "I was just curious about his next dig...it was mentioned in the Boston Times"

    "Ah yes. He was asking about Tet Rhan, an ancient mythical man - a fabled ruler, if you will".

    "Tet Rhan?" Indy repeated.

    "Yes. He was fascinated by the subject. Personally, I think it's hokum. But still, it occupies a special place in my heart - a triviality that I must admit to indulging in from time to time". Dr. Jerome continued, "I have amassed many books, clippings and stories on Tet Rhan which Mr. Belloq found most interesting"

    "Tet Rhan..." Indy said again.

    Dr. Jerome quickly carried on. "May I ask a question, Mr. Jones? Are you also curious about Tet Rhan? Because if you are, I would prefer to enjoy this conversation with you here in New York rather than the telephone"

    Indy considered this. If he visited Dr. Jerome, he could maybe find out more about Louis Belloq, find out more about where he was headed. "Yes, Dr. Launce, I am interested in Tet Rhan" said Indy. Over the next few minutes, Dr. Jerome filled Indy in on the details; his address, when to come, what he would show him he had found. Indy agreed to leave that week to visit Dr. Jerome in New York.

    Ten minutes later, their conversation ended and Indy was once again back in his office, alone. His searching around meant that he finally knew what Louis Belloq was searching for.

    It was a fable. A myth. A danger.

    The Temple Of Rhan.


* * * * *


    It was the day after Louis' unsuccessful dig in Corinth. However, at least Louis now had another link to the headpiece. And if it was a merchant who had possession of the headpiece, he would be willing to trade with Louis. Kas would make sure of that.

    Louis was in Goceck Harbour, a small fishing port in Greece where he would catch a boat to France. There, he would collect his information on Rhan and leave at once for Afghanistan. As he made his way towards The Empress; the boat that would take Louis to France, he noticed two policemen marching towards him.

    Louis froze. "Louis Belloq?"

    "Yes?"

    The official waved a piece of paper in Louis' face. "We have a warrant for your arrest. You will be detained here...come with us".

    "I see," said Louis. As he turned to walk with the two armed police that surrounded him, he quickly leapt backwards. The two policemen swivelled round on the spot, only to see Kas. Kas punched one of the policemen hard in the face, making him tumble into the water. The other policeman however ducked, and pulled his gun. He shot repeatedly, and was sure he had hit Kas - but nothing. Kas just stormed towards the policeman, who tried punching Kas in the chest. It hurt him more than Kas.

    "No time to kill! Move!" ordered Louis. Kas followed instructions and simply held the policeman's head with one hand, and smacked his head hard with his other hand, knocking the policeman out. Kas turned and ran towards The Empress with Louis.

    Seconds later, Louis and Kas jumped onto the boat, to see the captain grinning at them. He greeted Louis like a lost friend. "Louis, how are you?" he smiled. Louis pushed past the captain, ordered him to get the boat out of the port. The captain obliged, racing to get the boat moving as quickly as he could. In the distance, policemen approached, running. This was going to be close.

    "Go!" shouted Louis. The boat soon moved out of the port, but Louis turned when he heard engine noises. He saw two small police boats, both manned by three policemen, racing after The Empress. "Faster! Faster!" The captain of The Empress turned his boat, it caused a large wave to splash across the port. The boat charged directly at the police boats, causing them to go either side of The Empress.

    "We might tip over!" warned the captain.

    "Ridiculous!" snapped Louis. Turning the boat again, the captain was worried. The way he was positioned now, there was a police boat either side of The Empress, both speeding towards the boat with the sole intention of stopping it. The captain increased the speed of The Empress, charging along in the water, and shut his eyes. Any moment now, the police boats would hit the sides of The Empress.

    They did. But only slightly. They clipped the back of The Empress as it raced out to sea. But the two police boats were still charging at each other. With an almighty sound, the two police boats crashed into one another! Parts of the boats went in several directions, as did the policemen, whilst Louis watched from the safety of The Empress as it made its way into the distance.

    "Very good" smiled Louis, relaxing and patting the relieved captain on the back. "Very good indeed".

    Standing on the deck, Louis thought for a moment. He didn't know which crime in his past had caught up with him, or if it was Grundman's murderer they were after; he didn't want to know.

    Paris was Louis' next stop, with possible danger if the authorities in France were looking for him too. However, soon he would be headed to Faizabad. At least there he wouldn't be wanted by the police - but he would have to keep a lower profile on his return to Europe.


*************************





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