Indiana Jones and the Scrolls of the Prophet (The Forum Novel So Far) Chapters 1-4

[ Reply ] [ The Indyfan Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by The Man with the Hat from port63.maxc02.bignet.net on July 17, 1999 at 19:30:55:

Chapter 1

Hawaii 1941

Indiana Jones pulled the Ford up to the guard post of the naval base. A short, stocky lieutenant held out a hand as if to stop the car with his palm like Indy had seen in the serial reels at the local Bijou.
Indy stopped the car, and the officer stepped to the driver's side window.
"May I help you, Sir?" the young Navy man asked.
"Professor Jones," Indy said, using his professional name, "here to see Major Cartwright."
The lieutenant checked a clipboard which until now had been cradled in the crook of his left arm. "Major Cartwright. Yes, sir. The Major is expecting you." He pointed past the gate toward the interior of the installation. "Just follow this street until you can't go any farther, then turn right. You'll see the Major waiting with a vehicle."
The guard turned on his heel and entered the guard shack; the gate opened a few seconds later. Indy saluted as he drove past.
Indy easily found the Major standing by a convertible staff car.
The Ford pulled up and Indy exited, clasping the hand of the Major.
"Henry," Cartwright said. Indy cringed, but didn't correct him. "How the hell have you been?"
"Keeping busy," was Indy's response.
"Yeah, you were always good at that," the Major said, as he slapped Indy on the back.
"I know you didn't ask me all the way to Hawaii to talk about what's going on in my life, Tom," Indy said. "What's going on?"
"I'm glad you asked," Tom Cartwright said. He reached into the back seat of the military convertible and removed a satchel. From the satchel he took an ugly little idol.
"What's this?" Indy asked, as Tom handed him the statuette.
"Wikkikkaki," the Major told him, "the Hawaiian god of death and destruction."
"All right," Indy said, "but why are you giving it to me?"
"The curse."
"Curse?"
"Yes," Cartwright said. "There is a curse upon this idol. If anyone would know what to do with it, you would."
"Well..." Indy started.
Suddenly a buzz could be heard. Indy and Tom both looked and saw several black dots on the horizon.
"What's that, Tom?" Indy asked.
"I don't know," Cartwright said, as several sirens started to blare.
Suddenly the shapes took on form. "The Japs," the Major said.
Bullets struck the ground, as the Japanese planes made their assault. Indy sprawled on the hard pavement, as hot lead stitched a path near him. He started to get up as the hail of tiny missiles struck the Ford. It exploded in a fireball, sending Indy back to the ground.
"C'mon," Indy said to Tom, when he was finally on his feet.
Indy threw the idol into the back seat of the staff car and hopped behind the wheel, Cartwright in the passenger seat. Tires squealed as Indy sped away, trying to find some cover.
"There!" Indy said, as he spotted some huge tanks that might afford him some protection. Indy spun the wheel toward the tanks.
"Not there!" Tom screamed. Indy slammed on the brakes.
Tom answered the unasked question on Indy's face. "Fuel farm," he said.
Indy shoved the car into reverse, as a Japanese plane appeared over the tanks. Machine guns blazing, the bullets pinged off the body of Tom's car. The sky was filled with smoke as Indy took the car backward off the dock. The plane flew over them and crashed into a large destroyer. The car hit the water like it was hitting a brick wall.
Indy grabbed the Major's arm, then saw the crimson floating on top of the water. The idol was held tightly in Tom's hand. "Wikkikkaki," Tom said, before sinking under the water, still grasping the idol. "Wikkikkaki."
Indy swam to safety under the dock as the planes flew away.
Wikkikkaki had been busy today.

Chapter 2

"As you know," Indy told his class, "war has been declared on Japan. With that in mind, I would like each of you to write a paper outlining important Japanese archaeological findings." The tension was broken by the ringing of the bell dismissing class. "Remember," Indy said, as the students were filing out, "this is on top of your regular assignments."
A man in a dark suit struggled to make his way through the groaning students. Finally he broke through the crowd and approached Indy. "Dr. Jones?" the man inquired.
"That's right."
"I am Agent Cyrus," the man said, slipping a card into Indy's palm. "I represent a government office."
"What government?" Indy said, slipping the card into his jacket pocket without looking at it.
Cyrus chuckled. "Very good," he said. Then he became serious again. "Dr. Jones, we need your help."
"Yes?"
"I'm afraid Hitler is once again becoming a pain where a pill won't reach." He laughed at his own joke.
"I don't think I follow you," Indy said.
"Have you ever heard of Nostradamus, Dr. Jones?" the agent asked.
"Of course. Sixteenth century French prophet with a supposed uncanny ability to predict the future."
"Not supposed, Dr. Jones," he said. "It has come to our attention, as it has Hitler's, that the rise of the Fuhrer is foretold in his prophecies."
"And what does this have to do with me?" Indy wondered.
"There is a legend," Cyrus began, "telling the tale that not all of Nostradamus's prophecies have been recorded. It is rumored that many of the scrolls were buried with his body. Hitler believes that he may again be mentioned in some unrecorded text, perhaps telling of his victory in Europe." Cyrus paused, as much for dramatic effect as anything. "Perhaps his rule of the world."
Indy picked up his papers. "We can continue this in my office, Mr. Cyrus," Indy said. "I have a few things to take care of before my next class."
They continued talking as they walked down the hall to Indy's office. "Even if I wanted to do this, which I'm not saying I do," Indy said, "I just got back from a leave. I don't think I can get another one."
Cyrus said, "It's all been taken care of."
The philosophy professor, Dr. Tyree, walked by and smiled at Indy. "Have a good time on your vacation, Dr. Jones!" the teacher said.
Indy and Cyrus exchanged glances as they reached the door to Indy's office. "Excuse the mess," Indy said, as he flicked on the light.
Indy sat at his desk while Agent Cyrus cleared some artifacts from a chair and sat in front of Indy's desk.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cyrus," Indy said, "I can't think of one good reason why I should do this."
"Three years ago, Dr. Jones, you infiltrated a castle on the Austrian-German border, did you not?"
"Yes, Castle Brunwald."
"And you encountered a butler there?"
"Yes."
"He was one of our best agents, and you compromised his position."
"But I didn't know..." Indy said.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Jones, but this fact, coupled with the fact that you were in the company of a Nazi agent at the time, leaves me little choice. If you do not wish to do this little thing for us, you will be taken into custody and tried for treason."
Indy stroked his chin in thought. "Where do I sign up?" he asked.

Chapter 3

"Do you have to follow me around like a lost puppy?" Indy asked.
"My orders are clear; make sure that you make your rendezvous with Captain Russell, and that you get on the plane." The agent changed direction. "There's the captain now."
Indy spotted an attractive brunette in a green Army dress uniform. Cyrus approached and shook her hand.
"Agent Cyrus, it's good to see you again," the captain said.
"Yes," he said. "And this would be Professor Jones."
"Please," Jones said, "my friends call me Indy."
"Yes," she said. "Shall we go, Professor Jones?"
Indy swept an open palm out in front of himself. "After you," he said.


Indy sat in a window seat, reading a month old issue of Life magazine. Captain Russell came down the aisle from the lavatory wearing civilian attire.
"You were right, Professor Jones," she said, as she sat down in the seat next to him. "I do feel better out of that uniform."
"I didn't mean it the way it sounded," Indy said. " I just thought that with that uniform on, you'd stick out like a sore thumb."
"Quite all right," the captain said.
"And please, call me Indy."
"Let's get one thing straight, Professor," she said, capturing him in an accusing stare. "I'm not your buddy, pal, or sweetheart. I can see how some women may find you somewhat attractive, but I am not one of those women. I am a professional, and I expect to be treated as such."
Indy reclined his seat and pulled his fedora over his eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Good," Russell said. "As long as we have an understanding."
"Understood."
The captain spotted the magazine draped across Indy's lap. "You might have spent your reading time looking over the packet of information that we provided to you."
"Read it," Indy said, from under his hat.
"And...?"
"And there's not much there that's gonna help," Indy said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some sleep."
"But..."
"Wake me when we get to Paris," Indy said, turning his back to the captain. In a moment he was snoring.

Chapter 4

Indy walked through the Paris airport, holding more luggage than seemed possible.
"Did you really need all this stuff," Indy asked.
"I assure you, professor," the captain said, "that everything I have brought has a specific purpose."
"A saxophone has a purpose but I didn't bring one with me."
A man walked by, reading a newspaper. Blindly, he bumped into Indy, knocking the collection of suitcases from Indy's grasp.
The man walked on without so much as an apology.
"Uh, Paris," Indy said.
Indy bent over to pick up the cases, noticing that on had broken open in the fall. Scattered on the ground was an assortment of makeups,hair care products and pieces of a broken mirror.
Indy looked up at the captain.
"It is important, I believe," Russell said,"that a woman look her best.
They both shared a laugh.


The man watched Indy as he picked up the contents of the suitcase and stuffed them back inside.
"Incompetent fool," he said to himself. They had made a good choice hiring him. Cyrus was to be commended when he got back.
He followed Indy and Russell as they walked along the terminal, then outside.
"Taxi," Indy called. The driver got out and went to the back where he opened the trunk. Indy placed the luggage including the broken case, now closed with the help of Indy's belt, inside, then got in the cab.
"Soon," the man said to himself.


"Do you know the name of a good hotel?" Indy asked the driver in French.
"The Capri," the driver said. "You are on you're honeymoon, no?"
"No," Indy and the captain said in unison.
"Too bad," the Parisian cabbie said. "Did you no that this is the city of love?"
Indy said,"Well, I knew it wasn't Berlin."
The taxi driver chuckled.
"The Capri," he said as he pulled to the curb in front of a large pink building.
Indy handed him a large wad of bills. The cabbie quickly exited the taxi and took the cases from the trunk.
"For this many francs, allow me to carry them inside for you."
"That's all right," Indy said, "adieu."
Indy and the captain entered the lobby and went to the desk.
"We'd like a room," Indy said.
"Two rooms."
"I'm sorry," the clerk said, "but all we have is the Honeymoon Suite."
The couple looked at each other.
"I guess we must take it," Russell said, finally.
"Damn," Indy said," I shouldn't have broken your mirror."





Follow Ups:



Post a Followup:

Name:    
E-Mail:  
Subject: 
Comments:

Optional:

Link URL:   
Link Title: 
Image URL:  


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Indyfan Forum ] [ FAQ ]