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Indiana Jones and the Serpent of Evil Chapter 10: The Tide Turns |
An original story by walker, told in serial form
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Indiana Jones and the Serpent of Evil Chapter 10: The Tide Turns |
The next afternoon, Indy met with Angelina and Merida at a small, out-of-the-way café to discuss their next steps. It was quiet in this part of the city, most of the populace having retired for mid-day siesta. Indy peered thoughtfully over his coffee into the desolate market place before him. It was so quiet and calm, he felt as if he'd been unnaturally removed from the events of the past few days - as if they had happened to someone else. If only it would last....
"Indy?" Merida broke into his thoughts cautiously. "Are you with us?"
Indy savored a mouthful of the coffee then smiled. "I'm fine. Just feels strange not having someone trying to kill me today." As an afterthought, he rapped his knuckles on the wooden table. Merida raised his eyebrows. "For luck," Indy explained. "But we'll have time for relaxation later. Let's get these plans of ours finalized."
Merida and Angelina pulled their chairs closer to the table as Indy flipped open a small notebook. "Now," he continued, pulling a small pencil from his coat pocket, "I'm going to be making a few more calls this afternoon, arranging for some decent guides and pack bearers. The manuscript we took from the wall yesterday provides us with directions based on some fairly distinctive features of the land, which should still be in place even today. I'm counting on finding those and getting ahead of our opposition.
"What do you intend to do?" Angelina asked.
Indy thought for a moment before answering. "It's simple. I'm going to make sure that they never find the mine - even if they wind up standing inside of it."
"Quite a plan Indy," Merida chuckled. "Any ideas on how you'll accomplish such a thing?"
"Several, actually. But in addition to keeping the mine hidden, I intend on finding out whether the people behind Vagario and Zamora's deaths are there." Indy's eyes narrowed to nickel-thin slits, the pupils inside hard and shiny as ice. "And if they are, I'm bringing them down."
"Indy, no!" Angelina pleaded. "You mustn't. These aren't the kind of men you want to cross."
Indy hesitated, picking his words carefully. "Angelina," he said at last, "another friend recently told me those exact same words - and there was a moment when I thought I should have listened to him. But I survived, and now I'm faced with making the same choice all over again." Indy rested his hand on top of hers and squeezed gently. "It's just the way I am," he said.
"Don't worry too much 'Gelina," Merida added. "I'm going with him."
Indy glanced over at the Spanish lawman in surprise. "Esteban, I don't think you fully understand the-"
Merida cut him off with the wave of his finger. "No Indy, I understand completely. I understand that a dear old friend of mine has been murdered. I understand that another friend" - he motioned toward Angelina - "has been terrorized. And I understand that my newest friend continues to put himself in grave danger on our behalf." At this last, he pointed at Indy. "I wouldn't be worthy of any of this friendship if I didn't fully intend on avenging Vagario and Zamora myself."
Indy began to say something, but Merida interrupted. "That's just the way I am."
Indy nodded and extended his palm. "Glad to have you aboard," he said, shaking the other man's hand.
"Then I'm going too," Angelina stated bluntly.
Esteban laughed. "Don't be foolish, woman. The jungle's no place for you."
"I've been on more digs then you have," she answered angrily. "And I was closer to Zamora than you. Aren't I obligated to avenge him as well?"
"Indy," Merida pleaded, "tell her. She can't go."
Indy nodded. "It's true. You can't go."
"What!" Angelina pushed her chair away from the table and stood up, peppering the air with a rapid-fire litany of Spanish curses.
Indy raised his hands. "Hold on, hold on!" he said quickly. "That's not what I meant. I need you here."
Angelina paused. "What do you mean?"
"I need someone I can trust to make sure that those pieces we designated for the States get crated and shipped while I'm gone. Honestly, Angelina, neither your museum nor mine can afford for anything to happen to them while I'm away. You are the only one I can trust to take care of this. Please...it was Zamora's last wish, after all."
Like a deflating balloon, Angelina let out a heavy sigh and sat back down. "You're right," she said at last. "But don't think I'm happy about it." "I wouldn't dare on my best day."
"It's agreed then," Merida said. "Indy and I will head for the Yucatan and Angelina will take care of things on this end. Indy, when do we leave?"
"I've made arrangements for a flight tomorrow evening. From here to New York, then on to Miami. From Miami we'll take a short flight to Mérida in the Yucatan. You have a passport?"
"Do I need one? The city is named for my family, after all." Merida winked and gulped back the last of his coffee happily.
"Yeah," Indy laughed. "Let's hope they give you a warm welcome."
As they stood up to leave, Indy peered into the midday sun and nodded. "Tomorrow then. Madrid airport at six o'clock. I'd say it's time we started playing offense."
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Site Author: Micah Johnson Page Author: walker Created: July 22, 1999 Last modified: October 2, 1999 |