Chapter 1
July, 1936
An island somewhere in the Mediterranean
Indiana Jones gazed over at the Ark of the Covenant, surveying the current situation. He would have liked to have gotten closer to see what was going on, but there was one problem. He was tied to a stake back to back with his old flame, Marion Ravenwood.
“Jones”, began Marion. “What is going on over there?”
“I don’t know, but I get the feeling that this is the beginning of the end.”
“Wonderful”, muttered his companion. Marion paused a moment. “Indy, back there when you said you just wanted ‘the girl’, did you really mean it? I mean, did you…”
“You mean, would I have given up the Ark for you? In a heartbeat.”
She smiled and asked: “Jones, don’t tell me you’re going soft on me after all this time”, she teased
“Sweetheart, now’s a good time as any to go ‘soft’ as you put it, I…”
His voice trailed off, He suddenly remembered what the old scholar, Imam had told him and his old friend, Sallah, after he had asked the old man about the headpiece markings.
“I do not understand who Belloq is. I can only tell you the warning about the Ark is a serious one. I can also tell you that it is written … those who would open the Ark and release its force will die if they look upon it. If they bring themselves face to face with it. I would heed these warnings, my friends.”
Now Belloq had gotten some of his men to remove the lid of the Ark, and had recited a prayer in Aramaic. Indy had translated this to: “Not in human do I trust, and not on any child of God do I rely in him (who) God is true and whose Torah is true, in him I will trust, and in his name holy precious praise.”
Belloq reached into the Ark and was shocked to find no tablets. Instead, he grabbed a handful of sand, and some of it slipped through his fingers. He threw the rest down in disgust and Indy smiled to himself, and could hear Toht’s laughter echoing off the walls.
A few moments passed and the Ark was now beginning to emit a low, humming sound. A kind of smoky mist was slowly coming out of the Ark and the soldiers surrounding it was gradually stepping back in fear, unsure what lay ahead.
Then, there was some kind of explosion as sparks began to fly from the power generator and the Klieg lights began to explode one by one.
The explosions were getting much louder now and the Ark was now emitting some kind of bright, brilliant light. An unusual mist began to slowly rise from the Ark which was now making its way down the steps towards Indy and Marion. Then Indy remembered the advice that Imam had told him back in Cairo. He had to warn Marion.
“Marion, don’t look at it. Shut your eyes, Marion. Don’t look at it, no matter what happens.”
The mist was now forming into shapes and ghostly images and apparitions began to float around the canyon, circling around the terrified soldiers. Belloq’s eyes widened. “It’s beautiful!” he shouted, staring in awe at the sight before him. An image floats in front of Toht which transformed from a beautiful woman to a screaming skeleton and Toht screamed in terror.
“Indy!” shouted Marion.
“Don’t look, Marion”, yelled Indy, above the noise. “Keep your eyes shut!”
Belloq was blasted by several volts streaming out from the Ark. He clasped his head with both hands and moments later, his head exploded from the intensity of the blast. The solders were hit with several bolts of electricity streaming out of the Ark and cried out in terror. Within seconds, Dietrich’s face shrivelled, and he was no more. Then Toht’s face began to melt and his glasses slowly slid off his face, as he faced imminent death.
The soldiers were engulfed in flames and Indy and Marion were shaken around like rag dolls, holding on for dear life and determined to get through this madness.
The sky was now opening up and everyone except Indy and Marion were swept up in a huge swirling spiral which then flew up into the air, as the sky opened. If looking down, you would be able to see a pillar of fire.
Moments later, the fire moved down from the sky and made its way toward the island and the sky then closed up.
The fire then moved back into the Ark of the Covenant and the lid came crashing down on top of it, sealing its secrets back inside.
Indy opened his eyes and turned to Marion. They both notice that their bonds were now cut.
“Marion”, breathed Indy.
They turned toward one another and moments later, embraced.
They looked over at the Ark which now seemed to light up the whole canyon. Everything was now silent.
That evening, Indy and Marion had boxed up the Ark of the Covenant and were able to find an old sailor with a fishing boat, who was more than happy to help them. He also didn’t ask any questions which Indy was grateful for.
That night, as the sailor was at the helm, Indy and Marion were sleepily sat up on a pile of soft cushions, with Indy’s arm around Marion.
Marion glanced over at the famed Archaeologist and smiled slightly. He looked exhausted and pretty beat up. Indy noticed her smile.
“What’s up, Marion?” he asked.
“You”, she began.
“Yeah, what about me?” he asked, the tiredness evident in his voice.
“You look pretty beat, Jones. Are you okay?” she asked, the tenderness in her voice evident.
“I’m okay”, he told her. “I mean I’m tired, sore and could sleep for about two weeks, but apart from that…”
His voice had tapered off and she glanced over at him. He now appeared to be asleep and was snoring softly.
Marion smiled to herself. She remembered when she had first met Indy.
She had been struck by how boyishly handsome he was and now, studying his features, was once again struck by how handsome he was and how his boyish good looks had evolved into something even more rugged.
Some hours later, when they were almost moored, she glanced over at Indy, who was still asleep and he looked so innocent that part of her didn’t want to disturb him because he was so tired, but moments later, she found herself gently rousing him. Slowly, Indiana Jones opened his eyes and was momentarily disorientated.
He gradually looked up to see Marion hovering over him.
“Uh, Marion”, he said groggily. “Where are we?”
Marion told Indy that they were at a port and along with a few sailors, had moved the Ark crate into a storage hold.
“I sure hope that we aren’t intercepted by the Nazi’s”, muttered Jones.
Marion smiled. “Don’t worry, Jones”, she began. “I think we’ll be okay now.”
They were then shown to their cabin and Marion insisted that Indy lay down and got some sleep.
“Hey”, said Indy, holding up a hand. “You’ll get no argument from me.”
Indiana Jones lay down on the queen sized bed and moments later, he was out.ere…
