Chapter 2 – Gateway to Heaven

Pyramids of Giza 1950

Dr Catherine Langford hated the Egyptian heat, it was hot constantly day and night, and the only redeeming thing about night-time was that the sun wasn't melting everything, you just had to cope with the humidity. But coupled with the spiders, scorpions and everything else made it a living hell, not place she would live. She was about to wipe the sweat from her brow but what would be the point? More would only replace it seconds later.

Dozens were busy digging, which according to the tablets they were looking for another ring shaped object, similar to the one she had found years ago, but this was far, far older and in all likelihood predated it. It was called the 'Gate of the Elder Gods', able to take one to heaven or hell. Sometimes she wondered what her life would have been like had she been a baker, or a surgeon; but truthfully she was squeamish so the latter was unlikely. Shouting could be heard above the background noise of hundreds of people digging, and leaving the sanctity of her tent went to see what the problem was.

Flicking back the flap Catherine saw two men wearing official looking uniforms, but not Germans she thought sending a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens – not that she believed, or did she? There was a belief in something. All Government agents seemed to be shaped from the same clay, usually medium build, pale and otherwise quite unremarkable; little did she know that is how the US Government liked them, to be forgettable. All were able to fade into the crowd and be missed. Something they both did at this moment was sweat profusely though as neither had loosened their shirts, or suits in any way; even the locals wore loose fitting clothing to allowing the skin to breathe and sweat.

"Doctor Catherine Langford" the one on the left said, "We must ask that you cease this activity immediately and come with us!" Even in this heat none would accuse her of being ugly, as she carried a radiance that shone from inside, no matter her external appearance. The beginning of wrinkles near her eyes creased in annoyance.

"On whose authority?" she asked indignant.

The man on the right spoke and removed some identification, "We're Secret Service Ma'am" he said knowing it to be a lie. "My self and Agent Spender" he said watching as the latter lit a cigarette. "Well we've been tasked with returning you to the United States as we have reason to believe certain Opposing Powers may seek to detain you". Almost immediately she went from morally outraged to outright concerned.

"Would you be kind enough to come with us?" asked Agent Spender looking at his partner Agent Mulder.

Both Agents recognised the whistling noise of a German grenade flying through the air and dragged Catherine to the ground quite roughly. It was then a massive explosion rocked the sands. She coughed and spluttered as her face hit ground; mouth full of sand, spitting out as much of the foul dry substance out as possible, knowing only some liquid refreshment would help finish the job.

"Are you okay?" inquired Bill quickly checking over his shoulder for any danger.

"Let's go" said his partner, and grabbed her by the elbow. "Quickly" he hissed in warning, dragging her over the crest of the sand dune. "We gotta move". Try as he might, it was almost like carrying a dead weight as she was obviously still in shock. It felt more like a dream and as hard as she tried her legs just did not belong to her, it felt like they were someone else's. Another 'crack' of a pistol caused her to scream in fright as sand jumped in the air near their feet.

"Quick, back" roared Agent Spender.

Half a dozen troops came over the crest of the dune; all bearing armbands with the Swastika emblazoned across it and sub-machine guns.

"We'll take her if you don't mind?" said an officer with dark hair and glasses. He held out his hand, beckoning Catherine to walk across to him. "Please Frauleine, let us not have more of a scene than we have to", he asked kindly, almost expectantly. "Mmmmm?"

When she refused to come and cowered behind the American agents, he gestured and the soldiers all pointed their weapons menacingly. Another soldier walked up, obviously the subordinate, but far more memorable as he bore a twin scars across his face; almost like he had been mauled by lion or tiger.

"Come now!" he said as a lizard like tongue slipped between his seemingly human lips. Both agents backed up, as did Catherine Langford. "Doctorsssss" hissed the lizard man excitedly.

"Control your self!" shouted the officer in charge at the subordinate. "None of us wish to draw attention to ourselves in this way!"

It was then both agents realised that none of the soldiers were human and both knew the Syndicate would have to be informed and plans drawn into action, if they survived. "What are you?" asked Catherine cowering, fear evident in the shakiness of her hands and voice.

"It does not matter Doctor, come with us or they die". She looked at the two men, scared beyond belief but did not want them to perish besides if they escape maybe they can get help she hoped. "I will come", as she stepped forward bravely an involuntary tremble ran down her spine.

"Good" said the subordinate, "We wish your help to locate what you would call the 'Gate of Elder Gods". They were obviously unaware that she was digging for the same thing here, near to where the Chapp'ai was found almost twenty years ago. Another thought occurred to her that they knew it wasn't here, which made her all the more worried and curious if they had information no one else did. Without warning two soldiers walked behind the agents and knocked them unconsciousness. "What?" muttered one before darkness claimed them both.

"They will not be harmed" said the officer in glasses. "Come". They walked towards a jeep several dunes over and she vanished into the desert.

Doctor Jones was teaching a class Egyptology, yet another he thought. When all was said and done it was one of his favourites; the least being Greek, there was just something he did not like about it. What Indiana and most scholars did not know is that Earth had in the past been visited by various space travelling aliens that had formed the basis of every mythology. He sighed silently waiting for someone to give an intelligible answer otherwise he was likely to be getting a lot of visits before the homework was handed in.

"Pyramids" said one student.

He grimaced. "Let me put it another way" he began, "if I said to you what was the first major construction to be built?"

"Ziggurats" piped up a fat student in white shirt with dollops of melted chocolate on.

"No". Dozens of hands were raised and somehow he sensed that no one would have the correct answer. Sure they could say it was Ziggurats or the Pyramids, many had argued that over the years, but it was not the most important thing. "Temples!" shouted another.

"Vomitorium" suggested another student humorously.

He had to smile at that even though it was wrong. "Without them there would have been no Anthony and Cleopatra" he suggested hoping it might prompt the class, otherwise all the homework would be marked down as having the wrong conclusions. Sometimes archaeology was all about perspective.

"Roads!" shouted a female student with dark hair, who had for weeks been 'hitting on' on the famous archaeologist. Suddenly the bell rang and they all began to pack away their books without a care in the world.

"Don't forget your assignment due in on Monday" he prompted. "How did the most important invention affect the ancient and modern world" he shouted above the din knowing at least one person might give the correct answer. Straightening his glasses two men in dark suits were visible outside the door, government he thought. Wonder what they want? Next to them was his buffer, Marcus Brody. Both agents wore hats and were carrying long coats over their left arms and wearing particularly awful ties. Grimacing again he beckoned them all in.

"Marcus" he said. "What can I do for you?" He put on his best fake smile.

Marcus smiled back, recognising Indiana's 'I'm tolerating these idiots' sort of look.

"Let me introduce Agent Spender and Agent Mulder" he said by way of introduction. 'Indy' shook hands with both of them, fake smile still plastered to his features.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?"

It was Agent Mulder who spoke first, "What do you know of the 'Gate of Heaven'?"

Indiana shook his head. "Not a clue" he answered genuinely as he really had never heard of such an artefact. His partner then took over, "Aaaah I see. Perhaps your expertise then?" he inquired. "We believe it may be in Giza somewhere"

"The foremost expert on Egyptology is Doctor Langford, you should go ask her"

"It is your colleague Catherine Langford who has been kidnapped by unknown persons while partway through a dig for this very item" said Mulder more urgently, savouring the half-truth or was it half lie? Either they were extraterrestrials or something else, something the newly formed Syndicate were working on but right now they needed expertise and Doctor Jones was the best available.

"We continued the dig as a mater of course and found nothing at her original site; and it is our belief that the Germans have more precise information and we would rather it did not fall into their hands"

He really wondered why it always happened to him; strange and mysterious artefacts always seemed to gravitate towards him – first the Ark of the Covenant, Lingams of Shiva, Holy Grail, the Ark again; what's next he thought a Crystal skull? Sometimes he begrudged stealing artefacts from the Nazi's, or the American Government as that is not why he got involved in archaeology in the first place, it was to rediscover the hidden mysteries of the ancient world, their knowledge and wisdom and place it on display for all to see. Henry Jones Junior felt his stomach rumble again and in fact it had been ceaseless in its moaning all morning. Quickly checking his watch, 2pm, no wonder he was hungry.

"Mind if I get some lunch first?" he asked. "I'm starved". Ten minutes later after a sandwich and a cup of coffee he made his way upstairs, only to be told by Marcus they were waiting outside. With a "Good luck" he left the building and entered the waiting car.

"Where are we going to?" he asked politely.

"Not far" replied Mulder who tapped the back of the drivers' seat, giving the signal to drive.

An eternally young Scotsman sat in a café waiting, and was considering ordering food if his friend was going to be much longer, he was forty minutes late as it was - where in the hell are you Clark? Cursed Connor silently, it was then a familiar heavily muscled shape emerged from a taxi. Clark ran over to the café dodging people on the pavement.

"Sorry I'm late" he huffed slightly out of breath, which in this case was genuinely true. "I thought you were never going to get here" said the immortal. "I was in two minds whether to order or go hunt my own food to pass the time" he retorted sarcastically looking at the camera in Clark's hands; "Don't you ever put that down?"

Clark sat down and placed the camera on the table. "A good reporter is ever ready" he said matter-of-factly.

"Some people were born with a silver spoon; I'm sure you were born holding a camera"

Clark smiled and picked up a menu looked into Connor's deep set eyes. "Have you been waiting long?"

"For me not long, for you, maybe a couple of hours" he said continuing to jibe his friend.

"You're enjoying this?" said Clark playing along.

Connor smiled, "Heh, heh, heh. Absolutely", the waitress came and took their order. "So tell me Clark what have you been up to?"

Kal-El leant forward conspiratorially and spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Actually there is a rumour that a famous Egyptologist has vanished, supposedly kidnapped and I thought I'd investigate"

"Anyone I may have heard of?" he asked curiously.

"I doubt it. Does the name Catherine Langford mean anything to you?"

"Not really" answered Connor absently. The waitress came over to take their order.

"Are still thinking of opening an antique business?" he asked pleasantly,

"Thinking about enrolling in the army and helping out"

"Today? Can it wait?" inquired Kal-El. "Didn't you say that you could read Egyptian? I could use a translator". The alien hero was referring to Ramirez who before being killed by the Kurgan, the old Egyptian had showed Connor how to transfer knowledge through Quickening and had channelled various bits of information across. The waitress arrived shortly after with their drinks and meals.

Indiana's heart was racing this is something new and straightened his glasses, looking again at the glyphs on the photo's that were taken from a pyramid in Giza. "Well?" asked Mulder impatiently.

"I don't know" he said finally. "This is a completely unknown language"

Spender sat down in irritation, "You mean you need it translating?" While he shared the agents' frustration but without Catherine's notes it could take months but more likely years or decades to even get a half decent translation and told them as much. Mulder walked back in with a large box and handed it to Doctor Jones; inside which was the journal of Doctor Langford. "You had this all along! It would have saved time if you have given it to me straight away" he remarked grumpily.

Mulders' eyes twinkled with humour. "Now where would the fun be in that?" he asked mischievously. "Besides I wanted to be sure you couldn't read it".

Already off to a bad start, but then the Government always annoyed him a bit like the crash in Roswell, and frantically slipped a notebook from pocket and began to make notes using the journal as a reference guide.

He barely noticed the agents leave and they did not return. Indiana was only vaguely aware that the night sky was visible or that he was hungry. The work consumed him - and after hour upon hour without pause or break, he pushed his spectacles aside and rubbed the bridge of his nose and his eyes, tiredness finally taking hold. Checking his watch, 5am, no wonder he was shattered. Slowly packing things away into the box took everything downstairs and caught a cab. It took another forty minutes to get home, and fell asleep instantly on the bed.

There were no dreams that night, chronic fatigue had taken its toll and the archaeologist did not wake until late. The midday sun shone through the window, bathing him in warmth and light like some kind of sleeping angel. "Uuuurgh" he murmured sleepily, turning to examine the bedside clock. Rubbing tired eyes again he went for a quick shower, and nearly fell asleep again. There were welcome aromas coming from downstairs and unless burglars had started cooking breakfast and making coffee, the agents had somehow gained entrance and were waiting patiently.

He dressed quickly and went downstairs to find both agents in the kitchen as he suspected. "Do you usually cook breakfast after breaking an entering?"

"I heard how long you stayed to last night" answered Agent Spender "and thought you might want some breakfast?"

"Thanks," grimaced the archaeologist taking both plate and cup. He tucked into breakfast greedily, finally realising how hungry he was. Toast followed and as his mind slowly shrugged off the fatigue that had plagued him last night, he came to a conclusion they're after something as no agents are ever this nice.

"Well?" asked Mulder expectantly. "Any progress?"

Pulling the box from behind the sofa 'Indy' opened it and extracted some notes. "Actually I have" he remarked. "It seems that Catherine may have been digging in the wrong place"

"Really! What makes you so sure?"

"One of the tablets" he said showing the photograph, "appears to be missing the upper left portion and if I make a few assumptions, then her dig site was in the wrong place which would place it," he quickly got a map of Egypt and marked her original dig site and the new coordinates. "She was digging approximately 500 miles in the wrong direction"

"And you're sure of your current findings?"

"Its archaeology, nothing is sure!" he re-iterated, "But fairly confident, yes!"

"Good, we had hoped as much Doctor Jones. Your flight leaves in 2 hours"

"Great" muttered Indiana, "I just love Egypt"

Both had been summoned to a meeting by the Syndicate and neither would be able to accompany the archaeologist onto the plane. In fact it was the archaeologists' presence at Roswell that had got him selected for this job and although they might have to kill the famed Jones after, they doubted it would be easy as the Nazis had been trying for years, until Hitler's death in 1945.

He was dropped off at the airport by Agents although neither of them accompanied him onto the plane which he thought odd. While boarding the plane he was greeted to a welcome sight, both Connor and Clark were getting on the same flight and he was quite happy to see them.

"Hi, pleased to see you both" said 'Indy' gleefully shaking both Clarks' and Connor's hands. "What are you doing on here? Where are you bound for?"

"Egypt" answered the immortal. "It would a certain intrepid reporter is after a story of a missing Egyptologist and wants my help to read Egyptian"

Smiling at the chance and coincidence that populated his life, "That wouldn't be a Catherine Langford by any chance"

"It would" said Clark. "What do you know and can I have a scoop. Maybe even an interview" he joked.

They sat back to enjoy the flight, as Indiana passed around the information from Langford's personal journals. They slept when they needed as it would be a very long flight with several stopovers.

On the flight they had agreed to cover up and dress like the locals in order to avoid suspicion and to dig at night mainly to avoid the blistering heat of the day; although that was mainly for him as both Connor and Clark would not suffer ill effects as quickly. After landing they quickly obtained the relevant digging equipment and followed the coordinates. After two hours they had not found anything and all thought it strange, and upon consulting the photos 'Indy' was struck by a revelation as though hit by a lightning bolt from heavenly Zeus.

They were only digging one big hole about ten foot square, and if it was anything like something called the Chapp'ai Catherine had found years earlier then a bigger hole would be necessary to locate the circumference of the object. It took almost another two hours of digging until they heard a metallic thud, as the spade impacted with the surrounding metal, and another two to further uncover the ring structure. Both Connor and Indiana were tired while Clark and his 10G Krypton physique was capable of doing more.

"Maybe we should have let Clark dig on his own while we relaxed in deck chairs?"

"You could have suggested that earlier"

Wiping his brow the immortal replied, "Everyone's a critic", and grabbing the water bottle proffered by the Kryptonian and took a deep gulp, and passed it to the archaeologist.

"I cannot believe we dug in the centre first and not around the edges" remarked Clark.

In a dimly lit warehouse hours later the ring was leaning against a wall concealed behind dozens of crates. "Well?" asked Clark like an expectant mother, "what is it?"

Tiredness surrounded Doctor Jones like an aura, muscles sorer than they had been in a long while, and a bicep begin to cramp, painfully. Sometimes, only sometimes he thought that maybe he was getting too old for gallivanting around the world searching for treasures – and unfortunately had no son to continue the Jones tradition. He needed a shower and ran a hand along the metal letting them feel all the outline of the lettering. "I haven't the faintest idea"

"Pity" moaned the immortal. "Do you want me to put in the same place as the Ark?" he inquired.

'Indy' was curious as Connor had never actually told him where the Ancient Treasure was located and thought it a salient time to raise the question. "So where did you put the Ark, some hidden storage space?"

"Hardly" he replied. "I gave it to the BPRD" remarked Connor nonchalantly.

"Who are they?" inquired Clark noticing that he beat 'Indy' to the question, and whose mouth was still hanging open.

He had arranged for the Ark of the Covenant to be placed in secure storage at the newly formed and very secretive Government agency called the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence, or BPRD for short. They dealt with any threats that were outside of the normal Government Agencies, keeping whatever they found out a secret as a majority of the Government were not ready for the information or secrets they found out. There was no way it could remain in his home for too long, it 'stunk' of Quickening and it always felt like there was an immortal waiting when he got home. And as Connor explained Indiana Jones got angrier and angrier.

"I said no Governments" he fumed. "I didn't steal it from them for you to give it right back!" Indiana was furious and had trusted Connor to look after the relic and not place into the hands of people who couldn't be trusted with its safekeeping. Can I trust him? Thought the archaeologist, how could he do such a thing? 'Indy' knew he'd have to steal the Ark back and hide this ring device, somewhere safe.

Connor sighed. "It's not like that" he replied defensively. "They hold quite a few artefacts the rest of the Government will never know about, like the Spear of Longinus"

Henry Jones Junior was incredulous, "They have the Spear?" he gasped.

"Who do you think stole it from Hitlers' men in the first place?" answered Connor remembering the moment well. It had helped turn the tide of the Second World War.

Connor was always claiming that he, Kal-El was the 'real hero' it was turning out that perhaps the immortal had a somewhat heroic attitude himself, despite a somewhat self effacing and modest exterior shell which surrounded him like a shield. Over the years both had spent a lot of time talking and if it wasn't for Connor, Clark would probably never have married Lois. She had kept her maiden name for writing purposes and had even played with a double-barrelled surname which no matter how hard she had tried never sounded quite right; Kent-Lane, Lane-Kent, but among friends had become Mrs Lois Kent which made Clark smile.

His tirade interrupted, "What are you smiling about?" shouted Dr Jones

"I was just thinking about how it took Lois months to give up the idea of a double-barrelled surname" he answered still smirking. It seemed his reverie had brought an abrupt end to the argument, thankfully.

"Look" said Connor, also enjoying the brief moment of reminiscence. He remembered that Lois had discussed her surname problems over a Cognac, when both had come over for dinner about five years ago. "Why don't you visit the BPRD" suggested Connor. "And if you're not happy I'll help you store them wherever you think is safest". Immortality could be damn lonely sometimes and despite friends like Duncan, Methos and Kastigir; it all came down to one thing 'There can only be One', aware that any immortal friends could turn on him at any moment either with a lust for power or a Dark Quickening or perhaps other reasons. He would always mourn their passing but it was important to retain a 'core' of mortal friends that you could trust with your secrets and your life and so like any relationship compromise was imperative.

The Kryptonian face creased, looking towards the door of the warehouse. "Someone's coming" he whispered.

The door opened and in walked a man wearing a suit and tie, and judging from appearances had no trouble at all in this heat. His sandy coloured hair and pale skin showed no signs of sun damage, or tanning in any way. "Aaaaah Doctor Jones" he exclaimed gleefully walking towards the trio. "There you are! I see you have discovered the artefact too, excellent!"

His senses screamed danger and that this man is not to be trusted, so he leant forward ready for anything. "What can I do for you?" he asked leaving a gap hoping a name would be given, probably not a real one but something. Clark sniffed the air and his alien olfactory senses could tell this man was not human. He had told Connor years ago about the faint trace of ozone the immortal possessed marking him as different to the rest of humanity.

Raising hands in a placating gesture, fingers splayed wide to show no hidden weapons. "Easy" he said reassuringly flashing pearly white teeth. "I don't want any trouble. I want the device and seek to inquire how much the good Doctor here would be willing to part with it for" Connor could see how much the comment angered 'Indy'. "No amount of money" he began, only to be interrupted.

"Perhaps a trade then" he suggested and in an attempt to put the trio more at ease, "Where are my manners?" he said berating himself. "I am Hans Gruber", but did not bother to extend a hand. "You give me the device and I give you the woman"

Doctor Jones angrily took a step forward, "Why you!" Only to have Connor place a restraining arm on his shoulder.

"If I do not report back within a certain time the Fraulein dies!"

Relaxing in Connor's vice like grip, knowing it would be futile to try to out strength the immortal, and with Clark on hand; no he thought, the answer lies in outthinking them. Deciding to play the game a little bit. "What's to stop you from reneging on the deal and killing her anyway?"

"Nothing Herr Jones, but I would like to think we could handle this like civilised men"

They, the Naga did not have a lot of time and despite Rasputin wanting the gate for his purposes, they had plans of their own - to summon their God, the Great Old One known as Vritra to the Hindus, Typhon to the Greeks and Tiamat to the Sumerians and Babylonians. People had called them all kind of fanciful names over the years, very few having got it right. They were descended from the Dinosaurs millions of years ago, like the Dragons who were their cousins, and possessed no mammalian DNA.

Clark had told both that the Hans was not human, it was a façade designed to fool the unwary and 'Indy' was placing his whip and gun in their usual place while Connor who was unarmed just stood there.

"Shall we?" he suggested, "Best to get there early in case they do a double cross"

"Good idea" agreed Clark. "Connor and I will be decoys and diversions and you rescue Catherine, if things go badly"

"Okay". Walking towards the warehouse the streets were still lively, in fact more so than during the day as it allowed the locals to relax a bit more and not to worry so much about the sun, although it was still incredibly humid as he and 'Indy' were sweating. It was just as well they did arrive early, for Gruber and his entourage were visible walking down a street about two hundred metres away. They slipped into the warehouse through the back door and waited.

Hinges creaked and Gruber walked in with about ten 'men' and Catherine bound and gagged in the middle. "Good Herr Jones you are here!"

The others with Gruber all appeared to be dark skinned and all were wearing local attire carrying unfamiliar looking guns. "I will now take the device" said Gruber and clicking his fingers one of his associates drew the strange sidearm. "And the girl"

"That was not part of the agreement"

Clark saw the weapon and not sure what type of energy weapon it might be, hid his alarm like an actor; shaking his head almost imperceptibly at both Connor and 'Indy'. Taking a step forward attempted to shield them both. "I don't think so" commanded the Kryptonian. "A clean swap, like 'civilised men' was the agreement"

Gruber laughed and it was clear his entourage could barely contain themselves either. "But we're not men" he remarked and before his reptilian tongue could slip between his lips the well built human remarked, "Yes I know, some kind of reptile if I'm not mistaken". His forked tongue hung out of the corner of his mouth in shock and alarm, "How?"

One of the Naga fired his gun and a massive arc of electricity struck Clark directly in the chest. It blew the Kryptonian clear across the room to strike a nearby wall to crack the masonry. His alien high gravity metabolism had conducted the blast without any undue harm and he stood, features betraying the anger he felt. "That won't work on me".

Connor immediately stepped in front of Indiana protectively just as Clark had done, making sure no stray blasts would hurt the mortal. The second blast also hit the immortal in the middle of the chest, as his system absorbed the energy harmlessly. "Or on me" said Connor defiantly. Clark watched dumfounded at a blast that had blown him across the room, to do even less to the immortal – guess they each had their strengths and weakness.

The Naga watched in horror as their electron particle beam pistols were almost useless. "What are you?" raged the one who had fired twice. He never had the opportunity to hear a reply as Kal-El leaped across the room, throwing the lizard into a stack of crates. Broken wood and a broken reptilian fell to the floor.

"Now, you take the device and we take Catherine".

All of the Naga 'shed' their human shapes like a snaking sloughing its skin, yet all still continued to appear humanoid except for gaining another six inches in height, lots of muscle mass, scales and sharp incisors. One of the Lizard Men drew a normal pistol and shot Connor again, who grunted in pain. "Neither will that" remarked Connor, "Perhaps we should keep both" he challenged.

"Aaaargh!" screamed what had been Hans Gruber, foolishly charging the Kryptonian who shrugged him off like a jacket that no longer fit. The lizard tumbled among the crates, forehead impacted first with wood and a more than solid floor. Hans struggled to rise as red blood ran in free flowing torrent from a nasty gash, down a scaly face to drip onto the floor.

Another Naga tried to foolishly to sink sharp fangs into Kryptonian flesh which had more tensile strength than steel, teeth exploded and gums ruptured and a backhand silenced its cries of pain. Clark quickly scanned for more opponents. Indiana shot two before they could reach their weapons and then ducked huge claws as another attempted to rake his face. "Damn!" he murmured. He punched the Naga in the mouth using the gun butt which caused an ugly red laceration to appear. It's time abruptly short as Kal-El grabbed it by the shoulder, tossing it like a bowling ball.

A large breeze passed by and turning in time saw a green blur fly through the air to hit a small group of lizards that were standing too close together. A loud crash followed by a tangle of green limbs, yet none rose. After finding the final chapter of Musashi's book entitled 'Sixth Ring' with Rick and Evie, Connor had returned with it, and over the years had begun to master the psychic training manual. It was these minor ESP abilities that compensated for not looking at the target while this was happening and without needing eyes he ducked rapidly to avoid wickedly sharp laws, and executed a counter strike knocking the Naga unconscious.

Henry Jones saw an opportunity, running to rescue Catherine and grabbed one of their guns in mid-stride. He jumped on the one holding Dr Langford and it shrugged the archaeologist off as easily as Clark had Hans, the gun clattered to the floor noisily. In seconds it was on him.

Rage overtook the archaeologist as it once or twice before, the worst instance had been in the tunnels with the Thuggees when he had overpowered the much larger opponent. Using unknown and hidden reserves that were rarely tapped he threw the Naga off and began pound it again and again, as blood and teeth exploded from its mouth. Grabbing the archaeologists jaw, claws began to sink into flesh and he ignored the pain. The more it hurt the faster and more powerful his strikes became; although not understanding where this ability came from pressed the advantage nonetheless. Claws and hand went slack, its arm falling impotently to the floor and without he pause untied Catherine who hugged and kissed him passionately.

Clark watched as Henry had not only beaten but completely pulverised his opponent, it lay on the floor, most likely dead as he could hear no heartbeat or respiration. He looked at Connor who mouthed 'later', and helped steady the spent archaeologist, who sagged, leaning on the aliens shoulder for support.

Indiana got back to his suite and collapsed on the bed, not having enough energy to even shower and fell into the deepest slumber of his life. The Kryptonian had offered to look in on Indiana but Connor had recommended against it by saying he was 'suffering physical, mental and psychic exhaustion and will probably not wake until morning', and so with that they had agreed to take up breakfast for in the morning.

In a restaurant Clark, Connor and Catherine Langford sat enjoying dinner. None of whom spoke very much, Catherine was still suffering slightly from shock but had wanted to know why they were not killed by the 'Electric guns' as she called them. Neither had offered an explanation and dinner continued in silence.

He rose slowly from sleep, barely noticing that it was daylight outside and could not remember where he was, and eventually it all came rushing back. It was followed by an incessant banging on the door, "Indy" called a deep penetrating voice. "Open up, we have breakfast!"

Groggily stumbling towards the noise and turning the lock, he opened to door to two familiar faces. Sweet smells also accompanied the duo, Clark stood there holding a bag contain food. He took the bag, barely even pausing to sit wolfed down almost in one bite. "I'm starved" he said. "Is there any chance of more?"

"Sure" remarked Connor flippantly. "I'll just go slaughter a nearby Elephant", a smile etched across unchanging features.

"Lead on" Indiana said and fell into step beside them so that they took over the whole hallway.

Henry Jones Junior had succeeded in eating his third helping and showed signs of slowing down.

"What's wrong with me?" he asked. "Must have worms or something?"

"I'm not sure" said Clark. "But Connor knows I think"

Looking at the immortal, Indiana didn't even have to speak before the answer came. "You used hidden reserves" said the immortal. "Not just physical or emotional, but part psychic. My guess is that hanging around all those weird relics has changed you slightly"

He became worried at this, "How? I'm not going sprout multiple heads or anything?"

Sharing the archaeologists concern, for Connor had gone through something similar after reading the Sixth Ring. "Not likely, but you are able to tap basic psychic reserves allowing you increment your physical abilities, strength, stamina, pain tolerance that kind of thing" he began, "but it is limited and without training you easily exceed go too far and end up in a coma or kill yourself"

"Great"

"Just remember to have some kind of fuel backup if you feel overcome after doing so, dried food of some sort" cautioned Connor.

"Thanks", and although still feeling better was a little tired. "Is there anywhere you could store the device other than the BPRD?"

Connor thought about it for minute, "Not really, they're the most reliable. I could ask one of the Legacy Houses but I've never truly trusted them or thought them reliable". Indiana knew what Connor meant and let the issue go sure it would go into safe storage. Later that day Connor had sent a wire to the States to arrange for BPRD to pick up the device and hold it in one of their storage vaults. He walked back to the hotel to find Clark waiting outside. "Where's Indy?"

"Where do you think?" he answered, "Dr Langford went up to thank him, personally"

"Oh" replied the immortal bashfully. "Best leave them alone for a while". Neither really wanted to do anything except sit there and relax which they did for a majority of the day, reading the papers and watching the world go by. Almost four hours later a rather flushed archaeologist walked outside. None were in any hurry at the minute, they're flight did not leave until tomorrow morning, so they had another night here. Clark tapped his pockets, "I think I left my wallet in the hotel"

"Oh I've got to pay, again" groused Connor. "Where's my sword" remarked Connor playfully. "I'm gonna kill him" he said directing the remark at Clark, who looked at the coat on nearby chair. "Probably in your coat" he suggested, "Oh dear you didn't bring it" he mocked.

"Then I'll hurt you in more ways than you can imagine" jested the immortal, "I'll make you buy the drinks tonight"

"Hey, no fair" said Clark in mock anger. "I've seen you drink enough in one night to anaesthetise an Elephant! And if I spend that much Lois is gonna kill me!"

The three friends walked off laughing to the bar.