Chapter 4

Indiana managed to keep the gang at a safe distance, and Georg searched the area for a means of escape. The open courtyard wasn't empty, and no one had yet noticed the burgeoning standoff. Georg knew that wouldn't last long as the sight of a man brandishing a bullwhip was going to get attention very quickly.

"Get back," Indiana cautioned them. Georg took Maria's hand and guided her away, yet he did not want to leave their friend on his own.

"Captain!" she whispered, pulling on his hand. "They have guns!"

Georg von Trapp hadn't handled a firearm in over fifteen years. Upon his marriage to Agathe, he'd put the sea and the military life behind him. He hadn't minded until that moment, when he suddenly was desperate for a way to even the fight. And more importantly, to keep Maria safe.

The small group took a small step toward them. A man of similar height and build to Indiana stepped forward: their leader. "Hello again, kid," he said to Dr. Jones and then waved in a general manner to the other's hat and whip. "Still have those momentos? I'm touched."

Indiana glared. "I still don't like to lose."

The man chuckled and then nodded at the Captain and Maria. "Not exactly set up for victory, are you, with that help?"

Next to him, Georg felt Fraulein Maria step closer. Dread raced down his spine. "Why do you want St. Erentrude's ring?" she asked.

Every muscle in the Captain's body tensed. Being far too outspoken was one thing when reprimanding a father into reconnecting with his children. It was the absolute worst trait when standing before dangerous men with guns. His hand twitched to keep her back.

But the leader tipped his hat at her. "Ma'am, we're just taking in the treasures this city has to offer."

Maria inhaled to further chastise, but the Captain mindlessly pulled her hand, desperate for her to keep silent.

Indiana had a similar desire. He stepped between the pair and the group. "You gonna steal that ring like you stole the Cross of Coronado?"

At that, the group laughed. "Still harping about that, kid?" the leader asked.

"None of it is yours to take."
"I don't give a shit who has it, as long as I get paid," the leader said, and the man on his right cocked his gun.

"Ah, shit," Indiana mumbled. Georg glanced around at the crowd, who was beginning to notice the tension. Chaos was dangerously close to breaking out. But what occupied the majority of his concern was the young woman at his side. He glanced at the thug closest to him, wondering if he could use an element of surprise to pounce and take the gun.

But the element of surprise was not his to seize. Before anyone could react, Indiana's arm swung into the air and the loud crack of the whip echoed off the walls. The main who'd elevated his gun recoiled in pain and clutched his hand as the gun fell to the ground. Indiana snapped the whip again, preventing anyone from moving closer.

"Go!" he shouted at Georg and Maria.

Georg cast a longing glance at the fallen gun, thinking he could use the cover of the frantic whip to grab the weapon. But the tug on his arm yanked him sideways, and he turned to see Maria's panicked expression urging him to come with her. Her fear wiped out any other action from his mind, and he turned to follow her. All around them, people started running in every direction, the danger finally exposed. He hoped the crowd could be used as a good cover for them to find means of escape.

One of the bandits appeared next to him, and Georg didn't even second guess. In an act most unbecoming of a dignified Baron, he flung his fist right into the man's face. The feeling of bone crunching against his fingers offered an almost nostalgic feeling from his younger days as a sailor in various pubs during shore leave. But it was only momentary, and the commotion of the whip snapping, the crowd's shouts, and Maria's desperate need to escape kept him squarely in the present moment.

They ran toward Hofstallgasse, using the tenuous security of the crowd to their advantage. Georg felt Indiana next to them, cursing under his breath. Georg glanced over at him. "Is a whip a common American weapon?" he asked.

The other grunted something before quickly glancing behind him. "We need transportation."

"The bus?" Maria asked.

"No.. a….shit!" They all turned to see their pursuers emerging from the alleyway.

A/N - I should note this story references the events in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.