The Seven Swords of Diya: An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction Part 1

Chapter 44: Jones Ranch, Wyoming, 1942

Jones Ranch

Wyoming

1942

Marion Ravenwood Jones leaned against the side of the truck, too tired to feel helpless, yet too wary of disaster to sit down.

A pair of man's legs was underneath the truck. And there was banging.

Marion sighed. "Henry - it will not fix the vehicle if you continue to bang on it."

Professor Henry Jones Senior carefully slid out from under the side of the vehicle. "My dear Marion, I am schooled in Latin - not vehicle mechanics. This blasted technology is younger than me!"

"You're the only one who can fit under the car," Marion reminded him one hand on her very pregnant stomach.

"I can fit!" Annie announced.

"You are not going to go crawling underneath trucks like your father!" Marion replied.

Six year old Annie looked hurt... and very much like a sandy haired younger version of her father.

"Aw honey," Marion soothed. "You can when you're older - just not right now. That's what I meant to say."

"Oh. Just trying to help..."

"I know," Marion smiled, and winced as the baby inside her moved. She adjusted her stance and mumbled something ungracious and the movement stopped.

Henry Jones stood up, dusting off his hands and tattered tweed, and then offered Marion his umbrella. She took the bizarre offer gratefully. "Thank you, Henry. Its been good to have you around."

"Certainly, dear Marion. Knowing how late my son is in recognizing things, I'm glad I'm here for you and the upcoming children."

Marion smiled. "Its just one. It may look like twenty kids - but I'm sure this is just one."

"They both take after their father."

"Yes." Marion winced. "Fortunately, Indy does know how to fix this temperamental old truck."

"Gloria!" Annie announced. "The truck's name is Gloria! Daddy said so!"

"Probably because he couldn't say something else," Marion mused.

Marion and Henry chuckled.

A black sedan pulled into the dusty lane, decidedly out of place in ranch territory.

"Oh no," Marion swallowed.

Henry folded his umbrella. "I'll take care of it."

Mac, a tall man in a government suit exited the car, carrying a letter in his hands. Marion put a hand over her mouth and her other on her stomach.

This was the nightmare of a soldier's wife.

Mac approached and swallowed. "Mrs. Jones..."

Annie stared, frozen in surprise, waiting for emotion cues from the adults around her. She sensed something was wrong - but wasn't understanding what.

Henry Jones Senior spoke first. "Marion, do you know this man?"

"Yes, Henry - this is Mac. He's in charge of Indy's assignments." Marion tensed. "What is it Mac?"

Mac swallowed. "Mrs. Jones... I... Indy's missing."

"What?" Marion snarled.

"He's missing."

Flames ignited in Marion's gaze. "Mac... can you... say that again?"

"Mrs. Jones - your husband Indiana - is missing."

Marion swallowed, glanced at Annie and then asked again, "So what you're saying is that you lost my husband?"

Mac lowered his gaze. "Officially he's missing in action."

"Mac, that is not a better alternative," Marion warned.

Mac continued. "We've asked all the evacuated troops from the island. They know he was there - they just don't know where he went."

"And you can't find him?" Marion asked, arching an eyebrow. "It's not bad enough that you lose the Ark of the Covenant -"

"We know where that is," Mac countered. "We're just not at liberty to disclose -"

"But you can't find my husband?" Marion's voice was going up. "You sent him to a tiny island that's literally 15 miles across. And you can't find him!?!?? You keep track of troop movements and illegal activities throughout the whole world - and you lose my husband on an island that's smaller than this ranch! And you call yourself INTELLIGENCE!!!!"

Mac tried to back away, hands out for defensive protection. "Marion - I - Think of your condition!"

"The baby is fine!" Marion shrilled, suddenly dropping her voice into a roar. "Mac - my children need their father! I need my husband!"

Mac winced, still backing away. "Well... ma'am... reports are still coming in..."

Marion stepped forward. "Mac - you lost my husband? You LOST my husband on an island that is fifteen miles wide! HOW did you LOSE my HUSBAND on an island SMALLER than this ranch?"

Mac swallowed. Marion swung for the punch, forgetting about her pregnancy. But the off center of her baby belly, swung her forward too far.

Mac jumped out of the way.

Marion reached for Henry's umbrella, whipping it forward and wrapping the handle around Mac's neck. "You WILL find my husband!"

Pain seered through her fury. She adjusted her nearly careening stance as tears sprung to her eyes. The baby inside her kicked. She knew that tone. And she knew this pain.

"Mac! You WILL find my husband!" Marion ordered. "Henry! Its time!"

Professor Jones stared curiously at his pocket watch.... Then realized. "Oh! That time!"

Annie bolted for the house, knowing she needed to get her mother's bag.

Marion continued, leaning against the side of the truck, lecturing Mac through her fury. "Mac! After I am done having this baby, you'd better watch out! I will find you and I will end you! Unless you find my husband!!!"

"Here you go, Momma." Annie announced returning with the bag.

"Hand it to Grandpa," Marion pointed.

Mac started to back away toward his car.

"Don't you dare run!" Marion seethed. "We're taking your car! Henry! Get his keys!"

"You can't have my keys!" Mac blustered.

Marion pulled a pistol from her purse. "Do not argue with the lady in labor if you want to live."

Mac fumbled with his keys. Henry strode by and snagged them, Marion's bag over his shoulder.

"Marion, Annie -" Henry opened the car doors for them.

Marion held Mac at gunpoint, backing toward the car.

Mac still held his hands in the air, protesting. "You can't take my car! It's government issue! You need a security clearance!"

Henry slammed the car door and got behind the wheel, waving to Mac. "Don't worry old boy! I'm her majesty's secret service!"