Indy shook his head. 'They'll be waiting for us at the port.'
'But they're behind us,' Shannon said.
'Mandraki won't be there, but his men will be watching for us. You can count on it.'
'The port isn't the only place they're waiting,' Conrad said. 'Take a look at what's ahead.'
Indy grimaced. 'Swell. A roadblock.'
Nikos leaned forward. 'I bet this is where it gets dangerous.'
Indy frowned at the impetuous kid. 'At least one of the places.'
'Look,' Conrad said. 'Let's reason with them. We'll explain we have to get to the presidential palace, that we
have important information for the king. It's possible they're loyal.'
There was no time to argue about it. He stepped on the brake and slowed. They were fifty yards short of the roadblock when one of the soldiers pointed. Several others raised their guns. They fired and the windshield shattered. 'I don't think they're open to conversation,' Indy said.
Conrad stepped on the gas pedal and veered off the road. He headed along a slope, attempting to loop around the roadblock. The car tilted precariously and gunfire rattled off the roof. What happened next seemed to take only an instant. The hill was too steep; the car rolled over and kept rolling. Indy didn't know which way was up as he was hurtled about, but finally the car landed on its wheels again. Miraculously, they were on the road, and past the roadblock. But now Indy was behind the wheel, Conrad to his right and Shannon in the back seat.
'Hey, I'm driving.'
Indy glanced into the mirror and saw soldiers in the road firing another volley. Bullets pinged off the trunk. They would be chased, but if the Pierce-Arrow could stay on the road, it could outrun any Greek military vehicle.
'We're out of range,' he said, 'and the city's just ahead. We're going to make it.'
'We are?' Conrad asked. He looked glassy-eyed and stared straight ahead.
'Never would have guessed you could drive like that, Ted.'
'I didn't, either. I was ducking under the wheel.'
Indy looked over his shoulder. 'Hey, what happened to Nikos?'
The kid rose up from the floorboards. 'Wait until I tell my friends about this.'
'How you doing, Jack?'
'I feel like my neck's broken, and I've got a fat lip. Guess I won't be blowing any tunes for the king tonight.'
'Speaking of the king. Anybody know how to get to the palace?' Indy asked.
'I do,' Nikos said. 'It's by the new Olympic Stadium.'
'Where is that from the Acropolis?'
'I'll show you.'
Indy noticed people staring at the car as they cruised into the city. 'Guess they're pretty impressed by the Pierce-Arrow.' Then he saw the reflection of the car in the window of a shop. The top was flattened, the driver's side was smashed, and the entire vehicle was pockmarked with bullet holes.
'Lucky we're alive.'
'Indy, here's the Platia Phlomouson Hetairae,' Nikos said as they drove around a square. 'You remember I told you about it?'
'The what?' Shannon asked.
'It's where the best tavernas in town are found,' Indy answered.
'I could use a drink,' Shannon said as they drove on.
'There's the stadium,' Nikos said. 'Turn left when you pass it.'
Suddenly soldiers poured out of the stadium, charging into the road, blocking traffic and waving guns.
'Maybe they're on our side this time,' Conrad said hopefully.
A bullet glanced off the hood, another tore into the front seat between Indy and Conrad. 'No, don't think so.'
'This is getting old,' Shannon groused.,
Indy swung the wheel to the left, and drove rapidly along a winding narrow street until they reached a main crossroad.
Nikos pointed to the right. 'The palace is down there.'
More soldiers were hustling into the street where Nikos pointed. Instead of turning, Indy drove straight ahead and directly into a park. He barreled along the sidewalk, scattering the promenading citizens who cursed and shook their fists.
'Where are we, Nikos?'
'In the palace garden. Go that way,' he yelled.
Indy veered to the right, and headed toward the boule vard that fronted the palace grounds. He swerved onto it, and now the palace was on his right. 'We're going to make it,' Conrad said.
'You're dreaming,' Shannon answered.
Indy slowed as they neared the main gate. A couple of dozen armed soldiers stood guard.
'They're the king's men,' Indy said. 'They must be.'
'You ask me, they look just like the ones who've been shooting at us,' Shannon said.
Now Indy wasn't so sure. 'I'm going around. Must be another way inside.'
They circled the palace, but the only other entrance didn't look any more inviting. 'What is that funny looking machine by the soldiers?' Nikos asked, his voice filled with awe.
Indy kept driving.
'It's called a tank,' Conrad explained. 'They started using them in the war. The first tank battle was fought in 1917 at Cambrai.'
'Always nice to have a history professor on hand,' Indy remarked. 'I say we try the main entrance.
What do you think, Ted?'
'We've got nothing to lose. No one shot at us when we passed.'
'Definitely a favorable sign,' Shannon said, his voice thick with irony.
Nikos pointed toward the main entrance. 'Look, the gate is opening for us.'
Indy turned the wheel. A safe harbor, at last. Suddenly, he slammed on the brakes. Another tank blocked the entrance. 'I hope it's the welcoming committee.' Indy looked around, assessing the situation. He was about to back up, but the first tank now was right behind them.
Soldiers surrounded the battered car, their rifles trained on them. 'This doesn't look good,' Conrad muttered.
Hands yanked at the locked doors amid excited yells and shouts of orders. Then everyone stepped back.
No one fired. The soldiers stared as if the car were on exhibit.
'What's going on?' Shannon asked.
With the soldiers out of the way, it was obvious. The two tanks were closing in on them. A second later, they were greeted by a high-pitched screech of crushed metal as one rolled into the front, the other struck the rear.
'Goddamn,' Shannon yelled, popping his door open. They dove out of the car and into the grasp of the soldiers. Indy was lifted by his arms and legs; the knapsack was ripped from his grip. 'Hey, that's my bag. I need it back.'
They ignored him. Behind him the tanks crunched the remains of the Pierce-Arrow.
'Your Highness,' Dorian said, 'the man is dangerous. We don't need foreigners like him. I think he and his friends should be immediately expelled.'
The king leaned back in his thickly padded chair in the royal library. 'If what you tell me is true, then expulsion might be too easy for them. After all, it's a matter of honor as well as justice when someone steals the property of one of our officers, and then opens fire on him.'
'I understand your feeling, Your Highness. However, as you know, no one was injured.'
The king stroked his chin and considered what she had said. 'Why are you defending him, Dr.
Belecamus?'
You'll never find out, she thought. 'I feel partially responsible. This man is one of my graduate students and I brought him here.'
