Short Round had never ridden a plane before. It was amazing, being so high above the earth; in the clouds. He spent the most of the long flight staring out the window down to the land of China below. When his face wasn't smashed against the glass, the hyper eleven-year-old boy bounced in his worn seat and chatted with Wu Han while Indy was asleep with his hat lowered over his eyes or with Indy when he wasn't.

They landed that afternoon and Dr. Jones informed him that they had to take another flight to reach their destination. While they waited, the trio had lunch. Short Round practically inhaled his chicken and rice and only slowed down when Wu Han gently told him to. Despite his fortunate streak of hot, full meals the past few days, he learned to eat as much as you can when you can because you never know when your next meal will be.

The second flight was less exciting and just as lengthy. Outside the window was pitch black so there was nothing to see. He was sitting in the middle anyways. Full from the meal and exhausted from traveling, which was surprising to him since all he did was sit all day, the small child tucked his faded blue jacket around him and fell asleep, curled up in his seat like a kitten.

Indiana soon found the kid's head on his arm, having shifted as one does unconsciously in their slumber. In the dim light, Indy caught Wu Han's eye as the Dutch-Chinese man glanced up from his book. They both glanced down at the tender sight before them then grinned at each other. As carefully as possible, Indiana slowly removed his numb arm and adjusted Short Round so that his head was resting comfortably on his thigh. The boy stiffened a bit and his eyes open to bleary slits, but then he soon relaxed after recognizing who it was and fell back asleep immediately.

After they landed, Wu Han arranged lodging in a hotel across from the landing strip. They spent the night there until dawn.

Short Round had never ridden a yak before. He didn't know anyone who could make that claim either. Wu Han had hired two guides to take them up the Himalayan mountains.

  "We travel by yak," one guide explained in Chinese, patting the side of the animal.

  "We must warn you," the other added gravely, "Bandits have been known to attack travelers in the area we are headed."

Having all understood, the three adventurers exchanged glances. In response to Indy's questioning eyes, Wu Han patted his pocket. Indiana Jones nodded. Then he turned to the guides.

  "Take us there."

Short Round buttoned up this worn out coat. It barely kept out the cold. It never snowed in Shanghai. He wasn't dressed for the cold. Thankfully, he only felt a chill because of the yak's warm body and thick, brown hair. Indy rode behind him. Clad in his leather jacket with his fedora pulled low, he seemed unbothered by the freezing temperature. His sharp eyes swept over the horizon.

  "You think there be more trouble, Indy?" Short Round asked.

  "It doesn't hurt to be cautious, kid."

Short Round nodded in agreement and began scanning the area as well for thieves or Lao Che's men.

  "By the way, I have something for you."

Short Round turned as far as he could eagerly while Indiana rummaged around in his satchel. Gifts were rare for the pickpocket. He couldn't remember the last time he was given one.

Dr. Jones handed him a floppy object with an awkward grin. It was an once white cap with a strange symbol on the front.

  "It's a Yankees baseball cap," Indy explained. "It was mine, but I think you will appreciate it more than me. Sorry it isn't new."

Short Round immediately slapped the hat onto his head. It was slightly loose, so his friend tightened it behind him. The boy turned around completely and launched into Indy's arms. The yak grunted at the movement.

  "I love it. Thank you, my friend."

  Indiana Jones cracked a smile and squeezed a bit tighter. "You're welcome, kid."

About an hour later, their guides began to grow anxious, their heads snapping towards every mound of snow. Even the yaks moaned uneasily.

  "What is wrong?" Wu Han asked.

  "This is ambush territory. Most travelers are attacked here," one of them explained.

Meeting Wu Han's gaze, the archeologist checked his gun, making sure it was loaded and the safety off. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his old friend doing the same thing.

They traveled the next twenty minutes in silence. Everyone was on high alert. It seemed as though the entire mountain was holding its breath.

Suddenly, Short Round spotted movement. The tip of a snow hill crumbled, rolling down the hill and casting a spray of icy mist in its wake. It was subtle and barely noticeable, which was why only the boy witnessed it.

  "Dr. Jones," was all he was able to get out before he was cut off by a gunshot. The yaks groaned in fear. Nomadic thieves burst from the rocks and snow and charged at the party. They wielded guns and spears and a determined resolve, but their disadvantage was that their prey was ready.

Wu Han began taking down foes with deadly accuracy and Indy followed his example. When the enemy started sent bullets whizzing through the air, the travelers took cover behind their large yaks, Indiana dragging the kid off the animal with him as he dropped. Thankfully, the bandits couldn't hit the broadside of a barn to save their lives, but they were more accurate with their spears. The American and Chinese boy started as a spear sailed over their yak and stabbed the ground a few feet away.

The nomads circled around the creatures. They were not just brave, but fearless, and lack of fear could get your killed. The moment their was no animal between them, Indy and Wu Han killed them immediately with their guns. The guides were also armed with knives and made quick work of their opponents. When one or two did manage to get past the men, Short Round found himself facing an adversary; karate against spear.

He disarmed his opponent first, kicking the weapon out of his hand. The spear flew in the air and the boy caught it. He drove it down on his knee and broke the stick to his height.

  "Ow," he exclaimed quietly to himself, rubbing the bruise before tossing away the pointed end. Now he was the one with a weapon. With the skills he learned from various teachers, usually opium dealers and other street kids, Short Round decisively delivered his blows. After taking his first opponent down with a hit to the head, he turned to another, poised in a fighting stance.

He cracked his makeshift staff onto the man's knuckles, forcing him to drop his weapon. Then he caught his leg and tripped him, throwing the man onto his back. Another smack to the face rendered him unconscious. Standing over his fallen enemies, Short Round ceremoniously drove his staff down into the snow.

  "Shorty, look out!"

The boy turned quickly to find a bandit pointing a gun at him. Short Round froze. All he could do was stare into the barrel aimed to his forehead. A shot rang out and Short Round shuddered.

Blood trickled from the thief's mouth and he slumped face down into the snow, exposing the epic archeologist behind him. The kid's mouth dropped in awe, his eyes alight with surprised gratitude.

  Indiana Jones jogged up to him. "You okay, kid?" Short Round nodded, too stunned to speak. No one has ever saved his life before except for himself. Then Indy called, "Wu Han? you still with us?"

  "For the moment," their companion replied curtly. "Let us continue before I am suddenly not."

  Although he did not understand Wu Han's English statement, one of their guides declared in awe as if he did, "They will not attack again. They realized they are unmatched and ran off."

  "Good," Indy grunted. "That's just how I like it."

From there, it wasn't far to their destination. Short Round spotted a cabin in the distance and pointed it out.

The guides waited with the yaks as the three treasure hunters approached the door. Indiana knocked and it opened a moment later. A middle aged Chinese man startled at the sight of an American, a boy, and a Dutch-Chinese at his doorstep. Shaking himself out of his stupor, he welcomed them in.

The house was notably warmer than the outdoors with a fire roaring in the hearth with a teapot dangling above it. The man introduced himself as Shan and asked them to sit at the table. Then he poured everyone a cup of tea.

"My name is Dr. Indiana Jones. I'm an archeologist," Indy began. "These are my companions Wu Han and Short Round." They each nodded as addressed. Then the professor shifted forward as he continued, "I'm looking for an artifact that may have been or still is in your possession."

"Like you, I have found a few treasures in my lifetime. Not as many, I'm sure. I only consider it a hobby, not a profession."

"I'm after Nurhachi in particular."

Shan huffed a laugh. "Did Lao Che send you?"

"We have a deal," Indy replied stiffly, "but I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."

Short Round frowned at the expression, but Shan nodded.

"That is very wise. Lao Che would stop at nothing to claim the ashes of his ancestor. Don't ever let your guard down."

"So, do you have it?"

"No. I am not sentimentally attached to a dead emperor and I'm no friend of Lao Che. I recently sold it to a man who in turn will sell it again in his pawn shop."

"Where?"

"Istanbul, Turkey."