by John Lyman
“Apparently. It seems that, when children are adopted, their original birth records are sealed and they are issued new birth certificates. The names of their birth parents are replaced with the names of their new adoptive parents.”
“Which means that Eduardo was not Rene’s blood father.”
“Exactly, Cardinal, which leaves us with quite a dilemma.”
“I’d say that was an understatement, Your Holiness. All this time we’ve been operating under the false assumption that Rene Acerbi was Eduardo’s only child … his blood child … and now you’re telling me there’s another. How did we miss this?”
“Probably because Eduardo kept it a closely guarded secret. We were all fooled into thinking that Rene was the embodiment of the Antichrist. All of the indicators were there. His seeming invincibility … his efforts to take over the world while appearing to be a savior … even the encoded passages in the Bible code that led us to believe he was the evil one until he died and left us all wondering.”
“So the Cathar woman, Colette, she’s still alive?”
“Very much so.”
Leo had to pause for a moment to think. “I believe we need to look at all the facts again before we rush to judgment, Your Holiness. According to what we know, the Antichrist will be born of a Jackal, so all this talk of a biological son could be irrelevant. If anything, an adopted son like Rene would actually make more sense.”
“Normally, Cardinal, I would agree with you were it not for my increasing belief in the validity of the code. I want to show you something else.” The pope sat next to Leo and spread the rest of his papers out on the table before handing one of them to Leo.
Leo’s face took on a blank expression as he looked at a page filled with astronomical jargon couched in the language of mathematics. “I’m afraid mathematics isn’t one of my strong points, Marcus … I mean, Your Holiness. What am I looking at?”
“It’s a birth announcement.”
“A what?”
“It’s an astronomy report announcing the birth of a new star … a very special star.” The pope pointed midway down the page. “These are the coordinates. It’s sitting right at the edge of our solar system.”
“Another sun?”
“Yes … in a manner of speaking.”
“But that’s impossible … isn’t it? Another sun that close to the earth would be visible to the naked eye.”
“Not if it’s dark.”
“A dark star?”
“Exactly, Cardinal. Up until now their presence was just theoretical. Dark stars were thought to have existed early on in the history of the universe, before conventional stars were able to form, but it appears that astronomers have discovered one right in our own cosmic neighborhood. From what I’ve been able to learn, these massive dark objects are practically invisible, because no visible light can escape from their surface. However, this one has been emitting vast amounts of gamma rays, so for now the astronomers in Hawaii who discovered it are classifying it as a star in the Newtonian sense. Nothing like it has ever been seen before.”
“Something about this seems familiar. When did this thing show up?”
“It appeared this year … on the sixth of August.” The pope handed Leo another sheet of paper. “Now, Cardinal, I want you to read this. It’s a copy of the encoded material you received from Daniel when you were busy in Mexico. I believe you need to read it again.”
Looking down at the page from Genesis, Leo saw the encoded name Eduardo Acerbi at the top of the page crossed diagonally by the phrase Father of the Evil One. Below that was the word that had taken their breath away … Antichrist. Then, at the bottom of the page, the phrase dark star jumped out at him, and running diagonally across it, he saw the phrase it will appear in the child’s sixteenth year.
“Have you checked to see when Acerbi’s son was born?”
“Danny Zamir had two of his men drive into Foix and ask around. Evidently, Eduardo made sure there was no record of the child’s birth, but according to a local woman who knew his mother, he was born on August 6th … sixteen years ago.”
Leo felt the room sway.
“Personally, I was a little surprised that a man Eduardo’s age had a son that young.” The pope stood just as his secretary entered the room and cleared his throat. “They’re ready, Your Holiness.”
“Good. I’ll be right there. Come Leopold, walk with me. I’ve called a meeting of all the cardinals, which includes you.”
Gathering his thoughts, Leo followed the pope through the tall doors and down a winding staircase to a long hallway that led to the Sistine Chapel.
“You said Eduardo was in Turkey?” Leo asked as they walked.
“He was. He’s in Iraq now. Turns out it wasn’t as difficult to find him as we first thought when he went missing. He’s keeping a low profile, but he’s not hiding. After all, he’s a hero. He’s the man who saved the world from falling into the hands of a madman.”
“How did he end up in Iraq?”
“From what we can tell he and his family traveled overland from France to Istanbul. They stayed in Turkey for two weeks, where they made daily excursions to an ancient temple that was unearthed last year.”
“A temple?”
“Yes … and not just any temple. Supposedly, this particular temple is almost twelve-thousand years old. The locals in the area told us there was a team of archaeologists with him and that they appeared to be looking for something at the site.”
“Strange that they would head straight for the Fertile Crescent … to an area that’s considered to be the birthplace of the world’s three monotheistic religions. Does anyone know what they were looking for?”
“Not a clue, but they either found it or gave up looking, because they suddenly packed up and left. They popped up a few days ago in Iraq … in a house near the ancient city of Babylon. From what Lev told me, the house is actually more of a fortress. Eduardo was able to reclaim his family’s fortune, and like Rene, he’s surrounded himself and his family with a small army of security people. Morelli tried to contact him, but he’s refusing to talk to us or anyone else.”
“He might talk to me. I felt like we had some kind of rapport when we met with him at his house in Foix.”
“We’re under the opinion that’s too risky right now. I’ve been discussing it with some of my advisors, and the more we think about it, the more we’re beginning to think that this whole business with Rene was just a trial run. Someone or something wanted to see how we would react when we thought we were facing the Antichrist, and we acted just as they predicted … with guns and bullets.”
“But at the time …”
“This is spiritual warfare, Cardinal. Bullets and guns will be worthless in this fight. In fact, they serve only to keep us chained … slaves to evil. Warfare between men has always played right into Satan’s hand.”
“Then what are you suggesting we use instead, Your Holiness?”
“We have only prayer, Leopold, nothing else. Our prayers are our shields and our spears, for they hold more power than all the weapons in the world. This is a battle between God and Satan, and mankind is the ultimate prize. Some will seek Satan’s way and some will seek God’s, but let there be no mistake, now is the time to choose sides.”
The pope turned left and walked quickly down a side hall toward the Sistine Chapel, where dozens of cardinals were waiting. Just as they reached the door, Leo held his hand out in front of the pope. “What are you up to, Marcus?”
“You’ll see, old friend … you’ll see. Just stay by my side.”
CHAPTER 68
Rows of Catholic Cardinals lined the sides of the Sistine Chapel in a sea of red as Pope Michael and Cardinal Leo entered and walked under Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling. Without looking around, the pontiff headed straight for the center of the chapel and stopped. The room grew deathly quiet as his long flowing robes spun outward as he turned and scanned the faces staring back at him, for it was well known that t
his Jesuit warrior usually had little to say when he called them together, which was rare, but when he did his speech to them was always worth hearing.
Leo felt uncomfortable standing in the center of the chapel at the pope’s side instead of at his usual position, which was usually at the back of the room with no one standing behind him. He looked to his side and saw the pope’s blue eyes, unblinking, totally focused on what he was about to say.
“Good afternoon, Cardinals.”
One-hundred-and thirty-seven voices answered in unison. “Good afternoon, Your Holiness.”
“I hope you are all well, because over the course of the next several years, none of us will get much rest.”
A hushed murmur rose over the room.
“As many of you are already aware, the dark star heralding the arrival of the Antichrist is upon us. The Evil One is alive and in the world of men, and now the battle begins. We are entering dangerous waters, and we must stand united as one in the spiritual war that is about to descend upon us. Tomorrow, as we begin to make preparations here in Vatican City, I will be sending you back to your respective dioceses. Your parishes will become your platoons, and you will be their generals. You must energize your flocks, for idleness in the face of evil will only breed greater evil. All around the world, people of every faith must begin preparing themselves for what is to come, and we will strive to be their guiding light.”
Pope Michael paused to let his words sink in. “Does anyone have any questions?”
A frail and elderly cardinal raised a trembling hand. “How are we supposed to fight against that which has already been prophesized in Revelation, Your Holiness? Are you asking that we attempt to change a history that has already been laid before us in the New Testament?”
“History is what we make of it, Gentlemen. The Book of Revelation is a giant enigma full of ancient riddles written by man, and despite the many interpretations we have all been exposed to, we must remember that we are first and foremost all soldiers of the cross. Until that day when we draw our last breaths, we will fight in His name against any real evil that makes an appearance in the world, but we will not waste time swinging at ghosts.”
No one else raised their hand.
“Today we enter a new era. I am bringing the Church into the twenty-first century, and to do that I will need your help. We must not allow our faith to wither on the vine from past sins. We must look forward with divine guidance to lead us in a resurgence born of a renewed devotion to our true mission. In the coming days, you will find that many changes have been made within the Church … changes that some of you may not approve of. That is your choice. For those of you who believe that these changes violate some of the basic religious tenets of our faith, I can tell you now that we considered only antiquated edicts that came from man and not from God. These decisions were not taken lightly, and I can assure you that none of our religious principals were altered in a decision-making process that included several of the men sitting in this room today. If, for some reason, any of you feel that you cannot make the adjustment as the Church evolves in the new millennium, please feel free to retire from your present positions with our blessing and know that you have our sincere gratitude for the years you have served us.”
The cardinals all looked to their right and their left, each wondering who would be returning the next time the pope called them all together.
The pope waited for another question, but none came.
“Before I leave, I have one final piece of business I would like to pass on to you in person. Today, I am appointing my second-in-command … our new Secretary of State, Cardinal Leopold Amodeo.”
Applause broke out as a shocked Leo turned toward the pope with his mouth hanging open.
“Those of you who know our good friend the cardinal know that he has never sought this position, nor did he ever wish to hold it, but hold it he must, for it is God’s decision to make, not his.”
Glancing over at the pope, Leo could tell by his solemn intensity that this was not a matter to be argued. It was done. His worst fear, the fear of promotion to a higher office, had just come true.
Turning on his heels, the pope nodded to Leo and the two men strode from the chapel against the background noise of hushed voices all talking at once. Making their way back to the papal apartments, Leo followed slightly behind, afraid to speak, as if he had just been chastised instead of being promoted to the second highest office in the Catholic Church.
Casting a glance back over his shoulder, the pope smiled. “What’s the matter, Leopold? Is something bothering you?”
“I knew you were up to something, I just didn’t realize it involved me.”
“You’ve been tapped as our battlefield commander, Cardinal, and as a student of history, I’m sure you know what that position entails.”
“Let’s just say that I believe the Church would be better served by someone other than myself, Your Holiness. It seems that lately I’ve grown weary. In fact, I was thinking just this morning of a quotation I remembered from a class I taught on the French and Indian War in America, when the French commander described his British counterpart as a man where age has lessened in him the fire necessary for the execution of great undertakings, and after all these years, I’m beginning to think that observation applies to me as well.”
“So, you’re not up to the task?”
“I will do whatever Your Holiness wishes.”
“You remind me of myself the day I was elected Pope. I too had the same self-doubt. For weeks a cloud of depression hung over me as I struggled to accept the fact that God and others had seen something in me that I had not seen for myself. The same applies to you, Leopold, and in time you will come to see that this was the right decision for the Church. I have faith in you, but more importantly, God has faith in you.”
The two walked on in silence until they reached the pope’s library, where the pope refilled Leo’s glass from a new bottle of wine. “A toast to my new Secretary of State.”
Leo managed a weak smile as he lifted his glass in return.
The pope’s eyes narrowed at Leo as he reclined on a couch and crossed his long legs. “I have some news that might cheer you up a little, Cardinal.”
“You’re resigning?”
Both men began to laugh as the comfortable familiarity of two old college friends returned.
“No, actually it involves one of the changes coming to the Church.”
Leo was immediately curious. “I was wondering about those. Please tell me we’re going to resume saying mass in Latin.”
“That’s one of the changes we’re making. Another involves the marriage of priests.”
The pope maintained a neutral expression as he swirled the wine in his glass. This man would make an excellent poker player, Leo thought, his heart beginning to beat faster in anticipation.
“After the First Lateran Council in 1123, priests have been forbidden to marry and have children, something that’s always struck me as being hopelessly out of touch with reality. Since the Middle Ages, we’ve clung to an antiquated custom that has done nothing but bring great harm to our religion, but after tomorrow I plan on changing all of that. Catholic priests will be free to marry and have families. We will be striking back at evil where evil has struck at us. Had this practice been banned years ago, we might not have suffered the sins of those who infiltrated our ranks and preyed on those who trusted them. I want our priests to be proud to walk down the street wearing their Roman collars again. Men need balance in their lives, and the love of a good woman and the ability to father children is a God-given right that should never have been taken away in the first place, especially when you consider the fact that those who made that decision also believed in things like self-flagellation and burning innocents at the stake for joining a different church.”
“The Cathars?”
“Yes, the Cathars were viciously persecuted, among others. Which brings me to another point, Cardinal. Before you start your n
ew job I need you well rested. You are my senior general now, and we must find out what Eduardo is up to in Iraq. That will be your first order of business when you return.”
“Return from where, Your Holiness?”
“From the sabbatical I’m sending you on, only this time you’re not allowed back for a month.”
Leo stood by the window and looked down upon Saint Peter’s Square. “Now is hardly the time for me to be going on vacation, Marcus. You’ll need me here for Midnight Mass at Christmas.”
“I’m afraid I must insist. The Church has purchased some property in France … in the mountains along the Spanish border. I believe that’s an area you are very familiar with. Your plane leaves tonight.”
EPILOGUE
It was late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, and the sun was already beginning to dip on the horizon when Leo drove the rented Nissan SUV through the village of Foix and headed up the steep mountain road. Even though he had just left this place, he had already started dreaming of the day when he would return. To him, this was as close to the mythical land of Shangri-La as any real place on earth. The time he had spent there in isolation with his friends, hiding out among the giant trees of the forest, had been some of the most peaceful days of his life, and unlike the others, he had felt no relief the day they had all learned they would be leaving their forest retreat to return to their former lives.
Looking through the windshield at the winter storm outside, he was now thankful that he had rented a vehicle with four-wheel drive as he continued up the mountain road to the three rustic cabins that had just been suspiciously purchased by the Church. There, in a peaceful glen away from the world, he would finally be able to take long solitary walks through the forest, thinking and writing in blissful isolation as he planned for the spiritual tribulation he knew was coming. There had to be answers to his questions about God’s plan for the future, and something told him that it would be here in the mountains that those answers would come to him.