by John Lyman
“He’s not much for words, is he?” Alon ventured.
“He is a man who carries a great burden,” Eduardo said, taking a seat on a long wooden bench. Looking up at Ariella, he smiled. “I believe we should let the lady go first.”
Ariella placed her hands on her hips and frowned. “It looks like the showers are all private, and you’re turning blue, Mr. Acerbi. We need to get you into a hot shower right now.”
Reluctantly, Eduardo struggled to his feet and they all made their way into individual shower rooms where the steaming water began to bring the feeling back to their numbed skin. Thirty minutes later, dressed in the black monk’s robes they had found hanging in the lockers, the now-warm group was rounded up by a silent monk who led them up a steep stairwell to an arched hallway where more wooden benches lined the walls outside the abbot’s study. Moments later, another monk opened a thick wooden door and motioned to Eduardo. “His Holiness would like to speak with you now, sir.”
For another thirty minutes the group outside sat in the hallway and stared at the stone walls.
“I sure would like to know what they’re talking about in there,” John said, his eyes fixed on the ancient wooden door.
“So would I, little brother,” Alon answered. He had called John little brother ever since their days together in the Negev Desert when the hulking Israeli commando had taken John under his wing. “I feel a little silly carrying a pistol under these monk’s robes.”
One of the Israeli security men smiled. “This is the strangest mission I’ve ever been on. I mean, you have a Catholic pope meeting with a Cathar billionaire, and a Jewish security team guarding a group of Christians. It doesn’t get much stranger than that.”
“Yeah,” Alon laughed. “Throw in some Hindus and Buddhists and we could really have a party.”
Everyone burst out laughing until a monk poked his head through the door and held his finger to his lips.
“What’s with those guys?” Ariella asked. “I feel like we’re all back in grade school.”
“You’re in the monastery’s cloister,” John whispered. “They frown on loud talking and laughing.”
“Oh ... sorry.”
“I think we can forgive you this once,” Pope Michael’s voice boomed from the doorway as he exited the abbot’s study with Eduardo Acerbi at his side.
“Good evening, Your Holiness,” John said, trying to keep from tripping over his long monk’s robes. “It’s a great honor to see you again.”
“The honor is all mine, John. Cardinal Leo has had great things to say about you and your lovely wife, Ariella.” The pope paused for a moment and studied the mystified faces staring back at him. “I suppose you’re all wondering why Mr. Acerbi has asked you to deliver him to an isolated monastery surrounded by water.”
“The question had occurred,” Alon smiled.
“I promise you all of your questions will be answered in due time. Until then, dinner is being served downstairs, and I’m sure all of you could use some hot food right about now. I’ll join you in a few minutes after I change.”
After being led back downstairs by the same unsmiling monk through a maze of corridors, the group entered a beamed dining room lined with beautiful stained glass windows and seated themselves around a long wooden table filled with steaming platters of food. After a few welcome sips of warming wine, the pope entered dressed in a black sweater and jeans and took his seat at the head of the table.
“First of all,” the pope began, “I want to thank all of you for making sure Mr. Acerbi made it here safely. I know all of you have a lot of questions, and I assure you that they will be answered once we’re in a secure location.”
“I thought this was the secure location,” Alon said.
“No, I’m afraid this is just a way station,” Eduardo answered. “Now that Pope Michael is with us, we’ll be boarding a nuclear submarine in a few hours before the sun comes up.”
Alon practically dropped his fork. “Did you just say nuclear submarine?”
“Yes, Mr. Lavi. It will be transporting us to the secure location I was speaking of. Unfortunately, you will all have to trust me a little while longer, because what I have to say cannot be discussed until we reach our destination. At this point all I can tell you is that Pope Michael and I both agree that the world is now entering the first stages of a war.”
“A war!” Ariella’s eyes grew wide. “What kind of war?”
“A war that will soon cover the entire world, my dear.”
Alon stared open-mouthed across the table. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were talking about World War III, Mr. Acerbi.”
“No, my friend, I’m afraid I’m taking about something much worse. Now, would anyone like some more wine?”
CHAPTER 19
Sitting in the underground communication center beneath the villa, the lack of communication from the team on the ground in France was becoming almost unbearable for Leo and Lev. It had been over twenty-four hours since they had heard anything, and every imaginable scenario was running through their minds. The satellite phones they used contained the most secure encrypted software in the world, yet John and Ariella weren’t using them for some reason. Either they were playing it very smart, or something had gone terribly wrong.
“I just called Danny Zamir at Israeli Intelligence Command,” Lev said to Leo. “He’s looking into it. He says the agents he sent with Alon haven’t reported in either. He’s just as stumped as we are. He didn’t want to say it, but I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was worried. If we don’t hear anything in the next twelve hours I’m flying to Paris with a team of my own to find my daughter.”
“Excuse me, Professor.”
Lev looked up to see a pretty young woman from the villa’s security force standing in the doorway.
“Yes, come in my dear. What is it?”
“There’s a priest at the gatehouse. He says he’s from the Vatican and asked to speak to you and the cardinal right away.”
“Have the security people escort him to the house,” Lev said, casting a puzzled glance in Leo’s direction. The two men quickly made their way upstairs just as three youthful members of the villa’s security force arrived with a muscular-looking priest who was carrying a sealed envelope in his hands.
“Who are you?” Leo asked.
“My name is Father Alberto, and I have an urgent dispatch from the Holy Father.” The priest handed a sealed envelope to Leo. After removing the wax seal, Leo opened the envelope and read the short letter inside before turning to Lev with a bewildered look on his face. “Come with me. We need to speak in private.”
Lev’s short legs barely kept up with the tall cardinal as they made their way outside behind the villa. “Our people in France are at Mont Saint-Michel with Pope Michael. They’re all safe.”
“Thank God!” Lev looked like he was about to cry. “What in the world are they doing in a French monastery with the pope?”
“According to this, in a few hours the world press is going to break the news that the pope is missing. Apparently he’s discovered a plot against him within the curia and was forced to go into hiding. Although he didn’t say so, I believe he fears for my safety as well because he also wants me to disappear so that I can’t be summoned back to the Vatican to take his place. He wants the priest who delivered this letter to remain here at the villa as your guest while Bishop Morelli returns to Rome to keep an eye on things.”
Lev’s face was turning pale. “What in the world is going on, Leo?”
“Believe me, I have no idea. I think we need to pump the priest who just delivered this letter for more information.” Leo folded the paper and walked back into the villa to confront the large priest. “Who else knows about this?”
“Knows about what, Your Eminence?”
“Have you read this letter?”
“My orders were only to deliver that envelope, which was sealed.” The man remained rigid as he looked Leo right in the e
ye. “I was sworn to secrecy before they shoved me into an Italian fighter jet. It was quite a ride ...
“A fighter jet?” Leo’s eyes widened. “I’m sure it was quite a ride. Was there anything else?”
“No, Your Eminence ... just that letter.”
Leo tried to manage a tight smile. “Would you like something to eat ... you must be starved by now.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but the pilot of the jet is waiting to take me back.”
“Unfortunately you won’t be returning anytime soon. The Holy Father wants you to remain here as our guest for awhile.”
The priest looked confused as he bowed his head slightly. “Whatever you say, Cardinal.”
“Oh, and one more thing, Father Alberto. Just who was it exactly at the Vatican who swore you to secrecy?”
“Francois Leander, the head of the Swiss Guard. He said to tell you that he sends his regards.”
“Thank you. You’re not a priest, are you, Alberto?”
The young man’s face turned crimson. “No, sir. I’m not supposed to tell anyone ... orders from Francois. But he said if you asked I was to tell the truth. I’m a soldier in the Swiss Guard.”
Leo smiled as he patted the man on the shoulder. “Thank you, Alberto. Might as well make yourself at home. We’ll find you a room upstairs, and the kitchen is down this hall.” Leo nodded to Lev before the two men headed back out to the pool area behind the villa.
“Do you believe his story?” Lev asked, picking up a secure phone from behind the counter at the poolside bar.
“Yes. He used the correct code words. Who are you calling?”
“Danny Zamir. I want him to check on that man’s story. I also want him to figure out a way to get us to France as soon as possible.”
Leo shielded his eyes from the sun’s glare bouncing off the turquoise water beyond the dunes. “I think you’ll find that the young man is telling the truth. Like I said, he used the correct code words.”
“Codes can be broken, Leo ... in case you haven’t noticed by now.”
“True, but I’ve been around the Vatican long enough to know a Swiss Guard when I see one. That guy has Swiss Guard written all over him. I’m sure his story will check out.”
“I hope you’re right.” Lev held up his hand to indicate that he was listening to a voice on the other end of the line. “Hello, Danny?”
“Lev, I figured you’d be calling in a few minutes. I’ll be landing there in two minutes. Hang up now.” The line went dead.
“Something’s up,” Lev said, scanning the western sky. “Zamir didn’t want to talk on the phone ... even a secure one.”
Seconds later, they heard the unmistakable sound of chopper blades beating through the air as a dot on the horizon grew into a large gray helicopter that quickly settled in a cloud of dust between the dunes and the villa. Against the whine of the heated turbines winding down, a balding man wearing a white dress shirt and gray slacks hopped from the chopper and walked straight toward the poolside bar. It was Danny Zamir, the legendary head of the Mossad, and he was walking with a purpose.
“It seems like you’re getting a lot of attention today, Professor,” Zamir said, setting his heavy frame down on one of the spindly bar stools.
Lev opened a bottle of Israeli beer and set it on the bar in front of Zamir. “It’s good to see you, Danny.”
“You too, old friend. I’m guessing you were calling me about the man who just arrived a few minutes ago dressed like a priest.”
“How did you ...
“My people drove him here after we checked him out. He’s the real deal alright. Swiss Guard. He was sent by the Vatican and flew in on an Italian fighter jet.”
“He told us. He also said Ariella and your men are safe.”
Zamir emptied half of his beer in one long gulp. “Want me to answer your next question, Lev?”
“You know I’ve got to go to my daughter, Danny. Can you help us?”
“Let me make this easy for you, Professor. We just received a top priority request from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. He’s dispatching one of our Dolphin-class subs to transport you and the cardinal to a meeting in Gibraltar.”
“Gibraltar? No ... we need to get to France.”
“By the time you get to France, your daughter and the others will be in Gibraltar.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. If we have to go to Gibraltar that’s where we’ll go, but why not fly us there? And what’s all this about subs?”
“Apparently, submarines are the only secure way to travel right now.”
“Do you want to clarify that, Danny?”
“Something about computers and the internet. Our secure phones aren’t secure anymore. That’s why I hung up on you before you could say anything else.”
“Are you talking about the entire Israeli network?”
“Actually, Lev, it’s much worse. Our cyber warfare section has detected a computer worm that’s worked its way into our communications network through the internet. For some reason it hit Israel first, but within a matter of weeks it will begin targeting every country on Earth. We’re talking about all of Europe, the Russians, the Chinese ... even the Americans, and it’s not just the intelligence community that’s being affected. It appears that this worm is working its way into everything connected to a computer, which means it will eventually affect almost every person on the planet, even if they don’t own a computer. From what I’ve been told, it looks like it was designed to infiltrate the infrastructures of the things that support the essentials of everyday life, including communications, food and fuel distribution, transportation, the power grid ... even our bank accounts. Anything that has any connection to computers will be affected, and unfortunately we don’t have a clue as to who or what’s behind it. Our best people are scrambling for more information, but somehow someone out there knows every move we make. They’ve managed to hack their way into our intelligence satellites and have taken control of all the security cameras we’ve been installing in our cities to monitor terrorist activity. They’re now able to track the movement of almost anyone in Israel anytime, day or night. Airports and commercial aircraft seem to be especially vulnerable.”
“You’re talking about literally thousands of different types of encrypted software programs controlling millions of pieces of hardware!” Lev said, his face turning pale. “No one has that power. It’s impossible!”
“Well, it seems that someone’s achieved the impossible, my friend, because it’s happening. The only computer systems that can’t be infiltrated are the ones in our submarines at sea. They’re totally isolated. Even when our subs are docked they’re not plugged into shore-based networks. They never have been for fear of something like this happening. Submarines by their very nature are highly shielded systems that use scrambled burst forms of communication, and they’re not connected to the internet. Their software is compartmentalized within the sub itself. It’s a failsafe mechanism that was designed years ago to prevent a rogue nation from taking over the launch capability of a nuclear sub. You can imagine what that would mean.”
Lev pulled a cigar from his shirt pocket and lit it with a match. “You make this worm sound like some kind of technological Armageddon, Danny.”
“That’s exactly what it is. The days of two armies coming together on the field of battle are over. The next big war, if there ever is another big war, will be one of technology. It’s like science fiction come to life. It won’t matter how many troops or tanks or fighter planes we have. The nation that controls the computers of the world will be the victor.”
“But why Gibraltar?” Lev asked.
“What?”
“You said we are going to Gibraltar.”
“Oh, that. Your daughter and the rest of the team in France will be boarding one of Britain’s Astute-class nuclear subs off the coast of Normandy. From there they’ll be transported to Gibraltar to meet up with you and Leo. Intelligence services from countries all over the world a
re becoming involved, and they chose Gibraltar as their meeting place. Evidently, Acerbi also has a place at the table.”
“That should be interesting,” Lev said, frowning. “When do we leave?”
“Tonight ... after its dark. A Special Forces team will be waiting for you on the beach behind the villa. From there they’ll transport you to a rendezvous point with the Israeli sub Tekuma out at sea.” Zamir finished off his beer before fixing Lev with a look that intensified the worry lines around his eyes. “You know, Lev, in all my years of military and intelligence service, I’ve never seen a threat like this before. It’s diabolical. Whoever’s behind this has become almost God-like overnight, and it’s obvious they already have the upper hand.”
“Any idea what Acerbi has to say?” Leo asked.
“No. I’ve heard he’s being tight-lipped as usual.”
“Then I guess we’d better go pack,” Leo said, standing and stretching his arms over his head. “This is one meeting I don’t want to miss.”
“What’s your hurry, Cardinal?” Zamir called out. “You’ve got a few hours to kill before you leave.”
“I’ll be right back. I need to let Morelli know he’s going for a little ride on a fighter jet this afternoon. He’ll be thrilled.”
CHAPTER 20
Great! It was the first word that came to Leo’s mind as they walked through the confines of one of the Tekuma’s narrow, faux-wood passageways to a tiny cabin. Even though he had worked deep underground in a Pennsylvania coal mine with his father and uncles the summer before he left for his first year of college, Leo had never really liked cramped spaces, and a sub was about as cramped a space as one could hope for. Not only that, but he couldn’t help but think of all the water pressure that would soon be pressing against the hull. If anyone ever did manage to sneak a virus into the onboard computer system of a sub, the resulting malfunction could order it to descend below its classified crush depth. After that the only consolation would be the fact that they probably wouldn’t feel anything when the hull finally imploded.
As soon as they entered the small cabin, a thin, nervous-looking man stepped in behind them and extended his hand. “Welcome to the Tekuma, gentlemen. My name is Misha Bagrov. I’m the security officer onboard the Tekuma. I hope you don’t find our accommodations too spartan. What we lack in space we make up for with good food.”