You could smell the fall in the breeze; it reminded him of his childhood, so far away, like another life.
“Tutto bene your Holiness?”
Avoiding the driver’s question, the Pope asked him, “Silvestro, you were born in Lazio if I remember well?”
Silvestro was taken by surprise, and after a few moments, he opened his mouth:
“Indeed, your Holiness,” he was astonished that the Pope would know such a detail.
This was no surprise. Pope Peter II took no risks in choosing his staff; he had personally and secretly evaluated the files of everyone who worked closely with him.
“Tell me then, have you ever bathed in Lake Albano?” the Pope inquired
Now the driver almost seemed terrified of the strange question.
“No, your Holiness, but I know that the lake formed in a previous small volcanic crater.”
“My grandma once told me a story: that in ancient times the volcanic activity made it flood the entire area,” the driver said, happy he could dig up in his memory a potential satisfactory answer for the Pope.
“Excellent Silvestro, I see you know the history of the lake well. In fact, several hundreds of years before our Savior Jesus Christ was born, during the wars between Rome and Veii, a discharge tunnel was built crossing the crater walls to avoid any further flooding.”
“The tunnel was prophesied by the Oracle of Delphi, as the Roman victory against Veii would only be possible when Albanus Lacus’ water would be controlled by the Romans and used for the good of the people.”
“Did you know that this tunnel still exists, and it ends at a place named “Le Mole,” below our summer residence? Maybe the former Popes were using it as an exit tunnel,” the Pope said with a hint of mischief in his voice.
Silvestro was confused, his mind trying to understand the purpose of this discussion.
He could not focus on his driving, and at a turn, he almost lost the control of the car, slightly steering it towards the end of the road.
“Just joking Silvestro, I would not need the tunnel; I am too well protected.”
“Your Holiness, we are approaching our destination. I will always protect you with my life,” the driver said sincerely.
The Pope nodded and added: “I know my son, I know…”
“God bless you!”
The security agents were using a small drone to secure the perimeter, and the aerial sight offered by livestreaming video directed to the security agents’ XGlasses was breathtaking.
“Your Holiness, welcome,” said a young priest who was in charge of the Pope’s secretariat while visiting his residence.
“I am afraid there is an urgent call that you need to answer,” the priest announced with a trembling voice almost afraid to spoil the Pope’s arrival.
The Pope seemed worried, what could it be now? Can I not even enjoy the sight of the lake for a few minutes?
“Enzio, please transfer it to the secure line in my office.”
He quickly stormed into the castle and pretended to ignore the opulent paintings, which adorned many of the walls. He did not care for the portraits of the previous Popes.
The Pope picked up the phone, “yes, please talk now; the line is secured.”
After several minutes of a monologue from the person on the other line, the Pope started to tremble.
The walls of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo were painted into a blend of white and cream to keep the premises cooler during scorching hot summers.
Castel Gandolfo also boasted three beautifully preserved domes, and with its perfect location at the pinnacle of the hill, it offered a splendid view of the lake.
Its arched garden touched by the sun most of the day had a perfectly trimmed lawn traversed by several stone lines; meridians of an unknown symbol that always baffled high-profile visitors.
Few knew that one of the domes hosted the Vatican Observatory.
He was particularly fond of it, spending many nights inside it trying to understand the mysteries of Astronomy.
Was God speaking to us through science?
Is this the Universe’s way of communicating with us?
Can a black hole be a gateway to Him; to another plane of existence?
“So many mysteries to discover and not much time for me to solve them,” he liked to say to the scientific staff who were substantially reduced in number to please the conservative Cardinals, who deemed the Observatory useless.
§CHAPTER 11§
HIS HOLINESS was sitting on a brown leather couch watching the news with great fascination.
CNN was presenting a short simulation of the newly discovered potentially habitable planet, 110 light-years away from Earth, and it would look like.
Salvatore d’Umbria entered the Gandolfo’s main papal office, which boasted a sizeable 4K plasma TV on an entire wall.
“Your Holiness I am afraid I…” he did not manage to finish his sentence, as the Pope made a hush sign with this finger.
“Salvatore, it can wait. Please come and sit next to me.”
“Incredible… people are not speaking any more about miracles on Earth; they are showing us God’s miracles far away.
“Your Holiness, I didn’t know you were passionate about Astronomy.”
“Do you think it could host life?” Salvatore asked, looking at the bluish tone of the planet with doubt.
“This question no one can answer yet. It is certainly possible. There is a remote chance,” the Pope said with a hint of worry in his voice. “I am afraid…” he said, stopping abruptly, not wanting to show any sign of weakness.
“What are you afraid your Holiness?”
“Salvatore, I am afraid this would be too far for us.”
“The closest Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a star is in Alpha Centauri, just 4.3 light-years from Earth.”
“On top of that, this one is inhabitable for humans, with just a faint chance to have any life.”
“Do you know how much time it would take us to get there with the fastest space propulsion system available?”
“Your Holiness, I am afraid I do not know,” Salvatore said, startled.
“Seventy thousand years Salvatore. You do the math.”
Salvatore took a few moments to reply. “That would be a very long voyage, your Holiness. One would need to live forever to make this trip.”
His face had a strange grimace as the numbers were still swirling in his mind; he always had a keen eye for details but was never good at math.
“It would not even help if we sent Methuselah on this voyage,” the Pope said, laughing.
“After more than five thousand years, he still holds the highest recorded lifespan of a human on this planet, he was nine hundred sixty-nine years old as recorded in Genesis 5:21–27,” the Pope said, still chuckling.
“However, my son, until now, astronomers have found more than five hundred solar systems, and presently scientists estimate we might have one hundred billion solar systems in our galaxy and if we multiply this with the two hundred billion galaxies in the universe…”
“I guess there is a good chance we find life in space and maybe one day reach God in a material form, rather than in a spiritual one,” Salvatore said, his voice full of faith.
“We have to remain faithful that God will guide us, Salvatore, towards the light of hope.”
“What I am afraid of is that most people have lost hope. Scientists do not even believe in God anymore.”
“Salvatore, I called you here because I have to share some vital information with you.”
Salvatore’s face suddenly changed at the thought that something terrible might have happened.
“I need to return to Rome urgently. Would you prefer to take a walk in the garden?” the Pope asked.
“Come, my son, I’ll explain it all. I think some more fresh air. It would do me well.”
The Pope made Salvatore understand that he wanted to discuss some secretive information to avoid any interception by
one of his zealous conservative Cardinals.
The garden was teeming with different spices like daphne and oregano. That, combined with the scent from the roses, was giving a unique, pleasant odor to the place occupying the site of the Roman Emperor Domitian’s former residence.
There was even a small fountain in the middle of several column structures that resembled an improvised Stonehenge temple—the difference being that its top was wooden and its base was surrounded by ivy and roses.
“Salvatore, I need you to go on a special mission.”
“I am afraid that someone who appeared in one of my early visions will destroy everything we built.”
“She must be stopped, or there will be no Christian Church in the next decade,” the Pope said with anger in his voice.
The sounds of crickets and of frogs ribbiting made for a pleasant walk.
The Pope began again to tremble, clutching his fists.
“Are you feeling well, your Holiness? May I bring you a glass of water?” a worried Salvatore asked.
“Grazie Salvatore, but there is no need for that.”
“I want you to prepare my return to the Vatican using our chopper.”
“There is no time to waste. I am afraid calamity is upon us.”
One hour later, a white helicopter with blue stripes bearing the papal flag landed. On its side were the words Republica Italiana, a sign that the Italian state was gracefully providing the Papal rapid means of transport.
Was the emergency justified? What is the carbon footprint of this helicopter ride? the Pope thought.
A young activist would have believed differently; only adding to the rift between the lavish Vatican lifestyle and poverty that its Church followers were still living in during the pandemic crisis.
But if Hollywood celebrities afforded to do this and were allowed, why should his Holiness be any different?
Young people had stopped believing anyway …and if the Pope did not act, catastrophe would fall upon the entire Catholic Church and most of the other world’s religions.
◆◆◆
§CHAPTER 12§
23h32, October 1ST
Brussels,
The Cinquantenaire tunnel
LYDIA REMEMBERED her dad was once the chief of security for the entire Commission and had to reinforce the monitoring in one of the weakest potential penetration points of the Berlaymont’s security perimeter.
After the horrendous terrorist attacks of 2016, they decided to create a new visitor center, which would more effectively deter any ill-intended attempts.
Previously the visitors were only allowed to access the inner space of the building’s reception prior to security checks.
She also remembered her dad was angry due to the lack of funding, which allowed one spot to remain vulnerable: the Cinquantenaire tunnel car’s access to the building.
To facilitate the building’s staff access to parking, a car entry point was built via the tunnel underneath the Arcades du Cinquantenaire, a monumental triple arch in the center of the Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels.
Still in her pajamas, she quickly took her cell phone, which was fully charged and summoned an UBER driver.
Anthony: 4.93 stars was going to be downstairs in 5 minutes.
Hmm, he is rather handsome, and I will ride in a Tesla.
She loved technology and especially liked not having to go through the hassle of parking a car.
I need to tell Anthony to drop me just before the Berlaymont tunnel entrance because no vehicle is allowed without a full check-up.
I will have to avoid detection by the security cameras, hoping the guards and motion sensors will not be alerted.
To tackle the detection issue, she packed up her black stretchable sport-training suit with a comfortable hoodie, which would also protect her face.
She also took a silicon face mask of an elderly lady, forgotten in one of her drawers from an old Halloween party.
Last year she became addicted to CrossFit to cope with her research related stress.
It was paying off; her slim athletic figure was looked upon with desire or envy by friends and strangers alike.
A smart and sharp scientific mind with an almost perfectly sculpted body; it was an irresistible combination.
Her XGlass popped-up in her field of vision with a notification: your UBER driver is almost here.
The storm was wreaking havoc on the poorly illuminated street, where halogen lights were peering through the darkness, as two lighthouses illuminated the path to a mysterious adventure.
“Hi Anthony, do you have the destination?”
“Yes, ma’am, the Schuman Square is not far from here,” the driver responded in excellent English with a Flemish accent. His voice quickly grew angry as the car’s leather interior was splashed by the heavy rain while Lydia hurried inside.
When Lydia lifted her wet hood, the driver saw her beauty, stylish hair, and sweet dark eyes. He was mesmerized and realized that his luck had quickly turned.
“Madame Lydia, how are you tonight?” he asked
Lydia, rather surprised, answered, “I’m in a bit of a hurry to visit a sick friend.”
The driver gave her a compassionate look, “no worries, ma’am, we’ll be there in no time.”
She was worried; I have to help Helene and find out if she is okay.
Lydia hoped that the electromagnetic charge from the storm interfered with Helene’s phone signal. One the other hand, something like this could not happen in a building like Berlaymont.
While trying to order the UBER, her 5G connection dropped several times, and the home’s Wi-Fi was not working…
She has to be okay. She is the only one I’ve got.
Approaching the Cinquantenaire tunnel, a message was flickering at the entrance.
TUNNEL INONDÉ APPROCHEZ-VOUS AVEC PRÉCAUTION
Damn it, the tunnel is flooded. Will the electric car manage?
Or we’ll sink, and the car will stop functioning.
Hopefully, Elon Musk’s claims of the Tesla being waterproof are true, Lydia thought while frowning.
Even at this late hour, there was a long queue of cars.
“The GPS app says we’ll exit this traffic blockage in a few minutes,” Anthony kindly announced.
She suddenly felt her cell phone vibrating and lifted the screen, full of hope.
Lydia took a deep breath of relief: incoming call from Helene de Moncler, accept encryption yes or no?
She quickly clicked on yes: “Helene, are you okay,” Lydia bellowed. For one second, there was no answer.
From the other end, a man’s perfectly pitched voice said: “Lydia, I’m Neo Moore, and Helene de Moncler asked me to contact you.”
“Listen carefully. We don’t have much time. In a few minutes, the traffic will be free, and you have to ask your driver to drop you directly in the tunnel.
Lydia did not know what to say.
“Where is Helene? Is she okay?”
“I am afraid Helene was killed, you are in terrible danger. Tell your driver to drop you in two hundred meters.”
“Helene told me you’d not be able to trust me from the beginning.”
“Remember what she told you once: ‘In dark times you should always look within, the Universe will help you solve the mystery. Trust your instinct and the One who is always glad to be of service.’”
The driver accelerated, and they managed to pass the flooded segment, reassured that the tunnel was relatively dry.
Lydia suddenly asked the driver: “Anthony, please excuse me! Actually, can you please drop me here, at this Berlaymont tunnel entrance? I just remembered forgetting something in my office. I am working in the Berlaymont building.”
The driver was taken by surprise but did not comment as he was mesmerized by her beauty.
“Are you sure you want me to stop here?” I can drop you in front of the building.”
“Here is perfect. It will even be faster. Many thanks for this perfec
t drive, and I will punch in a hefty tip for all your effort.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
In the next second, Lydia was already out of the car, and the driver hurried away to pick up his next customer.
§CHAPTER 13§
“I AM OUT of the car, Neo. I cannot believe she is dead. I recognized her words and believe you. When did it happen?”
“Lydia, there is no time now. I’ll explain everything later. I am afraid your life is also in danger, and Helene’s killers might still be lurking in the building. You need to be extra careful to avoid the security system and not be detected.”
Neo knew it would not be so easy, but he did not want to cause her further panic.
She wanted so badly to understand why someone would hurt Helene.
I will find her killers and get revenge. She remembered what her dad had always told her: “do not let revenge blind you; instead, let it fuel you to do the right thing.”
She wanted justice, and she needed answers.
“I know from my dad that the underground tunnel garage entrance had a security flaw. But how am I going to make it inside?”
Lydia’s worries were clouding her reasoning.
“No worries Lydia, I have a plan, and it will work. You just need to follow my instructions very closely.”
The odor from the rain was embedded in the tunnel’s walls as cars passed by. For the moment, she felt safe under cover of the tunnel’s shadows.
“You’ll have to synchronize your movements with one of the incoming cars to avoid detection. Use the cover of incoming car’s lights, which will temporarily blind the video cameras, to get past them.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot hack into the video camera’s system as it is isolated from the mainframe.”
“You need to time your moves and go underneath them.”
Her face was now covered by the mask, and she looked like an older woman wearing a sport outfit.
Lydia did not know why she trusted this stranger; did he extract the words from Helene?
She wanted to trust him; his soothing voice made her feel safe.
The Jesus Christ Cypher Page 4
