Breaching the Wall

[Ender]

A Swiss Guardsman was manning the night watch and was assigned to watch the various monitors in the Operations Center. The young man was on his best behaviour following the procedure as written to the letter, as for some reason tonight was the night that the Deputy Commandant decided to be present in the Operations Center. There was no discussion before hand, or any hint in the schedule. The Vice-Commandant just stood off to the side, periodically checking his watch but not saying a word. A cold sweat began to run down the young guardsman’s neck, for he was sure the man was scrutinizing him. As such he nearly jumped out of his chair when he the vice-commandant cleared his throat suddenly and spoke.



“You may go for your break; I’ll cover your station. Oh, and please take your time, you needn’t hurry back.” The young guardsman stood up despite his confusion at the man’s order. It was still another 2 hours before he was supposed to take his first break, but he smoothly slid his chair back and saluted before turning to leave the room. Just as he made it to the door, he glanced back to see the vice commandant switch off a series of monitors, though he had no time to react as the doors slid shut cutting him off from the Operations Center…

*****

In one of the more remote courtyards of the Vatican, a couple Swiss Guardsman were prying open one of the discreetly designed access covers to the underground network that was underneath the Vatican Hill. Usually doing such would trigger an alarm and the descent of the full weight of the Swiss Guard, but tonight all remained silent. They reached down into the hole and helped another man bundled in a black clergy cloak out of the hole. The new man scrupulously kept his hood down and ensured that no observer could tell who he was. The two Guardsmen quickly replaced the access cover, and then hurried the man through the gardens and grottos of Vatican City. It was clear that this was not an ordinary visitor. The early summer sun was just starting to lighten the sky as the two Guardsman got to the side door of a chapel and knocked rhythmically after a moment the door opened and the three men entered. They were joined by a third Guardsman, this one in full regalia. The man in the cloak lowered his hood now that he was inside the protective cover of the ancient building. His face was scared, and even had some fresh cuts and bruises, but he was still recognizable as Jack Daniels, former Cardinal turned Anathema by the orders of the current Pope. The three guards man all genuflected and in turn kissed the man’s proffered hand. Usually, they would be kissing the man’s episcopal ring, but that was taken along with all the man’s other possessions when he was publicly and violently defrocked in Saint Peter’s Square. Once the three Guardsmen had stood, they made their way through the twisting labyrinthine corridors of the ancient building. After several minutes they emerged in a room that would be familiar to most around the world, the Fresco of the Last Judgement being illuminated by the first rays of the morning sun.



In the room were arrayed a dozen or so older men all dressed in the robes of Cardinals, some in the formal Reds others in the Black with Red pipping but all were Cardinals. The assembled men all turned in unison, and not one showed any surprise on their face at the newcomer’s arrival. Indeed, why would they for they had each hosted the man in secret in their Palazzos over the course of the last year.



“Brother Cardinals,” Jack Daniels announced, his voice slurred from the obvious abuse he had received in the intervening time since his defrocking. “Today is the day that we end the tyranny of this so called ‘Pope’. His ‘reforms’ have damaged the Church we love, and almost thrown us back into the dark days of the Pre-Vatican II church. We cannot let this stand, and we will not let it stand. For today we end his papacy, in the only method by which this is allowed. I will neither bore nor burden you with the details, but I urge you all to stay away from the Apostolic Palace for the day, but still be close at hand.”



*****

Hadrian was standing near the window of the Papal Offices while he was watching the sun come to its apex. It was an absolutely lovely day; the likes of which Rome has always been known. It was one of the many reasons that Rome has been the heart of empires and even the world. In fact unbeknownst to the Pope it was almost a carbon copy of May 6th 1527, and like that fateful day more then just the weather would be brought forward to the modern day. Hadrian turned as there was a resonating knock on the door of his office. He turned to see his life long friend turned Camerlengo enter and bow, before announcing,



“Colonel William "Doc" Woods, Commandant of the Pontifical American Guard” The camerlengo stepped aside and allowed a statuesque American to enter. Hadrian smiled as he laid eyes on the man.



“Doc, it is so good to see you again. It has been to long. Please sit.” Hadrian’s smile was broad, and his emotion reflected in his eyes. The two men had known each other in another life.

“Thank you, Your Holiness…” Colonel Woods said with an equally broad smile. Hadrian came close and placed his arm on his friend’s shoulder.


“When we are alone Doc, you can just call me Hadrian.” He then guided his friend over to the seating area before the grand fireplace where tea had been laid out. Hadrian took his seat first, and then Doc followed soon there after.



“So are your men ready to formally take over protection duties today?” Hadrian asked with a knowing smile. For months now the Pontifical American Guard had been setting up their operations in the reclaimed Castel Sant’Angelo and preparing for the formal hand off of the close protection duties from the Pontifical Swiss Guard.



“Most assuredly Hadrian, we stand ready to ensure your safety with our very lives if needed. In fact I brought several of my men here with me today…” Woods looked like he was prepared to say more when a sound that had never been heard within the sacred walls of the Vatican before sounded through the marble halls of the Apostolic Palace. Hadrian and William’s heads snapped towards the doors in unison, William’s hand drawing his Colt 1911 Pistol from its holster with the smooth assurance of rote training. The sound was like the crack of thunder and struck a chill into the hearts of both men… how could this be happening. Woods pushed the Pope down behind the dubious protection of the heavy leather and wood furniture as the doors burst open. In rushed 3 of the 4 American Guards man who had been left in the hall, accompanied by the Camerlengo.



“SIT REP!” Both Hadrian and Woods yelled in unison. The most senior of the guardsman snapped to attention as his men secured the doors blocking them with ancient furniture and art work whose value was beyond the dreams of avarice.



“Commandant! We were standing guard at the door when the two Swiss Guardsman stationed began to level their weapons at us. Thankfully our men noticed the sift of the weapons and we quickly eliminated the threat, but Carson was felled in the defense. While we were securing the area, a strike force of Swiss Guardsman entered the corridor and began opening fire, we had to retreat into here.” The officer reported as bullets could be heard expending their force ineffectually upon the heavy reinforced doors of the Papal Offices.



“How many?” Woods asked his face a mask of stone and anger.



“At least twelve Sir, one of whom was carrying a large duffle. At this point in time, we can only assume that their goal is the Assassination of the Pope.” Hadrian stood then, it was obvious for the moment he was relatively safe, and he was not one to balk from danger.



“Impossible! The Pontifical Swiss Guard has overseen Papal Protection since 1506, they gave their lives boldly in the defense of our Personage countless times in the past. I can’t believe that they are truly Swiss Guardsman.” Hadrian’s mind just couldn’t wrap itself around such a betrayal. Woods looked to his friend and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.



“Think Hadrian, reason! IF they are not Swiss Guards then they could be here only with the ascent of the Swiss Guard, either way your security is compromised. We must retreat to the only place we can keep you safe. Lieutenant check the windows, can we use the side passages to escape through the courtyards to Fall Back A?” Woods ordered, Hadrian looked confused, what the hell was Fall Back A?” One of the American Guards withdrew from the door and went to the window, only to be met by sniper fire from one of the rooftops, thankfully he anticipated coming under fire and quickly slammed the heavy wooden shutters closed.



“Negative sir, it seems the Swiss Guard have secured the grounds and have snipers placed to take us. Fall Back A is lost, and like B & C as well.”



“Damn, I was afraid of that. That leaves us only one option.” Woods made his way to the massive fireplace. He depressed an hidden switch and a secret passage opened up allowing access to a dark and dusty tunnel.



“Your Holiness if you please, I need you and the Camerlengo to accompany me down this passage as quickly and quietly as you can. My men will hold this room as long as possible.” Woods nodded to his men, knowing that he would likely never see them again. Hadrian looked about to protest as the doors to the office were rocked by a massive blow, causing the three guardsmen in the room to heave their bodies against the door to hold it shut. There could also be heard the creaking open of secret side passages. Woods didn’t know how long he could keep the Pope safe, his only option was to get him to Castel Sant’Angelo, and the only way to do that was to take Il Passetto, even if the Swiss Guardsmen knew about it. He could only hope that this conspiracy didn’t make it to the top, for only three people knew of how to access Il Passetto, the Pope, and the Commandants of the two Guard Corps.



“We don’t have time, go!” Woods yelled as he bodily shoved the two clergymen into the secret passage securing it behind himself with a final salute to his men.



*****

The Lieutenant turned to his men and smiled.



“This is why we signed up for this, let us call down the very Wrath of God on these traitors.” The two other guardsmen nodded gravely as they retreated from the door and took shelter behind furniture. When they arrived, they had pushed the massive solid oak Papal desk against a wall, and now they arrayed themselves around it as if the Pope himself was hidden behind it. They didn’t have to wait long as the room was breached from three directions almost in unison. Two side passages and the main doors opened, and as they did so the three guardsmen, with judicious pistol fire turned the sanctity of the office into a hell the likes of which only Satan himself could imagine. Each guardsman was equipped with 3 spare clips, which in total gave each guardsman exactly 33 cartridges, one for each year that Christ had lived.



They easily repelled those who tried to push through the man-sized side passages, leaving 12 dead insurgents between them. The main doors were another story, first the enlisted guardsman fell one after the other to the automatic fire coming from the main doors. Leaving only the Lieutenant left as he crouched slamming his last clip into his pistol. He breathed three times before he vaulted the makeshift barricade and charged the line of Swiss Guardsman at the door, firing his final clip his aim seeming guided by Angels. Each bullet found it’s mark and another 8 guardsman fell to his fire, but that would be his last stand, for he fell from the countless bullets that ripped through his barely armoured body.



“EAS IN CRUCEM!” Were the last words that left him as they echoed through the marble halls.



*****



The darkened passage gave way to massive, armoured door that blocked their path. Woods came to the door and manipulated the ancient lock to open the door. After a failed first attempt he got it, just as the corridor was rocked by a massive explosion. Dust fell all around the three men as Woods used his body to cover the two clergy. It lasted only a moment and then the three of them were running down the elevated Papal Express route through the streets of Rome.



*****



A massive explosion echoed through the streets of Rome, and the windows of an entire floor of the Apostolic shattered outward raining down shards of broken glass on the crowds below. An instant later smoke began to billow from the Apostolic Palace, plain for the whole world to see.


*****



“What the hell is going on!” Oberst Pius Segmüller, yelled as he entered the Operations Center.



“It seems that there has been an explosion in the Apostolic Palace.” His second in command Oberstlieutnant Luis Bracher said calmly as if he were announcing that there was rain.



“How the hell can you be so damned calm?” Segmüller said as he approached the monitors to assess the situation.

“Because it is all part of the plan.” Bracher said as he withdrew his Glock 19 from its holster and leveled it at his boss’s head. The last thing that Segmüller saw was the smile on his subordinate’s face as he pulled the trigger.

 

[Ender]

Lt. Colonel John Dougherty was running his men through a close combat and breaching drills in the massive drum tower of the Castel Sant’Angelo. Breach and Clear drills as well as urban combat had been the focus of their activities since they arrived in Rome. Since the majority of their duties would involve such activities. He had just cleared a room having struck the last of the defenders with close quarters hand to hand combat. When the ground seemed to heave slightly under foot, it wasn’t enough but it was enough to allow everyone in the Castel to know that something was going down. It was most assuredly not part of the exercise. Dougherty’s first thought was an earthquake, as Rome was in a tectonically active region, but something about the sudden change seemed off. He brought his hand to his walkie-talkie and switched channels to the general comms channel.


“Report?” He said as he squeezed his throat mike, after a moment he got a report back.



“Sir! It seems there has been an explosion in the Vatican. The Swiss Guard are not answering our communications. From what we can observe from here, the explosion was on the same floor as the Papal Offices and Apartments… We also have lost contact with our team that was visiting the Pope. Which includes the Commandant, at this moment you are in command, Orders Sir?” The Guardsman reported. Dougherty paled slightly, but quickly recovered.



“At this point in time we must assume that ’The Wall Has Been Breached’, as such we move to Contingency 1. Our first step is to secure the Vatican and ascertain the status of the Pope. Contact the American Embassy and get a sit rep from them. As they are closer to the situation than we are. In the meantime, assembled Teams 1 and 2 and have them deploy. Team 1 via ground and insert team 2 on the roof of the Apostolic Place via helicopter. I am on my way to the Ops Room now. Dougherty out.” Dougherty removed his hand from the throat comms as his orders were relayed over the intercom system. He hustled his way through the halls of the Castel and to the ops center in the basement. He entered and immediately his NCOIC reported in.


“Sir, teams A and B have been dispatched we are getting preliminary feeds from Team B.” Sergeant Major Thomas Kincaid reported as the feed from the Pontifical Helicopters were brought up. The feed showed the smoke billowing from the windows of the Apostolic Palace, and the audio feed of the pilots was patched through the speakers in the room.



“This is Pontifical One, we have a lot of smoke here, and the damage of an obvious explosion in the Apostolic Palace. We are coming back around to land on the roof but have to vector into avoid the worst of the smoke.” Silence came on the line then as the pilots focused on repositioning, after a moment the three camera feeds showed their change of vector, the room watched with bated breath as the helicopters came in to land. Suddenly the angle of the camera feeds changed dramatically as the pilots pulled up sharply.



“We are taking fire, repeat we are taking fire. Repositioning for an LZ in the Courtyard… I repeat the Swiss Guard are firing upon us!” The pilot said into the mike as the helicopters banked sharply.



Dougherty gritted his teeth, he didn’t know what was going on, but with the silence from the Swiss Guard command post and now this, he had an inkling. He leaned in and depressed the communications button.



“Negative, I repeat negative. Clear that Roof, from this point forward the Swiss Guard are reclassified as Hostile. I repeat the Swiss Guard are to be considered Hostile!” Dougherty said firmly.

“Copy that, Swiss Guard reclassified as Hositle. Beginning attack run.” The Pilot reported as the feed changed and the three helicopters began a strafing run of the roof top.





******



From the Pontifical Swiss Guard Operations Center in the depths of the Vatican, Oberstlieutnant Luis Bracher watched as the Helicopters began their approach, he calmly leaned over the comms stud and dispatched to his men.



“The American Guards are behind the plot; they are not to be allowed to land.” He watched with satisfaction as his men opened fire on the Helicopters where they came in range. He then paled visibly as the Helicopters vectored around and laid waste to the roof top with utter abandon… what had he gotten into. He turned sharply as one of the others in the Operations Center.



“Oberstlieutnant, we are getting a report that we are under fire at Saint Anne’s Gate”



“Bring it up!” Bracher ordered as he turned back to the screen. The security cameras showed that there was a raging firefight at Saint Anne’s Gate between entrenched Swiss Guardsman and several military style vehicles in use by the American Guards. Bracher was surprised that the American’s would respond first with violence.



“Saint Anne’s Gate,” Bracher ordered redirecting his communications to them, “Do not allow the Americans inside the walls!” Bracher was beginning to lose his cool when a hand was placed heavily on his shoulder.



“Do not worry my Son, the Lord God will not allow us to fail in this most Holy of Mission.” The voice was slurred but solemn and confident. Bracher looked over his shoulder at the Cardinal and smiled comforted by the man’s assurances.



“Of course Your Holiness. It shall be done.”

 

[Ender]

The Guardsman who had been tasked with breaching the Papal Office came back, spattered with blood, he entered the Operations Center, and was greeted by Cardinal Daniels and Oberstlieutnant Luis Bracher. He instantly came to attention and made his report.

“Sir! We successfully breached the office, but alas after a thorough search of the wreckage we could not find the body of the American.” Bracher looked furious, but Cardinal Daniels just smiled.



“Don’t worry, I anticipated this.” He then picked up a phone and made a call. After a moment the call picked up and he simply said.



“Via Con Dios.” Afterwards he hung up the phone. There was only one place that the Pope could’ve escaped to, Il Passetto, even though he had no idea where the entrance to the Passetto was, or how to access it, its location was common knowledge to all in Rome. Moments after he had hung up the phone three consecutive and timed explosions shook the underground facility and indeed Rome itself again…

*****



Colonel Woods was just starting to feel comfortable as around half of the elevated escape route lay behind him, his charges still safely under his protection. Suddenly the floor of the walkway came up to meet his feet a moment later accompanied by the sound of another explosion. The world seemed to lose all gravity for a moment as he was flung through the air, only to come crashing back as he landed with a sickening smack and the world went black…



*****



In the American Guard Command Center, Dougherty looked up suddenly as he felt three more explosions.



“Report!” He ordered as he looked around at the various camera feeds, and instantly he saw it. Three sections of the Passetto were gone.



“Sir, there were three explosions along the Passetto. I am sending one of the helicopters to investigate.” The main screen switched to the nose camera of one of the Papal helicopters, as it made a pass over the wreckage of the Passetto. At three different locations along the Passetto there was a flaming cargo van, and in those three locations the Passetto had collapsed. The devastation was almost overwhelming, bodies and rubble were strewn in the streets.



“Good God, let us hope the Pope wasn’t in one of the explosions. Dispatch Team C to investigate the Passetto. And remind them that they are under orders to Shoot on Site any Swiss Guardsman.” Dougherty thought ‘What else could possibly go wrong today’….

 

[Ender]

Hadrian sat bolt up right taking in a breath that burned his lungs as if it was the first one, he had ever taken. He slowly looked around at the carnage that was wrought by the explosion. He had landed in relative safety in the back of a convertible not far from the Passetto, there was rubble strewn everywhere, and bodies in the street. Thankfully the Passetto was not a tourist attraction, but it was still in the heart of a residential area of Rome, so there were casualties. Hadrian heaved himself from the car, he found that he had relatively little pain, almost as if flights of Angels had just set him down in the car. He extricated himself from the car and made his way around the rubble from the explosion….

*****

Colonel Woods slowly came back to agonizing consciousness, he was akimbo over a section of the destroyed wall. He was upside down and could see the cobblestone streets of this section of Rome not far beneath his head. With precise and small movements, he assessed that he was batter, bruised, and likely had several broken ribs, but thankfully he could move. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his portable med kit, he never went anywhere without a small one, having been FMF before leaving the American Service. He removed the emergency ampule of morphine and then quickly slammed the single use device into his leg, feeling the warm wash of the drug flow through his system before gingerly rising from the rubble. He reached for his sidearm and found it missing, and cursed, he’d been holding it when the explosion happened. Looking around he didn’t see it, but he could feel the comforting presence of his K-Bar still strapped to his ankle sheath. He withdrew it and then began looking around for his two charges.

It wasn’t long till he came upon the Pope, who was looking miraculously unharmed as if he had just stepped out of his dressing room.



“Holiness, are you alright?” He asked as he quickly made it to the man’s side and held his elbow.



“Yes My Son, I am fine thank you. Have you seen Lucien?” The Pope asked looking around for his oldest friend and personal assistant. His body was no where to be seen.



“No Holiness,” Colonel Woods said with a shake of his head, “I have not but we have to get you out of the open, if our adversaries are smart they’ll be monitoring the situation.” Colonel woods looked over and saw the convertible and ushered the Pope towards it.


“Holy Father, I must make confession that I am about to break one of the commandments.” Colonel Woods announced as he helped the Pope back into the car that had saved him with a wince as he twerked his broken ribs.



“It is ok My Son, you are forgiven.” Hadrian said with a wave of his hand in the sign of the cross, knowing what the Colonel intended. Once the Pope was inside and with a quick glance around Woods got into the car and was about to hotwire it when 3 black SUVs and a Limousine pulled up. With quick almost military precision 12 men poured from the SUVs securing the area and the back door of the Limousine opened and a rotund grey-haired man of obvious Italian heritage leaned out. He spoke with a distinctly Scicilian Italian as he said,



“Your Holiness, may I offer my assistance?” Hadrian looked at the man, and it didn’t take him long to realize who the man was, or more aptly whom he was with. Woods looked on skeptical and inserted himself between the Pope and the newcomers, he unlike the Pope didn’t speak Italian and had no idea what was going on. Hadrian placed his hand on the Colonel’s shoulder as he stepped forward. He spoke in fluent, if slightly accented Italian.



“Yes, it seems that We find ourselves in need of a lift to the Castel Sant’Angelo, could you be of assistance?” The man smiled broadly as if this were a simple chance meeting on the streets of Rome.



“Certainly, Your Holiness, I was just on my way to the Chiesa Sacro Cuore del Suffragio, to pray for the souls of my family, it is on the way. I would be honoured if you and your man would join me in my Limousine.” The Sicilian said as he slid deeper into the Limo. Hadrian made towards the car when Woods stopped him.



“What is going on? Do you know that man?” Colonel Woods said with all due respect but a firmness that was needed in regard to his position.



“We do not know him personally, but we do know his Family quite well, and We assure you We will be as safe with him as We would be with your own men. Quickly, as you said we need to get out of here, and his Limousin is armoured and he has an escort, which would be far more secure than the Convertible, if not as stylish. Besides this way you don’t need absolution.” Hadrian said as he moved past Woods and slid into the back of the Limousine. Hadrian got to the limo and slid the k-bar back into it’s sheath with an exasperated sigh, he still didn’t know who the man was, but where the Pope goes, he went.



Once both men were in the Limo the motorcade took back off into the streets, quickly breaking every Roman traffic law along the way. The man who was hosting them spoke again, this time in English.



“La Cosa Nostra is always at your service your Holiness. When I saw the explosions I sent my men into the streets, to ensure you and your clergy were safe. Apparently the Swiss Guard and the American Guard are fighting several raging gunbattles in and around Vatican City. We were afraid you had died, thankfully this was not so.” The Cosa Nostra man stopped suddenly and raised a finger,



“It seems you have lost some thing Colonel, we would not want you to remain so unmanned now would we.” The Cosa Nostra man reached to his control panel and lowered the divider between the passenger compartment and cockpit, then said a few words in Italian and the guard riding shotgun handed back a pistol to the American Guard commandant.



“I am sorry it is not one of the 1911’s that your team uses, but alas I didn’t realise I would be out fitting you. I hope a simple Beretta 92fs will do.” Woods looked surprised at the whole situation, did the Pope really just get into the car of a Mafioso? And was that man now handing him a gun?



“Umm… thank you…” Was all he stammered out. Hadrian smiled at his protectors discomfort and confusion.



“Forgive him Rappresentante, he is unaware of your Families long standing support of the Papacy. He is new here after all.”

The conversation continued in a casual and comfortable fashion while the vehicles sped through the streets of Rome, though it took no more than 5 minutes to make the sprint to the Caste Sant’Angelo.



*****

In the darkened subterranean Swiss Guard Operations Center, Daniels looked on as he saw the Pope, miraculously untouched get up from a convertible, on the CCTV feed.

“Damn that man! Why won’t he just die!” Dainels said in slured speech as he sent a chair flying through the room. He then went over to the phone and dialed a number within the Vatican, once it picked up he said.


“Ring the Bells the Pope is Dead.” Then he slammed the phone down onto it’s cradle.



*****

A sonorous ringing of bells could be heard coming from Saint Peter’s, the sound was unique in all the world, for those Bells only rang upon the confirmed death of a Pope. Within moments bells were being rung all across Rome by confused bell ringers in every church.



*****

The Mafia Motorcade came to a stop infront of the gates to Castel Sant’Angelo which again had become a veritable fortress. The Guardsman on duty made his way to the limosine his weapon in the ready position. As he approached the window unrolled, he was prepared to either turn the person away or open fire, but his eyes fell on the visage of the Pope. HE instantly came to attention and grabbed his walkie-talkie.



“Open the gates, Halo has arrived.” He and his men stepped aside as the motorcade was ushered inside. The Vehicles came to a stop and the Pope stepped out as an Honour Guard snapped to attention, as he returned their salutes, the sound of bells could be heard ringing throughout Rome. The Pope smirked as he turned back to the head of the American Guard and his Mafia saviour.



“Well, it seems I am dead. Let’s ensure that they regret ever ringing those bells.” Hadrian said before he turned and quick marched into the safety of the keep.

 

[Ender]

Cardinal Burke had been sipping his morning coffee and going over some of the many newspapers that he skimmed everyday in his capacity as Cardinal Secretary of State. He looked up as the clock was approaching 10am, and was startled as the door to his office was flung open and 4 Swiss Guardsmen entered weapons bared.



“Cardinal Burke, by orders of His Holiness Pope John-Paul III you are here by placed under arrest for treason to the Holy Faith.” Burke looked up confused just as an explosion rocked his office and he fell to the ground. His office overlooked the Vatican gardens from the Palazzo del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, looking at the back of Saint Peters, as he got up, he could see the plum of smoke rising above the great dome of Saint Peter’s, he crossed himself and swallowed hard while saying a silent prayer for the Pope. The Swiss Guards manhandled him up from the floor and dragged him from his office. A few minutes of driving through the gardens and he found himself unceremoniously dumped into one of the cells at the Swiss Guard Barracks and left alone in the dark. Shortly after his arrival he felt three more explosions and that was when he retrieved his well-worn rosary from his pocket and began to pray.



*****

Moments after Cardinal Burke was arrested Cardinal Marcus Scmidt entered the office and began leafing through paperwork, he was the Cardinal Secretary of State under the pontificate of John-Paul III. He was bent over the desk when his aide came in with a letter that bore the seal of the Italian Sate. He quickly looked it over and penned his response and dispatched it by liveried courier.



*****

Pope Hadrian stepped into the protection of the ancient holdfast of his predecessors. This was neither the first or last time that a Pope would seek refuge in this ancient bastion of the faith, and like all his predecessors before him he made for the chapel to pray in silence, leaving his protectors to debate what to do next. Hadrian made it to the chapel doors, he opened them. As he crossed the threshold, he dipped his fingers in the font and blessed himself in the sign of the cross as he genuflected towards the altar. He then made his way up the aisle of the chapel, and as he neared the Sanctuary proper, he saw that the cross upon the altar had toppled over during one of the explosions. For the moment he left it and at the foot of the Altar he dropped to his knees and then lowered himself to the Prone position and with his face pressed to the ancient stone floor he wept. Not for himself, but for the loss of countless innocent lives, from a plot he had never seen coming. Each of his tears fell to the ground where they solidified into individual crystalline pieces. How could he have allowed this to happen? How could so many suffer so he could be Pope? Was it truly the will of God for such things to happen? Hadrian reflected on these questions and countless others as he lay prostrate before the altar. He was suddenly overwhelmed by a warmth and a feeling of comfort. He slowly leveraged himself to his knees and sat back looking back up at the Altar, where it seemed to be radiating from. Standing beside the altar, the toppled crucifix in his hand, as a strong jawed and facially scared man of powerful build. He was dressed in ancient Romanesque armour.

“So you are the Pope.” It was more a statement than a question, the man seemed to almost glide as he descended from the altar and approached Hadrian. Hadrian opened his mouth as if to speak but couldn’t bring himself to say anything.



“No, I am not an angel, but I am a messenger. I am Constantine, and the Lord God, has sent me to steel your resolve for the coming hardships. The first of which will be retaking his Most Holy Hill. This is not a matter for politicians, statesmen, or diplomats. No like myself you shall march beneath the Sign of the Most Sacred Cross, and yours will be a reign of Fire and Blood. But know that no matter what actions you take, if you listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost within your heart, then the Lord God shall ever be with you. No matter how many skulls you crush beneath your feet, for too long His Church here on earth has languished and rotted in obscurity, no longer. There is but One True God, and but One True Church.” The man placed the Crucifix back upright in its place of honour and then turned as if just remembering bringing his finger up in the air and adding.



“Oh, and if you could do me a small personal favour? Could you retake my Holy City and restore her most Sacred Church from the infidels, I would be most grateful, and never forget that their lives are already forfeit, for they follow the Great Evil.” Then the man seemed to disappear ever so slowly like smoke on the wind.



Just then Colonel Wood came into the chapel seeking guidance, and saw the Pope seated upon his knees in a state of complete rapture. Intellectually he knew that the most likely reason was that the Pope had suffered some ill effects from the explosion, but as he looked upon his leader, his heart screamed that this was no head injury, but a miracle. He cleared his throat and Hadrian turned and faced him a beatific smile dissolving into a heavenly resolve.



“Colonel, gather your men. We are marching on the Vatican. We shall retake it, at all costs.” Hadrian then stood in one fluid motion and marched from the room. He came out in to the entrance where he had left the Mafioso and found a Italian Military man there as well. He smiled a cold smile of an old warrior.



“Don Tomasso, if you’d be so kind as to rally your men, We would appreciate your assistance to reclaim Our Throne. As it is only fitting for the Commander of the Palatine Guard, and a Princeps Elector. And believe me We do not grant you that title lightly, for We are certain that in the coming times we will be needing the Princeps Electors again.” The Mafioso’s mouth fell open as he registered the Pope’s words, as an Italian he knew about the Palatine Guard and the Papal Nobility of old, he dropped to his knees and kissed the Pope’s ring in awe.



“Si, Papa.” He then rose as if he were half his age and left to gather his men. Hadrian turned than to the Italian officer.



“You have a letter for me from the King. You may return to him and tell him that We would very much appreciate if he would clear Us a corridor to march upon the Vatican Hill. His men will not pass beyond the walls, but We welcome him or his designate to stand beside Us, and march under the Banner of the Most Sacred Cross. Tell him that this will be but the first time We call upon him in this regard, for there is much to be done in the years to come.” The jaded Italian soldier nodded his head and saluted before leaving, he had never felt this way before. He had no question in his mind or his heart at the order from a man… or perhaps more than a man. He would certainly be requesting permission to march with the Contingent under that banner.



*****

Hadrian and the American Guard had gone into the armoury but nothing struck the Pope as correct, it wasn’t until they were moving through one of the museum wings on their way back to the Command Center when he stopped and smiled.


“That, I’ll wear that.”

[ Odinson Alexander ManBear Isa Bossza007 ]

 

[Isa]

Alessio looked through the window of his office as he held the message from the Pope in his hand. The situation was so much worse than even he had thought. The Holy See was a beacon of stability on Europe's boot. The one institution that still persisted from the Roman Empire, and now even that was threatened to its core. Every part of his being wanted to answer the call to arms but citing his importance to the still fragile Italian state there were many forces pulling him back. Caught in his thoughts he hadn't even heard the door to his Office open. Perhaps sensing his conflict Lidia had made her way down and walked up to her father.

"What is wrong, father?" She asked as she stepped even closer until eventually standing next to him and looking out the window.

Alessio looked startled at first before he passed the letter over to her. While she was still a child, Alessio was already preparing her to eventually take over from him. Being fully briefed on all important events was a major part of that and as such even the most classified documents in the country were available to her. As she read the letter she understood his conflict.

"It is weird to think that in the year 2003 there would still be a need to call on Kings for religious conflict. Why aren't you in uniform yet?" Lidia responded.

Alessio hadn't expected that response, but perhaps he should have as Lidia always seemed to know him better than he knew himself. "I want to answer the call honey, but if something happens the country will collapse. And I cannot risk Italy collapsing again. Not while you and your siblings are here."

"And if you don't go and he loses, you will never forgive yourself and neither will the Italian people. Your advisers think only of the country. Its economy, its territory. They don't think of its people, its soul. If you become a holy warrior under the Lord himself the Italian state will be unified for generations to come. That is the best way to keep us safe"

Alessio looked at her for a few minutes, a few tears forming in his eyes. "You remind me so much of your mother, Lidia. Just like her you always know the right things to say. Get your siblings, just to be safe I am sending you to Caserta. It is far enough from Rome that whatever happens here cannot reach you there. I will call you as soon as this is over" He said as he pulled her closer to him before kissing her on her forehead. "I love you, if something happens I know you will keep the country and your siblings safe"

---

Less than an hour later Alessio stood in front of a mirror. It had taken a moment to find but he had put on his Italian Army uniform. Not wanting any special arrangements he had insisted on wearing the same uniforms as every other Officer while serving in his role as Commander-in-Chief, as a result he now wore a General's Service Uniform. He had similar ones for all the branches but this one seemed most appropriate. The only alteration was the addition of a sash in the Italian Tricolore to distinguish himself not as an Officer of the Italian State but as the very Italian State itself. Escorted by his Royal Guard he stepped out of his Chambers and the Palace, and into a Convoy that had been prepared for him. Operating under full air, naval and ground cover the Convoy would make its way to the temporary residence of the Pope and at its gates announce itself as the King of the Italians, come to serve. If allowed entry and taken to the Pope he would kneel before him. "Your Holiness, I have come to answer your call and pledge the Italian Kingdom to your cause"

Ender

 

[Ender]

At the appointed Hour Hadrian marched into the courtyard of the Castel Sant’Angelo to meet his hodgepodge force. As he stepped out into the courtyard, his cassock glimmering in the sun, he turned his face towards the sun and closed his eyes, as he bathed in its warmth. His hair seemed to halo in the light of that same sun. His cassock was accented by plates of steel, and it was obvious that under the layers of gabardine wool and silk, he wore full plate mail, though what metal the armour was made of was not readily evident to those present. As he stood there the assembled might of the American Guard came to attention and the three Papal Helicopters flew over the Castel in Formation above him. He was armoured but not armed and Colonel Woods stepped forward with an ornate wooden box bearing the Papal Arms and opened it revealing a white & gold Colt Colt Combat Commander pistol bearing the coat of arms of the Pope. Hadrian retrieved it from the box checked its action and slide the clip into it and loaded it, then removed the clip and loaded another cartridge into it and replaced it, he slid it into the drop leg tactical holster on his right side.

“Holiness,” A firm Italian accented man said as he stepped forward. He was an older man dressed in a bespoke tailored black suit, and he carried with him a much longer wooden case. Hadrian turned ot the man as he knelt holding the case towards him. It was the Mafioso and new head of his Palatine Guard. He raised an eyebrow intrigued by what it could contain. In side he found a slightly curved cavalry saber of some age, though it seemed fully restored and functional.



“What is this my son?” Hadrian said as he lifted it from the box and drew it from it’s sheath and moved it through the air with obvious skill.



“It is the blade of Venerable Jacques Cathelineau. My ancestor marched beside him during the Assault of Rennes, it is said he was beside him as one of his honour guards, and when the cowardly Viarmein Sniper” The Mafioso paused to spit upon the ground to get the taste of such a man from his mouth, “struck him down he failed to take the bullet. I swear to you that I shall not bring such dishonour to my family again.” He then stood and closed the box handing it back to one of his men. He then stepped forward and girded the sheath to the Pope’s left side.

Hadrian indicated that the Mafioso and the Colonel of his American Guard should join him on the stairs of the Keep. He then survived the troops and saw the King of Italy had heeded his summons. He boldly strode through the assembled soldiers who turned to the side to allow him passage, and he came to a stop a few feet from the King, and extended his right hand, his Papal ring facing up.

Odinson Isa Alexander ManBear

 

[Isa]

As soon as Alessio saw His Holiness approach he would already bow just enough to make sure that he was lower than him. Once he had stopped in front of him and extended his hand Alessio would kiss the ring as was appropriate etiquette for the situation. "Your Holiness, it is with humility that I do hereby offer the Italian nation to your most holy cause. It would be the honour of every Italian to be allowed to aid in expelling the usurpers from your Seat and restore you to your rightful place on the Chair of Saint Peter"

As he spoke the Royal Guard that had accompanied him here would kneel, joining their King in his act of humility. The presence of representatives from the Italian underworld had not gone unnoticed by said Royal Guard but in some situations the enemy of one's enemy could be ignored.

Ender

 

[Ender]

As the King knelt before him, Hadrian raised his hand in benediction and making the sign of the cross he intoned a blessing.



“You have all come today to join Us in this Most Holy Cause, a vile usurper has taken the Throne of Saint Peter and occupied the Most Holy City, and he must be routed. All those that support him are to be given no quarter, for they have chosen their fate, but to any that surrender and lay down their arms or who take up those arms against the Usurper, they shall be forgiven. Know too that any action you take during this operation, is free from the guilt and weight of sin. For today we do the work of the Lord God. In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Hadrian said as he made the sign of the cross over first the Italians, then the American Guard, and finally the newly constituted Palatine Guard. As he finished the blessing the standard barer of the American guard unfurled an ancient cloth of gold banner, it was commissioned for Urban II should he have chosen to join the crusade himself, and woven amidst the golden threads were relics of the great military saints; St. Agathius, St. Adrian of Nicomedia (of whom Hadrian had chosen his name), St. Demetirus of Thessaloniki, St. Cornelius the Centurion, St. Longinus, and the Theban Legion. In the center was a cross and woven amidst it’s fibers of gold and silver were shards of the True Cross. There was a truly palpable aura about the banner as it was unfurled for the first time in centuries.

With the troops rallied the American Guard tried to usher the Pope to a more protected place at the back of the column, but he shrugged them off and made his way to the head of the formation, bringing with him the heads of the three units. His banner flew behind him carried by standard bearers, and then spread behind that one were the banners of the three other units. The formation would pour forth from Castel Sant’Angelo and being it’s march down the Via Della Conciliazione. The formation would march boldly with not attempt at concealment, for they had the Protection of the Lord God and were in the right.

Isa Odinson ManBear Alexander

 

[Ender]

Pope Hadrian marched down the Via della Conciliazione at the head of a column of troops that represented the coming together of three desperate groups of people. This was the true power of the Papacy, the ability to unite desperate and competing peoples under the Banner of Heaven. If he could bring together a King who came to power on a platform of eliminating the influence of the Mafia with a Mafia Boss and his men, with the balancing effect of American Veterans, then he could surely restablish all that the Church had lost since 1963. His peaceful contemplation was not to last as the colonnade came into view. Blocking the entrance to Saint Peter’s Square was barricaded as if to withstand a siege. Colonel Woods turned to the Pope when the exact disposition of the enemy forces came into view.

“Your Holiness, I thought there were only 189 Swiss Guards. There must be at least 100 men guarding the Colonnade. And with the intel we had from Saint Anne’s Gate there is at least another 40 over there. Not to mention the roving bands on the grounds and the various other gates.” The entrance to the Colonnade was blocked off with the popemobiles and several of the chase vehicles blocking off the entrance, and the Guardsman arrayed behind them. The column came to a halt at the signal of the Pope. Colonel Woods began signally for his men to form a protective perimeter around the Pope, who placed his hand on the old soldier’s shoulder and shook his head. He stepped forward and addressed the assembled Guardsmen, his former sworn protectors.



“Decepti estis! Nunc arma depone et nos tibi ignoscemus et cum stolis et anulis in digitis tuis recipiemus!” (You have been deceived! Lay down your arms now and We will forgive you and welcome you back with Robes and Rings upon your fingers!)

*****



The Commander of the Swiss Guard arrayed at the entrance of the Colonnade audibly gasped when he saw the Pope, the supposedly dead Pope marching at the head of a Column of troops. He knew that the sight would shake his troops. He was not himself Swiss Guard, in fact the leaders of all the Swiss Guard units, as well as another thousand men were handpicked by the True Pope to shore up the deficiencies of the Swiss Guard and to ensure that they did not defect. As he Column came to a halt, seemingly preparing to attack, the False Pope stepped forward. He spoke in what was obviously Latin, but for some reason the Commander could not fathom he heard the words in his own native tongue, that being the Chi’aq of his southeastern New Brunswick origin. He saw from the astonished looks of the faces of his men that they heard the Pope’s words in their own Zürichdeutsch, Urnerdeutsch, Alemannicdeutsch, Nidwaldendeutsch, or Obwaldnerdeutsch of their Canton of origin. Several of his men made to lay down their arms. The Commander quickly drew his side arm and shot the nearest defector in the head.

“Remember we stand with the Lord God and that…” He waved his pistol towards the assembled Column, “Is the barbarians at our gates and that Man, is no better then Odoacer. And technological trickery is not miracles!” The combined Swiss Guard and mercenary troops swallowed hard and readied themselves for battle.



*****

Hadrian sighed heavily and shook his head, they had given them the chance to stand down, but the Devil seems to have a greater sway here they would’ve liked. But this perhaps was the true test of his Papacy, and the first page of a new Chapter for the Glory of the Lord. The Three leaders, Colonel Wood, King Alessio, and Don Tomasso, looked upon the Pope for guidance.

“Thank you for clearing the way to Vatican Hill your Excellency, if you and your men would kindly take up the parimiter and secure all the entrances/exits from Vatican City I would be most grateful. Don Tomasso, I charge you and your men with taking the grounds of the City and all out buildings. Colonel you are with me, we march on the Palace and Basilica.” Hadrian said with a stern finality, taking for command of the situation at hand. He drew his pistol and added as an after thought.



"Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius." (Kill them. The Lord knows those that are his own), Hadrian’s voice echoed the words of the Cistercian Abbot Arnaud Amalric, who had commanded the Albigensian Crusade. The Pope then charged forward followed immediately by his Commanders and their men, he leveled his pistol and with a resounding single shot he took out the Commander of the Swiss Guards holding the Colonade, his bullet piercing the man’s chest right above his heart and spraying his life’s blood out his back and on many of his fellow defenders…



*****

Minutes turned to hours as the beleaguered Swiss Guard made the Crusaders pay for every inch of soil they took. Just like their predecessors during the Sack of Rome in 1527, they would not easily give ground. But fall they did, one by one, the monitors in the Command Room of the Swiss Guard Barracks went dark as they fell to the crusaders. Pope John-Paul III cursed again as he brought his fist down hard on the desk.



“Damn that man! Damn that man to hell! All of you with me, we are going to end this right now!” John-Paul III grabbed a small detonator from the desk and marched out of the room, a retinue of senior Swiss Guard and Mercenaries at his side.



*****

“Holiness, we have secured the grounds, the only bastion left of the traitors is the Basilica.” Dom Tomasso announced as his personal guards reformed with the American Guards at the doors of the Basilica. “We took the Swiss Guard Barracks, and liberate your Secretary of State, but other then him the facility was empty.”

Hadrian nodded grimly, so here is where it was going to end. He and the American Guard had already cleared out the Apostolic Palace, and didn’t find Cardinal Daniels there either, so the last battle of this day would be fought with in the most Hallowed place in all of Christendom.



“Steel your resolve brothers, for We must now face our final and most difficult test. Try your best to avoid damage to the Basilica herself, for she is irreplaceable.” Hadrian ordered and signaled that it was time to breech the doors. Simultaneously the 5 doors of the Basilica were breached by American Guard breaching teams and the ping of smoke grenades being fired into the Sacred Heart of Christendom could be heard. Hadrian smiled as he smelled the mix of Olibanum, Myrrh, and Gum Benjoin, that made up the unique scent of Pontifical Incense. He had not known that the American Guard had reformulated their Smoke Grenades to have that scent, but in a way, it was fitting. Hadrian once again led the charge through the central main doors of the Basilica, with Colonel Woods and Dom Tomasso at his side, while all other entrances to the Basilica were penetrated by the mixed American and Mafiosi troops. The Basilica had been fortified with pews and furniture taken from elsewhere in within the Vatican and the remaining Swiss Guards and Mercenaries fought as only a losing army can, taking two of the Papal Troops for everyone that fell. As Hadrian approached the Baldacchino di San Pietro, L'Altare di Bernini, the amassed troops could see Cardinal Daniels the self titled Pope John-Paul III standing upon the Altar wild eyed dressed in a Black Chasuble his arms stretched wide as if crucified, in his right hand was a small device.



“Detonator!” Colonel Woods called out when he saw it, and his troops closed in on the Pope, in protective formation. Hadrian pushed them aside.



“Stand down Daniels, and you can have a noble death…” Hadrian called out in English, hoping desperately to end this before irrevocable damage was done this day.



“NO! YOU ARE A USURPER! YOU SPIT ON ALL WHO CAME BEFORE YOU! AND I WILL SOONER SEE CHRISTENDOM BURN THEN LEAVE IT TO YOUR SLOW ROT AND DESTRUCTION! YOU WILL JOIN ME IN HELL TODAY!” The world seemed to slow as Hadrian turned his head a single tear rolling down his face, as the depths of the possession that held Daniels was made manifest. In an instant the Basilica was rocked by several explosions as if the Hand of God had descended upon the entire building…



*****

From outside the perimeter set up by the Italian troops the Faithful of Rome had arrayed themselves, they were knelt united in prayer for their beleaguered Crusaders. Word of the survival of the Pope and his march to reclaim his home had already reached most of the world, and there were now camera crews as close as possible to the Vatican catching a snippet here or there. Though the primary feed and source of information was from the sole intrepid Polish reporter who had so early imbedded herself with the Italian troops and snuck into the grounds of the Vatican with the American Guard. For those not praying in the square there was a live feed from her camera as she had made her way room by room, catching many a triumphant shot of the Pope and the American Guards as they confronted the traitorous Swiss Guard and triumphed again and again. And now her feed of the maniac who stood upon the Altar of God as he triggered his explosion.



The Assembled Masses were nearly bowled over as strategic charges set in the great Dome of Saint Peter’s were set off in succession. They were set to cause as much of the debris as possible to fall inwards but much of it also shot outwards like flaming meteors into Rome itself. In the aftermath it was no less then a miracle that no one in Rome was injured by the flaming debris. In an instant the Largest Freestanding Dome in the world was gone, and a plum of black smoke rose from what remained of the Greatest Basilica in the World.



*****

In an instant the interior of the Basilica erupted as if Hell Herself had risen up upon earth. Chunks of the dome began to rain down upon the Crusaders. Dom Tomasso as if possessed by an angel leapt towards the Pope as he saw a particularly large chunk headed straight towards the Vicar of Christ. Dom Tomasso exchanged places with the Pope and took the brunt of the falling marble, it instantly crushed everything just below his sternum, but the Pope was saved.



In the aftermath Hadrian looked around and saw what Tomasso hand done and crawled over to the dying man, he took the old Mafioso’s hand and smiled.



“I told you I wouldn’t fail you as my ancestor had.” Tomasso said as he coughed up blood, the spray spattering the nearly pristine white of the Papal armoured robes.



“You have not failed Us good and faithful Servant, know that you shall be with us today in Paradise.” Hadrian responded in Italian as he saw the eyes of the old man unfocused. He reached out and shut those eyes for the final time.

*****

Colonel Woods lay on the ground his mind awash with what had happened, he quickly regained his battle sense though and raised himself up to his knees, his body a mass of pain in protest. He was cut bleeding and bruised, and he was sure that several more ribs were broken, but he lived. He forced the pain aside as he remembered his charge and coughed out blood as he tried to speak, a ringing in his ears from the explosion having nearly deafened him.



“The Pope! Find the Pope!” He tried to stand, and the world went black as he lost consciousness.



The majority of the American and Mafioso troops who had entered the Basilica were dead or dying. Hadrian surprisingly was unscathed, he heard the strained voice of the Colonel and turned to it, just in time to see the man collapse, his body finally giving out. Hadrian leveraged himself up from his position next to his fallen protector. He hefted the Colonel into his arms and carried him boldly out of the Basilica. There were already troops from outside the ravaged Basilica streaming in, but Hadrian walked past them. He strode boldly across Saint Peter’s Square that was strewn with the fallen, the Colonel still in his arms. He made it to the Italian Troops and handed the Colonel over to them.

*****

This was the image that flashed across the screens the world over. First the unthinkable destruction of one of the greatest wonders of the modern world, and then the Pope carrying the broken defender from the Ruins of the Heart of Christendom. His robes speckled with the blood of a Martyr, and his face set as if in stone, a mask of utter conviction.
(ManBear Odinson Isa Alexander )