“Gentlemen, we are very close to being done with this matter.”
Cardinal Emmanuelle said to the two other men sitting with him as he placed his secure cell phone on the table before him.
“Mr. Wilson informs me that the oldest daughter has been dispatched” he continued. “That leaves us the youngest…”
“And she is just now 3 years old…” Monsignori Benoit chimed in. “…plenty young enough to be indoctrinated into the Church properly. She will be provided with the essential education and purpose of a female of her standing and importance. It’s very important that we nestle her away and begin this process immediately.”
Monsignori Benoit sat back in his chair and looked across the table to his counterpart Monsignori Vicarii for confirmation. Where Benoit was obese and round, and slow to move about – painfully slow to most – Vicarii was slim and narrow and moved about with a litheness that was almost angelic. Both were the highest appointments under the Pope as Apostolic Protonotary de numero deux and trios respectively. While Benoit as technically the higher ranked of the two, it was understood that in these matters they were charged with accomplishing both were equal.
Meaning more specifically that if one of them failed, they both failed…and both would be held accountable. In recent years the Vatican had been rocked by repeated scandals and discovery of internal business matters – ‘corruption’ as the media often portrayed it. The Pope had become increasingly displeased with the sensitive information leaks and constantly having to react to these pressures. He decreed that all significant works of the Church shall be undertaken with two Sheppard’s. Each would oversee the other and be accountable to the other…in effective, where the Sheppard’s failed that their tasks it would be considered a crime against God and the Church. The consequence the Pope had urged would be swift.
In the matters charged to Monsignori Benoit and Monsignori Vicarii it was imperative that these final details be put in place so that they might be released from their responsibilities. While both of them understood and endorsed the need for this work to be undertaken and completed, neither was too cheerful about contracting the end of lives – regardless of their offence to God and the Church. That pleasure was left clearly with Cardinal Emmanuelle, Apostolic Protonotary de numero un.
“The young child…Ana” Monsignori Vicarii answered, “She will arrive in northern China within the hour and be stationed with our Wudang Shan Sisters.”
Benoit smiled. The Wudang Shan Monastery of northern Tibet is perhaps the most isolated and remote mountain monastery in the world. For the next 12 years the young girl will have no access to technology and the outside world. Perfect he thought, Vicarii had chosen the location well. We will be able to prepare her well for her future role and responsibilities.
Monsignori Vicarii went on, “The Sisters have been instructed on her care and the expectations of the Church. She is to have no contact with the outside world and to be instructed and trained according to the wishes of the Pope. They have not been made aware of the more involved expectations and outcomes at this time…the girl is too young for these things to be considered at this time.”
“Reporting?” Cardinal Emmanuelle interjected.
“For now, monthly status reporting via secure sat phone link.”
“Any indication Ana…”
“Please don’t use her name!” the Cardinal demanded.
Benoit nodded and continued. “Any indication the child is showing the same developmental phenomena that her older sisters demonstrated?”
“Nothing at this time. She is too young and even so, her sisters seemed unaware of their gifts as they emerged…” Vicarii thought for a moment, they had all been killed shortly thereafter so they really knew very little about what they were dealing with. “Some kind of blissful ignorance I suppose. With this young one we will have a better control of her development and channel it appropriately to the ultimate goal.”
“Assuming we can.”
“It’s God’s will” added Benoit.
“This child will bear a Son of Christ!” snapped Cardinal Emmanuelle. “These daughters. All of them! Are the spawn of Satan and sent here to undo the word of God and this Church…we will do our chosen part to end this sacrilege – this offence once and for all! This task is our burden for mankind…for God. We will be righteous in our resolve to see it done.
“Amen.”
“Amen.”
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Lawrence Lewis
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂