[The Messenger] "Conclave, Part 4"

[Jeremy Reynolds]

"Conclave, Part 4"
 
Father Alexander Clayton, The Messenger.
 
* * * * * * *
The Basilica, The Vatican.  Earth

 

"We have a Pope!" The gathered crowd in the square cheered once again at the news of a new Pontiff as Cardinal Frost made the announcement.

 

It had been five days since Pius XIV was assassinated on the very spot where Frost now stood, announcing to the world that the College of Cardinals had finally reached a decision earlier this morning.  Neither the Vatican nor the Federation were taking any chances this time with security.  A shield had been erected at the balcony.  Federation Marines agumented the Vatican Security detail, lining the walkways and the route that the new Pope will be walking to be ordained in front of the masses.  Shuttles and Fighters buzzed around overhead like angry hornets.

 

From his usual spot, Clayton wondered if the increased security would be enough.  He was no closer to discovering the identity of the assassin or assassins who were responsible for Pius' death.  He did, however, peg down Leo's death to that of terrorists who were against the Vulcan-Romulan Reunification and it was Ambassador Spock who was the target.  Leo XV just happened to be in the way and, ironically, saved Spock's life by taking the blast for him.  Clayton had submitted this report to Refelian who'd put it in the President's hands five minutes after Clayton had transmitted it.  Now all Clayton had to do was find Pius' killer.

 

"The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Lord Darcien, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Jabel, who takes to himself the name Pope Honorius V"

 

Clayton watched as Cardinal Jabel walked out of the Sistine Chapel along the phalanx of Starfleet Marines to head towards the Basilica.  He figured that Jabel was taking on the Honorius name in probably a vain attempt to 'restore honor' to the Church and maybe deter any would-be assassins.  Clayton continued to glance out at the crowd while discreetly scanning away with his tricorder for any kind of weapon that might be out there.

 

He saw the threat a half second before it went off.

 

Before Clayton could even utter a syllable of warning, the Pope-Elect and his honor guard, along with the nearest five Marines making up the cordon along the path, disappeared in a huge explosion from a mine that was laying dormant for this moment.

 

Panic in the crowds ensued.

 

Cardinals retreated.

 

Marines started looking every which way looking for the perpetrator with phasers drawn.

 

Clayton sank to his knees in despair and held his head low.  When he looked back up, he could see a lone figure standing on the walls of the Vatican by the main gates.  He was pointing towards the Basilica.  The Marines below and the Fighters above all saw him as both started to move to intercept.

 

The lone figure spoke via some kind of voice amplifier.  "THUS IT SHALL BE UNTIL YOU ELECT ONE WHO IS WORTHY!" he called out before turning and vanishing out of sight.

 

TBC...