[The Messenger] "Urbi et Orbi"

[Jeremy Reynolds]

"Urbi et Orbi" (Continuation from "Conclave, Part 5")

 

Alexander Clayton, Newly Elected Pontiff

 

* * * * * * *

The Basilica, The Vatican.  Earth

 

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! 
Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum,
Dominum Alexander,
Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Clayton,
qui sibi nomen imposuit Messenger.

 

I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!
The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord,
Lord Alexander,
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Clayton,
who takes to himself the name The Messenger.

 

 

* * * * * * *

Office of the President, Paris.  Earth.

 

All eyes in the President's office were on the holovid.  "I thought that you told him to find out who killed the Pope, not become Pope himself." Nan Bacco asked, glancing over at Admiral Murdock and Admiral Refelian.

 

"Well, if he survives the next five minutes, think of the advantage of having a Third Echelon agent in such a position." Refelian deadpanned in return, not taking his eyes off the screen.

 

 

* * * * * * *

Clayton Chateau, Outside Rome

 

Eyes glued to the screen, Chantelle whipped out a hankerchief from a pocket in her dress and dabbed her eyes.  "Oh no..." she breathed, fearing the worst.

 

 

* * * * * * *

Room of Tears, The Basilica.

 

Inside the small red room beside the Sistine Chapel.  Clayton carefully selected the Robes that he'd wear out onto the Balcony of the Basilica before donning the Pectoral Cross and red embroidered stole.  He then grabbed the white zucchetto that he'd wear on his head and then headed out the door.  He'd spent some time in the Room of Tears meditating and praying before dressing himself.  Moments after he accepted and chosen the name of his future self to be his Pontifical Name, he was immediately ordained to be a Bishop so that he'd meet the requirements to be Pope.

 

As he left the Room of Tears, the Starfleet Marine Honor Guard fell into step with him, totally surrounding him and taking no chances.  Clayton saw the Man in Black on the ceiling right as he dropped down.  The Marines all had their phasers bearing down on him, but something was off on this man as he wasn't taking any hostile action.  In fact, he was doing something completely different.

 

He was holding up his hands in surrender."

 

"Hold!" Clayton said quickly, holding up his hands to the sides and walking forward to forestall the Marines from reducing this man to atoms.  Clayton put his hands down and glared at the man behind the black helmet.  "So, am I to be next on your list?"

 

"No..." the Man in Black said.  "You are worthy to lead this August Body." he said as he reached up to remove his helmet.

 

Clayton was taken aback.  "Father Giovanni." he breathed.  "Why!?"

 

"Because you have seen the future.  You know what the future holds if we do not turn from this path of evil.  You've told me what you saw in the future and I believe that you're the one to lead us away from that dark future." Giovanni explained.  "What better way to influence the Pope than to be the Pope?" he said with sheepish smile.  "I've given you the Church, Your Holiness.  Please accept my confession and my sincerest apologies, but I had to do what I thought was right for the whole by weeding out the unworthy." with that, Giovanni knelt before his new Pontiff and bowed his head.

 

Clayton closed his eyes and sighed.  He then looked at the Marine Detachment.  "Take him into custody but do NOT take him anywhere until I've heard his full confession." he said with authority.  As they cuffed Giovanni, he looked at his now former aide.  "As for you, I'll determine your penance later."

 

"I just beg you that you grant me Last Rights before they execute me." Giovanni asked.

 

"Oh no, you're not getting off THAT easy." Clayton said.  "Take him away." he then started walking on and the Marines followed.  Clayton looked at them.  "We have the assassin, you don't have to come with me.

 

"We're coming with you, Your Holiness." the Squad Leader said. 

 

Clayton and his entourage continued on to the Basilica unhindered where the Cardinals there seemed shocked to see him make it this far.  Clayton briefly explained that the assassin was caught but intentionally left out Giovanni's name for now.  The Cardinals all breathed a sigh of relief and crossed themselves in thanks.  Others knelt in prayer and Clayton joined them before blessing them all and heading for the open balcony.  Below, the masses exploded in cheering and adulation.  He smiled to them all as he walked onto the balcony.  The crowd seemed happy and relieved that a Pope finally made it to the basilica's facade after a month of living hell.  In the back of his mind, Clayton imagined someone just got rich on Risa, Las Vegas, and other betting establishments, and briefly wondered what the odds and spread was for him actually making his opening address and blessings. 

 

"Urbi et Orbi!" Pope Messenger I now spoke aloud to the gathered crowd and the millions of beings watching around the Federation, giving his first blessing as the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Church, becoming the first Elected Pope out of the last six to get the first words of a Pope out of his mouth.

 

To the City of Rome, and the World...

 

THE END.