Angels Demons Chapter 39-41

39The Apostolic Palace is a conglomeration of buildings located al ab give away the Sistine Chapel in the northeast corner of Vatican urban center. With a com globeding side of St. Peters Squ ar, the palace houses both the Papal Apartwork forcets and the Office of the pope.Vittoria and Langdon followed in shut outside as Com patchder Olivetti led them down a spacious rococo corridor, the muscles in his neck pulsing with rage. afterwards climbing three sets of st denudates, they entered a tolerant, pallidly lit hallway.Langdon could non beli up to at onceing the artwork on the walls mint-condition busts, tapestries, friezes works charge hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two-thirds of the way down the hall they passed an alabaster fountain. Olivetti glowering left into an bay tree and strode to whizz of the largest doors Langdon had ever seen.Ufficio di Papa, the ascendencyer decl bed, giving Vittoria an acrimonious scowl. Vittoria didnt flinch. She reached over Olive tti and knocked clamorously on the door.Office of the pope, Langdon thought, having difficulty fathoming that he was standing popside atomic number 53 of the most sacred way of lifes in all of world religion.Avanti roundvirtuoso turn toed from inwardly.When the door opened, Langdon had to shield his eye. The sunlight was blinding. Slowly, the image in advance him came into focus.The Office of the Pope seemed more of a ball board than an office. Red marble floors sprawled out in all directions to walls adorned with vivid frescoes. A colossal chandelier hung overhead, beyond which a bank of arch windows offered a stunning panorama of the sun-drenched St. Peters Squargon.My paragon, Langdon thought. This is a room with a view.At the far end of the hall, at a carved desk, a man sat writing furiously. Avanti, he called out again, setting down his pen and waving them over.Olivetti led the way, his stride military. Signore, he said defensiveally. No ho potuto The man cut him off. He stood and studied his two visitors.The camerlegno was nonhing like the images of frail, beatific old men Langdon usually rememberd roaming the Vatican. He wore no rosary beads or pendants. No heavy robes. He was dressed instead in a simpleton black cassock that seemed to amplify the solidity of his substantial frame. He looked to be in his late-thirties, indeed a child by Vatican standards. He had a amazingly handsome face, a swirl of coarse brown hair, and almost effulgent green eyes that shone as if they were somehow fueled by the mysteries of the universe. As the man move nearer, though, Langdon cut in his eyes a abstruse exhaustion like a soul who had been through the toughest fifteen old age of his life.I am Carlo Ventresca, he said, his incline perfect. The late Popes camerlegno. His voice was unpompous and kind, with only the slightest hint of Italian inflection.Vittoria Vetra, she said, stepping forward and offering her hand. Thank you for see us.Olivetti t witched as the camerlegno shook Vittorias hand.This is Robert Langdon, Vittoria said. A religious historian from Harvard University.Padre, Langdon said, in his shell Italian accent. He bowed his head as he lengthy his hand.No, no, the camerlegno insisted, lifting Langdon back up. His Ho delineatesss office does non catch up with me holy. I am scarcely a priest a chamberlain serving in a prison term of need.Langdon stood upright.Please, the camerlegno said, everyone sit. He arranged some chairs around his desk. Langdon and Vittoria sat. Olivetti apparently preferred to stand.The camerlegno position himself at the desk, folded his hands, sighed, and eyed his visitors.Signore, Olivetti said. The muliebritys attire is my fault. I Her attire is non what concerns me, the camerlegno replied, seem too exhausted to be b other(a)ed. When the Vatican operator calls me a half arcminute before I begin gang to tell me a woman is calling from your private office to blame me of some sort of major security threat of which I arouse not been informed, that concerns me.Olivetti stood rigid, his back arched like a soldier under intense inspection.Langdon felt spellbound by the camerlegnos presence. Young and wearied as he was, the priest had the air of some mythical hero radiating charisma and authority.Signore, Olivetti said, his tone apologetic scarcely still unyielding. You should not concern yourself with matters of security. You have other responsibilities.I am well aware of my other responsibilities. I am overly aware that as direttore intermediario, I have a responsibility for the carry duty and well-being of everyone at this conclave. What is going on here?I have the situation under control.Apparently not.Father, Langdon interrupted, taking out the crumpled telecommunicate and handing it to the camerlegno, please.Commander Olivetti stepped forward, trying to intervene. Father, please do not trouble your thoughts with The camerlegno took the fax, ignoring Olivetti for a long moment. He looked at the image of the slay Leonardo Vetra and drew a startled breath. What is this?That is my father, Vittoria said, her voice wavering. He was a priest and a man of science. He was murdered last night.The camerlegnos face softened instantly. He looked up at her. My dear child. Im so sorry. He crossed himself and looked again at the fax, his eyes seeming to pool with waves of abhorrence. Who would and this burn on his The camerlegno paused, squinch closer at the image.It says Illuminati, Langdon said. No doubt you are familiar with the telephone.An rum look came across the camerlegnos face. I have heard the name, yes, butThe Illuminati murdered Leonardo Vetra so they could steal a new technology he was Signore, Olivetti interjected. This is absurd. The Illuminati? This is clearly some sort of elaborate hoax.The camerlegno seemed to ponder Olivettis address. hence he turned and contemplated Langdon so fully that Langdon felt the a ir leave his lungs. Mr. Langdon, I have spent my life in the Catholic perform. I am familiar with the Illuminati lore and the legend of the targetings. And til now I must warn you, I am a man of the present tense. Christianity has sufficiency current enemies without resurrecting ghosts.The symbol is au thentic, Langdon said, a little too defensively he thought. He reached over and rotated the fax for the camerlegno.The camerlegno fell silent when he cut the symmetry.Even modern computers, Langdon added, have been unable to forge a radially symmetrical ambigram of this word.The camerlegno folded his hands and said nothing for a long time. The Illuminati are dead, he finally said. Long ago. That is historical fact.Langdon nodded. yesterday, I would have agreed with you.Yesterday?Before todays chain of levelts. I study the Illuminati have resurfaced to make great on an ancient pact.Forgive me. My history is rusty. What ancient pact is this?Langdon took a deep breath. The destr uction of Vatican City.Destroy Vatican City? The camerlegno looked less frightened than confused. moreover that would be impossible.Vittoria shook her head. Im afraid we have some more no-count news.40Is this true? the camerlegno demanded, looking amazed as he turned from Vittoria to Olivetti.Signore, Olivetti assured, Ill admit in that respect is some sort of device here. It is visible on one of our security monitors, but as for Ms. Vetras claims as to the power of this substance, I cannot possibly Wait a minute, the camerlegno said. You can see this thing?Yes, signore. On wireless camera 86.Then why havent you recovered it? The camerlegnos voice echoed vexation right off.Very difficult, signore. Olivetti stood straight as he explained the situation.The camerlegno listened, and Vittoria sensed his growing concern. argon you certain it is inner Vatican City? the camerlegno asked. whitethornbe someone took the camera out and is transmitting from somewhere else.Impossible, Oliv etti said. Our external walls are shielded electronically to harbor our internal communications. This signal can only be coming from the deep down or we would not be receiving it.And I assume, he said, that you are now looking for this missing camera with all available resources?Olivetti shook his head. No, signore. reparation that camera could take hundreds of man hours. We have a number of other security concerns at the moment, and with all due respect to Ms. Vetra, this droplet she talks more or less is very small. It could not possibly be as explosive as she claims.Vittorias patience evaporated. That droplet is enough to level Vatican City Did you even listen to a word I told you?Maam, Olivetti said, his voice like steel, my experience with explosives is extensive.Your experience is obsolete, she shoot back, equally tough. Despite my attire, which I progress to you find troublesome, I am a senior level physicist at the worlds most advanced subatomic re chase facility. I pe rsonally designed the antimatter trap that is keeping that seek from annihilating right now. And I am warning you that unless you find that can in the next six hours, your guards get out have nothing to cheer for the next century but a big hole in the ground.Olivetti wheeled to the camerlegno, his insect eyes flashing rage. Signore, I cannot in advantageously conscience allow this to go some(prenominal) further. Your time is being expend by pranksters. The Illuminati? A droplet that exit destroy us all?Basta, the camerlegno declared. He mouth the word quietly and yet it seemed to echo across the chamber. Then there was silence. He continued in a whisper. Dangerous or not, Illuminati or no Illuminati, whatever this thing is, it most certainly should not be inside Vatican City no less on the eve of the conclave. I want it found and removed. Organize a search immediately.Olivetti persisted. Signore, even if we used all the guards to search the complex, it could take days to fi nd this camera. Also, subsequently speaking to Ms. Vetra, I had one of my guards consult our most advanced ballistics guide for any mention of this substance called antimatter. I found no mention of it anywhere. Nothing.Pompous ass, Vittoria thought. A ballistics guide? Did you try an cyclopedia? Under AOlivetti was still talking. Signore, if you are suggesting we make a naked-eye search of the entirety of Vatican City then I must object.Commander. The camerlegnos voice simmered with rage. May I remind you that when you address me, you are addressing this office. I realize you do not take my position seriously nonetheless, by law, I am in charge. If I am not mistaken, the cardinals are now safely within the Sistine Chapel, and your security concerns are at a minimum until the conclave breaks. I do not understand why you are hesitant to look for this device. If I did not inhabit remediate it would appear that you are causing this conclave intentional danger.Olivetti looked scor nful. How dare you I have served your Pope for twelve days And the Pope before that for quartetteen years Since 1438 the Swiss Guard have The walkie-talkie on Olivettis belt squawked loudly, cutting him off. Comandante?Olivetti snatched it up and pressed the transmitter. Sto ocupato Cosa voiScusi, the Swiss Guard on the radio said. Communications here. I thought you would want to be informed that we have received a bomb threat.Olivetti could not have looked less interested. So handle it come closely the usual tint, and write it up.We did, sir, but the party The guard paused. I would not trouble you, commander, except that he mentioned the substance you just asked me to research. Antimatter.Everyone in the room ex convertd stunned looks.He mentioned what? Olivetti stammered.Antimatter, sir. While we were trying to run a trace, I did some additional research on his claim. The information on antimatter is well, frankly, its quite troubling.I thought you said the ballistics guide showed no mention of it.I found it on-line.Alleluia, Vittoria thought.The substance appears to be quite explosive, the guard said. Its hard to imagine this information is accurate but it says here that pommel for pound antimatter carries virtually a hundred times more lode than a nuclear warhead.Olivetti slumped. It was like watching a mountain crumble. Vittorias olfaction of triumph was erased by the look of horror on the camerlegnos face.Did you trace the call? Olivetti stammered.No luck. Cellular with heavy encryption. The SAT lines are interfused, so triangulation is out. The IF mite suggests hes somewhere in Rome, but theres real no way to trace him.Did he make demands? Olivetti said, his voice quiet.No, sir. Just warned us that there is antimatter hugger-mugger inside the complex. He seemed surprise I didnt know. Asked me if Id seen it yet. Youd asked me about antimatter, so I decided to advise you.You did the right thing, Olivetti said. Ill be down in a minute. Alert me immediately if he calls back. there was a moment of silence on the walkie-talkie. The telephoner is still on the line, sir.Olivetti looked like hed just been electrocuted. The line is open?Yes, sir. Weve been trying to trace him for ten minutes, getting nothing but splayed ferreting. He must know we cant touch him because he refuses to hang up until he speaks to the camerlegno.Patch him through, the camerlegno commanded. right offOlivetti wheeled. Father, no. A trained Swiss Guard negotiator is much better suited to handle this.NowOlivetti gave the order.A moment later, the phone on Camerlegno Ventrescas desk began to ring. The camerlegno rammed his finger down on the speaker-phone button. Who in the name of God do you theorize you are?41The voice emanating from the camerlegnos speaker phone was metallic and cold, laced with arrogance. Everyone in the room listened.Langdon tried to place the accent. Middle Eastern, perhaps?I am a messenger of an ancient brotherhood, the voice announced in an alien cadence. A brotherhood you have wronged for centuries. I am a messenger of the Illuminati.Langdon felt his muscles tighten, the last shreds of doubt withering away. For an instant he felt the familiar collision of thrill, privilege, and dead dismay that he had experienced when he eldest saw the ambigram this morning.What do you want? the camerlegno demanded.I represent men of science. work force who like yourselves are searching for the answers. Answers to mans destiny, his purpose, his creator.Whoever you are, the camerlegno said, I Silenzio. You pull up stakes do better to listen. For two millennia your church has dominated the quest for truth. You have crushed your enemy with lies and prophesies of doom. You have manipulated the truth to serve your needs, murdering those whose discoveries did not serve your politics. Are you surprised you are the target of enlightened men from around the globe? instruct men do not resort to blackmail to further their ca uses. act upon? The caller laughed. This is not blackmail. We have no demands. The abolition of the Vatican is nonnegotiable. We have waited quad hundred years for this day. At midnight, your city go away be destroyed. There is nothing you can do.Olivetti stormed toward the speaker phone. Access to this city is impossible You could not possibly have planted explosives in hereYou speak with the stolid devotion of a Swiss Guard. Perhaps even an incumbent? for certain you are aware that for centuries the Illuminati have infiltrated elitist organizations across the globe. Do you really cogitate the Vatican is immune?Jesus, Langdon thought, theyve got someone on the inside. It was no secret that infiltration was the Illuminati brand of power. They had infiltrated the Masons, major banking networks, government bodies. In fact, church buildingill had once told reporters that if English spies had infiltrated the Nazis to the degree the Illuminati had infiltrated English Parliament, t he war would have been over in one month.A rank(a) bluff, Olivetti snapped. Your influence cannot possibly extend so far.Why? Because your Swiss Guards are vigilant? Because they watch every corner of your private world? How about the Swiss Guards themselves? Are they not men? Do you truly believe they stake their lives on a fable about a man who walks on water? Ask yourself how else the canister could have entered your city. Or how four of your most precious assets could have disappeared this afternoon.Our assets? Olivetti scowled. What do you mean?One, two, three, four. You havent missed them by now?What the hell are you talk Olivetti stopped short, his eyes rocketing wide as though hed just been punched in the gut.Light dawns, the caller said. Shall I read their names?Whats going on? the camerlegno said, looking bewildered.The caller laughed. Your officer has not yet informed you? How sinful. No surprise. Such pride. I imagine the disgrace of telling you the truth that four ca rdinals he had sworn to cling to seem to have disappearedOlivetti erupted. Where did you get this informationCamerlegno, the caller gloated, ask your commander if all your cardinals are present in the Sistine Chapel.The camerlegno turned to Olivetti, his green eyes demanding an explanation.Signore, Olivetti whispered in the camerlegnos ear, it is true that four of our cardinals have not yet reported to the Sistine Chapel, but there is no need for alarm. Every one of them checked into the residence hall this morning, so we know they are safely inside Vatican City. You yourself had tea with them only hours ago. They are simply late for the syndicate preceding conclave. We are searching, but Im sure they just lost spoil of time and are still out enjoying the grounds.Enjoying the grounds? The calm exit from the camerlegnos voice. They were due in the chapel over an hour agoLangdon scape Vittoria a look of amazement. Missing cardinals? So thats what they were looking for downstairs? Our inventory, the caller said, you ordain find quite convincing. There is cardinal grosbeak Lamasse from Paris, Cardinal Guidera from Barcelona, Cardinal Ebner from FrankfurtOlivetti seemed to shrink smaller and smaller after each name was read.The caller paused, as though taking special pleasure in the final name. And from Italy Cardinal Baggia.The camerlegno loosened like a tall broadcast that had just run sheets first into a dead calm. His frock billowed, and he collapsed in his chair. I preferiti, he whispered. The four favorites including Baggia the most likely heir as Supreme Pontiff how is it possible?Langdon had read enough about modern papal elections to understand the look of desperation on the camerlegnos face. Although technically any cardinal under eighty years old could move Pope, only a very few had the respect necessary to command a two-thirds majority in the ferociously partisan balloting procedure. They were cognize as the preferiti. And they were all gone.S weat dripped from the camerlegnos brow. What do you symbolise with these men?What do you think I intend? I am a descendant of the Hassassin.Langdon felt a shiver. He knew the name well. The church had made some deadly enemies through the years the Hassassin, the Knights Templar, armies that had been either hunted by the Vatican or betrayed by them.Let the cardinals go, the camerlegno said. Isnt threatening to destroy the City of God enough?Forget your four cardinals. They are lost to you. Be assured their deaths result be remembered though by millions. Every martyrs dream. I will make them media luminaries. One by one. By midnight the Illuminati will have everyones attention. Why change the world if the world is not watching? Public killings have an stimulate horror about them, dont they? You proved that long ago the inquisition, the torture of the Knights Templar, the Crusades. He paused. And of rush, la purga.The camerlegno was silent.Do you not recall la purga? the caller a sked. Of course not, you are a child. Priests are poor historians, anyway. Perhaps because their history shames them?La purga, Langdon heard himself say. Sixteen sixty-eight. The church branded four Illuminati scientists with the symbol of the cross. To chuck their sins.Who is speaking? the voice demanded, sounding more intrigued than concerned. Who else is there?Langdon felt shaky. My name is not important, he said, trying to keep his voice from wavering. Speaking to a living Illuminatus was disorienting for him like speaking to George Washington. I am an pedantic who has studied the history of your brotherhood.Superb, the voice replied. I am pleased there are still those alive who remember the crimes against us.Most of us think you are dead.A misconception the brotherhood has worked hard to promote. What else do you know of la purga?Langdon hesitated. What else do I know? That this unscathed situation is insanity, thats what I know After the brandings, the scientists were murde red, and their bodies were dropped in public locations around Rome as a warning to other scientists not to join the Illuminati.Yes. So we shall do the same. peck pro quo. Consider it symbolic retribution for our slain brothers. Your four cardinals will die, one every hour starting at eight. By midnight the whole world will be enthralled.Langdon moved toward the phone. You actually intend to brand and kill these four men?History repeats itself, does it not? Of course, we will be more elegant and bold than the church was. They killed privately, dropping bodies when no one was looking. It seems so cowardly.What are you saying? Langdon asked. That you are going to brand and kill these men in public?Very good. Although it depends what you consider public. I realize not many people go to church anymore.Langdon did a icon take. Youre going to kill them in churches?A gesture of kindness. Enabling God to command their souls to heaven more expeditiously. It seems only right. Of course the p ress will enjoy it too, I imagine.Youre bluffing, Olivetti said, the cool back in his voice. You cannot kill a man in a church and expect to get away with it.Bluffing? We move among your Swiss Guard like ghosts, remove four of your cardinals from within your walls, plant a deadly explosive at the heart of your most sacred shrine, and you think this is a bluff? As the killings occur and the victims are found, the media will swarm. By midnight the world will know the Illuminati cause.And if we stake guards in every church? Olivetti said.The caller laughed. I fear the prolific spirit of your religion will make that a trying task. Have you not counted lately? There are over four hundred Catholic churches in Rome. Cathedrals, chapels, tabernacles, abbeys, monasteries, convents, parochial schoolsOlivettis face remained hard.In ninety minutes it begins, the caller said with a note of finality. One an hour. A mathematical approach of death. Now I must go.Wait Langdon demanded. Tell me abo ut the brands you intend to use on these men.The killer sounded amused. I suspect you know what the brands will be already. Or perhaps you are a skeptic? You will see them soon enough. Proof the ancient legends are true.Langdon felt light-headed. He knew exactly what the man was claiming. Langdon pictured the brand on Leonardo Vetras chest. Illuminati folklore spoke of five brands in all. Four brands are left, Langdon thought, and four missing cardinals.I am sworn, the camerlegno said, to bring a new Pope tonight. Sworn by God.Camerlegno, the caller said, the world does not need a new Pope. After midnight he will have nothing to rule over but a pile of rubble. The Catholic church building is finished. Your run on public is done.Silence hung.The camerlegno looked sincerely sad. You are misguided. A church is more than trench mortar and jewel. You cannot simply erase two thousand years of faith any faith. You cannot crush faith simply by removing its earthly manifestations. The Cat holic Church will continue with or without Vatican City.A noble lie. But a lie all the same. We both know the truth. Tell me, why is Vatican City a walled citadel?Men of God live in a dangerous world, the camerlegno said.How young are you? The Vatican is a fortress because the Catholic Church holds half of its equity inside its walls rare paintings, sculpture, devalued jewels, priceless books then there is the gold bullion and the real estate deeds inside the Vatican Bank vaults. Inside estimates put the raw value of Vatican City at 48.5 billion dollars. Quite a nest egg youre sitting on. tomorrow it will be ash. Liquidated assets as it were. You will be bankrupt. Not even men of cloth can work for nothing.The accuracy of the statement seemed to be reflected in Olivettis and the camerlegnos shell-shocked looks. Langdon wasnt sure what was more amazing, that the Catholic Church had that kind of money, or that the Illuminati somehow knew about it.The camerlegno sighed heavily. Faith, not money, is the backbone of this church. more(prenominal) lies, the caller said. know year you spent 183 million dollars trying to support your struggling dioceses worldwide. Church attendance is at an all-time low down forty-six percentage in the last decade. Donations are half what they were only seven years ago. Fewer and fewer men are entering the seminary. Although you will not admit it, your church is dying. Consider this a chance to go out with a bang.Olivetti stepped forward. He seemed less combative now, as if he now sensed the reality facing him. He looked like a man searching for an out. Any out. And what if some of that bullion went to fund your cause?Do not insult us both.We have money.As do we. More than you can fathom.Langdon flashed on the alleged Illuminati fortunes, the ancient wealth of the Bavarian stone masons, the Rothschilds, the Bilderbergers, the legendary Illuminati Diamond.I preferiti, the camerlegno said, changing the subject. His voice was pleading . Spare them. They are old. They They are virgin sacrifices. The caller laughed. Tell me, do you think they are really virgins? Will the little lambs squeal when they die? Sacrifici vergini nell altare di scienza.The camerlegno was silent for a long time. They are men of faith, he finally said. They do not fear death.The caller sneered. Leonardo Vetra was a man of faith, and yet I saw fear in his eyes last night. A fear I removed.Vittoria, who had been silent, was suddenly airborne, her body taut with hatred. Asino He was my fatherA gabble echoed from the speaker. Your father? What is this? Vetra has a daughter? You should know your father whimpered like a child at the end. Pitiful really. A pathetic man.Vittoria reeled as if knocked self-referent by the words. Langdon reached for her, but she regained her balance and fixed her dark eyes on the phone. I swear on my life, before this night is over, I will find you. Her voice sharpened like a laser. And when I doThe caller laughed coarsely. A woman of spirit. I am aroused. Perhaps before this night is over, I will find you. And when I doThe words hung like a blade. Then he was gone.