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  He got that.

  "I’ll tell them what they need to know. And I'll do the same for you, sir," BC tells him. Linus leans back, eyebrows rising, noticeably taken aback by BC's sudden impudence. Then he leans back in for emphasis.

  "Where do your allegiances and alliances lay, Father Campion?" Linus asks BC directly.

  "With those I trust, sir. Only with those I know I can trust."

  "Do you think you can trust me?" Linus asks him.

  "I don't know yet," BC answers honestly. "I don't know you well enough yet to go either way."

  "But I am your Pope!" Linus proclaims.

  "Oh, that's gonna get you far with me," BC says, half under his breath.

  "What?" Linus demands.

  "Are you really my Pope?" BC goes on the offensive. "How can I be sure? What really happened to Pope Peter?"

  "He was killed in the attacks. You heard the news," Linus insists. He's lying. Peter was dead before the attacks began. Now I know at least one thing about him. He lies.

  "I heard the news. Honestly? I didn't believe the news. I've learned not to believe much of anything, actually," BC says.

  "You don't sound much like of a man of faith, Father," Linus observes.

  "There are some things I do believe in, sir," BC counters. Linus looks him up and down, assessing.

  "Who are you, Father? Who are you, really?"

  "I'm your man on the moon, your holiness," BC demurs.

  "So you say," Linus nods,” But how much you are actually our man very much remains to be seen, I think. It seems you're really nobody's man. I guess that will have to do, for now.

  "Do you really think you can handle the peace conference?" Linus asks him.

  "We shall see, won't we?” BC answers honestly. “I give you my word: I will apply myself to the cause and do my best to make it happen," BC promises him. "Who doesn't want peace?"

  "Who doesn't want peace? Indeed," Linus agrees.

  "Actually, think about that for a second,” BC says, pausing. “What about the UIN? Do they really want peace? Do they want things to stay the way they are now? Them all cooped up on Mars? Us ranging all over the Moon and Earth and in Orbit? I don't think they want peace unless they get the Earth back in the bargain... and I'm not thinking we wanna make that deal." BC explains.

  "They can't want more of their people to die," Linus protests.

  "They can. They do,” BC tells him. “Some of them see it as the whole martyrdom thing, evidently. That's why we saw those Kamikaze attacks before."

  Linus laughs at a funny thought, "Japanese Muslims, Father?" BC is not amused. "Actually, in all seriousness, Muslims using leftover Japanese tech, your holiness," he says soberly.

  "I see," Linus says.

  "I'll try to broker a peace,” BC says. “I'll attempt to set up this peace conference. But I don't think the UIN is going to settle for anything less than return of control of the Earth. The UTZ won’t agree to that. Nor should they. I don't know how much hope we should hold out for a peaceful solution,” BC tells him.

  "You're a realist,” Linus says. “That's fine. Probably better than being an optimist.”

  Pope Linus stands up behind his desk. “So… You make the conference happen. I'll make you permanent, full ambassador. That's our bargain. Deal?" Linus extends his hand. BC stands, reaches out and shakes it.

  "Deal," he agrees.

  "Well then." Pope Linus looks down at the papers on his desk. BC feels the pope's attention shift away entirely, almost a palpable thing. Linus almost offhandedly dismisses him. "Stay in touch, then. Get the ball rolling on the conference,” Pope Linus says. He sits back down. “Good day, Father."

  "Good day, your holiness," BC says. He turns to leave. Linus looks up one last time.

  "Thank you for responding to our call, Father Campion."

  "You're welcome," BC says. Linus is already staring back down at his papers. Weird dude. I'll leave, then, I guess. What is his angle? Who is he working for? Working with?

  I'd almost find him authentic, if it weren't for M'Bekke's warning. Questions preoccupy BC's mind as he makes his way out of the Pope's offices. He heads back to the Rome Air and Space Port, his mind buzzing with questions.

  Where is M'Bekke? No sign of him at the Vatican during my brief visit. No outward sign of the OPO anywhere, actually. So either we're completely underground or... we just don't exist anymore.

  Another papal coup? Who put Giuseppe in place, then... and why? Traditionalists? The Curia?

  The Old Roman Catholics? Pope Peter never garnered their favor, not with the way he flaunted so many traditions.

  With the way Linus talked about the UTZ, it can't be them. No, not the UTZ, certainly, unless they're playing an incredibly complex game... and playing me with it! Nah… a conspiracy like that would have to be too complex to actually work. And the folks involved would have to be a hell of a lot smarter.

  Is "Pope Linus" really so in the dark on the OPO's true function? Or was he just playing me?

  BC's thoughts turn back to the Moon.

  Heading back to Lunar Prime, back home. It still feels like I'm going home, despite our new

  "Governor" Daniel McEntyre. Wonder how the NcC's new neutrality will play with him? What will he think of the Pope's peace plan and conference? Probably won't buy a word of it, knowing him.

  I'll be nice. I'll try not to punch him again, either. Try not to clench my teeth as I ask him politely and diplomatically if I can hold a peace conference on the Moon, at Lunar Prime. See what happens.

  BC lands on the Moon and makes his way back to the Vatican Mission, to send out invitations and inquiries… and to see if Daniel McEntyre can be reasoned with.

  McEntyre stalls him, at first, trying to put off any meeting with him. BC attempts to jump through all proper diplomatic hoops to schedule an open, public meeting. He officially and publicly petitions him for an audience, Ambassador to Governor. BC includes in the petition reference to discussing the new neutrality of the New catholic Church and possible ideas for peace. After a week of delays, McEntyre finally agrees to a public meeting.

  At the meeting, BC asks the governor, politely and diplomatically, if he’ll agree to let BC host a peace conference on the Moon, at Lunar Prime, in mid-October.

  BC makes a strong case. He outlines the parties he wants to involve, and presents the NcC’s intention of declaring neutrality. After McEntyre discovers that BC has reached out to the UIN leader Ibn Al-Salid and invited him to join in the peace conference, McEntyre begins to treat BC almost civilly. BC is pleasantly surprised. McEntyre agrees to the peace conference with little protest. McEntyre seems surprised himself by the newly neutral NcC. He shakes BC’s hand at the end of the meeting… the first non-violent physical contact between BC and McEntyre!

  Peace holds through the summer. BC’s peace conference gives people hope there’s a chance for ending the war. Maybe even a chance at a lasting peace. The New catholic Church officially announces its neutrality in June. Pope Linus also promises some groundbreaking overtures towards the UIN at the coming peace conference.

  July, August and September pass quietly. The parties confirm their intention to participate in the peace conference. The UIN will send a delegation. Although BC keeps his distance from the UTZ council over the summer, the UTZ agrees to send representatives. McEntyre agrees to involve the Lunar government. There is great anticipation for the conference by the time October arrives.

  Chapter Nine

  BC wakes up bristling with anticipation and anxiety on October 10th, the day his peace conference guests are scheduled to begin arriving.

  Well. A day I never thought I'd see finally arrives! My peace conference... how 'bout that? And right on schedule!

  The Reverend Bernard Campion, Acting Vatican Ambassador to the Independent Lunar State, invites you to A Peace Conference on Lunar Prime, October 10th through the 13th, 2110. Please do come... And they’re coming!

  They'll all be here soon… at least the
ir envoys and representatives will be. BC dresses quickly and heads for the outskirts of Lunar Prime's port to watch representatives arrive.

  Ayatollah Salid of Mars is sending representative Mohammed Ibn Al Sere, and his entourage. Wentworth is heading up the UTZ’s delegation.

  To BC's dismay, Pope Linus has sent along what he called "additional Vatican Representation." BC

  knows it’s to be Linus's eyes and ears for the conference: Cardinal James Hardwick, Vatican Envoy. Hardwick came a day early. He arrived last night, expecting quarters and, apparently, maid service. To the absolute delight of the mission staff used to my more egalitarian ways. BC sees Hardwick off to the left out of the corner of his eye, standing among the welcoming reception crowd at the port and talking with Daniel McEntyre.

  Those two look way too chummy for my taste. Look at them laughing!

  Here comes the UIN group. The Muslims were genuinely surprised by the Pope's overtures of neutrality.

  We were all somewhat shocked when he pledged to try to find a way to grant them access to any NcC controlled holy sites that Muslims hold to be holy on Earth. That overture was really stunning. Surprising. The UIN were taken aback.

  Damn. I can't help thinking back to the last peace conference. The one I ruined by assassinating the last Governor McEntyre. Only doing my job, I keep telling myself. That's what they told me, only following orders... I'm SO less sure of all of that, now. Maybe this peace conference can help me make up for it. It won't give McEntyre back his wife. Won't give back all the lives lost as the war continued, escalated. But maybe it’s my chance to do some good. It seemed like it was right... the right thing to do. I can't say I always know what the right thing is any more. Maybe the Peace Conference is my stab at it

  BC watches McEntyre laughing, greeting newly arriving conference attendees. I still want to hit him. Just one more time! He’s been good, though, supporting the peace conference. I haven’t had to dig up the dirt on him, yet. Not that I won’t. Maybe I shouldn’t. I don’t know.

  Could I just hate McEntyre out of my own guilt?

  Nah!

  He's genuinely despicable in his own slimy right. Look at him. Wait a minute!

  Who was that just behind him?

  A familiar looking woman arrived with one of the delegations and passed just behind McEntyre. Her?! No fucking way! Nita fucking Bendix?!

  BC swears he just saw Nita Bendix, behind McEntyre, only visible for a second, then gone. I haven't forgotten that face! You try to kill me, I remember you!

  Instincts flood back for BC. It's all he can do to stand still as the "unofficial" gathering and greeting continues. He wants to get on the hunt. Find that woman!

  Was it really her? Would she dare? Why would she come back here? Huh, why wouldn't she? She got away with a lot! What's stopping her? I wonder if she's still wanted for Meredith McEntyre's death? I'm not sure if she was actually brought up on charges for that, officially. They had no hard evidence, only suspicion. And her absence. Which I appreciate. BC finds himself rocking on his heels.

  Gotta try to relax. Look like a good host of this informal formality of a gathering. No cocktails present out of religious concerns. I could use a drink myself!

  Never mind. Just nod, be gracious... Funny, I never used to attend one of these things unless I was killing someone. Now it's killing me! Well, not literally...

  Everyone's a little stiff, over formal. Well, except for Hardwick and McEntyre... strange they'd get along. Wonder if there's anything to that.

  Gotta suspect everyone, dontcha BC? You bet your ass. Everyone here looks suspicious. Suspicious of each other, and suspicious in their own right.

  BC enjoys a chuckle under his breath.

  Maybe it will get easier when the actual talks start tomorrow. Right. Somehow, I don't think so. At least I won't have to be there the whole time. That's why entourages and delegations were invented! The leaders paint policy with a wide brush. Then the career boys from the diplomatic corps step in and work through the fine filigree of the knotty details. We get to step back in at the end, make final adjustments, say yea or nay and sign the papers with a flourish!

  I've organized the whole shebang, and gotten the agendas approved by all parties involved. I'll facilitate the process over the next three days, best I can, try to shepherd them along to an agreement, and try to keep the church truly neutral as we go along. There’s not much else for me to do.

  Except to try to find Nita Bendix, if she's really here. In all my spare time. Right. Oh, God... Cardinal Hardwick is waving at BC, trying to get his attention, apparently to call him over to speak with him and McEntyre.

  No thanks...

  Luckily, BC is saved by the approach of the head of the UIN delegation.

  "Father Campion?"

  "Hello, Sir. Yes, I'm Father Campion, how can I help you?"

  "Mohammed Ibn Al Sere , Father, the ranking UIN Representative," he says as an introduction. "I am glad to meet the madman who thinks he can forge a peace!"

  Woah...

  "Nice to meet you, too," BC says warily.

  "Do you know, Father Campion, I am still not sure why I am here?" Al Sere challenges BC.

  "I hope you're here because you're as tired as we are of people dying. We have a new Pope, a new head of the New catholic Church. He’s declared the NcC neutral and he wants peace. Maybe the time has come when we can finally end the killing?" BC answers.

  "Peace? How can there be peace when we cannot go home?" Al Sere asks.

  "We understand that. That's why Pope Linus has pledged to try and find a way to..." Al Sere interrupts him. "You would have us only visit places that rightfully belong to us! This is but a frustrating tease! Of little value, save to provoke our further anguish as a homeless people! And how many places are left? How can there be peace when Mecca lies destroyed, when Jerusalem lies destroyed? If you have a vision for peace, you best present it quickly, for I have little patience for consorting with the enemy!"

  BC waits, to be sure the man is finished ranting. When it's clear he is, BC raises his eyebrows in an, "all done?" non-verbal, question. Al Sere nods.

  "I see. Well, Mohammed Ibn Al Sere. Sir. I, uh, don't have a plan. No plan at all. You see, sir, I have a question, instead."

  "A question?"

  "A question. I think that's better, a better place to start. Than with a plan."

  "And what is your question?" Al Sere challenges him.

  "What does the UIN really need to have to be at peace? What do you think you absolutely need to have? What places, planets, platforms, territories...? What security? What assurances? What does the UIN need to feel safe, and at peace?"

  Al Sere is silent. He stares past BC as he seems to consider the question. BC gives him time. After about a minute, Al Sere responds.

  "Good questions. You're right; questions are a good place to start. Better than plans. After fighting for so long, I'm no longer sure we know what we need, even when we think we know what we want.”

  He falls back into silence for a moment. “We want Mecca back. We want the Dome of the Rock restored."

  "What do you want,” BC asks him, “that is actually attainable?"

  "That is the harder question," Al Sere admits.

  "If you think you need to have that which cannot be, if all you want is the unattainable, the undeliverable, then all you really want is war."

  "Are you trying to provoke me?" Al Sere says with some bluster.

  "No. Please, hear me out," BC says, hoping to calm his guest.

  "I just heard you say that all I want is war."

  "I asked you what you needed to make you satisfied, to end the war, and you spoke of things that are gone, things that cannot be. What do you desire, what does the UIN need, that CAN be?"

  "I don't know... we want to come back home, at the very least. We want to visit our holy sites that are still there… But why should I be telling one such as you this?" Al Sere's mood darkens. He leans in close to accuse BC in a harsh
whisper, "You ask these deep questions, but how true are they? How real are you, Father? Wasn’t it not long ago that you killed many for the cause? So it's been reported. You are a soldier, not a priest. The tiger does not change its stripes." He leans back and glares at BC.

  Wham! The guy knows how to lay it on thick, doesn't he? And what was he eating on that flight, pepperoni? I didn't think they could...

  "I have always tried to serve my faith as best I could,” BC says. “Don't you do the same?"

  "I find it distasteful to have to speak with one of those responsible for killing my people and chasing us from our homes. I am trying the best I can,” Al Sere cautions BC. “I will stay, and see what happens, but my hopes are not high. My expectations are extremely low. The Ayatollah Salid, May he please Allah, does not see peace coming out of this conference, only death. But we are here,” Al Sere says. “We will talk again later, when I can stand it again." Al Sere turns and storms away, followed by his entourage. BC stands in stunned silence.

  Well... That went well. Maybe I did blow my cover last year. Maybe the UIN does know all about my previous "activities." Or maybe they just suspect it. Maybe Mohammed Ibn Al Sere is here to finally "out" me, expose me for the fraud I am! The last agent of the OPO laid out bare for all to see. What a lovely picture that is!

  That would just end my life as I know it, end my career, end this conference, end any hope of peace. Hey, that would be great; I'd be responsible for bringing total war back down on all our heads once again!

  BC shakes his head. He tries to concentrate on nodding and greeting and mingling with the arriving delegations.

  I can't believe all that still hangs over my head. But if they've got any proof, why haven't they exposed me already?

  I hate to think Pope Peter was right after all. Maybe THAT'S why Nita Bendix is here! Shit!

  And shit again, look who it is...

  "Hello Father Campion," Richard Wentworth says, extending his hand. BC takes it and shakes it. "Mr. Wentworth. Trust your trip was smooth?"

  "That's Representative Wentworth, please, Campion."

  "And the Reverend Ambassador Campion, then, if you would, sir. Please."