The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

Chapter 57 - Truth or Dare.

Time: Present Day
Location: Vatican City

Carter and Teacher walked straight by the Swiss Guards who were oblivious to their presence. They entered Graz's office and took up residence in one corner of the room. Peter was talking to Graz. "You did good Petros, as I told you before,  the Princess Di smokescreen. I was dubious about at first, but now I think it was pure genius. All the international and local news media can talk about is the similarities to the Princess Di crash, rather than investigating the victim.

We also are confident that if they push too hard about the Di case MI5 will shut them down again anyway. A well thought out plan, expertly carried out by your instrument, Anton. You have passed the test with flying colours, it is now time to talk of succession, time for some truths and secrets to be unfurled to you to enable you to carry out the very important role you have been groomed for from the beginning. Before I impart to you the major secret you have been wondering about all these years, do you have any questions about the role we are asking you to take on? For if you have any qualms or reservations, then speak now, for the rest of your life depends on it. For as I told you before, once I impart and entrust this secret to you there is no turning back, you must guard this secret with your life. How you perform this task will indeed determine how long the rest of your life will be; as it has done for the centuries; and does for those who have gone before you. So ask your questions now Petros, for once the die is cast there is no turning back.

I have already spoken to His Holiness and he has agreed that Enrico grows old and tired of the game. He is making mistakes of judgement now. He is a liability we cannot afford. He knows too much of the past and no longer sees the future clearly. I will be his replacement as you dear Petros will be mine, that is, if you are prepared to accede to His Holiness' wishes. You Peter Margate, are to be raised to the sublime position of Archbishop, in pectore, of all of Europe. His Holiness' Guardian of Secrets. His Gabriel. And so it is time for you to decide Petros, do I cast the die or caste you out? Are you willing to take up the mantle layed out before you. To promise to guard the secrets with your life and to make it your life's work. To forsake all others and give yourself totally to service of the Mother Church.

Peter hung his head in submission. "I have nothing else to live for now. I know Amelia is gone. She probably didn't love me as much as I did her anyway, perhaps it's for the best, roll the dice then and let the future unfold as it must. I so swear."

"Then I shall impart to you the truth behind the Secret of Secrets. The one to be guarded at all costs, the one that has the potential to undo that which has been built and to plunge the world into anarchy and perhaps even a war to end all wars. Armageddon, as foretold by the prophets in the ancient scriptures."

Graz proceeded to explain the origin of the manuscript he had already gone over with him but this time he elaborated and expanded the story, telling Peter that Vatican experts had verified the authenticity of the mauscript. That some of the rumours Peter had read about were indeed true, that Jesus had indeed had a twin brother, an identical twin, at least identical enough to fool the establishment. It had been his twin brother who was crucified, having given his life for his brother, for he knew he had consumption from a life of over indulgence. He was the Yang to Jesus' Ying, and since he had very little time left anyway thought he could redeem himself in Joseph, his father's eyes, by saving his favourite son Jesus. "It puts a whole new meaning to some of the new testament does it not, Jesus' twin was a Magician called Thomas, and a joker. They played tricks as many twins do, swapping lives occasionally and playing with peoples' minds. He had a sick sense of humour right to the end, the Roman guards never suspected what 'Jesus' really meant when he actually said, "Father forgive me, be happy for they know not what they do."

Jesus was spotted three days later, so to conceal the truth, some of his disciples removed Thomas' body and burnt it. They spread rumours that Jesus had risen from the dead to prove what he had been saying was true and in order to start a movement. They had done this more out of survival than anything else. They thought if there was enough people believing it then the Romans who always were a superstitious lot would leave them alone. Who would have thought that, that act of kindness by his brother would become the most celebrated death in the history of mankind. Ironically it wasn't until the Romans themselves, adopted Christianity as their religion, again solely in order to counter and control an increasingly rebellious empire, that the Church as we know it today was founded and flourished, and spun off every Christian denomination since. Even Islam can trace its origins back to Jesus."