Cold Fusion - A Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Fusion Short Story Anthology

BNW part 5

"The Illuminati," Gaius carefully repeated. "I don't think I've heard of you."

"You wouldn't have," the man said. "We like it that way. Makes our task that much easier. But we operate with a legal mandate, jointly issued by the Senate and the Papacy, to handle matters the Legions and the Vigiles cannot." Abruptly he held out his hand. "I'm Father Garibaldi, by the way."

"Pater," Gaius respectfully said as he took Garibaldi's hand. He was immediately surprised to not find it soft and weak, like those belonging to most priests and men devoted to books. Instead it was firm and callused, a hand that belonged to a man of action.

"Gaius Bennett. And my associate, Lucius Nero."

"Gentlemen," Garibaldi acknowledged each with a nod even as he took Lucius' hand to give it a firm shake.

"Father Garibaldi," one of the women that had accompanied the Illuminati priest, called out from the doorway leading to a side passage. She was a graceful yet determined looking Nubian, her Latin flawless and without accent.

"Did you find something, Sheba?" Garibaldi asked as the three of them looked in her direction.

"The stolen crates from Mr. Bennett's customs cell," she said, "along with a number of other items including that gold statue of Venus stolen from the central museum's art repository in Rome two months ago. The one you were looking for, father."

"Ah, excellent!" Garibaldi said with no little satisfaction. "Bishop Pastorius will be delighted that we've recovered it." He looked at a curious Gaius and Lucius. "His Excellency is the curator. Considering what you've been doing for a living, Mr. Bennett, I think he'd very much like to meet you."

"Perhaps when I'm next in Rome," Gaius said with a smile, inwardly delighted that the senator's goods had been successfully recovered.

"Why wait? We have a zeppelin already booked for the return voyage!" Garibaldi declared.

"Thank you, but I must decline. I've an exhibit to set up for a senator ..."

"Already taken care of," Garibaldi indicated as, with a gesture, he directed his people to begin gathering up the wounded thugs and their leader. "And I'll send somebody around to take care of your flats."

At their puzzled looks, the priest chuckled.

"Ah, Garibaldi, you've gotten ahead of yourself yet again!" Then he abruptly sobered. "Gentlemen, in the Pope's name I would like to formally extend an invitation to you both to join the Illuminati. I've seen the measure of your skills and ability and know you will be tremendous assets to our cause. If you accept, you'll both be granted the rank of equites with property and income as befitting your new rank." He leaned towards them, his expression intent.

"What do you say?"

Gaius blinked as his mind worked furiously. Could he afford to pass on an opportunity to join a group of people like Lucius and himself whose sole purpose was to use the best technology and science to protect the Republic from its enemies? A group with the full support of both the Senate and the Church, no less?

"Do you feel like an adventure of Illuminati proportions, old friend?" he asked, looking over at an equally thoughtful Lucius.

"Is that even a question?" he quickly replied, his thoughtful expression transforming into a delighted grin. Gaius smiled back, his mind made up.

"Forgot who I was talking to, old boy," he said. Then he was looking over at a pleased Garibaldi, who had followed their exchange with interest.

"It's a brave new world, father. One my friend and I would like to help the Illuminati keep safe. So, where do we sign?"