It had come down to this. After the Kingdom of Albion had fallen under the sway of the Methuselah Empire, the other Terran centers of power had found it more and more difficult to maintain their autonomy. Finally all that was left to stand against the might of the Methuselahs was Rome and the power of the Vatican. After much bloodshed and rivers of tears, the Methuselah army massed at the gates of the city itself. The streets were silent as the grave as what was left of the citizenry huddled in what buildings were left. Mostly, they were pre-Armageddon structures, and churches. It was a calculated insult by the New Terran Empire.
Inside the Vatican's war room, years of frustrations had boiled over into outright animosity between half-siblings Francesco di Medici and Caterina Sforza. Bigger men than Caterina had been cowed by Francesco's towering rages, and even now Pope Alessandro had dissolved into tears as his sibs snarled bitter imprecations at each other. But the petite blonde woman had not given an inch in this battle of words; instead Francesco had been forced to take a few steps backward. "And if I have to join the Orden to save this city, I shall!" Caterina cried at the top of her lungs. A brittle silence stretched across the room, as the college of Cardinals collectively held its breath. Francesco drew back his arm and struck his sister a blow that rocked her on her feet. But Caterina refused to fall.
She tasted blood in her mouth, whether he had loosened a tooth or she had simply bitten the inside of her mouth she could not immediately ascertain. "Brother…" whispered Alessandro, blinking away his tears. "You traitorous bitch." Francesco hissed. Slowly, deliberately, Caterina turned her face, the smooth unmarked ivory flesh a counterpoint to the livid handprint on her left cheek. "Do it again, brother." She dared him, eyes flashing unrepentantly. "For did not the Son say, 'If they have hated me, they will hate you also?'"
Francesco balled his hands into fists but did not dare speak. He simply could not find words to express his malice. Caterina waited. Heartbeats stretched into seeming years. "Now direct your anger to doing your duties." She said flatly. "This city shall NOT fall while I draw breath." She looked around the room, meeting the eyes of every man there. "We are in agreement then? The Guards shall support and assist AX and the regular troops?" A murmur met her words.
Alessandro stood, straightening his shoulders, and a new determination setting his childish jaw. "You have heard the words of Her Eminence. And now hear mine. All shall support the resistance, which shall be spearheaded by Cardinal Caterina and her AX. Final authority in ALL military matters is now vested in her. Any opposition or insubordination shall result in an swift meting of justice. This I, Alessandro XVII, say. And may the blessings of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be on you all."
Caterina watched them all depart in a flurry of richly embroidered cloth and finery. She, in particular, did not take her eyes from Francesco until he was well out of sight. She had been surprised by Alessandro. Perhaps there was hope in the boy yet. She pressed a finger to her temple. "Sister Kate. Inform Crusnik, Sword Dancer, the Professor, Gunslinger, Know Faith and Dandelion that there will be a meeting in 15 minutes in my office. And be there yourself, as well. Caterina out."
As she departed the war room, she was the embodiment of serenity. But she never lost her awareness for dangers in the shadows. Francesco would have his vengeance, if the coming battle did not bring her death.