Time: Present Day

Location: Vatican City

When Graz had finished explaining the Secret of Secrets. The one that had the potential, if released to the general public, of fuelling anarchy and chaos; of destroying the Church and all it had built; of bringing down governments, starting a war to end all wars; of initiating Armageddon. The beginning of the end for all mankind; or at the very least destroying the fabric of civilisation as we know it, as the Church had built it.

Peter fell silent for a long time then asked, "What are we to do about Monique then?"

"I am afraid this is your test dear Peter. You brought this problem to the Vatican. It is now up to you to remove it from the Vatican. In a moment I will ring a special SPECTRE phone number. It will be answered by someone called Anton. You will tell this Anton that there is incriminating evidence in the form of a photograph of Andre. You will explain that there are two copies of this photograph, one in a police file in Paris and one in a mobile phone belonging to a woman named Monique Cheval. You will inform him that Mrs Cheval is booked on the 6.30pm flight to Paris from Rome. He is to arrange for the destruction of both pieces of evidence. He will then ask to speak to me. You will tell him that it is my wish that he take further instructions from you. He will then ask you what type of treatment you would like to employ. You will then say 'Special Treatment'. At this point I shall leave you to instruct Anton how you see fit, this is your test. You must stress that failure is not an option. He will ask your advice on how to proceed, you will tell him exactly what you want him to do. He will carry out your orders to the letter just as though they had come directly from me, just as he has done in the past and as his father had before him.

"Remember what I told you about the Secret you are now to Guard as if your life depends on it, for it surely does. Remember well the nature of the threat you and you alone have allowed to infiltrate the Vatican. The media coverage that will surely flow from your action or indeed inaction, all the training Dan and I have invested in you , especially the ability to hide in plain sight. It all hangs now in the balance. Act now, swiftly and decisively, for by now she is already in a car heading for the airport. Protect your instrument at all times, see that he acts undetected and will remain so in the aftermath of your action, and throughout any media scrutiny.

The phone call went exactly as Graz had predicted. When the person on the line called Anton asked how he should proceed, Graz raised himself up and vacated his chair. He ceremoniously placed Peter in his chair and said sincerely, "Good luck in your endeavours, you will be sorely tested, but I have every confidence you will come up with the right plan, for you have been trained by the best."

Graz walked towards the door, he brushed past Carter standing in the corner as he came out from behind his desk. He hesitated for a second, he shrugged as if a cold shiver had gone through him. He turned and smiled at Peter without showing Peter any sign of the unease he was experiencing..again he mouthed the words Good Luck and was gone.

A plan was starting to formulate in Peter's mind based on all that Graz and Dan had taught him. So much so that by the time Anton had discussed the various options he usually employed, Peter had already come up with what he thought was a brilliant plan. A plan worthy of the time and effort Dan and Graz had invested in him.

Peter said, "No Anton, it must be an accident, an accident that will bear up under intense investigation and media scrutiny, and it must not happen in Rome. Graz has already given you the background I believe, and asked you to travel to the airport, are you already at the airport?

Good, then this is what I want you to do."

Carter had a sick feeling as he listened to Peter articulating his plan to Anton.

It was a brilliant plan he had to admit, a plan it would prove difficult to thwart he thought to himself. But thwart it I must if I am to save her!

Carter never imagined how difficult it might be until Teacher appeared and said, "You cannot thwart it Carter Cheval."

"No, you just watch me. I'll stay with her and find some way to stop them, to warn her," he said confidently. "If I can rig a horse race, I can do this."

"You haven't learnt to distinguish the difference yet Carter Cheval," Teacher said.

"What do you mean, you're talking in riddles again, the difference between what?"

Teacher let him think about it for a while then he said in his exasperated father talking to an insolent child voice, "Think back Carter Cheval,, do you remember while you were watching your movie, and Amelia vanished, you asked me where she was, and I answered, her mother needs her just as you did."

Carter thought about this for what seemed like a minute or two, then it started to dawn on him, "You don't mean, she's already . . . "

"Yes Carter Cheval, what you are going to thwart you cannot, for it has already occurred," Teacher explained.

"Then I will go back in time and change it," he promised himself.

"You may, as you put it go back in time, but even if you do, all you can do is observe and learn, you cannot change anything that has already occurred, for it is now part of the All. To say you can change it is like saying you can change God. Only God can change God Carter Cheval, and you are not God. You are but a tiny spec of the All, and it doesn't matter one way or the other. Does it Carter Cheval? Or have I taught you nothing? It seems you must learn the hard way."

With that statement Teacher vanished.

Chapter 50 - Intrigue and Betrayal.

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