Silver Bullet. - Season 1 - Episode 12

6 years ago

Silver Bullet. - Season 1 - Episode 12

☆☆

4. 17A. M

Emily pulled up the SUV and a Swiss guard directed her to a vacant space in the parking lot beside the barracks of the Swiss Guards. A taller guard emerged as she was coming out of her car. He was on an overall colored with vertical stripes of yellow, red and dark purple with socks and a pair of loafers, all of the same color just like the other Swiss Guards. Even in the dim lit of the parking lot, they could be easily distinguished.

Meeting the famed Vatican soldiers had been one of the adventurous things she hoped to experience in Rome. According to her researches about them, they came into being in the early 16th century when Pope Julius II recruited Swiss mercenary soldiers to guard the Vatican City which had been on a struggle to gain her independence as a state from Italy. It was not until 1929 that the famous Lateran Treaty was signed by the Italian President Benito Mussolini and Pietro Cardinal Gaspari declaring the Vatican City an independent state. The traditional regalia of the Swiss Guards were designed by the controversial Italian artist and sculptor who designed most of the churches and famous artefacts in the Vatican City, Michelangelo Bounarroti.

Buorigiorno Signora, passo aiutarvi per favoret?”He asked in a thick Italian accent.

“Please, I’m sorry. I’m English”, she said, demonstrating as best as she could . She swung her digital camera out of sight. She wouldn’t like to look like a desperate tourist who couldn’t even wait for the day to break.

“Alright Signora, in what way may I help you?” He asked, making an attempt and almost mingling the sonorous drawl of an Italian language with his English.

“Actuall, I’m Emily Bradley from the Cable News Network (CNN)”, she said, groping for her ID in her sky blue snake skin clutch bag and handing it over to him. He walked over to an overhead street lamp to get a better view, Emily trailed behind as a blazing red Toyota Camry pulled up. When he was satisfied, he looked up at her, a scrutinizing look on his face.

“You come at such an early hour, miss”.

“I’m on a special assignment from Pope”.

“Your confirmation ID?”, he demanded. A wave of confusion washed over her face; she didn’t have this coming.

“Sorry?” She enquired, attempting a convincing smile.

“Signora, per favour!I demand your confirmation ID!”

Just as they were arguing, they heard some distraction and noise behind. The St. Peter’s Square was a few meters opposite the swiss Guard’s barracks. The walkie-talkie clasped on the guards’ belt rang.

“Hello, Signore Monte”, he said and listened while the person on the other side spoke.

“What? St. Peter’s Square? I’ll be there in a minute, Signore. Eh, I have a lady here”, he said, stealing a quick glance at the lady and then at the metallic ID

“One Ms. Emily Bradley, a reporter and she claims to be on a papal assignment but she could not provide a confirmation ID”, he said and listened.

“Okay”, he said afterwards and eyed the pretty young woman while strapping back his walkie-talkie. He handed her the I’d card and pulled out a Bluetooth ear piece from his b----t pocket. After turning it on, he carefully strapped it on his ear.

“Pardon me, but strange things are happening recently. The papal palace was attacked just this night. We can’t afford to take chances again”.

“Attacked? What’s all this about?” She asked.

The Guard shrugged, “Basta cosi per cosi per I’ll memento!” (The lesser you know the better).

Get into the car, let’s go”, he said in poor English.