I am Stefano Torregrossa, abbot of the Sanctilaminium Ambrosii.
Abbot
The words 'believer' and 'kin' are not used here.
Abbot
The mundane world has certain conceptions of the Sankta and the Sarkaz. Order and chaos. Peace and war. Angels and devils. We share the same conceptions.
Abbot
Our halos and horns are our most distinctive features, symbols etched in the very essence of our life. Our existence alone draws the attention of others.
Abbot
Yet we have seen the sun rise and set thousands of times together, and we gather here today to partake in communion, to share shelter and blessing.
Abbot
We have spent varying lengths of time here at the abbey, but even the newcomers amongst us have been here for more than a decade.
Abbot
For a much longer time, we had no way of knowing whether we had been abandoned or forgotten. We did not know what perils the path ahead would hold, that we would meet at a fork of which no one could know.
You put on a brave face, but I can hear your teeth chattering.
Oren
The barrel of a rifle will never be worse than a bullet.
Lemuen
You can have one of those, too, if you want.
Oren
I can feel your seething anger.
Oren
You're angry that I violated the purity of your faith. That proves you're thinking as a Lateran.
Oren
Your mission is to bring the Sanctilaminium Ambrosii back to Laterano, and to help the lost Lateran kin there. My mission is to preserve what makes Laterano, Laterano.
Oren
Set your sentimentality aside, Lemuen. We're in agreement here.
Lemuen
Enough with your sophistry.
Lemuen
Did you learn it from the Victorian nobles, or Columbian merchants, Legatus Oren?
Lemuen
I said it, the sudden appearance of beasts will frighten wanderers. I'm not going to stand by and watch a massacre happen.
Oren
The commandos will be in position any moment now. You can't stop me.
Lemuen
I can incapacitate you, then deal with them.
Oren
You may have surprised me once, but it won't work again. Not unless you actually put a bullet in my brain.
Lemuen
Is that so?
Serpilia
Lemuen? Oren? Don't tell me you're really going to—
Again, and then again, before anyone could react, so loud that it sounds like the patron firearm was being fired right next to their ears. They could not even hear their own heartbeats for a few seconds.
The projectile leaves a long trail in the damp morning air.
Federico
I am Executor Federico of the Laterano Notarial Hall. That was a warning shot.
Federico
Cardinal Aide Lemuen, Legatus Oren, and Technician Serpilia of the Sixth Tribunal. I command you to cease your pointless altercation at once.
Federico
I see no need to understand your positions or mediate your conflict.
Federico
The mission remains incomplete. Newly emerged factors continue to present a risk of escalation. This monastery needs order.
Federico
If there is no contradiction between you, yet conflict remains unresolved; if empathy is not enough to prevent a community from disintegrating...
Federico
Then I will be order.
Federico
That warning shot was also intended for the special forces outside. Lateran troops will not enter the Sanctilaminium Ambrosii without my express authorization.
Federico
You were the one who deployed them, Oren. You will restrain them. Order them to pull back one kilometer and stand by.
Federico
Lemuen and Serpilia. The two of you have been in contact with the Sankta and Sarkaz populations here. You will reassure them and prevent the situation from escalating.
Federico
Meet me in the chapel once you have finished your task. Richele has uncovered a lead and is following it.
Federico
I will find the one responsible for this situation.
Richele peeks through a gap in the door and sees the gathered crowd return to their seats with sacramental bread and wine.
In the chancel, the aging abbot looks up toward the door, almost as though he is looking at Richele.
Richele thinks for a moment, then closes the door. He thinks for another moment, then takes out a spare gun grip, which he uses to latch the door handle.
Richele
Almost. All that's left is to wait for it to... finish.
Richele
Hm? Did Federico run into trouble? I guess I'm the only one taking care of things here now.
Richele
What a chore.
Richele
I should have taken the mission to search for the missing Legatus in Sargon. It might have been a little far, but dealing with the people of the sand has got to be less complicated.
Richele
Am I doomed to be a workaholic? Truly, our fate lies not in our hands.
Richele
Let's see... patron firearm in good working order.
Richele
If everyone inside... is one bullet per head enough? Don't tell me I'll have to use my fists...
Richele
I should apply for paid leave once I get back to Laterano. The Notarial Hall had better approve it, considering my workload.
