Saturday, January 4, 2014 – 3:28 PM Local Time – Outside Paris, France



After we wrapped things up with Tyler it was time to hurry and get things in place. Matthew found a particular location just outside of Paris, France that housed a Catholic monastery. A large building divided in half. One side houses some Catholic monks, the other side houses nuns. It just so happened that this particular monastery would be having some very important guests this weekend.

Once we returned to the Compound, we set a crash course in motion. We loaded up the Suburbans and held the pedals to the floor in order to get to my private airfield in Rhode Island. The red and blue lights installed behind the grills of the SUV's allowed us to do so without drawing a lot of attention. Once we arrived and the Suburbans were loaded into the cargo bay of Air Darkness One, the King of Darkness, my Messenger, and about a dozen members of my Brotherhood were wheels up and flying high above the Atlantic.

When I plan attacks against the Catholic Church I usually leave it up to Jacob and I to get it done. This case was a bit different though, since it would involve somewhere near 100 of our most hated enemies. Others necessarily were included in this mission. I could not possibly take the risk of just two of us heading into enemy territory.

Once we landed in Paris, Matthew began linking us to satellite maps from the comfort of the Compound. At times, I've come down unusually hard on that boy, but lately, he's stepped up his game and is becoming a valuable member of my Brotherhood. We would not be outside of Paris here today, ready to deliver a definitive strike against the Church with out his input. His stock is certainly rising.

As we are receiving the maps, Jake and I hang back in the cabin of the jumbo airliner as other members of the Illuminatus begin to prepare themselves for what is coming.



THE MESSENGER: “Judging by the photos Matthew is sending, I don't see how we'd have any problem getting in and out undetected by the locals.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What makes you so..”



Without even letting me finish my question, he shows me the photos of the monastery. The target location is set upon a hill. The building itself just next to an extremely high cliff. The photos suggest that there isn't a neighboring home in any direction for miles.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “The echo's?”

THE MESSENGER: “We have silencers.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Make sure they're equipped before we leave here.”

THE MESSENGER: “Though with pretty much no homes or anything of that nature being present for miles, I don't see any need for them.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “A precaution. These building have a tendency to reverberate low voices, let alone gunfire from an unsuppressed rifle.”

THE MESSENGER: “I see your point.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “How far is it from here?”

THE MESSENGER: “Judging by the photos, I'd say about thirty miles. Give or take.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Let's get moving then. If we hurry, we can catch them as they're sitting down for dinner.”

THE MESSENGER: “If not?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “We'll worry about that when we get there.”



We exit the airliner and head out into the cool sun on this French winter day. There isn't much snow in sight, so travel shouldn't be an issue. I give my final orders and we all pile into the Suburbans and head toward the Monastery.

About forty five minutes later, we slow the convoy to a stop on the French roadside and we take in what we're up against. I take the opportunity to give some final words to my men. I use my cell phone to do this. A simple tap of a button connects me to all three



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Gentlemen, the war between the Illuminatus and the Catholic Church has raged on for centuries. We were all but obliterated centuries ago. Just a few remained, and what we have now is a collection of like minded individuals that will fight to the death in order to achieve our simple goals of reclaiming what is rightfully ours.

“One day, when Thaddeus stands in the rubble of the Catholic Church, and the Illuminatus takes its rightful place upon St. Peter's Square, the entire world will realize we were right. They will realize, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Illuminatus was right all along.

“Today, we deliver a definitive blow against the evils of the Catholic Church. You all need to remember that there will be little resistance. However, when they begin to realize that their very lives are in jeopardy, their survival instincts will kick in.

“Gentlemen, allow me to take a moment to make one thing absolutely clear. No one. Not one single solitary soul, gets out alive. If they try to run or escape you are hereby ordered to cut them down on sight. No questions asked.

“Roll out.”



On my orders, the convoy proceeds back onto the road. Up ahead on the left, a narrow dirt road leading to the Monastery is in sight. The Suburbans slow up, and make the left. We travel at breakneck speed up the path and come to a stop in front of the building.

As we are filing out and grabbing our equipment, the bell is tolling in the steeple signaling those inside that it's time for dinner. I send a few men to check out all sides of the building. When they return, I'm alerted to the fact that the building has only a few windows. All of them too small to fit a human. We also found that the door in the rear of the building could easily be covered from the outside by no more than two men, leaving me with even more men on the inside than I previously expected.

Once we're ready, I do what I do best – lead my Brotherhood into the enemy.

As we walk through the front doors we enter a common area between the two halves of the building. I send four men inside each half with their orders to sweep the area and clear all men or women into the cafeteria that lies ahead of the common area behind closed doors. Two men will hang out here in the common area to to guard the front doors.

Jacob and I, along with the few men that have stayed here with us, stand just on the outside of the door and await the word from both sides for the all clear.

Thankfully we're not waiting long as the first voice comes through the phone.



VOICE 1: “All clear. We're outside the door to the cafeteria, awaiting your word, sir.”



Not long after, I get the second confirmation.



VOICE 2: “One nun down, sir. All clear now. We're outside the doors, awaiting your word.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Everyone stay put for the time being.”



As I look through the hazy windows into the cafeteria, all of those have gathered around the table. The senior Cardinal, an elderly man, is at the head of the table leading prayer. Judging by his accent, he's English.



CARDINAL: “Our Father, thou art in heaven. Blessed be thy name. We thank you for this tremendous feast you have given to us. We thank you for all of the countless blessings you have bestowed upon us. We ask of you to bless our Holy Father, Francis with good health and a long life.

“Amen.”



As they begin to eat, a nun speaks up.



NUN: “Cardinal George, Sister Mary hasn't come to dinner yet. Should I go fetch her?”

CARDINAL: “If you so choose, Sister.”



I don't believe Sister Mary is going to make it. Now it's time. It is time for your King of Darkness, as the Grand Master of the Brotherhood of the Illuminatus, to deliver a definitive blow against the Catholic Church.

I've allowed them to deny someone was waging a war against them for far, far too long. Single killings just aren't enough. Fun. Just not enough. Today, the Church will notice.