Vatican Ambassador Read Online Free PDF Page B

inauguration should at least serve as some sort of closure. BC arrives, on time, and is told to stand with the other religious representatives for the ceremonies. At about 10:15, after the crowd has been seated and fidgeting for fifteen minutes, the lights in the auditorium finally go down.
    A piped-in fanfare begins, and golden light fades up, illuminating the hall. At an appropriate point in the music, the crescendo of a fanfare, the auditorium’s back doors open with a flash of light, and marching shadows appear.
    The light continues to rise, and BC watches McEntyre walk by in a procession of Lunar Government officials.
    Look at that shit. All puffed up and proud, makes me sick. Guess I can’t hit him, now. Be brought up on big charges! The moon may no longer be home for me anymore, with him in charge.
    No more friends in high places… no more backup on earth... Shit. What’s next? Keeping quiet and laying low?
    BC smiles and behaves himself throughout the ceremonies. He has to stay at the reception afterwards just long enough to be respectful. BC manages to avoid McEntyre at the reception almost entirely, until he is forced to face the man and play diplomat for a brief stint.
    BC is led before McEntyre as the Pope’s representative. McEntyre scowls briefly, but plays nice through the diplomatic niceties. BC offers the Pope’s official regards on McEntyre’s election. McEntyre thanks him curtly, dismissing him.
    Dick. Congratulations, asshole.
    BC moves aside for the next official representative come to offer congratulations, and then ducks back into the crowd. BC mills around the reception for a short time longer. As soon as he figures it’s safe, he ducks out and heads back to the Vatican Mission.
    Hate those things, unless I’m working. Then it’s more of a game. Well, I was working today. Not the same thing, not “working” working. I merely wanted to kill McEntyre; I wasn’t there to actually do the job. There’s a difference. Well, gotta file another report that no one will ever acknowledge…
    BC retreats to the Vatican Mission. He files a report on the day’s events. He starts to call Edwards, but thinks better of it.
    He probably wants to be alone… gotta find another window to stare out of, after all… that’s not really fair. The people here… I don’t get it. The guy helps put the place back together, but they listen to Daniel fucking McEntyre because he’s more charismatic, slicker, sharper, or something… I can only hope the guy leaves me alone. Well, that and I hope he doesn’t open the Moon wide open to the UIN…
Chapter Four
    McEntyre’s first major action as governor is his new Lunar Neutrality Declaration. It’s announced in mid-May, to be signed in early June.
    Lunar Prime Governor Daniel McEntyre’s declaration sets out in no uncertain terms the independence and neutrality of the moon:
    “The free citizens in residence on the Moon, the people of Lunar Prime and its associated colonies, declare themselves to be free and independent of all authority save the democratic authority vested by them in the duly, democratically elected government of the Moon.
    “We declare the Moon neutral in this current conflict. We do not believe that faith should divide people, or be the cause for war. The current conflict is faulty in its causes and can only be fruitless in its outcome.
    “The Moon shall not be used as a staging area for battles. The Moon is not answerable to either side in this conflict. We recognize the United Trade Zone and the Universal Islamic Nation for what they are and the power they wield, but they do not wield that power over us. We welcome a diplomatic presence from both organizations, but both sides must recognize and respect the sovereign rights and laws of the local Lunar Prime Government.
    “The government of the Moon favors no faith, no creed, above any other. All are welcome on the Moon, as long as mutual respect is accorded to the members of other