Vatican Ambassador by Mike Luoma Page A

that. That's why Pope Linus has pledged to try and find a way to..." Al Sere interrupts him. "You would have us only visit places that rightfully belong to us! This is but a frustrating tease! Of little value, save to provoke our further anguish as a homeless people!And how many places are left? How can there be peace when Mecca lies destroyed, when Jerusalem lies destroyed? If you have a vision for peace, you best present it quickly, for I have little patience for consorting with the enemy!"
    BC waits, to be sure the man is finished ranting. When it's clear he is, BC raises his eyebrows in an, "all done?" non-verbal, question. Al Sere nods.
    "I see. Well, Mohammed Ibn Al Sere. Sir. I, uh, don't have a plan. No plan at all. You see, sir, I have a question, instead."
    "A question?"
    "A question. I think that's better, a better place to start. Than with a plan."
    "And what is your question?" Al Sere challenges him.
    "What does the UIN really need to have to be at peace? What do you think you absolutely need to have? What places, planets, platforms, territories...? What security? What assurances? What does the UIN need to feel safe, and at peace?"
    Al Sere is silent. He stares past BC as he seems to consider the question. BC gives him time. After about a minute, Al Sere responds.
    "Good questions. You're right; questions are a good place to start. Better than plans. After fighting for so long, I'm no longer sure we know what we need, even when we think we know what we want.”
    He falls back into silence for a moment. “We want Mecca back. We want the Dome of the Rock restored."
    "What do you want,” BC asks him, “that is actually attainable?"
    "That is the harder question," Al Sere admits.
    "If you think you need to have that which cannot be , if all you want is the unattainable, the undeliverable, then all you really want is war."
    "Are you trying to provoke me?" Al Sere says with some bluster.
    "No. Please, hear me out," BC says, hoping to calm his guest.
    "I just heard you say that all I want is war."
    "I asked you what you needed to make you satisfied, to end the war, and you spoke of things that are gone, things that cannot be. What do you desire, what does the UIN need, that CAN be?"
    "I don't know... we want to come back home, at the very least. We want to visit our holy sites that are still there… But why should I be telling one such as you this?" Al Sere's mood darkens. He leans in close to accuse BC in a harsh whisper, "You ask these deep questions, but how true are they? How real are you, Father? Wasn’t it not long ago that you killed many for the cause? So it's been reported. You are a soldier, not a priest. The tiger does not change its stripes." He leans back and glares at BC.
    Wham! The guy knows how to lay it on thick, doesn't he? And what was he eating on that flight, pepperoni? I didn't think they could...
    "I have always tried to serve my faith as best I could,” BC says. “Don't you do the same?"
    "I find it distasteful to have to speak with one of those responsible for killing my people and chasing us from our homes. I am trying the best I can,” Al Sere cautions BC. “I will stay, and see what happens, but my hopes are not high. My expectations are extremely low. The Ayatollah Salid, May he please Allah, does not see peace coming out of this conference, only death. But we are here,” Al Sere says. “We will talk again later, when I can stand it again." Al Sere turns and storms away, followed by his entourage. BC stands in stunned silence.
    Well... That went well. Maybe I did blow my cover last year. Maybe the UIN does know all about my previous "activities." Or maybe they just suspect it. Maybe Mohammed Ibn Al Sere is here to finally "out" me, expose me for the fraud I am! The last agent of the OPO laid out bare for all to see. What a lovely picture that is!
    That would just end my life as I know it, end my career, end this conference, end any hope of peace. Hey, that would be great; I'd be