Episode 10--Overcount II: Lucifer's Choice

Cardinal Francesco di'Medici and Archbishop Alfonso d'Este walk together, talking. Francesco says that he's having his sister do penance, and d'Este says he should be lenient. He says he'll tell her d'Este said so, but he'll promise nothing; she should take full responsibility and AX ("my little sister's organization", he calls it scornfully) should be disbanded. That's harsh, says the Archbishop, but Francesco says grimly that she's done enough to deserve it.

--In Caterina's study. We're being kept here under surveillance, how nice, says William dryly. Leon growls and Havel says patiently that doing anything about it won't help Her Grace. She could lose her position in Milan, muses William: Duke Medici is surely trying to re-draw the Vatican's organizational structure. Aaah, crap, and Silent Noise is about to go into operation, fumes Leon…

Outside: Abel sitting disconsolately on the marble stairs. [You just have to love an "action series" that allows its hero a full two-episode mope.]

Esther, standing beside what looks like a flower-draped coffin. [Not stated, but I'm guessing Noelle's.] Sister Kate materializes behind her. I was looking for you, she says. Esther anxiously asks if there's been any word from Father Nightroad, but Kate instead asks Esther to "lend me your power", saying there's no one else she can rely on. Esther is puzzled.

A figure in a hooded black cloak attempts entry to the Vatican and is challenged by Inquisition guards.

We see Archbishop d'Este conferring in private with… Isaak von Kaempfer. (Oh, yeah, he's totally willing to let bygones be bygones.) It's almost time for us to begin, says Isaak; it would be disrespectful to the Pope if we were late. d'Este says he doesn't care, the city will soon die. It will soon be time for your revenge, says von Kaempfer; strike as if you have God's iron will.

The black-cloaked figure was Hugue, who presents the AX assemblage with the floor plan of the Vatican that Noelle had found. Mistress was holding this at the end, he says gravely. [--This confirms that her body was found, so I'm thinking the coffin above is definitely hers.] They're surprised to hear he's been in Barcelona and congratulate him on getting in and out safely. Her Grace will be pleased, says Havel. William studies the floor plan and Leon scratches his head; Professor, he asks, what's going on here? William smiles. Even though she's passed on, Noelle is still one of us, he says in quiet pride. With this, we'll find Silent Noise. They look out at the obelisk belltower. The Archbishop, says William, is responsible for setting this trap for the Duchess…

Esther runs up the marble steps, calling to the silently-sitting Abel. I remembered, she says, that you and Noelle-san first met at this cathedral. At such a time, a place that holds memories of that person is the best thing for your feelings…she says she felt the same when she lost Mother Vitez. Again he gets up and walks away from her, but this time she cries after him that Caterina and all the others are in danger. Abel stops cold.

Cardinal Caterina Sforza is alone in a dark chapel, serving her penance. --The previous Pope, your father, was an admirable man, says a voice: it's d'Este. She apologizes for her rudeness, but he says no, she was only trying to be faithful to the people. He doesn't mean to interrupt her penance, he says, but he wants to discuss the future. Francesco is planning to use this opportunity to remove her from her position, but in no time, everything will collapse. Collapse?--she asks, startled. --Then, who will lead humanity? --he goes on. It would be a shame to crush someone with your capabilities. --What do you mean, collapse?--presses Caterina. I will lead humanity, he says, ignoring her; the "enemy of the world" is really only the enemy of the Vatican. No one appeals to my sentiments more than they. What are you saying?! she snaps. What reason is there, asks d'Este, for someone of your wisdom to sacrifice your life to protect anything in this city? You were brought here to keep you from being caught up in the collapse that will soon begin. Your plan is flawed, she says coldly; if I'm lucky enough to survive I'll continue to fight against you people. He smirks. I thought you'd say that-- and dark things rise up from the floor, taking demonic form, like the ones Abel fought at Sagrada Familia. She backs away, aghast; he laughs nastily; and suddenly there's a silhouette in the doorway, panting as if he's run the whole way. d'Este blanches. --Abel!--cries Caterina in relief, and Abel draws a deep breath: "Nanomachine, Krusnik 02--"

Krusnik-Abel makes short work of the black beasties and then, roaring, tries to cut down d'Este, but a force shield materializes between them, hurling him back. Show your true form!--K-Abel demands. An echoing double voice replies that he's only the Archbishop's servant, and there in his place stands Isaak von Kaempfer, dire and lovely as ever. This is our first meeting, Cardinal Sforza, he says graciously, and introduces himself.

We see Francesco and the Pope, waiting. Francesco impatiently wonders when Uncle will arrive, saying the assembly will soon begin. The Archbishop walks across the plaza, pauses to look up at the clock and tower: 5:50. Almost six o'clock, he says, almost time.

The AX members, watching, note the gesture. I knew it, says William, the obelisk itself is Silent Noise. We must stop it quickly. Leon draws his chakram and grins: leave it to me, he says. --But d'Este is reaching his arms up toward the obelisk. Give me your power!--he cries out, and the thing lights up in a blaze of violent color. What's this?--gasps Leon. A huge, octopoid monster materializes out of nowhere, tentacles reaching out in all directions. ("What an interesting creature," says William calmly.) Leon grins as Tres draws both guns. All right! Let's treat ourselves to some fun! --he yells. d'Este runs toward the tower and Havel gives pursuit as Tres, Hugue and Leon engage the octopoid beastie in all-out combat (and Leon wishes for a bazooka).

Isaak tells Caterina the Archbishop's orders: he must obtain either her promise of loyalty or her death. She gasps in horror and he extends his long hands. I shall summon thee, he says; summoned at once by the powers of darkness, lend me those flames--come forth, Belial's Arrow! A blazing sphere appears over his head, crackling with energy. I must have you die, Cardinal Sforza, he says calmly. K-Abel lunges, and the sphere fires bolts of light that drive into the Krusnik like arrows. His face contorts in pain as they continue to lance into him, Isaak watching impassively. With a howl he falls to the floor in a cloud of purple fire, struggles to rise. Isaak laughs. I will...protect...the humans, K-Abel gasps.

Caterina goes to him, holds him: that's enough, she says. Don't move him too much, says Isaak, he took a direct hit from my high-speed electromagnetic bullet; I wonder how he's even maintaining his form. Abel tells Caterina to leave. Won't you surrender? --taunts the Panzermagier. You can't protect anyone; look how many died in Barcelona, one of them your colleague sister. You can never protect the people important to you, and it's the same now.

K-Abel's stare is ice-cold murder. Nanomachine Krusnik 02, he says; release of restrictions to 80% approved.

Belial's Arrow fires again, but the winged shape that swoops down smashes thru Isaak's force shield as if it were paper, throwing him to the floor. I see, he says, bleeding; so this is your true form. --What are you looking at?--snarls Krusnik-Abel, its voice now harsh and metallic. This is my first time seeing you, Krusnik 02, says the Panzermagier; so, we finally meet. Megavolt-level generation of electricity...He sounds almost admiring as he studies the awesome spectacle of the 80% release, the first time either he or we have seen it. Impressive, he says, but you can't defeat me in that form. I won't forgive you! --roars the Krusnik, lighting up the room with vivid electricity. Von Kaempfer's shield can't hold off the charge and he falls. Why, Isaak asks himself--- I see--yellow electrical severance--truly impressive. So the Krusnik is this good. [You can't help but admire his professional detachment and technical curiosity in the face of such an awe-inspiring display of power.]

Back at the belltower, d'Este has reached the upper level and the pipe-organ keyboard. Listen to the voice of my hatred, he says, and begins to play. The bell rings out.

Isaak hears it.. Kill me now or Rome will fall, he tells Krusnik-Abel; kill me, and avenge that sister. But the Krusnik stands. A long time ago, I made a promise, he/it grates. I won't kill anyone. A promise?--asks Isaak. Yes. I won't kill any more, and I won't let them die. I made a promise. [--Notice the difference in his sentence structure with the nanomachine in 80% control.] I vowed repentance for my sins; I won't kill. So tell me --how to stop this! I beg of you!

--The Panzermagier smiles. The only way to stop Silent Noise, he says, is to destroy the inhibitor chip--here. He touches his chest. The inhibitor chip is inside me. Killing me will allow you to protect everything. --Krusnik-Abel stares in absolute agony. Can't you hear the voices of the dying townspeople?--taunts Isaak. What will you do, Abel-sama?

I'll--I will--- raises the red scythe---

d'Este, at Silent Noise's keyboard, cackles as the bell tolls. Rome is finished! he cries in jubilation. --You're the one who's finished, says a voice, and an invisible hand pins him from behind--Havel. He holds onto the Archbishop and indicates the device: Professor, he says, take this thing apart. --William grins ferociously. Understood, he says.

The red scythe comes down, and Isaak laughs. I knew you couldn't do it, he says, bleeding but still on his feet. But the bell has stopped--it's pointless to continue when the client is captured, so I'll take my leave. Abel-sama, farewell until we meet again. And--he's simply gone.

Abel crumples to the floor. Caterina runs to him, gathers him into her arms.

And there's a blonde figure in flowing white on the peak of the Vatican spire, one you might remember seeing before. It's been awhile, 02, he says thoughtfully. Abel...

...go on to Episode Eleven.

...return to Trinity Blood Episode Guide.