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It was amazing how much the media altered the story based on assumptions, he thought. They weren’t even close to the truth. Perhaps fiction was far more interesting.

When Shepherd One landed he saw the federal agents board the plane, which prompted him to seek shelter below. After getting to the cargo bay, he then worked his way to the level below that one, which was an area not much larger than a crawlspace, and worked his way aft. Reaching the hatch, he lowered himself to the tarmac and escaped into the darkness. It was really quite simple since the area had been cordoned off, giving him a wide area to roam while under the cover of night.

Now, three days later and trying to look less conspicuous by discarding the cleric’s shirt and Roman collar, Kimball made his way east. With the aid of Cardinal Bonasero Vessucci he was able to catch a flight to Rome under the name and false ID of John Antonucci.

And Kimball held no regrets for his decision to abscond from the States for a second time.

He was going home to the Vatican where he belonged.

For Kimball Hayden is more than a soldier.

He is a Knight.

He is a Vatican Knight.