Chapter 25: Faith and Intrigue, Part 5

Amazing 👏

Great ceiling and artwork.

Sister Helena blushed, quickly putting away her rosary. “Sorry, Colonel,” she apologized.

Colonel Larkin gathered his team. “We’ll set up our gear in the center of the hall in a duffel line for starters. From there we establish our camp and take inventory of our supplies. Let's get to work!” SG-24 wasted no time unloading their supplies from the FRED and into the refectory. General Carter had issued SG-24 a modified extended camp kit, which included extra MRE's, ammunition, and weapons instead of ATV’s.

*Author's Note: The Rule of St. Albert (Rule of the Carmelite Order), Chapter 7

She pointed to the slightly elevated area at the front of the room. “One or two of the monks or nuns would take turns reading Scripture or another spiritual reading book. One would read for a part of the mealtime, then the other would take over so the first could eat. I remember doing it many times in the monastery,” Sister Helena said, her voice tinged with fond memories.

Bjornson and Fairbairn nodded, absorbing the historical context.

Colonel Larkin glanced at his watch. “We'll make camp here for the night,” he announced, his authoritative voice cutting through the silence. “I don't want anybody sitting around until all the gear is loaded from the FRED and brought in here.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sister Helena leaning against one of the tables and pulling out her rosary. “That includes you too, Sister,” he barked.

Sister Helena stepped forward, her eyes scanning the ancient surroundings with a mix of reverence and nostalgia. “It looks like this was the monastery’s refectory,” she began, her voice taking on a soft, almost melodic tone. “This is where the monks or nuns—though I can't be certain which—would gather to have their meals. The Rule of my Order requires it: ‘Nevertheless, you are to eat what may be heaven given you in a common refractory, listening in common to some reading of Sacred Scripture where this can be done conveniently.*’ That explains the raised platform you see over there.”

“Standard clearing tactics,” Sister Helena reminded herself, recalling her tactical training. Upon hearing the area was secure, they all went inside. After navigating around a short partitioning wall, they entered a large room. The room had two long tables with benches along the backside. There was a small table and bench at the front and a large, raised podium near the short partitioning wall and the short table. Art adorned the walls of the room, telling stories of faith and history.

“What was this place for, Sister?” Bjornson asked, curiosity evident in his voice as he gazed around the room.