Robert Langdon, #1
Angels & Demons
by Dan Brown
Contents
110
Overview
After escaping the Hassassin, Vittoria and Langdon briefly recover at Castel Sant'Angelo, but the unresolved antimatter threat and the still-packed St. Peter's Square force them back toward action. Langdon explains that Janus's supposed arrival as a Samaritan is meant to conceal an attack on the camerlegno, making a warning to Vatican security urgent.
Before they can act, the papal helicopter lands in front of the basilica, and Rocher appears to receive its passenger. The unexpected arrival of Maximilian Kohler dramatically shifts the situation, placing the CERN director at the center of the Vatican crisis.
Summary
At 11:23 P.M., Vittoria stands shaken on the balcony of Castel Sant'Angelo, looking over Rome after surviving the Hassassin and seeing her father's killer dead below. Langdon comforts her, and the contact helps Vittoria recover from shock long enough to focus again on the crisis still unfolding at the Vatican.
From the balcony, Vittoria sees that St. Peter's Square remains dangerously crowded despite the antimatter threat. The Swiss Guard has cleared only the area nearest the basilica, while the rest of the crowd presses inward, leaving thousands still too close if the canister explodes.
Langdon tells Vittoria that he must return to Vatican City because the supposed Samaritan is a trap: Janus is expected to arrive personally and brand the camerlegno in a final act of Illuminati domination. Because Vatican security does not know this, Langdon believes he has to reach the guards before the visitor is admitted, while Vittoria wants to come and find a way to evacuate the crowd.
A sudden rumble and blinding white light from St. Peter's makes Vittoria fear the antimatter has detonated early, but the noise is the crowd cheering as the papal helicopter appears. The aircraft flies low over Castel Sant'Angelo and lands in the cleared space before the basilica steps, creating a dramatic entrance watched by the media and the crowd.
Vittoria sees Commander Rocher come out to meet the helicopter, confirming that Vatican security is receiving the arrival. Then she and Langdon spot the person descending from the aircraft: Maximilian Kohler, moving in his electric wheelchair, revealing that the CERN director has reached the Vatican at the critical moment.
Who Appears
- Vittoria VetraRecovers from shock, worries about the crowd, and identifies Kohler arriving at the Vatican.
- Robert LangdonPlans to return to Vatican City to warn guards about Janus's expected attack.
- Maximilian KohlerArrives dramatically by papal helicopter in his electric wheelchair.
- Commander RocherComes out from the Vatican to receive the helicopter's passenger.
- JanusExpected by Langdon to arrive under the Samaritan pretense to brand the camerlegno.