 New Rome tells Zerchi to proceed with Quo Peregrinatur and plan for departure within three days . He appoints Brother Joshua as mission leader , telling him that this is an emergency plan for perpetuating the Church on the colony planets in the event of a nuclear war on Earth . The Order 's Memorabilia will also accompany the mission . That night the Atlantic Confederacy launches an assault against Asian Coalition space platforms . The Asian Coalition responds by using a nuclear weapon against the Confederacy capital city of Texarkana . A ten @-@ day cease @-@ fire is issued by the World Court . Brother Joshua and the space @-@ trained monks and priests depart on a secret , chartered flight for New Rome , hoping to leave Earth on the starship before the cease @-@ fire ends . 
