Cones checked the rounds in his gun.
The car screeched to a halt outside St Paul’s cathedral. Straight away Frederick’s heart sank as he spotted a crowd of people and several police constables mingling around the main entrance to St Paul’s.
‘This we do not need.’ Cones sighed.
Both Frederick and Cones got out of the car and marched up to a police constable.
‘What’s going on?’ Frederick asked.
‘There’s been an incident sir. A man with a gun has taken a child hostage.’
‘When did this happen?’ Cones asked.
The constable looked at Cones noting his American accent. ‘About an hour ago, we’ve closed the Cathedral.’
‘And how do you plan to persuade him to release the hostage?’ Frederick asked.
‘We’ve called Scotland Yard, they’re sending someone to negotiate the child’s release.’
‘Did anyone get a look at the man?’
‘The description we received from the child’s mother is that he was in his mid sixties and had a German accent.’
Cones walked towards the cathedral entrance and stared at the four policemen guarding it.
Frederick glanced at his watch and then up at the magnificent dome that dominated the London skyline. ‘It’s little wonder why the Fourth Reich has targeted this building.’ ‘
The main door is Guarded? There’s no way they’ll let us inside.’
‘Professor Frederick!’ A voice shouted.
Frederick spotted George Rayman from the London Evening Examiner approach. ‘I’m surprised to see you here.’
‘I was sightseeing.’ Frederick replied.
‘Really.’ Rayman said glancing at Cones. ‘Something tells me that you’re because of something else.’
Frederick turned and started to walk away.
‘I know a way in!’ Rayman called out.
Frederick stopped, silently cursing to himself.
‘If you tell me what this is all about then I will show you a way in.’
‘What if I just let you have the story about the child he has taken hostage?’
‘You know who this man may be?’ Rayman quizzed.
‘Do you want the story or not Mr Rayman?’
Rayman stared at Frederick before eventually nodding. ‘Follow me.’ He instructed.
Frederick and Cones were led away from the crowds and police guarding the main entrance.
Rayman led them around the back of the cathedral into St Paul’s Churchyard.
‘There’s no way in here Mr Rayman.’ Frederick complained. ‘I know this place well.’
Rayman ignored Frederick and walked up to the wall of the cathedral. He jumped down into what appeared to be a narrow gulley that ran along the wall.
Frederick and Cones followed.
The Gulley descended diagonally until all three men were below ground level. Rayman produced a torch.
‘You came prepared.’ Frederick said.
‘The London Evening Examiner received a phone call when the police shut the cathedral.’
Rayman replied. ‘I knew the police would not let the press in so yes, I came prepared.’
Frederick and Cones followed Rayman and descended an old narrow staircase. At the bottom of the staircase was a small archway with an iron gate.
‘How do you know about this?’ Frederick questioned. He had been to the cathedral many times and walked around it.
‘I studied history at Oxford.’ Rayman replied. ‘Charles the second ordered Christopher Wren to install a secret entrance just in case there was another uprising. He didn’t want to lose his head like his father. So Wren designed an escape route just in case things got out of hand.’ Rayman glanced at Cones. ‘Give me a hand will you.’ He said clasping the gate and pulling. After a few attempts the gate finally moved and all three men slipped through.’ Rayman turned on his torch which illuminated a narrow arched passageway. The passageway ran for a hundred yards until it met another set of stairs.
At the top of the stairway was a wooden panel with a rusted handle. Rayman grabbed and pulled. The panel moved and light streamed through from the interior of the cathedral. All three men appeared behind a tomb.
Frederick suddenly became aware of a young child who was crying.
Cautiously all three men headed for the sound. Cones produced his weapon.
Frederick peered around a stone pillar and spotted a man standing in front of the alter clutching a young girl. A suitcase stood nearby.
‘The bomb must be in that case.’
‘Bomb!’ Rayman remarked.
‘You need to get nearer to him.’ Frederick whispered looking at Cones. ‘I’ll create a diversion while you get into position.’
Cones moved down the side of the cathedral until he came out to the right of the altar. He waited for Frederick to make his move.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Rayman asked. ‘if this man does have a bomb then your sudden appearance could provoke him into setting it off.’
‘And so could the police bursting through the door Mr Rayman.’
Rayman peered around the stone pillar. The young girl was knelt next to the suitcase crying. ‘Ok Professor it’s your show.’
Frederick took a deep breath and stepped out in plain view.
Schroder raised a gun and pointed it at Frederick. ‘Stay back.’ He ordered before pointing the gun at the terrified girl’s head.
‘Doctor Schroder.’ Frederick called out, his voice echoed all around the cathedral. ‘Let the girl go and we can talk.’
Schroder shook his head. ‘I’m done talking, it is time to demonstrate the power we possess.’
‘We?’
‘The Fourth Reich.’ Schroder said.
Rayman stood out of view scribbling notes.
‘Dr Schroder I have seen the devastation caused by the red matter. Do you really want to kill millions for the sake of glory?’
‘Not my glory, but his, our leader The Fuhrer.’
‘Hitler died Dr Schroder, the allies were victorious.’
Schroder shook his head. ‘You won nothing, there was always a plan to fight on.’
Cones stepped out pointing his weapon at Schroder. ‘Give it up doc.’
Schroder shoved the girl away, she tumbled to the floor screaming.
Frederick beckoned her over. The girl scrambled to her feet and ran towards him.
Cones and Schroder stood pointing their guns at each other. There’s no way you’re getting out of here alive doc.’
Schroder smiled back at Cones. ‘Who said anything about getting out alive.’
‘Doctor Schroder you have a choice. Either end this now or my colleague will shoot you.’ Frederick warned.
Schroder’s arm began to shake.
‘If you give up now I guarantee you will not go to prison.’ Frederick said. ‘Your work is ground-breaking doctor. You will be allowed to carry on with your research.’
‘But I must complete my mission.’ Schroder’s voice trembled.
Cones slowly stepped towards Schroder.
‘You are a scientist Doctor Schroder not a mass murderer.’ Schroder looked at Frederick.
‘If you detonate that device then all your work will have been for nothing. If you stop what you’re doing you will be allowed to carry on with your research.’
Cones was now within inches of the gun Schroder held. With lightning speed Cones snatched the gun off the distracted Schroder. Cones tossed the gun aside and struck Schroder across the side of his face. The doctor fell backwards toppling over the suitcase.
Cones lunged forward and grabbed the suitcase before it could fall over.
Frederick let out a sigh of relief.
Cones knelt down by the suitcase, reaching for the clasps.
‘Wait!’ Rayman called out. ‘Should you be doing that!’
Cones glanced at him, this bomb is set to go off at very soon Mr Rayman, if we wait for bomb disposal it will be too late.’
> Cones closed his eyes and flicked the clasps which sprang open.
Frederick could almost feel his legs buckle underneath him.
Cones lifted the lid on the case slowly at first, then he threw the lid back. ‘It’s empty!’
Frederick walked over to Schroder. ‘Where is the bomb Doctor?’
Schroder grinned at Frederick. ‘There was no bomb.’
‘What do you mean there was no bomb, what about the red matter?’
‘In a place where Majestic will never get their hands on it.’
Cones hauled Schroder to his feet. ‘You piece of shit!’
‘Would you care to make a statement for the London Evening Examiner.’ Rayman asked.
‘There is no story Mr Rayman, I think the last thing we want is a panic on our hands about bombs in London.’
Rayman nodded and put his note book away.
Frederick held the girl’s hand end escorted her towards the main entrance of the cathedral.
Chapter 137
Whitehall – 11:45am
‘Well gentlemen it seems you prevented a catastrophe.’ Stacy said. ‘We lost contact with you after you left the facility in Austria’
‘I’d hardly call it a catastrophe, there was not bomb Schroder was bluffing.’ Cones said.
‘Mt guess is that Schroder was a red herring, used to distract us.’ Frederick explained. ‘There was no time to report back. We had to reach Schroder before he had time to detonate the bomb, or so we thought.’
‘Did you manage to contact Kammler’s wife.’
‘We did, it was her who told us about the bomb, I guess even she thought that Kammler was crazy.’ Cones said.
‘My guess is that Kammler had the red matter and was able escape.’ Frederick speculated.
Stacy stared at them both before nodding. ‘Good job.’
‘Good Job.’ Frederick stated. ‘They still have the red matter, it is important we go after Kammler.’
‘And where do you suppose we start Professor? The only thing we can do is bide our time. Majestic believes that he will show up again. If there are former Nazi instillations still undiscovered then we will lead us to them.
‘If I may ask, what is to be done with Doctor Schroder?’
‘Doctor Schroder is being shipped state side.’ Stacy replied. ‘I’m afraid that’s all the information I am willing to provide. Go home Professor you have had a busy last few days.’
Frederick nodded and then got to his feet.
Chapter 138
The Crusade
Emneth – Cambridgeshire – 2:13am
Saturday 19th May 1956
‘Elizabeth!’ Frederick screamed. ‘Please no god, please!’ Frederick sobbed as he clutched the body of his wife, Susan and James were stood nearby crying. A huge figure towered over Frederick but he couldn’t make out who or what it was. Then in an instant the vision was gone and Frederick bolted upright in bed.
Next to him Elizabeth stirred. ‘Is everything ok sweetheart?’
Her sleepy voice gave Frederick comfort. He kissed her gently and smiled. ‘I’m fine dear, just had a bad dream.’ Frederick climbed out of bed and put on his dressing gown. He exited the bedroom and checked to see if his children were sleeping soundly before deciding to go downstairs for a glass of milk.
Turning on the kitchen light Frederick took a glass from the cupboard before opening the fridge door. He poured out a cold glass of milk trying to scrub the dream from his mind.
‘Trouble sleeping Professor.’ A voice said.
Frederick spun around and glared at Janus who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
‘Get out of my house!’ Frederick ordered.
Janus calmly walked over to the cupboard and took an empty glass before holding it out towards Frederick.
Frederick took a deep breath before pouring milk into Janus’ glass.
Janus savoured the taste of the milk.
‘Is that why you’ve turned up at my house, to steal my milk?’
‘I love the taste of milk, a representation of a mother’s nurture.’ Janus said before putting his glass down. ‘To be honest with you Professor I needed to talk to someone I trust.’
‘Don’t tell me you’ve finally seen through Jacob Barnes.’ Frederick put on a sarcastic tone.
Janus half smiled. ‘Unfortunately Jacob Barnes and I have had a bit of a disagreement.’
‘Really.’ Frederick replied candidly taking a swig from his glass.
‘Events are about to unfold Professor, events that are even beyond my control. You are about to be exposed to the race of beings that devastated my planet.’
‘What, are you sure?’
Janus nodded. ‘They are accelerating their plans to colonise this planet. You may be the only man capable of stopping them in their tracks. It is imperative that you go on your next assignment although it will lead you down an inevitable path, the future of mankind will depend on decisions you will make.’
‘When you talk about an inevitable path are you talking about the death of Elizabeth?’
Janus hesitated before nodding.
‘You know by revealing this information you have already changed my mind.’
Janus shook his head. ‘No I haven’t Professor, your conscience will not let you stand idly by and watch humankind fall into an abyss.’
Janus produced a small vial from his pocket.
‘Is that what I think it is?’
‘Yes.’ Janus answered. ‘Our encounter in Italy a while back may have been a bit premature but I had already perfected a vaccine for what these beings are about to unleash.’ Janus handed the vile to Frederick.
‘Are you insane!’ If you think I am going to accept anything off you then you’re very much mistaken.’
‘Let me ask you this Professor, would you rather not take this and risk jeopardising the lives of hundreds of millions including your children. This is your only hope of stopping these beings.’
Frederick thought for a brief moment before snatching the vial off Janus and putting it in his dressing gown pocket. He then thought about his encounter with the Marshall Abbot a few months earlier. ‘By the way I bumped in to an old friend of yours, who says hello.’
‘You should know me well enough to know I have no friends Professor.’
‘Marshall Abbot.’ Frederick stated.
Janus glared back at Frederick. ‘You’d be wise to steer clear of him.’
‘And why is that exactly?’
Janus shook his head. ‘Now is not the time Professor, use what I have given you to save humanity.’
‘Ralph.’ Elizabeth called out from the kitchen door.
Frederick jolted and turned to his wife.
Elizabeth looked about the kitchen. ‘Who are you talking to?’
Frederick glanced back to where Janus was standing but he was gone, along with the empty glass of milk. He wondered if he had been sleepwalking. Frederick put his hand in his dressing gown pocket. The small glass vile was still there. He looked at Elizabeth and smiled. ‘I was just reciting a lecture speech for Monday.’
Elizabeth nodded but glanced around the kitchen again as if she didn’t believe what her husband had just said.
Chapter 139
Green Park – London – 6:03pm
Wednesday 23rd May 1956
The two men sat side by side watching as life went by. From where they were sat they could hear the hooves of the Queen’s Guard horses trotting up the mall towards Buckingham palace. ‘You are late with your report comrade.’ Yuri Modin said.
‘I am sorry, It has been a busy month for me, I do have a life to live surely Moscow knows this.’
‘Your life is of no concern to the Kremlin, they demand information.’ Modin replied coldly.
The man reached down and opened a briefcase. He looked around to see if anyone was looking in their direction.
Modin smiled. ‘You needn’t be worried, no one is concerned about our business.’ The man handed Modin and e
nvelope. ‘The latest UFO reports and Professor Frederick’s account of the phenomenon he encountered in Austria. I think the Kremlin will find this most interesting.’
‘And what about this General Kammler?’
‘Kammler slipped through the net. Doctor Schroder has been shipped to the United States, a late addition to Operation Paperclip. Majestic have a team at the facility trying to deal with the phenomenon. They hope to reverse the effects of the red matter using part of the Roswell crash debris.’
Modin nodded. ‘Good, this should be enough to keep our superiors at the Kremlin happy. And what about the Angel Committee?’
‘The Angel Committee has been swallowed up by Majestic. Jacob Barnes always had a plan to dissolve it. Now that Mr Churchill is no longer in power Barnes is free to manipulate former committee members how he sees fit.’
‘Thanks are also changing in The Soviet union Comrade.’
‘Changing?’ The man asked.
‘Khrushchev feels that Bulganin has lost control of the Tunguska project. He is quietly ralling support for a change of leadership.’
‘I see.’
‘When the time comes comrade you must choose a side.’ Modin stood and walked away without saying goodbye. The other man waited until his handler was out of sight before standing.
Chapter 140
Ethiopia
Friday 15th June 1956
Akon Khan held his torch above his head as he moved through the narrow passageway. Fear gripped him as he glanced at the pictograms that had been drawn on the walls over centuries. The torch light seemed to make figures on the wall dance and change shape. Finally he emerged into a cavernous space which was lit by an unknown source. He put his torch aside and walked into the middle of the cavern. ‘I am here!’
His voice echoed throughout the cavern. Despite being in the desert a cold breeze enveloped Khan who sensed a presence directly behind him. Drawing his sabre Khan spun around slashing his blade at the figure behind.
Khan’s adversary moved gracefully avoiding the sabre’s edge.
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