Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1)

by Jason Chapman

  ‘We are dealing with the matter in regards to Royal Naval personnel, and monitoring the press for any unwanted publicity. However as for other countries taking part in the exercise it’s still unclear. Our listening posts throughout Europe have been monitoring news broadcasts and printed news. So far nothing has turned up, I think other governments are as keen as we are to keep a lid on this.’ Morris Stanford explained.

  ‘What disturbs me about this film.’ Norman Canning said. ‘Is the part the Americans played. Firing on one of Her Majesty’s warships, surely that shouldn’t go unpunished.’

  ‘It certainly undermines this so called special relationship the Prime Minister likes to refer to.’ Sir Harold Bates said. He looked at Stanford. ‘Any news from the US Embassy?’

  Stanford shook his head. ‘Not a peep I’m afraid. Given the information Anthony and Ralph supplied I think this was more of an embarrassment for the Yanks.’

  ‘You mean we caught them with their trousers down.’ Chambers said.

  Stanford nodded. ‘And given the very nature of this film it points towards the strong possibility that this was not their first meeting with these creatures.’

  ‘But why the public display?’ Richard Wilks asked shrugging his shoulders. ‘Surely the Americans have as good as any reason to keep this a secret.’

  Frederick mused over what Wilks had just suggested. ‘Do you suppose the Americans had knowledge that Soviet subs were patrolling the area?’ His question was directed at Admiral Berkshire who had been unusually quiet during the meeting.

  ‘It’s possible.’ Berkshire replied.

  ‘What are you suggesting Ralph?’ Chambers asked.

  ‘Perhaps the Yanks did plan that meeting on purpose but not so much for our benefit but as a display for the Soviets. A warning that they not only have allies on this planet but beyond. Colonel Konev speculated that the Americans might have put on a show.’

  Richard Wilks shook his head. ‘Surely a more advanced civilisation would be above such trivial matters such as planetary superiority.’

  ‘Who’s to say the Americans didn’t lie to whoever it was they met with. A cock and bull story about bringing many nations together to witness the event for the sake of peace. But in reality a propaganda stunt put on for the Soviet elite to witness. An incident like that would have wide reaching political implications and could affect the outcome of any conflict. Russia might think twice about attacking the US if they know that these beings or whatever you want to call them are keeping a watchful eye on what’s happening.’

  ‘It’s a good suggestion Ralph.’ Chambers commented. ‘But until we have solid evidence that the Americans have some sort of relationship with these creatures I’m afraid we’re still at square one. And the longer the Yanks stay silent the longer we’ll be stuck there.’ Other members nodded in silent agreement. ‘This film is startling however and would suggest the Americans have some sort of relationship.’ More members nodded. Chambers looked at Stanford. ‘How much do we know about this Rear Adm. Sidney Souers and this Colonel Yuri Konev?’

  ‘Souers was appointed as the first Director of Central Intelligence by President Truman back in 1946, before that he was with Naval intelligence. As for Konev, he’s much more interesting. He was head of the Russian Army and science research division, nicknamed the scavenger after the war. His job was to gather whatever technology the Nazis left behind. He has two children who are prominent scientists. Although no one in scientific circles has seen or heard from his daughter in a few years.’ Stanford looked at the document in front of him. ‘Her name is Anna Vilenko.’

  The name jogged Frederick’s memory. ‘I have heard of her, caused a stink a few years ago, by disproving a theory on matter which was put forward by another Russian physicist Igor Lakatos. They had quite a falling out over it.’

  ‘So where does this put the subject of God?’ Berkshire enquired.

  All the other committee members looked at him.

  ‘I beg your pardon Anthony.’ Chambers asked.

  Berkshire indicated to the projector screen. ‘This film goes far beyond the political and military landscape we have to consider the impact this has on religion. I don’t know if any of you are familiar with the bible but it doesn’t exactly mention creatures from another world. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world who have a strong belief system, myself included. Are we just going to abandon teachings which have been passed down for thousands of years?’

  Berkshire’s words were greeted with a wall of silence.

  ‘A revelation such as this would decimate many of the main religions.’ Richard Wilks said.

  ‘Something you would be more than happy with I suppose Professor Wilks.’ Berkshire remarked bluntly.

  ‘Not at all Admiral, I fear it could tear this world apart if religion was suddenly brought into question. Disclosure of this nature could set the religious world on fire something which I am not eager to see, I can assure you.’

  Chambers took a deep breath. ‘I think gentlemen we need to leave the philosophical debate for another time, we have more pressing matters to attend to, no disrespect to your faith of course Admiral. We have to decide whether to trust the Americans concerning their involvement over this affair.’

  ‘I’d like to know what the Prime Minister is going to make of this film.’ Frederick asked.

  ‘I don’t think the PM needs to see this film, well not yet anyway.’ Stanford replied. ‘No sense in getting the old man’s feathers ruffled. Besides he’s not in the best of health at the moment, both physical and political.’

  ‘So you’re suggesting that we lie to him.’ Dr Arthur Lloyd said.

  ‘Not at all, I’m merely suggesting we don’t show him this film straight away. We’ll just give him the report on paper so he can read it in his own time.’

  ‘It sounds as if you want to break away from government leadership?’ Frederick stated.

  Stanford thought for a moment then nodded. ‘It’s a course of action which could be beneficial to our group. The less people involved means it’s unlikely secrets get out. The defection of Burgess and Mclean only highlights the need for absolute secrecy.’

  ‘But Churchill established this group on the condition that we report to him, while he is Prime Minister.’ Frederick said.

  ‘And we will honour that agreement to a certain extent, but we must think of the future. The PM’s enemies are gathering, he will not be in office much longer. His leadership during the war was invaluable he gave the nation hope. But the world has changed dramatically since. As a peace time Prime Minister he doesn’t fit in. After he is out of office we cut all ties with government bureaucracy.’ Stanford noted the look on Frederick’s face. ‘It’s for the best Ralph, I’m as fond of the old man as everyone else in this room. But given the evidence displayed here today we have to act in a positive manner. If the Americans are sneaking behind our backs then I suggest we do the same, and cutting government ties would minimise the risk of exposure.’

  ‘As much as I hate to admit it Morris you are right.’ Air Marshal Ian Morgan said. ‘I hate keeping anything from the old man, but if there is a greater good in doing so then so be it.’

  Stanford gave a satisfied nod. ‘Good, we’ll keep this film under lock and key and make time to study it further. Until then I suggest we adjourn for now until further notice.’

  Chapter 29

  A friendly Warning

  Trinity College – Cambridge – 1:23pm

  Friday 3rd October 1952

  Frederick looked up and smiled at Norman Hinshelwood who had just knocked on his open door. ‘Norman, what a pleasant surprise.’ Frederick greeted.

  Hinshelwood entered the room and sat down opposite Frederick. ‘I haven’t seen you in a few months Ralph and since I was in town I thought I would catch up with you, see what you’ve been up to.’

  ‘I’ve been keeping busy, you know how Cambridge life is.’

  ‘Yes Chester has been filling m
e in on events and practices.’ Hinshelwood remarked dryly.

  Frederick thought back to the conversation he had with Professor Osborne a few months earlier, but before he spoke Hinshelwood beat him to it.

  ‘I also spoke to the Prime Minister a few months back at the Royal society, he told me of the group he was setting up and your name was mentioned.’

  ‘Really.’ Frederick replied.

  Hinshelwood took a deep breath. ‘We both know what the old man is like Ralph, I wouldn’t get entrenched in this ridiculous notion concerning flying saucers and men From Mars.’

  ‘Well thanks for the advice Norman.’

  ‘Oh I wouldn’t call it advice Ralph, more of a warning. You’re in line for the chair at Cambridge, and a well respected member of the Royal society, not to mention a Nobel Prize winning physicist. You’re involvement in a group which investigates flying saucer sightings could jeopardize all that.’

  Frederick glared at Hinshelwood. ‘Thank you for that warning Norman, I shall take it into advisement.’

  Hinshelwood stood up. ‘Glad we have had this chance to talk Ralph.’

  Chapter 30

  Incident at Topcliffe

  RAF Topcliffe - North Yorkshire – 10:15pm

  Saturday 4th October 1952

  Corporal Patrick Summers stretched out his arms and let out a yawn that seemed to go on forever. The radar operator hated the night shift. All he had to keep his mind ticking over was a four month old copy of Picture Post.

  ‘Topcliffe, this is Charlie Alpha victor over.’

  Summers grabbed the radio mike. ‘Go ahead alpha victor.’

  ‘We’re tracking a target about five miles out from your position over.’

  ‘Say again Charlie victor.’

  ‘We’ve got a visual on another aircraft over, what’s on your radar?’

  Summers stared into the radar tube, his face bathed in an eerie green glow. ‘Stand by Charlie victor.’ He glared at the tube, shaking his head. ‘Charlie victor, I see only you over.’

  ‘Topcliffe there’s definitely something up here, about two thousand feet above us at our two o’clock position its matching speed and course over.’

  ‘Can you describe the aircraft over?’

  The radio started to crackle. ‘Topcliffe, looks almost rectangular in shape, with rounded edges. It seems to be emitting green and blue lights, over.’

  Summers knew there was a full moon that night as he had sneaked outside for a cigarette earlier. ‘Charlie alpha, can you see any markings on the aircraft, over.’

  ‘There are no marks to identify the aircraft, I can tell you it’s big, over.’

  ‘Big, how big, Over?’

  The crackling grew more prominent. ‘About one hundred feet long.’

  Summers stared at his radar screen again. ‘Did you say one hundred feet? Over.’

  ‘Roger that, Topcliffe requesting further instructions over.’

  Summers was caught off guard.

  ‘Repeat Topcliffe requesting further instructions, object should be closing in on your position within seven minutes.’

  The young corporal scrambled around for the telephone receiver, he picked it up and dialled quickly.

  Sergeant Frankie Williams grabbed the ringing telephone. ‘Williams!’

  ‘Sir this is Corporal Summers up at the tower I’m currently tracking two of our Vampire Aircraft, closing in on our position, they’ve reported they have a visual on an unidentified object.’

  ‘I’ll be right there.’

  Summers was still hypnotised by the radar tube when Williams marched in and looked over the corporal’s shoulder.

  ‘Topcliffe, you should now see the object heading from a northerly direction.’ The Vampire jet pilot advised. Both men looked out of the window. The full moon made it possible to see down the runway and a tree line in the distance. As both men looked they could see a single light approaching fast from the direction the pilot had said. It had descended to just above the pine treetops. Also in the distant the sound of the two Vampire jet fighters could be heard closing fast. The object however was faster. As Summers and Williams looked on in amazement the object sped down the runway and past the tower at an incredible speed, before climbing into the moonlit sky. Several seconds later the two jet fighters screamed down the runway and also climbed into the sky in pursuit of the UFO. The radio continued to crackle. ‘Tower do you have a visual?’

  Williams grabbed the mike. ‘Charlie Victor do not engage the target, repeat do not engage the target, break off your pursuit over.’

  Static came back over the radio. Summers walked to the window and looked straight up. ‘Look!’ he shouted out.

  Williams dropped the mike and rushed to his side. The UFO plummeted in a straight line and then stopped instantaneously hovering around thirty feet off the runway. Both Summers and Williams backed away from the window. As the pilot had described the object was around 100 feet long by about 30 feet in height, cylindrical in shape with two bright green lights at each end. The UFO dwarfed the radar tower. The object then glided to the left, its lights lit up the radar tower. Both Summers and Williams stood rooted to the spot, then suddenly the object released an intense burst of light. Both men shielded their eyes. After a few brief seconds the room returned to normal and the object was gone.

  Williams returned to the mike. ‘Charlie victor, do you still have a visual, over.’ Static was the only thing that made any sound. ‘Charlie victor what’s your position, over. Charlie victor come in, Charlie victor where are you, over.’

  Chapter 31

  Air Ministry – Whitehall – 11:34am

  Sunday 5th October 1952

  Wing Commander Ian Morgan glanced around at the assembled committee members who had managed to attend at short notice. ‘There was an incident last night at RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire involving two vampire aircraft and the pursuit of one of these UFOs. The result being the loss of both aircraft.’

  ‘What?’ Dr Alan Good gasped. ‘Where did they go down?’

  ‘They didn’t crash, they vanished, radar at Topcliffe tried to regain contact but they were gone. This is definitely something new, Jet fighters being snatched out of thin air doesn’t bare thinking about.’ Morgan added. All eyes fixed on Professor Wilks who drummed his fingers on the conference table. ‘Professor Wilks.’ Morgan asked. ‘Do you have any theories on what could have happened to those aircraft?’

  ‘I’ve been reading the report from the ground crew at Topcliffe the object they describe is large enough to swallow two vampire jets.’

  ‘In my book taking two aircraft is a hostile act.’ Lord Anthony Berkshire said. ‘I think we should implement a shoot on sight policy.’

  ‘That is not a good idea.’ Wilks replied. ‘Given that these UFOs have the ability to take aircraft, they are obviously more advanced. Our weaponry might not be capable of bringing down one of these craft.’

  ‘So you suggest we just let these things take our military hardware at will.’ Berkshire responded scornfully. ‘Find out our weaknesses.’

  ‘I’m suggesting that we do not engage these objects in any manner. We collect all radar data and witness accounts so that we can come up with a defence strategy.’

  According to the report, nothing was picked up on radar which suggests these objects can elude detection.’ Berkshire said.

  ‘We can’t let these UFOs just invade our airspace, it makes us look weak.’ Morgan stated.

  ‘I don’t see that we have any choice.’ Wilks replied. ‘These craft are way beyond anything we have. Studying them will give us a chance to learn more about their capability.’

  ‘And in the meantime they’re just free to fly about our airspace taking whatever they want.’

  ‘I know it may be hard for you to deal with Ian, but at our current state of technology there is nothing we can do. I am convinced that whatever took our aircraft last night is not planning an attack on the UK.

  ‘How can you be so sure?’<
br />
  ‘We are talking about advanced technology here, way beyond anything we have, I think if whatever these UFOs are they could have quite easily taken us over already. I will go up to Topcliffe with Ralph to collect intelligence.’

  Chapter 32

  Loose ends

  Trinity College – Cambridge – 10:31am

  Monday 6th October 1952

  ‘Dead, what do you mean dead?’ Frederick demanded to know. He scribbled furiously glancing up as Professor Wilks entered the room. ‘Ok thank you Group Captain Fletcher I will look into it.’ He put the phone down and momentarily pondered over the notes he had just scribbled.

  ‘Something the matter Ralph?’

  Frederick took a moment to answer his friend. ‘The woman Edith Jones, at the centre of the flying saucer kidnapping died last week, she had some kind of seizure.’

  ‘Good lord!’

  ‘That’s only half of it, her husband Brian Jones apparently committed suicide, he was found hanging in the local wood yesterday morning.’ Frederick thought about the Jones’ and the mysterious man that had killed the doctor. ‘Do you mind after we visit Topcliffe we take an extra journey Richard?’

  ‘Not at all.’ Wilks Replied.

  ‘We’ll meet up with my contact and get more information from the local police in Ripley as well as interview the locals.’

  Ripley – North Yorkshire – 1 56pm

  Thursday 9th October 1952

  Frederick once again found himself staring up at the castle of Sir William Ingles. After a brief spell at RAF Topcliffe interviewing two air force officers, both Frederick and Wilks were met by Group Captain Fletcher who drove them up to Ripley.

  Sir Ingles’ butler showed them through to the drawing room of the castle where the old man was waiting for them.

  ‘Sir William, thank you for meeting us today.’ Frederick stepped forward and offered his hand.

  ‘You can dispense with the pleasantries Professor, what is it you want?’ Ingles barked, glaring behind him at Professor Wilks and Group Captain Fletcher.