Rayman gestured towards the door. ‘We have a credible witness Bill, he’s a radar operator at Heathrow, how much more reliable can you get.’
Mirren took a deep breath. ‘Tell you what we’ll do, we’ll bring your friend back in here. Get a full account, and then I’ll give Sir Alfred a ring. He’ll probably give me a right earful, but I might be able to persuade him to let us run with the story.’
‘And then?’ Rayman said.
‘And then we’ll see if we can hook someone from the government.’
Rayman smiled and go to his feet. ‘I’ll bring Alan back in and we can begin.’
Chapter 52
Media Storm
Whitehall – London – 10:33am
Monday 23rd March 1953
Frederick sipped from the cup of tea that had been set down in front of him a few minutes earlier. The committee members were gathering for the first major meeting of the year.
‘Good Morning.’ Malcolm Chambers greeted as he entered the room. ‘First off let me begin by saying that Dr Lloyd is unable to attend this meeting, he’s undergoing treatment for his cancer, so we all wish him well with that.’ The other committee members nodded. Chambers tossed a newspaper onto the large table, it slid along the smooth surface before coming to rest in front of Frederick, who looked at the headline printed in large letters.
Flying Saucers Buzz Heathrow and RAF Northrop
‘Right I’ll get straight to the point I have just returned from a short briefing with the Prime Minister who is furious about this story. As well as extensive newspaper coverage there have been interviews with the two vampire pilots, the tower crew and air traffic control staff at Heathrow. Everyone has given a detailed account at what they saw, which incidentally Professor Frederick mimics your encounter last year at Church Fenton. The BBC have been running this story all weekend and now the American network ABC News has also got in on the act.’ Chambers paused to take breath. ‘I am inclined to agree with the Prime Minister on this matter. We have to control the flow of information by both civilian and military aviation personnel. The Prime Minister is determined to crack down on any information leakages. I want to know what we plan to do about this?’
Air Marshall Ian Morgan reached over and picked up the newspaper.
Chambers looked at him. ‘As Air Marshal, you should have been on top of this so why haven’t you?’
Morgan glared back at Chambers. ‘We have no protocol for these UFO encounters, so our airmen are free to talk to whoever they want.’
‘Well I’m afraid it’s got to bloody well stop, it’s all very well members of the public going to the newspapers and rambling on about flying saucers, it’s easier to dismiss. But when members of the RAF start giving interviews it’s taken far too seriously.’
‘So what do you suggest we do?’ Frederick asked.
‘For a start we clamp down on information concerning UFO encounters and our military pilots. From now on any pilot witnessing any UFO incident is to be grounded and submitted for a psychological evaluation.’
‘Psychological evaluation?’ Professor Alan Good stated. ‘Isn’t that a bit harsh, surely you don’t think our pilots are seeing things, I suggest a debriefing.’
‘I think we have to consider a bigger picture here.’ Said Professor Norman Canning as he looked at the newspaper article. ‘With commercial airline flights becoming more popular we have to consider the possibility of a mid air collision with one of these UFOs. We have to implement some sort of policy regarding civilian airline pilots.’
‘It’s going to be a little more difficult to dismiss a plane full of passengers.’ Explained Wilks.
Chambers shook his head. ‘Not so Richard, as I just explained it is far easier to dismiss a member of the public. As for civilian airline pilots, we can use methods a little more persuasive.’
‘Which are?’ Frederick enquired.
‘Any civilian airline pilot who talks to the press about a UFO encounter is grounded for good. I suggest we draw up guidelines for both military and civilian airline pilots concerning UFO encounters. I also want to keep tabs on the press; it would be useful to this committee if we knew how they come by these stories. I’ve set up an interview with the BBC for late this afternoon. It will be part of the main evening television news. Professor Frederick and Wilks will attend. The interview will only last a few minutes, hopefully It should be enough to convince people that the recent newspapers stories are nonsense.’
‘I don’t want to sound awkward but didn’t we agree to keep my name out of the public domain regarding UFOs.’
Chambers nodded. ‘We did Ralph, and I’m not asking you to admit flying saucers are real, quite the opposite actually. Use some fancy words regarding the laws of physics, Professor Wilks will be our front man for denying UFOs exist.’
Wilks looked at Chambers. ‘I don’t feel comfortable going on television and denying the existence of flying saucers.’
‘I’m afraid Professor Wilks that you’re going to have to get used to it. You are the country’s most senior astronomer. You will be interviewed by a colleague of yours, Patrick Moore.’
Wilks nodded. ‘I know Patrick well, an up and coming astronomer, just written a book about the moon.’
‘Ok this meeting is adjourned.’ Chambers declared.
Chapter 53
BBC Broadcasting House – London – 5:23pm
‘One minute gentlemen.’ the producer announced.
‘I must say Patrick, I’m surprised to see you at the BBC.’ Wilks said.
‘Oh I’m only doing a favour for someone.’ Replied Moore. ‘I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything for the BBC long term. Books to write and all that stuff Richard.’
‘Ten seconds.’ Reminded the producer. ‘Three... two... one...’
‘Good evening viewers.’ Moore greeted. ‘Over the past few days the newspapers have been abuzz with talk of flying saucers and visitors from mars. The question we are here to ask, are these UFOs real. Joining me this evening is the country’s most senior astronomer Professor Richard Wilks of Greenwich Observatory. And Professor Ralph Frederick, Cambridge Lecturer in astrophysics, Nobel Prize winner and scientific advisor to her Majesty’s Government. Good evening gentlemen.’
‘Good evening.’ Wilks and Frederick said together.
‘Now let’s get right down to the brass tacks shall we, are flying saucers or visitors from mars real? Professor Wilks what is your take on this phenomenon?’
Wilks drew breath before answering. ‘There is no evidence to suggest UFOs or visitors from Mars are real. Some of the most common explanations for these flying saucers are meteors, planets, conventional aircraft or simply hallucinations. We even have had people who misinterpreted the moon as being a UFO.’
‘So in essence Professor you’re saying that some of these people are barking mad?’ Moore asked.
Wilks shook his head. ‘No I’m not saying that at all, what I’m saying is that most if not all of these sightings have rational explanations.’
Moore turned to Frederick. ‘There has been talk and speculation of life on other planets and that they could be advanced enough to come and visit us. Professor Frederick is any of this possible?’
‘No.’ Frederick replied. ‘You have to understand the distances are immense. It would take hundreds if not thousands of years to navigate interstellar space. Faster than light travel is mere science fiction. As you know Einstein’s theory of relativity states that faster than light travel is not possible. Moving on to life on other planets, science has yet to determine whether there are any other planets out there. At this moment in time we are the only planet which harbours life.’
‘Gentlemen thank you for coming in to quash any rumours of invaders from mars.’
‘Our pleasure.’ Wilks said.
Moore looked directly at the camera. ‘So there you have it viewers, these UFOs and invaders from Mars all have rational explanations, good night.’
London Evening Exa
miner – Fleet Street – London.
Bill Mirren turned the control knob of the television until it switched off.
‘What do you think?’
‘I think they’re talking out of their backsides.’ Mirren replied.
‘So where do we go from here?’
Mirren thought for a moment. ‘I want you to go to Cambridge tomorrow, track down this Professor Frederick and see if you can rattle his cage.’
‘Well that was relatively painless.’ Wilks remarked as he and Frederick drove away from the BBC building.
Frederick sat in the back of the car watching the streets of London streak by.
‘Something the matter Ralph.’
‘I was just thinking about something my daughter said to me a while back. She asked me if there could be life on other worlds.’ Frederick thought before correcting himself. ‘In her own little way.’
‘Children can be so inquisitive sometimes.’ Wilks remarked.
‘Are we doing the right thing Richard?’ Playing down the flying saucer phenomenon. Trivializing it to make people think that those who have witnessed something are mad.’
‘Considering what we have discovered over the past several months Ralph I would have thought you of all people would know the answer to that question.’
Frederick caught glimpse of a group of people waiting outside a theatre. ‘Those people over there have no idea what lies beyond the boundaries of their everyday life.’
‘Perhaps it’s for the best, your encounter with Janus should tell you that. In time people will adjust to the possibility that we might not be the only life in our universe.’
Frederick closed his eyes briefly as the image of Elizabeth and Susan appeared in his mind. ‘I suppose for now we keep our little secrets.’
Chapter 54
Trinity College – Cambridge – 11:23am
Tuesday 24th March 1954
‘Excuse me Professor but there’s a young man to see you. He says it’s urgent.’ Frederick’s secretary announced.
Frederick looked up from the paper he was marking. ‘Did he say what it’s about?’
‘Something to do with your television appearance the other night.’
Frederick thought for a moment before nodding.
‘Professor Frederick, it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ The man said offering his hand.
Frederick leant back in his chair. ‘Is there something I can help you with, Mr?’
‘George Rayman from the London Evening Examiner. I was hoping you would give a follow up statement regarding your interview with Patrick Moore last night.’
‘What is it you wish to know Mr Rayman?’
‘Basically why you think flying saucers are not real.’
‘I think Mr Rayman the evidence speaks for itself. As I said last other night there is absolutely no reason to believe that flying saucers have any scientific merit.’
‘So anyone who claims to have seen a flying saucer is nuts?’
‘That’s about the size of it yes.’
‘Even people such as aircraft pilots?’
Frederick took a deep breath. ‘What exactly do you want Mr Rayman.’
‘The truth Professor Frederick.’
Frederick thought for a few moments. ‘The truth is Mr Rayman, there are many things that can’t easily be explained. But labelling things as being ghosts, fairies at the bottom of the garden or flying saucers does not mean that they are.’ ‘Frederick looked back at the paper he was marking. ‘Good day to you Mr Rayman.’
The journalist remained seated for a few moments before getting up.
Chapter 55
Enemy Within
The Royal Society – London – 11:36am
Friday 27th March 1953
Norman Hinshelwood and Chester Osborne sat glaring at Frederick who had received a request to attend the Royal Society the day before. ‘Thank you for coming in today Ralph.’ Hinshelwood said.
‘My pleasure Norman what is it I can do for you?’
‘We wanted to pull you up on your television interview on Monday night. And also a recent newspaper article that also mentions you.’ Osborne answered. ‘Regarding flying saucers.’
Frederick thought about the journalist who turned up at Trinity College three days earlier.
‘We’re a bit puzzled concerning your comments.’ Hinshelwood remarked.
‘How so?’ Replied Frederick.
‘We were under the impression that the group the Prime Minister established last year was to prove the existence of flying saucers, yet here you are denying that they are real.’
Frederick shifted in his chair.
‘It’s pointless denying membership of this group.’ Hinshelwood smiled. ‘What we want to know Ralph is have you learnt anything about flying saucers?’
Frederick shook his head. ‘Nothing as yet no, all we do is analyse reports that members of the public and military send in.’
‘But isn’t that what Tizard’s team do?’ Osborne asked.
‘Not exactly.’ Frederick replied. ‘Their job is to file away UFO reports for future analysis.’
Hinshelwood nodded. ‘I’m going to make this very clear to you Ralph as you failed to take in our little chat last year. You are a highly valued member of this society, but we will not tolerate such nonsense within these walls...’ Hinshelwood was interrupted by a knock on the door, he looked up. ‘Come in!’ He Barked.
Winston Churchill and Malcolm Chambers marched into the room.
‘Prime Minister, this is an unexpected honour sir.’ Osborne greeted before being cut off.
‘Stop your pointless grovelling man.’ Churchill growled. ‘This meeting is to cease immediately.’
‘With all due respect Prime Minister..’ Hinshelwood tried to say.
‘With all due respect Mr Hinshelwood.’ Churchill interrupted. ‘Professor Frederick is one of my top scientific advisors, which means he answers to me directly is that clear.’
Hinshelwood nodded. ‘Yes of course Prime Minister.’
11:56am
‘We’re sorry you had to go through that Ralph.’ Chambers said. ‘We got wind of your meeting only an hour ago. We had no idea they were going to pull you in and subject you to a Spanish Inquisition.’
‘Thanks for pulling me out, I suspect Professor Osborne put Hinshelwood up to it after watching my television interview the other night. I was also questioned by a journalist on Tuesday claiming to be from The London Evening Examiner.’
Chambers had a copy of the Examiner in his hand. ‘I acquired a copy this morning. The Examiner is nothing to worry about. They were just fishing, must have been a slow news day for them. The Prime Minster has assured me that they won’t be bothering you any time soon.’
Frederick glanced at the article. ‘That’s good to know Malcolm but you know as well as I do once the press sinks its teeth into something they tend not to let go. As I said when this whole venture began I’m a Nobel Prize winning physicist.’
‘Rest assured Ralph your reputation remains intact.’ Chambers said.
Chapter 56
The Informant
Leominster – Herefordshire – 3:05pm
Sunday 29th March 1953
‘The daffodils are blooming early this year.’ Igor Lakatos said as he looked at the other man sat on a park bench.
‘Yes, they’re always early in this part of the world.’ The man replied looking up at the Russian.
Lakatos smiled as the man stood and approached. Both men embraced each other as old friends would after a long absence. ‘It is good to see you old friend, it has been far too long.’ Lakatos said.
‘I thought I would never see this day comrade.’ The man replied triumphantly.
‘All thanks to comrade Stalin’s death.’ Said Lakatos.
‘Nothing like a bit of political upheaval to reunite old friends.’ Both men laughed and then sat on the bench.
Lakatos looked across the park at children playing on swings in the distance.
Their joyful cries carried across on a cool breeze. ‘We had doubts you would answer the call comrade.’
The other man drew a deep breath. ‘With what happened to Burgess and Maclean I thought it would be a good idea if I kept a low profile. How are they by the way?’
‘They are fine, being looked after by the state, Maclean is fast becoming a respectable member of the Soviet Union. However Burgess is finding it a little more difficult. The fool insists on ordering his suits from Saddle Row in London. And his exotic taste in partners is frowned upon by the state.’ Lakatos looked at the man.’ ‘Which is why comrade you are better off over here given you share Burgess’ tastes so to speak. As for keeping a low profile, a wise move old friend with all that is going on in the Soviet Union we need every ally we can get in the West.’
‘Which is why I have been working hard to gain the trust of the highest government officials.’
Lakatos smiled. ‘Our superiors at the Kremlin are impressed with your standing. However they are a little disappointed with the amount of information regarding this Angel Committee Prime Minister Churchill established last year. Your messages have been vague at best. The project out in Tunguska has been stepped up.’
‘I’m afraid comrade Lakatos any intelligence gathered by the committee is kept under lock and key, even from members of the group. If I may be so bold comrade what kind of information are they after?’
‘Technical details.’ Lakatos replied.
‘Technical details.’ The man shrugged. ‘I thought the Tunguska crash would have provided you with all the technical details you need.
Lakatos nodded. ‘The Tunguska project is floundering.’
The informant nodded. ‘Perhaps your decision to remove Doctor Vilenko was a little premature.’
‘Doctor Vilenko has been a thorn in my side. The murder of her brother has persuaded her to stay in her current position. Anything you have regarding the inner workings of these so called flying saucers.’
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 16