‘I’m afraid we have yet to acquire such knowledge. Information regarding these UFOs at the moment is limited to reports. What about our operatives in the United States surely they would be able to yield better results.’
‘Jacob Barnes seems to be obsessed with double agents at the moment so we have instructed our agents to keep a low profile until it is safe to communicate with Moscow.’
The informant nodded. ‘We have an extensive case file on a flying saucer kidnapping last year.’
‘Kidnapping?’ Lakatos enquired with a raised eyebrow.
‘Yes a young couple claimed they had some sort of encounter. The young woman involved disappeared for several weeks before being returned. I trust you have also read my message on this Janus, whom Professor Frederick and Doctor Lloyd encountered.’
‘A most interesting case, this Janus is clearly someone who is not of this world, if caught he could be valuable to our research.’
‘That isn’t going to be easy, Janus seems to be invulnerable to bullets, and the committee is clueless as to where he disappeared.’
Lakatos nodded with a thoughtful expression. ‘These kidnappings you mention we have had similar incidents in the Soviet Union, but with Stalin’s regime a lot of these people who claimed such encounters were sent to a Siberian Gulag or a mental hospital.’
Several moments of silence followed.
‘So comrade, tell me about your colleagues which make up this Angel Committee.’
‘The committee is made up of a collection of scientists and military officers.’
‘All loyal to your new queen no doubt.’
The man nodded.
‘So none of them can be persuaded to turn.’
‘Maybe, I have been thinking about one individual, a Professor Ralph Frederick.’
‘The Nobel Prize winner, that would be a victory for the Soviet Union, do you think he will defect?’
‘I don’t know, Frederick is a family man, but I get the impression he’s disappointed with how things are run within the committee.’
‘How close are you to him?’ Lakatos asked.
‘He trusts me?’
‘So you are able to gain access into his personal life.’
The informant looked at Lakatos shaking his head. ‘Like I said comrade, Frederick is a family man. Any sexual advances on my part would only make him suspicious. Besides I have a family of my own, I must maintain this charade if I am to acquire information in the future.’
Lakatos nodded. ‘Then we must find another method of recruiting him, appeal to his scientific nature. The the research project in Tunguska would be of great interest to this Professor Frederick. You are to contact comrade Modin and arrange for him to bump into Frederick and make him an offer.’
The informant nodded. ‘I’ll see what I can arrange.’
Lakatos got to his feet. ‘My time is up comrade I have to get back to Moscow, there is still much upheaval, Comrade Stalin’s shadow still hangs over the Soviet Union I’m afraid. A lot of his close supporters are fighting to step into his shoes.’
The other man stood and embraced Lakatos. ‘It is good to see you again old friend, lets not leave it so long next time.’
Both men walked away in opposite directions.
Chapter 57
Temptations
Trinity College – Cambridge – 12:13pm
Monday 13th April 1953
Professor Frederick sipped from the cup of tea Sandra his secretary had just brought in. It was her last task of the day as Frederick had given her the afternoon off. He sat in front of his typewriter mulling over the events that had occurred at Stoke Lacy in Herefordshire a few months earlier. Although he had written a full report on the incident he still felt inclined to write a personal account of all his experiences of the last year and Stoke Lacy was certainly one of the most disturbing. Although Frederick could push aside the image Janus had planted in his mind it didn’t stop them haunting him in dreams he was having since the incident. The cathedral, Susan sobbing and Frederick himself cradling Elizabeth in his arms. He’d wake up suddenly and look to see if Elizabeth was beside him.
Frederick looked away from his typewriter, alerted to a knock on the door. ‘Come!’ He called out.
The door opened revealing a large man with white hair and a white beard. He wore a grey suit and a long black overcoat. The man marched in and sat down opposite a bewildered Frederick. He immediately lit up a cigarette and puffed on it contently for several seconds.
‘Is there something I can help you with?’ Frederick asked, not trying to sound too bothered.
‘Actually Professor I was thinking the same thing.’ The man replied revealing a broad Russian accent.
Frederick leaned back in his chair folding his arms. ‘Really!’
The Russian nodded. ‘I am here to make you an offer of service.’
‘I’m flattered but I am not interested, now if you’ll excuse me I have work to do, Mr..?’
The Russian shook his head. ‘Names are not important Professor.’ He reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a square brown envelope. Opening it he took out a single photograph sliding it towards Frederick. ‘This may change your mind.’
Frederick looked down at the photograph which depicted a desolate landscape where trees had been blown over in all directions.
‘This picture was taken by a Soviet scientific expedition in Siberia.’
As Frederick studied the picture he noted an object directly at the centre, comparing the surrounding countryside and the distance from the object he estimated it to have been several hundred feet across. The Russian picked up the photograph and slid it back into the envelope before Frederick could study it further.
‘We currently have a research project in the area analysing this craft which we believe crashed in 1908. Our scientists have speculated that this craft is from another part of the galaxy. We have salvaged a lot of technology from the crash site as well as many bodies.’
‘What is it you want from me exactly?’ Frederick asked.
‘Nothing much Professor Just a little exchange of information, which the Soviet Union would pay handsomely for.’
‘What kind of information?’
‘We know that your government is conducting secret investigations into these flying saucers and that you are head of one of these teams.’
Frederick remained silent.
‘Technical information regarding these flying saucers could benefit mankind Professor.’
‘Or give the Soviet Union a tactical advantage.’ Frederick replied.
‘You would have unprecedented access to the Tunguska crash site and all of Russia’s scientific community would be at your disposal.’
‘Well thank you for the most generous offer, but I am satisfied where my loyalties lie.’
The Russian stared at Frederick for several seconds before standing. ‘It’s a shame you won’t accept my offer Professor, you are missing out on an opportunity few scientists like yourself rarely get.’ The Russian walked out of Frederick’s office closing the door behind him.
Whitehall – London – 11:12am
Tuesday 14th April 1953
‘We have no one on our records fitting your description Ralph.’ Said Morris Stanford. ‘But one thing is certain he’ll probably be a Soviet handler, could even be the same one who dealt with Burgess and MacLean. He’s obviously familiar with the campus. Now that we have a detailed description of this man MI6 can begin a search. If he’s operating in the United Kingdom we’ll nab him sooner or later.’
‘What did you make of the photograph he showed you?’ Malcolm Chambers asked.
‘He said the craft crashed in 1908 and that a team of scientists have been salvaging the technology it contains. He also mentioned bodies.’ Frederick replied.
‘Bodies!’ Chambers remarked.
‘I have read an account of a meteor or asteroid that came down in Siberia around the time this man mentioned. But no western scientifi
c teams have been near the area.’
‘If the Russians do have the remains of a craft from another world it ups the stakes.’ Chambers said.
‘It also levels the playing field with the Americans who rumour has it also have crashed Flying saucer technology.’ Said Stanford.
‘I suggest we sit tight, now that we know the Russians are sniffing about for information we’ll try and keep an eye on the soviet embassy. The man you encountered yesterday is bound to turn up sooner or later.’
Chapter 58
D-Notice
Whitehall – London – 11:23am
Friday 24th April 1953
Professor Norman Canning fussed over the projector as the other men looked on. Canning had phoned every committee member that morning requesting that they turn up immediately. However, apart from himself only three other members were able to attend the meeting, Dr Alan Good, Sir Harold Bates and an increasingly frail Dr Arthur Lloyd.
After a few minutes Canning turned to the assembled members smiling broadly. ‘Good morning gentlemen, thank you for turning up at such short notice. I was hoping more would be able to show but unfortunately we’ll have to do for now.’ Canning made his way to a light switch. ‘I have called you here today at the request of Malcolm who couldn’t be here himself unfortunately.’ He took a deep breath flicking the light switch. The room plunged into darkness as the heavy curtains had been drawn, allowing just enough light for Canning to return to the projector. ‘Right let’s get started shall we.’ He started up the projector which lit a screen on the other side of the room. ‘This piece of film was taken by a BBC news crew doing a routine news article on sheep farming in Mid Wales. The BBC is starting to conduct these so called outside broadcasts. Lucky for us they decided to get all patriotic and hand this over to the Ministry of Defence.’ All four men stared at the screen which showed the news journalist standing by the side of the Farmer he was about to interview. Behind them was a reservoir which curved around the valley out of sight.
‘I’m here in the Elan Valley with Welsh Farmer Mr David Lewis, who has just won an award for outstanding..’ The camera suddenly panned away and focused in on the reservoir behind them.
‘Jesus!’ The cameraman exclaimed. ‘What the bloody hell is that?’
The cameraman zoomed in as best he could on the approaching object. It was dome shaped, dull silver in colour. Around the centre of the object appeared to be windows circular in shape. The craft banked around the mountain side following the lake’s trajectory. It straightened up and was heading straight for the camera crew. The object dwarfed a small island in the middle of the Reservoir.
‘I have estimated the craft to be at least one hundred and fifty feet across.’ Canning stated, the other three looked on.
‘Jesus, that’s massive!’ The Journalist stated.
The object approached, and the camera zoomed out to keep it in frame. As it started to pass over them the cameraman tried to point the camera directly upwards, but succumb to its bulkiness and stumbled backwards eventually falling over. Professor Canning turned on the lights again, causing the other men to blink after becoming accustomed to the darkness.
‘Who else has seen this footage?’ Sir Harold Bates asked.
‘There were five men on that broadcast, the farmer, journalist, cameraman, sound engineer and a producer. We have spoken to all of them and they have all signed a non disclosure agreement. We’ve convinced them that it is a highly classified military aircraft. Although I don’t think the news team believed us, we did run into a bit of resistance from the journalist but he eventually signed the agreement.’
‘What about the farmer?’ Dr Arthur Lloyd enquired.
Canning shrugged. ‘A country yokel doesn’t know much beyond sheep farming, besides he doesn’t speak all that much English. His first language is Welsh which is an enormous help to us. We have acquired the entire newsreel there’s no way this is getting out.’
‘Which leaves us with a new problem?’ Dr Alan Good said. ‘What happens when another television crew capture one of these UFO’s on film again?’
‘We’ll just confiscate it just like this one.’ Canning replied.
‘That might not be as easy as you think Norman, even though television is still a new medium it’s growing fast.’
‘I don’t think we need to worry just yet Alan there are still very few people who have these television sets, they’re quite expensive you know. Anything between ten and twenty pounds.’
‘Yes, but it is only a matter of time before more people will be able to afford them. Her Majesty’s coronation is just over a month away. It’s predicted that millions will be watching on television sets around the country as well as the Commonwealth and the rest of the world. The BBC are setting up a series of outside broadcasts up and down the Mall as well as around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. There could be as many as thirty people a household watching.’ Dr Good gestured towards the projector screen. ‘It’s one thing to film one of these things in a remote location in Wales. What if one of these objects decides to show up over central London on June 2nd can you imagine the panic. There’s also talk of a new television company being set up next year, with those television advertisements that the Americans have. Who knows in years to come we could have three or four different television companies up and running, with their own news programmes. Something is bound to come out sooner or later. Whether we like it or not television is on its way to becoming a focal point in peoples everyday lives.’
Canning took a deep breath. ‘I see your point.’ He swept a gaze over the other three in the room. ‘Suggestions then, how do we stop the BBC and other future television companies from showing film footage of these objects?’
‘We impose a D-notice to ensure this kind of film doesn’t get out to the public.’ Lloyd suggested.
‘But then we’re admitting that these UFO’s are considered as a threat to the United Kingdom.’ Canning replied.
Lloyd shook his head. ‘Not necessarily, as you stated television is still a new medium, which means we can gain control in its early stages of development. We will contact the head of the BBC and invite him for an informal meeting. We do what we did to the news team and convince him that any future footage of any kind of UFO should be vetted and handed over to the Ministry of Defence for inspection before it can be broadcast to the public. A set of broadcasting guidelines could be introduced regarding matters of national security.’
‘And if the BBC refuse to cooperate?’ Dr Good said.
Lloyd breathed deeply. ‘Then we take away their licence to broadcast. The BBC may have established itself, but I think we can maintain control. They’ll jump through any hoops we put out in front of them to stay on air. And let us not forget the Prime Minister has given us absolute authority over this matter. If, as you suggested more television companies are formed they’ll have to stick to the same guidelines.’
‘That’s all well and good Arthur, but we still have to deal with the newspapers.’ Canning picked up a newspaper in front of him and tossed it across the table to Lloyd. ‘Photographs of these UFOs are still showing up. More people are able to buy cameras, and these new cine cameras are starting to become common place. It’s one thing to be able to control what the BBC broadcast, but how do we stop the general public from filming these UFO’s?’
‘We don’t.’ Harold Bates said.
Canning glared at him. ‘So you’re suggesting we just let the BBC screen film footage of UFO’s that the British public send in.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.’ Bates puffed on his pipe thoughtfully. ‘What you have to remember Norman is that there is a great deal of difference between a professional cameraman working for the BBC and an amateur cameraman out in his back garden. It’s clear that we cannot stop every photograph or piece of film being published. However the public are prone to believe anything the news tells them, that’s the beauty of television and the newspapers. When we meet with the head o
f the BBC we tell him that they are more than welcome to broadcast amateur footage taken by the public. It would be far easier to dismiss such footage as fake than footage taken by a professional film crew. Amateur footage taken by Mr Smith of Basingstoke will be taken lightly by the news broadcasts, even put on the end of a broadcast sort of like an afterthought. We just instruct the news to treat the matter light heartedly, that way the public will do the same and dismiss it as nonsense, it’s plausible deniability.’
‘It might work.’ Bates considered. ‘But we’re going to have to help things along.’
‘Help things along?’ Canning questioned.
‘Yes by contributing our own footage and reports.’ Bates suggested
‘You’re talking about submitting disinformation to the BBC and other newspapers.’ Canning sounded a little shocked.
‘It’s the best way to play down stories of flying saucer encounters, disinformation will keep the public guessing as to the nature of these UFO’s, sort of like putting the cat amongst the pigeons. It will also cement the idea of flying saucers into popular culture.’
‘Surely you’re not suggesting that we submit footage like the one I have just shown you to the BBC.’
‘Of course not.’ Bates replied abruptly.
‘Then how do you suggest we proceed?’ Canning asked, revealing sarcasm.
‘I know a chap down at Ealing film studios.’ Bates offered. ‘Just flown back from California after working on the film version of H G Wells, War of The Worlds. He’s interested in a new field of film making called special effects; we worked together during the war on newsreels.’
‘How trust worthy is he?’ Canning asked suspicion evident in his tone.
‘I can personally vouch for him.’ Bates replied. ‘He’s a top man, I’ll give him a bell this afternoon.’
‘Ok.’ Canning said. ‘We create a few pieces of film, and submit them to the BBC now and then for public viewing. We’ll get Professor Wilks at Greenwich to talk about the footage, and label it fake.’
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 17