‘You don’t know that.’ Frederick glared at the senator. ‘Helium Three could advance science by decades overnight. Keeping it under lock and key is ridiculous.’
Barnes shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘Ok then Professor; say we do release this new source of energy on the world. It powers our electricity grids and cars, who will profit?’
‘I beg your pardon.’
‘You have to realise Professor Frederick that the American and the British government generate hundreds of millions of dollars in oil and gas revenues every year and as time advances those millions of dollars will soon be billions. If an energy source such as Helium Three were to be put on the market, millions of dollars would be lost, millions more without jobs because of this. Whether you like it or not Professor this helium three is to be kept secure until the right time. Our dependency on oil and gas helps fund projects like this facility here at Groom Lake.’
‘Until the oil runs out is that what you’re saying senator? When will that be exactly a hundred years from now? The damage we are causing to this planet through industrialisation could be halted overnight if we started using this.’
‘And both our economies will collapse Professor.’ Barnes’ tone was agitated. ‘You scientists are all the same, dreamers, never considering the bigger picture, always with your heads in the clouds. This is why you need men like me, to ground you. Profit before progress Professor Frederick, that’s the American way, I suggest you British start to adopt this ideology.’ Barnes then turned and walked towards the exit.
‘That could have gone better.’ Doctor Bush sighed.
‘Surely you don’t agree with him.’
Bush seemed hesitant in answering before shaking his head slowly. ‘No, but at the end of the day Professor Frederick Jacob Barnes is holding all the purse strings. He may call us a bunch of dreamers, but our dreams help create facilities like the one we’re in. One day professor the tables will be reversed and men like Barnes will be obsolete. You’re right about everything you have said, we are damaging our world and ignoring the consequences. At our level of development our natural resources will be depleted within a hundred years.’ Bush looked towards the door Barnes had just walked through. ‘If men like Senator Barnes are still in charge, then the human race will have a hard time in the twenty first century.’
Chapter 100
6:12pm
Archie Watson marched up and down the room, talking about what he had been shown earlier.
Frederick had issues plaguing him, particularly the attitude of Senator Barnes. He seemed oblivious to Professor Watson’s commentary of his eventful day.
‘It’s just incredible what they have here, the rockets they are designing, or have captured during the war, what the Germans were doing was even beyond my dreams. And as for that antigravity device they were constructing.’ Watson took a deep breath. ‘I feel like a boy at Christmas looking through a toy shop window.’
Frederick glanced at Watson. ‘Funny, just a week ago you gave one of those Germans a bloody nose.’
Watson looked at his friend. ‘What’s the matter?’
Frederick looked at him. ‘I take it you never met Senator Barnes.’
Watson shook his head.
‘Don’t worry you will. All this technology they’re developing here means nothing if the Americans don’t plan to share it. Take the Helium 3 they have, an energy source that could advance the scientific world by decades Archie, decades. Yet the likes of Senator Barnes wants to keep it hidden away because he’s paranoid the Russians will attack the United States, I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.’
Watson nodded. ‘If it’s any consolation I did encounter a bit of flak off General Power today when I mentioned sharing technology with the rest of the world. He basically stonewalled me stating that it’s best if what the Americans have is kept away from the rest of the world.’
Frederick picked up his jacket off the bunk and put it on. ‘We’ll get plenty more chance to argue at this dinner they’ve laid on for us.’
7:47pm
Frederick wiped his mouth savouring the taste of the large steak he had managed to get through. ‘I have to say that is the best steak I have had in a while.’
‘That’s cornbread fed beef from my ranch in Texas Professor I’m glad you liked it.’ Senator Barnes boasted, before raising his glass. ‘A toast, to our new friends all the way from England, to quote Bogart, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’
All five men in the room raised their glasses. ‘So what do you think of our set up here Professor?’ General Power asked.
‘You’ve accomplished so much in the last few years. I was particularly impressed with the Helium three device demonstrated earlier.’
‘Just one of many projects in development Professor. The work we’re doing here at Groom Lake will have repercussions for decades.’
‘Providing anyone gets to hear about it.’ Frederick added.
A tense silence followed before Power spoke. ‘You must understand the importance of secrecy Professor given the times we live in. You know the Soviets are poised to attack the west.’
‘Do you know this for certain general?’ Watson asked.
‘We have people in the Kremlin, who are adamant the Russians are planning a surprise attack on the United States.’
‘And yet British Intelligence suggests otherwise.’ Watson said.
Power smiled at Watson. ‘British intelligence doesn’t employ as many as our intelligence organisations Professor. Communism is everywhere infecting every corner of the United States, if we allow them to take hold then everything we are doing here will be lost forever, democracy will be lost.’
‘Democracy comes in many forms General, your government segregates coloured people denying them the right to vote and social interaction with white Americans.’ Frederick stated.
‘Exactly what point are you trying to make Professor?’ Senator Barnes challenged.
‘The point I’m trying to make Senator is that all that we have achieved over the years as a species, we are still bogged down with issues of race. What is the point of advancing scientific understanding and achievement if at the end of the day no one is going to hear about it?’
‘We don’t intend to keep everything locked away forever Professor.’ Vannevar Bush explained.
‘But you do plan to keep it from public view as long as possible.’
‘No, not as long as possible but until such a time when the people understand scientific progress a bit better. You know Professor the average American isn’t all that smart, I don’t mean that in a bad sense but your average Joe on the street isn’t interested in quantum physics. Unleashing the technical achievements we are making will only serve to confuse people.’
‘But people can be educated Dr Bush.’ Frederick said.
Bush nodded. ‘Yes they can and plans are being drawn up to educate the population in matters of science. But before that happens we need to be sure they can understand what we’re trying to tell them. And when the time is right we will deliver an education program designed so that even the less intelligent will be able to grasp the basic concepts of science.’
‘We also want to examine the areas in which we can profit from what we have learnt so far.’ Senator Barnes added.
Frederick looked at him. ‘Yes you explained profit before progress earlier today senator.’
Barnes leant back in his chair clasping his hands behind his head. ‘You still don’t see the bigger picture do you Professor, still annoyed at what I said. I don’t think your government would share your view when they find out we intend to share the benefits of our knowledge with them.’
Frederick remained silent.
Chapter 101
The economical Truth
Groom Lake – 9:26am
Friday 9th April 1954
Doctor Nathan Rosen and Professor Frederick shook hands as if it was the first time they had encountered each other. Dr Vannevar
Bush had led Frederick to a large aircraft hanger that stood on its own under heavy guard. The building had been split up into several sections. Directly at the centre of the hanger was the main examination area which was a perfect square and windowless. A square spiral corridor surrounded the area arching outwards. Several doors lined the spiral corridor leading off into small research labs, again with no windows.
‘Doctor Nathan Rosen is our lead physicist looking into the drive system of this craft recovered from the Roswell crash site in forty seven.’ Bush explained. ‘Because of the secrecy that surrounds this particular hanger only two people at a time are allowed to work in this area, so I will leave you in Doctor Rosen’s capable hands, but I will be back shortly, enjoy the show Professor.’ Bush left the examination area.
‘Good to see you again Professor, I spoke to Rothschild last week who sends his regards.’
Frederick nodded. ‘I am a little surprised to see you here Doctor.’
‘I was appointed to this project in 1945, Professor Einstein worked with me when they recovered the craft from Roswell.’
‘Why did Bush say you’ve been here since forty seven?’
‘It’s the way the system operates out here. Each scientist or engineer is given instructions to limit the information they are allowed to reveal. The people who run this place are obsessed with communist infiltration. Have you noticed that you and Professor Watson have been split up ever since your arrival at Groom Lake?’
Frederick thought for a moment before nodding.
‘Professor Watson is a new member of The Angel Committee and although he has probably been briefed on the UFO situation. Unlike you he has yet to gain first hand experience with this phenomena. Which is why you have been given access to this area.’
Frederick looked at the circular craft in the middle of the examination area walking towards it. A hole in its side revealed the inner compartment. The object was approximately thirty feet in diameter by ten feet at its tallest point. He walked around the craft which was perfectly smooth on the outer shell with no visible windows or potholes.
‘This is the third craft I have examined for our government.’
‘The third.’ Frederick responded with surprise. ‘Where are the other two?’
‘At our main research facility on the Midway Atoll.’
‘In the Pacific ocean?’ Frederick shook his head. ‘Why all the way out there?’
‘Why not, it’s thousands of miles from the nearest continent a perfect spot for secret research. No commercial ships are allowed within a hundred miles of the area and the skies are constantly being monitored for soviet aircraft. There is also a facility on Wake Island which is being converted into another launch site. You already know about the set up we have in Antarctica. Our government believes that it’s not sustainable over the long term because of the extreme climate so they are dismantling the main launch complex that the Nazis built and shipping the whole lot out to Wake Island.’
‘But I was told that they’re preparing a launch next March by Hermann Jodi at White Sands.’
‘Yes, they are keeping a scaled down launch pad out there, one which they plan to launch rockets with artificial satellites.’
‘A man by the name of Dmitri Kirov defected last year and revealed that the Russians are also working on a program to launch an artificial satellite within three to four years.’ Frederick revealed.
Rosen nodded. ‘The order knows this and is monitoring the situation in the Soviet Union.’
Frederick looked around the hanger. ‘Where an earth is all the money coming from to pay for all this?’
‘You’ve met Senator Jacob Barnes no doubt.’ Rosen said.
Frederick nodded.
‘A man with deep pockets and very influential in Washington, needless to say he has Eisenhower’s ear. He set up the funding for the Majestic 12 group. Every member is in his pocket. I also suspect your group haven’t been given the full story of what has transpired over the last several years.’
‘Senator Barnes’ pockets can’t be that deep.’ Frederick stated. ‘The amount of money you are piling into this place alone must be phenomenal, let alone the other research facilities you have.’
‘I can assure you Professor the senator’s pockets are bottomless. He has fingers in almost every major US corporation from banking, oil, electricity, defence, Pharmaceutical, Motion Pictures, Newspapers and television, intelligence but to name a few. He has lunch with Senator Joseph McCarthy on a regular basis, and plays golf with Walt Disney. Senator Barnes is a dangerous man. There is so much more you need to be aware of concerning this man, but I’m afraid it will have to wait. In your stay here how much of this facility have you actually seen?’
Frederick gathered his thoughts. ‘Not as much as I would have liked to. There are dozens of buildings which we haven’t been allowed near. And we’ve been under armed guard everywhere we’ve been.’
I have been here a total of eight times and I have only been allowed where the bell is or in here. Myself and Professor Einstein have also seen other technology recovered from the Roswell craft. We were tasked with giving a demonstration of the Roswell device you and your team were shown last year to President Truman back in 1947. There are a number of defence contractors who operate out of Groom Lake, Aerojet, Boeing, General Electric and a company Vannevar Bush helped set up Raytheon and others I have yet to learn about, I do know one thing, it’s senator Barnes who decides who sees what.’
Frederick took in a deep breath, looking at the craft. ‘So you examine the drive system that makes these things fly.’
Rosen nodded. ‘Yes my particular field is the Einstein Rosen bridge theory, we developed back in 1935.’
‘Linking two points in space, a wormhole.’ Frederick said.
Rosen nodded. ‘Given the vast distances between solar systems it is the only theory that stands up as to how these beings are able to navigate the vastness of space.’
‘How much have you learnt?’
‘Of the three craft I have examined, not much and it’s not through lack of trying. I have estimated the technology this craft utilizes is at least two hundred years ahead of our own, give or take several decades. So you can understand it’s slow progress.’
‘Dr Bush is optimistic that it’s possible to reverse engineer some of this technology, he gave an impressive demonstration of a storage device last year in London.’
Rosen smiled. ‘Dr Bush is a bit of a dreamer I’m afraid Professor, what we like to call a futurist. I’m not saying it’s not possible to duplicate this technology, but like I just said, it’s slow going. It’s very compartmentalized here at Groom Lake. Different scientists and engineers are assigned to different jobs. No one is allowed to roam freely. They even have guards for the guards to make sure they don’t stray into any areas they’re not supposed to be in. Jacob Barnes employed his own security company here. They’re nothing more than a bunch of thugs with guns.’
‘You say that the other two craft you’ve examined have been shipped out to the Pacific atolls, any idea where they came from in the first place?’
‘I wasn’t told where the first craft that I examined came from, due to the limited information they give me. I do know the second craft I examined at the end of forty five was exported out of occupied Germany, I came by this information via the Galileo Order.’
‘Did it crash land?’ Frederick asked.
‘No, it was handed over to the Germans in 1940.’ Rosen replied.
‘By who?’
‘The Vatican.’
‘Why would the Vatican have links to Hitler’s thugs?’ Frederick asked.
‘To be precise The Brotherhood of the Holy See. I was informed of a deal between the Nazis and the Vatican. The Holy See already knew Hitler wasn’t to be trusted and that a plan had to be implemented in order to prevent the Third Reich from marching into St Peter’s Square and stripping the Vatican of its priceless treasures. The Pope ordered his top Cardinals to unlock t
he Vatican vaults and find anything that might be used as a bargaining chip.’
‘I take it that’s when they found the craft.’ Frederick said.
Rosen nodded. ‘They found a great many other things, including a diagram drawn up by Leonardo da Vinci resembling the German Bell you examined yesterday. I have also examined the bell, when they first shipped it back here. The Vatican persuaded Hitler that a great many technological advancements supposedly lost throughout history would be of great use to the war effort. The Vatican promised to release information if it was spared the onslaught.’
‘It makes sense why the Nazis didn’t just march into the Vatican and take what they wanted.’ Frederick said.
‘I’m afraid we don’t have a lot of time Professor, there is too much to explain here and now. I can tell you that our government has implemented a new drive. To extend its research operation, which is why they have opened up to the British Government. Senator Barnes plan is to use every allied country in exchange for UFO technology, which is why they are stepping up plans to fortify Western Europe. Both McCarthy and Barnes are paranoid that the Russians will try and invade, which is why we are experiencing these communist witch hunts at the moment.’
The door opened to the examination area and Vannevar Bush appeared. ‘Time to go I’m afraid Professor.’
Frederick and Rosen shook hands and said their goodbyes.
Chapter 102
Homeward Bound
Palm Springs – California – 6:12pm
Monday 19th April 1954
Frederick looked out of the Window at Elizabeth and Susan with Archie, Joan and their two children as they played in the pool. Also by the pool were Senator Barnes’ wife Jennifer and their two teenage sons. Barnes had shown up with Vannevar Bush and his wife to say goodbye to the visiting British scientists and their families. He had organised a barbeque and had spent the afternoon hosting the gathering by cooking most of the food. Both Susan and Joan were taken back by the American’s charm, and were eager to maintain a friendship with Jennifer Barnes. Elizabeth even offered to accommodate them the next time they were in Great Britain. Senator Barnes was all too eager to accept the invitation.
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