‘Your wife is a delightful lady Professor Frederick and your daughter is the pinnacle of politeness.’ Barnes said, joining Frederick alone in the spacious living room.
‘Thank you Senator, you’ve been a most generous host this afternoon.’
Barnes looked out of the patio windows at the families. ‘I feel that we have accomplished much over the last few weeks, no doubt what you have seen has given you plenty of food for thought.’
‘Plenty.’ Frederick remarked dryly.
Barnes looked at him. ‘I know you’re not happy with the way we run things out here Professor. You feel that the people we employ deserve to be put on trial for things they may have done in the past. Like you I had reservations about employing these men, when I first found out about Operation Paperclip I strongly opposed it. There were many concentration camp survivors who moved out to the United States to escape the memories of the horrors of what had happened to them. Yet here we were letting Nazi war criminals in the back door. I couldn’t find a way to justify it, until that is, I saw the full extent of what the Russians are capable of. Stalin may be dead but the legacy of his brutality lives on. Every year we receive intelligence reports revealing the full extent of Soviet atrocities against their own people. Millions dying of starvation, while millions more are worked to death on the Soviet war machine. You have to ask yourself Professor Frederick, what would the world be like if the Russians would have got their hands on the likes of Hermann Jodi, or Werner Von Braun and all the other prominent scientists that worked on Hitler’s Atom Bomb project.’
‘Your argument is compelling Senator.’ Frederick said. ‘But there are those who fought against Nazi Germany and lost loved ones in the process. My own parents were killed during the London Blitz, so you see I have no love for the men you employ. Great Britain was on the front line and stood alone for a few years against Nazi Germany.’
Barnes seemed unfazed by Frederick’s words. ‘I sleep soundly at night knowing full well that we were able to beat the Russians to most of the scientific and military hardware the Nazis built. When I became involved in Project Paperclip I met a German banker who told me that prior to Germany invading Poland in thirty nine, he tried to convince Hitler and the Third Reich to hold off for two years before attempting to break out of Germany. He said that more advancements in science and warfare needed to be developed if Germany was to claim a total victory over Europe. If they would have taken his advice we would not be stood here having this conversation. Two years Professor, to develop the V1, V2, the jet propelled aircraft, Heavy Water and a host of other wonder weapons that could have single handily won the Germans the war. When our boys were pushing into Germany they found an installation developing a new type of long range German Bomber capable of reaching the Eastern seaboard. We raided ship yards with submarines being designed to carry and launch the V1 and V2 rockets. Two years Professor that’s all it would have taken them. There would have been no glorious Battle of Britain. Goose stepping German troops would have marched on Whitehall sweeping away any resistance, then they would have marched on Capitol Hill.’ Barnes stopped talking allowing time For Frederick to digest his words. ‘Thank god that crazy bastard didn’t listen.’
Chapter 103
The File
Whitehall – London – 12:39pm
Friday 23rd April 1954
Malcolm Chambers stared at the report contemplating the information Frederick had detailed in the dossier. ‘I have to admit Ralph what you and Archie were shown during your time in America has shocked me somewhat. A base out in Antarctica, rockets capable of reaching the moon. Hundreds if not thousands of former Nazi scientists and engineers working for the Americans. I thought the Americans had shared everything regarding Project Paperclip.’ He shook his head. ‘This just goes to prove they didn’t.’
Frederick nodded. ‘So many escaped during the closing stages of the war, it was a total mess trying to capture the ones responsible for so much atrocity.’
‘The ratlines out of Europe helped a lot of those bastards get away, which leads me to one of the reasons I called you here today.’ Chambers looked back at the report. ‘You mention here a man called Jacob Barnes.’
Frederick nodded. ‘Yes he’s a prominent figure over there, tried to convince me the positive aspect of employing all those Nazis.’
‘He’s a man of many traits.’ Chambers continued. ‘In 1929 he was a prominent New York Banker, despite the Wall Street crash Barnes seemed invulnerable and survived. At the time he was pulled up by the FBI in connection with missing bearer bonds allegedly worth in excess one hundred million dollars.’
‘Bloody hell, no wonder he’s of interest.’
Chambers nodded. ‘Unfortunately the FBI was unable to make anything stick. They couldn’t find the missing bearer bonds so they let him go.’ Chambers reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a file which he handed to Frederick. ‘I compiled this file on him, dug it out yesterday when his name cropped up in your report. After the crash of twenty nine he went to ground for a few years until 1935 when he turned up in Hollywood spreading a lot of money around and investing heavily in the film industry, he had a lot of return from his investments.’
‘I take it no one questioned where the money was coming from.’ Frederick said.
‘No.’ Chambers replied. ‘After that he started to branch out, oil, gas and now it seems he has his fingers in Americas most top secret research facilities.’
Frederick noted the look on Chambers’ face. ‘Something tells me this Barnes character is going to be a problem. How is it you are familiar with him?’
‘Six years ago British intelligence intercepted a German businessman in London making his way to the USA. A man by the name of Joseph Frank. Myself and Morris Stanford interviewed the man. He confessed to being a former prominent Nazi who was being smuggled out of Europe to the USA. When searched he was found to be carrying half a million dollars worth of American bearer bonds, which he claimed had come from the pocket of Jacob Barnes. While in our custody Jacob Barnes turned up and carted Frank away without as much of an explanation. I did contact Clement Atlee about the matter but he basically ignored my concerns. A few days later his body was found drifting face down in the Thames estuary. I believe that former President Truman twisted Atlee’s arm.’
Frederick listened with interest.
Chambers indicated to the file he handed Frederick. ‘As you can see his file is quite extensive, I suggest you read it thoroughly, you are going to have familiarise yourself with Jacob Barnes.’
Frederick looked up at Chambers.
‘I received a telephone call this morning concerning a conference being held in just over a week.’
‘What kind of conference?’
‘Apparently to discuss the matter of the existence of beings from other worlds, among other things. This Senator Barnes is heading the meeting, and it’s him who phoned me this morning.’
Frederick took a deep breath.
‘I want you to listen to me very carefully Ralph, this meeting, that file, is to be kept between the two of us. No one else must know of its existence, not even fellow committee members.’
Frederick nodded. ‘Of course.’
‘Jacob Barnes is dangerous, he has the ability to find a person’s weakness an exploit it. If I would have known he was involved with the Majestic 12 group last year I would have never have agreed to set up a partnership. He is a very clever man hiding in the shadows, then revealing himself when the time is right. I believe the device shown to us from the Roswell crash last year, your invite out to the USA are all part of a plan. It’s obvious that Barnes has had access to all the files we have shared with the Americans. He’s a thorough man, it’s highly likely he’ll know everything that has happened over the last two years, operation Mainbrace, the Edith Jones case file, Janus, everything. He was explicitly adamant that you should attend this conference which is being held in the Netherlands.’ Chambers looked down at a piece of pap
er he had scribbled on. ‘At a place called the Hotel de Bilderberg, near Arnhem in the Netherlands.’
‘Another trip abroad.’ Frederick commented his thoughts turned to Elizabeth and the child she was expecting.
‘The conference itself only lasts one day, so you won’t be gone too long, but you will be going alone, Barnes was insistent on this. This is how he operates, he will try and isolate you from the committee and put you in a position where you won’t be able to say no.’
‘From my experience Malcolm I think saying no is quite easy for me but I will heed your warning.’
‘Good, we’ll meet up after the conference and try and guess what Barnes’ strategy is.’
Chapter 104
The road to Disclosure
Hotel De Bilderberg – Arnhem – Netherlands – 11-01am
Monday 3rd May 1954
Frederick quickly swept the room glancing at the nine other men who were in attendance. Professor Albert Einstein was sat opposite and greeted Frederick as soon as he walked through the door of the conference room. Vannevar Bush and Jacob Barnes sat at each end of the large oval table. The scale of security surrounding the small meeting room was immense. Over a hundred secret service agents stood guard at every entrance to the hotel, as well as patrolling the grounds. Even the local police had been assigned to patrol a radius of three miles from the hotel.
On arrival Frederick was unaware that anyone else had arrived. He was escorted straight to his room and given a memo with instructions to read through it. Even his evening meal was brought to his room, which had an adjoining bathroom.
Even though just ten men resided in the conference room, every room in the hotel had been booked and paid for, no outsiders were allowed within three miles of the hotel.
‘Good morning gentlemen.’ Barnes greeted. ‘Thank you for attending this meeting today. Our hosts have been gracious enough to hand over this splendid hotel for a few days so that means room service is all yours.’
Chuckles resonated around the room, while Einstein and Frederick remained straight faced.
‘You all know me of course.’ Barnes smiled. ‘And the man at the other end of the table, Vannevar Bush. To my right Mr Walt Disney well known movie producer, along with Louis B Mayer another prominent movie producer. Astrophysicist and Cambridge Professor Ralph Frederick. next to Professor Frederick well known astronomer Doctor Martin Steinberg.’ Barnes paused to catch his breath. ‘Sat to my left is General Frank Stacy United States. A man who needs no introduction Physicist Albert Einstein. Next we have Cardinal James Macintyre, our representative on religious matters. And Last but no means least William Randolph Hearst Junior, son of the late newspaper baron William Hearst.’ Barnes looked directly at Vannevar Bush. ‘Doctor if you please.’
Bush Stood. ‘I take it you have all read the report we gave you last night, entitled The Road to Disclosure.’ Bush picked up a glass of water and took a sip. ‘We are here today because we all have one thing in common, and that is we are fully aware that our planet is being visited by beings from another world. Besides the ten of us in the room, there are probably another hundred people or so who have access to this knowledge, including President Dwight D Eisenhower.’ Bush looked across at Frederick. ‘And British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. However as time progresses it is fairly obvious that we cannot keep this knowledge to ourselves. Our operations out in Groom Lake, White Sands and Antarctica have thousands of personnel who have access to materials that have come from the remains of the craft that crashed at Roswell and also technology that was captured during the war. Whether we like it or not information is bound to come out sooner or later. We’ve all read the newspaper reports and seen TV interviews regarding flying saucers. There is no denying it, as time progresses more and more people will start to ask questions. This is why I have come up with this agenda to educate the public not just in matters concerning flying saucers but also in the progress of science. As we start to explore outer space people will be curious to know more and more. So therefore it is our goal to educate the public. First in the matters of space travel, then eventually the possibility of life existing elsewhere. Our colleague Mr Disney has details of how we can educate the public on matters of space travel and technology.’
Walt Disney stood. ‘A series of documentaries are being produced at the moment to promote space travel and the science involved in making this possible. We hope to keep this series an ongoing feature which will be broadcast into the homes of every American who has a TV set.’
‘Excuse me.’ Frederick interrupted. ‘But we are dealing with a worldwide phenomenon here not just something which is happening in America.’
‘True.’ Disney replied. ‘We will be making these documentaries for a global release to television networks in developing countries. In fact we have a documentary coming out later this year entitled Man in Space. It focuses on the development of the rocket, from man’s earliest attempt to the rockets being tested today. And also what the future will hold for mankind. I will be presenting this documentary. We are also producing another documentary about the possibility of life on Mars.’
‘We feel that Mr Disney’s involvement in these documentaries will make it more appealing to the public. A friendly face so to speak that everyone is familiar with.’ Barnes said.
‘I don’t see how a documentary is going to prepare the general public for what lies beyond our atmosphere.’ Einstein commented.
‘This is just one of the strategies we are planning.’ Bush replied. ‘Another strategy is to promote the science fiction genre, to make it part of everyday life. Reruns of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers are already being shown on TV. We especially want to promote the subject of life elsewhere.’
‘The science fiction genre has been around for years.’ Frederick said. ‘People still take it with a pinch of salt. And very few people read science fiction books.’
‘I believe that will change.’ Bush stated. ‘Mass markets will be encouraged so that more people are exposed to the science fiction genre. As well as books and TV shows, toys, comic books and games will also be developed to educate people. We want to inspire the current generation of youngsters who will grow up and encourage their children and so forth.’
‘The movie industry is also doing its bit.’ Louis B Mayer added. ‘There are over a dozen films Hollywood studios are churning out this year alone containing the science fiction theme. They may not all be about space, but the idea is to promote the fantastic. This will get people used to the idea that anything is possible.’
‘And how long do you suppose this road to disclosure will take effect?.’ Asked Frederick.
‘Generations Professor.’ Bush answered. ‘Nothing happens overnight. As science progresses so will public understanding of the world around them. I predict by the end of the twentieth century the human population on this planet will be educated to such a level, that when we do announce the possibility of life on other planets no one will be surprised.’
‘That’s if there are other planets out there.’ Cardinal James Macintyre added.
‘I think we can be certain of that, given what happened at Roswell in 1947.’ Doctor Steinberg said. ‘The fact that we cannot see them doesn’t mean they are not there. Based on what we know about our own solar system I think we can assume there are other planetary systems similar to the solar system we inhabit. Development of radio telescopes and more powerful optical telescopes is the key to proving the existence of other earth like planets. But as Doctor Bush pointed out it will take time, decades perhaps to develop instruments which could theoretically discover distant planets. Of course the key is to gradually disclose information concerning the possibility of life elsewhere in our universe. As our technology progresses we will be able to send probes to planets such as Mars and Venus to look for life. Once we establish that life flourishes on these planets we will inform the public. But again this will be done in stages, micro organisms will be the first to be announced, before we revea
l more complex life forms.’
Frederick looked across at James Macintyre. ‘What is the church’s view on what’s happening?’
‘The different religions of the world have always told stories of heavenly beings descending and interacting with various people.’
‘True.’ Frederick said. ‘But we are talking about something quite different here, from what I have experienced over the last two years, these beings are anything but friendly. We’re talking about technically advanced civilizations interacting and abducting human beings for experimentation.’
‘The church has believed for some time now that some of these stories may well be first hand accounts with creatures from another world. It has even been speculated that the Virgin Mary herself may have experienced an encounter with such a creature.’
‘The virgin birth.’ Barnes stated, before looking across at Frederick. ‘The woman you encountered Professor Frederick, Edith Jones. Her story is not unlike something from the bible. A woman who has an encounter with a strange being and becomes pregnant as a result.’
Macintyre paused for thought. 'Of course I only represent one religion, Christianity, Buddhism, Jewish and Islamic faiths have to come to terms that we are not alone.'
Frederick nodded.
‘How many species do we suppose are visiting this planet?’ Steinberg asked.
‘With what crashed at Roswell and Professor Frederick’s experience with this entity Janus we have had direct contact with two separate species.’ General Stacy replied. ‘But we believe the figure could be higher. There are witness reports of all kinds of creatures, which people claimed to have encountered. Our two main operatives Agent Cones and Baker have also had their fair share of close encounters over the years. The United States government is looking into a way to try and monitor UFO activity. We have space radar stations based throughout the continental United States and working with our allies in setting up installations throughout Europe.’
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 34