‘Firing tubes two and three.’ The captain repeated, as the sonar started to ping. ‘One hundred and fifty yards and closing... one twenty five yards.... one hundred yards..... seventy five yards.... fifty.’ The captain stepped back from the sonar swallowing hard. ‘The object has accelerated away sir, it no longer appears on the scope.’
Konev glared at the officer before stepping over to the sonar. ‘Shit.’ He seethed. ‘Bring us about.’
‘What about the torpedoes you just fired where are they?’ Stanford asked.
The captain looked at the scope shaking his head. ‘They’re no longer active, they have limited range so they’ll just sink to the bottom.’ At that moment the sonar started to ping again. ‘Colonel we have movement again.’
‘Is it the craft?’
The captain shook his head. ‘I’m not sure this is different.’
‘Another sub.’ Frederick suggested.
Again the captain shook his head. ‘No, our other subs are holding position at the mouth of the passageway in a bid to stop the craft from escaping; this is larger and moving quite fast.’
‘If it’s not the craft and not another sub then what the bloody hell is it?’ Stanford demanded to know.
‘One hundred yards and closing.’ The captain announced. ‘Seventy five yards.... fifty yards.’
‘Arm tubes one and four!’ Konev screamed.
‘No time!’ The captain shouted. ‘BRACE FOR COLLISION!’ The collision alarm echoed throughout the submarine.
Frederick clamped on to a pipe which was above him, just in time. The whole submarine seemed to lurch violently to one side. A Russian sailor who had not managed to hold on to anything was tossed from his seated position, his body smashed into the bulkhead.
‘DAMAGE REPORT!’ Konev screamed.
‘The front compartment is taking on water.’ A sailor shouted back.
‘Seal it off, or we’re all dead.’ The colonel ordered.
The captain lay on the floor unconscious, Frederick looked across to see Stanford scrambling to his feet and rushed over to help the sixty four year old. ‘Are you ok?’ He said over the din.
Stanford brushed himself down. ‘Yes, a little bruised but fine, I hate submarines.’
The sonar continued to ping, a sailor picked himself off the floor and manned the station. ‘It’s coming back!’ he yelled.
‘Sod this!’ Stanford cursed grabbing a hand rail.
‘BRACE! BRACE!’ Konev yelled again.
Frederick had no time to grab anything solid, for a few fleeting seconds he felt total weightlessness as the submarine once again lurched violently. The whole scene became slow motion as Frederick sailed through the air, but suddenly came crashing down. A sharp pain shot through Frederick’s body, he tried to yell out, but blackness came instantly.’
Chapter 112
Friday 25th June 1954 – 2:34pm
The smiling face of Stanford was looking down at Frederick as he opened his eyes. ‘Thank god for that Ralph.’ Stanford said. ‘I thought you were a goner there for a moment old boy.’
Frederick’s head pounded as he adjusted to his surroundings. He looked around and noted he was back in the compartment they had been held when they first arrived. He also noticed that Barnet and Atkins were missing. ‘What happened, where are the other two? Oh my god are they..?’
Stanford held up his hand, shaking his head. ‘No they’re perfectly fine, in fact they’re better than that. It turns out our two UFO experts are old navy engineers and have been busy helping out with repairs, which as just as well the Russians lost three men. You on the other hand took a nasty bump on the head and have been out for over twelve hours.’
Frederick rubbed his head and sat up. ‘So what’s the situation?’
‘We were stuck at the bottom of the loch for a few hours. Whatever attacked us moved off, probably because we lost power and sank to the bottom. But thanks to the ingenuity of Mr Barnet and Atkins we are on our way again and have been for several hours now, my guess is that we’re in open sea again. Looks like Konev is cutting his losses and heading home.’
‘You mean Russia.’ Frederick said, feeling regretful as Elizabeth and Susan’s faces flooded his mind. ‘All this has been for nothing.’ He said despairingly.
The bulkhead door opened and Konev marched in. ‘Well, I’m glad to see you’re awake Professor.’
‘Where are we?’ Stanford asked.
‘We cleared the passageway about an hour ago and are heading back to Russia, where you will face questioning.’
‘You realise by kidnapping us will be considered as a provocative act, our government will not stand for it.’
Konev smiled. ‘All but a few in you’re so called government is unaware of the existence of your little group Mr Stanford. I doubt they realise you’re even missing yet. And we are not going to tell anyone we have you in our custody, so you see in the eyes of your people.’ Konev looked at Frederick. ‘Your loved ones, you simply disappeared, never to return.’
At that moment the submarine’s General alarm sounded. ‘BATTLE STATIONS!’ The captain shouted over the tannoy system.
‘For Christ sake what now?’ Konev groaned.
A dull thud rocked the submarine causing it to lurch. Stanford smiled. ‘Looks like the game’s not over yet colonel.’ He said as another dull thud hammered at the hull. ‘If I’m not mistaken those are depth charges, and they will keep going off around us until wreckage floats to the surface. Then all your efforts will be for nothing.’ Another explosion shook the Submarine.
Colonel Konev steadied himself glaring at Stanford. The captain appeared in the doorway. ‘Sir we’re taking on water again, we must surface.’
The standoff continued for several more seconds before Konev nodded. ‘Take us up.’
After two more impacts the submarine began its accent to the surface, and after about twenty minutes Frederick, Stanford, Atkins and Barnet were hauled out of the sub’s main hatch. Frederick gulped down the fresh sea air savouring every mouthful. Royal Navy personnel swarmed over the deck of the submarine. The Russian crew knelt with their hands behind their heads. As he looked across from the stern he saw four Royal navy destroyers and six frigates blockading two other Russian submarines.
‘Well colonel.’ Stanford said to the kneeling Konev. ‘It looks to me as if you will be our guest for a while and believe me; we have many questions for you.’ ‘Stanford started to walk away.
Konev stood. ‘I wish to make a trade.’
Stanford turned to face him. ‘What an earth do you think you can possibly bring to the table at this moment Colonel?’
‘Information.’ Konev said.
‘I’m listening.’
‘My government is working on a top secret project.’
‘As are many governments colonel.’ Stanford turned away again.
‘A project that will propel us to the stars and beyond. Do you honestly think that the Americans are the only ones to have flying saucer technology? You British have The Angel Committee, and the Americans have the Majestic group, in Russia our project is known as Orion.’
Stanford stopped and turned again to face the colonel. ‘We already know about Project Orion Colonel, it was revealed to us by a defector last year.’
Konev grinned. ‘And we know all about the crash at Roswell New Mexico and a great other things about what your so called Angel Committee have been up to.’
Stanford remained silenced.
‘You have a mole Mr Stanford, a mole that has unprecedented access to all your research. He has given us information regarding the device you were shown from the Roswell Crash.’
‘What do you want?’ Stanford asked.
‘I want to be able to return to Russia.’
‘Forgive me Colonel, but it sounds like you would tell us anything to save your own skin.’
‘And yet I have saved yours, we could all be lying at the bottom right now.’
Stanford nodded. ‘True but I’ll have to talk it over
with my fellow committee members.’ He said.
The familiar smiling faces of Lord Admiral Anthony Berkshire and Sir Malcolm Chambers were there to greet Frederick and Stanford as they boarded the HMS Vanguard. Barnet and Atkins were taken below to the infirmary to be looked over, before being assigned quarters.
‘Well I’m glad to see you two are none worse for wear after your little adventure.’
‘How on earth did you know we were on that sub?’ Frederick asked.
Stanford started to speak. ‘I telephoned William last night before we went out onto the loch and mentioned the diesel oil that Mr Barnet and Atkins had told us about.’
‘Most of the fishing boats in the lochs are petrol powered.’ Berkshire added. ‘And just over a week ago naval intelligence got wind of a Soviet submarine sighting in Loch Alsh which opens onto the North Sea. The navy were sent to investigate but were unable to make contact but remained in the area.’
Chambers took over. ‘When I telephoned the hotel you were staying at early this morning Mrs McCloud had told us that your fishing boat had been found without you on it.’
‘So we alerted the navy and flew up here ourselves to help coordinate a search.’ Berkshire added. ‘This morning our fleet picked up two Russian subs steaming out of Loch Alsh, so we managed to intercept them. Their commanding officers were more than happy to oblige and told us your sub had gone down in Loch Ness after some sort of encounter. We were about to list you as missing in action when you showed up. What an earth happened in Loch Ness?’
Chapter 113
Fort William, Scotland – 10:56am
Saturday 15th June 1954
Fred Barnet and Albert Atkins jumped off the small boat onto the quayside. Frederick and Stanford had accompanied them. ‘Well gentlemen I cannot tell you how grateful we are for your help, if it weren’t for you old naval hands we would have been food for the fishes. We have arranged transportation to take you home, so I guess this is farewell.’
Barnet folded his arms glaring at Stanford. ‘So you’re head of British intelligence.’ He nodded before turning to Frederick. ‘And you’re a renowned astrophysicist. Then I take it this Flying Saucer Working Party you say you represent is a fabrication.’
Stanford smiled and nodded.
‘I should have known with such a ridiculous name like that.’
‘You were at Loch Ness investigating the USO.’ Atkins said. ‘Which would mean the government does have people who investigate flying saucer sightings.’
‘I’m afraid gentlemen that information is highly classified.’
‘Well this is going in the newsletter that’s for sure, and I shall be ringing half a dozen papers when I get back home.’ Barnet said with a smile on his face. ‘You gentlemen are going to be front page news.’
‘Based on what evidence?’ Stanford shrugged. ‘Have you any pictures, or anything else that proves your story to be fact.’
Barnet took a deep breath. ‘Well we have..um...well.’ Barnet reluctantly shook his head.
‘Exactly.’ Stanford returned. ‘As for you telephoning newspapers.’ He continued shaking his head. ‘Your story will never see the light of day, we’ll see to that.’
‘But we have our newsletter.’
‘You do indeed.’ Stanford said. ‘But how many subscribers do you have? A mere handful.’
‘We have his royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.’
‘So I’ve heard, but we have plausible deniability on our side. You see, you chaps are just a couple of enthusiastic flying saucer investigators that will do anything to get attention. I think his royal Highness will simply shrug off your story.’ Stanford smiled as he walked away.
Atkins and Barnett looked on as Stanford boarded the boat.
‘I’ll say this gentlemen.’ Frederick said. ‘You still have one mystery that no one has mentioned. What exactly was it that attacked the sub in Loch Ness?’
Atkins and Barnet looked at each other and smiled, before looking back at Frederick. ‘My dear Professor you’re not suggesting that it was the Loch Ness monster.’ Atkins continued to smile as he spoke.
Frederick shrugged. ‘You told me during our little adventure last year that your group is based on scientific understanding and research. Perhaps you need to expand your field of expertise beyond flying saucers. Whatever it was that attacked us in Loch Ness brought us precious time; we would have been well on our way to Russia by now.’
A thoughtful Barnet considered Frederick’s words. ‘Perhaps we can investigate other matters of the unexplained.’
‘That’s the spirit.’ Frederick said looking at Stanford who stood watchfully on the boat. ‘Despite what Mr Stanford said, don’t lose heart. He wouldn’t like to admit it, but we need people like you to spread the word on flying saucers. The public may not be ready to know the truth at this moment, but in time they will, and it will be people like you who will pave the way.’
‘Before we part company Professor, when we were in the submarine, that Russian Colonel asked if we were members of The Angel Committee. What exactly is that?’ Barnet asked.
Frederick smiled back. ‘Once again gentlemen it’s been interesting.’
Atkins shook Frederick’s hand. ‘Until next time Professor Frederick.’
Frederick shook his head smiling. ‘I sincerely hope not Gentlemen, I sincerely hope not.’
Chapter 114
Full Circle
Southport – Lancashire – 2:57pm
Wednesday 7th July 1954
Agent Cones and Frederick looked out across the coastline. The sky was deep blue, cloudless and the sun gave off a fierce heat. People walked up and down the second longest pier in England enjoying the summer sunshine. Frederick looked across the shoreline and could see the Blackpool Tower shimmering like a desert mirage in the distance.
‘I have to admit you British have wonderful towns. In America we just build in square formation, rather uncreative in my mind.’
‘I do love the seaside.’ Frederick remarked. A man walked by clasping a bag of fish and chips. The aroma drifted over to the two men. He smiled remembering times he had spent in the seaside town of Hunstanton with Elizabeth and Susan on the Norfolk coast.
Cones reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. ‘Ok who’s our lucky contestant? According to this her name is Lucy Williams.’
‘Providing the information is correct.’ Frederick added.
‘Trust me it’s correct, we have accessed information regarding pregnant women in the area and she shows up where one of the red markers appears. She lives in Bold Street.’
Both men started to walk in the direction indicated on the piece of paper. ‘You know this is our first assignment together since the hospital in Abergavenny last year. How have you been?’
Cones smiled. ‘You mean have I lost it since then?’
‘You didn’t lose it.’ Frederick remarked. ‘Janus played with your head.’
‘He played with your head as well Professor but you seem to be able to cope more than me.’
‘Don’t blame yourself Agent Cones, Janus is a dangerous character.’
Ten minutes later both men arrived at the location. Frederick knocked loudly on the door.
‘Can I help you?’ A large man growled on opening the door.
‘Good afternoon sir we are looking for Lucy Williams.’
‘And who might you be?’
‘We are from the ministry of health and wish to check on her progress, we are currently working with local district surgeries, it standard these days.’ Frederick looked at the man feeling slightly unnerved by his bulk.
‘I don’t remember Doctor Brown mentioning anything about strangers calling.’
‘He wouldn’t have, we only arrived yesterday.’ Frederick replied.
‘The midwife is due to show up soon to take her away. I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time.’ The man began to back away from the door.
Agent Cones stepped forward shoving his f
oot in the door before it shut. ‘We need to see Lucy now sir, otherwise we will come back with senior health officials.’
‘You’re a Yank, what’s a Yank doing with the ministry of health.’
‘I’m a specialist sir, now I suggest you let us see Lucy Williams or we will be back with more people.’
The man glared at Frederick and Cones for several seconds before inviting them in.
Frederick and Cones were escorted to a back room. A young teenage girl was sat in a rocking chair staring out of the window. Tears welled up in her eyes as she nursed her heavily pregnant stomach.
‘Lucy, you have some visitors!’ Her father barked.
The girl looked up at the two strangers, her face racked with fear.
Frederick walked over and knelt. ‘Hello Lucy my name is Ralph Frederick, I’m here to check if you’re alright.’
‘Of course she isn’t.’ Her father said sternly. ‘She’s got a bloody bun in the oven.’
Lucy looked away shamefully.
‘It’s ok, we are here to help.’ Frederick reassured. ‘Can I ask you how old you are?’
‘Fifteen.’ She replied, her voice almost a whisper.
‘Aye, fifteen bloody years old and pregnant.’ Her father complained. ‘And she still refuses to tell me who the father is so I can wring his bloody neck.’
‘Mr Williams, I presume.’ Cones said. ‘Why don’t you go and put the kettle on, so we can talk to your daughter alone.’
Williams hesitated for a few seconds before disappearing into the kitchen.
Lucy started to cry. ‘I don’t know who the father is, it’s not my fault.’ She sobbed wiping away tears.
‘We know it’s not your fault Lucy, can I ask you how many months you are.’
‘I’m not sure, but I think I’m almost full term. The midwife said she’ll take me away today to have my baby, then I can come back home.’
A loud knock on the door interrupted the meeting. ‘That will be the midwife thank god.’ The girl’s father said walking towards the door.
Frederick gathered his thoughts searching for an explanation for the midwife who now appeared in the doorway. As he made eye contact with the woman, his mind thrust back almost two years to where the whole UFO affair started with the pregnancy of Edith Jones, who now stood in the doorway staring at Frederick.
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 37