Silence enveloped the room, Frederick stared at the woman who had risen from the dead in the surgery at Ripley. ‘Why are you here?’
‘Professor Ralph Frederick.’ She stated her voice devoid of emotion.
Frederick nodded.
Edith looked at the American. ‘Agent Frank Cones.’
Cones took a step back. ‘Yeah.’ He said cautiously.
Edith looked back at Frederick. ‘Your presence here is unexpected, but it does not interfere with our plans.’
‘I could easily say the same about you.’ Frederick replied. ‘Where have you been all this time?’
‘I have been preparing the way.’ She replied.
‘The way for what?’
Edith looked at the young girl. ‘Her.’
‘What’s going on here?’ Lucy’s father demanded to know. ‘Who the hell are you people?’
Edith looked at him, held out her hand and touched his cheek. Williams dropped to the floor like a lead weight.
Cones instinctively drew his gun. ‘Hands where I can see them lady, now!’ He demanded taking another step back to distance himself from her.
Frederick looked at the man on the floor. ‘What have you done?’
‘He is not dead, he is neutralised.’ She said, her voice sounded almost metallic.
Lucy started to scream at the sight of her unconscious father, but suddenly stopped. Liquid began to pour onto the floor directly below her. ‘It’s coming.’ She sobbed.
Edith walked over to her, stroking her hair.
Lucy stopped crying immediately and closed her eyes.
Cones stepped to the doorway, his gun firmly fixed on Edith. ‘There’s no way you’re getting out of this room lady, now back away from the girl, slowly.’
Edith looked at Cones. ‘There is no need to fear for her Agent Cones, we are not here as your enemy.’
‘We?’ Cones replied.
An intense burst of light suddenly filled the room for a few seconds, before dissipating. Frederick’s heart skipped a beat as he looked around. Four tall slender looking creatures stood looking down at Lucy and tending to her. Another intense burst of light followed, and Lucy and the creatures were gone.
‘What the hell just happened?’ Cones said.
Edith stood looking at Frederick. ‘It is time.’ She said.
‘Time for what?’ Frederick replied.
‘Contact.’ Edith stated.
Chapter 115
Crisis Talks
The Kremlin – Moscow – Soviet Union – 10:23am
Friday 9th July 1954
Colonel Yuri Konev bolted down a shot glass of vodka placing it heavy handed back on the table. He had just read the report in front of him. ‘Is there any way that we can interrupt this meeting?’
Igor Lakatos shook his head. ‘No, my source in London has told me any intervention would compromise him, and would stall our intelligence gathering.’
Nikolai Bulganin took a deep breath. ‘How close are the Americans to launching their lunar orbiter?’
‘They’re still on schedule for next May; they have had some delays thanks to our agents. We are looking for ways to derail the whole project, but it will mean sacrificing our men.’ Lakatos replied.
‘Is there any way we can accelerate our own space program?’
Again Lakatos shook his head. ‘The Americans have the bulk of the rocket scientists Germany had at their disposal during the war, they are way ahead of us.’
‘What about exposing the Americans, telling the rest of the world about what they are doing.’
‘Impossible.’ Lakatos said. ‘The western press have a tight leash around their necks, such a story wouldn’t see the light of day.’
‘Then my comrades there has to be another option.’ Bulganin stated.
‘There is one bit of promising news.’ Konev said. ‘Our scientists have been sifting through some of the documents recovered from Nazi Germany nine years ago and have found information regarding the possible burial site of a non terrestrial creature.’
‘Where?’ Asked Bulganin.
‘Egypt.’
‘You would be wise not to take everything too seriously in regards to the files comrade Konev.’ Lakatos advised.
The colonel looked at him. ‘We are losing this race comrade we must do everything we can to jump ahead of the Americans. If you have another solution then say something. Your pet research project in Siberia is going nowhere since Kirov deserted us last year.’
‘Gentlemen.’ Bulganin held up his hand. ‘Now is not the time for division in our ranks. The meeting about to take place is a setback yes, but the game is far from over, we will rise out of this and become a dominant power.’ He looked at Lakatos. ‘Inform your contact in England and the United States that they must obtain information or artefacts that is of use to Project Orion and your project in Siberia. If they do not comply then we will cut them lose and expose them to British and American intelligence.’
Lakatos nodded slowly.
Chapter 116
The Visitors
Mildenhall Air Force Base – Suffolk – 10:56pm
Saturday 10th July 1954
Frederick looked beyond the edge of the runway at the area that had been lit up by gas powered flood lamps. Edith Jones had given him a map grid reference a few days earlier. The map reference was located on grassland beyond the main runway on Mildenhall Air force base, a secluded spot surrounded by woods. Security had been maximized, both guards and dogs patrolled the outer perimeter fence. Frederick managed to force a smile, recalling his experience at the base the year before with the two ufologists.
Agent Cones had contacted the Majestic 12 Group informing them of the incident in Southport. Four members of the group had flown in, Vannevar Bush, Roscoe Hillenkotter, Donald Menzel and General Nathan Twining. Accompanying them was Senator Jacob Barnes and General Frank Stacy. As well as Frederick, other Angel Committee members included Malcolm Chambers, Morris Stanford, Richard Wilks and Ian Morgan. Edith Jones was also present, despite the protest of Barnes who wanted her under lock and key. Chambers felt that if any meeting was going to take place then Edith would be used as mediator.
Only four soldiers were assigned to guard the group of men, and one soldier was armed only with a film camera to capture the event. ‘Gentlemen.’ Barnes said. ‘We are about to take part in what probably is the greatest moment in human history, direct contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence. Both President Eisenhower and Prime Minister Churchill have given their approval for this meeting. There are those who would say that we are touching the hand of god right now, but we know that isn’t true. After this moment has passed, the human race will never be the same.’
The group waited patiently scanning the skies beyond the trees, Frederick checked the time on his watch, 10:58pm.
‘Look!’ Richard Wilks called out.
Beyond the tree line of the wood that lay beyond the base a light could be seen approaching the group skimming over the treetops. The familiar static sensation that Frederick had experienced filled the air, followed by a low pitched humming noise.
Barnes quickly looked at the group taking a deep breath. ‘Gentlemen, this is it.’
The object touched down gently several metres from the group of men and the static discharge dissipated. The craft that had just landed was approximately thirty foot across dull silver in colour and shaped like a giant smartie. There was no landing struts, the object hovered approximately three feet from the ground. As the group looked on a section of the craft seemed to dissolve revealing an opening in which stood a tall figure who stepped down from the craft. Four other creatures followed, dressed in what seemed to be ultra thin skin tight jump suits. The creatures walked towards the group of humans.
Senator Barnes stepped in front of the group to greet the visitors. For several seconds no one spoke. Finally Barnes held up his hand. ‘On behalf of the United States of America I welcome you to our planet.’
Cham
bers and Frederick shot each other a disapproving glance.
Edith Jones stepped forward. ‘We acknowledge your greeting.’
Barnes looked at her then back at the extraterrestrials. ‘We hope this is the beginning of peaceful relations between us. I’m sure we have much to offer each other.’
The front alien bowed its head.
‘Our time is short here.’ Edith translated. ‘This encounter is intended for the benefit of your species. To show you that you are not alone.’
‘We are grateful for your gift of knowledge.’ Barnes answered. ‘What can we offer you in exchange?’
‘We have no need for material substances, our species has evolved beyond the emotional challenges that is bestowed on human beings.’
‘I see.’ Barnes almost sounded frustrated. ‘Then why come to our planet?’
‘Your species is spreading across your world rapidly consuming the planet’s natural resources. If your population continues at its current rate of growth then you will face collapse within one hundred years.’
‘Is there anything we can do to prevent this?’ Barnes asked.
‘You are already taking your first steps beyond the boundaries of your world. This is the way forward for your species. But your progress is slow and there are other lifeforms who wish to see humanity’s destruction.’ The alien looked at Edith. ‘Our species believe that mankind has a promising future and has been aiding your species.’
Frederick looked at Edith Jones recalling her story, the kidnapping, the pregnancy and the return.
Edith walked up to Frederick. ‘There are those among you who now understand our purpose here. If the human race collapses then it will endure elsewhere which is why we have been taking individuals.’ She then looked at Senator Barnes. ‘But there are still those among you who are interested in self preservation and the acquisition of material items. This is what is preventing your species from evolving to its potential.’ Edith walked towards the extraterrestrials, then turned and faced the group of men. ‘You still have a choice, but this will not last if you continue down your current path.’
Together with the group of creatures Edith retreated towards the entrance of the craft, which started to glow. The group of men looked on as the ship lifted into the air, then in the blink of an eye it accelerated away.
Chapter 117
10:27pm
‘Goddamn it.’ Barnes cursed. ‘We should have shot their craft down.’
‘And what exactly would that have achieved Mr Barnes?’ Malcolm Chambers asked before breaking out into a cough.
‘We could have had their ship, that’s what it would have achieved, the technology would have increased our advantage over the Soviets.’
‘You already have the craft recovered from Roswell senator.’ Frederick pointed out. ‘And I know you have other craft recovered from earlier crashes.’
Both groups exchanged stares for several seconds. Chambers continued to cough, clutching a handkerchief to his mouth.
Frederick looked at his friend who seemed to struggle for air.
‘I see you and Doctor Rosen had quite the chat at Groom Lake Professor.’ Vannevar Bush commented staring at Frederick and ignoring Chambers’ constant coughing.
‘Yes we did, he also told me about your other projects out in the pacific atolls. But before you put him in chains for betraying your trust, there’s the matter of our trust you have betrayed.’
Chambers continued to struggle for air.
‘We would have given you full disclosure of our other projects in time.’ Bush answered.
‘Providing we would have been of use to you.’ Ian Morgan remarked.
Barnes glanced at Chambers who seemed in considerable pain. ‘You Brits are lucky we let you in on anything.’ He said. ‘We could have kept everything to ourselves.’
‘Exactly what are America’s intentions senator?’ Frederick asked.
‘To spread democracy across the globe.’ Barnes answered.
‘Not everyone wants democracy Senator.’ Frederick stared at is ailing friend.
Chambers winced in pain clutching his chest.
‘They will have it whether they like it or not, unless of course you prefer communism gentlemen.’ Barnes looked at the Angel Committee members present.
‘Forgive me senator but you sound like a certain German dictator who tried to spread Fascism a decade ago.’ Professor Wilks said.
Barnes looked at him and smiled. ‘Unlike that crazy bastard Professor Wilks, we won’t be using gas chambers to get our point across. Our way is far less painful.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I suggest we part company for now gentlemen we have a lot to digest.’
Chambers slumped forward.
Frederick Jumped up and rushed to the aid of his friend.
Chapter 118
The Fallen
Whitehall – London – 1:09pm
Monday 12th July 1954
The Angel Committee members sat around the large table in silent prayer remembering Sir Malcolm Chambers. The heart attack he had suffered was massive and at seventy six he was too frail to survive.
‘Funeral arrangements have been made for next week July 19th.’ Frederick said.
‘His Birthday.’ Stanford replied.
‘The Prime Minister has given instructions that this committee is to cease all actions until further notice. He explained to me that he is due to talk with Eisenhower over our future.’ Frederick revealed.
‘You don’t suppose he plans to shut us down.’ Admiral Anthony Berkshire said.
Frederick shook his head. ‘At this point Admiral I cannot be sure of anything. The Majestic members have flown back to the United States. For now we return to our normal working lives until the Prime Minister contacts us.’
Chapter 119
The House on Smith Street
Trinity College – Cambridge – 2:13pm
Wednesday 14th July 1954
‘Come in!’ Frederick called out hearing the knock on his door.
Ian Morgan Entered the room smiling at Frederick. Two men entered the room behind him and closed the door. ‘Ralph, hope we’re not disturbing you.’
Frederick glanced at the men behind. ‘No not at all, what is it I can do for you gentlemen?’
‘You know Sir Arthur Barratt.’ Morgan said. ‘And this is an old friend of sir Barratt’s, General Martin.’ He introduced.
General Martin shook Frederick’s hand. ‘Pleasure Professor Frederick.’
‘We were wondering if you would attend a talk which will be taking place tomorrow night.’ Sir Barrat invited.
‘What kind of talk?’ Frederick replied.
‘Flying saucers.’ General Martin took over. ‘I was impressed with your television interview last year with that chap, Patrick Moore, and was wondering if you would offer your scientific opinion to our little group.’
Frederick looked at Morgan. ‘I have no real interest in UFOs and I am extremely busy at the moment with end of term dissertations.’
‘I promise you Professor it won’t interfere with your duties here at Cambridge.’ Barrat assured.
Frederick took a deep breath before nodding. ‘I could spare a few hours, who will be attending this talk?’
‘Myself and General Martin as well as Peter Horsley, and his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.’
Frederick nodded again. ‘Of course I will be delighted discussing matters with his Royal Highness.’
‘Splendid.’ Barratt said. ‘We shall see you tomorrow night Professor.’ Both General Martin and Sir Arthur Barratt left Frederick’s office.
Frederick fixed his stare on Morgan. ‘What was all that about.’
‘Believe me when I say this Ralph I had no idea they were going to spring that on you. They showed up this morning first thing and started babbling on about flying saucers, before mentioning you.’
‘And you mentioned nothing about the Angel Committee or the events of last weekend at Mildenhall.’
‘Not a
word.’
‘Who was that General Martin?’
Morgan shook his head. ‘I have no idea, and I like to think I know every general at the Ministry of defence.’
Frederick inhaled. ‘Well I cannot let his royal highness down, and this will give us an opportunity to see what Horsley has been up to these last few years.’
‘My thoughts exactly.’ Morgan replied, he looked at Frederick. ‘How are you coping?’
Frederick shrugged. ‘I still can’t get over the fact that he’s gone.’ His thoughts turned to Malcolm. ‘But I know he would have wanted us to carry on.’
Morgan nodded. ‘Which is why I brought those two along, I know you would be open to such a meeting.’ A short silence followed. ‘Any news from the Prime Minister?’
‘No,’ Frederick shook his head. ‘I don’t even know if he has talked to Eisenhower yet.’
‘I guess all we can do is wait.’
Chapter 120
13 Smith Street – Chelsea – London 7:56pm
Thursday 15th July 1954
Frederick waited patiently at the door of the three storey Victorian building. He was greeted by a woman who introduced herself as Mrs Markham the resident housekeeper. She led him through a narrow hallway and up two flights of stairs. ‘A gentleman is already here.’ She said opening a door to a second floor drawing room.
Frederick stepped inside and saw a man with his back to him staring into a fireplace. The door shut and the figure turned to face him.
‘Good evening Professor.’ Janus greeted. ‘Thank you for accepting my invitation.’
Frederick felt unable to move, he glared at Janus recalling the events that had brought them together, Stoke Lacy in Herefordshire, the psychiatric Hospital in Abergavenny. Then the image of himself cradling Elizabeth’s body flashed through his thoughts.
Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Page 38