Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) Read online

Frederick then turned to Professor Norman Canning. ‘I need you to monitor our listening posts, if anything crops up with any reference to these flying saucers I want it catalogued.’

  Canning nodded.

  ‘Another report is being prepared by Henry Tizard in response to public and Newspaper interest. Ok thank you for coming today and I trust I don’t need to remind you that this meeting is classified.’

  Morris Stanford walked out of the room with Frederick. ‘How did your visit up north go last week Ralph? I meant to ask you this morning, but you distracted me with your little encounter at the train station.’

  ‘I interviewed Mr Jones and he seemed sincere in what he was telling me, but.’ Frederick paused. ‘Since he was the only witness to the incident I cannot be sure of anything. I have read cases of people committing murder and having no recollection. To be honest with you Morris I’m sticking to my original theory. They had some sort of argument and she just upped and left him.’

  Stanford smiled, ‘You sound just as sceptical as Berkshire.’

  ‘I’m a scientist through and through Morris. I need hard evidence to support a theory and so far all we have is second hand reports from people seeing these objects.’ Frederick paused for thought. ‘I had an interview with Sir William Ingles he had some interesting information.’

  ‘Really.’ Stanford replied.

  ‘He told me that Peter Horsley has an interest in flying saucers.’ Frederick noted the expression on Stanford’s face. ‘I take it you already knew this.’

  ‘I received a telephone call this morning off him. Ingles spilled the beans about your visit last week. He also wanted to know about the committee.’

  Frederick nodded. ‘Malcolm did mention The Duke of Edinburgh has an interest in flying saucers. Looks like Peter could be his errand boy regarding this matter. Perhaps we need to keep an eye on what’s happening at the Palace.’

  ‘If I didn’t know any better Ralph I’d swear you were suggesting we spy on the Royal household.’ Morris winked at him.

  ‘Nothing quite that drastic, but we need to find out if any other high ranking figures have an interest. We need to rein this in.’

  ‘Agreed, I’ll have a look around and see what I can find out.’

  Chapter 9

  The Report

  10 Downing Street – Whitehall – 11:18am

  Wednesday 6th August 1952

  The Prime Minster took long deep breaths as he read the report in front of him. Frederick sat opposite fidgeting nervously. After what seemed like an eternity Churchill looked up. ‘You realise this Professor Wilks sounds like a raving lunatic. Why on earth did you assign him to the committee?’

  ‘Professor Wilks is the most senior astronomer, and a trusted friend sir. I know his ideas are unorthodox but I promise you he wouldn’t have said what’s in his report if it didn’t have a foundation of truth.’

  Churchill nodded slowly. ‘I take it Lord Admiral Berkshire wasn’t too pleased at these ideas.’

  ‘No sir.’

  A smile appeared on the Prime Minister’s face. ‘Berkshire is from fine stock, a very proud family. He’s not fond of change, and quite frankly neither am I. This so called brave new world full of technological wonders can scare a lot of people, the new ways clashing with more traditional ways.’

  ‘Yes Prime Minister.’

  ‘I’ve set up funding for your group, and a temporary office has been set aside at Bletchley Park in order to collect intelligence on these flying saucers.’

  Frederick nodded. ‘If I may ask Prime Minister, what do you plan to do about all the press stories and the public interest?’

  ‘Let them run, I’ve a feeling the public will tire of these stories after a while and go back to their lives. In the meantime you and your group will carry on with your investigation.’ The Prime Minister paused. ‘I know you’re uncomfortable investigating this flying saucer nonsense Ralph, which is why I put you on this team. I trust your judgement and know you won’t be sucked in by all the hype. I promise you’ll be done in a few months.’

  ‘Thank you Prime Minister.’

  ‘What about this chap who claims his wife was kidnapped by a flying saucer?’

  ‘I interviewed the gentlemen in question and a number of other people. The husband seems to be sticking to his story, about an encounter with a mysterious object late at night. But like I said to the others it’s nothing more than a domestic tiff.’

  Churchill nodded. ‘And the police, what’s their view on the matter?’

  ‘They’re puzzled, but they are sure he didn’t murder her.’

  ‘Good, keep me informed.’

  Frederick didn’t get up, he locked eyes with Churchill. ‘If you don’t mind me asking Prime Minister I would like to know if you have discussed the notion of flying saucers to anyone other than myself or other committee members.’

  ‘I have discussed the matter with Norman Hinshelwood a few times. The subject has surfaced on a number of occasions with Royal Society members.’

  Frederick nodded. ‘I see, Mr Hinshelwood must have mentioned it to a colleague of mine a Professor Osborne.’

  The Prime Minister looked back at Frederick. ‘You’re worried about leaks.’

  Frederick nodded. ‘As you can see from my report the man I encountered at Downham Market claimed he knew many people at the Royal Society. I’m already uncomfortable looking into the flying saucer phenomenon. I explained to Malcolm I don’t want my reputation damaged by such nonsense. If we are to maintain total secrecy we must discuss committee matters with members only.’

  Churchill nodded. ‘I understand Professor, if Norman does ask me anything else I’ll pass him on to Henry Tizard.’

  Frederick took a deep breath. ‘Malcolm also feels that Tizard’s team have a leak. There’s also the matter of Peter Horsley’s visit to Ripley and the Duke of Edinburgh’s interest in flying saucers.’

  ‘I wouldn’t worry about the Duke Professor, he will soon tire of all this flying saucer nonsense. If he does pop up I will speak to him further to quash any interest.’

  ‘Thank you Prime Minister.’ Frederick got to his feet and headed for the door.

  Chapter 10

  Possibilities

  Royal Observatory – Greenwich – 1:41pm

  Friday 8th August 1952

  Frederick and Professor Richard Wilks walked slowly by the Transit Radio telescope discussing the meeting four days earlier.

  ‘I must apologise for Admiral Berkshire’s attitude towards you Richard I had no idea he was going to try and humiliate you like that.’

  Wilks shook his head. ‘There’s no need to say sorry on his behalf Ralph I knew he was going to be a sceptic. His brother is Bishop of York, he also has another brother who is a vicar in Oxford. And his father was a vicar.’

  ‘Berkshire didn’t follow in his footsteps then?’

  ‘No, from what I know of him he is a man of faith but he wanted to join the navy from an early age, much to his father’s disapproval who wanted him to carry on the family tradition.’

  ‘That explains his reluctance to embrace anything you had to say on Monday.’

  ‘There will always be people like Admiral Berkshire around, unwilling to embrace new ideas and new technologies. I hear that Winston Churchill isn’t a big fan of television.’

  Frederick shook his head smiling. ‘No he isn’t, he prefers to sit down and listen to the Archers on the wireless or read a good book.’

  Wilks stopped and looked up at the Transit radio telescope. ‘New technology seems to be the focal point of many things these days. Development of new technology is the driving force of this cold war.’

  ‘Do you think there will be another world war?’

  ‘I certainly hope not, especially with what the Americans and Russians are working on. Everything seems to be hanging on the Korean War at the moment, will they or won’t they blow each other to bits. I saw first-hand the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the closing
stages of the war. Whole cities flattened beyond recognition and people vaporized, not to mention the poor souls that survived. If the world was engulfed in such a war then everything that we have achieved will have been for nothing. We are struggling to rebuild after the last war. Another war using these atomic weapons would push mankind to the brink of extinction. And now we have a team of engineers and scientists who are months away from conducting the first British atomic weapons test. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear our leaders wanted another war.’

  ‘I share your concerns Richard I look at my daughter and wonder what kind of world she will grow up in.’ Frederick looked at the radio telescope.

  ‘We’ve been monitoring radio signals from the Andromeda galaxy. Just the usual cosmic chatter, but remarkable never the less.’ Wilks explained.

  Frederick turned his head towards the sky. ‘The Andromeda galaxy, it seems too fantastic to comprehend. It’s hard to imagine our own galaxy, let alone others.’

  ‘We’ve plans to construct more of these radio telescopes. More advanced, capable of looking beyond Andromeda. I believe that there could be a lot more galaxies out there.’

  Frederick shoved his hands into his pockets. ‘Someone told me the other day that the universe is a mathematical constant and that events like the creation of new stars are happening all the time.’

  Wilks nodded. ‘It’s a concept that science is starting to embrace. We are only beginning to find out what’s in our cosmic back garden. We believe there are millions upon millions of stars in our galaxy and as you say stars are being born all the time.’ He looked at Frederick. ‘Do you think it’s possible that life could have evolved elsewhere?’

  Frederick shrugged. ‘I don’t know what to think, I thought I had my feet firmly on the ground only believing what my eyes can see, not what they can’t see. These flying saucer stories that are being published in the press are just too farfetched to believe.’

  Wilks turned to face Frederick. ‘Ralph we’ve known each other since we were at Cambridge together. I like to think that I know you well enough to know you’re ready to embrace new ideas. You were always putting new ideas to the apostles, I seem to remember you flaring a few tempers.’

  Frederick laughed. ‘Yes I remember some of those arguments.’ He took a deep breath. ‘It’s just the concept of embracing the fact that we might not be alone in this universe challenges my belief in a god.’

  ‘You wonder why the bible doesn’t mention men from Mars.’

  ‘Basically yes, I know I’m a scientist but I had a traditional upbringing, I went to Sunday school. I have respect for those who have faith.’

  ‘As do I Ralph, faith in god can bring many positive aspects to a troubled world. It can bring people together. But you and I have seen the horrors of war. If there is indeed a god then where was he for those who died in death camps dreamt up by Hitler and the rest of his cronies. The people who perished must have thought their god had disserted them in their final hours. And what about those who survived, can you call that an act of god.’ Wilks shook his head. ‘Every day religious faith is tested, and as we look on in horror at what atrocities man is capable of you do have to wonder where god is amongst such madness. Religion has been around for so long most of us do not question its place in the world. It makes you wonder who says we have to believe in god. We’re forever being told, believe or be dammed. The more science discovers the more religion begins to unravel. One thing is certain, if we are to start building rocket ships to the moon and beyond then mankind will have to grow up, we can’t take our politics or religion into space.’

  ‘You sound very much like the main character from The Day the Earth Stood still.’ Frederick joked. ‘I took Liz to see it last week.’

  ‘To a more advanced civilisation we would seem like a barbaric people. At our current level of development we are not ready to meet another race not by a long shot.’

  ‘And what about the future, will we mature as a species?’

  ‘I believe the human race has great potential, don’t forget it’s only the few in power that make our world a mess. Most people would just prefer to go about their lives and live normally. We are on the threshold of something huge Ralph, but it will still take time for all of humanity to accept that we are not the only intelligent species. Sudden disclosure could be the end of us all.’

  ‘Suppose one day we do discover that we are not the only intelligent life in our universe and we do make contact with another race, what could we possibly offer them?’

  ‘The possibilities of such an event are overwhelming, as for what we could give them.’ Wilks shrugged, smiling. ‘Bangers and mash.’

  Frederick burst into laughter. ‘I’ll get Liz to make the gravy she makes the best gravy ever.’

  ‘The Human race is rich in knowledge and history, we might not be advanced as they are, but we have much to offer that will be of value to a more intelligent race.’

  Frederick thought about his friend’s words as they walked back towards his car. Professor Wilks had a habit of bringing the most mundane or complicated subjects down to a level most people would understand. He looked at his watch. ‘I’m afraid my time is up I better head back to Cambridge.’

  Wilks nodded and shook Frederick’s hand. ‘Say hello to Elizabeth and Susan for me.’

  Chapter 11

  Encounter at Church Fenton

  RAF Yeadon – South Yorkshire – 7:27am

  Wednesday 14th August 1952

  ‘Professor, I never thought we’d be meeting up so soon.’ Group captain Fletcher shook Frederick’s hand and picked up his suitcase.

  Frederick yawned. ‘Thank you Mr Fletcher neither did I.’

  ‘Bit too early for you is it.’ Fletcher laughed.

  Frederick did not share his enthusiasm and he did not appreciate being dragged out of bed at two thirty in the morning either. The phone had rung several times before Elizabeth pushed him out of bed to answer it. Morris Stanford had apologised for calling that time of night, but a matter concerning a number of radar and visual sightings were being reported at RAF Church Fenton in South Yorkshire on two consecutive nights. Stanford explained should any more sightings occur then a man on the ground would be invaluable.

  The car sped out of the base and headed for open countryside. Fletcher briefed Frederick as they headed towards Church Fenton. ‘The objects were first picked up two nights ago, around midnight. Radar spotted nine contacts coming in from the North Sea over Hull. I have spoken to a number of control tower personnel who all stuck to the same story. The objects were travelling at alternate speeds. Between five hundred miles an hour to around seventeen hundred miles an hour.’

  ‘Bloody hell that’s fast!’ Frederick Stated.

  ‘There’s no way the Russians have developed anything that fast, so we’ve ruled them out of the equation. Quite frankly there are a lot of folks up here baffled by it all, if not a little bit scared. I phoned on ahead, the base Commanding Officer is Wing Commander David Fitzpatrick. He is expecting us and his staff have been informed that a man from the Air Ministry will be visiting to talk to them.’

  Frederick yawned again and nodded at the same time. ‘Good but in the mean time Mr Fletcher I would like to catch up on my sleep.’

  Fletcher smiled. ‘There’s a bunk house on the base sir, I’m sure they can sort you out.’

  Chapter 12

  RAF Church Fenton – South Yorkshire – 6:52pm

  The officers’ mess was quiet when Professor Frederick, Group Captain Fletcher and Wing Commander Fitzpatrick sat down to dinner. On arrival at the RAF base Frederick had been introduced to the base commanding officer, a former World War one fighter ace. Fitzpatrick was a legend in the RAF and well respected. Although just a few years off retirement he showed no sign of wanting to hand in his wings just yet. Frederick managed to get a few hours sleep before interviewing base personnel about their sightings. He was taken out onto the base and shown around. RAF Church Fenton was home to
the new Hunter Hawker jet fighters, which flew regular missions out over the North Sea. Fitzpatrick explained to Frederick that four of them had been scrambled to intercept the unidentified radar contacts on two consecutive nights but were unable to keep pace because of their speed.

  ‘It’s dammed frustrating not knowing who ones enemy is.’ Fitzpatrick complained. ‘Back in the day when we were fighting the Huns you knew who your enemy was, all you needed was a clear shot.’

  Frederick looked across the base towards the perimeter fence. ‘Last night you say the objects appeared at the edge of the runway?’

  ‘That’s right, bold as brass, bright lights just hanging in the air, looked like they were watching us. The minute we scrambled our fighters, the bloody things flew off, dammed if I’ve seen anything like it before in all my years of flying.’

  Frederick later walked out along the runway accompanied by Fletcher and Fitzpatrick. All training flights had been cancelled while he inspected the area in which the lights appeared.

  After dinner Frederick and Fletcher headed out to the Ryther Arms which was part of a small village consisting of a small group of houses centred around the pub.

  ‘You’re getting me into bad habits.’ Frederick said as he sipped from his pint glass. ‘This is the second time in as many weeks you have dragged me out to the pub, my wife wouldn’t approve.’

  Fletcher smiled. ‘I find a good pint helps me think better Professor and relaxes the mind.’

  ‘As a scientist I must remind you alcohol gives you Dutch courage.’

  ‘Maybe so, but it does feel good.’ Fletcher took a good swig from his glass before setting it down on the table and looking across the bar. Several locals were huddled around a table playing dominos while a few others were leant against the bar talking to the landlord. Occasionally they would look across at Fletcher and Frederick. On the opposite corner of the bar two other RAF officers sat drinking. Like the locals at the bar, they would both look over at Frederick and Fletcher and chat away. Fletcher made eye contact with the two flight officers. ‘That’s strange.’