Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) (36 page)

Chapter 98

Dreamland

Groom Lake – Nevada –
Grid reference: Area 51 – 1:42pm

Wednesday 7
^th
April 1954

‘Gentlemen welcome to
our Groom Lake Facility.’ General Thomas Power greeted.

Frederick and Watson
looked out across the salt flat. Two Bulldozers were cutting their way across
the dry lake bed.’

‘As you can see we
are busy extending the site runway with additional runways being drawn up.
We’ve already constructed several large scale aircraft hangers, storage
facilities and research labs. Unfortunately the accommodation is still
rudimentary but we are used to it.’ He said pointing to a few hastily
constructed huts. General Power quickly surveyed the surroundings. ‘Several
miles over to the west beyond those range of mountains is our nuclear testing
facility.’ He then noted the look on Frederick’s face. ‘Relax Professor the
prevailing winds usually carry the fallout to the north. As a matter of fact we
have a scheduled test for the day after tomorrow. Our engineers are also
working on an underground facility capable of withstanding a direct nuclear
assault. We estimate it should take about three years to hollow out the
mountain side and convert the surroundings. We are already eight months into
the project which is proceeding at remarkable speed.’

‘This is impressive
to say the least.’ Watson remarked.

‘You’ll understand
gentlemen that this will be more of a whistle stop tour for you, as there is so
much to see. But in time we hope there will be British scientists permanently
based here in the United States working side by side.’ Vannevar Bush said.
‘We’ll get you settled into your quarters before you can begin.’

The Bell

Thursday 8
^th
April 1954 –
10:56am

Frederick stared at
the object from behind the glass window. It was approximately nine feet wide
and twelve to fifteen feet in height. Several men in special silver suits worked
around the object which bared resemblance to a church bell. The bell shaped
object was attached to four chains which were fixed to the floor.

‘This is one of our
prized possessions captured from the Nazis in the closing stages of the war.’
Bush explained. ‘We believe that the Third Reich was on the verge of
discovering a new energy source. Thankfully we were able to obtain this
technology before the Russians got their hands on it.’

Frederick watched as
the men in silver suits headed for an exit.

‘This room that we
are standing in is lead lined and offers considerable protection from the
effects of the device.’

‘Which are?’
Frederick asked.

‘Once activated the
bell emits radiation, gamma radiation. The few records we obtained from the
Germans revealed that some of the technicians and scientists who came in direct
contact with the device died due to exposure.’ Bush indicated to the men
leaving the hanger. ‘Which is why we have taken precautions to limit any
casualties.’ He then nodded to a technician sat at a control panel. ‘Fire her
up.’

A low pitched humming
noise started to fill the room, and Frederick noted static electricity building
up around him. ‘I have experienced these effects during encounters with UFOs.’
He remarked.

Bush nodded. ‘Yes.
Something which we have found is common in many UFO encounters.’

As Frederick watched
from behind the glass, light started to emit from the bottom of the object
which seemed to be composed of two cylindrical parts which spun in opposite
directions. After about ten seconds the whole object lifted off the ground. ‘I
don’t believe it.’ Frederick stated. ‘Professor Watson needs to see this.’

‘He will, we have
another demonstration this afternoon.’

‘How on earth did the
Germans come up with this?’ Frederick shook his head.

Bush took a deep
breath. ‘Despite extensive intelligence operations in Europe our people have
yet to discover how the Nazis were able to devise this technology. The men we
acquired through project Paperclip were unaware this device existed. Our
intelligence services throughout Europe have heard whispers and rumours that
the Nazis had more than one of these devices.’

‘Do you think the
Russians might have got their hands on this technology before you were able to
obtain information on other devices which the Germans built?’

‘No.’ Bush replied
shaking his head. ‘We believe that information regarding this technology was
taken elsewhere. When our forces raided the facility close to the Czech border
where this device was held they found a mass grave containing around sixty
corpses.’

‘Slave labourers?’
Frederick said.

‘No, scientists and
technicians, all executed by order of Hitler himself. It was part of his
scorched earth policy to destroy everything the Nazis had built to prevent the
allies getting their hands on new technologies. When questioned one of the SS
guards revealed that the men had been executed the day before. Documents
relating to this device had been shipped out. But he didn’t know where to. By
that time the Nazis knew the war was lost, so any information was strictly need
to know. Our team even discovered that every member of the SS team on site had
a cyanide capsule which they were to use in case of capture. I guess at the end
of the day even they realised the Third Reich wasn’t worth dying for. When we
stormed the facility they were preparing to load everything onto trucks and
ship it out. They were to meet up with a high ranking SS general in Budweis for
further orders. The SS commanding officer revealed the name of bell’s project
leader who escaped execution the day before a Dr Hermann Fritz.’

‘Do you know where he
is now?’ Frederick asked.

Bush shook his head.
'We believe the Russians might have got their hands on him.'

The object seemed to
dance tethered to the chains which stopped it from flying off. ‘This is the
original bell we obtained, the only one in existence. We have had several years
to advance from this, if you’ll follow me Professor.’ Bush invited.

The aircraft hanger
Frederick was being shown around was split into two sections of equal size and
identical in look. Dr Bush showed Frederick through to another control room
with a large glass window overlooking the main work area. The object on the
floor of the hanger was approximately fifteen foot across and ten foot in
height, cylindrical in shape and tapered at the top, on which sat a spherical
component. Bush nodded to the technician sat at his post who immediately
started to flick switches and turn dials. Once again a low humming sound came
from the object, but this time there was no static discharge. The object took
half the time to lift off the floor, but unlike the German Bell there were no
chains attached. A thick wire trailed away from the object directly towards the
window and under the viewing room. The object hung motionless in the air, and
Dr Bush began to explain its function. ‘We’ve fitted magnetic gyros for
control, as you can see the object is stable as it floats.’ He nodded again at
the technician who grabbed a control stick on the console in front of him and
pushed it to the left. The object drifted slowly without tilting and then in
the opposite direction as the technician pushed the control stick to the right.
The object then settled back on the floor. ‘We’ve also discovered that the
energy this utilises is limitless.’

‘Which is what
exactly?’

‘Helium three.’

Frederick stared at
Dr Bush. ‘Impossible, helium three is one of the rarest elements on earth and
almost impossible to synthesise, it’s not limitless.’

‘Another pie the
Nazis had their finger in Professor. Something they discovered while
constructing their Antarctic stronghold, which of course is now ours. And
you’re right it is extremely difficult to create, which is why we have small
quantities, the amount we do have is enough to fuel our new rockets we’re
planning to use for space exploration. The Nazis however, believed that helium
three is abundant beyond earth’s atmosphere. There could well be huge deposits
on the moon, as well as the smaller proto planets that exist in the asteroid
belt. German astronomers have also theorised that the rings of Saturn could
well be comprised of asteroids which have huge quantities of Helium three. This
is why we are eager to get things moving with the space program.’

‘This is incredible;
it could render conventional aircraft obsolete overnight. Added to that Helium
Three has almost no radioactive waste.’ Frederick said. ‘Do you realise what
you’ve discovered here? The energy it creates could effectively make every
fossil fuel redundant.’

‘Let’s not get ahead
of ourselves here gentlemen.’

Frederick turned and
saw a man enter the viewing room.

Chapter 99

Profit before
Progress

‘Professor Frederick,
may I present Senator Jacob Barnes.’ Bush introduced.

Barnes grabbed
Frederick’s hand shaking it. ‘Professor Frederick, a pleasure. I’ve been
looking forward to meeting you. Doctor Bush has told me all about your little
adventure last year concerning the woman rising from the dead, fascinating.’

Frederick thought
back to the incident involving Edith Jones.

Barnes stared at the
object in the hanger bay. ‘You’re right it could solve all our energy problems
and dependency on fossil fuels. But for now Professor I’m afraid this kind of
technology isn’t ready to be unleashed on the world.’

‘Why not?’ Frederick
asked.

‘We are in the middle
of a cold war Professor. If we suddenly announce that we have an inexhaustible
energy supply the Russians would launch everything they have at us in an
attempt to get their hands on our knowledge.’

‘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.