‘Did you know Professor that fire is one of the most unique elements in the universe. It has the power to provide warmth and sustain life. But it also has the power to destroy life.’
‘Is this what you summoned me here for, a philosophical debate about life?’
Janus sat down in one of the tall armchairs by the fire. He poured out two glasses of sherry and handed one to Frederick, who stared at the glass. ‘Please Professor, do you think I have called you here just to poison you.’ He then picked up the other glass and took a sip.
Frederick took the glass and sat in the other chair, glancing towards the door. Memories of Jacob Barnes bursting through the door played in his mind.
‘You needn’t worry Professor no one will disturb us tonight.’
‘What exactly was your business with Peter Horsley?’
‘I was curious, I know the Duke of Edinburgh has a vested interest in other worldly matters, along with Lord Mountbatten and other high ranking individuals.’
‘And you just took it upon yourself to call on Buckingham Palace.’
‘Lets just say I wanted to create a bit of intrigue for future generations.’ Janus savoured the taste of the sherry. ‘I must say for a primitively technological species the human race has excelled in other things. I do enjoy your food and some of your liquids.’
Frederick could not help but smile at the irony. Here I am sat here with a being not of this earth and we’re talking about food and sherry.
Janus smiled reading his thoughts. ‘My species is not as hostile as you think Professor. We appreciate the finer things life has to offer. Good food, art, as I said we are human like you.’
Frederick sipped from his glass. The sherry felt good as it trickled down his throat. ‘Exactly why did you call me here this evening?’
‘I thought we might continue our little chat that Jacob Barnes interrupted.’
‘You told me that you could not tell me everything.’
‘True, but circumstances change.’ Janus stared at the flames in the fireplace. ‘As you recall I told you that my people were almost wiped out by a disease spread by another race.’
Frederick nodded.
‘I told you that within your DNA along with every other human on this planet is an element capable of destroying the virus. It did not form naturally but was seeded by a race of beings that found a cure for the disease that ravaged my planet.’
‘And what happened to these beings and the cure?’
‘No one knows, as for the cure myself along with other visitors are working hard to perfect an antidote.’
‘You realise Janus that we have no trust between each other. Since our first meeting in Stoke Lacy you have demonstrated that you are anything but friendly. Taking humans at will and experimenting on them.’
‘If you remember Professor I told you that the people I have taken have not been harmed.’
‘But you are keeping them against their will.’
‘It’s a means to an end Professor.’
‘That’s what the Nazis said.’
Janus reached into his inside pocket and produced a flat transparent object. The object was similar to the device that Vannevar Bush had demonstrated, which was taken from Jacob Barnes. Janus tapped the object one and a three dimensional image appeared.
Frederick instantly recognised the three armed spiral pattern that he had encountered before. ‘Do you know what this is?’
Janus nodded. ‘It is the key to salvation, for my species and yours.’
‘Our salvation?’
‘The species that devastated my planet have discovered Earth.’
Frederick felt short of breath thinking about the implications of a disease capable of wiping out the human race.
‘Fortunately you have time on your side Professor. They have yet to arrive in great numbers. But there are individuals already on your world who seek to destroy man. They have been amongst you for centuries. They have the ability to blend in to your society to look like you, but they are not human. At this moment they are busying themselves with perfecting the virus that devastated my planet. These creatures have established a following which will stop at nothing to make sure their final plan through.’
‘Centuries.’ Frederick remarked. ‘I would have thought that even a more advanced species would have given up by now.’
‘You world lacks the properties they need to perfect their virus, however that has not stopped them from developing other viruses.’
Janus stared at the image. ‘It is this element that has stopped them.’
‘Are you saying they have already tried to destroy us?’
‘Janus nodded. ‘Are you familiar with the black death?’
‘Of course it ravaged Europe during the middle ages. Rats are thought to have spread the disease.’
‘Are you sure?’
Frederick nodded. ‘I know the history of my own planet Janus.’
‘So why didn’t the black death kill everyone?’
Frederick didn’t have an answer.
Janus stared at the three dimensional image. ‘This element has the potential to adapt to any disease that attacks the human body. To put it simply Professor it is intelligent. I have been working with other species in perfecting this element so that it can be injected into other life forms. Our goal is to find a cure for the disease that has ravaged so many other planets.’
‘Are you saying that there are several species of extraterrestrials collaborating with each other?’
Janus nodded taking a deep breath. ‘Unfortunately this element is not compatible with DNA from our species. Even though we are human our DNA differs slightly, but I believe that I can find a cure for my people. Which is why I have been, as you say collaborating with other species.’
‘When we first met you said that you were everywhere and that we were powerless to stop you. Exactly how many of your kind are on Earth.’
‘A ruse to install fear.’
‘So you lied.’
‘I am the only member of my species on your planet..’
Frederick smiled. ‘I’d hardly call that an invasion force.’
Janus smiled. ‘True but I have been here hundreds of your years. Living amongst you, influencing your greatest minds changing the course of history.’
Frederick thought for a moment before summing up the courage to speak. ‘You showed me the death of my wife. Is there any way I could prevent that?’
Janus hesitated. ‘I’m afraid not, although I have the ability to see the future I am unable to change anything. Any changes I try to make, time has a way of restoring balance. What I can tell you is that you will be faced with a choice. Save the ones you love or save the human race from extinction.’
‘And if I choose the former.’
‘You think that by knowing what’s ahead you can change your fate.’ Janus shook his head. ‘You cannot change your destiny.’
‘You seriously don’t expect me to just watch Elizabeth die do you. I will try and save her.’
‘You will but you will fail, Elizabeth will sacrifice herself for the greater good.’
Frederick stood and walked towards the fireplace. ‘Why are you even bothering to tell me all this? You have Majestic, you have Jacob Barnes, you can just go running to them.’ He turned and faced Janus. ‘Or for that matter I can.’
‘You think Jacob Barnes will care about the human race.’
‘He will if it involves his own survival.’
‘Jacob Barnes has many secrets Professor, he will see this world fall into chaos before he realises that it’s too late. I know you hate what’s become of the Angel Committee, which is why you won’t say anything about this meeting. I also know that Agent Cones is in turmoil as to where his loyalties lie.’
‘Agent Cones.’
‘You asked me what I meant when I said that I had met Agent Cones many times.’
‘And you said you couldn’t tell me.’
‘All I can tell you Professor is that both your d
estinies are entwined. You will both need each other in order to survive the perils that await you.’
For a few moments Frederick mulled over Janus’ words. ‘So what now? I just go on my merry way and stumble towards the future you have shown me.’
Janus stood and walked up to Frederick. ‘I am neither your enemy or your friend Professor, do not forget this. But when it comes to the preservation of life then we are both allies.’
The clock on the wall chimed.
‘You time is up Professor, but do not worry our paths with cross again soon. All I can do advise you to be vigilant. Your real mission is about to begin.’
Chapter 26
The Farm
The Peak District – Derbyshire – 8:56pm
Thursday 20th January 1955
John Moore stared into his rear view mirror at the object which was approaching fast from behind. The night was bitterly cold and the icy road made driving treacherous. But this didn’t concern Moore. He was solely fixated on the object that had trailed his car for the last mile. He couldn’t make out any shape, but whatever it was chasing his car lit up the road in front and behind which gave Moore the opportunity to push his vehicle to its limits. Moore knew the road, every straight every bend. He had driven down this road every day for the last ten years.
A sharp bend lay up ahead, a bend that Moore knew well. Many cars had skidded off the road on this bend crashing down into the gully below. The full moon shone off the road reflecting on the ice crystals which formed a deadly thin layer. Moore saw the bend in the distance and pushed the pedal hard to the floor. A quick glance in his rear view mirror made his heart race. The object was now directly over his car. He glanced upwards at the object. When he looked back at the road Moore recoiled in terror. The bend was on him sooner than he expected. Spinning the wheel to compensate the car made no attempt to follow the road. Careering sideward the vehicle smashed through a wooden fence and for a brief moment Moore felt weightless as the car spun three hundred and sixty degrees through the air. The car smashed into the rocky gully with such force Moore was ripped from the driver’s seat and thrown through the front window, his shattered body dashed onto the rocks.
The object hovered over Moore’s dead body before accelerating in a vertical direction taking Moore with it.
Chapter 27
Whitehall – London – 10:45am
Monday 24th January 1955
General Stacy handed Frederick the newspaper he had brought with him. ‘This came across my desk on the weekend.’
Frederick looked at the article.
Martians saved me from death crash
Frank Cones looked over Frederick’s shoulder. ‘Looks like a hoax story.’
‘Normally I would agree with you Agent Cones but there have also been reports of several cattle mutilations in the area.’
Frederick and Cones looked at each other both remembering the incident at Stoke Lacy which had led them to their first encounter with Janus.
‘You think this could be related to Janus?’ Frederick’s meeting with the mysterious stranger had played heavily on his mind over the last few weeks.
Stacy shook his head. ‘We don’t think so. There have also been reports of other livestock mysteriously vanishing from locked barns and then turning up in strange locations. The bartender at the local inn reported finding sheep in his bar one morning. No idea how they got there.’
Frederick read the article before handing it to Cones.
‘You will drive up to the area and look around to see if you can get to the bottom of this.’
‘I take it you’re not willing to believe that all this could be a cock and bull story. The newspapers seem to be full of these flying saucer stories which usually turn out to be attention seekers.’ Frederick said.
Stacy nodded. ‘Maybe so but Senator Barnes has initiated a new drive. He wants everything that comes through the press checked out. Make sure we’re not missing anything.’
Chapter 28
Hope – Derbyshire – 4:23pm
Tuesday 25th January 1955
Frederick wrapped his coat tightly around him after getting out of the car. The daylight had all but faded and the sky was a thick dark grey. A snowflake landed on Frederick’s cheek. ‘That’s all we need.’ He shivered. ‘Snow to trap us up here.’
Cones looked up into the sky. ‘We’ll be done tonight, I’m not hanging around here too long. First light tomorrow we’ll head back to London. It seems that Senator Barnes wants us chasing wild geese.’
‘I take it you’re not fond of Senator Barnes.
‘Senator Barnes is an asshole.’ Cones mocked.
Frederick laughed aloud. ‘I never thought I would hear anyone say that.’
‘I know you Brits aren’t happy with the way Majestic has waltzed in and taken over.’ Cones said with a sympathetic tone.
Frederick nodded. ‘How long have you been part of Majestic?’
‘Too long.’ Cones replied. ‘Me and Jack were assigned back in 1948 when the CIA was just starting out.’ Cones’ thoughts dwelled on his friend for a moment. The haunting image of the incident in Paris flashed through his mind. ‘Ironically our first case was investigating a flying saucer sighting in a place called Fredericktown, Ohio.’
Frederick smiled at the thought of a town that bared his name.
‘We had our first encounter with almost human looking creatures.’
‘Human looking?’
Cones nodded. ‘Haven’t seen them since.’
‘How many close encounters have you had since you’ve been with Majestic?’ Frederick asked.
‘More than enough.’ Cones replied. ‘Like you Professor I like to shove things to the back of my mind and hope that every time I encounter something out of the ordinary it will eventually fade.’
Frederick nodded and looked over at the Beggars Inn that was to be their hotel for the night. ‘We’ll sign in to the guesthouse then go and look for this Mr Moore.’ Both Cones and Frederick walked into the bar. ‘Good evening gentlemen.’ The landlord greeted.
‘Hello, we’d like two rooms for the night please.’ Frederick said politely.
‘You may find yourself stuck here for more than one night lads. There’s talk of major snow tonight. This place can get pretty cut off in the winter.’ The landlord warned.
‘We’ll take our chances.’ Cones smiled at the man.
‘American!’ He said with surprise before breaking out into a smile. He looked at both men. ‘More journalists I take it.’
Frederick nodded. ‘I’m from the Times and my colleague here is from the Washington Post.’ The landlord nodded. ‘Up here investigating strange goings on no doubt.’
‘We are.’ Frederick said. ‘Are you the chap who found a herd of sheep in his establishment?’ The landlord nodded. ‘Strangest thing I have ever seen. I was woken about five in the morning to hear a commotion coming from the bar.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Came down stairs and there they were plain as day.’
‘And you’ve no idea how this happened.’ Cones said.
The landlord shook his head. ‘Not a clue. I phoned the local bobby who contacted the Williams farm about two miles out of town.’
Frederick recalled the newspaper article from the day before. ‘The Williams Farm, isn’t that where the man who claims Martians saved his life works?’
The man nodded. ‘Been lots of strange goings on around that area.’
Cones looked at Frederick. ‘We’ll head out there as soon as we’ve dropped our bags off.’
‘If I were you gents I’d heed my warning and stay here for the night. We’ve got the only telephone in the village.’
‘We need to get back tomorrow.’ Frederick said. ‘But thank you for your concern, we’ll be fine.’
The landlord nodded without saying anything else.
Chapter 29
4:57pm
The snow was starting to fall quite heavily by the time they got to the farm. Frederick and Cones approa
ched the solid oak door of the farmhouse.
Cones knocked loudly.
A tall heavily built man answered the door, glancing up into the evening sky at the falling snow which was starting to gather pace. ‘Can I help you gentlemen?’
‘Good evening sir.’ Frederick greeted. ‘Myself and my colleague are journalists. We are here to write a story about the recent events occurring in this area.’
The man stepped back taking a disapproving sigh. ‘You’ll be wanting to speak to Johnny, come in.’ He gestured.
Frederick and Cones entered the warm kitchen. Another man was sat at a large kitchen table. The man who answered the door pointed towards him. ‘There’s your man.’
Frederick offered his hand. ‘Mr Moore, I’m Ralph Frederick from the Times Newspaper and this my colleague with the Washington post.’
‘I’ve already spoken to The News of the World, and The Daily Mirror.’ Moore said. ‘I don’t see how I can tell my story any different.’ Moore sounded annoyed that two more journalists had shown up to grill him on his encounter.
‘My editor is anxious to get an interview Mr Moore. A lot of folks back in the United States are interested to hear what the British have to say about flying saucers.’
Frederick sat down at the table and smiled at Moore. ‘We won’t take up much of your time.’ Moore eventually nodded.
‘So, you say that a flying saucer picked you up after you had a serious crash.’ Frederick said.
‘I was driving home from work a while back. I checked my mirror and saw that something was following me.’
‘Can you describe the object?’ Cones asked.
Moore thought for a moment. ‘All I can remember was a bright light. It was chasing me so
I floored it. The next thing I remember was losing control of my car.’ Moore closed his eyes. ‘I knew I was dead the minute I left the road considering the speed I was doing.’ He took a deep breath. ‘The next thing I knew I was walking along the road about an hour later.’
Frederick scribbled away in his notebook.
The Angel Conspiracy (The Angel Cronicles Book 2) Page 7
