Codename Angel (The Angel Chronicles Book 1) by Jason Chapman Page A

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