The Dark Angles

By Allan E Petersen

The trouble started with a UFO crash in the Pyrenees mountains. The injured alien was transported to the House of the Nazarene hospital in Denmark. An ancient cult, the Dark Angels mobilized to abduct the alien from the protection of the House of the Nazarene. Because of their conviction all aliens are the product of evil forces, the radical cult believes they are protecting humanity by destroying the devil’s children. Maria followed cryptic clues and discovered hundreds of stranded aliens living in a bio-dome deep under the Atlantic Ocean. It was then she discovered plots, lies, and a deadly secret about the alien Queen. The most devastating shock for the House of the Nazarene was who the leader of the Dark Angels was.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Allan E Petersen
• Release date: May 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005981075

Allan E Petersen

Allan E. Petersen, now lives in Vancouver, Canada. Retired, he dedicates his time to a lifelong passion of writing. The two subjects that command his attention are: the mysteries that are hidden within our genetic code and contemporary interpretations of biblical writings. He has combined these two interests in his latest series of books -The House of the Nazarene- the first of which is 'An Angel in the Shadows.'

Book preview

Prologue

From the beginning of time, fishing boats had ventured into the vastness of the Bay of Biscay reaping spoils of the sea. It was then the stories of terrible sea monsters began, the most feared being the Leviathan. For no apparent reason, the monster of the sea surfaced to devour unsuspecting fishing boats.

In a small fishing community on the east coast of France, fishermen struggled to make a living in the Bay of Biscay. Even in these modern times, brave men of the sea still claim any mysterious disappearance or sinking of a fishing boat was the Leviathan pulling a boat and all aboard to the bottom of the sea. Perhaps it was a legend stemming from the whiskey bottle but many claimed to have seen it. When the waves got choppy and fish jumped out of the water, the Leviathan was nearby.

This early chilly morning, a father and two sons, the youngest only twelve years old walked through the mist onto the dock and untied their fishing boat. It was time to crank the rustic engine and venture into the thick mist of the Bay of Biscay for another day of desperation. For the past week, nets were hauled in empty. It was the same for all the other boats fishing the waters. For some reason, the seasonal sardine and mackerel they depended on for a livelihood were scarce this season.

With the coming of the rising sun, the air warmed and the low mist on the water disappeared. This morning the water was choppy but not detrimental to fishing. The twelve-year-old boy was no stranger to the dangers of the nets or choppy seas. He knew he had to hang on to the railing while waiting for the nets to fill. While glancing far out onto the horizon of the misty bay his mind often wandered. Daydreaming was his way of passing the long hours. He heard the story of sea monsters and endlessly stared into the horizon hoping to see if there was truth to the legends.

Suddenly something strange snapped him alert. Not far behind the boat, in a violent upward burst of water the fish net rose high spilling the valuable catch back to the sea. Determined to see the monster of legends, with water gushing down on the boat and him, he peered up into the pouring waterfall.

Above the thunder of the water, he heard his father desperately yell to save the net. With violent waves rocking the boat it was impossible to do anything but hang on for dear life. Fearing it was the monster of the deep come to capsize the boat, in a panic his older brother jumped into the swirling waves. He was only saved from drowning by his dad’s insistence life jackets be worn at all times. Then, after another pull and tug, the net released and crashed down onto the stern of the boat. Seconds after the massive waves settled, the father raced to the side and pulled the eldest son back onboard. The younger son wiped the water from his eyes and frantically struggled to focus. It was then he saw the sea monster flying low over the waves racing for the shore.

He was confused. What he saw was not a terrible Leviathan of legends but rather something much smaller and there were no fangs in a hideous mouth. It did not breathe fire or have eight monstrous tentacles capable of pulling a ship to the depth. It was smooth and shaped identical to the Frisbee he and his brother often played with. At a horrific speed he watched it violently twist and bounce off the waves as though it was out of control. Before reaching shore it crashed back into the water and seconds later surfaced again. When finally reaching the coast, it disappeared into the distance. 

As all three struggled to recover their net, the father screamed that it was the Leviathan. The older boy swore he saw a horrific large mouth with thousands of long teeth and fire blasting from its mouth. It was a terrible thing to see and something to be talked about in the fishing village over beer and wine. To the young one, despite it being a dangerous and strange event, he knew it was not the monster of the sea and wondered what it truly was.

Chapter 1

It has been five years since Maria saved the world from the terrible ‘Creation Reboot Program’. In the following years Robert, now a young man of twenty-one has extensively trained to join the ranks of the House of the Nazarene Security team. It was not an easy promotion and exhaustion often filled his training days. Knowing the importance of the trust and responsibility put on him he survived and became a strong and responsible young man.

This morning the sun beamed down on the House of the Nazarene’s secret estate in Bulgaria. For loyalty and assistance in regaining his stolen kingdom, King Rhymen gave the House of the Nazarene a large mansion and fifteen cottages in the midst of a hundred acres of prime forest. At the top of the grand mansion’s staircase are two massive apartments. Santo and Maria occupied one while the other was given to Waldorf and Helga.

Having moved out of his parent’s apartment, Robert assumed residence in a small cottage nearby. This morning, in his warm and cozy bed, he heard the phone screaming for attention. It had been a long night of security checks and so he struggled to find the strength and motivation to open his eyes. The ringtone indicated it was from the security office meaning responsibility was calling. It was his turn on security duty. With a moan, he reluctantly pulled back the warm covers and sat up.

With the weight of a tired body he reached over and pressed a button. Aided by the technology of holograms was a miniature image of the Day Duty Security officer. Kensington, a handsome young man about Roberts’s age stood proud and looking suave. When he saw the return image of a slouched Robert sitting on the edge of his bed, he was secure enough in his position to torment Robert with a smile and friendly, 

You still don’t manage those late-night parties well huh?

Not in the mood or ability to contradict the jest or even blame Kensington for tempting him with another drink, Robert managed to ask, 

What is so important I could not sleep in?  

After Kensington enlightened a woozy head about the emergency, he asked,   

And under what code was this reported? 

Kensington’s voice rang with authority,

It was reported by Professor Bartow Asker over in the Pyrenees as a code 171.    

Suddenly Robert snapped alert. 171 was a top priority report from trusted Nazarene field agents. With a tinge of regret he knew he had to comply and so said,  

Very well. Send the location to my D-wing and tell Professor Asker I’ll be over there in an hour or so.

Kensington was not finished taunting his friend and added, 

Hah, it doesn’t look as if you can even stand up.

A quick wave of his hand scattered Kensington’s 3-Dimage and terminated the communication.

Kensington was right. It was a struggle to stand. Although his bedroom was bathed in darkness, there were reasons he did not want to turn on the lights. He knew it would sting his eyes plus he did not want to wake her. Before his first step to the bathroom, he heard a soft voice ask,

"What did Kensington want?

Turning to the bed he apologized.

I’m sorry honey. I tried not to wake you.

She responded,  

It’s okay. I recognized the Security Alert ring tone.

In response to her question, he said,

It was a code 171from a trusted field agent in the French Pyrenees. He reported seeing a flying saucer crash into a mountain near a small village. It’s my Duty Day so I have to go investigate.

She asked,

Do you suppose it was one of ours?

No, Professor Asker knows our D-wings. He described this one as having the appearance of a flat disk similar to a Frisbee.

As she rolled over and sunk deeper into her soft pillow there was no sympathy in her tone.

Well, you are now an official member of the security team so have fun.

What she said next was regretted the second the words escaped her lips.

Or do you want me to come with you?

Of course I do. We are a team but I understand if you would rather stay in a warm bed and miss out on an adventure.

While he walked into the bathroom he heard her covers cast aside followed by a soft curse,

Crap.

When he came out of the bathroom the bedroom lights were on and he was not surprised to see her by the bed struggling out of her PJs. Forever trapped by her beauty he knew for the rest of his life he was blessed to stare at her magnificence. After struggling with the first PJ leg, she continued to undress and make her way past him to the bathroom.

As she brushed by him, with a smile only a man in love could produce, he gently took her arm and pulled her in tight. Not displeased with the pleasure, there was still the urgency of the bathroom to contend with and so she quickly kissed him and wilfully slithered from his grasp.

After getting into his field outfit, he waited for her at the bedroom door. A short time later he impatiently yelled, Come on honey. Get your butt in gear.

There was bluntness in Belle’s reply.

Shut up!

Though he hated her brashness, he knew it always came from a good place.

Chapter 2

Belle and Robert are the same age, 21. Robert matured into a strong handsome man, while Belle matured into a beautiful young woman. Her dad would often fondly say,

You look as beautiful as your mom when she was your age.

She always accepted the compliment but understood dad only met mom while in her late twenties. Before they met, Maria operated a University-funded laboratory in the middle of the Amazon Jungle as a DNA Profile Specialist. She collected DNA from the jungle tribes looking for a genetic correlation between the distant coast tribes. It was there a young alien girl came into her life, the mysterious Daughter of the Sky People.

While Robert trained in House security, Maria took her daughter under wing and taught her the complications and secrets of administering the House of the Nazarene. Santo and Maria led the House and although still years away, Robert and Belle were now tutored for the responsibility.

Robert and Belle grew up together and when considering all the trouble and adventures they got themselves into they still survived. Because of their lasting friendship, Maria was not surprised to see them fall in love and now live together in a cottage not far from the main mansion.

Ever since their fifth birthday, Belle however never saw Robert as anything more than a fumbling brother. True, they were inseparable, always together or as people often said, ‘were two peas in a pod’. It was Helga, Robert’s adopted mother who more correctly referred to both as ‘monsters in crime’.

When they turned sixteen years old, something occurred to drastically change Belle’s ‘brother’ relationship with Robert. While searching for her parents in the Australian region of Bad Luck Jacko three unpleasant men came out of the shadows, approached both and demanded money. Seeing Belle was in danger, Robert sprang into action. With strength and bravery gained from years of practicing the Shaolin martial arts he sent all three thugs running for their lives.

From then on, an impressed Belle never again saw Robert as simply a brother but rather her hero and protector. A blossoming affection for each other was not a surprise for Maria. From then on she understood things between them were different and a maturing affection developed. Maria’s intuition turned out to be correct. For years after the Australian rescue, the fondness Belle developed for Robert slowly snuck up on her. With the seeds of love planted, a strong bond slowly blossomed.

In those awkward and developing years Robert was too young to understand how his feeling toward her essentially blossomed. As the years passed however he slowly understood what was happening between them. From sixteen years old to now, when walking together he always reached for her hand and she fondly accepted the affection.

Responding to the 171 emergency, they left their cottage for the short walk through the rose garden to the airplane hangar and Robert’s D-wing. While in her youth, Belle never took notice of the garden but now coveted the pleasant aroma. Never smitten with such pleasures, Robert could easily step on them without a thought.

Waiting for them in the hangar with the pre-trip paperwork was Pia. Her and Belle’s youthful animosity toward each other was by now long forgotten. Pia was the House of the Nazarene alien toxicologist and diagnostic expert. She and Henrik Anderson still lived in a small apartment above the hangar. As now when he was away on an assignment Pia took over administration duties.

Robert, as Santo and most of the higher-ranked security team hated the mundane and time-consuming obligation of pre-tripping a D-wing every time they needed one. There were no moving parts such as wing flaps to test. It had no wings. Perhaps in the Nazarene conventional fleet of jets it was a clever idea to check the engine for oil and fluids but there was no such thing in the D-wings either. They were an ancient Great Gray technology operating solely on gravity displacement governed by the onboard computers. With no moving parts, what could possibly go wrong with computer guidance?

While Robert snatched the clipboard from Pia and got on with the duty, Belle stepped forward and embraced her friend with a tight hug. Suddenly remembering the danger of squeezing Pia too hard she quickly released her grip and apologized.

I’m sorry, did it hurt?

Pia smiled, gently touched her stomach and said,

Just a little. He is starting to move around a bit now.

Chapter 3

Because of the short distance between the House of the Nazarene’s secret base in Bulgaria and their destination to the French Pyrenees there was no time gained zipping high into the stratosphere taking advantage of the planet’s rotation. Soaring high in the clouds Robert activated the destination sent by Professor Bartow Asker and remotely entered by Kensington. He then triggered both the Great Gray radar avoidance program and stealth mode making them undetectable by land-based radar. Almost invisible to the naked eye they flew west over the Adriatic Sea and approached Italy unnoticed.

Halfway across Italian air space, Belle realized she had never met Professor Bartow Asker and asked who he was. As part of his security training, it was Robert’s job to recognize and know all the Nazarene field agents and so robotically blurted out,  

Professor Bartow Asker is an archaeologist specializing in locating ancient Biblical settlements. When your mom first met and hired him as a field agent, he was digging around Turkey looking for such a settlement. It was then he discovered a colossal cave turning out to be an Anannaki military outpost. Relics found in the cave led your mom to learn about the Great Alien Earth War.  

She asked,  

What’s he doing in southern France?  

Who knows? Scriptural Archaeologists are a strange lot.  

Now approaching the Pyrenees, a new concern hit Belle. She turned to him and with trepidation asked,  

The Party? Will we be back in time for it?  

Unconcerned, he replied,  

This takes priority but yes, it shouldn’t take long.  

Relaxing a bit, she said,  

Good. Mom has been planning it for weeks. If we miss it, I’m going to blame you.  

After a chuckle, he snidely said,  

Yeah right. Who do you think she will believe me or you?  

Suddenly Belle knew better than to push it. Since they announced their intention to move in together, mom started calling him son.  

Chapter 4

When the D-wing hovered high above the Pyrenees, both passengers peered down at the mountain range separating France and Spain. Not far from the Bay of Biscay, perhaps fifty miles into the mountain range and according to the Nazarene GPS they saw their target, a small hamlet called Vallieville. True to the geography of a mountain town, there was only one twisting dirt road leading to it.

Belle voiced her observation.

It looks typical of a European mountain Hamlet. Makes one wonder why it’s there in the first place.

Confused, Robert said,

Here is a problem. The Professor is not answering his phone.

Belle instantly realized a solution and spoke to the D-wing computer.

Contact Professor Asker’s phone.

When a computer scan for the frequency indicated a location she said,

There you go. Trace it now.

At the edge of the village, the Nazarene tracer indicated the signal came from a small alpine house with red roof tiles. Inside the house the D-wing heat sensor indicated a figure resting on what could be a sofa. Robert took a guess,

Evidently he is sleeping.

Belle added,

Or passed out.

After another infrared beam search of the nearby area for humans, the signature indicated only goats and two cows out in the field. Maintaining the D-wing concealment program, Robert gently settled down between the house and a small shed at the back.

Entering the house both saw a simple one-level building with exposed roof support beams. The small kitchen doubled as a living room and judging from the well-worn sofa it was also a bedroom. Sleeping on the sofa was Professor Asker. The Professor knew they were coming so Robert was annoyed to see him sleeping on the job. A swift kick at the corner of the sofa jolted him awake. With a huff and a groan, he struggled to his feet and in a tone of confusion, asked,

Who are you?

Combing fingers made a weak effort to tidy dishevelled hair. He then made what he thought was a clandestine effort looking down making sure his pants were on. He was about to tuck his wrinkled shirt into the baggy pants when he saw Belle and decided to be polite. Belle thought she might have detected an embarrassing smile under the great bushy beard.

Robert was quick to understand the Professor’s confusion stemmed from the many years since they first met and explained.

I understand it has been many years since you last saw me Professor. After all, I was only five years old. I am Robert, son of Waldorf and Helga from the House of the Nazarene. I am now a Security Officer and this is my partner Belle, daughter of Professor Maria Espinoza and Captain Santo Martinez, leaders of the House.

Looking to Belle, from sleepy eyes a dim light of recognition appeared followed by a nod of approval.

Yes, there is a similarity. Your mother hired me as a field agent.

Robert was not in the mood for a reunion of friendships. Getting right to the point, he demanded,

You contacted us about a flying saucer crashing into the mountains.

Yes, of course. And I assured your mom the saucer was not one of hers.

Pointing to the door, he continued,

Come outside and I will show you where it hit.

From the front of the house and across the valley they saw a high forested mountain in the distance. Pointing, the Professor said,

I was out here going through my notes when I heard a loud thunder of crashing trees. I looked up in time to see the saucer cut through the forest and continue flying in that direction.

Both followed his pointing finger further down the valley.

After the contact with the trees and possibly the mountainside it started wildly twisting and spinning toward the far mountain, the tall one over there on the left.

Robert searched hard but saw no evidence of a crash site in the mountain. Belle, recognizing the great distance said,

We should go have a look.

As Robert nodded his approval, he asked the Professor,

Was there maybe anybody else who saw it flying irrationally before contact with the mountain?

It was a quick reply,

Yes, many saw it. They said it came from the Bay of Biscay and appeared out of control before smashing into the mountain. Half the village took off looking for survivors.

Chapter 5

After a sincere ‘thank you’ for his duty to the House of the Nazarene, Robert and Belle returned to their D-wing and flew off to inspect the first impact site. After a short search, they located the torn trees. Following a systematic search for debris and bodies they found nothing. With a pointing finger toward the other mountain Professor Asker indicated Belle said,

Let’s go have a look,   

Agreeing, Robert turned the D-wing in that direction.

The crash site was almost at the top of a high sheer vertical cliff. Wedged between cracks was a crashed flying saucer. Upon inspection, it was clear to Robert that except for perhaps ten feet the saucer would have cleared the top of the cliff and continued its erratic flight. He adeptly inched the D-wing closer to what was left of the mysterious craft. Judging from the gaping hole in the side it was clear it impacted hard into the cliff. After Belle’s computer scan for signs of life was finished she declared, 

It’s empty. There are no signs of life or bodies inside. 

Robert said,

Whoever was in there was most likely thrown clear.

With the touch of a computer key, Robert transmitted to Security Headquarters. Kensington was still on duty and answered the call.  

Yes Robert? 

I need a decontamination and clean-up crew to my location. 

Kensington understood the command and quickly replied, 

Right away. 

Robert then added, 

Has the Australian lab finished upgrading the D-wing we sent them yet?

Yes, it was delivered to us yesterday. 

As a new Security Officer, he should have known that and felt lacking in his trusted position. It was a feeble excuse and Kensington knew it. 

Thank you Kensington. I have not read the report yet. At any rate have the decontamination crew use it to transport a crippled ship about the size of a D-wing to our Swiss lab and Dr. Marl.

Not surprised at where to send it so much as the name, Kensington asked, 

Do you mean the cantankerous and argumentative Dr. Simon Marl? 

Robert was firm in his command. 

Yes, the same one who always claims he is a busy man. I want him to examine this thing. I will contact him later for the results.    

Closing the communication link and after a long thought, Robert said, 

Perhaps there are no signs of life because it is only a drone. 

Belle pointed toward the top of the cliff and said,  

Perhaps, but the impact site is relatively close to the top. A survivor might have climbed up there. Let’s have a look. 

Looking at the massive damage and doubting anyone could survive a head-on crash with the cliff, Robert nevertheless lifted the D-wing high. 

At the top, they saw the flat clearing of a meadow. Perhaps a hundred yards across the grassy field was the start of a dense forest. At first glance there was nothing indicating a survivor. Both then saw about twenty villagers come running out of the forest and into the field. Belle was correct when saying, 

They must be the villagers the Professor said were out in force looking for survivors. 

Robert saw them but also something else. 

They look mad. Perhaps they are not looking to save the pilot but rather to burn him at the stake. 

As the mob reached the half-way point of the meadow, a lone figure suddenly sprang from behind a small bush and started running toward the cliff. The lead man of the mob pointed and yelled, 

There he is. Get him. 

With angry men and the terrified survivor all racing toward the edge of the cliff, shots were fired barely missing the target.

From their cloaked position up high, Belle was the first to get a good look at the escaper. She gasped and said, 

He is only a young boy. 

Robert added. 

Unless he stops running, the mob will either catch him or he will plummet off the cliff. 

It was not a request from Belle but rather a loud demand. 

Do something. 

The D-wing was only armed with various lasers but fortunately one was a red-hot beam able to start a fire in dried brush. Taking careful aim not to harm anybody, Robert fired the weapon and set fire to the dry grass between the chasers and the escaper. As far as the irate villagers were concerned, because they could not see the D-wing they reasoned it was the doing of the strange-looking pilot. With high flames between them and their target, they stopped in their tracks.  

Despite the villagers giving up the chase, the pilot kept running for the edge of the cliff. Belle shouted, 

He is in panic mode and going to run off the edge. 

Before Robert understood what was happening, she took control and landed the D-wing between the runner and the chasing villagers. He was about to ask what she was doing but it was too late to stop her. The canopy opened and she jumped out of the D-wing.

With the honest intention of saving the young boy, she gave chase frantically waving her arms and yelling at him to stop. In blind fear it only served to make him run faster. From his position in the D-wing, Robert saw the danger but Belle continued chasing and yelling,   

Stop or you will plumet to your death!  

It was inevitable, frightened feet catapulted him over the edge and disappear from sight. Worse, Belle dove after him. She had hoped to tackle him before the edge but missed.   

Robert, with heightened reflexes, quickly maneuvered the D-wing across the field and over the cliff. Knowing the odds were against him, he nevertheless hoped to catch her before falling to her death. Once over the edge, he saw her desperately clinging to a protruding ledge with one arm and the other to the leg of the dangling alien. 

It was clear her reckless rescue attempt was going to end in disaster for both. Her hand was slipping on the ledge and didn’t have the strength needed to continue her grip on the boy’s ankle. She made the mistake of looking past him and straight down to the valley far below. It was only then she questioned if the attempted rescue was such a clever idea after all. It was not a secure grasp on his leg and strength was quickly fading. 

The boy made no effort to cling to the rocks or prevent a deadly fall. It was as if he had given into his dire situation and accepted certain death. She wondered if she had the courage to save her own life by letting go and sacrifice his. With strength quickly giving out there was no doubt she would have to let him drop. Suddenly her hand slipped off the ledge.

With the canopy open, Robert quickly manoeuvred under them. As she fell, she awkwardly plummeted into the D-wing passenger seat. It was a struggle but she sat in the seat with an unconscious alien in her lap. With blood spewing from a deep gash in his head, she turned to Robert and said,  

We have to get him to a hospital right away.

As the cloaked D-wing sped away, she took the time to catch her breath. Looking to the silent Robert, she smiled and sheepishly said.  

That was a close one huh?  

She was not hoping for approval of her ill thought out daring rescue so much as at least a smile.  He slowly turned to her and with piercing eyes said nothing.

Chapter 6

Due to a serious head injury and possible internal damage, both understood the urgency of getting him to a hospital as fast as possible. It was clear the young boy was not human and therefore not just any hospital would do. Robert entered Nazarene GPS codes for Copenhagen and sped north. Minutes later, they flew over France and Germany finally entering Denmark’s air space. While cloaked and protected by anti-radar detection, Robert coded secret approach codes to what the local Danish people only knew as a private hospital in central Copenhagen.

A strong woman’s voice immediately responded to Robert’s approach code. 

This is Doctor Alvi Kirsten. Please enter your personal ID code.   

Robert’s fingers flew over the keyboard and immediately Dr. Kirsten replied. 

Yes, Robert what is the emergency? 

Robert turned to the injured alien still unconscious and cradled in Belle’s arms.

We have a young male with head and possible internal injuries.

He then added,

Possibility alien.

Retaining the cloaked program, the D-wing landed on the giant ‘H’ helicopter landing pad. On the roof, two trusted security officers waited to the side with hands on a gurney ready to respond. As Belle placed the injured alien on the gurney, Doctor Alvi Kirsten stepped forward and performed a preliminary examination. Neither the security guards nor Doctor Kirsten were startled to see an alien. 

As Head Physician of a secret hospital, Doctor Alvi Kirsten was a surprisingly young lady. She appeared twenty-five but Belle knew she could not possibly be that young. With long blond hair over strong shoulders, there was no doubt of her Danish heritage. Although Robert, as part of his security training met her last year, this was the first time she saw Belle. After the preliminary, the doctor pulled a sheet over the boy’s face and spoke to the two security guards.  

Let’s get him to the alien ICU on level nine.

Belle understood he was being admitted to the hospital’s Alien Intensive Care Unit.  

When Dr. Kirsten grabbed one end of the gurney and started to