Adventures in Odyssey

Guest (Male): Because of the intensity of a few scenes in today's episode, we don't recommend it for children under eight years old. And as always, we hope that parents and kids are listening together as a family. I hope you enjoy today's program.

Focus on the Family (Chris): Hi, this is Chris, and welcome to Adventures in Odyssey. We're just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and adventure. You want to come along? We'd love to have you join us for today's Adventure in Odyssey.

Jason Whittaker: The name is Bond.

Tasha Forbes: He's a friend of mine, Jason Whittaker.

Guest (Male): Whittaker? James Bond?

Donovan: No heroics, understand?

Dr. Blackgaard: As you say, Dr. Blackgaard.

Tasha Forbes: This is Agent 2362 requesting immediate hookup to Headman, authorization code Foxtrot Delta Zulu Zulu Alpha.

Molly: Please, Tasha?

Tasha Forbes: Yes, bring everything, and hand me the packing tape.

Molly: Here.

Tasha Forbes: Thanks.

Donovan: Agent 2362, this is Headman.

Tasha Forbes: Headman, we've been found out.

Donovan: Understood. Can you close down your cover?

Tasha Forbes: We're doing that now, but we're keeping the toy shop open because we believe the front is being watched.

Donovan: Copy, 2362. Continue with the closedown and proceed to a secure location at your discretion.

Tasha Forbes: Roger, Headman.

Donovan: And Tasha, be careful.

Tasha Forbes: I will, Donovan.

Molly: That's everything, Tasha.

Tasha Forbes: Good. Now I need you to do one more thing, Molly. Mail this package for me.

Molly: Mail? It's not going to the embassy?

Tasha Forbes: No, it's going to Odyssey.

Molly: Where's that?

Tasha Forbes: In the United States. Molly, please, no questions. Just take the package, then meet me at the rendezvous.

Molly: All right, Tasha.

Tasha Forbes: Use the tunnel exit in the storeroom. It's a bit longer, but it's safer.

Molly: What about you?

Tasha Forbes: I'll leave as soon as I delete some files on the computer and dismantle the transmitter.

Molly: What's the matter?

Tasha Forbes: Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Now get going.

Molly: Right. See you there.

Tasha Forbes: First the computer. File manager. Search. Files containing TA418. Delete.

Dr. Blackgaard: Hello! Tasha, are you here?

Tasha Forbes: Yes, I'm here. Hello, Doctor. How are you today?

Dr. Blackgaard: Fine, fine. I'm always fine when I return to beautiful Geneva. You don't look very well, though.

Tasha Forbes: Well, I'm just under a bit of pressure.

Dr. Blackgaard: Pressure? Now that's surprising. I mean, if there was one business that you'd think would be pressure-free, it would be the toy business.

Tasha Forbes: Well, that's not the case today. What can I help you with?

Dr. Blackgaard: I came to see if the doll I ordered has arrived.

Tasha Forbes: Oh, for your granddaughter. Yes, I'm sorry. It came yesterday. Here it is.

Dr. Blackgaard: Splendid, simply splendid. Tasha, your taste is exquisite.

Tasha Forbes: Well, you told me what you wanted. Shall I put this on your account?

Dr. Blackgaard: Oh, yes, please. You know, this doll reminds me of my youth. Not that I played with them, you understand. But my sister had one just like this.

Tasha Forbes: Doctor, I'm sorry. I don't want to be rude, but I really do have some important business I must attend to.

Dr. Blackgaard: Oh, and here I am prattling on like an old fool. No need to apologize, my dear. I'll be on my way. Thanks again for everything.

Tasha Forbes: Thank you. Goodbye.

Mustafa: Excuse me. You will stay. I beg your pardon? I said you will stay.

Tasha Forbes: Mustafa! Why'd you do that? He doesn't know anything, he's just one of my customers.

Mustafa: Now he is a hostage. As are you.

Tasha Forbes: What are you talking about? I'm working with you.

Mustafa: Stop this game. We know who you are, Tasha Forbes, Agent 2362.

Tasha Forbes: Agent? I don't know what you're talking about.

Mustafa: No? Abdul! Akhad!

Abdul: It is here, Mustafa. Why would a toy shop need a subsonic transmitter?

Tasha Forbes: It's cheaper than direct dialing? Let go of me, you big ape!

Mustafa: You have betrayed me for too long, Tasha Forbes. Now the day of the Red Scorpion is at hand. You will betray me no longer. Take her to the car.

Abdul: Yes, Mustafa.

Mustafa: Are you all right?

Dr. Blackgaard: Yes, quite. Well done, Mustafa.

Mustafa: You are certain the woman is necessary?

Dr. Blackgaard: Oh, yes, very necessary. She is vital to our goals.

Mustafa: I do not see how. We have everything we need.

Dr. Blackgaard: You must trust me, my friend. I know what I'm doing.

Mustafa: As you say, Dr. Blackgaard.

Focus on the Family (Chris): Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Zoe wants to work for the school magazine.

Zoe: I have to submit my best articles to the Parliament Press editors, but another student's in the way.

Guest (Male): The Parliament only has one reporter spot left and Vaughn Hartman's after it.

Focus on the Family (Chris): And when a hallway incident starts rumors...

Guest (Female): I heard Vaughn's a total bully. He pushed a girl down in the hallway yesterday.

Vaughn: That was me.

Focus on the Family (Chris): If Vaughn's banned from the middle school grounds, Zoe gets the position on the magazine. Will the truth come to light? Find out, only on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Jason Whittaker: Yes, Tom, I'm packing up the last of my stuff right now. No, no, just leave it there at Whit's End. It's all marked Jason so no one will bother it. Well, it'll take at least a couple of days to drive from Phoenix to Odyssey, so I'll see you day after tomorrow. All right, I will. See you then. Bye-bye.

Anything else, Mr. Whittaker?

Jason Whittaker: Just that box. Oh, and the phone. Here, let me unplug it. There you go. Where do you want it?

Guest (Male): Top of the box. Didn't you just unplug that?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, this happens sometimes. It's a really weird phone. There, that should take care of it.

Guest (Male): Like you said, weird.

Jason Whittaker: Why don't you just take the box out to the truck and get going? I'll just keep the phone with me.

Guest (Male): Yeah, sure. Whatever you say. I don't think it's the phone that's weird.

Jason Whittaker: Don't you ever get tired of doing that, Donovan?

Donovan: Never.

Jason Whittaker: What do you want?

Donovan: Just dropping by to say so long.

Jason Whittaker: Dropping by? Where are you?

Donovan: Right behind you.

Jason Whittaker: You'd think the agency's deputy director would have better things to do than play games.

Donovan: Life can't be all paperwork, 1131.

Jason Whittaker: Now I'm a name, not a number.

Donovan: A name that's moving to Odyssey. Must be a very special place to take away my best event analyst.

Jason Whittaker: It is a special place. Nice and quiet. I'm looking forward to a little peace.

Donovan: Then I don't suppose I can talk you into helping me out on just one more case?

Jason Whittaker: Donovan...

Donovan: Before you answer, hear me out. Please, Jason. It's important. One of our operatives in Geneva, Switzerland, has been keeping an eye on a new terrorist group called Red Scorpion, led by a man named Mustafa. They're fanatical and dangerous.

Jason Whittaker: How dangerous?

Donovan: Dangerous enough to hijack a shipment of synthetic viruses from a chemical weapons laboratory in Rakistan last month.

Jason Whittaker: That's pretty dangerous.

Donovan: After the hijack, our operative reported that they were keeping a pretty low profile. Then last week, the operative disappeared.

Jason Whittaker: And you think Red Scorpion's responsible?

Donovan: We know they are. Two days ago we received a videotape from Red Scorpion. The operative is on it.

Jason Whittaker: This is all well and good, but why do you need me? I mean, there are plenty of people at the agency who can handle this. Tasha's a biologist, put her on it. She loves this kind of stuff.

Donovan: Jason, the operative is Tasha.

Jason Whittaker: What?

Donovan: That's why I came. I thought you should know.

Jason Whittaker: I want to see the videotape.

Donovan: I have a reconnaissance van parked just up the street. There's a VCR inside. Let's go.

Tasha Forbes: I can confirm that Red Scorpion has in their possession biological microbes used in chemical warfare. These microbes were stolen from a chemical weapons laboratory near the city of Basul. Red Scorpion believes itself to be the instrument that will usher in a new world.

They would rather not use the microbes to achieve that end, but they will not hesitate to rain Ruku-ta death on American and European cities unless their demands are met. Do not underestimate them. Each one here is willing to die for the cause.

Mustafa: Thank you, Miss Forbes. Listen to her, America, or be destroyed. Our demands are as follows.

Donovan: The release of political hostages, American-made weapons, blah, blah, blah. We've heard it all before.

Jason Whittaker: Well, it certainly was Tasha.

Donovan: It was. Do you know what Ruku-ta is?

Jason Whittaker: No, I've never heard of it.

Donovan: She didn't look the worse for wear.

Jason Whittaker: Not physically. But did you notice how hesitantly she spoke? And all that blinking.

Donovan: Probably just the camera lights.

Jason Whittaker: She looked very vulnerable.

Donovan: Jason, she's a trained agent. She knew the risks.

Jason Whittaker: But that doesn't mean we can't try to help her.

Donovan: We? Then you're coming back?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, but for Tasha, not the agency.

Donovan: Understood.

Guest (Male): Yes, sir.

Donovan: The airport.

Guest (Male): Right away, sir.

Jason Whittaker: The airport?

Donovan: I have a jet waiting to take us to Switzerland.

Jason Whittaker: You knew what my answer would be all along, didn't you?

Donovan: I didn't get to be deputy director by not knowing my agents. Now buckle your seatbelt.

Jason Whittaker: Yes, sir. This was her cover? A toy store?

Donovan: She actually did quite well at it.

Jason Whittaker: Doesn't surprise me a bit.

Donovan: Her computer's in the back room there.

Miles Philby: Hello, Donovan.

Donovan: Philby, I didn't know you were here yet. Jason, meet Miles Philby with the European Security Agency. He's the agent assigned to the case. Philby, this is Jason Whittaker.

Miles Philby: A pleasure.

Jason Whittaker: Likewise. I'm uplinking to the internet. See if research has anything on Ruku-ta.

Donovan: What about the rest of the shop, Philby?

Miles Philby: We combed through it, but we didn't turn up much. She did a very thorough job of closing down. The only thing we came up with was this scrap of paper found it in the incinerator. Everything else was burned.

Donovan: TA418. That ring a bell, Jason?

Jason Whittaker: A telephone number, maybe?

Miles Philby: We checked that. No.

Jason Whittaker: Here we go. Research on Ruku-ta. Negative.

Donovan: Negative? What's that mean?

Jason Whittaker: It means Ruku-ta doesn't exist in any known language.

Miles Philby: Then why did she say it? Is it some sort of a code?

Jason Whittaker: Maybe. That piece of paper you found, what was on it again?

Miles Philby: TA418.

Donovan: You have something, Jason?

Jason Whittaker: Just a hunch. The "ta" in Ruku-ta and the "TA" on the scrap of paper might be related. I'm going to just try Ruku. R-U-K-U. Aha! Paydirt.

Donovan: What is it?

Jason Whittaker: It's not good. Ruku is a virus that attacks the body's central nervous system, causing rapid and systematic deterioration. It's fatal. A man named Hans Tessler developed it for the Rakistani government.

Donovan: And Red Scorpion stole it from the Rakistani. What happened to Tessler?

Jason Whittaker: The Rakistanis disposed of him. Payment in full.

Donovan: What about TA418?

Jason Whittaker: Way ahead of you, Chief. Must be a doozy. It's giving me a "please wait" message. Tasha really loaded down this computer. She's got everything on here. Recipes, games, puzzles. Now this is interesting. She's got a file called "Codes."

Donovan: Is TA418 in it?

Jason Whittaker: No, this is an article on the history of codes. How they've been used throughout the centuries. Typical of Tasha. She loves research. Okay, here we go. Data coming through. Surprise, surprise. TA418 is classified information, M5 clearance. Over to you, Chief.

Donovan: Can't risk an M5 access on this line. I'll have to use a secure line at the embassy.

Jason Whittaker: Hey, wait for me.

Donovan: No, I want you to stay here and work with Philby. See if you can turn up anything else. I'll be back in the blink of an eye.

Jason Whittaker: Blink of an eye? Wait a minute. Codes. Philby, what is it? Aha! There it is.

Miles Philby: There what is? Whittaker, what is going on?

Jason Whittaker: Does Tasha have a VCR around here?

Miles Philby: Yes, in the front room behind the counter.

Jason Whittaker: Do you have a copy of the tape Red Scorpion sent with her on it?

Miles Philby: Yes.

Jason Whittaker: Great, get it for me.

Miles Philby: All right, but why?

Tasha Forbes: I can confirm that Red Scorpion...

Jason Whittaker: This is why. Notice anything unusual about her?

Miles Philby: Well, she seems a bit nervous with all that blinking.

Jason Whittaker: Right, but that blinking isn't just nerves. There's a pattern to it.

Miles Philby: Pattern?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, and I think it's Morse code. I know, it's a long shot. But she'd been reading about it in the file in her computer. I think she's sending us a message. Here, I've printed out the code from her computer file. I'm going to replay the tape and call out the dots and dashes. You write down what they are.

Miles Philby: Right.

Jason Whittaker: Turn down the sound so you can concentrate on her eyes.

Miles Philby: Good idea.

Jason Whittaker: Okay, here goes. Dash-dot.

Miles Philby: N.

Jason Whittaker: Dash.

Miles Philby: T.

Jason Whittaker: Dot-dash-dot.

Miles Philby: R.

Jason Whittaker: Dot-dash-dot-dot.

Miles Philby: L.

Jason Whittaker: Dash-dot-dash.

Miles Philby: K.

Jason Whittaker: Dash-dot.

Miles Philby: N again.

Jason Whittaker: Dash-dot-dash-dot.

Miles Philby: C.

Jason Whittaker: Dot-dot-dot.

Miles Philby: S.

Jason Whittaker: Dash.

Miles Philby: T again.

Jason Whittaker: Dot-dash-dot-dot.

Miles Philby: L again. There, that's it. Mustafa's on.

Miles Philby: Okay, what have we got? N-T-R-L-K-N-C-S-T-L. It makes no sense.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, yes it does. Tasha and I used to play this game. One of us would take out all the vowels in a word, and then the other would try to guess what the word is. Here, see? N-T-R, enter. L-K, look. Good, enter, look. Then an N-C-S, in case. Good, enter, look in case. T-L, tool?

It still makes no sense. Maybe it's not separate words, though. Maybe it's one or two words. Here, try running them all together. Enter, look, N. Interlaken.

Miles Philby: Interlaken? Yes, there is a castle there.

Jason Whittaker: That's it. That's where she is.

Miles Philby: It's just a few hours east of here.

Jason Whittaker: Well, come on, let's go.

Donovan: All right, but no heroics, understand? Caution is my middle name. Now come on, let's go. I count 14 guards, all heavily armed.

Jason Whittaker: Concur. If this isn't Red Scorpion headquarters, then whoever lives here is a security freak.

Donovan: Something happening at the side entrance. Truck backing in. Making a delivery?

Jason Whittaker: No, they're loading something onto it. Boxes. And they're being very careful with them.

Donovan: Ruku virus?

Jason Whittaker: Could be. I've got to get closer.

Donovan: Whittaker, I said no heroics.

Jason Whittaker: I'm not going to be heroic, I'm just going to get closer.

Donovan: Whittaker! Whittaker! Blast, stupid American will ruin everything.

Jason Whittaker: Come on, guys, give me a clear sign here.

Mustafa: Idiot! You want to kill us all?

Guest (Male): I beg forgiveness.

Mustafa: There is no room in Red Scorpion for bunglers. Do your job well or suffer the consequences. Yes, sir. Bingo. Time to go get the cavalry. You aren't going anywhere. Rise, please.

Jason Whittaker: Don't tell me. Mustafa?

Mustafa: Very good. And who are you?

Jason Whittaker: The name is Bond. James Bond.

Mustafa: Impertinence can be very painful. Abdul! Search him. Nothing, just a...

Abdul: Nothing, shall I dispose of him?

Mustafa: No, take him back to the castle. I think he will be very useful.

Donovan: You're certain Jason was captured?

Miles Philby: Yes, I saw him being taken into the castle.

Donovan: Then it's likely Tasha's there as well. And that the truck they were loading does contain Ruku virus. Right, we'll have to move fast. Mobilize your men.

Miles Philby: There's something you should know first. And that is, there aren't just two agents inside, but three.

Donovan: Three?

Miles Philby: We've had a man undercover for more than two years now. So when we go in, Mustafa is ours. European security has been waiting a long time for this.

Donovan: Understood. This inside man of yours, can he keep his wits about him?

Miles Philby: Oh, don't worry, our man is clever. Very clever.

Tasha Forbes: Well, well, my hero.

Jason Whittaker: Tasha. Ow.

Tasha Forbes: Easy now, you have a hard head, but it's not that hard.

Jason Whittaker: Are you all right?

Tasha Forbes: You're the one who got bashed on the head and you're asking me if I'm all right? I'm fine. Now would you mind telling me what you're doing here?

Jason Whittaker: I got your message. I'm here to rescue you.

Tasha Forbes: Oh, I see. And you decided the best way to do that was by getting yourself captured.

Jason Whittaker: You know me, always keep them guessing. Is the room secure? We have to talk.

Tasha Forbes: I checked it out. No bugs.

Jason Whittaker: Good. You need to fill me in on some things. First off, what happened? How did your cover get blown?

Tasha Forbes: I don't know. I received an anonymous letter saying that we were being watched, so I decided to close everything down.

Jason Whittaker: And what is TA418?

Tasha Forbes: If you know about TA418, then you must know about Hans Tessler.

Jason Whittaker: The guy who developed Ruku for the Rakistanis.

Tasha Forbes: Right. When Red Scorpion hit the chemical weapons lab, they not only took containers of the virus, but all of Hans Tessler's documentation on the virus as well. The only problem was Red Scorpion couldn't make heads or tails out of it. They needed a microbiologist to decipher it, make sure they had stolen the right thing.

Jason Whittaker: That's where you come in.

Tasha Forbes: Yes. I immediately started conducting tests on the virus and discovered something Red Scorpion doesn't know. Ruku virus is...

Mustafa: We have returned your friend. Bazul, Al-Najaf!

Tasha Forbes: Dr. Blackgaard!

Dr. Blackgaard: Oh, it's all right, my dear. I'm fine.

Jason Whittaker: My dear?

Tasha Forbes: Can it.

Dr. Blackgaard: Who is this?

Tasha Forbes: He's a friend of mine, Jason Whittaker.

Dr. Blackgaard: Whittaker. What's the matter? I'm sorry, it's just that I knew a Whittaker once. He was from a small town you probably never heard of, Odyssey.

Jason Whittaker: You know my father?

Dr. Blackgaard: Your father? John Avery Whittaker is my father. I don't believe it. It is a pretty strange coincidence. I mean, Dad never mentioned you to me.

There's no reason for him to. Actually, I'm probably someone he would like very much to forget. Unfortunately, your father and I didn't always see eye to eye. In fact, we usually ended up on opposite sides. I regret that. But there were things he didn't know at the time. Where is he now?

Jason Whittaker: He's on an archaeological dig in the Middle East.

Dr. Blackgaard: He is?

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, that's why I was going to Odyssey, to manage his shop.

Mustafa: I'm afraid this Odyssey is going to have to get along without you.

Tasha Forbes: Mustafa, you know the doctor doesn't know anything. Let him go.

Mustafa: And spoil this touching reunion? Never. Besides, you have all been chosen for a great honor.

Jason Whittaker: What kind of honor?

Mustafa: You and the doctor are to bear witness to the power of the Red Scorpion's sting.

Jason Whittaker: What about me?

Mustafa: Upon you, I've bestowed the greatest honor of all.

Jason Whittaker: Homecoming King?

Mustafa: American humor. But soon your joking will cease. Outside sits a truck ready to transport boxes of the virus to Geneva's water supply. We needed an example so they can see what will happen to them if they refuse to comply to our wishes.

Jason Whittaker: You mean little old me?

Mustafa: You will be a symbol to the world of what will happen to those who resist the might of the Red Scorpion. Here is the syringe, Mustafa. Excellent.

Jason Whittaker: Syringe? My allergy shot, how thoughtful of you.

Mustafa: Very amusing. Let us see how amusing you are with the virus coursing through your veins.

Tasha Forbes: Mustafa, no!

Mustafa: Silence! And now, Jason Whittaker, you will die.

Dr. Blackgaard: No! STOPPING YOU. Doctor, get back!

Mustafa: You're mad! Shoot him!

Miles Philby: European Security! Drop your weapons! On the floor now!

Donovan: Freeze, Mustafa, or you're a dead man. Drop the syringe, drop it! Handcuff him.

Dr. Blackgaard: I was wondering when you all would arrive.

Donovan: You weren't nervous, were you, Blackgaard?

Jason Whittaker: I take it this is your inside man?

Donovan: One of ESA's finest.

Mustafa: No! Traitor! He's loose! Die, traitor!

Tasha Forbes: Doctor, look out! He stabbed him with the syringe.

Jason Whittaker: It's empty.

Donovan: What do we do?

Jason Whittaker: There's nothing that can be done.

Dr. Blackgaard: Tasha.

Tasha Forbes: Yes, Doctor, I'm here.

Dr. Blackgaard: Looks like I won't be needing that doll.

Tasha Forbes: Oh, Doctor, I'm so sorry.

Dr. Blackgaard: Not your fault. Whittaker.

Jason Whittaker: I'm right here, sir.

Dr. Blackgaard: Tell your father... I'm... sorry.

Jason Whittaker: He's dead.

Focus on the Family (Chris): Dr. Blackgaard dead? Can it really be true? And only now we learn that he may not have been such a bad guy after all. Oh, not a very pleasant way for Jason to start off his time in Odyssey, if he ever gets there. You know, I have a feeling there's a whole lot more to come in this adventure. But the only way to know for sure is keep listening.

Meanwhile, what do you think will happen to Jason? Write and tell me about it, okay? Send your card or letter to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called "A Name, Not a Number."

Adventures in Odyssey's a presentation of Focus on the Family. "A Name, Not a Number" was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold. Music by John Campbell, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.