Adventures in Odyssey

Focus on the Family: 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.

Jason Whittaker: I hope you enjoy today's program.

Tasha: Last time on Adventures in Odyssey...

Donovan: You think the agency's deputy director would have better things to do than play games?

Mustafa: Life can't be all paperwork, one one-three one.

Tasha: Oh, I guess I can't call you that anymore, can I?

Mustafa: Now I'm a name, not a number.

Donovan: Hey, hey, a name that's moving to Odyssey.

Mustafa: It must be a very special place to take away my best event analyst.

Tasha: It is a special place. Nice and quiet.

Mustafa: European Security. European weapons.

Tasha: Red Scorpion believes itself to be the instrument that will usher in a new world.

Mustafa: Blah, blah, blah. We've heard it all before.

Tasha: Ruku is a virus that attacks the body's central nervous system.

Mustafa: Delightful. Blink of an eye.

Tasha: Wait a minute. Cotes.

Donovan: Bingo.

Tasha: Time to go get the cabbie.

Mustafa: You aren't going anywhere.

Jason Whittaker: Don't tell me. Mustafa?

Mustafa: Who are you?

Jason Whittaker: The name is Bond. James Bond.

Mustafa: Die, traitor! Die!

Tasha: He stabbed him with the syringe!

Donovan: What do we do?

Mustafa: There's nothing that can be done. He's dead.

Focus on the Family: If your kids love Adventures in Odyssey, they'll love the Young Whit book series. Each book has a mysterious adventure of a young John Avery Whittaker. That's five incredible mysteries for kids 10 years and older. Learn more at YoungWhit.com. That's YoungWhit.com.

Donovan: Well, that's it then. Mustafa's in custody. Abdul and some of the others got away, but they couldn't get too far.

Tasha: Who's taking care of Dr. Blackgard?

Donovan: European Security will handle him and contact the next of kin.

Jason Whittaker: It's hard to believe he was an ES agent. He just didn't seem the type.

Dr. Blackgard: That's what made him a good one.

Tasha: If only I'd been a little faster.

Dr. Blackgard: Oh, it's not your fault. Blackgard knew the risks.

Jason Whittaker: He didn't die in vain, Tasha. He helped prevent Red Scorpion from infecting the world with a deadly virus.

Tasha: That's just it. He didn't.

Jason Whittaker: What do you mean?

Tasha: I mean the world was never in any danger from that virus.

Jason Whittaker: What are you talking about?

Dr. Blackgard: She's talking about TA418.

Jason Whittaker: Okay, I'm a little confused here. How does TA418 fit into all this?

Tasha: When I ran tests on the virus, I discovered that Ruku is extremely unstable. It can only live inside the vacuum-sealed containers Red Scorpion hijacked. If it's exposed to even the slightest amount of air, it dies instantly. In fact, the only way to get the virus is to have it injected directly into your system.

Jason Whittaker: But Red Scorpion was going to dump it into Geneva's water supply.

Tasha: That's because they thought it was deadly as it was. But without TA418, they could dump it in the water supply until doomsday and it wouldn't hurt a fly.

Jason Whittaker: So what is TA418?

Dr. Blackgard: According to our records, it's a synthetic compound that attaches itself to the virus's DNA and causes it to adapt to air, dirt, water, anything.

Jason Whittaker: So it becomes deadly on a wide scale. Well, it's a good thing they didn't find out about it.

Tasha: Even if they had, it wouldn't have made a difference. What the records don't show is that no complete formula for TA418 exists.

Jason Whittaker: How do you know?

Tasha: Because the T in TA418 stands for Tasha.

Donovan: You created it?

Tasha: I was one of the creators, yes. Hans Tessler worked on the project with us. We started to suspect him, so we destroyed parts of the formula in case he tried to steal it.

Donovan: I don't appreciate being kept in the dark about this, Tasha.

Tasha: I know that, sir, and I'm sorry. I was preparing a full report when I got word that my cover was blown. Dr. Blackgard must have been the one who tipped me off.

Jason Whittaker: Yes, but we still don't know how Red Scorpion found out who you were.

Donovan: We obviously had a leak somewhere, and I'm going to find out who it is. Jason, thanks for all your help. Tasha, I still want that report. Have it on my desk by tomorrow morning.

Tasha: Yes, sir. Not real big on praise, is he?

Jason Whittaker: Or goodbyes. For what it's worth, though, I think you did a good job.

Tasha: Thanks.

Jason Whittaker: You all right?

Tasha: I'm just tired. I've been on this operation a long time.

Jason Whittaker: Maybe you need a vacation. I know a wonderful spot.

Tasha: Let me guess. Odyssey.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, you are a good agent. But you really should try it. You might like life at a slower pace.

Tasha: Doubtful. But I might take you up on the offer sometime.

Jason Whittaker: It's always open.

Tasha: I know. Take care of yourself, Jason.

Jason Whittaker: Goodbye, Tasha.

Jason Whittaker: Hello?

Eugene: Tom, come in!

Jason Whittaker: Welcome home, stranger. Hey, I understand congratulations are in order, Mr. Mayor.

Eugene: Well, yeah. I, I think it kind of took us all by surprise. But now what's this about you staying here instead of at your dad's house?

Jason Whittaker: Well, I, I thought it would be for the best. It will give me a chance to soak in the atmosphere around here. Jack left yesterday to finalize his move to Odyssey. When he gets back, we'll move him into the house.

Eugene: Pardon me, gentlemen.

Jason Whittaker: What is it, Eugene?

Eugene: I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a group of constituents downstairs who would like to speak with Mayor Riley.

Jason Whittaker: Ah, the demands of public office.

Eugene: Well, I guess I better get down there. I'll, I'll see you around, Jason.

Jason Whittaker: Okay, I'll be here.

Eugene: Bye, Eugene. Farewell, Mr. Mayor.

Jason Whittaker: Was there something else, Eugene?

Eugene: Well, actually, yes. I've hesitated bringing it to your attention because I know how overloaded you must be trying to become acclimated to our fair shop, and I didn't want to cause added pressure by putting yet one more item on the stack as it were.

Jason Whittaker: What is it, Eugene?

Eugene: There is a great deal of unopened mail in the office. I've sorted through it and much of it will keep, but there is one item I felt I should bring to your attention. This package. It came special delivery from Switzerland.

Jason Whittaker: Switzerland. Let me see.

Eugene: It's addressed to your father.

Jason Whittaker: Tasha's handwriting.

Eugene: Beg pardon?

Jason Whittaker: Nothing. Thank you, Eugene. You were absolutely right to bring this to my attention.

Eugene: You're welcome. Are you searching for something?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, a phone jack. I need to plug in my phone.

Eugene: Oh, I don't believe this room has one. However, there is a phone down the hall in the office.

Jason Whittaker: Well, I, I like my phone better. I know that sounds strange, but, you know, it fits my ear and it's, well, nicer, and it's, it's, it's ringing. Yeah, it's also kind of quirky. It does that sometimes.

Eugene: Well, perhaps it has an electrical short or some cross wires. I could examine it for you.

Jason Whittaker: No, no, no, all I have to do is lift up the receiver and it stops. There. See?

Eugene: Uh-huh.

Jason Whittaker: Listen, Eugene, I, I probably should see what's inside this package and I think I'd be best if I did it alone.

Eugene: Oh, yes, of course. Then I shall see if I cannot busy myself elsewhere.

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, there you go. Thanks. Could you close the door?

Eugene: Oh, certainly.

Jason Whittaker: Donovan?

Tasha: Guess again.

Jason Whittaker: Tasha? What a surprise.

Tasha: I decided I'd take you up on your offer.

Jason Whittaker: Really? Where are you?

Tasha: Look out your window.

Jason Whittaker: I'll be right down.

Tasha: Hello there, or should I say, Howdy?

Jason Whittaker: Either way.

Tasha: I remembered what you said about a vacation and the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like a good idea.

Jason Whittaker: Really? So then your visit has nothing to do with this package?

Tasha: Put it back in your coat, Jason, now, please.

Jason Whittaker: Okay. From your reaction, I'd say I have something pretty special here. Like maybe the complete formula for TA418?

Tasha: Can we take a walk?

Jason Whittaker: Sure, as long as we stay out in the open.

Tasha: Jason! You think I'd do something to you?

Jason Whittaker: I don't know what to think, Tasha. After you. So, is it the formula?

Tasha: Yes.

Jason Whittaker: Where did you get it?

Tasha: As I was going through Tessler's documentation on the Ruku virus, I noticed certain things didn't seem right. An extra chemical symbol, an out-of-place mathematical configuration. At first, I thought they were just typos, but when I put them all together, it was a complete formula. Tessler had gotten it somehow and hidden it within the documentation.

Jason Whittaker: Clever. Why didn't you tell Donovan this?

Tasha: Because I didn't know who blew my cover in Switzerland. I couldn't trust anyone, not even Donovan. So when I closed down the operation, I had Molly mail it to the only person I was certain I could trust.

Jason Whittaker: My father. Why him?

Tasha: Remember I told you the T in TA418 stands for Tasha?

Jason Whittaker: Yes.

Tasha: Well, the A stands for Avery.

Jason Whittaker: What?

Tasha: Yeah, John Avery Whittaker. Several years ago, your father created an incredibly powerful computer program called Applesauce. It provided breakthroughs I never could have reached on my own. And Whit helped in other ways as well. I found him to be a kind and trustworthy man.

Jason Whittaker: Unfortunately, he isn't here.

Tasha: I didn't know that when Molly sent the formula.

Jason Whittaker: So the problem remains. What do we do with it?

Tasha: Is there a secure place for it in your father's shop?

Jason Whittaker: Um, yes. Yes, there is a safe in the office. We can put it there for the time being.

Tasha: Good. And then, since I'm here, maybe you can show me around this little town of yours?

Jason Whittaker: I think I could manage that. All right, all right, I'm coming, I'm coming. Tasha?

Donovan: Tasha! Then she is there!

Jason Whittaker: Donovan!

Donovan: Yes, it's me. I've been trying to reach Tasha all week. I only thought of calling you this morning.

Jason Whittaker: You mean she didn't tell you she was coming here?

Donovan: No, she didn't, and she's turned her phone off as well. I have some very important news for her.

Jason Whittaker: What is it?

Donovan: Mustafa's escaped.

Jason Whittaker: What? When?

Donovan: Five days ago. We believe there's a strong possibility he's coming after Tasha.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, great. Where is she now?

Jason Whittaker: At her hotel. I just left her. Hold on, Donovan. What is it, Eugene?

Eugene: There's a call for you in the office. It's your friend, Tasha.

Jason Whittaker: Oh, thanks. I'll be right there. Donovan, Tasha's on the other phone. I'll pass the info on to her.

Donovan: Good, then have her call me immediately.

Jason Whittaker: Right. Hello, Tasha?

Mustafa: Jason.

Jason Whittaker: Listen, I'm glad you called. I have some things I need to tell you.

Mustafa: No, I have some things I need to tell you, Jason Whittaker.

Jason Whittaker: Mustafa!

Mustafa: I decided to contact you personally this time. That way, Tasha can't use her lovely eyes to send you another message.

Jason Whittaker: If you harm one hair on her head,

Mustafa: I will do much more than that if you do not listen.

Jason Whittaker: All right, I'm listening.

Mustafa: I want the formula.

Jason Whittaker: The formula?

Mustafa: Yes, I know about it. But if you want to see Miss Forbes again, you will bring it to the gazebo in the park at midnight. Come alone, no tricks, no police, or she dies. Wonderful. Wait a minute. Messages. All right, think, Jason, think. Call Donovan.

Donovan: Mustafa knows?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, sir. I guess the leak is much bigger than you thought.

Donovan: Well, even if he does, it won't do him any good.

Jason Whittaker: I'm afraid that's no longer true. A complete copy of the formula does exist.

Donovan: What?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, sir. Tasha discovered it encoded in Tessler's documentation on the Ruku virus. She deciphered it using Code Breaker Two.

Donovan: Code Breaker Two?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, sir.

Donovan: Well, it was a very irresponsible thing for her to do.

Jason Whittaker: I agree, sir. I'm supposed to bring the formula to the gazebo in the park at midnight if I want to see Tasha alive again. I'd like permission to set a trap, bring a fake formula to the park instead. Mustafa won't know the difference.

Donovan: Permission denied. You stay put.

Jason Whittaker: But what about Tasha?

Donovan: She knew the risks.

Jason Whittaker: Donovan!

Donovan: Enough! I'm sending an agent over there. His code sign will be Delta 24. When he arrives, you will give him the formula. Until then, you will stay put and take no action. Do you understand?

Jason Whittaker: Is that an order, sir?

Donovan: Yes.

Jason Whittaker: I see. Well, it's too bad I don't work for you anymore.

Donovan: Jason! Jason!

Jason Whittaker: Okay, midnight. It gives me five hours. I got a lot of work to do. You better pull this one off, Jason, or we're all in deep trouble.

Focus on the Family: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Jason Whittaker: Mustafa?

Mustafa: Turn around. Slowly. Good. Right on time.

Jason Whittaker: Where's Tasha?

Mustafa: Abdul.

Jason Whittaker: Tasha, are you all right?

Tasha: I'm a little banged up, but otherwise, yeah.

Jason Whittaker: All right, Mustafa, here's the formula. Let her go.

Mustafa: Do you think I am a fool? Do you think I don't know that you could write down anything and call it the formula, and I would never know the difference? I made that mistake before, I'll not do it again.

Jason Whittaker: Don't you trust me, Mustafa?

Mustafa: As much as you trust me.

Jason Whittaker: Then it seems we're at an impasse.

Mustafa: Oh no, there is no impasse. You will tell me where the real formula is, or Miss Forbes will die.

Tasha: Don't do it, Jason!

Mustafa: Silence her! Well? Abdul!

Jason Whittaker: No, wait!

Mustafa: Where is the real formula?

Jason Whittaker: It's in the safe at Whit's End.

Tasha: Jason, no!

Jason Whittaker: I'm sorry, Tasha. I care too much about you to let them hurt you.

Mustafa: Ah, true love. Give me the combination.

Jason Whittaker: It won't do you any good. It has a special lock. The keypad scans my fingerprints as I punch in the numbers. The numbers trigger a voice-activated safeguard. Only I can open it.

Mustafa: Abdul, get the car. You will follow us to this Whit's End. Keep the engine running. I will take the girl inside and get the formula.

Abdul: Yes, Mustafa.

Jason Whittaker: So you've decided to trust me after all?

Mustafa: It would appear I have no choice. But keep in mind that if it is a trap, Tasha will be the first to pay the price. Now move!

Mustafa: Open the safe!

Jason Whittaker: Let Tasha go first.

Mustafa: Of course, I can still shoot her from across the room. Now enough stalling. Open the safe!

Jason Whittaker: All right, but you'd better look behind you first.

Mustafa: You expect me to fall for such a childish maneuver?

Filby: You should fall for it, Mustafa!

Mustafa: Filby!

Filby: Drop the gun! Drop it! Now put your hands behind your back!

Jason Whittaker: So, I take it you're the agent Donovan sent?

Filby: Yes. Code sign Delta 24.

Tasha: You called Donovan?

Jason Whittaker: I had to.

Tasha: But we still can't be sure he can be trusted!

Filby: It's out of your hands now. You'd better give me the formula.

Tasha: Please, Jason, don't do it!

Jason Whittaker: Tasha, this has gone on long enough. Now, let's see. You know, I can't say I'm going to miss all this. Although I do like the challenge of figuring out the codes. Like the one you blinked on the videotape, Tasha. That was a good one, wasn't it, Filby?

Filby: Yes, brilliant.

Tasha: Thanks a lot.

Jason Whittaker: Well, we were pretty brilliant ourselves, you know. Filby and I were the only ones to figure out what you were doing. Isn't that right, Filby?

Filby: Yes, right, the only ones. Could you hurry it along a bit?

Jason Whittaker: Oh, sure, sure. Yeah, we were the only ones, which is why it's awfully strange that Mustafa knew about it.

Tasha: What?

Jason Whittaker: Yeah, when he called me after he'd taken your prisoner, he said he decided to contact me personally this time because...

Tasha: That way I couldn't use my eyes to send you another message.

Filby: Stay where you are!

Tasha: It was you! You're the one who blew my cover!

Filby: And arranged for Mustafa to escape from prison. Yes, Filby removed these handcuffs. He also had our phones bugged, so he heard me tell Donovan that you deciphered the complete formula.

Mustafa: Filby, the cuffs!

Tasha: But how did you know I sent the formula here?

Filby: Molly told them.

Tasha: What?

Filby: Oh, she tried not to, but once we persuaded her to talk, she told us about the package she'd sent for you when you closed down the operation.

Tasha: Poor girl.

Filby: You know, I really have to hand it to you, Whittaker. You really are quite good. You figured it all out, except for one small item.

Mustafa: Filby, remove these handcuffs!

Filby: No, I don't think so.

Mustafa: What?!

Filby: You're the small item, Mustafa.

Mustafa: You traitorous dog! You would betray me?!

Filby: Oh, please, not that again. Whittaker, take these and handcuff Tasha to the desk, then put the other pair on yourself.

Tasha: You and Dr. Blackgard were working together?!

Filby: Blackgard, that pompous oaf! How he ever got to be an ES agent is beyond reason, he knew nothing.

Tasha: Well, then, if you're not working for Red Scorpion, who are you working for?

Filby: An up-and-coming organization called Filby Enterprises. He's working for himself.

Jason Whittaker: Nothing but a dirty little turncoat.

Filby: Open the safe!

Jason Whittaker: Okay, if that's what you want.

Safe Voice: Voice recognition required.

Jason Whittaker: Computer, this is Jason Whittaker. Open now!

Filby: What is that? Stop it! Stop it!

Jason Whittaker: Tasha, get down!

Filby: Where are you? What is that? Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Where are you?

Jason Whittaker: Filby!

Jason Whittaker: Computer, end program. Sorry about the vase, Dad.

Tasha: I hope you planned all that.

Jason Whittaker: There's a computer room behind that bookcase. It controls just about everything in the building.

Tasha: Good, because otherwise you have some serious electrical problems in this place. You got the keys for these handcuffs?

Jason Whittaker: I'm looking. Filby's got to have them here somewhere.

Tasha: A turncoat and a terrorist, huh? Not bad for a night's work. Looks like it's over for Red Scorpion, Mustafa!

Mustafa: No! Red Scorpion will never die! Never!

Jason Whittaker: I don't believe this.

Tasha: He's crazy, we're on the second floor!

Jason Whittaker: Crazy or not, he made it! He's limping to the car!

Tasha: Go after him!

Jason Whittaker: I'm still handcuffed!

Tasha: He's getting away!

Jason Whittaker: The police, they'll put an APB out on him!

Tasha: This guy has more lives than a cat.

Jason Whittaker: Hello? Yes, two men just tried to rob Whit's End. They're in a brown two-door sedan. They're armed and extremely dangerous.

Mustafa: Faster, Abdul! What are you doing?

Abdul: Stopping.

Mustafa: What? You idiot, keep going! We have to get out of here!

Abdul: No, Mustafa.

Mustafa: I am your leader! I order you to keep going!

Abdul: No, Mustafa.

Mustafa: Why are you doing this? Why?!

Dr. Blackgard: Because I told him to.

Mustafa: Blackgard?!

Dr. Blackgard: How nice of you to remember.

Mustafa: It's just not possible! You were dead! I gave you the shot myself!

Dr. Blackgard: Do you think I'd allow you to come near me with the real Ruku virus? No. Abdul here filled the syringe with a vitamin complex. Actually, once I got out of the morgue, I never felt better in my life.

Mustafa: Then, then you are not working with European Security?

Dr. Blackgard: Oh, yes, I am. Or was. Now they think I'm dead.

Mustafa: Then, then we can still work together! There is a synthetic compound called TA418. It makes the Ruku virus unstoppable! The revolution can still succeed!

Dr. Blackgard: Mustafa, Mustafa. I know about TA418. I've always known. Do you think I ever cared about your petty revolution or your mosquito of a group? There is so much more going on here than you can possibly understand or even imagine. But you have fulfilled your purpose. For that, I thank you. Of course, you also stabbed me with a needle. And for that, make it look like an accident, Abdul.

Mustafa: No! No, wait! I can help you!

Dr. Blackgard: Oh, I'm sure you think you can. But I really can't afford to have any loose ends flying about. Goodbye, Mustafa.

Mustafa: No! No!

Dr. Blackgard: My, but it's good to be back again.

Jason Whittaker: So it was definitely Mustafa?

Donovan: Apparently as they were trying to get away last night, their car hit a patch of ice on a bridge. Abdul lost control and the car crashed through the railing and sank in the water below. By the way, Jason, it's good to know you still remember your signals. Code Breaker Two came in very handy. Let me know the phone line was bugged and you had a plan to catch who was doing it.

Jason Whittaker: Speaking of which, I put the special phone in your car.

Donovan: I see. You're sure you don't want to hang on to it?

Jason Whittaker: Yes.

Tasha: Jason, you were born to do this work. How can you give it up to dish out ice cream?

Jason Whittaker: Because my father asked me to.

Tasha: Well, I guess I can't argue with that.

Donovan: Well, thanks for all your help. Tasha, I still haven't got your report. I want to see it on my desk by tomorrow morning.

Tasha: Yes, sir.

Donovan: And, uh, Jason?

Jason Whittaker: Yes, sir?

Donovan: Have a good life.

Jason Whittaker: Goodbye.

Tasha: The miracles never cease. He actually said thank you and goodbye.

Jason Whittaker: Yeah. Well, I guess this is goodbye for us too.

Tasha: Yeah. I, I have something for you. Don't open it until I leave.

Jason Whittaker: Okay.

Tasha: Goodbye, Jason.

Jason Whittaker: Bye. Morse code. I... L... O... V... E... Y... O... U. I love you too, Tasha.

Focus on the Family: In Psalm 2, verse 1, King David wrote, "Why do the nations conspire and the people's plot in vain?" Considering what's happened in the past couple of Adventures, this is an appropriate question for us to ask as well. Now that we know that Dr. Blackgard is really alive and up to no good, we can only hope that Jason and the gang will be on their guard for him. I don't know about you, but I'm going to keep listening. Meanwhile, what do you think Dr. Blackgard's plans are? 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 is a presentation of Focus on the Family. A Name, Not a Number, was written and directed by Phil Lawler. Our production engineers were Bob Latrell and Dave Arnold. Music by John Campbell. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.