The Script of Evil

37 - The code and the task team

Kadin and Billy excitedly look at each other when Michael re-enters the sitting room. They all waited anxiously while he was gone. Michael stops as if a better idea has just dawned upon him.

"Wait people; let's rather go to the dining room. There is a big, round table where we all can sit down and look at the code together."

Impatiently Kadin jumps up and follows Michael closely. Billy follows and they sit down on either side of Michael. Michael puts the page with the deciphered code on the table in front of him and immediately two heads bow over the page. Rene and Jack peep over their shoulders. At last, they are going to see what it's all about after all the drama they have encountered.

"So, the code is written in Afrikaans," Jack says.

Michael confirms. "Yes, the enemy wouldn't decipher the code by themselves if they found it, because they don't know Afrikaans. I think that's why the professor chose to write it in Afrikaans. Let me quickly translate it for you:

'TWELVE FORTY PM. FOUR FEB BOEING

HERCULES L HUNDRED NINETY DEGREES

FROM RIGHT FROM NORTH 10 MIL

LONG HUNDRED HIGH LAND FIVE MIN

LATER WEAPON READY DEVIL

TAKES MY KNOWLEDGE THEN IRREVERSIBLE

COME SOON PINE TREES IN FRONT

SMALLHOLDING BIG HOUSE'"

After the translation, they frown at one another and then look at Michael to explain. Jack is the first.

"Do you know what this means, Michael?"

Michael smiles. "Oh yes, it is quite easy. That man who Billy saw being assaulted has one or other contact for who he wanted to leave the position where they are keeping him. But, they caught him out unluckily and Billy ran away with the code. His capturers want to force him to work with them to manufacture one or other deadly weapon that will render them unstoppable to do something. The same devil that he warns against on the first page of the booklet to not look into his eyes, is going in one way or the other to take his knowledge without him being able to stop it and he is desperate that his contact should come and save him from his captivity."

Kadin is impatient. "Yes, Michael, we know all that. But what is the meaning of the rest? How does he indicate his position to the contact in this code?"

Michael is baffled. "Oh, you already know this, but I don't understand how because you have just seen it for the first time."

Kadin looks at Jack who clandestinely shows her with a pull of his face: don't talk about the task team.

Kadin quickly rectifies her blunder. "I dealt your theory with them, Michael, you said last time something like this and this confirms your theory. But please explain how he gives his position through the code."

Michael still looks a little suspicious but for now, he leaves it. "I already worked it out with Google Maps."

They are all surprised and Kadin shouts excitedly: "What Michael! Do you know where the professor is kept? Show us!"

Michael is now very suspicious. "Professor? How do you know it is a professor?"

"Man, just leave it now, where is the place and how did you work it out?"

Naughtily Michael smiles: "No, first tell me what you all are hiding from me. You know much more than you pretend to know."

Embarrassed Kadin looks at Jack who shakes his head despondently. His daughter will have to learn to keep her beautiful mouth shut. Kadin sweet-talk her dad: "He is too clever, Dad, can I tell him the truth?"