Satellite Seven - 58-05-07 - 03 - Counterspies

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio: Satellite Seven - Episode 03 "Counterspies" Summary

Release Date: August 3, 2025

Introduction

In the third installment of Angus McVicker's thrilling adventure serial, Satellite Seven, listeners are plunged deeper into the mysterious happenings on the secluded Hebridean island of Shuna. Hosted by Jake Thompson, the episode titled "Counterspies" weaves a complex narrative of suspense, espionage, and supernatural intrigue, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio.

1. Suspicion Among the Scientists

The episode opens with Bridie and her brother Tony recounting their shipwreck ordeal on Shuna island. Stranded alongside enigmatic figures such as Fergus O' Neill, an Irish playwright, and Professor Max Walters, a stern scientist, they navigate an environment fraught with secrecy and unease.

As tensions rise, Bridie observes, “It’s how they acted yesterday. Professor Walters and Harry Carmichael and Roderick MacIntyre. They’re nervous, all on edge. I think they know that there’s a spy on Chura. Oh, no. And they’re afraid we might be as accomplices. It’s a cert, if you ask me.” [01:38]

Jake concurs, highlighting the pervasive mistrust: “That big rocket in the middle tower is peculiar enough in itself. I mean, the way everybody is suspicious about everybody else.” [01:26]

2. The Mystery of the Phantom Voices

Bridie reveals unsettling experiences with ghostly voices whispering in the dark, shared by their Granny Stewart. These eerie sounds have left the stranded trio on edge, deepening the island's mysterious atmosphere.

“At the top of the cliff the night before last… the wailing and the sobbing too. It gave us a bit of a shock, I can tell you.” [03:07]

3. Unveiling the Spy Threat

Determined to uncover the truth, Jake proposes a covert operation to identify the suspected spy: “If Professor Walters is putting up a special kind of rocket… its scientific methods might be very useful to a foreign country.” [02:00]

Bridie supports the idea, emphasizing the need for proactive investigation: “We should do a spot of spying on our own. Try to find out who the spy is.” [02:14]

4. Strained Relations and Hidden Agendas

The siblings attempt to extract information from Billy Hackett, a member of the scientific team. However, Billy remains tight-lipped, citing his limited role: “I’m only a fitter coming a garden, as you might say. I’m not in the confidence of his nibs up there, you know.” [05:07]

Their probing only heightens the sense of mistrust and secrecy surrounding the island's operations.

5. Surveillance at the Cliffside

Bridie and Tony decide to investigate the source of the mysterious voices. Hiding behind a boulder near the cliff, they observe suspicious movements:

“Can you make out who it is?” Bridie questions, noticing a shadowy figure. [07:55]

Jake theorizes, “I think it’s the spy’s hideout for sending and receiving messages.” [11:34]

6. Discovery in the Hidden Cave

Their covert surveillance leads them to a concealed tunnel and an expansive cave. Inside, they uncover a makeshift radio transmitter and a crucial piece of evidence:

“Last message, 2300 hours, August 21st. Rendezvous, small boat, McCrimmons, rock.” Bridie reads from a diary page they find beneath a table. [12:06]

This revelation points to a planned exchange or escape on the ominous date of August 21st.

7. Unraveling the Conspiracy

As they piece together the clues, Jake deduces the connection between the radio transmissions and the island's hidden secrets:

“The radio went echoing out through these openings. Magnifying the store. This must be the spy's hideout for sending and receiving messages.” [11:34]

The discovery of the diary entry intensifies the impending sense of danger, setting the stage for future confrontations and revelations.

8. A Tense Conclusion

The episode concludes with a foreboding twist as Bridie and Jake uncover what appears to be a technological device beneath a slab, hinting at deeper, possibly supernatural elements at play:

“It’s a black box, I think. But why should the spy put a clock inside it?” Bridie remarks, only for Jake to respond urgently: “A clock? Jake, run for your life.” [13:19]

This cliffhanger leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the next episode, as the true nature of the island's mysteries begins to unfold.

Conclusion

"Counterspies" masterfully blends elements of espionage and the supernatural, maintaining high tension throughout. Through its engaging dialogue and intricate plot developments, the episode invites listeners to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of Satellite Seven. As Bridie and Tony edge closer to uncovering the truth, the stage is set for even more captivating adventures in the episodes to come.

Transcript

[Jake Thompson]

The BBC presents Satellite 7, an adventure serial in eight parts by Angus McVicker. The storyteller is year old Jake Thompson. Part 3 Counter Spies.

[Bridie]

When my brother Tony and I were shipwrecked on the Hebridean island of Shuna, we found strange buildings and even stranger people. Fergus o', Neill, the Irish playwright, and his daughter Bridie. And Granny Stewart, who told us of ghostly voices whispering in the dark. Also a group of scientists under Professor Max Walters, who informed us politely but firmly that we must not leave the island. The next morning, sitting beside our stranded boat, Tony gave Brady and me his views on the situation.

[Jake Thompson]

Well, then, let's face it. There's something peculiar going on in Choona. Something very peculiar.

[Bridie]

You can say that again. You don't mean just at the station?

[Jake Thompson]

I don't mean just at the station, Bridie. That big rocket in the middle tower is peculiar enough in itself. I mean, the way everybody is suspicious about everybody else.

[Bridie]

I know it didn't used to be like this. Do you know what I think?

[Jake Thompson]

No, tell us.

[Bridie]

It's how they acted yesterday. Professor Walters and Harry Carmichael and Roderick MacIntyre. They're nervous, all on edge. I think they know that there's a spy on Chura. Oh, no. And they're afraid we might be as accomplices. It's a cert, if you ask me.

[Jake Thompson]

Yes, I agree with you, Jake.

[Bridie]

Tell me, a spy. Who could it be that. What is it a spy on?

[Jake Thompson]

It could be anyone. That's the trouble. And if Professor Walters is putting up a special kind of rocket, let's say on the 21st of the month, the date he mentioned information about its scientific methods might be very useful to a foreign country.

[Bridie]

Gracious goodness, I never thought of that. I bet it's the answer all the same.

[Jake Thompson]

And if we're to be prisoners Here until the 21st, my idea is that we should do a spot of spying on our own. Try to find out who the spy is.

[Bridie]

Yes, but have we anything to work on? Any clues? I mean, it seems to me that the voices we heard may have something to do with it.

[Jake Thompson]

Yes, and we might get more information on that point from Granny Stewart. Look, I suggest that's a job for you, Jake. You seem to be one of her favorites.

[Bridie]

Okay, then. I'll help her with the dishes after lunch. That should give us half an hour alone together, judging from how keen you and Brady are about washing up.

[Jake Thompson]

Oh, shed, that's enough from you, my precocious infant. Come on, we've got to do work in the boat. That rudder column, it needs a new washer. And a bit of grease here and there won't do it any harm.

[Bridie]

Oh, my, it's such a pleasure to do the dishes when somebody is drying them. Granny, remember what you told me three nights ago about the voices? Oh, I wasn't meaning anything. Don't be paying any heed to my blathers. We had them too, you know. What you hear. The. Yes. Tony and Bridie and I, at the top of the cliff the night before last. Oh, dear me. And the wailing and the sobbing too. The wailing and the sobbing too. It gave us a bit of a shock, I can tell you. When did it happen? What time of night? I'd say about 10 o'.

[Jake Thompson]

Clock.

[Bridie]

Yes, that was when I heard them. The sad and terrible whisperings of people in pain. Granny, where were you at the time? I mean, were you at the top of the cliff? No, my dear. I was on the shore with the cliff above me. How long did the whisperings go on? Oh, I didn't wait to hear. I hurried home to the cottage as fast as I could. I told nobody, not even Mr. O'. Neill. Granny, you warned Tony and me that we should go away, remember? I remember. Well, we can't go now, even if we wanted to. Professor Walters says we must stay here for another 10 days until the 21st of the month. The 21st? I have heard them speak of the 21st. Mr. O' Neill and Billy Hackett. Something is going to happen that day. Something strange and terrible. What is going to happen? I don't know, my dear, but they talk of it in low voices when they think I am not listening. I just don't.

[Jake Thompson]

Well, I don't go in for Scotch music as a rule, but that bagpipe stuff gives me a pain. That was different, though. Thanks for letting me hear it.

[Bridie]

Oh, yes, it's lovely to me.

[Jake Thompson]

That was my very first record I made about two years ago. I was as nervous as a kitten.

[Bridie]

You think, Billy? It'll convince me. Convince the professor in this part that Tony's a genuine article.

[Jake Thompson]

Between you and me and this here record player, I reckon they're already convinced after all those inquiries they made by radio telephone. This ought to settle it, though, I'd say. This desk, I mean. I'll take care of it though, Ms. Briley. And the professor says thanks for the lend of it.

[Bridie]

Oh, he's welcome. But has he anything to play it on?

[Jake Thompson]

Oh, he's a player of his own up there. Real posh, it is Well, I suppose I better be on my way. Oh, Billy, wait a minute. It's early yet. It's only nine o'. Clock. The professor said he'd like to try out his disk tonight, though.

[Bridie]

Oh, well, there's plenty of time. He told us he and Mr. McIntyre never go to bed until after midnight.

[Jake Thompson]

They don't? Not until a long while after. I've seen them often out on moonlight walks round the island. One o' clock in the morning. Maybe not for the good of their health. Or so they say. Billy, there's something we want to ask you. What's that? What's all the mystery? What's going on up there at the station, eh? Going on? What do you mean? Oh, it's rocket research. We know that, of course, but is there anything special in the program? Any unusual kind of experiment, for instance, on or about the 21st? Now look here, Tony. I'm only a fitter coming a garden, as you might say. I'm not in the confidence of his nibs up there, you know.

[Bridie]

But you must know something to begin with. What about that big rocket in the middle tower?

[Jake Thompson]

What about it, Jake? The rocket I helped to build, that's all.

[Bridie]

Granny Stewart says she overheard you and father talking about the 21st.

[Jake Thompson]

Maybe it's my birthday. Hey, Brian. Oh, come off it, Billy. We don't want you to give away any technical secrets, of course, but we'd like some idea of what's going on.

[Bridie]

Be a sport, Billy. What's all this security stuff in here?

[Jake Thompson]

Wait. Wait a second. I told you, I'm only a fetter. But if it was left to me now, I'd tell you everything straight. I would. I reckon you're on the level. But the eggheads, they don't trust you. Not yet. And after all, they've got the whip hand.

[Bridie]

I suppose you're right.

[Jake Thompson]

Benny, call some right, Ms. Bridie. I hope there ain't no hard feeling. Of course, no hard feeling. That's fine. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way. I think I can promise you this. When he's nibs here this record, he'll be in a good mood to tell you about everything himself.

[Bridie]

Goodbye, Billy. When Billy had gone, Tony and I told Brigitte that we were going down to the shore to inspect the boat. Actually, we intended to have a look at the big cliff from where Granny Stewart had heard the voices. We found a convenient boulder and crouched in its shadow.

[Jake Thompson]

If these voices are really important, Jake, we may be lucky enough to spot something. We Heard the whispering up yonder at the top. And Granny heard it down here.

[Bridie]

And you think the answer may be found somewhere halfway up?

[Jake Thompson]

Yeah, they seem to be coming out of the air. But I've been thinking it over. You see those cracks and fissures in the cliffs running upwards through the rock? Well, I think. What is it?

[Bridie]

Listen.

[Jake Thompson]

Somebody's coming.

[Bridie]

Can you make out who it is?

[Jake Thompson]

All I can make out is somebody moving against the shadow of the cliff. It's so dark, we'll never be able to identify him. Unless he comes closer. He stopped having a look about him. Keep still.

[Bridie]

Maybe a she, for all we know.

[Jake Thompson]

Even one of Granny Stewart's ghost.

[Bridie]

Get a grip, Tony.

[Jake Thompson]

He's moving on away from us.

[Bridie]

Tony, did you see that? He disappeared straight into the face of the cliff.

[Jake Thompson]

There's an opening there. Not a proper opening, just a kind of. A kind of split in the rock.

[Bridie]

You're right. What on earth can he be doing?

[Jake Thompson]

I have a theory.

[Bridie]

Well, what do we do in the meantime?

[Jake Thompson]

We'll stay where we are and see what happens. The main thing is not to let him suspect he's being watched. One thing, anyway. He was obviously taking precautions against being seen.

[Bridie]

Oh, is he the spy?

[Jake Thompson]

Do you think that's possible? But of course, until we know exactly what's going on at the station, we can't be sure about anything.

[Bridie]

Telling me. Except that it's getting dashed cool behind this rock.

[Jake Thompson]

Wait a minute. Listen.

[Bridie]

Golly, the voices.

[Jake Thompson]

Yeah, but not so loud as two nights ago at the top. My theory's working out, Jake.

[Bridie]

You mean you know what's causing us?

[Jake Thompson]

I think so.

[Bridie]

Why don't you tell me?

[Jake Thompson]

Well, I'd rather show you.

[Bridie]

You're hopeless. Gosh, listen to that. No wonder Granny Stewart was scared.

[Jake Thompson]

Look. Look away. Up there.

[Bridie]

What, in the coffee?

[Jake Thompson]

Yes.

[Bridie]

Yes.

[Jake Thompson]

To the left of that outcrop of rock. Like a man's head.

[Bridie]

Where? Oh, yes. By golly, it's a glimmer of light.

[Jake Thompson]

Somebody in there with a torch, I think.

[Bridie]

Looks like it. They've stopped, Tony.

[Jake Thompson]

I know. And the light's gone out, too.

[Bridie]

So it has, then, that.

[Jake Thompson]

Keep quiet now. I'd say our friend will be coming back out in a minute or two.

[Bridie]

Maybe we'll be lucky and see his face.

[Jake Thompson]

I doubt it. Not in this light. Keep your eyes skinned all the same, Jake.

[Bridie]

There he is, coming out now. He's having his usual look around.

[Jake Thompson]

If only he'd come out of that shadow so that we could see him properly.

[Bridie]

He's going back along the shore? Towards the grassy ridge.

[Jake Thompson]

Jake, isn't there something familiar about the way he walks?

[Bridie]

I don't know. I can't be too sure.

[Jake Thompson]

Anyway, he's gone now. Look, we'll wait here for another few minutes just to make certain that the coast is clear. Then we'll go in and explore that cliff.

[Bridie]

Okay.

[Jake Thompson]

And if we don't find the explanation for those voices, remind me to have my head examined.

[Bridie]

It's a good thing we both torches, Tony. The floor of this tunnel's a mass of loose stones.

[Jake Thompson]

Mind you don't twist your ankle.

[Bridie]

Don't worry. Seems to be leaning up a lot.

[Jake Thompson]

Well, what did you expect?

[Bridie]

I didn't know what to expect. You're the expert.

[Jake Thompson]

Oh, this is becoming quite a climb, eh?

[Bridie]

It's killing me.

[Jake Thompson]

Take care. Going through here. It's a bit narrow this corner.

[Bridie]

You can get through. I'll manage. That's it.

[Jake Thompson]

We seem to be on the level again.

[Bridie]

Thank goodness. The last bit was quite steep. But the tunnel's opening out too.

[Jake Thompson]

It certainly is. Into a big cave. I say. This must be it, Jake.

[Bridie]

There's a table over there. And a chair. Gosh, a radio sink.

[Jake Thompson]

I thought as much. Come on.

[Bridie]

It's not only a receiver. It's a transmitter as well.

[Jake Thompson]

I noticed. Worked off a battery. Wait a minute. There you are.

[Bridie]

Static.

[Jake Thompson]

Granny Stewart's lost soul.

[Bridie]

Well, I'm blown.

[Jake Thompson]

No message coming through at the moment.

[Bridie]

I see. I see what you mean.

[Jake Thompson]

Look. Look up there, Jake. A crack in the solid rock running up to the top of the cliff. And yonder, see to the left. That's the opening. We saw the light through. The sounds in here coming through. The radio went echoing out through these openings. Magnifying the store. Did you see? Get it?

[Bridie]

I'd never have thought of it.

[Jake Thompson]

This must be the spy's hideout for sending and receiving messages. Information about the rocket station. And what's that you've got, Jake?

[Bridie]

It's a dusty wee bit of paper. Found it lying under the table. Let's see. I think it's a page from my diary file. You know, the 10 businessmen have on the desk.

[Jake Thompson]

Let me see. Oh, yeah. Something written on it too. In block capitals. Last message, 2300 hours, August 21st. Rendezvous, small boat, McCrimmons, rock.

[Bridie]

11 o' clock at night on the 21st. That must be how he plans to make his getaway. A vessel lying offshore and a small boat coming in to take him off.

[Jake Thompson]

Looks like it.

[Bridie]

Rock. Where's that?

[Jake Thompson]

Half a mile south of where we came ashore. A big flat boulder, like a pier. I say, Dick, this page from a diary. Have you noticed the printed heading?

[Bridie]

The Irish are Provident Assurance, Old Quay, Dublin.

[Jake Thompson]

Remember last night in Mr. O' Neill's room? The pad and his desk?

[Bridie]

Yes. This might be a page from it.

[Jake Thompson]

From one exactly similar.

[Bridie]

But Mr. O' Neill and Bridie are.

[Jake Thompson]

Wait. Quiet a minute.

[Bridie]

What?

[Jake Thompson]

Over there, in the corner, beyond the table.

[Bridie]

What's on it?

[Jake Thompson]

That slab. There's something beneath it. In the hollow rock. Come on, let's see if we can lift it. Jake.

[Bridie]

Right. To me.

[Jake Thompson]

Come on. Again.

[Bridie]

It's too heavy, Tony. It won't burn. Machines like it, but I can just feel on the edge. Yeah, It's a black box, I think. But why should the spy put a clock inside it?

[Jake Thompson]

A clock? Jake, run for your life.

[Bridie]

It's a Time Lord.

[Jake Thompson]

That was part three of Angus McVicker's adventure serial Satellite 7, produced in the Scottish studios of the BBC.