46 - 3 - NSA

In spite of Marco's earlier protests, he was the one who suggested we attempt to infiltrate the National Security Agency's code-breaking computer system.

And it was Marco who suggested that we should also install a program able to crack any possible security code conceived by humans.

Needless to say, I would be the one to devise such a program. Which, in the next few moments, I did.

Now we were ready.

Tobias kept careful watch from above. Marco hung over my shoulder.

And with the aid of Cassie's cell phone and my new lime green iMac, I proceeded to reroute the Yeerk Z-space transmissions through the NSA's central computer.

"Federal prison," Marco said, "here we come."

<What's happening, Ax?>

<The NSA is trying to block my transmission. Now they are receiving my decoding program.>

A few keystrokes. A moment of tension. More waiting.

"Ax, what's going on!"

<The NSA has stopped blocking me. Now, let's see what we have here.>

<One thing, Ax-man,> Tobias called. <Uh, are you sure the program you sent these guys can't be used to decipher your own stuff? Or the Yeerks'?>

Slowly, I swung one eye stalk around and up to look at Tobias, perched on the branch of a tree.

<Okay, okay, sorry I asked.>

And then, suddenly, it happened.

This bigger, faster, more powerful machine, combined with my superior Andalite technical knowledge and skills . . .

" . . . The newly appointed Visser One, recently Visser Three, current leader of the Yeerk mission on planet Earth . . . has approved Operation 9466. Visser Two has undertaken a journey to Earth to assist in the execution of this long-anticipated military action. . . ."

"Bingo," Marco whispered.