- Ricky tries to impress a student reporter by hacking into a secret military computer site, but the FBI closes in after the material ends up in the school newspaper. The boys decide their only way out is to hitch a ride on a tramp steamer.
- Ricky's expertise in computers attracts the attention of Arnold Jackson, school reporter at P.S. 98 in New York City. Ricky impresses Arnold by hacking into a military computer system, but when Arnold publishes their discoveries in the school paper it attracts the attention of the FBI.—Attmay
- Ricky and Edward return from a fishing trip when Kate tells Ricky that a reporter wants to interview him about computers. Kate says that the reporter heard about Ricky being named Mr. Software at a weekend computer camp. The reporter turns out to be Arnold Jackson from The P.S. 89 Weekly Woodpecker. Ricky takes Arnold into the library to show him his dad's computer.
Arnold asks Ricky why he got into computers, and Ricky says that computers are the wave of the future - people are already playing video games on them, and someday nearly everything will be computerized. Arnold says that's nice, but wants a bigger story, otherwise his editor will kill it. Ricky mentions something called "visiting," where he connects to a remote computer. He demonstrates the technique by connecting to a machine at the Rutledge Institute of Technology. He enters a few queries on the computer and learns that a company called Trans-Allied Industries has requested heat resistance profiles for a metal alloy, which is being used for rivets on military equipment. When he tries to get more information, however, he discovers that anything further has restricted access.
Ricky says he's going to try to get in, as he's been experimenting with a codebreaking algorithm. As Arnold watches, Ricky manages to gain access to information on the Starlight 2000, a top secret military plane. The computer displays a drawing of the plane. Arnold snaps a picture of the screen and Ricky, calling his story "the greatest story ever."
The next day, Arnold shows Ricky the story in the school paper. Ricky reads it and compliments Arnold, then discovers that Arnold not only mentioned his name, but also included a picture of the plane. Worried, Ricky tells Arnold he shouldn't have done what he did, as they can get into big trouble. Arnold tries to downplay the incident, saying it's only a sixth-grade newspaper, but just then the FBI knocks on the door.
Ricky and Arnold hide as Edward comes downstairs to answer the door. Two FBI agents, Agents McConnell and Ferguson, tell Edward about Arnold's story, saying that he published information that foreign intelligence agencies had been trying to obtain. Ferguson says that the kids' actions could lead to a charge of treason and possibly the death penalty.
The boys decide to run away to avoid the FBI, but are stumped as to where they can go until Ricky suggests hitching a ride on a tramp steamer -- a ship that has no home port. Making their way to the docks, they hide in a crate of cheese on the Gnarly Dog, but are discovered by a crewman. The crewman reports them to the captain, Captain Stark. Stark questions the boys, then welcomes them aboard, but warns them that they'll be working hard. He has them polish a railing, then asks what they're running from, since he says boys their age are usually running from something.
Stark tells Ricky and Arnold that 40 years ago, he signed on as a cabin boy himself. He says sometimes he thinks of those he left behind, and that he can still hear their voices. Ricky asks Stark if he ever saw his family again. Stark says no, but his family is now the rest of the crew on the Gnarly Dog. He adds that once you start running, it's hard to stop, and once a man leaves, he never returns. He goes inside for a bit, and the boys decide to return home. After they leave, Captain Stark comes out with a knowing smirk on his face.
Back at the Stratton mansion, Kate shows Edward a note that Ricky left in the mailbox saying he left because he didn't want his dad getting in trouble for his mistake. Agent Ferguson says the FBI will find them, but just then the boys show up. Ricky tells the agents he didn't mean to give away military information. Ferguson tries to lecture them, but Edward sharply rebukes him, saying they've already scared the kids enough.
Edward tells Arnold that the agents confiscated all the copies of The Weekly Woodpecker, which Arnold accepts. He tells Ricky that all the agents want is what he used to break their code so they can ensure what happened doesn't happen again. Ricky agrees, and McConnell says they'll send the computer experts over tomorrow. After the agents leave, Edward reassures Ricky that he can always come to him if he's ever in any kind of trouble, no matter how serious. Kate offers to drive Arnold home. Edward reminds Arnold not to forget his camera. Ricky asks his dad if he can take a picture of him and Arnold for his scrapbook. The boys smile, but when Edward tells them to say "cheese," their faces fall.
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