NODE 734 — TERMINAL RELAY

{
  "type": "scytale",
  "ciphertext": "A_ESSRNA__IINPPSC_OOTOELEOMTITTAHTILCIICEHCCS",
  "rod_diameter": 9,
  "num_rows": 5,
  "note": "Arrange the ciphertext into rows of `rod_diameter`, then read across each row left-to-right.",
  "hint": "Scytale transposition with rod diameter 9. The padded length is a multiple of the rod diameter. Underscores represent spaces.",
  "answer_format": "lowercase decoded message, no spaces"
}