*PART 36: Visser's thoughts/Coming to an Understanding

When the device had appeared, Visser Three had thought nothing of it in the beginning. But when it was examined more closely, the alien components had caught his attention very quickly. They salvaged what they could, many of the components were badly charred, and it was difficult to tell what they were supposed to have been.

Based on what was left, it was difficult to say what the device was meant to be. Scientists the Visser had summoned had no answers either, much to the Visser's disappointment. He had them working virtually around the clock to find an answer.

Then they had discovered the energon crystal. They didn't know exactly what it was since nothing like it existed on Earth that they had yet encountered. The human controllers Visser consulted said their hosts knew nothing about it and could only compare it to known mineral formations. After a round of tests, however, it was determined that the crystal was not from Earth.

Visser Three was determined to know about the crystal so he ordered extensive tests done on it. Results were to be reported to him as soon as they were available. Certain emphasis was put on "as soon as they were available" so that the scientists receiving their order knew that if the results were discovered to have been the slightest bit late, it would be their heads that went rolling.

In the present time, the Visser was trying to calculate in his head how things had gone wrong. What had happened to the machine during the fight with the Andalite bandits that had resulted in a time jump? From what host memory told him, the circumstances were almost similar to a sario rip. It clearly wasn't that though. They were still present after several hours; no one had started to disappear.

Time was running out, they needed that machine back before it was too late. Visser Three was running through a mental list of their options. Their numbers were too few to attack either side. The last thing the Visser wanted to do was go and ask the Andalite Bandits for help. Megatron was out of the question as well, he was arrogant and egotistical. In other words, his personality was too close to the Visser's.

The only thing that could be thought of was the plan the Visser had originally thought of. Wait for the Andalite Bandits to get the machine and then get it from them.

*******

Meanwhile, at the Maximal base, the Animorphs were still recovering from Rachel's stunt. It hadn't accomplished anything and two members from both sides had nearly been lost.

Optimus had listened while Jake talked to Rachel about what she had been trying to do and why. Slowly, Optimus was learning more about this young group of humans. He was seeing how much they looked out for each other.

Ax had been talking non-stop to Rhinox about technical things and Optimus didn't want to interrupt them in case they came up with something about the device.

Jake walked over to Optimus; he figured it was about time the two of them have some sort of leaders conference, or something along those lines. They needed a plan of action, and the Animorphs still needed the Maximals' help.

"I was talking to Ax," Jake started out. "About the rescue mission. Everything else was going to hell in a hand-basket, but he tells me the two groups fought well together."

Optimus understood it to be Jake's way of saying that it appeared to actually be a good thing that the two teams had joined forces.

Optimus wasn't entirely sure how to respond to that. Once he thought back on it, the Maximals and Animorphs had made a good team. He sighed; this next bit was not going to be easy.

"And I was talking to Rhinox," Optimus said. "Perhaps I was wrong to judge you so quickly. You and your friends certainly seem capable of handling themselves. When they're not being impulsive."

Jake understood what the gist of it meant. It was pretty much Optimus' way of saying that he had been wrong to butt in earlier. He was finally accepting that this young group of humans didn't need constant protection.

"That's great and all," Jake replied, "but from what I hear it would have been great if you had come to that revelation earlier. Do you know how long we've been trying to get rid of Visser Three? I know you've been told what he's trying to do."

Optimus sighed. That was the other thing he was beginning to realize, the mistake he had made in helping that strange alien.

"I think," Optimus began, "that I was, at the time, naively assuming he would react similar to Megatron. The described personality was certainly similar."

Jake smirked when he said, "That's the one thing you have to remember about ruthless megalomaniacs. They never react the way you think they will."

While Optimus and Jake were having their talk, Dinobot was doing some thinking of his own. On the way back, Tobias had been privately explaining some of the mystery behind Rachel's personality. Sure, she could be impulsive sometimes, but she had never before taken it to the extreme she had a little while ago. Tobias also revealed how much Dinobot's earlier words had cut into Rachel. He had described some of their fights and Rachel's role. She was brave and always there to protect her friends.

Dinobot walked over to Rachel, who was standing in the corner. She looked pensive, and was probably thinking about what had happened. When she saw Dinobot approach, she scowled.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I wanted to say," Dinobot began. "That perhaps I misjudged you earlier."

Rachel looked confused; this was quite a turn around from the earlier discussion.

"What are you saying?"

"I have been speaking to your comrades," Dinobot replied, "and they have told me much of your courage and honor. Perhaps you are more of a warrior than I gave you earlier credit for."

Rachel's expression softened. That meant a lot to her; secretly she had been admiring Dinobot's warrior spirit and code of honor.

"Thanks," she said. "For that and for coming to help me. You didn't have to do that."

Before Dinobot could reply Cheetor made an outburst.

"I totally forgot about something, Big Bot!" he exclaimed.

"What is it, Cheetor?" Optimus asked.

"When I was coming back here I found this," he said as he pulled out a small CD.

"One of the Controllers must have dropped it!" Cassie said.

Jake snapped into his own leader mode, similar to how Optimus had before the rescue mission.

"Ax!" Jake snapped. "I want you to work with…Rhinox about getting that CD to work. It probably has information about what the Yeerks were doing with that device!"

Yes, Prince Jake, replied Ax.

Jake sighed, but didn't bother to correct Ax that time.