Disclaimer: See the prologue and Chapter 2.

Everyone seems to like this story. Maybe I actually did something right for once and wrote something everyone is interested in! Yeah, the other stories in the TND Saga weren't that popular...oh well! We're moving onto Chapter 3!

Chapter 3

All of the KND and TND stood in front of the time machine that Melanie, Hammie, Craig, and Faith had used to get to the past. It looked like a piece of junk. Screws were hanging out from all sides, and pieces of metal were poorly put together. It seemed to be smoking at the top, and the platform where people were supposed to stand had a hole in the middle and another at the edge. Everyone exchanged nervous glances at the sight of the machine. Hammie placed his hand on a side and slowly let it drop down back to himself. Numbuh 1 bit his lip and examined the device the best he could. He shook his head and turned to Numbuh 2.

"Can you fix this thing?" he asked. "After all, you helped make the designs for it. Well, not you, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah," Numbuh 2 agreed. "Let's see." He walked over to the contraption and bent down to get a good look at it. He turned to Hammie and frowned. "Do you have any of that advanced technology with you? I'm not sure this thing was meant to take so many trips back and forth in time."

"It wasn't," Hammie confirmed. "The design was to be something for fun. Dad never thought we'd have to use it to save the world."

"It never crossed my mind," Numbuh 2 hinted. Hammie smiled and giggled at this remark. Talking to the past form of his father sure was an adventure. He never thought it would happen. His father would always tell him of days in school, the Kids Next Door, college, everything else except time travel. His mother never said anything about it either. Being the wife of the Head of 2X4 Technology, she had some sort of knowledge of the tools. However, she would never speak of it.

"Hold on a second," Numbuh 5 interrupted. "Your father designed a time machine for fun? Screwing around in time is not a good idea!"

"We wouldn't use it to interfere with serious things," Faith defended. "It would just be a matter of maybe going back in time by a day or so to talk to our past selves. We never thought we'd have to go thirty-something years back in time!"

"So, you can't really blame us," Melanie finished. "It's not our fault the future sucks."

"Yeah, that's true," Number 3 agreed. "I'm just so impressed by all of this! Is there any way to fix it though so you can bring us all to your future at once?"

"That's impossible," Hammie corrected. "This device can only hold five people at once. It was already enough trouble trying to get the four of us here. You guys will have to split up into groups of four."

"Oh yeah," Number 2 realized, "at least one of you has to come back with a group. You guys are the only ones that know how to pilot this ship."

"Right. So, how many operatives do we have here?"

"There should be eleven of us including Lizzie."

"That's perfect! Okay, I'll start working on the repairs."

"Hold on!" Number 1 commanded. "As powerful we are as a team, we're going to need another group's help. I know that's bending the rules, but this is a serious emergency!"

"Who else are you bringing?"

"I'm calling the Numbers 6 through 10 team. They've helped us a lot in the past."

"Yeah!" Number 4 agreed. "They've gotten us out of a bunch of sticky situations in the past. Ha, bad joke. Okay, so how will that work then?"

"It's simple. When that team gets here, we'll have an even amount to bring in four separate groups. Operatives Numbuhs 2 through 5 can go with Hammie on the first trip. Numbers 2 through 5 can go with Craig since he's the second oldest. Numbers 7 through 10 can go with Faith. Finally, Numbuh 1, Number 6, Lizzie, and myself can go with Melanie. It works out perfectly!"

"Number 1, you're a genius!" Craig exclaimed. "That's a brilliant plan!"

"Thank you!" Number 1 smiled sweetly. "So I'll call them while you start."

"Agreed," Hammie replied, "but I'll need a little help. Numbuh 2, Number 5, you two are the Heads of 2X4 Technology in each of yours teams in the sector, right?" The two operatives nodded. "Then you can help me! I'll tell you where everything needs to go and how the technology works."

"All right!" Number 5 said, punching a fist into his palm. "Let's get started."

"And I'll call the rest of the team," Number 1 announced. "Numbuh 1, you should come with me. That way, everyone will know this is serious. You don't see the leader of the Kids Next Door on a giant computer screen at a Teens Next Door Base unless something weird is going on."

The two leaders walked off to the main communication room leaving Hammie, Numbuh 2, and Number 5 to fix the ship. The rest of the operatives went about to any other business they could. Lizzie stayed behind and sat on the floor watching the three mechanics go to work. She cocked her head and paid very close attention to any moves they made and whatever they did to make the machine work. She would pass them the occasional tools to get the job done. Inside her soul, she felt something of a pluck constantly pick at her mind. Her face became sad and confused. As she watched Hammie use a wrench on a side, she felt some strange instincts take over.

"Do you need any help with that?" she asked him, gently reaching out to touch him. Hammie looked at her and smiled like a small, happy baby.

"No thanks," he replied. "You can pass me that other wrench though."

"You mean this one?" Lizzie held up another one from her right side.

"Yeah, that's it." Hammie took it and started tightening a bolt with it. Lizzie watched as his nimble, crafty hands started to tighten and loosen details from all sides. Somehow, she felt proud that he was her future son. "You look like you're about to die," Hammie commented on her expression. "I know this whole ordeal is really weird, but you don't have to worry about me."

"It's just that I want to." Lizzie mumbled.

"I know," Hammie said. "Thanks, Mom."

Lizzie's cheeks lit up bright red as she turned to Numbuh 2. He just smiled and shrugged. He shook his head and brought his face to Lizzie's ear. He whispered, "He's just teasing you. I can tell he wants to call me 'Dad'."

"Damn," Number 5 muttered, "you three are making me sick. This is a family reunion from hell."

"Don't say that in front of Hammie!!" Lizzie exploded.

"Don't worry!" Hammie defended. "We've heard Father and Mother say much worse things." He laughed and returned to his work. Numbuh 2 just rolled his eyes and turned back to the machine. Lizzie frowned and sat back down in her slouching position. She crossed her arms and continued to watch.

In the main communication room, Number 1 and Numbuh 1 stood in front of the center computer and waited for the fuzzy screen to settle out. Number 1 punched in a bunch of calculations and hoped she would get an image sometime soon. She put her left hand on her hip and used her right hand to type the code to get to the Numbers 6 through 10 team. She let out a sigh and answered the computer for the password.

"Password, please,"

"Punk rocker chick—Number 1"

"Access granted,"

The computer went through a bunch of different screens before finally allowing the leaders to contact the 6 through 10 team. Number 1 smiled at the access and waited to see who would come up.

"Number 6 of Teens Next Door Sector Y reporting for duty," he announced. "Who, may I ask, is contacting my team?"

"It's Number 1," she replied. "I need you and your team to come to my base for an emergency duo mission."

"That's against the rules," Number 6 reminded her. "The only way you can gain that type of access is by going to Moon Base and asking for permission there. You need to ask Number 274 or somebody to go on a mission with another team without her call."

"Don't you think I know that?" Number 1 snapped. "This is totally serious. It's a matter of our peace here and a terrible future!"

"The line goes 'It's a matter of life and death'."

"Shut up! Stupid bastard, of course I know the line! Look, can you at least get the rest of your team to come and join you here? Then you can take a vote on whether to come with me or not."

"274 and 86 are going to kill us for this."

Number 6 left for a minute to retrieve the rest of the team. Number 1 huffed and crossed her arms stubbornly. Numbuh 1 stared up at the computer and cocked his head. He then turned to his counterpart.

"Is he always like that?" he asked.

"He's always been an evil bastard," Number 1 replied, her gaze not moving from the screen. "It's been that way since we were little, when we were all in the Kids Next Door. He's always been something of a pervert, too. He asked Moon Base specifically to have a team of just girls."

Numbuh 1 rolled his eyes and looked back up at the screen just as Number 6 got the rest of his team in front of their screen. Number 1 smiled at the rest of the girls and waved to them.

"Hello!" she greeted. "I'm sure Number 6 told you about the whole situation."

"He told us part of it," Number 9 replied. "Why do you need the rest of us to help you with a mission?"

"Yeah," Number 7 agreed. "It is against the rules. Besides, you should be able to handle it. You've got the Kids Next Door on your side in your team."

"This is bigger than all of us," Numbuh 1 explained. "We need all the help we can get. See, we got this strange visit from four kids who claim to be from the future. They came in a very strange-looking time machine to ask for our help. We know it sounds really crazy and unreal, but it's the complete truth."

"Right now Numbuh 2, Number 5, and one of those kids are repairing the time machine," Number 1 continued. "We plan on leaving as soon as possible. We need you guys to help us. The future is kind of a big deal. The four kids told us that something went wrong in the timeline which caused a chain reaction to the future."

"It sounds like an awesome anime!" Number 10 exclaimed. "You only see those types of things on TV. I say we believe her and go!"

"Or it could be a bunch of stupid kids telling a lie and setting a trap," Number 8 reminded her. "I know that sounds really cynical, but I have to vote we stay here and ignore the call."

"I say we're in for some action," Number 7 announced. "We haven't gotten a decent call within the last two weeks. I say we go."

"I'm the leader," Number 6 began, "and I command that we stay."

"Number 9?" Number 1 asked. "It's up to you."

Melanie came up behind the leaders and watched the whole conversation. "What's going on?" she asked. The counterparts turned and welcomed her into the conversation. Melanie could convince them that this was for real!

"This is Melanie," Numbuh 1 introduced. "She claims to be my future daughter. She says that she and her friends need help."

"We do!" Melanie exploded. "Please come and help us!"

Number 9 shuffled in her spot and scratched her chin. She observed Melanie and took a few looks to Numbuh 1 to compare them. "She does look a lot like him," she agreed. "Well, considering the cry for help from this girl, and considering the fact that she's totally adorable, I have to say that we go for it!"

"YES!!!" Number 1, Numbuh 1, and Melanie shouted together. They all turned to each other and exchanged high-fives. After their mini celebration was over, they turned back to the computer.

"I can't thank you enough!" Melanie cheered. "You don't know how much you just saved us all!"

"She's so damn cute!" Number 6 confessed, seeing the happiness in Melanie's eyes. "Why the hell did I vote to stay?"

"Because you're an evil bastard. Over and out!" Number 1 pressed the escape button and shut off the link between all of them. She smiled big and gave a thumbs-up to her friends. "Come on. Maybe Hammie and the others are almost done with the ship."

"I hope so," Melanie said. "I really need you guys to help me and my future."

Another hour later, the Teens Next Door Operatives Numbers 6 through 10 had made it to the tree house and met the other three kids of the future. They lounged along with everyone else as the three technicians worked on the time machine. Hammie placed the final screw in place before turning to everyone.

"I think that's it," he told them. "I think this thing is ready to fly again."

"All right! Yes!" The teams celebrated in their own minds as they walked over to the machine. Numbuh 2 and Number 5 stood up and brushed some of the soot and junk off their clothes. Lizzie stood and evened out her skirt. Melanie, Hammie, Craig, and Faith walked in front and motioned for Number 1 to come forward.

"Okay, this is how it will work," she explained. "Hammie, you do the first run since you're the one that can test this thing the best. Sorry, but your trip will have to be the tester. You should take Numbuhs 2 through 5 with you. Can you do that?"

"No problem," Hammie replied. "I brought this remote control with me in case we'd have to do separate trips." He showed it to them after he took it from his pocket. "When we arrive there, I'll press this button. It'll send it right back to this exact spot."

"I hope this works," Numbuh 4 whined. "I wan to start my cruddy summer vacation already!"

"Relax, it'll work," Numbuh 5 reassured. "We're ready to go!"

The four of them stood inside the machine. Hammie was last in and pressed the button on the inside for the glass covering to close. Once it did, he pressed some buttons inside the machine. The device glowed for a minute and then disappeared in a split-second.

"Where did it go?" Number 2 asked. "I blinked."

"So did I," Number 3 said. "I think it's on its way to the future! Is that crazy or what?"

"It's definitely something," Number 4 agreed. With those words, the machine appeared once again in front of them.

"It must have worked!" Craig exclaimed. "Okay, Numbers 2 through 5, you're coming with me. Let's get inside now. Hurry it up!"

The TND operatives jumped in one at a time and waited for their conductor to join them. Once Craig was inside, he closed the doors and punched in the same code as Hammie did. He was able to get a wave good-bye in before his trip was off.

Once again, the remaining operatives waited for a few seconds, and the machine came back to them. Faith hopped in and motioned for Numbers 7 through 10 to come with her. "Come on! I don't have all day!" she moaned.

"Yup, she's one of Numbuh 4's," Number 7 said as she climbed in. The rest of that team followed and watched the glass close in front of them. Everyone saw Faith type in the calculations, and they were out of the time period.

Number 1, Numbuh 1, Number 6, and Lizzie waited patiently for the ship to arrive. Melanie stood right in front of where it would come back and let her arms twitch a little. She tried to shake it off and turned to her friends.

"Just letting you know now," she began, "I'm not the greatest time traveler in the world. I don't know a lot of the things that Hammie does."

"I have faith in you," Numbuh 1 told her. Melanie smiled just as the device appeared in front of her. She walked in first and turned to everyone. Nervously, they boarded it one at a time. Melanie closed the doors and input the code. She then backed up against the side, and their trip began.

In another second, the ship landed on some hard earth and ejected everyone out as if it were spitting him or her across a street. Number 1 fell into the ground with a hard smack and stuck out her tongue to get the dirt out of her mouth.

"Number 1," Number 6 began, "you might want to change your position. When you kneel like that, I can see your panties."

Number 1 jumped up and smoothed out her skirt before looking at the world. Melanie came up next to her and said a single sentence that would change everyone's thoughts on whether this was real or fantasy.

"Welcome to the future."

End of Chapter 3