*Part 37: Project Codename: Time Machine

Optimus was impressed with the way Jake handled himself. When he started talking, the Animorphs listened. Ax was right away working hard with Rhinox to figure out a way to get the small disk to work with the Axalon's systems.

It took less than an hour for them to get it working, but to everyone in the room it felt like an eternity. This could finally be the answer to what the Yeerks had done to the machine and what their goals were. The Animorphs were probably more on edge about it than the Maximals however.

Prince Jake! Ax exclaimed. We have done it. We are opening the files now.

The Animorphs and remaining Maximals rushed over to the screen so they could see what would come up. The first words on the screen were in large print:

Project Codename: Time Machine

"So it wasn't a time machine after all," Air Razor commented.

"Yeah," replied Jake, "but what is it really?"

"Whatever it is, man," Marco said, "it can't be good. Visser Three wants it back bad."

The Animorphs all leaned in to examine the files as they popped up. However, most of the files were in an alien language that they couldn't read. It would be up to Ax to fill them in on what it all meant.

There were text files and there were schematics. Most didn't get much of a reaction out of Ax until he saw something in particular.

Prince Jake, Ax said.

All at once, Jake and the others were nervous. The tone Ax had taken on was not at all good. It was full of concern, shock and maybe, just maybe, a trace of fear.

"I'm afraid to ask already," Jake said. He took a deep breath to brace himself and asked, "What is it?"

Ax hesitated before he said, I do not know how…but the Yeerks have found a way to Kendrona with the Energon crystal.

Jake's jaw dropped open in extreme shock, Cassie gasped and Marco shouted, "No way, Ax-man!"

"What…." Cassie said, really shaken up. "What does it mean, Ax?"

The Maximals said nothing; they assumed eventually that the Animorphs would fill them in on what this all meant.

Jake, Marco, Rachel, Cassie and Tobias had an idea what this all meant, but they needed to hear Ax say it.

In essence, Ax explained, the Yeerks have created a…portable Kendrona.

The Animorphs all reeled in disbelief, and Optimus got the idea that this was nowhere near a good thing.

"That's why Visser Three wants it back so badly," Rachel said.

"Would you guys mind telling us what dis all means?" Rattrap asked.

Jake took another deep breath to calm himself down. His mind was spinning at the idea.

"Yeerks need to go to a special Pool every three days to soak up Kendrona rays," he explained. "If they don't, then they die."

"That's what happened to that alien over there, right?" asked Cheetor.

Jake nodded before he continued. "I guess the Yeerks have found a way to fuse Kendrona with those…Energon crystals. I think what they've done is create a portable device. Then they wouldn't have to go the Pools. They'd have something right there with them."

"But…how would it work?" Cassie asked. "The Yeerks have to come out of the head. And if they do that away from the Pool than the involuntary hosts can't be locked up. They would run away."

I believe that it would work like a human scanning device, Ax theorized.

You mean like an x-ray or MRI, Tobias said.

Yes, Ax said. It appears that it would send a beam through the ear of the host directly to the Yeerk. If they gather more of these Energon crystals, get the machine back and recreate the accident…

Ax let the statement hang in the air. It was too much for even him to finish. If that were to happen the Yeerks would be practically unstoppable. They were able to cripple the Yeerks by destroying Kendrona and Pools, but with portable devices…what hope would they have? Elfangor's sacrifice would have been in vain by that point.

"That can not be permitted to happen," Tigatron said after a moment of silence.

"I couldn't agree more," Optimus replied. "What do you say, Jake?"

"I think it's time we came up with a plan," Jake replied.

"Let's do it!" Rachel and Cheetor exclaimed simultaneously.

They were on either side of Marco who whipped his head back and forth between the two.

"Good Lord!" he exclaimed. "She's everywhere!"