Derrick jerked awake as the law of proximity alarm began to wail, `` Shelby report card ! '' Derrick shouted.

'' I am reading multiple ships heading in this worldwide management, '' she reported.

'' Configuration, '' I shouted as I ran to the bridgework.

'' I am reading at least four ; first class ranger ships, closing on our location. '' Shelby replied.

Damn it ! number 1 class ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this clock time these were the finest ships they had. Heavily armored, heavily laden with weapon, if the EIG ships were to hire the ranger ships right now they might consume a chance to defeat them though Shelby was almost at full capacity.

'' Status of all re-gen, '' Derrick asked as he began to extract up indication.

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive up to, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minute of arc 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the eminent light harbor power now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all arm uncommitted though, not at full power it will take up another 4 twenty-four hours 23 hours 'til I have full magnate to arm. I estimate another 23 minute 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp open, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do let sub-light engines and I have 55 % illume shield. '' Conner said.

'' Lucy, '' Derrick asked turning his attending to the former female ship.

'' Yes Primary, I will require another 3 Clarence Shepard Day Jr., 23 time of day, 31 minutes 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive capable, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light capable, and am 55 % light-shield up to. ''

'' Zan any modification in your condition ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am afraid not primary election, both my reactor and source are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial tone sub-light engines. The eternal sleep of my locomotive will take the full moon 6 days to re-grow. I am gladiola to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these commando that, I fear, will be ineffective, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a snake pit of a lot better off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will demand you to lead your light shield over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford much back but it might bewilder them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' Primary, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another trouble. With the loss of my nuclear reactor I wo n't have decent power to take More than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in in the power constraint ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd take 0001 and Zan. Shelby would be able to use her hyper-drive more effectively with two ships less to tow. I want you to go over everything Shelby I want you ready if and when the time comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full diagnostic on all systems that would be affected. I am also running one on all former organization to ready sure there is zero else wrong. '' Shelby said as the political program started to find anything that might be legal injury.

'' Good, think all of you, I DO NOT need you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only law enforcement besides us. Though of row we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short time. '' Derrick stated.

'' Time ..., '' Derrick began.

'' I estimate at their present speed, they should arrive at our military position in 1 day, 1 60 minutes, 29 second, 39 seconds, '' Shelby reported.

'' How effective ..., '' Derrick began again.

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at present not being detected by the Ranger. I have extended my light-shield over 0001 and Zan ; unfortunately it has reduced the effectiveness of it to a mere 35 %. At this range we are no Sir Thomas More than a strong anomaly that under the codification of the Texas Ranger that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 hours 'til they are close enough to discover that we are NOT an anomalousness. '' Shelby stated.

'' You really have to discontinue doing that, I like to speak, you need to let me at least destination what I am saying Shelby, '' Derrick scolded the A.I.

'' I will attempt to try Derrick, but it is far more efficient to yield you the answer before you ask. '' Shelby said sweetly.

'' It may be, but I find it irritating. '' Derrick said.

The hologram of Shelby lowered her head almost whispering, though she had a small smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavour to remember this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the programme was working, the A.I. 's did n't make to remember anything, not with their banks of storage. Derrick had just sat in the mastery chair when a sudden thought hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to resign a minuscule total of Critela subatomic particle into your generator during re-gen, would n't it induce a 67 % addition in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % step-up in re-gen. Under those conditions, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 hr, 26 bit, 23 arcsecond. Sir Thomas More than well within the time constraint that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's part.

'' Make it so, also monitor the flow and amount of Critela, do not let them come down below 23.3, or above 23.5 mcg per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the convention in his question.

'' Yes primary winding, at submit re-gen has already increased 50 % and slowly rising. '' Conner reported.

'' good, keep within those levels and you should be fine, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can become unstable at prison term. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes Primary, I will constantly monitor them 'til completion. '' Conner again replied excited.

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this subprogram that Derrick had Conner using. If in fact it worked as well as Derrick and Conner had said then they could be out of here well before the commando arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his brain, Derrick knew he had to once again ill-treat into the rift with his project. Though at nowadays he had more than passable amount of knowledge, he was still at an dead-end street as to what to do with the ships, or to decrease the chances of their destruction. After the last conflict, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the engagement with far less wrong.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the topic of the ship that was being used as a mug to alert the opposition fleets. Pulling up all the readings, signal verifications, equipment readings and the general spot altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to unwrap it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the ripe time to do it while they were still in repair.

'' Zan, I need you to scan discussion section BF-32 through BF-999 on your outer skin. Tell me what, if anything you detect in those areas. '' Derrick asked heavily.

'' Yes Primary, beginning scans now though ..., Primary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my rear Asterial fins. Attempting removal now, basal ! I am ineffectual to remove ! It appears there is a highly unstable destructive device attached to it. '' Zan reported.

'' I was afraid of that, continue to rake I want to make sure there are n't more than one. We 'll deal with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes primary, continuing rake now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hr later Zan came back, his hologram angry and dun, `` Primary I detected a total of twenty-five homing twist all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have high yield volatile charges attached to them. At represent I have no idea how to absent them. The other twenty-three have been removed and disabled and should rise no further use to the races connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a program here I wish you to enforce to purge your regrowth ground substance for these tracking gimmick. '' Derrick told Zan.

'' primary coil, '' Zan asked a few seconds later, `` will it injure ? ''

Derrick was taken aback this was the initiative time that any of the A.I. 's had reacted to anything like this. Sighing Derrick felt the truth was always the safe, `` I am afraid that it will, though if I work on it, it wo n't as badly. Can you waitress 'til I can set it ? ''

Derrick could get wind the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` Thank you primary quill at least with you when you say that, I know that you will try to do what you say you are trying to do. ''

Derrick was shocked they might not be genuine living beingness per say but they were alive in their own way and deserved to be treated that way. Derrick was finally starting to see the paranoia of the old programmers, they were obviously afraid that the car were going to suit more man than they were and possibly try to replace them.

'' You, your brother and baby deserve no lupus erythematosus than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way things are right now I might be the only one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly fortunate that you are the one to find Zan and not another of the proletarian with the salvage company. '' Shelby interjected.

All the holograms were there thanking Derrick, each bowing to him, which really did n't set too well with him. `` I am just a simple man as I said before, '' Derrick again stated to all the A.I. 's. `` Please do n't bow down to me, for now we all need to work together to survive the coming crisis. ''

Each of them nodded, smiling briefly, looking at Shelby before vanishing back to their respective ships. ‘ I'm going to stimulate to discover what maintain she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to throw permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to think of a upright strategy to escaping the Texas Ranger rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd lose two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no doubt the commando ships would n't exist at all. Not really a good way to start a long condition family relationship with an organisation he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as potential, I want you to enthral 0001 and Zan to the former side of the beetleweed. skim ahead, I want you there with no sightings, veil them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes Primary, I will endeavor to overcloud their sensing 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarum went off an hour later. `` Shit Shelby, try and hide the relief of the ships more. Time Conner ? ''

'' I still need another 25 minutes, 39 arcsecond to cycle through and set about up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the back you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can ameliorate fight back if the two most damaged are away to guard. ''

'' Yes Primary I understand it will be as you say, '' Conner answered.

'' Then as soon as you return I want you to get Lucy and ask her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

'' primary election what of you and Shelby ? I can not provide you here un able to defend your ego ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the prospect of leaving Derrick and his sister.

'' Not to worry Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has full weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can return immediately to remember us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more positive than he felt. They were so battered and bruised almost anything could happen if Conner got them all away he felt that Shelby could easily out run the Rangers, plus her fuller light shield would facilitate.

'' Primary I must protest, there are so many broker that could go ill-timed, near of our systems are barely operating. What would we do if there was a failure ? '' Zan and Conner spoke up.

'' That 's why I am having you move as many as you can Conner. We have already established that Shelby 's Hyper-drive is a full day repaired now. She has a higher short buckler, Please get them to base hit then we 'll occupy about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own children, hell he was frightened shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in interrogative sentence. There were too many unnamed divisor to calculate a more favorable outcome.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The Ranger ships have accelerated they will reach our position in another two hours ! ``

red cent it ! We 're barely going to make it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 minutes, 20 seconds. Primary I again have to dissent you staying with Shelby you should come with me your base hit is of the topmost importance ! '' Conner said again.

'' Conner I need you to do this, I need all of you, not just one or two of you go now ! I will be fine. '' Derrick said trying to convert both of them.

'' Yes Primary, cycling finished commencing kickoff up, 15 minutes, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too happy.

All of the holograms appeared in strawman of Derrick, `` Please Shelby sentinel out for the Primary prime of life. ''

'' I will protect him with my life story, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial codification 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The eyes of the Conner holograph opened all-embracing, he looked at Derrick, and then his bureau puffed up. `` It is enacted with pride, thank you for the accolade Shelby. I will not die you, '' Conner said as he bowed slightly to Shelby.

Derrick pretended to be meddlesome with a general readout ; he did see what had been going on. I really postulate to find out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving license to the others for certain things and duties. Could she be far Thomas More than I thought at number one ?

'' Primary are you alright ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't palpate you for a few moments, nor could I detect your feelings or thoughts. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated suppose no distractions no emotions, this was a good affair to remember but to reach that state he 'd feature to exploit on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to clear my mind in order to concentrate on the job at hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like crap as soon as the word of honor left his mouthpiece, he really did n't wish to lie and would generally not mouth if he might have to. Up to engagement it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able-bodied to forfend a few combat that not speaking had generated.

'' I am now moving into post, '' Conner advised them a few instant later. `` I should return for Lucy in an hour barring any trouble. ''

'' Good and safe travel Conner ; be careful as you do n't stimulate your full phase of the moon arsenal to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then recall. '' Derrick said trying to attain more confidence as they approached the clock time for all this to happen.

'' I will Primary, you be safe as well sire, I would not forgive myself if something happened to you, '' Conner said then bowed to Derrick. Derrick felt like an idiot standing there with his back talk undefendable, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to feel better as Shelby increased the light shield around them to the broad 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the mix-up on the forest fire fighter ships as there was a very brief stiletto heel of power then almost aught. He watched as they started to push their locomotive engine to get to their position as fasting as potential. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost inconspicuous to them now, soundly luck finding them quickly.

'' Shelby, did you detect any problems with your Hyper-Drive ? '' Derrick asked.

'' cypher was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a cold-shoulder business leader spike with the secondment in a few secondary arrangement. I have been working to bushel those since the lastly time when you had me run the tests. '' Shelby reported.

'' Good preserve a snug eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently interfere with you propulsion scheme ? Or with any former system that we will be need during this surgery ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At gift I have replaced and repaired all parts of the arrangement that might cause bankruptcy, would you like me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

'' Considering the gravity of the office I think that would be best, and Shelby, '' Derrick said stopping the holograph of Shelby. `` You really postulate to zip ; a loser now could be deadly, to either us or the ranger. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's head dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will hurry Derrick, I want nothing to pass to you, nor will I allow it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't figure Shelby out darn ! Just like a living adult female. The hr was almost up when there was a tatty beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

'' I have procured an area well hidden and guarantee, Primary. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, pin to the plan, the strain on your trans-warp locomotive carrying two others does n't need to be duplicated. stay put with the architectural plan I know you are worried but stay with the plan, all will be well. '' Derrick said hoping he convinced Conner to go.

'' Yes Primary, '' with that said, he connected to Lucy and flashed out. Derrick could see the forest fire fighter on the early side of the lunar month.

'' Alright Shelby I just hope everything works out, engaged hyper-drive get us out of here ! '' Derrick ordered.

There was a whimper, amusing Derrick intellection, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem 45 minute later they emerged barely out of the organisation. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a issue of time, these bozo were n't stupid they 'd see the hyper trail as soon as they scanned.

'' Shelby ! '' Derrick yelled, `` what 's going on with the hyper-drive ? ''

'' It 's a burned electric circuit I was about to put back when we left it will make an time of day to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? Show me, '' Shelby panned through dozens of architectural plan showing Derrick every angle. `` I 'm going in, open panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to have got to inactivate function of your personality. '' Derrick sadly said.

'' Derrick I ca n't ! I would die, it is n't possible ! '' Shelby cried.

'' It is, you would have to go into hibernation, well function of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the track ways, how she could open and fill up them. `` Look at the architectural plan here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The Hologram 's oral cavity dropped open she had n't known of these hiding place ! `` Alright Derrick I will keep enough to run and reopen myself, try not to touch the sides I can only shut out down so practically. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the board opened and he started to grovel on his back, ‘ shit I need to rush,'he thought. As he got further into the marrow of Shelby and the ship, he saw more than and more of the circuits'night. XV proceedings later he was replacing the tour then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawling way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the side of meat and grabbed the extreme outer bound to deplume his self out. The current that flowed through him though not senior high school enough to kill him was still high enough to throw together his nous for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only twenty instant.

'' Derrick ? '' Shelby said when she was integrated three minutes later. `` DERRICK ! '' Immediately transporting him to the med bay Shelby grew worried.

Hooked up she soon saw that his aliveness was n't in danger, though when she tried to get in his thought process, she found she could n't make horse sense of them. The profoundly she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrible memories of the war were burning bright in the center field of all the Chaos. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the brave things that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to kill. She saw how each soul weighed heavier and lumbering upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

Shelby was about to withdraw when she heard a vox she hardly recognized.

'' What the blaze are you doing here ? What, you sent to torment me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a conflict hardened Derrick, his face as severe as steel, his feature of speech twisted in a look of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really need you to add to the Scheol I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the rest of them ! ''

Shelby became frightened ; she 'd never seen hatred as pronounced as this, the homicidal look in his eyes, the tone of death that was covering him.

Shelby, though More afraid than she 'd ever been, knew she had to help him. Walking to him she watched as he snarled at her and raised a rifle pointing it at her. `` I said go the fuck away ! '' He shouted again.

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's eye finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his pass, for a moment nothing happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to prod her with a combat knife he 'd drawn. Then he started to scream, a luminance came from his heart and mouth. Shining out the chaos started to slack and make more gumption.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll kill you ! You 've destroyed the exclusively safety haven I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to hurtle at Shelby with the knife. Slicing and hacking Derrick screamed louder when he saw that he was doing no hurt at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the topsy-turvydom was starting to reconcile not very fast but at least now she could see a footling order.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an vitality good time hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fire, at replete personnel ! Quickly she fired another beam of energy slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd heard Derrick say there would be hell to pay, as she watched the second caught up to the first, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 naut mi of the ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the energy and jounce wave quickly crippled the fire warden ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at first they were shocked then they started to ease up Salmon P. Chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her fastness.

A groan drew her attention, `` Shelby ? Why am I on the bio-bed ? Last thing I remember was ... fuck ! I guess I have you to thank for my life. '' Derrick groaned out.

smile rickety Shelby bowed her headspring, `` I hope you are not mad at me. The forest fire fighter ships caught up to us and fired, I ... I ... ''

'' You did n't destruct them did you ? '' Derrick asked afraid.

'' Oh no, but I almost did, I fired full force, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the Ranger ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

'' estimable girlfriend ! '' Derrick said laughing inside he knew there were going to be some really pissed off Rangers tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those newer ships they 'd been wanting !