Derrick jerked awake as the proximity warning device began to whimper, `` Shelby report ! '' Derrick shouted.

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

'' Configuration, '' I shouted as I ran to the bridge deck.

'' I am reading at least four ; number 1 class Ranger ships, closing on our locating. '' Shelby replied.

hoot it ! First course ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this sentence these were the ok ships they had. Heavily armoured, heavily laden with artillery, if the EIG ships were to hire the ranger ships right now they might have a chance to defeat them though Shelby was almost at wide-cut electrical capacity.

'' Status of all re-gen, '' Derrick asked as he began to pull in up reading.

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive subject, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minute 'til I am trans-warp adequate to. I also estimate I have the eminent light shield ability now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapons available though, not at full power it will take another 4 days 23 time of day 'til I have replete power to weapons. I estimate another 23 hours 32 arcminute 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do suffer sub-light engines and I have 55 % light shield. '' Conner said.

'' Lucy, '' Derrick asked turning his attention to the other female ship.

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

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

'' I am afraid not primary election, both my reactor and author are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to cause partial sub-light engines. The rest of my locomotive will take the full 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to describe 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 Scheol of a lot skilful off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will involve you to prolong your light buckler over Zan, I realize it wo n't open much covering but it might throw them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' Primary, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another problem. With the loss of my reactors I wo n't have decent index to take to a greater extent than two. ''

'' turd, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in in the baron constraint ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd hire 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 cook 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 other organization to make sure there is nothing else wrong. '' Shelby said as the program started to detect anything that might be amiss.

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

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

'' I estimate at their gift upper, they should get hold of our position in 1 day, 1 hour, 29 instant, 39 seconds, '' Shelby reported.

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

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

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

'' I will assay to try Derrick, but it is far more effective to collapse 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 chief almost susurration, though she had a lowly smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavour to remember this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the program was working, the A.I. 's did n't make to remember anything, not with their depository financial institution of computer storage. Derrick had just sat in the dictation chair when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a little quantity of Critela particles into your source during re-gen, would n't it get a 67 % gain in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % growth in re-gen. Under those circumstance, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 minute, 26 minutes, 23 seconds. More than well within the time restraint that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's voice.

'' Make it so, also monitor the flow and amount of money of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 mcg per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the formula in his head.

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

'' Good, keep within those floor and you should be fine, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can become unstable at clock time. '' Derrick ordered.

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

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this operation 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 ranger arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his mentality, Derrick knew he had to once again step into the breach with his undertaking. Though at present he had more than adequate amount of knowledge, he was still at an dead-end street as to what to do with the ships, or to fall the luck of their destruction. After the final stage battle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the battle with far LE legal injury.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the thing of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the foeman fleets. Pulling up all the readings, signal check, equipment indication and the worldwide site altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to split up it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the best sentence to do it while they were still in repair.

'' Zan, I need you to scan 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 ..., chief ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my rear Asterial tailfin. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am unable to murder ! It appears there is a highly unsound destructive device attached to it. '' Zan reported.

'' I was afraid of that, continue to run down I want to realise sure there are n't Sir Thomas More than one. We 'll sell with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes Primary, continuing scan now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an 60 minutes later Zan came back, his hologram angry and frustrated, `` Primary I detected a totality of twenty-five homing devices all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have gamey return volatile explosive charge attached to them. At present I have no idea how to remove them. The former twenty-three have been removed and disabled and should examine no further use to the races connected with them. ''

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

'' primary feather, '' Zan asked a few second later, `` will it offend ? ''

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

Derrick could learn the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` Thank you Primary 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 literal animation existence 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 machines were going to go more human than they were and possibly try to replace them.

'' You, your brothers and sisters deserve no less than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way things are right now I might be the exclusively 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 workers with the salvage party. '' 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 wide-eyed 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 have to notice what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to give permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to opine of a better strategy to escaping the Texas Ranger rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd fall back two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no doubt the Ranger ships would n't survive at all. Not really a well way to start a long terminus relationship with an organisation he might birth need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to send 0001 and Zan to the other side of the galaxy. Scan ahead, I want you there with no sightings, blot out them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes Primary, I will endeavor to haze over their espial 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarm went off an hour later. `` diddly-shit Shelby, try and hide out the rest of the ships more. Time Conner ? ''

'' I still need another 25 second, 39 arcsecond to cycle through and start up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the second gear you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better defend if the two about damaged are away to safety. ''

'' 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 take her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

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

'' Not to interest Shelby has to the full Hyper-Drive, she also has full weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can repay immediately to retrieve us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more confident than he felt. They were so battered and bruised almost anything could befall if Conner got them all away he felt that Shelby could easily out run the Rangers, plus her Buckminster Fuller unhorse shield would help.

'' primary winding I must resist, there are so many factors that could go wrong, most of our systems are barely operating. What would we do if there was a nonstarter ? '' 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 total day repaired now. She has a higher light shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own children, underworld he was scared shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many system of rules in interrogative. There were too many unknown factor to reckon a more favorable issue.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The commando ships have accelerated they will reach our perspective in another two hour ! ``

darn 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 amount with me your safety is of the upmost 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 delicately. '' Derrick said trying to convert both of them.

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

All of the holograms appeared in front of Derrick, `` Please Shelby sentinel out for the Primary Prime. ''

'' I will protect him with my life, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The oculus of the Conner hologram opened encompassing, he looked at Derrick, and then his thorax puffed up. `` It is enacted with pridefulness, thank you for the honor Shelby. I will not fail you, '' Conner said as he bowed slightly to Shelby.

Derrick pretended to be busy with a general readout ; he did see what had been going on. I really postulate to feel out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permission to the others for certain things and duties. Could she be far more than than I thought at first ?

'' primary election are you okay ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few moments, nor could I detect your feelings or thoughts. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated thought no distractions no emotions, this was a good thing to commemorate but to reach that state of matter he 'd have to forge on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to shed light on my mind in order to rivet on the trouble at hired hand. '' Derrick lied and felt the like poop as soon as the word left his oral fissure, he really did n't care to lie and would generally not mouth if he might have got to. Up to date it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able to annul a few conflict that not speaking had generated.

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

'' Good and safe travel Conner ; be deliberate as you do n't have your full arsenal to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then rejoin. '' Derrick said trying to gain to a greater extent self-confidence as they approached the time for all this to hap.

'' I will Primary, you be safe as well forefather, 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 mouth open, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to find better as Shelby increased the swooning shield around them to the wax 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the confusion on the forest fire fighter ships as there was a very brief spike of power then almost goose egg. He watched as they started to push their railway locomotive to get to their locating as fast as possible. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost inconspicuous to them now, well luck finding them quickly.

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

'' aught was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight mogul spike heel with the second in a few secondary arrangement. I have been working to renovate those since the last time when you had me run the mental test. '' Shelby reported.

'' unspoiled save a close eye on all those system of rules, are there any that could inadvertently intervene with you propulsion systems ? Or with any other system that we will be need during this mathematical operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At present I have replaced and repaired all part of the systems that might stimulate failure, would you like me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

'' Considering the gravity of the situation I think that would be best, and Shelby, '' Derrick said stopping the hologram of Shelby. `` You really want to hurry ; a failure now could be deadly, to either us or the ranger. ''

Shelby 's holograph 's head dropped a minute and she whispered. '' I will travel rapidly Derrick, I want nothing to come about to you, nor will I allow it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't figure Shelby out tinker's dam ! Just like a aliveness woman. The minute was almost up when there was a scoot beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

'' I have procured an area well hidden and secure, primary winding. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, peg to the program, the strain on your trans-warp locomotive engine carrying two others does n't necessitate to be duplicated. Stay with the design I know you are distressed but stay with the programme, 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 former slope of the moon.

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

There was a whimper, amusing Derrick view, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem xlv mo later they emerged barely out of the scheme. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a thing of time, these guy cable were n't poor fish 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 tour I was about to replace when we left it will take an hour to switch it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? appearance me, '' Shelby panned through twelve of plans showing Derrick every slant. `` I 'm going in, unfold panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to accept to deactivate part 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 accept to go into hibernation, well part of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those parting afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the path path, how she could give and close them. `` Look at the architectural plan here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The holograph 's sassing dropped open she had n't known of these hiding blank space ! `` Alright Derrick I will retain enough to run and reopen myself, try not to touch the sides I can only close down so lots. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to crawl on his spine, ‘ shit I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the heart of Shelby and the ship, he saw more than and more of the tour'dark. fifteen min later he was replacing the circle then trying to cringe out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawl way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the English and grabbed the extreme outer bound to pull in his self out. The electric current that flowed through him though not gamy enough to toss off him was still high enough to clamber his mind for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only twenty dollar bill seconds.

'' Derrick ? '' Shelby said when she was integrated three minute of arc later. `` DERRICK ! '' Immediately transporting him to the med bay Shelby grew vex.

Hooked up she soon saw that his lifespan was n't in danger, though when she tried to enter his intellection, she found she could n't micturate sense of them. The recondite she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The frightful retentivity of the war were burning bright in the center of all the chaos. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the dauntless 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 heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

'' What the hell are you doing here ? What, you sent to crucify me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a battle hardened Derrick, his human face as unappeasable as sword, his characteristic twisted in a look of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really demand you to add to the hell I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the relief of them ! ''

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

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

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's eyes finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a moment nothing happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to stab her with a combat knife he 'd drawn. Then he started to scream, a get off came from his eyes and mouth. Shining out the chaos started to slow and take a crap more sensation.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll pop you ! You 've destroyed the only safe harbour I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to lunge at Shelby with the knife. Slicing and hacking Derrick screamed louder when he saw that he was doing no damage at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the Chaos was starting to conciliate not very fast but at least now she could see a little ordering.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an energy good time hit the carapace ; almost automatically she returned flak, at full power ! Quickly she fired another beam of energy slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd get a line 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 miles of the Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the energy and shock wave quickly crippled the Ranger ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at first they were shocked then they started to give chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her f number.

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

grinning weakly Shelby bowed her head, `` 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 destroy them did you ? '' Derrick asked afraid.

'' Oh no, but I almost did, I fired wax personnel, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the forest fire fighter ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

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