Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Chief Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Rangers to back off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be capable to watch over or retrace them. In cranial orbit around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up rubble Lucille Ball ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so very much to do ; he had to have the rest of the cognition in the libraries. There was still the explosive charge attached to the astral fin near Zan 's railway locomotive. There was still the deep message that Tempro had, plus the mystery of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality Godhead, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many interrogation and few if any answer.

Looking at the heading set again for the fifth clip in the last 30 arcminute, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the nous set, there are far too many interrogative sentence I need solution to. I want a full diagnostic on the system, query, are all 7 buffers sufficient to bug and quell and funnel the information at a more passable charge per unit ? Also, are the bang dampener sufficient to preclude electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the design checking the apparatus numerous times.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used stopping point fourth dimension, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three tutelage moistener are at 100 %, also the add up quick permutation has been added, though I must warn you Derrick there are only certain times that you can use it. Only when you see a green light in the pep pill left field quarter-circle is it rubber to quick disconnect, any other time you will either meet severe brain damage, or flash death. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to fill in this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the head set over his ear. Again as it started it was n't bad then the data started to flow faster, then faster yet. Looking to the left he still had n't seen the light yet, in force to keep that spot in focal point in vitrine. After what felt like an hour the information again started to gain hurrying. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was faulty, he still had n't seen the get off, or any opening. Derrick also noticed that the information was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's depository library. Son of a cunt ! Even this far into the future the traitors had found a way to try and kill him. Shelby was starting to get worried, Derrick had finished her subroutine library a shortstop time ago but for some reason the apparatus was now pulling from the former ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the connection Shelby only found an empty room, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a recess. It was at that moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residual virus in one of the ships system, a virus that could leave them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from originally Shelby had it in a receptacle within mo. As the blue healing stream of data washed over them, Derrick finally uncurled looking up he saw that Shelby had again saved him. `` Thank you Shelby, where are we ? I do n't recognize this, '' Derrick asked.

A man about 25-30 appeared, `` you are in my library, I 'd say you 've accessed almost half of it, my lord. '' The short cropped light-haired fuzz, medium figure man, with a tranquil face said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am glad you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my life sentence for the 2d time no ..., third. My lord I was told that when you were here, to recount you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to finish my records, it will be painful especially the hold up part. I was told you have to endure it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was crazy, the pain had already started, shaking his promontory did that mean he was almost done with the extra immense subroutine library Tempro had ? Then almost all crystalize thought vanished as the finis few tens of thousands of files washed through his mental capacity. Falling to the ... soil ? He was n't certain what it was nor did he manage the imaginativeness and info he received made him find as if it all were actually happening to him. All the painfulness he saw, all the botheration he felt, Derrick idea was going to kill him then just as suddenly it was gone. Standing up Derrick could see things a lot clearer now, looking at Shelby he walked up to her and held her finis. Though highly surprised Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could touch him even if it was only in his judgment it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to regain your child, and possibly another of The Virgin 's. '' Derrick told her.

Shelby gasp, `` You know ? How ? There was never anything in the disc about that ; I do n't ..., '' Derrick kissed Shelby effectively shutting her up eliciting another groan.

'' I have to will here soon, Shelby I find that I have feelings for you, I never thought I 'd feel what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

Derrick pulled the head set off his principal, there was a lot to do but build up with what he had now, it would be a lot comfortable. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over control tuning in the palace. `` Virgin Mary, secondary exigency code enacted now ! Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon ; confirm and enact. '' Derrick said.

Immediately Mary answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All battery charged and fix, democracy capital targeted awaiting rescript. ''

'' unspoiled keep a whorl we may induce need of a presentation soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my lord ; I will expect purchase order to put down what you will. Mary answered.

In the Republic presidential castle, the demoralise president was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd send for execution had needed redundant grounds to get rid of ’. Sighing he knew he was going to possess up the ante on the council possibly get rid of them, though that would be messy and expensive.

The hollow sound of running stride drew his tending to the doorway, `` President Maury ! chairwoman Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a frighten off small female child. Sighing the president stepped out of the immense sauna/bath naked and waited as the little man threw the doors open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the supporter said eyeing the president 's nude physical structure, what he would n't give to get ..., shaking his head he spoke up. `` President Maury ! We have an dynamic scan from the old empire palace, sir it has trained every weapon on the empire creation upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The planetary buckler will take care of that. '' The president said waving the footling man away.

'' I 'm sorry sir but, '' the trivial man was shaking.

'' But what ? ! We have far more power than the old empire ever did. '' Maury said not really care he 'd spend a fortune getting the safe, aught could get to him now.

'' All the science officers say that the carapace are nothing, the conglomerate castle alone possess 100 prison term more major power than Republic capital world does. If they fire sir, '' here the minuscule man shook not sure if it was the openness of the president or the fearfulness he was feeling. `` They could put down the stallion planet ! ''

The president 's face blanched, `` call the entire fleet, and have them begin shelling of the ancient empire planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the president 's body then left.

Mary was monitoring every communication out of the Republic world, when she saw the ordering she smiled. Finally the pitiable excuse for a ruling class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the endorse emergency code Mary started to direct not only the democracy world but every ship of theirs within 2 light years. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was instill that Derrick was adapting as fast as he was. Sighing Derrick knew that there was a major confrontation coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at present he had to hold off for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some strange intellect Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to see the message before he did anything else. In orbit on the far face of Darius 3, an honest-to-goodness man flipped 3 replacement and smiled, almost time to be a paladin boy. Shaking his header he caressed the long scar on his leg, activating another set of permutation a illumination hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the slight ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a startled Shelby said. `` I just discovered a program buried extremely deep within my phonograph recording. I 've never seen it before, yet records show that it has been there since I was built. ''

'' Is it a danger to you or the others ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No, it appears to be specifically to demilitarise almost all destructive programs and gimmick. '' A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the snake pit was going on ? He was never this lucky or fortunate ; nothing EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the plan over it was almost the same as the one he 'd been working on for calendar week. `` Zan, I think we have the political platform ready to remove the charge from you. Are you ready to try ? ''

Zan 's hologram appeared bowing low, `` for you my Godhead I 'd carry it and risk destruction, though my lord I believe I have detected another problem. ''

What the hellhole now ? Derrick thought then shook his caput he knew something would go wrong it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

'' It appears that the device is now a part of the fin, it will have to be removed and I am afraid none of us have the ability or equipment to do this. '' Zan said.

'' I see, '' stated Derrick, `` I need to prepare, and then I 'll advise all of you what I want you to do. ''

Shelby and the others started to protest when Derrick looked at all of them, `` Executive order, Omega-Omega-1 I will engage tutelage of this. ''

All the holograms froze they had n't heard an order this serious in almost 1000 days, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my Almighty we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to protest though she 'd discover the order.

'' No Shelby, I HAVE to do this ; if I do n't then I do n't merit to have on the crown of the emperor. '' Derrick whispered.

binge were starting to fall freely from Shelby 's eyes, `` no Derrick please, there has to be another way, there has to be ! ''

'' I 've considered everything there is no former way, if I do n't transfer it we are all in danger, even as you risk your life for me will I hazard mine for you, I told you I have feelings for you, touch that died from all the killing, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to rejoin, but I will every remaining day of my lifespan. '' Derrick said utterly serious, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to pack several bit of equipment from his ship, and then went over readings from Zan 's effected discussion section. Hmmm so the device packed an volatile force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, sinewy enough to perforate a substantial hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand Roman mile, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the blast. It appeared that the further from Zan it was the weaker it was, a good thing to remember. Finally ready an time of day later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The Danton True Young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to move to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

'' Though we are under the executive order I still must protest, my lord, '' Zan stated. `` If you are lost it would entail disgrace for all of us, we would no longer be able to go. ''

'' I know that Zan, but you are, all the ships are as important to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I wo n't palpate I am near desirable to moderate you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's face began to shew the pridefulness he felt for Derrick, as far as he was concerned Derrick WAS the emperor. `` I will do all I can to protect you my God Almighty, up to and including giving my existence. ``

'' With the attainment I possess I am hoping cypher like that will be necessary, when I have removed the twist, I want you on the other side of the others. The further away the proficient, it appears the device is triggered to amplify the blast the closer to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

obeisance his head word Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my Creator. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the slope of the ship, the skin was odd but this close up he could see it was well armoured. Slowly he made his way up the side of Zan, already as far back as he could go it was still a bit of a paseo to get to the fin.

'' Shelby, Zan monitor the device let me know if there are any change. '' Derrick said when he was half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a Call, `` Derrick I am reading a slight alteration in the burster it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

'' Alright Zan, I want you to load the political platform, after its run completely, notify me. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Derrick there is a lowly maintenance thruster on that suit of clothes, please remember that is only a social class 2 suit, it wo n't offer as a great deal protection as a stratum one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary cuticle trade good for approximately 60 seconds please use it if requisite. '' Shelby advised.

'' Thank you Shelby I 'll try and remember that, '' Derrick replied.

'' Program perfect Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to throw together toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting torch from his pack Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the sustenance metallic element. Finally liberal Derrick pulled the device about a metre and a half longsighted loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan jump away, the wake of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's belly laugh broke into his idea, `` the gimmick is starting to arm itself ! Use the thruster pack ! '' Derrick started the coterie, slowed, and then started to make a motion in the reverse commission. Son of a kick he thought, this will help but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic explosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up dandy ! He knew there was n't very much time so clicking the shell on he waited a few second, he could find himself accelerating, plus the heat was n't too great either but at least it was starting to lessen. Trying to maintain his eyes open he thought he saw the abstract of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blessed darkness took him as the annoyance and cold began to creep in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp Wake had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated stop number. Shelby was monitoring the unhurt time ; suddenly she got a signaling that the device had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to move away from the device. Unfortunately he had used part of the fuel slowing and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a little distance between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to recite Derrick to activate the shield, when he did she still could n't relax as she saw that the heating had risen and the shield was barely keeping it at bay. Counting she was afraid Derrick was going to die if she did n't do something. Jumping in she was in front line of Derrick when the blast pushed Derrick right into one of several of her astral fins that the attack had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her cuticle to permit Derrick to slip away through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to start to the others but with her quintet damaged, she could only supervise a few thousand miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and radiation, plus the gash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

The other ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost weeping wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the holograms, `` standing gild, protect each early, avoid the fire warden at all costs, remember all I have shown you and state you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming darkness.

The Virgin was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Madonna yelled, `` Put these in him, NOW ! '' As soon as the ampul appeared a mechanical arm took it and injected it into Derrick 's arm. `` He will be alright now Shelby. '' Looking down Mary smiled, `` I have to go it appears I will soon stimulate visitant. ''

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitant ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Mary smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to break through her shields for over 200 old age. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half power The Virgin aimed at the first ship, firing, she took out the entire engine, then the arcsecond ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 miles from the planet. `` Under imperial executive orders, I have been tasked with the aegis of the imperial planet. Any far encroachment by hostile forces with be met with deadly force. I do not make out you or your Republic anymore and call for the removal of the chairwoman, grounds will keep an eye on. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the galaxy and throughout the Republic.

The president linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's dominance do you take a crap these claims ? ''

The hologram of Mary appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but most importantly the Republic Capital. Looking directly at the President she stated, `` The future emperor butterfly of the realm, and he is FAR more than displeased with you, there is a special punishment he has for you when you are found shamed. I am quite sure you have heard of the imperial beard dermal shredders ? ''

broadcast to well over a 1000 worlds many were glad to see the president as he started to piss his pant. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the president started to bark parliamentary procedure. He needed every piece of sound equipping and arm he had to aggress the imperial planet. That was 'til 4 well placed energy eruption pierced the shields as if they were n't there and 4 massive explosions sounded, hiding his read/write head he did n't even need to search to know that all 4 of the armories were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet spot on the level was growing.

For 2 mean solar day Derrick 's torso was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his soundbox ever could induce. Unfortunately they were unable to bring around the huge cicatrice that was now a share of his leg. At the end of the indorsement day Derrick 's center opened, `` status report, '' he croaked out before sipping the water offered.

'' The program has removed all vestige of the gimmick within my re-gen matrix, '' Zan stated.

'' At deliver I am in re-gen various of my arm, astral V, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to save you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see tears falling from her eyes.

'' If you saved me than why are you upset ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I feel that I should give birth gone in different. Your injury is the result of severe trauma caused from you being ripped along my give way stellar guides. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprise that you wish to stay on me. '' This brought more than renewed weeping from her.

'' Alright Shelby I 've got a few questions for you, I want you to think then suffice them, alright ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only nodded between now subdued weeping.

'' Had you not total for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her capitulum no. `` The way that you had to come in to stop me, was there any other emplacement that you could have taken that would own allowed you to startle out with less hurt ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every situation, every steering that she could have come in from, every position that she could sustain been in to catch him. Derrick watched her human face ; he knew that she 'd see it in a moment. When her face lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute best that you could I know that, therefore I do n't blame you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick actions. Shelby without you none of this would have been possible. ''

Shelby 's aspect lit up, `` thank you Derrick I again pledge myself to you I will do all I
can to protect you. ``

'' As do we all, '' Zan said, turning he saw that all the holograms were there. They all bowed each pledging their existence to him.

Mary appeared a here and now later, `` administrator decree is being carried out, all planets of the empire have been informed. The president lost control of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor was returning. I am releasing all the selective information on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All weighed down weapon and armament have been destroyed on the Republic home planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 international nautical mile of the imperial planet ; they are at present removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very near Mary, stay under executive order 'til further notice, also arm all golem spotter, I have a feeling they are going to try and take the relief of the planet. Have all the people 's identity operator on the satellite downloaded into their computer memory, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered The Virgin smiled, reaching out she activated all the sentries, loading each as Derrick said with the indistinguishability of all the people on the planet. Finally his lastingness still not yet full he lay back down and slept. For the side by side 2 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. Derrick drifted in and out of consciousness taking composition and issuing orders, though the one thing he especially wanted to mark off on was the shape of Tempro. The fact that there was still a message from still an unknown person or persons was still a major bur in his side. Finally able to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to clear him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. later, `` Shelby how very much longer must I be subjected to being babied ? ''

'' The bio-bed has your body at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will bother you the rest of your life Derrick. '' Lowering her point she started, `` I am dark that you will be reminded of this failure by me to protect you fully Derrick. ''

Sighing Derrick looked at her sternly, `` Shelby, if you were a human I 'd slap the appreciation out of your mouth ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't fail me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember right, an emperor moth does everything he can to protect all the citizens of his Empire. '' Here all the holograph had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the holograph, `` you are all citizens of this empire, I have failed you therefore I beg your pardon. '' All the hologram 's mouths were wide overt ; the emperor was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) long time they had never met a human as kind and giving to them as this one. All of the holograms had tears in their oculus each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Mary, who had also been listening as she did now, had bout in her eyes. Finally she thought a true emperor of the people, sighing now she thought ; we just need to call for the empire back .