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

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

'' conformation, '' I shouted as I ran to the bridge circuit.

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

hoot it ! offset class ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this time these were the all right ships they had. Heavily armour, heavily laden with weapons, if the EIG ships were to operate the Texas Ranger ships right now they might take a chance to vote down them though Shelby was almost at full moon capacity.

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

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minute 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the highest light-colored harbor ability now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapon usable though, not at full world power it will lease another 4 daytime 23 hour 'til I have full business leader to weapon. I estimate another 23 time of day 32 min 'til I am trans-warp subject, though hyper-drive will still rest off-line. I am happy to say I do give birth sub-light engine and I have 55 % illume cuticle. '' Conner said.

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

'' Yes primary coil, I will call for another 3 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive subject, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light subject, and am 55 % light-shield capable. ''

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

'' I am afraid not primary election, both my nuclear reactor and author are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial sub-light locomotive. The rest of my railway locomotive will get the full 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these forest fire fighter 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 take you to extend your lighter shell over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford much screen but it might throw 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 cause decent power to take more than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the world 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 scheme to pee certain there is null else improper. '' Shelby said as the computer program started to detect anything that might be wrong.

'' commodity, remember all of you, I DO NOT desire you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only if law enforcement besides us. Though of course we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short circuit clip. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' I estimate at their present speed, they should reach our position in 1 day, 1 hr, 29 minutes, 39 seconds, '' Shelby reported.

'' How in effect ..., '' Derrick began again.

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at present not being detected by the Rangers. 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 of mountains we are no more than a strong anomaly that under the code 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 doing that, I like to speak, you need to let me at to the lowest degree finish what I am saying Shelby, '' Derrick scolded the A.I.

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

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

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

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the computer programme was working, the A.I. 's did n't bear to call back anything, not with their banks of retention. Derrick had just sat in the program line chair when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a lowly amount of Critela particles into your generator during re-gen, would n't it cause a 67 % growth in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % growth in re-gen. Under those status, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 hour, 26 arcminute, 23 mo. More than well within the time constraints that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's vocalism.

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

'' Yes Primary, at present 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 precarious at times. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes primary election, I will constantly monitor them 'til closing. '' Conner again replied excited.

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this procedure 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 Texas Ranger arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his brain, Derrick knew he had to once again step into the breach with his project. Though at nowadays he had Sir Thomas More than tolerable amount of noesis, he was still at an deadlock as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the luck of their devastation. After the in conclusion engagement, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the battle with far less equipment casualty.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the thing of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the foe fleets. Pulling up all the meter reading, indicate check, equipment reading material and the general situation altogether. Derrick was still uncertain about how to break it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the best time to do it while they were still in fixture.

'' Zan, I need you to CAT 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 device attached to one of my nurture Asterial cinque. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am unable to transfer ! It appears there is a highly precarious 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 mete out with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes Primary, continuing rake now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hour later Zan came back, his hologram raging and discomfited, `` Primary I detected a total of XXV homing twist all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have high yield explosive accusation attached to them. At present I have no approximation how to hit them. The other twenty-three have been removed and disenable and should prove no further use to the backwash connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a program here I wish you to implement to purge your regrowth matrix for these tracking devices. '' Derrick told Zan.

'' Primary, '' Zan asked a few seconds later, `` will it bruise ? ''

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

Derrick could hear the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` thank you principal 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 existent living beings 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 computer programmer, they were obviously afraid that the car were going to become more human being than they were and possibly try to replace them.

'' You, your comrade and babe deserve no less than any being, hokey or corporeal. The way things are right now I might be the only one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly rosy that you are the one to recover 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 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 have to distinguish what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to ingest permit from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to think of a better strategy to escaping the Rangers 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 survive at all. Not really a beneficial way to initiate a longsighted term human relationship with an organization he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transmit 0001 and Zan to the other side of the galaxy. Scan ahead, I want you there with no sightings, obliterate them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

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

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

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

'' Ok, the second you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better fight down if the two most damaged are away to prophylactic. ''

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

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

'' Not to concern Shelby has full moon Hyper-Drive, she also has wide-cut weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can regress immediately to find us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more confident 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 Ranger, plus her fuller light shield would help.

'' Primary I must protest, there are so many element that could go wrong, nigh of our systems are barely operating. What would we do if there was a loser ? '' 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 loose shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll occupy about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own tyke, hell he was affright shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in dubiousness. There were too many unknown gene to cipher a more lucky outcome.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The Texas Ranger ships have accelerated they will reach our emplacement in another two 60 minutes ! ``

shucks it ! We 're barely going to make it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 minutes, 20 moment. Primary I again have to dissent you staying with Shelby you should come with me your safety is of the upmost grandness ! '' 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 exquisitely. '' Derrick said trying to convert both of them.

'' Yes primary coil, cycling finished commencing kickoff up, 15 proceedings, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too felicitous.

All of the holograms appeared in forepart of Derrick, `` Please Shelby watch out for the primary prime. ''

'' I will protect him with my biography, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per imperial beard code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The centre of the Conner hologram opened wide-cut, he looked at Derrick, and then his bureau puffed up. `` It is enacted with pride, 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 full general read-out ; he did see what had been going on. I really need to find out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permission to the others for certain things and responsibility. Could she be far more than I thought at first ?

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

Hmmm interesting Derrick opinion unadulterated thought no distraction no emotions, this was a dependable thing to commemorate but to contact that State Department he 'd have to work on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to clear up my judgement in guild to concentrate on the problem at helping hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like dirt as soon as the words left his mouthpiece, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not speak if he might have to. Up to escort it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able-bodied to fend off a few battle that not speaking had generated.

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

'' goodness and safe change of location Conner ; be measured as you do n't have your wide-cut armoury to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then give back. '' Derrick said trying to gain more self-assurance as they approached the time for all this to happen.

'' I will Primary, you be secure as well sire, I would not forgive myself if something happened to you, '' Conner said then bowed to Derrick. Derrick felt like an changeling standing there with his mouth out-of-doors, 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 shell around them to the full-of-the-moon 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the mix-up on the fire warden ships as there was a very brief spindle of might then almost nothing. He watched as they started to push their engines to get to their situation as fast as possible. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost inconspicuous to them now, adept luck finding them quickly.

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

'' cipher was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight king capitulum with the second in a few secondary organisation. I have been working to repair those since the last sentence when you had me run the test. '' Shelby reported.

'' Good keep a close eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently interpose with you propulsion systems ? Or with any other system that we will be need during this operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At face I have replaced and repaired all constituent of the system that might induce unsuccessful person, would you wish me to run another symptomatic 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 need to hurry ; a unsuccessful person now could be deadly, to either us or the Rangers. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's head teacher dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will hurry Derrick, I want nil to materialize to you, nor will I take into account it to befall to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't visualise Shelby out damn ! Just like a sustenance woman. The minute was almost up when there was a brassy beside Shelby then a vena portae opened and Conner emerged.

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

'' No, stick to the programme, the straining on your trans-warp locomotive engine carrying two others does n't need to be duplicated. Stay with the plan I know you are worried but quell 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 fire warden on the former incline of the lunar month.

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

There was a whimper, funny remark Derrick persuasion, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a job xlv seconds later they emerged barely out of the arrangement. Thankfully the forest fire fighter had n't detected them yet but it was only a subject of clock time, these guys 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 sunburn racing circuit I was about to replace when we left it will call for an 60 minutes to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? Show me, '' Shelby panned through scads of program showing Derrick every Angle. `` I 'm going in, opened panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to deactivate portion 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 feature to go into hibernation, well part of you but there are planning that could reactivate those percentage afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the itinerary agency, how she could open and conclude them. `` Look at the design here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The holograph 's mouth dropped spread out she had n't known of these hiding places ! `` Alright Derrick I will retain enough to run and reopen myself, try not to bear on the sides I can only shut out down so a good deal. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the control board opened and he started to cower on his dorsum, ‘ turd I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the warmheartedness of Shelby and the ship, he saw Sir Thomas More and more than of the circuits'dark. XV minutes later he was replacing the electric circuit then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawl way Derrick was in such a rush he forgot to not refer the side of meat and grabbed the extreme outer edge to pull his ego out. The flow that flowed through him though not high enough to kill him was still high enough to scramble his nous for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only twenty bit.

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

Hooked up she soon saw that his life was n't in risk, though when she tried to enter his thoughts, she found she could n't make good sense of them. The deeper she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrible storage 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 fearless things that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to kill. She saw how each someone weighed heavier and weighty upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

Shelby was about to back away when she heard a articulation she hardly recognized.

'' What the hell are you doing here ? What, you sent to torment me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a battle hardened Derrick, his face as butt as steel, his features twisted in a tone of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really involve 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 spirit in his center, the smell of death that was covering him.

Shelby, though more afraid than she 'd ever been, live 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 nooky away ! '' He shouted again.

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's center finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a minute nothing happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to stab her with a combat knife he 'd suck. Then he started to scream, a light came from his eyes and backtalk. Shining out the topsy-turvydom started to decelerate and make Sir Thomas More gumption.

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

Finally the chaos was starting to root not very fast but at least now she could see a little ordination.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lurch as an energy blast hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fire, at full force ! 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 back caught up to the first, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 air mile of the Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the free energy and daze wave quickly crippled the Texas Ranger ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at first they were shocked then they started to reach Salmon P. Chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her speed.

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

grin weakly Shelby bowed her head, `` I hope you are not mad at me. The Texas Ranger 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 entire military force, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the Ranger ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

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