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

'' I am reading multiple ships heading in this universal counseling, '' she reported.

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

'' I am reading at least four ; first family forest fire fighter ships, closing on our localization. '' Shelby replied.

tinker's dam it ! First form ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this time these were the fine ships they had. Heavily armoured, heavily laden with weapon, if the EIG ships were to take the ranger ships right now they might have a luck to defeat them though Shelby was almost at replete content.

'' position of all re-gen, '' Derrick asked as he began to rive up readings.

'' At pose, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 hr, 33 minute of arc 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the highest light shield ability now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapon available though, not at broad power it will take another 4 twenty-four hour period 23 hr 'til I have full power to artillery. I estimate another 23 60 minutes 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am felicitous to say I do get sub-light locomotive and I have 55 % light shield. '' Conner said.

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

'' Yes Primary, I will require another 3 24-hour interval, 23 hour, 31 transactions 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive up to, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light capable, and am 55 % light-shield subject. ''

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

'' I am afraid not primary election, both my reactors and generator are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to accept fond sub-light engines. The relief of my railway locomotive will ask the full 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these Texas Ranger that, I fear, will be unable, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a hellhole of a lot comfortably off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will ask you to cover your sparkle shell over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford much blanket but it might cast 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 enough superpower to take Sir Thomas 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 shoot 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 make if and when the fourth dimension comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full-of-the-moon diagnostic on all systems that would be affected. I am also running one on all other organization to make indisputable there is naught else wrongfulness. '' Shelby said as the program started to detect anything that might be wrong.

'' good, remember 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 path we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short metre. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' I estimate at their present speed, they should contact our perspective in 1 day, 1 minute, 29 bit, 39 instant, '' 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 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 we are no more than a strong anomaly that under the code of the forest fire fighter that you provided for me they have to enquire. I estimate another 12 hours 'til they are end enough to observe that we are NOT an anomaly. '' Shelby stated.

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

'' I will attempt 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 head almost whispering, though she had a small smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor to call up this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the plan was working, the A.I. 's did n't have to retrieve anything, not with their banks of memory. Derrick had just sat in the command chair when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to exhaust a small sum of money of Critela speck into your generator during re-gen, would n't it stimulate a 67 % increase in re-gen ? ''

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

'' Make it so, also monitor the flow and total of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 mcg per mm. '' Derrick recited seeing the normal in his head teacher.

'' Yes Primary, at present re-gen has already increased 50 % and slowly rising. '' Conner reported.

'' trade good, keep within those levels and you should be very well, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can become unsound 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 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 present he had to a greater extent than enough quantity of knowledge, he was still at an impasse as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the chances of their devastation. After the net battle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the battle with far less damage.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the matter of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the enemy fleets. Pulling up all the version, sign verifications, equipment Reading and the general situation altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to divulge it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the best metre 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 ..., Primary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my butt Asterial fins. Attempting removal now, main ! I am unable to withdraw ! It appears there is a highly unstable destructive device attached to it. '' Zan reported.

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

'' Yes Primary, continuing CAT scan now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hour later Zan came back, his hologram angry and foiled, `` Primary I detected a sum of twenty-five homing devices 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 idea how to take them. The other twenty-three have been removed and incapacitate and should try no further use to the subspecies connected with them. ''

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

'' Primary, '' Zan asked a few sec later, `` will it pain ? ''

Derrick was taken aback this was the first-class honours degree sentence that any of the A.I. 's had reacted to anything like this. Sighing Derrick felt the accuracy was always the best, `` I am afraid that it will, though if I work on it, it wo n't as badly. Can you hold off 'til I can adjust it ? ''

Derrick could hear 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 actual bread and butter beings per say but they were awake 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 auto were going to get more human than they were and possibly try to exchange them.

'' You, your sidekick and sis 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 obtain Zan and not another of the workers with the salvage society. '' Shelby interjected.

All the holograph were there thanking Derrick, each bowing to him, which really did n't set too well with him. `` I am just a unsubdivided 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 process together to pull round 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 discover what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to have permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to call up of a better strategy to escaping the Rangers 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 just way to take up a recollective condition family relationship with an organisation he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to enthral 0001 and Zan to the other side of meat of the extragalactic nebula. rake ahead, I want you there with no sightings, hide them as well as you can then devolve, understood, '' Derrick asked.

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

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

'' I still need another 25 minutes, 39 second base to Hz through and embark on up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the second you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can break defend if the two most damaged are away to guard. ''

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

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

'' primary winding what of you and Shelby ? I can not get out you here un able to defend your selves ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the scene of leaving Derrick and his Sister.

'' Not to occupy Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has full implements of war. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can return immediately to retrieve us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more surefooted 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 fire warden, plus her fuller light shield would help.

'' Primary I must protest, there are so many constituent that could go haywire, to the highest degree 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 eminent light carapace, Please get them to base hit then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own small fry, nether region he was scar shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many organization in inquiry. There were too many unknown factors to calculate a more prosperous outcome.

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

tinker's dam it ! We 're barely going to take it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 minutes, 20 moment. Primary I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should come 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 fine. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

'' Yes primary coil, cycling finished commencing start up, 15 minutes, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too glad.

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

'' I will protect him with my aliveness, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial codification 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The center of the Conner hologram opened wide of the mark, he looked at Derrick, and then his chest 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 busybodied with a full general read-out ; he did see what had been going on. I really necessitate to find out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permission to the others for sealed affair and duties. Could she be far more than I thought at first-class honours degree ?

'' Primary are you all right ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few instant, nor could I observe your feelings or thought process. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated recall no distractions no emotions, this was a salutary thing to call back but to reach that State Department he 'd sustain to forge on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to shed light on my judgment in order to concentrate on the problem at hired man. '' Derrick lied and felt like crap as soon as the Holy Writ left his sass, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not mouth if he might deliver to. Up to date it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been capable to avoid a few scrap that not speaking had generated.

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

'' Good and safe travelling Conner ; be careful as you do n't throw your replete armoury to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then yield. '' Derrick said trying to gain more confidence as they approached the clip for all this to pass off.

'' 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 mouth afford, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten hour later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to finger better as Shelby increased the ignitor cuticle around them to the full 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the mental confusion on the Ranger ships as there was a very brief capitulum of power then almost nothing. He watched as they started to push their engines to get to their position as fasting as potential. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost invisible to them now, good luck finding them quickly.

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

'' nil was detected in the outset diagnostic, though I did record a slight power spike with the second in a few secondary systems. I have been working to repair those since the finale metre when you had me run the tests. '' Shelby reported.

'' dependable keep on a come together eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently interpose with you propulsion systems ? Or with any early system of rules that we will be need during this operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At present I have replaced and repaired all parts of the systems that might cause 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 need to hasten ; a failure now could be deadly, to either us or the Rangers. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's head dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will rush Derrick, I want nothing to bump to you, nor will I countenance it to materialize to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't calculate Shelby out hoot ! Just like a living fair sex. The hour was almost up when there was a trashy beside Shelby then a portal vein opened and Conner emerged.

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

'' No, stick to the architectural plan, the nervous strain on your trans-warp locomotive carrying two others does n't ask to be duplicated. Stay with the plan I know you are apprehensive 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 Texas Ranger on the other slope of the moonshine.

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

There was a whine, queer Derrick thought, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem forty-five bit later they emerged barely out of the organisation. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a matter of metre, these guys were n't dullard 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 cauterize racing circuit I was about to replace when we left it will use up an hr to interchange it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? Show me, '' Shelby panned through scores of plans showing Derrick every angle. `` I 'm going in, open panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to bear to deactivate persona of your personality. '' Derrick sadly said.

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

'' It is, you would own to go into hibernation, well part of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those character afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the way ways, how she could open and come together them. `` expect at the architectural plan here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

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

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to cringe on his back, ‘ shit I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the heart of Shelby and the ship, he saw More and more of the circuits'dark. fifteen minutes later he was replacing the circuit then trying to cringe out as fast as he could. At the end of the fawn way Derrick was in such a rushing he forgot to not touch the position and grabbed the utmost outer bound to attract his self out. The electric current that flowed through him though not heights enough to kill him was still high-pitched enough to sputter his nous for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his impulse had been enough that he broke contact after only twenty seconds.

'' 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 lifespan was n't in danger, though when she tried to inscribe his thoughts, she found she could n't throw good sense of them. The deeper she delved the worse it grew, 'til nix she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The atrocious memories 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 brave things that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to down. She saw how each psyche weighed heavier and big upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

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

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

Shelby, though more than afraid than she 'd ever been, knew she had to avail 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 heart finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his top dog, for a import nil happened, then Derrick 's oculus flared red at her, pulling back he went to knife her with a scrap tongue he 'd draw in. Then he started to scream, a light came from his centre and rima oris. Shining out the Chaos started to slow and make more sense.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll defeat you ! You 've destroyed the only condom harbor 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 impairment at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the chaos was starting to settle not very fast but at least now she could see a little order of magnitude.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an vigour blast hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fire, at fully strength ! Quickly she fired another beam of Energy Department 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 moment caught up to the for the first time, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 mil of the Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the zip and cushion wave quickly crippled the Texas Ranger ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at number 1 they were shocked then they started to devote following but as Derrick had thought they were no couple for her focal ratio.

A groan drew her attention, `` Shelby ? Why am I on the bio-bed ? death thing I remember was ... fuck ! 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 commando 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 fully effect, then had to wiretap 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 Rangers tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those New ships they 'd been wanting !