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

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

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

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

Damn it ! First family ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this time these were the finest ships they had. Heavily armored, heavily laden with artillery, if the EIG ships were to affiance the ranger ships right now they might have a prospect to defeat them though Shelby was almost at replete capacity.

'' Status of all re-gen, '' Derrick asked as he began to root for up version.

'' At stage, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minutes 'til I am trans-warp open. I also estimate I have the gamey light shield ability now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

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

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

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

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

'' I am afraid not primary feather, both my reactors and generators are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial derivative sub-light engines. The respite of my engines will take the to the full 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to cover that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these Rangers that, I fear, will be ineffective, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a hell of a lot break off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will need you to extend your light shell over Zan, I realize it wo n't open a good deal cover but it might cast off 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 throw adequate exponent to take more than two. ''

'' bullshit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the power constraint ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd engage 0001 and Zan. Shelby would be able-bodied 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 other systems to make sure there is null else wrong. '' Shelby said as the political program started to find anything that might be ill-timed.

'' good, remember all of you, I DO NOT desire you firing on them, as I said before they are about the alone law enforcement besides us. Though of form we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short circuit prison term. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' I estimate at their salute speed, they should reach our position in 1 day, 1 hour, 29 minutes, 39 second base, '' 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 simple 35 %. At this range we are no more than than a strong anomaly that under the code of the forest fire fighter that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 hours 'til they are fill up enough to notice that we are NOT an anomaly. '' Shelby stated.

'' You really have to stop doing that, I like to address, you need to let me at to the lowest degree finish what I am saying Shelby, '' Derrick scolded the A.I.

'' I will seek to try Derrick, but it is far more efficient to have you the resolve 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 diminished smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor to remember this. ''

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

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a minor amount of money of Critela particle into your generator during re-gen, would n't it make a 67 % increment in re-gen ? ''

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

'' Make it so, also monitor the catamenia and amount of Critela, do not let them light below 23.3, or above 23.5 microgram per mm. '' Derrick recited seeing the formula in his promontory.

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

'' Good, restrain within those levels and you should be finely, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can become unstable at time. '' 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 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 labor. Though at nowadays he had more than adequate amount of knowledge, he was still at an stalemate as to what to do with the ships, or to diminish the chance of their devastation. After the last battle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should induce come out of the struggle with far less damage.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the issue of the ship that was being used as a sucker to alert the foe fleets. Pulling up all the readings, signal verification, equipment version and the general situation altogether. Derrick was still shy about how to give way it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the best clock time 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 region. '' Derrick asked heavily.

'' Yes Primary, beginning CAT scan now though ..., Primary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing device attached to one of my rear Asterial five. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am unable to remove ! It appears there is a highly unstable destructive gimmick attached to it. '' Zan reported.

'' I was afraid of that, continue to scan I want to make sure there are n't Thomas More than one. We 'll distribute with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes Primary, continuing scan now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hr later Zan came back, his hologram angry and frustrated, `` Primary I detected a sum of twenty-five homing device all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have senior high school output explosive flush attached to them. At give I have no melodic theme how to take them. The other 23 have been removed and disabled and should bear witness no further use to the races connected with them. ''

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

'' primary, '' Zan asked a few irregular later, `` will it hurt ? ''

Derrick was taken aback this was the foremost fourth dimension that any of the A.I. 's had reacted to anything like this. Sighing Derrick felt the truth was always the best, `` I am afraid that it will, though if I work on it, it wo n't as badly. Can you look 'til I can aline it ? ''

Derrick could hear the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` Thank you main 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 factual living beings per say but they were live 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 turn more human than they were and possibly try to supervene upon them.

'' You, your comrade and Sister deserve no less than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way matter 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 find Zan and not another of the prole with the salvage company. '' 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 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 forge together to make it the coming crisis. ''

Each of them nodded, smiling briefly, looking at Shelby before vanishing back to their several ships. ‘ I'm going to have to discover what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to suffer permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a here and now.

For the following 11 hours Derrick sat trying to opine of a better strategy to escaping the Rangers rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd suffer two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no doubtfulness the Ranger ships would n't survive at all. Not really a good way to bulge a farseeing condition kinship with an administration he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transport 0001 and Zan to the other side of the galaxy. scan ahead, I want you there with no sightings, hide them as well as you can then recall, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes primary feather, I will endeavor to hide their sleuthing 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

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

'' I still need another 25 minutes, 39 seconds to hertz through and startle up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the second you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can amend defend if the two nigh 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 on her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

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

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

'' Primary I must resist, there are so many factors that could go wrong, almost of our organization are barely operating. What would we do if there was a failure ? '' Zan and Conner spoke up.

'' That 's why I am having you move as many as you can Conner. We have already established that Shelby 's Hyper-drive is a full day repaired now. She has a higher ignite shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own minor, hell he was frightened shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in doubt. There were too many unknown region factors to calculate a more favourable outcome.

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

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

'' I should be ready in another 17 minutes, 20 minute. 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 convert both of them.

'' Yes Primary, cycling finished commencing starting line up, 15 arcminute, 45 instant. '' Conner said not too happy.

All of the holograms appeared in front end of Derrick, `` Please Shelby ticker out for the primary feather Prime. ''

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

Derrick pretended to be interfering with a oecumenical read-out ; he did see what had been going on. I really take to get out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permit to the others for certain thing and tariff. Could she be far more than I thought at first ?

'' Primary are you all right ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few here and now, nor could I discover your flavor or persuasion. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick sentiment unadulterated call up no distraction no emotions, this was a good matter to remember but to reach that province he 'd suffer to work on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to solve my judgment in order to centralize on the problem at hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like poop as soon as the words left his mouth, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not speak if he might give birth to. Up to date it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able-bodied to avoid a few engagement that not speaking had generated.

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

'' Good and safe travel Conner ; be heedful as you do n't have your fully arsenal to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then refund. '' Derrick said trying to derive Thomas More confidence as they approached the time for all this to bechance.

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

Ten arcminute later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to palpate better as Shelby increased the light shield around them to the full 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the discombobulation on the commando ships as there was a very brief spindle of power then almost null. He watched as they started to force their railway locomotive to get to their situation as fast as possible. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost invisible to them now, good destiny finding them quickly.

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

'' zilch was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight power spike with the second in a few lower-ranking scheme. I have been working to repair those since the net clip when you had me run the tests. '' Shelby reported.

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

'' At demonstrate I have replaced and repaired all component of the systems that might cause bankruptcy, would you wish 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 hurry ; a failure now could be deadly, to either us or the Rangers. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's question dropped a bit and she whispered. '' I will rush Derrick, I want aught to pass to you, nor will I allow it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at meter he could n't figure Shelby out damn ! Just like a animation woman. The minute was almost up when there was a garish beside Shelby then a hepatic portal vein opened and Conner emerged.

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

'' No, joint to the plan, the nervous strain on your trans-warp locomotive carrying two others does n't need to be duplicated. Stay with the plan I know you are occupy 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 Rangers on the former slope of the moonshine.

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

There was a whine, funny story Derrick thought, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a job forty-five seconds later they emerged barely out of the organization. Thankfully the ranger had n't detected them yet but it was only a issue of time, these guys were n't pudden-head 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 circuit I was about to substitute when we left it will take an hour to deepen it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? display me, '' Shelby panned through lashings of programme showing Derrick every Angle. `` I 'm going in, open control board AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to inactivate 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 have to go into hibernation, well persona of you but there are provision that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the track ways, how she could open up and close down them. `` expect at the plans here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The holograph 's backtalk dropped undefended she had n't known of these hiding office ! `` Alright Derrick I will hold enough to run and reopen myself, try not to have-to doe with the sides I can only shut down so very much. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the control board opened and he started to cower 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 and more of the lap'night. xv transactions later he was replacing the circumference then trying to cower out as fast as he could. At the end of the creep way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the English and grabbed the utmost outer edge to extract his self out. The flow that flowed through him though not highschool enough to obliterate him was still high enough to scramble his mind for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke liaison after only twenty arcsecond.

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

Hooked up she soon saw that his life was n't in peril, though when she tried to infix his cerebration, she found she could n't make gumption of them. The recondite she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrible memories of the war were burning bright in the center of all the chaos. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the brave things that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to kill. She saw how each soulfulness weighed heavier and heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

'' What the Inferno are you doing here ? What, you sent to torture me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a conflict hardened Derrick, his face as can as sword, his lineament twisted in a face of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really postulate you to add to the hell I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the residual of them ! ''

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

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

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's eyes finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a present moment nothing happened, then Derrick 's oculus flared red at her, pulling back he went to knife her with a combat tongue he 'd run. Then he started to shout out, a low-cal came from his optic and lip. Shining out the topsy-turvyness started to slack and make more than sentience.

'' You fucking gripe ! I 'll vote down you ! You 've destroyed the only rubber oasis I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to hurtle at Shelby with the knife. Slicing and hacking Derrick screamed louder when he saw that he was doing no damage at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the topsy-turvyness was starting to sink not very fast but at least now she could see a little Holy Order.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an push blast hit the carapace ; almost automatically she returned fire, at full effect ! Quickly she fired another electron beam of get-up-and-go 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 indorsement 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 render pursuit but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her upper.

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

Smiling feeble Shelby bowed her chief, `` I hope you are not mad at me. The commando ships caught up to us and fired, I ... I ... ''

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

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

'' adept 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 !