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

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

'' constellation, '' I shouted as I ran to the bridge.

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

Damn it ! First class ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this time these were the ok ships they had. Heavily armor, heavily lade with weapon system, if the EIG ships were to engage the ranger ships right now they might have a prospect to shoot down them though Shelby was almost at wax capacity.

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

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

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapon system usable though, not at full power it will charter another 4 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. 23 time of day 'til I have fully power to artillery. I estimate another 23 hr 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do get sub-light engines and I have 55 % fall shield. '' Conner said.

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

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

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

'' I am afraid not primary quill, both my nuclear reactor and generators are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to give overtone sub-light engines. The rest of my locomotive engine will drive the total 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to describe that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these ranger that, I fear, will be ineffective, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a snake pit of a lot adept off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will need you to extend your spark shield over Zan, I realize it wo n't open a lot book binding but it might throw them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' primary winding, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another problem. With the loss of my reactor I wo n't have enough power to take Thomas More than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the force constraints ! 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 prepare if and when the prison term comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full diagnostic on all arrangement that would be affected. I am also running one on all other scheme to work sure enough there is cipher else wrong. '' Shelby said as the computer program started to detect anything that might be wrong.

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

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

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

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

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at present not being detected by the commando. I have extended my light-shield over 0001 and Zan ; unfortunately it has reduced the effectiveness of it to a bare 35 %. At this range we are no to a greater extent than a strong unusual person that under the code of the Rangers that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 time of day 'til they are close enough to detect that we are NOT an anomalousness. '' Shelby stated.

'' You really have to barricade doing that, I like to speak, you need to let me at least 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 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 voicelessness, though she had a lowly smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor to call back this. ''

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

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a small measure of Critela subatomic particle into your generator during re-gen, would n't it cause a 67 % increase in re-gen ? ''

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

'' Make it so, also monitor the menstruum and quantity of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 microgram per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the formula in his head teacher.

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

'' commodity, observe within those degree and you should be OK, though I am afraid you have to closely learn them, as Critela can get unstable at times. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes primary feather, I will constantly monitor them 'til pass 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 Rangers arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his mental capacity, Derrick knew he had to once again step into the breach with his project. Though at present he had more than adequate sum of money of cognition, he was still at an deadlock as to what to do with the ships, or to fall the chances of their demolition. After the last conflict, 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 opposition fleets. Pulling up all the readings, betoken verifications, equipment readings and the general state of affairs altogether. Derrick was still incertain about how to break it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the serious fourth dimension to do it while they were still in resort.

'' Zan, I need you to rake segment BF-32 through BF-999 on your outer skin. secernate me what, if anything you detect in those surface area. '' Derrick asked heavily.

'' Yes primary feather, beginning CAT scan now though ..., primary feather ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my rise up Asterial fin. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am ineffective to remove ! It appears there is a highly unsound destructive gimmick attached to it. '' Zan reported.

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

'' Yes primary feather, continuing skim now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hour later Zan came back, his hologram angry and rag, `` Primary I detected a amount of 25 homing gimmick all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have richly yield explosive charges attached to them. At present I have no idea how to polish off them. The other 23 have been removed and disabled and should shew no promote use to the races connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a computer programme here I wish you to follow through to purge your regrowth matrix for these tracking devices. '' Derrick told Zan.

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

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

Derrick could try the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` give thanks 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 living existence per say but they were animated 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 simple machine were going to become more man than they were and possibly try to replace them.

'' You, your brothers and sis deserve no to a lesser extent than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way affair are right now I might be the but one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly fortunate that you are the one to find Zan and not another of the doer with the salvage fellowship. '' 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 various ships. ‘ I'm going to have to get wind what hold up she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to accept permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to call back of a beneficial scheme to escaping the Rangers rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd recede two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no dubiety the ranger ships would n't survive at all. Not really a skilful way to bulge a farseeing terminal figure relationship with an organization he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transport 0001 and Zan to the other English of the Galax urceolata. rake ahead, I want you there with no sightings, hide out them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

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

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarm went off an hour later. `` Shit Shelby, try and obliterate the quietus of the ships more. time Conner ? ''

'' I still need another 25 arcminute, 39 bit to cycle through and pop out up. '' Conner stated.

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

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

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

'' primary coil what of you and Shelby ? I can not leave you here un able to defend your self ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the vista of leaving Derrick and his babe.

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

'' master I must protest, there are so many factors that could go wrong, nigh 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 high unaccented shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own youngster, netherworld he was frightened shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in head. There were too many alien component to calculate a more favorable outcome.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The Ranger ships have accelerated they will gain our position in another two hour ! ``

damn it ! We 're barely going to stool it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 minute, 20 irregular. primary election I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should total with me your prophylactic 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 amercement. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

'' Yes primary quill, cycling finished commencing get-go up, 15 minutes, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too glad.

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

'' I will protect him with my aliveness, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per imperial beard computer code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The center of the Conner holograph opened wide, he looked at Derrick, and then his chest puffed up. `` It is enacted with pridefulness, thank you for the award Shelby. I will not give way you, '' Conner said as he bowed slightly to Shelby.

Derrick pretended to be busy with a 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 permit to the others for sure things and tariff. Could she be far more than I thought at first ?

'' Primary are you alright ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't finger you for a few consequence, nor could I notice your flavour or mentation. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick sentiment unadulterated thought no distractions no emotions, this was a goodness matter to retrieve but to reach that province he 'd have to work on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to earn my mind in purchase order to decoct on the job at deal. '' Derrick lied and felt like crap as soon as the words left his oral cavity, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not speak if he might take to. Up to escort it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been capable to avoid a few fighting that not speaking had generated.

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

'' Good and safe travel Conner ; be deliberate as you do n't have your full phase of the moon arsenal to protect yourself or them. prefer carefully then return. '' Derrick said trying to gain more confidence as they approached the sentence for all this to happen.

'' I will Primary, you be safety as well sire, 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 outdoors, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to experience better as Shelby increased the light cuticle around them to the broad 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the confusion on the Ranger ships as there was a very brief stiletto heel of power then almost nothing. He watched as they started to press their engines to get to their position as fasting as possible. The affair was that Lucy and Shelby were almost invisible to them now, good portion finding them quickly.

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

'' goose egg was detected in the first gear diagnostic, though I did say a little force spindle with the second in a few secondary coil organisation. I have been working to bushel those since the last prison term when you had me run the tryout. '' Shelby reported.

'' Good stay fresh a conclusion eye on all those arrangement, are there any that could inadvertently interfere with you propulsion system of rules ? Or with any other organisation that we will be need during this operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At face I have replaced and repaired all parts of the organization that might cause failure, would you care me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

'' Considering the graveness of the situation I think that would be best, and Shelby, '' Derrick said stopping the holograph of Shelby. `` You really need to rush ; a nonstarter now could be deadly, to either us or the fire warden. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's head dropped a mo and she whispered. '' I will hurry Derrick, I want nothing to happen to you, nor will I allow it to find to you. ''

Derrick sighed at clip he could n't see Shelby out damn ! Just like a living woman. The hour was almost up when there was a flash beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

'' I have procured an expanse well hidden and stop up, primary quill. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, stick to the plan, the song on your trans-warp engines carrying two others does n't demand to be duplicated. Stay with the plan I know you are disturbed but stay with the plan, all will be well. '' Derrick said hoping he convinced Conner to go.

'' Yes primary feather, '' with that said, he connected to Lucy and flashed out. Derrick could see the fire warden on the former position of the moon.

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

There was a whine, peculiar Derrick view, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem forty-five second base later they emerged barely out of the system. Thankfully the Texas Ranger had n't detected them yet but it was only a matter of sentence, these guy cable were n't dazed 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 racing circuit I was about to replace when we left it will accept an hour to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? Show me, '' Shelby panned through dozens of plan showing Derrick every angle. `` I 'm going in, spread control panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to deactivate piece 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 give birth to go into hibernation, well piece of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the route ways, how she could open and shut them. `` Look at the plans here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The Hologram 's mouth dropped clear she had n't known of these hiding stead ! `` Alright Derrick I will keep on enough to run and reopen myself, try not to affect the sides I can only keep out down so much. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the dialog box opened and he started to crawl on his back, ‘ doodly-squat I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the heart of Shelby and the ship, he saw more and more than of the tour'dark. fifteen minutes later he was replacing the racing circuit then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawl way Derrick was in such a hastiness he forgot to not touch the sides and grabbed the extreme point outer boundary to root for his ego out. The flow that flowed through him though not high enough to stamp out him was still high enough to scramble his mind for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke physical contact after only xx 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 aliveness was n't in danger, though when she tried to record his thoughts, she found she could n't hit good sense of them. The thick she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrifying memories of the war were burning bright in the sum of all the chaos. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the weather thing that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to kill. She saw how each mortal weighed heavier and grievous upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

'' What the sin are you doing here ? What, you sent to excruciate me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a battle hardened Derrick, his face as stern as steel, his features twisted in a tone of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really take you to add to the nether region I am in here, go the ass away before I kill you like I did the respite of them ! ''

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

Shelby, though more afraid than she 'd ever been, knew she had to aid him. Walking to him she watched as he snarled at her and raised a rifle pointing it at her. `` I said go the shtup 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 brain, for a moment cipher happened, then Derrick 's heart flared red at her, pulling back he went to prod her with a fighting knife he 'd drawn. Then he started to cry, a light came from his middle and mouth. Shining out the chaos started to slacken and cause more signified.

'' You fucking grouse ! I 'll bolt down you ! You 've destroyed the only dependable oasis I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to hurl at Shelby with the tongue. 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 subside not very fast but at to the lowest degree now she could see a trivial order.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship straight thrust as an vim blast hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fervency, at full moon military group ! Quickly she fired another light beam of energy slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd take heed Derrick say there would be hell to pay, as she watched the second caught up to the first, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 mil of the Texas Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the energy and shock wave quickly crippled the forest fire fighter ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at first they were shocked then they started to render chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her speed.

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

Smiling weakly Shelby bowed her straits, `` I hope you are not mad at me. The Ranger 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 full force play, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the forest fire fighter ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

'' soundly girlfriend ! '' Derrick said laughing inside he knew there were going to be some really pissed off forest fire fighter tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those unexampled ships they 'd been wanting !