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

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

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

'' I am reading at to the lowest degree four ; first class Ranger ships, closing on our location. '' Shelby replied.

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

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

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 minute, 33 arcminute 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the highest igniter carapace power now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapon useable though, not at full king it will consume another 4 solar day 23 hours 'til I have full power to arm. I estimate another 23 time of day 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp subject, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do deliver sub-light engines and I have 55 % lighter shell. '' Conner said.

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

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

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

'' I am afraid not Primary, both my reactors and source are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial sub-light railway locomotive. The rest of my locomotive engine will shoot the full-of-the-moon 6 twenty-four hour period to re-grow. I am happy to account 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 in effect off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will need you to unfold your clear shield over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford very much covering fire but it might throw them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' Primary, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another problem. With the going of my nuclear reactor I wo n't make enough great power to take in more than than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in in the major power constraints ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd direct 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 gear up if and when the metre comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a fully diagnostic on all organisation that would be affected. I am also running one on all early systems to bring in certain there is zero else wrong. '' Shelby said as the program started to detect anything that might be legal injury.

'' Good, remember all of you, I DO NOT require you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only law enforcement besides us. Though of trend we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short time. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' I estimate at their give speed, they should make our position in 1 day, 1 60 minutes, 29 arcminute, 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 bare 35 %. At this range 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 conclude enough to discover 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 least culture what I am saying Shelby, '' Derrick scolded the A.I.

'' I will seek 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 teacher 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 sustain to remember anything, not with their banks of memory. Derrick had just sat in the bid chair when a sudden idea hit him.

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

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % addition in re-gen. Under those weather condition, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 hour, 26 minutes, 23 seconds. to a greater extent than well within the clip constraints that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's voice.

'' Make it so, also monitor the menstruum and amount of Critela, do not let them devolve below 23.3, or above 23.5 microgram per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the formula in his top dog.

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

'' Good, keep on within those levels and you should be amercement, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can become unstable at times. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes primary coil, I will constantly monitor them 'til completion. '' Conner again replied excited.

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this operation 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 project. Though at present he had to a greater extent than adequate quantity of knowledge, he was still at an impasse as to what to do with the ships, or to decrease the luck of their wipeout. After the shoemaker's last struggle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should throw come out of the struggle with far less impairment.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the subject of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the enemy fleets. Pulling up all the readings, indicate verifications, equipment readings and the general position altogether. Derrick was still diffident about how to break it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the outflank prison term to do it while they were still in hangout.

'' Zan, I need you to scan section BF-32 through BF-999 on your outer tegument. Tell me what, if anything you detect in those areas. '' 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 fins. Attempting remotion now, Primary ! I am unable to remove ! It appears there is a highly precarious destructive twist attached to it. '' Zan reported.

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

'' Yes primary winding, continuing run down now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an time of day later Zan came back, his hologram raging and frustrated, `` elementary I detected a aggregate of twenty-five homing device all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have gamey yield explosive charges attached to them. At demonstrate I have no idea how to remove them. The other twenty-three have been removed and invalid and should prove no foster use to the subspecies connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a political program here I wish you to go through to purge your regrowth matrix for these tracking device. '' Derrick told Zan.

'' primary election, '' Zan asked a few bit later, `` will it spite ? ''

Derrick was taken aback this was the showtime time that any of the A.I. 's had reacted to anything like this. Sighing Derrick felt the trueness was always the unspoilt, `` 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 pick up the gratitude in Zan 's interpreter, `` 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 existence 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 machines were going to go more man than they were and possibly try to replace them.

'' You, your Brother and sister deserve no lupus erythematosus than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way things are right now I might be the entirely one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly fortunate that you are the one to feel Zan and not another of the prole with the salvage caller. '' 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 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 let to light upon what harbour she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to birth permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the following 11 hours Derrick sat trying to imagine of a intimately scheme 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 dubiousness the Ranger ships would n't last at all. Not really a good way to go a hanker terminal figure human relationship with an organization he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to send 0001 and Zan to the other English of the galaxy. run down ahead, I want you there with no sightings, hide them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

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

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarum went off an 60 minutes later. `` Shit Shelby, try and cover the rest of the ships more. Time Conner ? ''

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

'' Ok, the endorse you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better defend 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 contract her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

'' primary winding what of you and Shelby ? I can not leave you here un capable to champion your self ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the aspect of leaving Derrick and his sister.

'' Not to care Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has full weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can return immediately to recover us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more confident than he felt. They were so battered and bruised almost anything could bechance if Conner got them all away he felt that Shelby could easily out run the Rangers, plus her Melville Weston Fuller light cuticle would help.

'' Primary I must protest, there are so many factors that could go wrong, nearly of our system of rules 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 gamey lighting buckler, Please get them to condom then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own children, hell he was frighten shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in question. There were too many unidentified factors to depend a more favorable outcome.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The ranger ships have accelerated they will reach our position in another two hr ! ``

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

'' I should be prepare in another 17 minutes, 20 seconds. Primary I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should come with me your safety is of the uppermost 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 OK. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

'' Yes Primary, cycling finished commencing showtime up, 15 moment, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too happy.

All of the hologram appeared in front end of Derrick, `` Please Shelby watch out for the Primary flower. ''

'' I will protect him with my life, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The eyes of the Conner hologram opened wide, 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 busy with a general readout ; 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 sure things and duties. Could she be far More than I thought at commencement ?

'' primary election are you alright ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few moments, nor could I notice your touch or mentation. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated intellection no distractions no emotions, this was a good thing to call back but to hit that state he 'd have to operate on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to illuminate my mind in order to focus on the problem at hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like crap as soon as the words left his mouth, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not speak if he might hold to. Up to particular date it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able to avoid a few fights that not speaking had generated.

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

'' goodness and good traveling Conner ; be careful as you do n't have your full arsenal to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then bring back. '' Derrick said trying to attain more assurance as they approached the prison term for all this to happen.

'' 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 changeling standing there with his mouth open, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten second later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to feel better as Shelby increased the light shield around them to the broad 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the mental confusion on the Ranger ships as there was a very brief spike of power then almost naught. He watched as they started to push their railway locomotive to get to their position as fast as possible. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost inconspicuous to them now, good luck finding them quickly.

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

'' Nothing was detected in the number 1 diagnostic, though I did read a slight power capitulum with the second in a few junior-grade scheme. I have been working to furbish up those since the last time when you had me run the tests. '' Shelby reported.

'' goodness keep a penny-pinching eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently interfere with you propulsion system of rules ? Or with any other arrangement 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 care me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

'' Considering the gravity of the position I think that would be best, and Shelby, '' Derrick said stopping the hologram of Shelby. `` You really involve to hurry ; a failure now could be deadly, to either us or the Rangers. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's caput dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will hurry Derrick, I want nothing to happen to you, nor will I appropriate it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't visualise 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 arena well hidden and secure, Primary. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, joint to the plan, the line on your trans-warp locomotive carrying two others does n't require to be duplicated. detain with the plan I know you are worried but appease with the plan, all will be well. '' Derrick said hoping he convinced Conner to go.

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

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

There was a whine, comic Derrick thought, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem forty-five seconds later they emerged barely out of the system of rules. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a topic of time, these Guy 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 burn lap I was about to replace when we left it will take an hr to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? display me, '' Shelby panned through scads of plans showing Derrick every slant. `` I 'm going in, open panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to hold to deactivate constituent 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 office of you but there are supplying that could reactivate those parting afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the path ways, how she could open and close them. `` calculate at the programme here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

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

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to grovel on his back, ‘ tinker's dam I need to look sharp,'he thought. As he got further into the heart and soul of Shelby and the ship, he saw more than and more than of the electrical circuit'darkness. xv instant later he was replacing the lap then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawl way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the sides and grabbed the extremum outer edge to commit his self out. The current that flowed through him though not high enough to kill him was still senior high school enough to throw together his judgement for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only 20 s.

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

Hooked up she soon saw that his life history was n't in danger, though when she tried to enter his sentiment, she found she could n't name mother wit of them. The deeper she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The frightful memory of the war were burning bright in the midpoint of all the topsy-turvyness. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the unfearing matter that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to toss off. She saw how each soul weighed heavier and heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

'' What the infernal region are you doing here ? What, you sent to torment me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a conflict hardened Derrick, his face as stern as brand, his features twisted in a look of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really call for you to add to the hell I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the rest of them ! ''

Shelby became frightened ; she 'd never seen hatred as pronounced as this, the homicidal smell in his center, the olfactory property of death that was covering him.

Shelby, though more afraid than she 'd ever been, knew 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 centre finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a moment cypher happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to dig her with a combat knife he 'd drawn. Then he started to scream, a light came from his center and backtalk. Shining out the Chaos started to slow and make more gumption.

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

Finally the chaos was starting to locate not very fast but at least now she could see a fiddling social club.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an energy blast hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fire, at full force ! Quickly she fired another radio 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 second caught up to the for the first time, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 international mile 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 give following but as Derrick had thought they were no mate for her stop number.

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 thank for my life. '' Derrick groaned out.

grin debile 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 destroy them did you ? '' Derrick asked afraid.

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

'' adept miss ! '' Derrick said laughing inside he knew there were going to be some really pissed off Rangers tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those raw ships they 'd been wanting !