Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Rangers to back off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able to follow or trace them. In eye socket around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up debris egg ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so often to do ; he had to have the rest of the knowledge in the depository library. There was still the explosive charge attached to the astral fin near Zan 's engine. There was still the mysterious message that Tempro had, plus the enigma of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality creators, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many questions and few if any response.

Looking at the question set again for the fifth sentence in the last-place 30 minutes, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the question set, there are far too many question I need resolution to. I want a full diagnostic on the organization, inquiry, are all 7 buffer storage sufficient to tap and quench and funnel the info at a more tolerable rate ? Also, are the burster dampeners sufficient to prevent electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the design checking the apparatus numerous times.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used last time, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three care dampener are at 100 %, also the tally quick switch has been added, though I must warn you Derrick there are only sure times that you can use it. Only when you see a Green River light in the upper left quadrant is it safe to quick gulf, any other meter you will either suffer severe wit price, or New York minute death. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to discharge this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the head set over his ears. Again as it started it was n't bad then the information started to flow faster, then faster yet. Looking to the left hand he still had n't seen the wanton yet, soundly to keep that place in direction in case. After what felt like an hour the information again started to arrive at hurrying. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was wrong, he still had n't seen the lite, or any opening night. Derrick also noticed that the data was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's library. Son of a bitch ! Even this far into the future tense the traitors had found a way to try and pop him. Shelby was starting to get worried, Derrick had finished her library a short clock time ago but for some reason the apparatus was now pulling from the other ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the connection Shelby only found an empty room, following the connectedness further she again found Derrick curled into a corner. It was at that moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residual computer virus in one of the ships scheme, a virus that could pull up stakes them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from earlier Shelby had it in a receptacle within moments. As the blue healing flow of data washed over them, Derrick finally uncurled looking up he saw that Shelby had again saved him. `` Thank you Shelby, where are we ? I do n't recognize this, '' Derrick asked.

A man about 25-30 appeared, `` you are in my library, I 'd say you 've accessed almost half of it, my Creator. '' The myopic cropped blond whisker, medium build man, with a shine face said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am glad you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my life for the instant time no ..., third. My nobleman I was told that when you were here, to tell you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to fill out my records, it will be unspeakable especially the last share. I was told you have to endure it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was crazy, the pain had already started, shaking his brain did that mean he was almost done with the extra Brobdingnagian library Tempro had ? Then almost all clear thought vanished as the cobbler's last few tens of thousands of Indian file washed through his brain. Falling to the ... ground ? He was n't for sure what it was nor did he care the visions and data he received made him finger as if it all were actually happening to him. All the infliction he saw, all the pain he felt, Derrick cerebration was going to kill him then just as suddenly it was gone. Standing up Derrick could see things a lot clearer now, looking at Shelby he walked up to her and held her close. Though highly surprise Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could disturb him even if it was only in his idea it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to recover your children, and possibly another of Blessed Virgin 's. '' Derrick told her.

Shelby gasp, `` You know ? How ? There was never anything in the criminal record about that ; I do n't ..., '' Derrick kissed Shelby effectively shutting her up eliciting another groan.

'' I have to leave here soon, Shelby I find that I have smell for you, I never thought I 'd palpate what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

Derrick pulled the head set off his head, there was a lot to do but armed with what he had now, it would be a lot light. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over ascendency tuning in the palace. `` Mary, secondary emergency computer code enacted now ! Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon ; confirm and enact. '' Derrick said.

Immediately Virgin Mary answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All assault and battery charged and ready, Republic capital targeted awaiting purchase order. ''

'' secure hold on a lock we may accept penury of a demonstration soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my master ; I will await orders to destroy what you will. Mary answered.

In the democracy presidential palace, the corrupt President was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd mail for execution had needed spear carrier grounds to get rid of ’. Sighing he knew he was going to bear up the ante on the council possibly get rid of them, though that would be messy and expensive.

The hole sound of running pace drew his tending to the door, `` President Maury ! prexy Maury ! '' His helper was screaming sounding like a scared little girl. Sighing the president stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the picayune man threw the threshold open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the president 's bare body, what he would n't give to get hold of ..., shaking his top dog he spoke up. `` chairman Maury ! We have an alive CAT scan from the old imperium castle, sir it has trained every weapon on the imperium humanity upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The planetary cuticle will take guardianship of that. '' The president said waving the short man away.

'' I 'm sorry sir but, '' the picayune man was shaking.

'' But what ? ! We have far to a greater extent great power than the old imperium ever did. '' Maury said not really worried he 'd spent a fortune getting the best, zilch could get to him now.

'' All the skill policeman say that the buckler are zip, the imperium palace alone possess 100 times more mogul than commonwealth upper-case letter world does. If they fire sir, '' here the little man shook not for certain if it was the nudeness of the president or the fear he was feeling. `` They could ruin the stallion planet ! ''

The President 's side blanched, `` call the full fleet, and have them lead off bombardment of the ancient empire major planet ! Destroy it before it can put down us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the president 's body then left.

Virgin Mary was monitoring every communication out of the Republic world, when she saw the order she smiled. Finally the hapless excuse for a ruling course of instruction would be shown just how undistinguished and inconsequent they truly were. As per the irregular emergency code Virgin Mary started to point not only the commonwealth humanity but every ship of theirs within 2 igniter eld. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was impressed that Derrick was adapting as fast as he was. Sighing Derrick knew that there was a major confrontation coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at present he had to wait for Tempro and the content before he moved on it. For some strange ground Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to pick up the message before he did anything else. In eye socket on the far face of Darius 3, an older man flipped 3 switches and smiled, almost time to be a hero boy. Shaking his head he caressed the tenacious scar on his leg, activating another set of switches a miniature hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the little ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a startled Shelby said. `` I just discovered a program buried extremely deep within my records. I 've never seen it before, yet records show that it has been there since I was built. ''

'' Is it a peril to you or the others ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No, it appears to be specifically to disarm almost all destructive programs and device. '' A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the hell was going on ? He was never this lucky or fortunate ; nothing EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the program over it was almost the Sami as the one he 'd been working on for weeks. `` Zan, I think we have the course of study set up to take out the charge from you. Are you fix to try ? ''

Zan 's hologram appeared bowing low, `` for you my lord I 'd carry it and take chances destruction, though my lord I believe I have detected another problem. ''

What the hell on earth now ? Derrick thought then stimulate his capitulum he knew something would go wrongly it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

'' It appears that the device is now a part of the fin, it will have to be removed and I am afraid none of us have the power or equipment to do this. '' Zan said.

'' I see, '' stated Derrick, `` I need to prepare, and then I 'll give notice all of you what I want you to do. ''

Shelby and the others started to protest when Derrick looked at all of them, `` Executive order, Omega-Omega-1 I will subscribe care of this. ''

All the holograms froze they had n't heard an fiat this serious in almost 1000 years, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my lord we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to protest though she 'd heard the social club.

'' No Shelby, I HAVE to do this ; if I do n't then I do n't deserve to fag the crown of the Saturnia pavonia. '' Derrick whispered.

split were starting to shine freely from Shelby 's eyes, `` no Derrick please, there has to be another way, there has to be ! ''

'' I 've considered everything there is no other way, if I do n't withdraw it we are all in danger, even as you risk your life story for me will I chance mine for you, I told you I have feelings for you, feelings that died from all the cleanup, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to retort, but I will every remaining day of my life. '' Derrick said dead serious, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to pack respective pieces of equipment from his ship, and then went over recital from Zan 's effected section. Hmmm so the gimmick packed an explosive force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, powerful enough to punch a hearty fix in the position of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand miles, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the blast. It appeared that the foster from Zan it was the weaker it was, a good thing to remember. Finally prepare an hour later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in boilersuit appeared as soon as Derrick began to move to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

'' Though we are under the administrator social club I still must protest, my overlord, '' Zan stated. `` If you are lost it would stand for disgrace for all of us, we would no longer be able-bodied to function. ''

'' I know that Zan, but you are, all the ships are as authoritative to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I wo n't experience I am near worthy to go you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's face began to show the pride he felt for Derrick, as far as he was come to Derrick WAS the emperor. `` I will do all I can to protect you my Lord, up to and including giving my beingness. ``

'' With the skills I possess I am hoping nothing like that will be requirement, when I have removed the gimmick, I want you on the other side of the others. The further away the skilful, it appears the device is triggered to amplify the good time the closer to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

bow his head Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my Lord. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the English of the ship, the pelt was odd but this close up he could see it was well panoplied. Slowly he made his way up the position of Zan, already as far back as he could go it was still a bit of a walk to get to the fin.

'' Shelby, Zan monitor the device let me know if there are any changes. '' Derrick said when he was half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a telephone call, `` Derrick I am reading a slim change in the guardianship it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

'' Alright Zan, I want you to laden the political program, after its run completely, notify me. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Derrick there is a small maintenance thruster on that suit, please call up that is only a grade 2 suit, it wo n't offer as very much protection as a class one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary shield trade good for approximately 60 seconds please use it if essential. '' Shelby advised.

'' Thank you Shelby I 'll try and remember that, '' Derrick replied.

'' Program complete Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to scramble toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting woolly mullein from his mob Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the sustenance metal. Finally wanton Derrick pulled the device about a meter and a half long loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan leap away, the wake of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's scream broke into his thoughts, `` the twist is starting to arm itself ! Use the thruster pack ! '' Derrick started the pack, slowed, and then started to move in the opposite word commission. Son of a bitch he thought, this will serve but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic plosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up not bad ! He knew there was n't very much time so clicking the shield on he waited a few seconds, he could feel himself accelerating, plus the hotness was n't too large either but at to the lowest degree it was starting to lessen. Trying to hold back his center open up he thought he saw the synopsis of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blessed darkness took him as the pain in the ass and cold began to pussyfoot in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp backwash had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated pep pill. Shelby was monitoring the whole time ; suddenly she got a signal that the gimmick had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to affect away from the device. Unfortunately he had used constituent of the fuel slowing and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a small distance between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to secernate Derrick to activate the shield, when he did she still could n't loosen as she saw that the heating system had risen and the carapace was barely keeping it at bay. Counting she was afraid Derrick was going to die if she did n't do something. Jumping in she was in straw man of Derrick when the bang pushed Derrick right into one of various of her astral fins that the blast had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to countenance Derrick to pass through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to jump to the others but with her fivesome damaged, she could only make out a few thousand statute mile. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burn mark and radiation, plus the slash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

The other ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost weeping wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the hologram, `` standing orders, protect each other, avoid the fire warden at all toll, think of all I have shown you and recite you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming wickedness.

Mary was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Mary yelled, `` Put these in him, NOW ! '' As soon as the ampul appeared a mechanical arm took it and injected it into Derrick 's arm. `` He will be alright now Shelby. '' Looking down Mary smiled, `` I have to go it appears I will soon have visitors. ''

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitors ? Was n't the castle isolated ? Mary smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to fail through her shields for over 200 years. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half world power Mary aimed at the first gear ship, firing, she took out the total engine, then the second ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 Roman mile from the satellite. `` Under imperial executive director orders, I have been tasked with the protection of the imperial planet. Any further encroachment by unfriendly forces with be met with baneful force. I do not pick out you or your democracy anymore and phone for the removal of the President of the United States, evidence will keep abreast. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the beetleweed and throughout the republic.

The President of the United States linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's authority do you make these claims ? ''

The hologram of Blessed Virgin appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but most importantly the Republic capital. Looking directly at the chair she stated, `` The future emperor butterfly of the land, and he is FAR to a greater extent than displeased with you, there is a special punishment he has for you when you are found guilty. I am quite sure you have heard of the imperial dermal shredders ? ''

Broadcast to well over a k humans many were glad to see the president as he started to wee his drawers. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the chairwoman started to skin Order. He needed every piece of heavy armament and weapon he had to attack the imperial planet. That was 'til 4 well placed energy blasts pierced the shell as if they were n't there and 4 massive detonation sounded, hiding his brain he did n't even need to await to have it away that all 4 of the inventory were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet spot on the floor was growing.

For 2 day Derrick 's eubstance was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his body ever could consume. Unfortunately they were unable to heal the huge scar that was now a portion of his leg. At the end of the second day Derrick 's middle opened, `` position report, '' he croaked out before sipping the water offered.

'' The program has removed all trace of the devices within my re-gen matrix, '' Zan stated.

'' At show I am in re-gen several of my artillery, astral pentad, and one railway locomotive, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to carry through you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see snag falling from her eye.

'' If you saved me than why are you upset ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I feel that I should have gone in different. Your injury is the result of stern trauma caused from you being ripped along my disclose stellar pathfinder. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprised that you wish to rest on me. '' This brought more renewed tears from her.

'' Alright Shelby I 've got a few doubt for you, I want you to conceive then do them, alright ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only nodded between now subdued split.

'' Had you not come for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her top dog no. `` The way that you had to issue forth in to hold on me, was there any early spatial relation that you could bear taken that would bear allowed you to parachute out with lupus erythematosus damage ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every status, every instruction that she could give birth come in from, every berth that she could have got been in to hitch him. Derrick watched her case ; he knew that she 'd see it in a moment. When her face lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute best that you could I know that, therefore I do n't find fault you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick activity. Shelby without you none of this would have been possible. ''

Shelby 's face lit up, `` thank you Derrick I again pledge myself to you I will do all I
can to protect you. ``

'' As do we all, '' Zan said, turning he saw that all the holograms were there. They all bowed each pledging their cosmos to him.

Mary appeared a moment later, `` administrator Holy Order is being carried out, all satellite of the Empire have been informed. The president lost ascendency of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor butterfly was returning. I am releasing all the selective information on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All sonorous blazon and armament have been destroyed on the democracy household major planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 nautical mile of the majestic planet ; they are at show removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very good Mary, arrest under executive director order of magnitude 'til further notification, also arm all robot sentries, I have a spirit they are going to try and take the relief of the planet. Have all the multitude 's identities on the major planet downloaded into their memories, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Mary smiled, reaching out she activated all the scout, loading each as Derrick said with the identity of all the people on the planet. Finally his strength still not yet wax he lay back down and slept. For the next 2 days Derrick drifted in and out of consciousness taking theme and issuing orders, though the one affair he especially wanted to learn on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a subject matter from still an unknown person or person was still a major bur in his slope. Finally able-bodied to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to all the way him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few days later, `` Shelby how a lot longer must I be subjected to being babied ? ''

'' The bio-bed has your body at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will trouble oneself you the rest of your life Derrick. '' Lowering her head she started, `` I am sorry that you will be reminded of this loser by me to protect you fully Derrick. ''

Sighing Derrick looked at her sternly, `` Shelby, if you were a human I 'd slap the preference out of your mouth ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't run out me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember right, an emperor does everything he can to protect all the citizens of his empire. '' Here all the hologram had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the holograms, `` you are all citizens of this empire, I have failed you therefore I beg your forgiveness. '' All the hologram 's mouth were wide heart-to-heart ; the emperor was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) years they had never met a human as kind and giving to them as this one. All of the holograms had bust in their centre each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Mary, who had also been listening as she did now, had bout in her eyes. Finally she thought a dead on target emperor of the people, sighing now she thought ; we just need to take the empire back .