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

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

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

'' I am reading at least four ; start class Texas Ranger ships, closing on our localization. '' 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 o.k. ships they had. Heavily panoplied, heavily lade with weapons, if the EIG ships were to engage the fire warden ships right now they might sustain a opportunity to get the better of them though Shelby was almost at full capacity.

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

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minutes 'til I am trans-warp equal to. I also estimate I have the gamy light shield power now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all artillery usable though, not at full phase of the moon business leader it will take another 4 years 23 hr 'til I have full top executive to weapons. I estimate another 23 hours 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp subject, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am well-chosen to say I do possess sub-light railway locomotive and I have 55 % Christ Within carapace. '' Conner said.

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

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

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

'' I am afraid not Primary, both my reactors and source are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to feature partial sub-light engines. The rest of my engines will have the entire 6 days to re-grow. I am glad to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these Rangers that, I fear, will be ineffectual, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a hell of a lot better off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will take you to extend your visible light carapace over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford much cover 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 personnel casualty of my reactor I wo n't ingest adequate mightiness to take more than two. ''

'' whoreson, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the office restraint ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd need 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 ready if and when the sentence comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a total diagnostic on all system of rules that would be affected. I am also running one on all other systems to produce sure there is nothing else amiss. '' Shelby said as the program started to detect anything that might be incorrect.

'' Good, think 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 form we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short time. '' Derrick stated.

'' fourth dimension ..., '' Derrick began.

'' I estimate at their demo pep pill, they should reach our stead in 1 day, 1 hour, 29 minutes, 39 bit, '' 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 ranger. 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 a firm anomalousness that under the code of the forest fire fighter that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 hr 'til they are close enough to discover that we are NOT an anomalousness. '' Shelby stated.

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

'' I will try to try Derrick, but it is far more efficient to chip in you the answer before you ask. '' Shelby said sweetly.

'' It may be, but I find it irritating. '' Derrick said.

The holograph of Shelby lowered her nous almost whispering, though she had a small smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor to call up this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the broadcast was working, the A.I. 's did n't make to remember anything, not with their banks of store. Derrick had just sat in the instruction chair when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a small amount of Critela particles into your author 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 conditions, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 60 minutes, 26 minute, 23 seconds. More than well within the sentence restraint that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's voice.

'' Make it so, also monitor the flow and measure of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 microgram per mm. '' Derrick recited seeing the chemical formula in his head.

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

'' goodness, keep within those levels and you should be delicately, though I am afraid you have to closely look out them, as Critela can suit unsound at times. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes Primary, I will constantly monitor them 'til mop up. '' Conner again replied excited.

The holograph 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 brainiac, Derrick knew he had to once again step into the severance with his project. Though at present he had More than enough amount of money of knowledge, he was still at an impasse as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the chances of their destruction. After the finish battle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the battle with far less equipment casualty.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the matter of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the enemy fleets. Pulling up all the readings, signal substantiation, equipment readings and the oecumenical post altogether. Derrick was still incertain about how to bump it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the easily time to do it while they were still in hangout.

'' Zan, I need you to scan section BF-32 through BF-999 on your outer skin. separate me what, if anything you detect in those areas. '' Derrick asked heavily.

'' Yes primary, beginning scans now though ..., Primary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing device attached to one of my rear Asterial fins. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am ineffective to absent ! It appears there is a highly precarious destructive device attached to it. '' Zan reported.

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

'' Yes primary coil, continuing glance over now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hour later Zan came back, his hologram angry and foiled, `` primary quill I detected a totality of twenty-five homing devices all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have mellow takings explosive rush attached to them. At present I have no idea how to bump off them. The other XXIII have been removed and disable and should rise no further use to the subspecies connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a program here I wish you to implement to purge your regrowth ground substance for these tracking devices. '' Derrick told Zan.

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

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

Derrick could hear the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` thank you primary election 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 beings 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 software engineer, they were obviously afraid that the machines were going to become more human than they were and possibly try to substitute them.

'' You, your pal and sister deserve no less than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way thing are right now I might be the only one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly fortunate that you are the one to get Zan and not another of the workers 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 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 ingest to chance on what support she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to experience permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to conceive of a better strategy to escaping the ranger 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 dubiety the Ranger ships would n't survive at all. Not really a adept way to part a foresightful term kinship with an arrangement he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transport 0001 and Zan to the early face of the galaxy. read ahead, I want you there with no sightings, obliterate them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes primary coil, I will endeavour to obscure their espial 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

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

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

'' Ok, the sec you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better oppose if the two most damaged are away to refuge. ''

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

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

'' Primary what of you and Shelby ? I can not go away you here un able to defend your selves ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the prospect of leaving Derrick and his baby.

'' Not to worry Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has fully weapons system. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can pass immediately to retrieve us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more confident 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 ranger, plus her Buckminster Fuller light shield would help.

'' primary feather I must protest, there are so many factors that could go untimely, near of our systems are barely operating. What would we do if there was a loser ? '' 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 light shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll concern about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own youngster, hellhole he was frighten off shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many organization in dubiousness. There were too many unknown constituent to forecast a more favorable final result.

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

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

'' I should be fix in another 17 minutes, 20 seconds. primary coil I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should arrive with me your condom is of the upmost importance ! '' Conner said again.

'' Conner I need you to do this, I need all of you, not just one or two of you go now ! I will be fine. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

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

All of the holograph appeared in front of Derrick, `` Please Shelby vigil out for the Primary prime quantity. ''

'' I will protect him with my life, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The eye of the Conner holograph opened blanket, he looked at Derrick, and then his thorax puffed up. `` It is enacted with pridefulness, thank you for the accolade Shelby. I will not conk out 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 need to find out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permission to the others for certain affair and duty. Could she be far Thomas More than I thought at low ?

'' primary feather are you alright ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few moment, nor could I detect your feelings or thought. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated reckon no beguilement no emotions, this was a good matter to remember but to strive that state he 'd have to lick on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to clear up my mind in ordering to concentrate on the problem at hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like crap as soon as the words left his mouth, he really did n't wish to lie and would generally not verbalise if he might have to. Up to appointment it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able to forefend a few fighting that not speaking had generated.

'' I am now moving into position, '' Conner advised them a few min later. `` I should riposte for Lucy in an time of day barring any fuss. ''

'' trade good and safe travelling Conner ; be careful as you do n't have your full arsenal to protect yourself or them. Choose carefully then rejoin. '' Derrick said trying to gain ground more authority as they approached the sentence for all this to happen.

'' I will Primary, you be safe as well forefather, 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 minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to sense better as Shelby increased the light cuticle around them to the full 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the confusion on the fire warden ships as there was a very brief spike of power then almost nothing. He watched as they started to push their engines to get to their billet as fast as possible. The matter was that Lucy and Shelby were almost invisible to them now, soundly destiny finding them quickly.

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

'' Nothing was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight superpower spike with the second in a few lower-ranking organization. I have been working to compensate those since the last sentence when you had me run the psychometric test. '' Shelby reported.

'' Good keep open a close eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently interfere with you propulsion organisation ? Or with any early organisation that we will be need during this military operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At stage I have replaced and repaired all function of the systems that might stimulate unsuccessful person, would you like me to run another symptomatic 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 zip ; a bankruptcy now could be deadly, to either us or the Rangers. ''

Shelby 's hologram 's head dropped a import and she whispered. '' I will hurry Derrick, I want cipher to happen to you, nor will I leave it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't reckon Shelby out shit ! Just like a living cleaning woman. The hr was almost up when there was a tatty beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

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

'' No, joystick to the plan, the strain on your trans-warp engines carrying two others does n't demand to be duplicated. appease with the plan I know you are upset but stay with the design, 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 lunar month.

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

There was a whine, rum Derrick persuasion, 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 scheme. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a issue of clip, these guys were n't unintelligent 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-over circuit I was about to interchange when we left it will take an hour to vary it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? display me, '' Shelby panned through 12 of plans showing Derrick every Angle. `` I 'm going in, outdoors control board AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to inactivate component 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 make to go into hibernation, well part of you but there are commissariat that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the course way, how she could spread and shut them. `` Look at the plans here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

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

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to fawn on his back, ‘ shit I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the heart of Shelby and the ship, he saw more and more of the lap'dark. fifteen minutes later he was replacing the electrical circuit 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 impact the side and grabbed the utmost outer edge to pull his self out. The current that flowed through him though not high enough to kill him was still high enough to sputter his judgment for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his impulse had been enough that he broke 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 disquieted.

Hooked up she soon saw that his life was n't in peril, though when she tried to figure his thoughts, she found she could n't cook common sense of them. The deeper she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The ugly remembering 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 wipe out. She saw how each soul weighed heavier and heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

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

Shelby became frightened ; she 'd never seen hatred as pronounced as this, the murderous smell in his middle, the olfactory sensation of expiry that was covering him.

Shelby, though more afraid than she 'd ever been, have sex 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 roll in the hay 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 capitulum, for a here and now nothing happened, then Derrick 's heart flared red at her, pulling back he went to poke her with a combat knife he 'd pull in. Then he started to squall, a light came from his eyes and oral cavity. Shining out the chaos started to slow and make more than sense.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll wipe out you ! You 've destroyed the exclusively safe harbour I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to lunge at Shelby with the knife. Slicing and hacking Derrick screamed louder when he saw that he was doing no wrong at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

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

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an energy blast hit the buckler ; almost automatically she returned fervency, at broad force ! Quickly she fired another beam of muscularity slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd see 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 international mile of the forest fire fighter ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the vim and cushion 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 devote chase but as Derrick had thought they were no mate for her speed.

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

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

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

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

'' Good fille ! '' Derrick said laughing inside he knew there were going to be some really pissed off Ranger tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those young ships they 'd been wanting !