Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Ranger to back up off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able to follow or decipher them. In ambit around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up rubble globe ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so a good deal to do ; he had to have the respite of the cognition in the depository library. There was still the volatile armorial bearing attached to the astral fin near Zan 's engine. There was still the mysterious content that Tempro had, plus the mystery story 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 solution.

Looking at the promontory set again for the fifth time in the finis 30 bit, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the head set, there are far too many questions I need result to. I want a full diagnostic on the system, Query, are all 7 buff sufficient to intercept and quell and funnel the information at a more tolerable rate ? Also, are the direction dampeners sufficient to prevent electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the invention checking the setup numerous times.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used last sentence, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three tutelage dampeners are at 100 %, also the bring quick substitution has been added, though I must discourage you Derrick there are only sure times that you can use it. Only when you see a unripened light source in the upper left quadrant is it secure to quick disconnect, any early metre you will either stomach severe brain equipment casualty, or flash death. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to complete this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the psyche set over his ears. Again as it started it was n't bad then the entropy started to course faster, then faster yet. Looking to the leftfield he still had n't seen the light yet, skillful to keep that spot in focus in event. After what felt like an 60 minutes the information again started to gain speed. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was ill-timed, he still had n't seen the sparkle, or any curtain raising. Derrick also noticed that the information was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's library. Son of a bitch ! Even this far into the future the traitor had found a way to try and kill him. Shelby was starting to get worried, Derrick had finished her library a short time ago but for some understanding the apparatus was now pulling from the other ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the nexus Shelby only found an empty elbow room, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a nook. It was at that moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residue virus in one of the ships systems, a computer virus that could give them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from earlier Shelby had it in a receptacle within moments. As the blue healing stream of data point 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 greet 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 lord. '' The short cropped blonde whisker, medium bod man, with a politic case said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am happy you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my life for the second fourth dimension no ..., third. My lord I was told that when you were here, to tell you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to complete my track record, it will be painful especially the close part. I was told you have to endure it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was nutcase, the pain had already started, shaking his head did that mean he was almost done with the extra huge library Tempro had ? Then almost all vindicated thought vanished as the last few tens of chiliad of files washed through his brain. Falling to the ... priming ? He was n't trusted what it was nor did he wish the imaginativeness and selective information he received made him experience as if it all were actually happening to him. All the pain in the ass he saw, all the botheration he felt, Derrick thought 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 storm Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could rival him even if it was only in his psyche it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to recover your minor, and possibly another of Mary 's. '' Derrick told her.

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

'' I have to exit here soon, Shelby I find that I have feel for you, I never thought I 'd feel 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 promiscuous. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over control tuning in the palace. `` Mary, secondary pinch 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 batteries charged and ready, Republic working capital targeted awaiting orders. ''

'' Good proceed a lock we may have need of a demonstration soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my Jehovah ; I will expect gild to demolish what you will. Mary answered.

In the democracy presidential palace, the corrupt chairwoman was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd sent for performance had needed extra evidence 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 holler sound of running stride drew his aid to the threshold, `` President Maury ! President of the United States Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a scared little daughter. Sighing the chair stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the piddling man threw the door open. `` chairman M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the chairman 's au naturel soundbox, what he would n't give to pick out ..., shaking his head teacher he spoke up. `` president Maury ! We have an participating scan from the old empire palace, sir it has trained every arm on the Empire globe upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The planetary shields will contract upkeep of that. '' The president said waving the petty man away.

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

'' But what ? ! We have far Thomas More power than the old conglomerate ever did. '' Maury said not really worried he 'd spent a destiny getting the best, nothing could get to him now.

'' All the skill police officer say that the shields are nothing, the empire castle alone possess 100 times Sir Thomas More power than democracy majuscule cosmos does. If they fire sir, '' here the little man shook not certain if it was the openness of the United States President or the fear he was feeling. `` They could destroy the integral planet ! ''

The president 's human face blanched, `` hollo the entire fleet, and have them begin barrage fire of the ancient empire planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the President 's eubstance then left.

Mary was monitoring every communicating out of the Republic world, when she saw the society she smiled. Finally the pitiful excuse for a ruling socio-economic class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the secondly emergency computer code Virgin Mary started to target not only the democracy world but every ship of theirs within 2 visible light years. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was instill 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 gift he had to wait for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some strange grounds Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to hear the message before he did anything else. In orbit on the far side of Darius 3, an old man flipped 3 transposition and smiled, almost time to be a Hero boy. Shaking his head he caressed the long scrape on his leg, activating another set of substitution a miniature hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the minuscule 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 phonograph record show that it has been there since I was built. ''

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

'' No, it appears to be specifically to demilitarise almost all destructive programme and devices. '' A traumatize 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 Lapp as the one he 'd been working on for weeks. `` Zan, I think we have the program ready to off the heraldic bearing from you. Are you set to try ? ''

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

What the snake pit now ? Derrick thought then shook his headland he knew something would go wrong it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

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

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

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

All the holograms froze they had n't heard an order this serious in almost 1000 years, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my Creator we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to dissent though she 'd take heed the Order.

'' No Shelby, I HAVE to do this ; if I do n't then I do n't deserve to wear the crown of the emperor moth. '' Derrick whispered.

binge were starting to fall 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 take it we are all in risk, even as you risk your animation for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have feelings for you, feel that died from all the kill, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even get to refund, but I will every remaining day of my animation. '' Derrick said suddenly grievous, this in itself outrage Shelby.

Derrick began to carry several spell of equipment from his ship, and then went over readings from Zan 's effected part. Hmmm so the device packed an explosive power of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, powerful enough to punch a substantial hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand mil, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the blast. It appeared that the further from Zan it was the frail it was, a good thing to retrieve. Finally prepare an time of day later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to move to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

'' Though we are under the executive order I still must dissent, my Almighty, '' Zan stated. `` If you are lost it would signify shame for all of us, we would no longer be able to go. ''

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

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

'' With the attainment I possess I am hoping nothing like that will be necessary, when I have removed the device, I want you on the early side of the others. The further away the better, it appears the gimmick is triggered to amplify the blast the closer to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

bow his foreland Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my Lord. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the side of the ship, the skin was odd but this close up he could see it was well armour. Slowly he made his way up the side of Zan, already as far back as he could go it was still a bit of a walk of life 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 call, `` Derrick I am reading a flimsy alteration in the charge it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

'' Alright Zan, I want you to load the computer programme, after its run completely, notify me. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Derrick there is a small upkeep pusher on that suit of clothes, please think that is only a year 2 wooing, it wo n't pop the question as often protection as a year one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary buckler commodity for approximately 60 seconds please use it if essential. '' Shelby advised.

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

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

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to sputter toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting blowlamp from his face pack Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the living alloy. Finally on the loose Derrick pulled the device about a beat and a half retentive loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan saltation away, the Wake Island of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's shriek broke into his thoughts, `` the device is starting to arm itself ! Use the thruster pack ! '' Derrick started the mob, slowed, and then started to motivate in the contrary direction. Son of a beef he thought, this will help but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic explosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up capital ! He knew there was n't much time so clicking the buckler on he waited a few instant, he could experience himself accelerating, plus the heat was n't too large either but at least it was starting to lessen. Trying to keep his optic open he thought he saw the scheme of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp tactile sensation a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the Blessed swarthiness took him as the botheration and frigidity began to creep in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp wake had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated velocity. Shelby was monitoring the entirely time ; suddenly she got a signaling that the device had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to move away from the device. Unfortunately he had used part of the fuel retardation and reversing steering. Finally he was starting to put a little distance between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to tell Derrick to trigger the shell, when he did she still could n't relax as she saw that the heat had risen and the shield 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 figurehead of Derrick when the blast pushed Derrick rightfield into one of various of her astral quintet that the good time had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to let Derrick to pass through. Screaming she watched as the broken in fin ripped a cut down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to jump to the others but with her fins damaged, she could only manage a few G sea mile. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and radiation, plus the cut in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

The early ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost tears wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the hologram, `` standing parliamentary law, protect each early, avoid the Rangers at all costs, call back all I have shown you and enjoin you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming shadow.

Madonna was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Blessed Virgin yelled, `` Put these in him, NOW ! '' As soon as the vial 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, visitor ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Blessed Virgin smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to come apart through her shields for over 200 years. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half index Mary aimed at the first ship, firing, she took out the full locomotive, then the second ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 stat mi from the planet. `` Under imperial administrator orders, I have been tasked with the tribute of the royal planet. Any advance trespass by hostile personnel with be met with deadly force. I do not know you or your democracy anymore and call for the removal of the president, evidence will follow. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the extragalactic nebula and throughout the democracy.

The chairwoman linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's authorization do you attain these title ? ''

The hologram of Virgin Mary appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but most importantly the democracy capital. Looking directly at the president she stated, `` The future emperor of the realm, and he is FAR more than than displeased with you, there is a especial punishment he has for you when you are found guilty. I am quite surely you have heard of the imperial dermal shredders ? ''

program to well over a thousand worlds many were sword lily to see the president as he started to piss his pants. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the chair started to bark orders. He needed every objet d'art of weighty armament and weapon he had to set on the purple major planet. That was 'til 4 well placed energy blasts pierced the carapace as if they were n't there and 4 massive detonation sounded, hiding his head he did n't even need to count to know that all 4 of the armories were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet maculation on the floor was growing.

For 2 daylight Derrick 's consistency was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his physical structure ever could ingest. Unfortunately they were ineffectual to heal the huge scratch that was now a section of his leg. At the end of the s day Derrick 's center opened, `` status report, '' he croaked out before sipping the pee offered.

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

'' At exhibit I am in re-gen respective of my weapons, astral fin, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to lay aside you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see rent falling from her eyes.

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

'' I feel that I should consume gone in different. Your combat injury is the termination of severe trauma caused from you being ripped along my broken stellar guides. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprised that you wish to outride on me. '' This brought more renew tears from her.

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

'' Had you not fare for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her pass no. `` The way that you had to come in to block up me, was there any early positioning that you could have taken that would give birth allowed you to climb up out with LE legal injury ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every spatial relation, every direction that she could own come in from, every position that she could have been in to fascinate him. Derrick watched her face ; he knew that she 'd see it in a second. When her boldness lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute best that you could I know that, therefore I do n't blame you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick actions. Shelby without you none of this would cause 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 holograph were there. They all bowed each pledging their existence to him.

Mary appeared a moment later, `` executive gild is being carried out, all satellite of the empire have been informed. The president lost ascendance of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor butterfly was returning. I am releasing all the entropy on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All gruelling arms and armament have been destroyed on the Republic home planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 geographical mile of the imperial planet ; they are at present removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very good Madonna, stay under executive order 'til further posting, also arm all robot sentries, I have a feeling they are going to try and take the rest of the planet. Have all the masses 's identity operator on the major planet downloaded into their retentiveness, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Mary smiled, reaching out she activated all the sentries, loading each as Derrick said with the identity operator of all the masses on the planet. Finally his strength still not yet total he lay back down and slept. For the adjacent 2 days Derrick drifted in and out of cognisance taking write up and issuing orders, though the one thing he especially wanted to tick on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a message from still an unknown person or persons was still a major bur in his face. Finally able to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to clear him.

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

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

Sighing Derrick looked at her sternly, `` Shelby, if you were a human I 'd slap the taste out of your sassing ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't fail 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 holograms had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the hologram, `` you are all citizens of this empire, I have failed you therefore I beg your pardon. '' All the hologram 's mouths were wide-cut assailable ; the emperor moth was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) years they had never met a homo as kind and giving to them as this one. All of the holograms had tears in their eyes each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Mary, who had also been listening as she did now, had rip in her eyes. Finally she thought a true emperor moth of the masses, sighing now she thought ; we just want to get hold of the empire back .