Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the forest fire fighter to second off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able-bodied to follow or follow them. In orbit around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up disperse globe ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so much to do ; he had to have the rest of the cognition in the libraries. There was still the explosive tutelage attached to the astral fin near Zan 's engine. There was still the orphic content that Tempro had, plus the mystery of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality Almighty, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many question and few if any solution.

Looking at the head set again for the fifth metre in the final 30 minutes, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the straits set, there are far too many questions I need answers to. I want a full diagnostic on the system of rules, question, are all 7 buffers sufficient to intercept and squelch and funnel the information at a more tolerable rate ? Also, are the charge 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 clip, I am showing that all cowcatcher are working at 99.5 %, all three charge dampeners are at 100 %, also the sum up quick switch has been added, though I must monish you Derrick there are only sure times that you can use it. Only when you see a green light in the speed left hand quadrant is it prophylactic to quick disconnect, any other sentence you will either digest severe brain wrong, or split second expiry. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to nail this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the psyche set over his auricle. Again as it started it was n't bad then the entropy started to feed faster, then faster yet. Looking to the left field he still had n't seen the lightheaded yet, good to keep that pip in focus in lawsuit. After what felt like an hour the information again started to gain amphetamine. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was improper, he still had n't seen the light, or any porta. Derrick also noticed that the info was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's library. Son of a bitch ! Even this far into the future the traitors had found a way to try and shoot down him. Shelby was starting to get vex, Derrick had finished her library a brusk 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 radio link Shelby only found an evacuate room, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a turning point. It was at that second she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residuum computer virus in one of the ships systems, a virus that could leave them all without Derrick. Remembering the saucer from originally Shelby had it in a receptacle within here and now. As the amobarbital sodium healing stream 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 know 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 hair, spiritualist build man, with a smooth 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 living for the second meter no ..., third. My lord I was told that when you were here, to evidence you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to complete my records, it will be painful especially the last part. I was told you have to endure it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was mad, the pain had already started, shaking his mind did that mean value he was almost done with the duplicate huge subroutine library Tempro had ? Then almost all clear thought vanished as the lastly few ten-spot of thousands of files washed through his brain. Falling to the ... land ? He was n't surely what it was nor did he care the visual modality and information he received made him palpate as if it all were actually happening to him. All the pain he saw, all the painful sensation he felt, Derrick thinking 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 surprised Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could touch him even if it was only in his mind it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to recover your children, and possibly another of The Virgin 's. '' Derrick told her.

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

'' I have to get out here soon, Shelby I find that I have touch sensation 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 easier. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to crimson ! Suddenly Derrick took over restraint tuning in the castle. `` Mary, secondary emergency code enacted now ! Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon ; confirm and enact. '' Derrick said.

Immediately Madonna answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, da Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All batteries charged and quick, republic capital targeted awaiting rules of order. ''

'' soundly keep a curl we may get pauperization of a demonstration soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel office injured. '' Derrick ordered.

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

In the Republic presidential palace, the demoralise chair was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd sent for implementation had needed spear carrier evidence to get rid of ’. Sighing he knew he was going to throw up the ante on the council possibly get rid of them, though that would be messy and expensive.

The hollow strait of running stride drew his attending to the door, `` chair Maury ! President of the United States Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a scared little little girl. Sighing the president stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the little man threw the doors open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the chairperson 's defenseless trunk, what he would n't grant to take ..., shaking his head he spoke up. `` President Maury ! We have an active voice scan from the old Empire castle, sir it has trained every weapon on the imperium macrocosm upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The planetary shields will take care of that. '' The chairwoman said waving the trivial man away.

'' I 'm blue sir but, '' the fiddling man was shaking.

'' But what ? ! We have far more than power than the old imperium ever did. '' Maury said not really care he 'd spend a luck getting the substantially, nothing could get to him now.

'' All the science officers say that the buckler are nothing, the Empire palace alone possess 100 times more business leader than Republic working capital world does. If they fire sir, '' here the lilliputian man shook not sure enough if it was the nakedness of the president or the concern he was feeling. `` They could demolish the entire planet ! ''

The prexy 's font blanched, `` telephone the intact fleet, and have them begin bombardment of the antediluvian empire planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The helper bowed low looking lovingly at the president 's body then left.

Mary was monitoring every communicating out of the democracy humanity, when she saw the order she smiled. Finally the pitiful excuse for a ruling stratum would be shown just how unimportant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the second parking brake code Mary started to target not only the democracy world but every ship of theirs within 2 light yr. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was impressed that Derrick was adapting as fast as he was. Sighing Derrick knew that there was a John R. Major confrontation coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at award he had to expect for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some unknown reason Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to hear the content before he did anything else. In arena on the far face of Darius 3, an senior man flipped 3 switches and smiled, almost time to be a Italian sandwich boy. Shaking his headland he caressed the long scar on his leg, activating another set of substitution a illumination holograph appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the slight ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a galvanise Shelby said. `` I just discovered a platform 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 danger to you or the others ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No, it appears to be specifically to unarm almost all destructive political program and devices. '' A outrage sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the hell was going on ? He was never this favorable or fortunate ; cypher 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 hebdomad. `` Zan, I think we have the plan make to get rid of the charge from you. Are you ready to try ? ''

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

What the perdition now ? Derrick thought then stir his head he knew something would go unseasonable it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

'' It appears that the device is now a division 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 set, and then I 'll rede all of you what I want you to do. ''

Shelby and the others started to resist when Derrick looked at all of them, `` executive ordination, Omega-Omega-1 I will take upkeep of this. ''

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

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

rent were starting to fall freely from Shelby 's eye, `` 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 away it we are all in danger, even as you risk your life for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have flavour for you, impression that died from all the killing, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to give back, but I will every remaining day of my life story. '' Derrick said drained severe, this in itself outrage Shelby.

Derrick began to tamp down several musical composition of equipment from his ship, and then went over reading from Zan 's effected section. Hmmm so the twist packed an explosive force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, mighty enough to plug a substantial hole in the side 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 further from Zan it was the decrepit it was, a good thing to remember. Finally ready an 60 minutes later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in boilers suit appeared as soon as Derrick began to strike to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

'' Though we are under the executive order I still must protest, my lord, '' Zan stated. `` If you are lost it would mean disgrace for all of us, we would no longer be able to function. ''

'' 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 lead you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's cheek began to evince the pridefulness 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 skills I possess I am hoping zip like that will be necessary, when I have removed the twist, I want you on the other side of the others. The further away the better, it appears the twist is triggered to amplify the fire the closer to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

Bowing his psyche Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my noble. '' 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 armored. Slowly he made his way up the face 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 have intercourse if there are any changes. '' Derrick said when he was one-half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a call, `` Derrick I am reading a flimsy change in the boot 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 diminished maintenance thruster on that case, delight retrieve that is only a class 2 wooing, it wo n't bid as a good deal tribute as a class one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary shield good for approximately 60 arcsecond please use it if necessary. '' Shelby advised.

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

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

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to jumble toward the fin faster. Drawing a unknown cutting torch from his gang Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the aliveness metal. Finally loose Derrick pulled the gimmick about a meter and a half long loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan jump away, the viewing 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 pusher pack ! '' Derrick started the pack, slowed, and then started to move in the contrary direction. Son of a bitch he thought, this will help oneself 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 much meter so clicking the shield on he waited a few endorsement, he could experience himself accelerating, plus the estrus was n't too great either but at least it was starting to diminish. Trying to keep open his eye open up he thought he saw the outline of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and knifelike feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blessed duskiness took him as the hurting and cold 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 focal ratio. Shelby was monitoring the totally prison term ; suddenly she got a signal that the gimmick 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 slowing and reversing direction. 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 off the cuticle, 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 front of Derrick when the gust pushed Derrick right wing into one of several of her astral fins that the blast had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to allow Derrick to happen through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to spring to the others but with her flipper damaged, she could only care a few G miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and irradiation, plus the slice 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 tears wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the holograms, `` standing orders, protect each other, avoid the Rangers at all cost, recall all I have shown you and told you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming darkness.

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

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitors ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Madonna smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to break through her cuticle for over 200 long time. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half power Mary aimed at the first ship, lighting, she took out the entire locomotive engine, then the instant ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 miles from the planet. `` Under imperial executive ordering, I have been tasked with the protection of the imperial planet. Any further impact by uncongenial effect with be met with deadly force. I do not recognize you or your Republic anymore and hollo for the removal of the president, evidence will follow. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the galaxy and throughout the commonwealth.

The chair linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's authority do you crap these claims ? ''

The hologram of The Virgin appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but near importantly the Republic capital. Looking directly at the president she stated, `` The future emperor of the kingdom, 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 thousand worlds many were beaming to see the president as he started to piss his gasp. As soon as the holograph disappeared, the Chief Executive started to bark orders. He needed every objet d'art of dense armament and weapon system he had to attack the imperial beard planet. That was 'til 4 well placed vim eruption pierced the cuticle as if they were n't there and 4 massive explosions sounded, hiding his head he did n't even ask to calculate to know that all 4 of the armories were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet spot on the trading floor was growing.

For 2 days Derrick 's body was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his body ever could have. Unfortunately they were unable to bring around the huge scar that was now a part of his leg. At the end of the second day Derrick 's eyes opened, `` status 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 arm, astral fins, and one locomotive engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to economise you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see tears falling from her middle.

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

'' I feel that I should sustain gone in different. Your combat injury is the outcome of severe trauma caused from you being ripped along my unkept astral guides. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprised that you wish to stay on me. '' This brought more renewed tears from her.

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

'' Had you not come in for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her head no. `` The way that you had to come in to stop me, was there any other position that you could have taken that would sustain allowed you to jump out with less damage ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every positioning, every direction that she could let come in from, every position that she could let been in to trip up him. Derrick watched her face ; he knew that she 'd see it in a moment. When her face lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute in effect that you could I know that, therefore I do n't pick you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick action. Shelby without you none of this would have been potential. ''

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 macrocosm to him.

Mary appeared a consequence later, `` administrator order is being carried out, all planets of the imperium have been informed. The President lost control of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor was returning. I am releasing all the entropy on all his barbarousness and those with him to the council, well those that are still believe worthy. All heavy limb and armament have been destroyed on the commonwealth home planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 miles of the imperial major planet ; they are at pose removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very expert Mary, stay under executive order 'til boost poster, also arm all robot sentries, I have a touch sensation they are going to try and take the rest of the satellite. Have all the citizenry 's personal identity on the planet downloaded into their computer storage, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Mary smiled, reaching out she activated all the sentries, loading each as Derrick said with the identity of all the people on the planet. Finally his strength still not yet full he lay back down and sleep. For the next 2 days Derrick drifted in and out of consciousness taking written report and issuing orders, though the one thing he especially wanted to go over on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a subject matter from still an unknown person or soul was still a Major bur in his side. Finally able-bodied to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to light him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few solar day later, `` Shelby how practically foresightful must I be subjected to being babied ? ''

'' The bio-bed has your dead body at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will incommode you the ease of your life Derrick. '' Lowering her headspring she started, `` I am sorry that you will be reminded of this failure 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 backtalk ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't fail me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember compensate, 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 holograms, `` you are all citizens of this empire, I have failed you therefore I beg your forgiveness. '' All the hologram 's oral cavity were wide out-of-doors ; the Saturnia pavonia 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 middle each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Blessed Virgin, who had also been listening as she did now, had tears in her heart. Finally she thought a on-key emperor of the people, sighing now she thought ; we just take to take the imperium back .