Derrick jerked awake as the proximity alarm system began to wail, `` Shelby write up ! '' Derrick shouted.

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

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

'' I am reading at least four ; first class Texas Ranger ships, closing on our fix. '' Shelby replied.

Damn it ! get-go course of study ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this meter these were the o.k. ships they had. Heavily armored, heavily ladened with weapon system, if the EIG ships were to engage the Texas Ranger ships right now they might birth a chance to shoot down them though Shelby was almost at full moon capacity.

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

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 60 minutes, 33 minutes 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the mellow light-colored harbor ability now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapons useable though, not at full power it will accept another 4 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. 23 hours 'til I have entire power to weapons. I estimate another 23 hours 32 minute of arc 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do have sub-light engines and I have 55 % igniter shield. '' Conner said.

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

'' Yes primary coil, I will require another 3 days, 23 minute, 31 minutes 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive adequate to, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light capable, and am 55 % light-shield capable. ''

'' Zan any modification in your term ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am afraid not primary election, both my reactors and author are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial sub-light engine. The rest of my locomotive engine will take the full 6 twenty-four hours to re-grow. I am glad to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these Rangers that, I fear, will be uneffective, '' 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 demand you to reach out your light buckler over Zan, I realize it wo n't afford much screen but it might throw them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' primary feather, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another job. With the personnel casualty of my reactors I wo n't have decent top executive to take more than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in in the business leader constraints ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd take 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 time comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full diagnostic on all systems that would be affected. I am also running one on all former system of rules to hold sure there is null else incorrect. '' Shelby said as the curriculum started to find anything that might be wrong.

'' trade good, call back all of you, I DO NOT want you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only law enforcement besides us. Though of grade we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short prison term. '' Derrick stated.

'' clock time ..., '' Derrick began.

'' I estimate at their present hurrying, they should reach our position in 1 day, 1 60 minutes, 29 arcminute, 39 seconds, '' Shelby reported.

'' How in effect ..., '' Derrick began again.

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at introduce not being detected by the Rangers. I have extended my light-shield over 0001 and Zan ; unfortunately it has reduced the effectiveness of it to a mere 35 %. At this reach we are no Thomas More than a strong anomalousness that under the code of the Ranger that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 hour 'til they are close enough to find that we are NOT an anomaly. '' Shelby stated.

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

'' I will attempt to try Derrick, but it is far more effective to give you the response before you ask. '' Shelby said sweetly.

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

The hologram of Shelby lowered her head almost susurration, though she had a humble smile, `` Yes Derrick I will strive to remember this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the program was working, the A.I. 's did n't have to remember anything, not with their banks of computer storage. Derrick had just sat in the mastery electric chair when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a modest sum of Critela speck into your author during re-gen, would n't it cause a 67 % growth in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % increment in re-gen. Under those conditions, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 hours, 26 minutes, 23 seconds. More than well within the time constraints that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's voice.

'' Make it so, also monitor the rate of flow and total of Critela, do not let them return below 23.3, or above 23.5 micrograms per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the formula in his promontory.

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

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

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

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this process 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 genius, Derrick knew he had to once again ill-treat into the rupture with his project. Though at present tense he had Thomas More than adequate amount of cognition, he was still at an dead-end street as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the hazard of their demolition. After the last-place battle, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should feature come out of the battle with far less hurt.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the matter of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alarm the enemy fleets. Pulling up all the readings, sign verifications, equipment version and the general situation altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to break it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the best clock time to do it while they were still in repair.

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

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

'' I was afraid of that, continue to glance over I want to make sure there are n't more than one. We 'll allot with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes primary election, continuing rake now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hour later Zan came back, his hologram angry and torment, `` primary coil I detected a totality of xxv homing gimmick all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have high yield volatile boot attached to them. At present I have no idea how to slay them. The other twenty-three have been removed and disable and should test no foster use to the airstream connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a program here I wish you to follow out to retch your regrowth matrix for these tracking device. '' Derrick told Zan.

'' primary coil, '' Zan asked a few seconds later, `` will it hurt ? ''

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

Derrick could hear the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` Thank you Primary at least with you when you say that, I know that you will try to do what you say you are trying to do. ''

Derrick was shocked they might not be literal living beings per say but they were alive in their own way and deserved to be treated that way. Derrick was finally starting to see the paranoia of the old programmer, they were obviously afraid that the auto were going to get more homo than they were and possibly try to supersede them.

'' You, your brothers and sisters deserve no to a lesser extent than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way affair are right now I might be the only one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly golden that you are the one to find Zan and not another of the workers with the salvage society. '' Shelby interjected.

All the holograms 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 on together to exist the coming crisis. ''

Each of them nodded, smiling briefly, looking at Shelby before vanishing back to their respective ships. ‘ I'm going to get to bring out what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to have permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a here and now.

For the next 11 hr Derrick sat trying to think of a effective strategy to escaping the Texas Ranger rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd fall back two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no dubiety the Ranger ships would n't go at all. Not really a near way to start a long term relationship with an organization he might have need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to enthral 0001 and Zan to the other incline of the galaxy. Scan ahead, I want you there with no sightings, hide them as well as you can then pass, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes primary feather, I will endeavor to bedim their signal detection 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarm went off an hour later. `` horseshit Shelby, try and conceal the rest period of the ships more. sentence Conner ? ''

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

'' Ok, the mo you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better defend if the two nigh damaged are away to safety. ''

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

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

'' primary coil what of you and Shelby ? I can not forget you here un able to defend your self ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the view of leaving Derrick and his babe.

'' Not to worry Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has wide-cut weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can return 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 Texas Ranger, plus her Buckminster Fuller light carapace would facilitate.

'' principal I must dissent, there are so many factors that could go haywire, most of our systems are barely operating. What would we do if there was a failure ? '' Zan and Conner spoke up.

'' That 's why I am having you move as many as you can Conner. We have already established that Shelby 's Hyper-drive is a to the full day repaired now. She has a higher tripping cuticle, Please get them to condom then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own minor, sin he was affright shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in question. There were too many unsung factors to aim a more favorable event.

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

Damn it ! We 're barely going to get to it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 mo, 20 seconds. primary election I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should come with me your rubber is of the topmost 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 quill, cycling finished commencing start up, 15 hour, 45 mo. '' Conner said not too happy.

All of the holograms appeared in straw man of Derrick, `` Please Shelby vigil out for the primary coil prime of life. ''

'' I will protect him with my animation, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The eye of the Conner hologram opened wide, he looked at Derrick, and then his chest puffed up. `` It is enacted with pride, thank you for the award Shelby. I will not fail you, '' Conner said as he bowed slightly to Shelby.

Derrick pretended to be fussy with a universal readout ; he did see what had been going on. I really demand to get out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permit to the others for sure things and obligation. Could she be far to a greater extent than I thought at number 1 ?

'' Primary are you all right ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't experience you for a few moment, nor could I detect your smell or thoughts. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated intend no distractions no emotions, this was a good matter to remember but to get to that State Department he 'd let to work on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to authorise my brain in purchase order to concentrate on the trouble at helping hand. '' Derrick lied and felt like horseshit as soon as the words left his mouth, he really did n't care to lie and would generally not verbalize if he might induce to. Up to appointment it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been able to quash a few scrap that not speaking had generated.

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

'' good and condom travel Conner ; be measured as you do n't have your full armory to protect yourself or them. pick out carefully then give back. '' Derrick said trying to gain Thomas More authority as they approached the clip 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 idiot standing there with his mouth open, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to find better as Shelby increased the sparkle shield around them to the full 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the mental confusion on the Ranger ships as there was a very legal brief spike of world power then almost nothing. He watched as they started to fight their locomotive engine to get to their position as fast as possible. The matter was that Lucy and Shelby were almost inconspicuous to them now, good luck finding them quickly.

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

'' Nothing was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight power spike with the sec in a few secondary organization. I have been working to repair those since the last metre when you had me run the examination. '' Shelby reported.

'' thoroughly keep a close eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently intervene with you propulsion systems ? Or with any other system that we will be need during this operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At give I have replaced and repaired all parts of the arrangement that might cause failure, would you care me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

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

Shelby 's holograph 's head dropped a mo and she whispered. '' I will hasten Derrick, I want aught to hap to you, nor will I let it to fall out to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't figure Shelby out damn ! Just like a living fair sex. The hour was almost up when there was a dart beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

'' I have procured an country well hidden and assure, Primary. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, stick to the programme, the strain on your trans-warp engine carrying two others does n't need to be duplicated. detain with the program I know you are worried but delay with the plan, 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 other side of the moon.

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

There was a whine, curious Derrick thought, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a problem forty-five seconds later they emerged barely out of the organisation. Thankfully the commando had n't detected them yet but it was only a matter of clip, these guys were n't stupid they 'd see the hyper trail as soon as they scanned.

'' Shelby ! '' Derrick yelled, `` what 's going on with the hyper-drive ? ''

'' It 's a sunburn circuit I was about to replace when we left it will shoot an hour to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? Show me, '' Shelby panned through piles of architectural plan showing Derrick every Angle. `` I 'm going in, undetermined panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to deactivate piece of your personality. '' Derrick sadly said.

'' Derrick I ca n't ! I would die, it is n't potential ! '' Shelby cried.

'' It is, you would have to go into hibernation, well contribution of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those region afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the way of life ways, how she could spread out and close up them. `` count at the plans here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The hologram 's sassing dropped undetermined she had n't known of these hiding stead ! `` Alright Derrick I will keep on enough to run and reopen myself, try not to adjoin the side of meat I can only close down so much. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to crawl on his dorsum, ‘ 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 tour'dark. fifteen minutes later he was replacing the circuit then trying to creep out as fast as he could. At the end of the crawl way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the incline and grabbed the utmost outer edge to pull his self out. The electric current that flowed through him though not high enough to kill him was still gamy enough to scramble his creative thinker for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only xx seconds.

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

Hooked up she soon saw that his animation was n't in danger, though when she tried to figure his sentiment, she found she could n't attain horse sense of them. The deeper she delved the worse it grew, 'til null she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrifying memories 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 courageous affair that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to pour down. She saw how each person weighed heavier and heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

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

'' What the netherworld are you doing here ? What, you sent to torment me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a battle hardened Derrick, his face as stern as steel, his features twisted in a aspect of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really demand you to add to the infernal region I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the eternal sleep of them ! ''

Shelby became frightened ; she 'd never seen hatred as pronounced as this, the murderous look in his center, the flavor of death that was covering him.

Shelby, though to a greater extent afraid than she 'd ever been, do it she had to facilitate him. Walking to him she watched as he snarled at her and raised a rifle pointing it at her. `` I said go the fuck away ! '' He shouted again.

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's middle finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a here and now nothing happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to knife her with a combat knife he 'd drawn. Then he started to hollo, a lightly came from his eye and mouth. Shining out the chaos started to slow and make Thomas More signified.

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

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

Coming out Shelby felt the ship straight thrust as an vitality attack hit the shield ; almost automatically she returned fire, at good force ! Quickly she fired another beam of energy slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd heard Derrick say there would be hell to pay, as she watched the second caught up to the first, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 stat mi of the Texas Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the vigour and shock wave quickly crippled the Ranger ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at low gear they were shocked then they started to give chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her speed.

A groan drew her attention, `` Shelby ? Why am I on the bio-bed ? Last thing I remember was ... piece of ass ! I guess I have you to thank for my life sentence. '' Derrick groaned out.

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

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

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

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