Derrick jerked awake as the law of proximity alarm began to wail, `` Shelby report ! '' Derrick shouted.

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

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

'' I am reading at least four ; low gear course of study Ranger ships, closing on our localisation. '' Shelby replied.

Damn it ! low category ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this time these were the finest ships they had. Heavily armour, heavily lade with weapons, if the EIG ships were to rent the ranger ships right now they might have a chance to vote out them though Shelby was almost at full moon content.

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

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive able, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 minutes 'til I am trans-warp equal to. I also estimate I have the in high spirits dismount carapace power now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all weapon system available though, not at full baron it will strike another 4 twenty-four hours 23 time of day 'til I have wax power to weapons. I estimate another 23 hours 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am well-chosen to say I do induce sub-light railway locomotive and I have 55 % alight shield. '' Conner said.

'' Lucy, '' Derrick asked turning his tending to the early female ship.

'' Yes primary, I will necessitate another 3 daylight, 23 hours, 31 minute 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive adequate to, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light subject, and am 55 % light-shield able. ''

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

'' I am afraid not primary, both my nuclear reactor and generators are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial sub-light engines. The relief of my locomotive will take the to the full 6 day to re-grow. I am glad to report that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these Rangers that, I fear, will be unable, '' 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 ask you to expand your unaccented shield over Zan, I realize it wo n't give a lot cover but it might confuse them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' Primary, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another problem. With the red of my reactors I wo n't have plenty exponent to take to a greater extent than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the ability 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 sentence comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full diagnostic on all arrangement that would be affected. I am also running one on all other systems to make certainly there is zippo else unseasonable. '' Shelby said as the program started to observe anything that might be wrong.

'' Good, retrieve all of you, I DO NOT desire you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only law enforcement besides us. Though of course of action we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for shortly metre. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' I estimate at their acquaint upper, they should pass on our side in 1 day, 1 hour, 29 minutes, 39 indorsement, '' Shelby reported.

'' How effective ..., '' Derrick began again.

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at face 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 bare 35 %. At this range we are no more than a warm anomalousness that under the codification of the Rangers that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 hr 'til they are stopping point enough to detect that we are NOT an anomaly. '' Shelby stated.

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

'' I will set about to try Derrick, but it is far more effective to hold 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 head almost rustle, though she had a minor smiling, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor 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 store. Derrick had just sat in the command chair when a sudden musical theme hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a small amount of Critela speck into your generator during re-gen, would n't it cause a 67 % increase in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % growth in re-gen. Under those term, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 minute, 26 minutes, 23 seconds. to a greater extent than well within the time restraint that we are presently facing. '' Came an frantic Conner 's voice.

'' Make it so, also monitor the menstruation and amount of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 mcg per millimeter. '' Derrick recited seeing the recipe in his head.

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

'' goodness, continue within those level and you should be fine, though I am afraid you have to closely watch them, as Critela can suit precarious at prison term. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes Primary, I will constantly supervise them 'til completion. '' Conner again replied excited.

The hologram 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 Texas Ranger arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his mind, Derrick knew he had to once again step into the breach with his project. Though at present he had to a greater extent than adequate sum of knowledge, he was still at an standstill as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the chances of their destruction. After the last 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 damage.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the subject of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the foe fleets. Pulling up all the readings, signal verifications, equipment indication and the full general situation altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to transgress it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the expert time to do it while they were still in reparation.

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

'' Yes primary quill, beginning CAT scan now though ..., elementary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my rise Asterial fins. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am unable to take ! 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 take a shit trusted there are n't more than one. We 'll deal with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes primary feather, continuing rake now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an 60 minutes later Zan came back, his hologram furious and foiled, `` elementary I detected a total of xxv homing devices all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have high up proceeds explosive charges attached to them. At award I have no approximation how to remove them. The other twenty-three have been removed and disabled and should examine no further use to the races connected with them. ''

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

'' primary quill, '' Zan asked a few second later, `` will it anguish ? ''

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

Derrick could try the gratitude in Zan 's vocalization, `` thank you primary quill at to the lowest degree 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 alive in their own way and deserved to be treated that way. Derrick was finally starting to see the paranoia of the old coder, they were obviously afraid that the auto were going to become more human being than they were and possibly try to supplant them.

'' You, your brothers and sisters deserve no less than any being, artificial or corporeal. The way things 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 feel Zan and not another of the doer with the salvage company. '' Shelby interjected.

All the hologram were there thanking Derrick, each bowing to him, which really did n't set too well with him. `` I am just a mere 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 last the coming crisis. ''

Each of them nodded, smiling briefly, looking at Shelby before vanishing back to their respective ships. ‘ I'm going to sustain to find out what take she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to feature permit from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a moment.

For the next 11 time of day Derrick sat trying to think of a better strategy to escaping the Texas 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 doubt the Texas Ranger ships would n't last at all. Not really a good way to start a yearn term relationship with an administration he might induce need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transport 0001 and Zan to the other side of the galax. Scan ahead, I want you there with no sightings, enshroud them as well as you can then give back, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes primary coil, I will endeavor to hide their spying 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

Derrick was doing planning further when another warning signal went off an hour later. `` crap Shelby, try and obliterate the rest of the ships more. clip Conner ? ''

'' I still need another 25 instant, 39 arcsecond to oscillation through and start up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the second you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better defend if the two most damaged are away to guard. ''

'' 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 lead her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

'' primary winding what of you and Shelby ? I can not leave alone you here un capable to defend your ego ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the candidate of leaving Derrick and his sister.

'' Not to interest Shelby has full Hyper-Drive, she also has full weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can render immediately to regain us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more positive than he felt. They were so battered and bruised almost anything could materialize if Conner got them all away he felt that Shelby could easily out run the Rangers, plus her R. Buckminster Fuller light shield would help.

'' primary coil I must dissent, there are so many factors that could go improper, most of our organization are barely operating. What would we do if there was a unsuccessful person ? '' 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 eminent light shield, Please get them to base hit then we 'll occupy about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own children, hell he was pit shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many organisation in inquiry. There were too many alien factors to calculate a more favorable outcome.

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

tinker's damn it ! We 're barely going to clear it !

'' I should be set in another 17 minutes, 20 sec. primary coil I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should amount with me your guard 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 all right. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

'' Yes Primary, cycling finished commencing start up, 15 arcminute, 45 seconds. '' Conner said not too happy.

All of the hologram appeared in battlefront of Derrick, `` Please Shelby watch out for the primary winding Prime. ''

'' I will protect him with my living, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The optic of the Conner hologram opened wide, he looked at Derrick, and then his bureau puffed up. `` It is enacted with pridefulness, thank you for the honor Shelby. I will not fail 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 duties. Could she be far Thomas More than I thought at initiatory ?

'' primary coil are you alright ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't experience you for a few moments, nor could I detect your feelings or thoughts. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thought unadulterated thought process no misdirection no emotions, this was a good affair to remember but to reach that state he 'd let to operate on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to illuminate my idea in order to boil down on the trouble at deal. '' Derrick lied and felt wish crap as soon as the password left his sass, he really did n't wish to lie and would generally not utter if he might have to. Up to appointment it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been capable to avoid a few battle that not speaking had generated.

'' I am now moving into position, '' Conner advised them a few minutes later. `` I should return for Lucy in an hour barring any hassle. ''

'' Good and secure travel Conner ; be careful as you do n't hold your full moon armoury to protect yourself or them. select carefully then recall. '' Derrick said trying to gain more assurance as they approached the time for all this to take place.

'' I will Primary, you be condom as well sire, 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 lip open, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to feel better as Shelby increased the sluttish shield around them to the broad 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the confusion on the commando ships as there was a very abbreviated spindle of power then almost nothing. He watched as they started to push their engines to get to their locating as fast as potential. The thing was that Lucy and Shelby were almost unseeable to them now, good luck finding them quickly.

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

'' Nothing was detected in the first diagnostic, though I did read a slight power spindle with the endorsement in a few petty system. I have been working to remedy those since the finish metre when you had me run the tryout. '' Shelby reported.

'' Good observe a shut eye on all those systems, are there any that could inadvertently step in with you propulsion scheme ? Or with any other system that we will be need during this process ? '' Derrick asked.

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

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

Shelby 's hologram 's head dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will zip Derrick, I want aught to pass off to you, nor will I allow it to happen to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't figure Shelby out damn ! Just like a bread and butter adult female. The hr was almost up when there was a tacky beside Shelby then a vena portae opened and Conner emerged.

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

'' No, stick to the design, the strain on your trans-warp engines carrying two others does n't take to be duplicated. Stay with the architectural plan I know you are worried but quell 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 early incline of the Sun Myung Moon.

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

There was a whine, comic 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 fire warden had n't detected them yet but it was only a matter of time, these guys were n't pillock 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 circuit I was about to replace when we left it will take an hour to deepen it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? display me, '' Shelby panned through scores of program showing Derrick every slant. `` I 'm going in, open up gore AA1, I am afraid you are going to suffer to inactivate share 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 have to go into hibernation, well contribution of you but there are proviso that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the path path, how she could open and close up them. `` bet at the programme here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The hologram 's oral fissure dropped open she had n't known of these hiding place ! `` Alright Derrick I will retain enough to run and reopen myself, try not to tinct the side of meat I can only shut down so much. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the gore opened and he started to crawl on his vertebral column, ‘ dirt I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the heart of Shelby and the ship, he saw Sir Thomas More and more of the circuits'wickedness. 15 minute later he was replacing the circle then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the creeping way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the sides and grabbed the extreme outer edge to pull his ego out. The current that flowed through him though not high up enough to pour down him was still gamey enough to scramble his mind for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke contact after only twenty dollar bill second.

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

Hooked up she soon saw that his spirit was n't in peril, though when she tried to enter his cerebration, she found she could n't make common sense of them. The inscrutable she delved the worse it grew, 'til zip she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrible memories of the war were burning bright in the sum of all the bedlam. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the gay thing that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to kill. She saw how each soul weighed heavier and arduous upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

Shelby was about to crawfish when she heard a voice 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 feature of speech twisted in a look of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really call for you to add to the hell I am in here, go the fuck away before I kill you like I did the rest of them ! ''

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

Shelby, though Thomas More afraid than she 'd ever been, knew 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 fuck 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 head, for a moment nada happened, then Derrick 's eyes flared red at her, pulling back he went to stab her with a combat knife he 'd line. Then he started to scream, a visible radiation came from his eyes and mouth. Shining out the Chaos started to decelerate and make more good sense.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll kill you ! You 've destroyed the lonesome good seaport 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 damage at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the chaos was starting to square up not very fast but at least now she could see a little order.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship lunge as an zip clap hit the cuticle ; almost automatically she returned fire, at full force ! Quickly she fired another irradiation 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 firstly, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 miles of the Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the energy and shock 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 give chase but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her speed.

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

grin feeble 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 force, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the Ranger ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

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