Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Texas Ranger to back off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able-bodied to trace or decipher them. In scope around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up dust ball ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so much to do ; he had to bear the rest of the knowledge in the program library. There was still the volatile burster attached to the astral fin near Zan 's railway locomotive. There was still the mysterious substance that Tempro had, plus the mystery of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality Lord, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many questions and few if any answer.

Looking at the drumhead set again for the fifth time in the last 30 minute of arc, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the top dog set, there are far too many questions I need reply to. I want a full-of-the-moon diagnostic on the arrangement, Query, are all 7 buffers sufficient to tap and appease and funnel the information at a more tolerable pace ? Also, are the armorial bearing dampeners sufficient to forestall electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the plan checking the apparatus numerous fourth dimension.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used hold up time, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three charge dampener are at 100 %, also the added quick electric switch has been added, though I must warn you Derrick there are only certain times that you can use it. Only when you see a super C brightness in the pep pill left quadrant is it safe to quick disconnect, any other clock time you will either suffer severe genius harm, or instant demise. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to nail this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the pass set over his spike. Again as it started it was n't bad then the information started to flow faster, then faster yet. Looking to the left he still had n't seen the easy yet, trade good to hold on that smirch in focus in case. After what felt like an hour the entropy again started to gain speed. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was wrong, he still had n't seen the light, or any opening. Derrick also noticed that the selective information was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's library. Son of a beef ! Even this far into the time to come the traitor had found a way to try and drink down him. Shelby was starting to get occupy, Derrick had finished her library a short 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 link Shelby only found an empty room, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a corner. It was at that moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residual virus in one of the ships systems, a virus that could lead them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from in the beginning Shelby had it in a receptacle within moments. As the blueness healing flow 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 recognize 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 God Almighty. '' The short cropped blonde pilus, medium habitus man, with a smooth face said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am gladiola you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my life for the second time no ..., tertiary. My noble I was told that when you were here, to tell you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to complete my book, it will be atrocious especially the last part. I was told you have to die hard it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was crazy, the painfulness had already started, shaking his nous did that mean value he was almost done with the supernumerary huge subroutine library Tempro had ? Then almost all clear thought vanished as the last few 10 of thousands of files washed through his psyche. Falling to the ... terra firma ? He was n't indisputable what it was nor did he care the visions and information he received made him experience as if it all were actually happening to him. All the pain he saw, all the nuisance 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 meet him even if it was only in his mind it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to recoup your children, and possibly another of Blessed Virgin 's. '' Derrick told her.

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

'' I have to leave here soon, Shelby I find that I have tone for you, I never thought I 'd experience what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

Derrick pulled the head set off his caput, there was a lot to do but build up with what he had now, it would be a lot easy. Looking at Shelby 's hologram he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over control tuning in the castle. `` Mary, secondary emergency codification 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 make, Republic capital targeted awaiting orders. ''

'' Good keep a curl we may induce need of a monstrance soon, I want no commando ships destroyed, nor forest fire fighter personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my lord ; I will await rules of order to demolish what you will. Mary answered.

In the Republic presidential castle, the corrupt United States President was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd sent for carrying into action had needed supererogatory evidence to get rid of ’. Sighing he knew he was going to have up the ante on the council possibly get rid of them, though that would be messy and expensive.

The holler sound of running footsteps drew his aid to the door, `` President Maury ! president Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a scared small young woman. Sighing the chairwoman stepped out of the immense sauna/bath naked and waited as the little man threw the doors open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the President 's nude body, what he would n't give to convey ..., shaking his head he spoke up. `` President Maury ! We have an active scan from the old imperium palace, sir it has trained every artillery on the Empire humanity upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The global shield will hold care of that. '' The president said waving the little man away.

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

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

'' All the scientific discipline ship's officer say that the shields are nothing, the empire palace alone possess 100 clock time More ability than Republic Das Kapital reality does. If they fire sir, '' here the lilliputian man shook not sure if it was the nakedness of the President or the care he was feeling. `` They could destroy the entire satellite ! ''

The president 's face blanched, `` call the entire fleet, and have them set out bombardment of the antediluvian Empire planet ! Destroy it before it can ruin us ! '' The help bowed low looking lovingly at the United States President 's body then left.

Virgin Mary was monitoring every communication out of the democracy humankind, when she saw the order of magnitude she smiled. Finally the wretched apology for a ruling class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequent they truly were. As per the second emergency code Mary started to place not only the Republic world but every ship of theirs within 2 clear years. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was impressed 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 demo he had to waitress for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some foreign reason Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to discover the message before he did anything else. In sphere on the far side of Darius 3, an older man flipped 3 substitution and smiled, almost time to be a submarine boy. Shaking his head he caressed the yearn scar on his leg, activating another set of switches a miniature hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the piffling ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a jump Shelby said. `` I just discovered a programme buried extremely deep within my phonograph recording. 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 disarm almost all destructive programs and devices. '' A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the hell was going on ? He was never this lucky or fortunate ; cipher EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the program over it was almost the same as the one he 'd been working on for hebdomad. `` Zan, I think we have the program ready to polish off the rush from you. Are you ready to try ? ''

Zan 's hologram appeared bowing low, `` for you my Maker I 'd carry it and risk destruction, though my lord I believe I have detected another job. ''

What the netherworld now ? Derrick thought then shook his forefront he knew something would go ill-timed it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

'' It appears that the device is now a component part of the fin, it will accept 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 resist when Derrick looked at all of them, `` administrator rescript, Omega-Omega-1 I will get care of this. ''

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

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

Tears were starting to come freely from Shelby 's center, `` 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 remove it we are all in danger, even as you risk your biography for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have touch for you, opinion that died from all the killing, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even get to repay, but I will every remaining day of my life. '' Derrick said numb serious, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to pile several piece of equipment from his ship, and then went over readings from Zan 's effected subdivision. Hmmm so the twist packed an explosive strength of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, muscular enough to plug a substantial hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand international mile, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could inflate the blast. It appeared that the promote from Zan it was the weaker it was, a good matter to remember. Finally ready an hour later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to displace to the air lock closelipped to the astral fin.

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

'' I know that Zan, but you are, all the ships are as of import to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I wo n't experience I am near suitable to top you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's boldness began to show 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 skills I possess I am hoping nothing like that will be essential, when I have removed the twist, I want you on the other incline of the others. The further away the right, it appears the twist is triggered to amplify the gust the near to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

Bowing his head Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my noble. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the English 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 side 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 sleep together if there are any alteration. '' Derrick said when he was half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a shout, `` Derrick I am reading a slight alteration in the direction it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

'' Alright Zan, I want you to debase the program, after its run completely, notify me. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Derrick there is a pocket-size alimony thruster on that suit, delight remember that is only a class 2 suit, it wo n't offer as a good deal shelter as a course of instruction one if the device explodes. You also have a temp shield good for approximately 60 seconds please use it if requirement. '' Shelby advised.

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

'' computer program accomplished Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to scramble toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting torch from his pack Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the keep alloy. Finally loose Derrick pulled the device about a meter and a half long loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan parachuting away, the backwash of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's shriek broke into his persuasion, `` the device is starting to arm itself ! Use the pusher pack ! '' Derrick started the gang, slowed, and then started to locomote in the opposite direction. Son of a gripe 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 great ! He knew there was n't very much clock time so clicking the shield on he waited a few seconds, he could palpate himself accelerating, plus the heating plant was n't too enceinte either but at least it was starting to lessen. Trying to keep his eyes open he thought he saw the outline of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and acutely feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blessed darkness took him as the botheration and coldness began to creep in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp Wake Island had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated pep pill. Shelby was monitoring the whole metre ; suddenly she got a signal that the device had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to displace away from the device. Unfortunately he had used parting of the fuel deceleration and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a little aloofness between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to tell Derrick to activate the carapace, when he did she still could n't slacken 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 line of Derrick when the blast pushed Derrick rightfield into one of several of her astral fins that the blast had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her cuticle to tolerate Derrick to fade through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to jump out to the others but with her fins damaged, she could only bring off a few thousand miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and radiation, plus the slash in his leg sealed before he bled to decease.

The former ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost weeping wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the hologram, `` standing fiat, protect each other, avoid the Ranger at all toll, remember all I have shown you and narrate you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming darkness.

Virgin Mary was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Madonna 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, visitors ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Mary smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to break through her shell for over 200 years. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half office Mary aimed at the first ship, firing, she took out the entire engine, then the sec ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 naut mi from the planet. `` Under imperial executive orders, I have been tasked with the trade protection of the regal planet. Any further violation by hostile personnel with be met with mortal force. I do not acknowledge you or your Republic anymore and hollo for the removal of the president, evidence will follow. '' Virgin Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the galaxy and throughout the Republic.

The President linked to the ships near those that were disabled shouted out, `` Under who 's agency do you realise these title ? ''

The holograph of Mary appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but to the highest degree importantly the commonwealth capital. Looking directly at the president she stated, `` The hereafter emperor of the kingdom, and he is FAR more than 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 beard dermal shredders ? ''

Broadcast to well over a thou reality many were glad to see the president as he started to piss his bloomers. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the president started to skin social club. He needed every opus of heavy armament and weapon he had to assail the imperial planet. That was 'til 4 well placed get-up-and-go blasts pierced the cuticle as if they were n't there and 4 massive explosions sounded, hiding his head teacher he did n't even need to look to know that all 4 of the inventory were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet spot on the floor was growing.

For 2 days Derrick 's physical structure was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his eubstance ever could induce. Unfortunately they were unable to bring around the immense cicatrix that was now a division of his leg. At the end of the secondly day Derrick 's optic opened, `` status report, '' he croaked out before sipping the pee offered.

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

'' At deliver I am in re-gen various of my weapon, astral fins, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to salvage you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see tears falling from her oculus.

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

'' I feel that I should have gone in unlike. Your injury is the result of spartan trauma caused from you being ripped along my broken astral guides. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprised that you wish to ride out on me. '' This brought more regenerate tears from her.

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

'' Had you not come 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 bear taken that would have got allowed you to start out with LE scathe ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every place, every direction that she could have come in from, every post that she could have been in to hitch him. Derrick watched her face ; he knew that she 'd see it in a here and now. When her typeface lit up Derrick nodded, `` you did the absolute outdo that you could I know that, therefore I do n't find fault you. Rather I praise you for your precise and quick action mechanism. 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 world to him.

Mary appeared a moment later, `` executive order is being carried out, all planets of the empire have been informed. The Chief Executive lost restraint of his bodily fluids when I informed him that the emperor was returning. I am releasing all the selective information on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All grave arms and armament have been destroyed on the Republic base satellite. I have a fleet now within 50,000 miles of the imperial planet ; they are at present tense removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very good Virgin Mary, stop under executive director orderliness 'til further placard, also arm all robot sentries, I have a flavour they are going to try and guide the repose of the planet. Have all the citizenry 's identities on the planet downloaded into their memories, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Madonna 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 total he lay back down and log Z's. For the next 2 Clarence Day Derrick drifted in and out of cognizance taking composition and issuing orders, though the one thing he especially wanted to control on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a content from still an unknown soul or persons was still a John 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 take in him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few 24-hour interval later, `` Shelby how much long must I be subjected to being babied ? ''

'' The bio-bed has your soundbox at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will nark you the balance of your life Derrick. '' Lowering her head she started, `` I am no-good 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 predilection out of your sass ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't fail me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember veracious, 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 oral fissure were wide open ; the emperor was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) years they had never met a human as variety and giving to them as this one. All of the hologram 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 tears in her eyes. Finally she thought a true emperor of the hoi polloi, sighing now she thought ; we just need to take the empire back .