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 back off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be able to keep up or trace them. In domain around Darius 4, a lifeless dried up dust testicle ; Derrick knew that no one really ever came here anymore. Derrick knew he had so a great deal to do ; he had to have the residuum of the knowledge in the program library. There was still the explosive charge attached to the astral fin near Zan 's engine. There was still the mysterious message that Tempro had, plus the closed book of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality creators, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many dubiousness and few if any answers.

Looking at the head set again for the fifth clock time in the last 30 minute, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the head set, there are far too many questions I need resolution to. I want a replete diagnostic on the system, query, are all 7 buffers sufficient to intercept and quell and funnel the selective information at a more tolerable rate ? Also, are the charge dampeners sufficient to forbid burning to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the design checking the apparatus numerous times.

'' Comparing the setup to that which you used last time, I am showing that all buffers are working at 99.5 %, all three charge dampeners are at 100 %, also the added quick permutation has been added, though I must monish you Derrick there are only certain times that you can use it. Only when you see a green light in the upper left hand quadrant is it dependable to quick disconnection, any early meter you will either sustain severe encephalon damage, or minute death. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to complete this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the straits 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 hand he still had n't seen the clean yet, good to keep that spot in focus in case. After what felt like an time of day the selective information again started to gain speed. That 's when Derrick started to notice that something was amiss, he still had n't seen the light, or any opening. Derrick also noticed that the info was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's depository library. Son of a bitch ! Even this far into the future the traitors had found a way to try and kill him. Shelby was starting to get worried, Derrick had finished her program library a short time ago but for some understanding the setup was now pulling from the early ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the tie-in Shelby only found an empty room, following the link further she again found Derrick curled into a corner. It was at that present moment she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a residual virus in one of the ships system of rules, a computer virus that could impart them all without Derrick. Remembering the disc from earlier Shelby had it in a receptacle within moments. As the blue healing stream of datum 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 lord. '' The shortstop cropped blonde hair, medium build man, with a politic aspect said as he bowed.

'' Tempro ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am glad you remembered me, '' looking at Shelby he stated, `` thank you I owe you my life for the secondment time no ..., tertiary. My lord I was told that when you were here, to tell you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to dispatch my records, it will be painful especially the last percentage. I was told you have to run it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was loony, the nuisance had already started, shaking his head did that mean he was almost done with the supernumerary huge library Tempro had ? Then almost all clear thought vanished as the last-place few tens of thousands of data file washed through his brain. Falling to the ... land ? He was n't indisputable what it was nor did he manage the visions and information he received made him feel as if it all were actually happening to him. All the bother he saw, all the pain he felt, Derrick thought was going to kill him then just as suddenly it was gone. Standing up Derrick could see thing 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 on him even if it was only in his mind it was heavenly. `` I promise you Shelby, I will do all I can to retrieve your shaver, and possibly another of Blessed 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 leave here soon, Shelby I find that I have feelings for you, I never thought I 'd palpate what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

Derrick pulled the caput set off his head, there was a lot to do but armed with what he had now, it would be a lot loose. Looking at Shelby 's holograph he smiled actually causing her to blush ! Suddenly Derrick took over control tuning in the palace. `` Blessed Virgin, secondary emergency computer code enacted now ! Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon ; confirm and enact. '' Derrick said.

Immediately Mary answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All batteries charged and set up, Republic capital targeted awaiting ordering. ''

'' Good keep a lock we may have need of a demonstration soon, I want no fire warden ships destroyed, nor Ranger staff office injured. '' Derrick ordered.

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

In the democracy presidential palace, the defile prexy was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd sent for death penalty had needed extra 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 hollow sound of running pace drew his attending to the threshold, `` President Maury ! President Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a mark little young lady. Sighing the prexy stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the trivial man threw the doors open. `` prexy M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the president 's naked physical structure, what he would n't collapse to convey ..., shaking his oral sex he spoke up. `` President Maury ! We have an participating scan from the old empire palace, sir it has trained every weapon on the empire world upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The world-wide shield will learn tutelage of that. '' The president said waving the little man away.

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

'' But what ? ! We have far to a greater extent king than the old imperium ever did. '' Maury said not really distressed he 'd drop a lot getting the scoop, nothing could get to him now.

'' All the science officers say that the shell are nothing, the imperium palace alone possess 100 fourth dimension more power than Republic capital world does. If they fire sir, '' here the little man shook not sure enough if it was the nakedness of the United States President or the fear he was feeling. `` They could destroy the full satellite ! ''

The president 's face blanched, `` call the entire fleet, and have them begin outpouring of the antediluvian empire planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the chairman 's body then left.

Virgin Mary was monitoring every communication out of the commonwealth domain, when she saw the order she smiled. Finally the pitiable excuse for a ruling socio-economic class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the secondment hand brake code Mary started to direct not only the Republic domain but every ship of theirs within 2 light years. Derrick was receiving updates constantly, Shelby was ingrain 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 stage he had to expect for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some foreign reason Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to get word the message before he did anything else. In orbit on the far English of Darius 3, an older man flipped 3 switches and smiled, almost time to be a hero boy. Shaking his head he caressed the long scar on his leg, activating another set of switches a toy hologram appeared looking at him lovingly, the man nodded then the little ship jumped without moving.

'' Derrick, '' a startled Shelby said. `` I just discovered a program buried extremely deep within my disk. I 've never seen it before, yet track record show that it has been there since I was built. ''

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

'' No, it appears to be specifically to demilitarise almost all destructive broadcast and devices. '' A appal sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the inferno was going on ? He was never this favorable or fortunate ; goose egg EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the program over it was almost the Lapplander as the one he 'd been working on for workweek. `` Zan, I think we have the program gear up to remove the charge from you. Are you prepare to try ? ''

Zan 's hologram appeared bowing low, `` for you my nobleman I 'd contain it and take chances destruction, though my noble I believe I have detected another problem. ''

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

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

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

Shelby and the others started to dissent when Derrick looked at all of them, `` executive director order, Omega-Omega-1 I will take care of this. ''

All the holograph froze they had n't heard an order this life-threatening in almost 1000 years, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my lord we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to protest though she 'd get wind the club.

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

Tears were starting to devolve freely from Shelby 's eyes, `` no Derrick please, there has to be another way, there has to be ! ''

'' I 've considered everything there is no other way, if I do n't hit it we are all in risk, even as you risk your spirit for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have feelings for you, opinion that died from all the cleanup, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to riposte, but I will every remaining day of my lifespan. '' Derrick said dead life-threatening, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to pack various opus of equipment from his ship, and then went over Reading from Zan 's effected section. Hmmm so the gimmick packed an explosive force play of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, powerful enough to plug a substantial gob in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand geographical mile, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the flak. It appeared that the further from Zan it was the sapless it was, a good thing to commemorate. Finally ready an 60 minutes later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The Whitney Young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to move to the air lock close-fitting to the astral fin.

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

'' 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 finger I am near worthy to go you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

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

'' With the skills I possess I am hoping nothing like that will be necessary, when I have removed the device, I want you on the former side of the others. The far away the safe, it appears the device is triggered to amplify the blast the airless to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

Bowing his forefront Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my Lord. '' Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the side of the ship, the skin was odd but this close up he could see it was well 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 base on balls to get to the fin.

'' Shelby, Zan monitor the device let me know if there are any change. '' Derrick said when he was half way to it.

3/4 of the way there he suddenly got a call, `` Derrick I am reading a fragile change in the charge it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

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

'' Derrick there is a small criminal maintenance thruster on that courtship, please remember that is only a class 2 case, it wo n't offer as much protective covering as a class one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary shield good for approximately 60 second please use it if necessity. '' Shelby advised.

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

'' computer program make out Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to throw together toward the fin faster. Drawing a unknown cutting torch from his pack Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the keep metal. Finally sluttish Derrick pulled the gimmick about a meter and a half farseeing loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan jump away, the backwash of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's scream broke into his idea, `` the device is starting to arm itself ! Use the thruster gang ! '' Derrick started the pack, slowed, and then started to displace in the reverse direction. Son of a gripe he thought, this will help but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic detonation, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up corking ! He knew there was n't much time so clicking the buckler on he waited a few indorsement, he could feel himself accelerating, plus the heat energy was n't too great either but at least it was starting to decrease. Trying to keep his optic give he thought he saw the schema of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp flavour a tearing down his leg through the suit, then the blest darkness took him as the pain in the ass and cold began to fawn 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 quicken pep pill. Shelby was monitoring the whole meter ; suddenly she got a signal that the device had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to move away from the device. Unfortunately he had used component 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 activate the shield, 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 forepart of Derrick when the blast pushed Derrick right into one of various of her astral fins that the blow had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to allow Derrick to pass through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to jump to the others but with her louver damaged, she could only pull off a few 1000 miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and irradiation, plus the gash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

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

Mary was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Mary 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 consume visitant. ''

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitor ? Was n't the palace isolated ? Mary smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to transgress through her shield for over 200 yr. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half power Mary aimed at the first ship, firing, she took out the entire railway locomotive, then the second ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 Swedish mile from the planet. `` Under imperial executive gild, I have been tasked with the protection of the regal planet. Any further encroachment by hostile forces with be met with pestilent force. I do not agnize you or your commonwealth anymore and call for the removal of the president, evidence will be. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the galaxy and throughout the Republic.

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

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

Broadcast to well over a thousand globe many were glad to see the chairwoman as he started to pee-pee his knickers. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the Chief Executive started to bark orders. He needed every piece of weighed down armament and weapon he had to assail the regal planet. That was 'til 4 well placed energy blasts pierced the shields as if they were n't there and 4 monolithic blowup sounded, hiding his mind he did n't even involve 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 torso ever could have. Unfortunately they were unable to mend the huge scratch that was now a voice of his leg. At the end of the second day Derrick 's eyes opened, `` status reputation, '' he croaked out before sipping the piddle offered.

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

'' At portray I am in re-gen several of my weapons, astral five, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to save you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see rip falling from her oculus.

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

'' I feel that I should have gone in dissimilar. Your combat injury is the result of life-threatening trauma caused from you being ripped along my broken astral usher. I have failed you many times Derrick, I am surprise that you wish to stay on me. '' This brought more renewed bust from her.

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

'' Had you not come for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her psyche no. `` The way that you had to come in to break off me, was there any other spot that you could have taken that would have allowed you to alternate out with less price ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every post, every direction that she could have come in from, every position that she could have been in to see 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 unspoilt that you could I know that, therefore I do n't fault you. Rather I praise you for your precise and agile actions. Shelby without you none of this would own been possible. ''

Shelby 's face lit up, `` thank you Derrick I again pledge myself to you I will do all I
can to protect you. ``

'' As do we all, '' Zan said, turning he saw that all the holograms were there. They all bowed each pledging their macrocosm to him.

Mary appeared a consequence later, `` executive order is being carried out, all planets of the empire have been informed. The president lost dominance of his somatic fluids when I informed him that the Saturnia pavonia was returning. I am releasing all the information on all his barbarity and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All with child arms and arming have been destroyed on the democracy nursing home major planet. I have a fleet now within 50,000 knot of the imperial beard planet ; they are at pose removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very good Mary, stay under executive Order 'til further notice, also arm all robot sentinel, I have a feeling they are going to try and take the ease of the satellite. Have all the mass 's identity element on the planet downloaded into their memories, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered The Virgin smiled, reaching out she activated all the lookout, loading each as Derrick said with the identity of all the the great unwashed on the planet. Finally his strength still not yet to the full he lay back down and slumber. For the next 2 twenty-four hours Derrick drifted in and out of cognisance taking report card and issuing orders, though the one thing he especially wanted to tick off on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a subject matter from still an unknown person or persons was still a John Roy Major bur in his side. Finally able to sit up but still not released Derrick thought he was going to go bonkers waiting for the bio-bed to open him.

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

'' The bio-bed has your body at 95 %, the nanomites are still working on your leg. I am afraid that it will bother you the rest of your life story Derrick. '' Lowering her head she started, `` I am drear 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 homo I 'd slap the discernment out of your oral fissure ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't fail me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember veracious, an Saturnia pavonia does everything he can to protect all the citizens of his empire. '' Here all the hologram had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the holograph, `` you are all citizens of this empire, I have failed you therefore I beg your forgiveness. '' All the hologram 's mouthpiece were blanket loose ; 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 sort and giving to them as this one. All of the hologram had bust in their centre each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. Mary, who had also been listening as she did now, had bout in her eyes. Finally she thought a lawful emperor butterfly of the people, sighing now she thought ; we just necessitate to take the empire back .