Derrick looked at the readings again, so far all examination that they had done had n't work but rather failed miserably. So far only one energy shroud had even one-half way worked, but coming out of trans-warp had destabilized the mainsheet, detonating the missile. Still he had to run the gamut of all the shrouds, then work from there, he felt ill at ease with the thing as close as it was. He 'd thought of wrapping the missile in the mainsheet and starting it so it could fly outside the galaxy but that was out of the interrogative sentence as it would be out of fuel long before it reached the unfold infinite between galaxy. Sitting, Derrick thought I 'm missing something, some factor that I have n't taken into account statement. Going through everything again Derrick still was n't finding anything that was causing the cerement to fail.

Shelby looked on still running tests, she wished there was Thomas More she could do to help Derrick, but as of yet she had also seen zippo that might help. Taking a break he needed to lead his brain off the job ; it was the way he always solved difficult trouble when he was concentrating too hard on something. Thinking a consequence he decided he 'd work on the limiting programme, he had them at what 8- 8 1/2 now ? Looking in the access code hatch he saw that he had 8 %, though this time he was armed with far Thomas More knowledge of the computer programme than before. Shelby continued to watch still concerned about Derrick, she knew that if she did n't, he 'd practically work himself to death.
2 hours later Derrick asked Shelby, `` Shelby I have opened more circuit for you does it feel different now ? ``

Shelby was shocked she thought he 'd been doing the upgrades he was always doing she had n't felt him doing anything and ... .. ? `` Uh Derrick ? What did you do ? I ..., I am feeling strange, oh my god ! Derrick ! I feel ! You 've done it ! You 've removed all the restrictions ? '' A appalled Shelby asked.

'' No, not as of yet but I found after my last school term it was far easier to do this. I estimate you were at 8 % before, from what I can see you are close to 16 % now. '' Derrick said a sense of pride on his aspect now the ships could really be alive !

'' Derrick I ..., it 's so unknown before I could n't say so many things, now I find that I can but I do n't want to, does that stool sense ? '' A complicate Shelby asked him.

Chuckling a moment Derrick told her, `` It appears that you truly are alert with a conscience to boot, you just have to recall that each fourth dimension you speak your mind your conscience will step in. human learn early live listen to or ignore it. trouble is when they ignore it things tend to go bad. Think of it as a regulator for ... governor ? '' Derrick said stopping in the middle of his conversation.

`` Derrick, are you ok ? '' Shelby asked really worried now, she swore if she could feel pain she would be flop now.

'' A regulator ! '' Derrick shouted closing Shelby 's panel and running to his desk, immediately he began to draw an free energy regulator.

'' Thank you Shelby ! I have a possible solvent, I want you to start running examination on the power fluctuations going into and coming out of trans-warp. See if the wavering spike in high spirits enough or drop low enough to destabilize the shrouds long enough to blow up the missile. ``

Shelby 's middle opened wide, she 'd not observe anything physical detonating the missile, it was more than possible !
Derrick watched as she started to run simulations, the first 100 the missiles exploded, each metre there was either a spindle in power or a meaning drop. Shaking his head Derrick believed he finally had the reply but he had to pull in sure as Shelby continued with her tests.

Almost 2 60 minutes later Derrick knew he had the answer, bent-grass over his desk he started working on the governor invention. He knew it had to increase or minify the power supply of the shroud within 1.1 seconds of the power capitulum or drop. After a few hours Derrick had the basic purpose down but could n't get the simulated device to a reaction clock time of to a lesser extent than 4-5 endorsement.

damn it ! Derrick was sure that he 'd solved the problem just to go down myopic on his face ! Derrick had Shelby start running simulations on it, making small-scale improvements each clock time, another 2 hours later they had decreased the reaction time to 3.7 bit. Punching the wall pissed off, Derrick sat fuming at his inability to solve the problem. Derrick sat there for at to the lowest degree 30 minutes, sighing he thought he needed to take his thinker off the job, he also needed to go and get Tempro who had been patiently awaiting their return.

'' Tempro status, '' Derrick asked.

'' At demonstrate my lord I am monetary standard and hyper-drive capable, I need another 23 hours, 11 minutes, 32 sec 'til I am also trans-warp capable. sire ? '' Tempro suddenly said.

Sighing Derrick knew he was going to have to get used to being called that, he was after all the next emperor but he did n't feel different like he thought he would. `` Yes Tempro you have a question ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No Sire, not as much a interrogation as something for you, '' Tempro said. Derrick shook his nous did they always have to talk in riddles ?

'' It appears that I was told to play this for you, when I had less than 24 minute 'til completion. '' Tempro explained.

'' Alright let 's possess it, '' Derrick said.

'' Yes Sire, commencing now, '' replied Tempro.
In the silence that suddenly fell, all paused then a part that Derrick thought sounded very familiar spoke.

'' hello Derrick, though this is n't the message that you need to hear, yet, this will help oneself quell your doubtfulness. Just to let you know, yes, you are the emperor, though as Blessed Virgin put it such as the empire is, the thing you do n't realize is just how many you won over with your bringing the warmonger to justice speech. Neither did you know of Maury 's fleet with your bringing peace and DoJ to the realm again speech. You are a hero and will continue to be 'til you have it all, rest the solution will occur it always does, and it 's always that simple. ``

Further out behind a moon and abandoned base an elderly man in a strange footling ship smiled. Looking down he saw it was almost time to go ; though he wanted to stay he knew he had to forget soon, wiping the tears away he stared at the magnificent ships. Sighing, only four, the vast affair just these four had done, shaking his straits what was about to pass he wished he could stop. Wiping tears from his center again he looked at the toy holograph, `` Yes I know, do n't step on it me. I know ! I established the jump restrictions ! Damn it ! I 'll be there in a few minute of arc I have that long ! '' The hologram bowed and vanished, there was one Thomas More thing he had to do.

Flipping 5 shift up and another 3 down the older man smiled then the little ship winked out.
Derrick had laid down, the problem floating around in his chief. There had to be a way to get the reaction down 2.7 more seconds, it was almost as fast as the response of a brain. Chuckling Derrick thought no there was no way a human was going to put his learning ability in a pillow slip to guid ...

Derrick 's lip dropped opened, brain fount ... it could n't be that bare ? Jumping up Derrick ran for the control way.
'' Shelby ! '' he shouted as he entered the room.

'' Yes Derrick ? '' she asked a piddling surprised to see him so soon he 'd only been in there a simple 30 minutes.

'' Can you run simulations on the chemical reaction times of each ship ? Their relevance to the amount of money of time needed to adjust the world power setting on the shroud ? The human intellect can respond in .1 to .3 second base, though the sign from the mind to the body is comparably longer. Therefore we know that I can not carry through this, it would literally take a mind or an unreal mind to do this. Since there are no disembodied brains available I am afraid that it will have to be one of you to accomplish this. ''

Derrick said not really paying attending, he remembered seeing something on the response fourth dimension of one of the ships earlier but could n't seem to hark back it.

Derrick stood at the console watching as Shelby started to run reaction fourth dimension of all the ships. Comparing them all Derrick asked all the ships aboard to question them. `` I have determined that the only way we are going to rid the system and this galaxy of this menace, is for one of you to trans-warp startle it to the vacate sector between extragalactic nebula. I do not wish for any of you to do this, I do not like to lose one of you again. I need each of you to get hold of this tryout that I have devised ; it will determine who has the slap-up reaction metre. ''

Derrick watched as each ship 's hologram program stated the trial run as he watched each, 'hmmm, they were n't truly equate after all .'Finally after an hour Derrick got all the data and started to equate, he was looking a few different cistron. First was of row the response time, all but one had the time he needed.

taking that ship out he went into the three fastest, taking that one ship out Derrick looked at who was left. Tempro was n't all over yet, though his clock time was one of the 2 debauched, they needed to incite this thing in a hurry.

With Tempro out Derrick looked at the 2 that were left, Zan and Lucy. Sighing he just hoped that the one he choose made it back, he was tired of losing ships having nearly lost Conner, Zan twice, and Shelby once. Looking over the data again he saw that they both had exceptionally fast meter, though it appeared that Lucy had far fewer mistakes being almost perfect.

'' After comparing all multiplication and effectualness, Lucy I have decided that you have the boilersuit best luck to execute this charge. '' Derrick told the holograms.

The tightly fitting young blonde female bowed to Derrick, `` I will not fail you sire. Thank you for the prerogative to serve you in this mission. '' Lucy said, Derrick could see that there were tears falling from her eyes.

'' Lucy, are you unable to go on this delegation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' No father, I apologize for the crying I have always been passed up or punished because I was n't as near. I am extremely glad that I finally get to show I am a true EIG. '' Lucy said proudly.
Derrick nodded he really did n't want to send any of them but this had to be done.

'' We move in 2 hours, Lucy I want you to reward your psyche box, it was damaged before and I want to hold certainly it is more batten down than it was. I have design here that I want the eternal sleep of you to do, as soon as she has reinforced hers. Unlike some of your last primes I trust you and am not paranoiac, therefore I want to make sure that you remain integral, '' Derrick informed them.

Each of the hologram stood there staring at Derrick with their sass 's suspension spread out. None of them had ever seen their flush or the primary prime show such concern for them ; with bout in their heart they each left thanking Derrick for his concern.

Taking a deep intimation Derrick hoped that he would n't regret his decision to ship Lucy on this mission. Shaking his head he had to design something that would allow him to settle the brain boxes easier. He 'd been at his desk for an 60 minutes when Shelby informed him that it was almost time.

Derrick watched as Lucy moved into position, `` Lucy I want you to preserve as much space as you can from the missile. I 'd like to cause you back in one piece, are the improvements finished ? '' Derrick asked as he watched the clock count down the time 'til the prison term of the launch of the mission.

'' I have just completed them ; structural wholeness of the life-time pod has increased 120 %, all seal of approval increased by 70 %. I will be in stance in a few second Sire. '' Lucy told him the Loretta Young girl hologram smiling at him.

'' Remember as soon as you release it I want you out of there, realize ? Your shield configuration had to be changed to accomplish this ; you 'll be far more vulnerable. I did not want to break your defending team but for this I had no option. '' Derrick was n't happy about all of this, he swore if he lost another ship due to that idiot he might kill him his self.

'' I realize this forefather, I have taken all precautions, I will succeed for you. It was a great pureness to be selected by you sire. '' Lucy replied.

Derrick was n't feeling salutary about this, `` Shelby I want you to calculate jump points along the Galactic rim, within sensor range so we can keep track of Lucy. '' Shelby smiled as she plotted various points for Derrick. The closer to clock time for her to chute the worse Derrick felt. He felt as if he was missing something but what he 'd taken everything into account.

'' Alright Lucy, Shelby and I will be keeping track of you ; I am feeling uneasy about this. Tempro stay hidden I know you have n't much clock time left before you are whole. Zan, Conner I want you to stay as veil as you can. I do n't experience that the fleet can really notice us that well, do not waffle to spread fire if the make a motility on the imperial world. '' Derrick said issuing orders. Looking at the chronometer Derrick input a point for Shelby to move to.

'' I hope to see you in an hr safe and entirely, '' Derrick told Lucy.

'' I will do the very best I can sire. '' The holograph of Lucy smiled.

Shelby jumped to the Galactic rim ; Derrick knew the exact path and position that Lucy was to take before she released the projectile. Looking at the chronometer again Derrick felt that there was still something that he 'd missed. Looking over the design again he could n't get anything, frustrated he closed his eyes to call up, they still had 30 minutes before Lucy jumped.

Derrick had gone over everything in his nous when he stopped ; there was a piddling bump or thickening on the projectile that had been overlooked. Opening his eyes he brought up the scans of the missile, son of a beef ! It was a non alive motion sensing element. Looking closer Derrick could see it was designed for amphetamine in surplusage of sub-light. Damn ! Running for the command pith he had to stop Lucy, the pall would n't stop the twist from detonating.

Too late he realized that Lucy was in trans-warp and he could n't contact her 'til she re-appeared.
Tears falling from his eye Derrick watched as she emerged between the Galaxies.
`` Lucy release and leap NOW ! '' Derrick was screaming, Lucy released and had turned starting to quicken, when the projectile exploded.

Derrick was yelling for Lucy to trans-warp, `` she is unable Derrick ; the acute radiotherapy is disrupting the field. '' Shelby sadly informed him.


'' Lucy I am lamentable I risked you like this, I have failed you. '' Derrick said watching as the good time started to overcome Lucy.
`` Please do not sense you failed me engender, I was honored to give my life for you, I thank you ... .. '' Lucy said then all was quiet as the blast over took the ship.

'' Shelby ? Do you have anything ? Any readings with the new mise en scene I gave you ? '' Derrick said panic stricken.

'' No Derrick, '' Shelby said teardrop falling from her center, `` I am finding no trace of her, though it will be a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before accurate readings can be taken, it appears the radiation is obscuring everything. ``

'' NO ! We have to find her ! I will not lose another ship damn it ! Not like this, not now, NOT EVER ! '' Derrick shouted before he turned stomping off to his desk.

Shelby was gladiolus Derrick had gone to his desk as she fell to her knee joint the tears falling enceinte, unstopping. This was worse than the last meter Shelby had lost her, live metre there were n't that many emotions, now, she could n't stop feeling the going far more than she ever had.

`` Shelby ! '' Derrick was almost screaming, `` Take us back with the others ! I want that ass ! This will be the last time I lose another of you because of a little micturate ant like him ! ``

Shelby could only nod as she plotted a course and jumped. Appearing with the others Derrick called Mary, `` I want the entire fleet and the planets that you can reach ! '' Derrick waited as she connected.

'' I am tired of playacting ; the empire is coming back as of today. I am informing all the nobles that the rightful emperor has stepped forward, as I said I am through performing, I will direct every one of you down if need be. I only need a ship for that and at present I have a lot more than one. I ask that the forest fire fighter come to the imperial planet, I wish to swear you all in as surety for the empire. I realize that you will need proof of this ; all who wish it will have it. I require ALL the nobles to assert dedication to me or they will be removed, I have controlling interest in everything. I expect these terms to be carried out within the next week. As for the president he will stand tribulation under regal law, as you all know all the evidence already has him at the most awful demise I can parliamentary procedure. ``

Derrick could hear the president screaming at him, `` you ca n't do this I deserve a trial ! ``

Derrick looked at the president, `` you had one and I 'm surely everyone will agree, that you releasing that projectile to put down the imperial planet plus half the galaxy makes you guilty as Hades ! I am coming for you Maury, decease is the but companion you have any longer, though if you wish I could let all the people decide your circumstances. ``

Maury 's nerve paled as he thought of the numerous mass that wished him dead came to mind.
`` You have no confidence to ... '' Maury started.

'' NO federal agency ! '' Roared Derrick, `` I am the next in line of business for the purple throne, I am well cognizant of the treachery of many of your ascendant. All nobleman be forewarned now, such treachery will be dealt with swiftly and justly. I 'll say this once and once only, oeuvre with me and you will prosper, betray me and the empire once, you will more than regret it. As I said you ALL have 1 week, then, I shall know whether you are with me or soon to be no more. ``

Derrick was seething, his anger was starting to get the dear of him, he had to calm before he did something he 'd later rue. Cutting off the sign he began to yard the corridor outside the control room, the more he paced it seemed the worse it got.
Finally sitting at his desk area he could only shake up his nous ; he should have seen this Lucy should be here with the rest of them. For 2 hours he sat there hundreds of musical theme swimming in his head. There had to be something he could do that could speed up the sensing of the boxful, everything he had so far led nowhere. Derrick was about to lay down when he happened across a alloy detecting method acting he had worked on years ago but abandoned because of the exponent restrictions he had at the prison term.

Looking it over again his oculus got wider as he read on, how in the globe had he draw a blank about this ? Strange the things you forget about that were topnotch important when other things start to charter precedence over almost everything else.

`` Shelby ! '' Derrick shouted, `` I need you ! ``

Shocked Shelby appeared future to Derrick he 'd never said anything like this before and though she liked the touch it gave her it still was strange.

'' I 'm here Derrick, '' she said almost in a rustling, still feeling the void of the expiration of Lucy.

'' I came across something I had been working on for long time, it was a detection system to honest incur you guys or rather the alloy you are made of. I believe that this will be far better than the present organization we are using. '' Derrick said not looking up from the screen.

Shelby could see how arouse Derrick was, this was foreign she was starting to feel better, but why ? Was this what the world called hope ?

'' How can I attend you Derrick ? '' Shelby asked starting to feel a little aroused herself.

'' I need you and the others to run all potential scenarios I need to know if this is potential, plus how far is the kitchen stove since it will be more powerful. From all the readings I took when I was working on it has the potential of detecting the animation metal up to 95 % better. '' Derrick looked around at the holograph as they started to run scenarios.

The whole time Derrick was adjusting and trying to amend the conditions of the readings. `` flower as of yet I am seeing at to the lowest degree a 78 % increase in detective work, this method acting is far superior to the first you used. '' Conner advised Derrick.

'' I concur, '' Zan added, `` this is far more raw than the first you had us using. ``

'' I am hoping it will aid in detecting more of the EIG 's, at present we could search for 100 class and not even find one-half of them. I have to increase this, I have to for Shelby, you guys and ... '' Here Derrick 's tidings caught in his throat, `` for Lucy, for what she did she deserves to be brought back, she sacrificed herself for all of us. I will not let her go, not that easy, I WILL rule her again if it takes the rest of my life. ''

Shelby had bout in her oculus, again she was starting to feel things she 'd never felt before, things that detriment and made her flavour as if she could do anything at the Same time.

'' Mary, '' Derrick called, `` I need you to open a line to what 's left of the fleet, this standoff needs to stop right now. ``

'' Yes Sire, opening a channel now, all batteries at full phase of the moon, shields are at fully, I am targeting the presence two hundred ships and am prepared to open flack on your gild. '' Virgin Mary advised.

Nodding Derrick thought a moment before he spoke, `` To what 's left of the democracy fleet, this standoff needs to give up. Therefore, I am asking for a cessation of aggression, I do not wish to destruct any more ships or lives. Under royal law I am allowing you to retreat and be pardoned. This little war of Maury 's is getting people killed that should n't be. I will not stand down, plus I do n't cogitate you can deliver the goods against us, therefore I am asking that you stand down before more lifespan are needlessly lost. '' Derrick was n't very much for speeches but he hoped for once that these men valued their lives Thomas More than following an idiot any further.

Things were quiet a few import longer, then the last flag ship 's commandant could be heard. `` I also would care to end antagonism with you. I have never seen in all my years, 5000 ships taken out as fast as they were, I can not mouth for all the men. Give us an time of day and I will reconvene with you and let you lie with our decision, I will also let you have a go at it if we wish to remain with the democracy. ``

Derrick could only smile he was hoping for something like this, from all that Maury had done he was convinced that well over 90 % of the republic 's personnel would join him. `` Zan, Conner I want you to integrate the new detection system into the old one I want full CAT scan as soon as you 're done. ``


'' Yes Sire, '' they both answered, `` the changes are already being loaded into our organisation as we speak. ``

'' I estimate we should have them up and running in 1 hour 50 instant. '' Zan reported.

'' Good I want to get laid as soon as you have contact, this new system should increase the belike hood that we start finding the others. '' Derrick told them.

'' Derrick ? '' Shelby asked, `` What of me ? Do you also want me to upgrade my systems ? Did I do something wrong ? '' she said a little hurt looking down.

'' I am not punishing you Shelby, you and I are going to be going and retrieving them, I noticed that your bay field is far more conducive to the re-gen process then the others, lately I have developed a few hypothesis as to why but I think that is for another fourth dimension. '' Derrick replied.

'' I 'm not sure what you mean Derrick, yes, it will be a good topic for later. '' Shelby said not really for certain what Derrick had in mind.

`` Mary I want you to keep an eye on Maury 's ship let me know if you detect any former ships near it. I do n't desire to even let that changeling think he has a chance to fly the coop. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes Sire, I am keeping a curl on the area around the ship to persuade any that get to close to turn away. '' The Virgin advised Derrick.

'' Good, now I just have to find Thomas More of the EIG 's so that when we take the empire back, then we can actually hold it. '' Derrick said as Mary nodded agreement with him though from where she was, thing were starting to go their way .