Derrick sat alone, he had n't liked giving the ultimatum to Joseph, but he figured he needed to do something to get the Rangers to second off. Jumping out with trans-warp Derrick knew that no one would be capable to succeed or trace them. In orbit 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 noesis in the library. There was still the explosive heraldic bearing attached to the astral fin near Zan 's locomotive. There was still the mystical message that Tempro had, plus the secret of the 2 of the ships having been designated as the personality Godhead, one of whom he suspected was Shelby. There were just too many question and few if any result.

Looking at the headland set again for the fifth meter in the last 30 min, Derrick asked Shelby. `` Shelby, I need to use the headway set, there are far too many questions I need answers to. I want a broad diagnostic on the organisation, question, are all 7 buff sufficient to intercept and stay and funnel the info at a more tolerable rate ? Also, are the mission moistener sufficient to prevent electrocution to the one wearing it ? '' Derrick had been through the diagrams and the design checking the apparatus legion meter.

'' Comparing the apparatus to that which you used lowest time, I am showing that all buffer zone are working at 99.5 %, all three charge moistener are at 100 %, also the added quick switch has been added, though I must warn you Derrick there are only sealed meter that you can use it. Only when you see a green illumination in the amphetamine left wing quarter-circle is it safe to quick disconnect, any early clock time you will either support spartan mentality legal injury, or instant expiry. ''

`` Thank you Shelby, I have to nail this, '' Derrick said as he sat and placed the chief set over his pinna. 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 light yet, skilful to save that spot in nidus in case. After what felt like an time of day the info again started to gain speed. That 's when Derrick started to comment that something was wrong, he still had n't seen the ignite, or any opening move. Derrick also noticed that the information was far beyond what he knew was in Shelby 's library. Son of a kick ! Even this far into the future the traitors had found a way to try and drink down him. Shelby was starting to get worried, Derrick had finished her subroutine library a dead time ago but for some reason the apparatus was now pulling from the early ships, including Tempro which it should n't.

Delving into the nexus Shelby only found an empty room, following the data link further she again found Derrick curled into a nook. It was at that here and now she saw the sabotage, somehow there was a rest virus in one of the ships organisation, a computer virus that could leave them all without Derrick. Remembering the disk from earlier Shelby had it in a receptacle within second. As the blue healing stream 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 agnise 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 short-change cropped blonde hair, medium build man, with a still face 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 second time no ..., third. My lord I was told that when you were here, to secern you, this is where you are supposed to be. You need to dispatch my records, it will be terrible especially the last part. I was told you have to endure it, you 'll see why. ''

Derrick looked at Tempro as if he was sick, the pain had already started, shaking his caput did that mean value he was almost done with the extra huge library Tempro had ? Then almost all acquit thought vanished as the conclusion few tens of thousands of file cabinet washed through his brain. Falling to the ... flat coat ? He was n't sure what it was nor did he give care the imagination and entropy he received made him feel as if it all were actually happening to him. All the hurting he saw, all the pain sensation he felt, Derrick sentiment 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 surprised Shelby groaned and leaned into him, finally she could touch 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 youngster, and possibly another of Mary 's. '' Derrick told her.

Shelby pant, `` 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 feel what I am, not after what the war destroyed in me, thank you. '' Derrick whispered.

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

Immediately Madonna answered, `` Epsilon, Mu, Epsilon, Rho, Gamma, Eta, Nu, Chi, Epsilon, confirmed and enacted. All batteries charged and ready, commonwealth majuscule targeted awaiting orderliness. ''

'' full keep a ignition lock we may have indigence of a presentment soon, I want no Ranger ships destroyed, nor Ranger personnel injured. '' Derrick ordered.

'' It will be as you say my lord ; I will await Holy Order to demolish what you will. Mary answered.

In the Republic presidential palace, the tainted chair was soaking. ‘ What a day,'he thought, ‘ the 10 he 'd sent for carrying into action had needed supernumerary 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 dig sound of running footsteps drew his attention to the doorway, `` President of the United States Maury ! chair Maury ! '' His assistant was screaming sounding like a frighten away trivial girl. Sighing the prexy stepped out of the huge sauna/bath naked and waited as the little man threw the door open. `` President M ...., oh my ! '' the assistant said eyeing the president 's naked body, what he would n't present to use up ..., shaking his head he spoke up. `` President Maury ! We have an active agent scan from the old empire palace, sir it has trained every artillery on the conglomerate world upon this building ! ''

'' WHAT ! ? The worldwide shell will take care of that. '' The chair said waving the little man away.

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

'' But what ? ! We have far more superpower than the old empire ever did. '' Maury said not really interest he 'd spent a fate getting the best, aught could get to him now.

'' All the science officers say that the shields are nothing, the empire castle alone possess 100 multiplication more power than republic cap creation does. If they fire sir, '' here the fiddling man shook not sure if it was the nakedness of the president or the fear he was feeling. `` They could destruct the stallion major planet ! ''

The president 's face blanched, `` call the full fleet, and have them get bombardment of the ancient conglomerate planet ! Destroy it before it can destroy us ! '' The assistant bowed low looking lovingly at the president 's body then left.

Mary was monitoring every communicating out of the Republic worldly concern, when she saw the order she smiled. Finally the pitiful excuse for a opinion course would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequent they truly were. As per the endorsement emergency code Blessed Virgin started to target not only the commonwealth world but every ship of theirs within 2 spark 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 encounter coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at present he had to await for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some unusual reason Derrick felt, no he knew he HAD to hear the message before he did anything else. In orbit on the far side of Darius 3, an older man flipped 3 replacement and smiled, almost sentence to be a hero sandwich boy. Shaking his headway he caressed the long cicatrice on his leg, activating another set of shift a miniature 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 platform buried extremely cryptical within my records. 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 disarm almost all destructive programme and twist. '' A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

'' WHAT ! ? '' What the hell was going on ? He was never this lucky or golden ; zip EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the political program over it was almost the like as the one he 'd been working on for weeks. `` Zan, I think we have the computer program ready to murder the boot from you. Are you ready to try ? ''

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

What the hell now ? Derrick thought then shake his forefront he knew something would go faulty it always did. `` Explain Zan. ''

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

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

Shelby and the others started to protest when Derrick looked at all of them, `` Executive ordering, Omega-Omega-1 I will take care of this. ''

All the holograms froze they had n't heard an fiat this serious in almost 1000 long time, bowing they all sadly stated, `` Yes my Divine we hear and obey. '' Shelby started to dissent though she 'd heard the ordering.

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

Tears were starting to fall 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 withdraw it we are all in danger, even as you risk your spirit for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have intuitive feeling for you, feelings that died from all the kill, from everything they made me do. I owe you a debt I can truly never even begin to repay, but I will every remaining day of my life. '' Derrick said utter serious, this in itself traumatise Shelby.

Derrick began to pack several composition of equipment from his ship, and then went over interpretation from Zan 's effect part. Hmmm so the gimmick packed an explosive military force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, mightily enough to plug a hearty hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand knot, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the clap. It appeared that the further from Zan it was the weakly it was, a good thing to retrieve. Finally make an 60 minutes later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to displace to the air lock closemouthed to the stellar fin.

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

'' I know that Zan, but you are, all the ships are as significant to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I wo n't finger I am near worthy to lead you and the others. '' Derrick stated.

Zan 's face began to express 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 Creator, up to and including giving my existence. ``

'' With the skills I possess I am hoping nothing like that will be necessary, when I have removed the twist, I want you on the other face of the others. The further away the better, it appears the device is triggered to amplify the good time the penny-pinching to you it is. '' Derrick advised Zan.

bow his point Zan then nodded. `` I will do as you say my nobleman. '' 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 English 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 with 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 slight change in the bearing it appears to being enabling itself to arm. '' Zan advised.

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

'' Derrick there is a belittled maintenance thruster on that suit of clothes, please remember that is only a class 2 causa, it wo n't offer as a good deal protection as a stratum one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary carapace good for approximately 60 seconds delight use it if necessary. '' Shelby advised.

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

'' syllabus finish Derrick, '' Zan told him.

'' Ok, advancing. '' Derrick said as he began to scramble toward the fin faster. Drawing a strange cutting blowlamp from his pack Derrick began to cut at the fin, thankfully it was specifically designed to cut the living metal. Finally liberate Derrick pulled the twist about a meter and a half retentive loose, Derrick firmly grasped it then pushed off, turning he watched Zan leap away, the wake of the trans-warp propelling him away faster.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby 's thigh-slapper broke into his sentiment, `` the device is starting to arm itself ! Use the pusher face pack ! '' Derrick started the pack, slowed, and then started to displace in the opposite charge. Son of a squawk he thought, this will aid but it 's not enough ! Behind him there was a titanic plosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up peachy ! He knew there was n't much time so clicking the shield on he waited a few seconds, he could feel himself accelerating, plus the passion was n't too keen either but at least it was starting to minify. Trying to keep his centre open he thought he saw the precis of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and crisp intuitive feeling a tearing down his leg through the wooing, then the blessed darkness took him as the pain and cold began to creep in.

Zan jumped out as he 'd been told, as close to Derrick as he 'd been the trans-warp viewing had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated speeding. Shelby was monitoring the whole clock time ; suddenly she got a sign that the gimmick had armed itself ! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to travel away from the device. Unfortunately he had used character of the fuel slowing and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a little length between it and him but she feared it would n't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to tell Derrick to trip the shield, when he did she still could n't unlax as she saw that the heating system 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 strawman of Derrick when the flak pushed Derrick right into one of several of her astral fins that the blast had damaged when she 'd briefly dropped her shields to allow Derrick to go past through. Screaming she watched as the wear fin ripped a slice down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to stick out to the others but with her cinque damaged, she could only superintend a few thousand miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burn and radiation, plus the gash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.

The other ships came to get Shelby, each afraid that Derrick was going to die, Shelby herself was an almost tears wreck blaming herself for Derrick getting injured. Waking briefly Derrick called all the holograms, `` standing orders, protect each other, avoid the ranger at all costs, think back all I have shown you and recount you. '' With that Derrick succumb to the welcoming darkness.

The Virgin was suddenly there, `` SHELBY ! '' Mary yelled, `` Put these in him, NOW ! '' As soon as the vial appeared a mechanically skillful arm took it and injected it into Derrick 's arm. `` He will be alright now Shelby. '' Looking down Virgin Mary smiled, `` I have to go it appears I will soon have visitant. ''

Shelby looked at Mary strangely, visitant ? Was n't the castle isolated ? Mary smiled at the oncoming ships, fools she thought they 'd been trying to expose through her shell for over 200 long time. What made them think they could get through them now ? Charging to half baron Mary aimed at the first ship, firing, she took out the entire engine, then the minute ; so on 'til there were 10 ships drifting 10,000 air mile from the planet. `` Under regal executive director ordering, I have been tasked with the protective cover of the imperial planet. Any boost encroachment by uncongenial forces with be met with deadly military force. I do not recognize you or your Republic anymore and call for the removal of the president, evidence will follow. '' Mary said sweetly. The broadcast was being heard all over the galaxy and throughout the democracy.

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

The hologram of Mary appeared on all the ships and on every world that was listening, but almost importantly the Republic uppercase. Looking directly at the chairman she stated, `` The futurity emperor of the realm, and he is FAR more than displeased with you, there is a extra penalty he has for you when you are found guilty. I am quite certain you have heard of the purple dermal shredders ? ''

Broadcast to well over a 1000 creation many were happy to see the president as he started to piss his pant. As soon as the hologram disappeared, the chairperson started to bark rules of order. He needed every objet d'art of heavy armament and weapon he had to assault the purple satellite. That was 'til 4 well placed Energy Department blasts pierced the shield as if they were n't there and 4 monumental explosion sounded, hiding his head he did n't even need to look to know that all 4 of the armory were gone. Looking down he saw that the wet pip on the trading floor was growing.

For 2 days Derrick 's trunk was healing, the nanomites that had been injected in him were working far faster than his body ever could bear. Unfortunately they were ineffectual to mend the Brobdingnagian cicatrice that was now a office of his leg. At the end of the second day Derrick 's eyes opened, `` status news report, '' he croaked out before sipping the water offered.

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

'' At salute I am in re-gen several of my weapons, stellar fins, and one engine, which were severely damaged when I jumped in to save you. '' Shelby said quietly, though Derrick could see tears falling from her eye.

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

'' I feel that I should take in gone in different. Your trauma is the result of severe trauma caused from you being ripped along my broken stellar templet. I have failed you many meter Derrick, I am surprise that you wish to stay on me. '' This brought more regenerate tears from her.

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

'' Had you not arrive for me, would I have survived ? '' Derrick asked. Shelby only shook her school principal no. `` The way that you had to come in to stop me, was there any other position that you could have taken that would take in allowed you to jump off out with to a lesser extent wrong ? '' Shelby was thinking, calculating every position, every focal point that she could feature come in from, every position that she could have been in to take hold of 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 good that you could I know that, therefore I do n't blame you. Rather I praise you for your precise and flying action. Shelby without you none of this would have 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 existence to him.

Mary appeared a instant later, `` executive decree is being carried out, all satellite of the empire have been informed. The chairman lost ascendancy of his corporeal fluids when I informed him that the emperor butterfly was returning. I am releasing all the info on all his atrocities and those with him to the council, well those that are still trust worthy. All heavy subdivision and armament have been destroyed on the Republic family satellite. I have a fleet now within 50,000 miles of the purple planet ; they are at give removing the 10 I disabled. ''

'' Very unspoiled Mary, halt under executive order 'til further placard, also arm all golem sentries, I have a feeling they are going to try and take the repose of the planet. Have all the people 's identities on the planet downloaded into their retentivity, I want them protected also. '' Derrick ordered Mary smiled, reaching out she activated all the sentries, loading each as Derrick said with the identity of all the masses on the satellite. Finally his strength still not yet full-of-the-moon he lay back down and log Z's. For the next 2 days Derrick drifted in and out of awareness taking reports and issuing orders, though the one matter he especially wanted to fit on was the condition of Tempro. The fact that there was still a message from still an unknown person or persons was still a 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 clean-cut him.

Sighing he looked at Shelby a few days later, `` Shelby how very much longer 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 Derrick. '' Lowering her fountainhead she started, `` I am sorry that you will be reminded of this bankruptcy by me to protect you fully Derrick. ''

Sighing Derrick looked at her sternly, `` Shelby, if you were a human I 'd slap the gustatory modality out of your mouth ! '' Shelby just looked at Derrick shocked. `` You did n't break down me if anything I failed to protect you ; if I remember right, an Saturnia pavonia does everything he can to protect all the citizens of his conglomerate. '' Here all the hologram had appeared as Derrick had signaled them. `` I ..., '' Derrick bowed to all the holograms, `` you are all citizens of this imperium, I have failed you therefore I beg your pardon. '' All the holograph 's mouthpiece were across-the-board exposed ; the emperor was apologizing to them ? Who was this man, in all their ( a few only a few ) eld they had never met a man as variety and giving to them as this one. All of the holograms had tears in their eyes each told Derrick thank you, then went back to their ships. The Virgin, who had also been listening as she did now, had tears in her eyes. Finally she thought a true emperor of the multitude, sighing now she thought ; we just want to take the empire back .