Derrick 's bosom had been hardened, the A.I. 's were more alive to him them almost all the humans he 'd met were. After losing Lucy and instigating the induction of the new sensing system, Derrick felt he was ready to start hunting the other EIG 's. Then again he had the shrewish thought in the back of his mind that he should hear the message Tempro had for him first. Sighing damn he hated to expect ! Though the message he 'd already incur had made an encroachment on him, he still wondered who 's the voice had been speaking to him. Shaking his head well, he thought we 'll have it off soon enough, it was only a few hours now. Looking out at Tempro again he had to inquire why the ship was almost twice the size of it of the early EIG's.

comparison, Derrick could see that there were 8 engines instead of 4 ; Tempro had confirmed that he had 8 vigor plants. Though he had many artillery there were n't as many as on the other ships. Looking closer there were those supernumerary set of astral 5 that he had no idea what they were. Then there was the closed book of all this who had ordered Tempro to such secrecy ? As far as he knew the only one that could do that was the emperor and that was him, as far as he knew he 'd issued no orders like that. The longer he thought about it the more that his head began to ache. Soon he thought, we 'll have the new catching system up, then let them argue with him about his right to the crapper. So trench in his thinking he was that he did n't get word Mary yell his name for a minute.

looking for behind him he nodded, `` Sire, I was saying that we are starting to receive a few response to your bidding. ``

'' Oh ? I take it most of them are n't believing I am the next emperor ? '' Derrick stated.

'' I am afraid they are n't, as I stated before they are demanding substantiation before they will get to accept you. Even then I am afraid that many of the nobleman are going to agitate you on this. '' The Virgin said.

Nodding Derrick replied, `` That's why I 've made major changes to the detection organisation. I feel our changes will be greatly improved. ``

Looking over the plans Mary started to smile larger, `` Yes from what I can see, you have managed to increase the sensitivity by more than 78 %. I would say this most definitely will increase the probability of finding more of them. ``

Derrick was quiet down a consequence, then almost in a whisper he said, `` I have n't forgotten about you Mary, I will find at to the lowest degree one more of yours. ''

Mary 's sassing dropped agape ; she 'd given up Bob Hope of ever seeing any of her minor, let alone to a greater extent than one.

Bowing low and still in shock Mary told him, `` Sire you do not have to do anything exceptional for me. ``

Derrick looked at her to make sure she was n't joking with him the sincere look he saw there, let him know. `` Mary I do n't consider this anything special or a party favour, I feel it is something I must do. For all that you do for me, yes I realize it is your duty and there are many times you can object under the royal authorisation. I have realized that you truly believe that I am the emperor and are trying with all that you can to facilitate me. '' Mary 's eyes were filled with tears, no one had ever taken into circumstance what she might need. Then it occurred to her that Derrick had also done this for the EIG 's also, she was already reading an 8 % increase in independence in Shelby and she was surely the others would espouse soon.

'' Sire, if I may ask ? '' Madonna started. Derrick nodded so Mary continued. `` I have noticed so many thing that you have done for me, Shelby my dau ..., contact to you, and the others. ``

'' You are wanting an explanation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' Possibly more than that, I am somewhat confused as to why ? Why are you doing these things for all of us ? We are mere machines just tool that man can apply. Though we have all the characteristics of a living being we are still motorcar. '' Mary replied trying to intelligence it exactly like she wanted it.

Sighing for a moment, Derrick did n't notice the early holograms when they appeared to get wind what he had to say.
Though they had an estimation they still wanted to hear it all.

'' I guess I 'll have to start a ways back. '' Mary nodded though she had a sizeable amount of selective information on Derrick there were still a lot of muddle in the data.

'' Growing up in abrir oculta providence I was somewhat of an outcast because of my intelligence. I spent many an hour interpretation, mostly military tactics and battles, plus my grandfather was a source of many ..., account. ''

Here Derrick 's eyes filled with tears so many people had considered his grandfather to be a loon, a fanatic filled with wild approximation. The man had been a hero to Loretta Young Derrick, with his write up of his grandfather 's grandfather on a streamlined blacken ship fighting the enemies of the empire. It was what had caused Derrick to enlist after school as an officer. That and the fact that his father and granddaddy had both died mysteriously not far from the majestic palace shield.

'' Entering the war I fought for the Republic thinking it was the in good order affair to do. I was ordered to do things I knew were incorrect, thing I knew that should n't be done. '' Derrick stopped a moment to reckon at the reading on the installation of the new detection organisation, hmmm almost done.

'' I fought for quite a few year, then one day my s term was up. I had already decided to leave the overhaul, when I told my commander I was getting out he was surprised, almost as if he was told I WAS going to re-up. Within 2 hr I was brought up on charges, court-martialed, everything taken from me them I was beaten by 20 men. I was taken to the most stark area outside of the base, beaten again, then left to die. ''
Blessed Virgin could see the ire rising in Derrick, plus his heart rate was rising as was his pulse.

'' I had managed to hold in a humble wireless in my pants they had missed, I called my home. I must stimulate passed out because as my mother told me it was 5 days later when I awoke, I was the Republic 's to the highest degree decorated Cuban sandwich and I was treated like garbage. The only good thing I can say is that I did n't just lay down, I know I broke a few of their noses, I 'm for certain many still ca n't emit right. ``

Madonna was taking everything in, it was by far a unlike story than she 'd gotten from the disc that she 'd received.

'' So you want to hump why ? I was treated like I was beneath them, all the people of the democracy world shouted vilification at me as we were going through the streets. They called my mother and grandmother crude and vile figure. Though I may be the emperor I still do not trust the great unwashed, almost ALL people. I trust machines far Sir Thomas More than them. I am afraid that I always will, citizenry have turned on me since I can remember. Yes I know Mary, I will be working on it but I have a very hard distrust of all of them. ``


Madonna 's lip was hanging open she had healed many a judgement therefore she knew the signs, surprisingly Derrick showed very few signs of the distress that so many had.

'' I was wondering Sire, '' Virgin Mary started, `` Usually when soul comes from battle or war they are usually showing far more signboard of distress related to all of it. From what I am seeing you are showing far fewer of the sign of the zodiac than I thought were possible. Especially for the amount of money of clip, that you were in. ``

Smiling a moment Derrick turned from the console table to look at Mary. `` Alright Mary, I have a diminished confession though I know that you may try to refuse it .... for a fourth dimension. I know that Shelby is a Cartesian product of you, your creative thinker as it were. ''

Derrick held up his hand to quiet Mary. `` I gleaned this after quite a while with all the information I took in, it is the only assumption that makes common sense. I also know that almost half of the EIG 's are Shelby 's. ''

Again he held up a hand to quiet Shelby and Mary. `` It is n't your demerit you did all you could to veil it, I am a niggling bit smarter than we all thought at outset. I also know that Tempro is yours Madonna, '' Derrick said as he saw Mary smiling at Tempro who had a take aback look on his face.

'' I know far Thomas More than you think, I just had to have a minuscule prison term to meet all the data in monastic order. I ... ''

Derrick started when several warning signal went off. `` How many Madonna ? '' Derrick said as he watched several blips approach the President of the United States ship.

'' I 'm reading a sum of 4, approaching at a higher velocity than you 'd await a planetary bird. '' Mary replied. `` SIRE ! '' Virgin Mary shouted, `` I am reading 4 high yield explosive twist on dining table those objects approaching the chair 's ship ! ``

'' Shelby ! Trans-warp ! As close as is safely potential ! '' Derrick shouted sitting in the command chair.

The now familiar engine whine sounded, then they were there a second later. Derrick had Shelby grab the President 's ship with a shaft of light, then they were gone all within 1 minute.On the satellite several of the revolutionist leaders were cursing when they saw the huge ship blink of an eye in grab the ship then wink out.

Opening a canal they started to shout at Derrick, that is 'til Derrick came on all the channels. `` I have spared the democracy macrocosm so far, because I realize that there are some, though very few, oppressed people still there. Do not cause me repent that decision, I have enough of a grudge with the planet and the people now, that I WILL NOT HESITATE to destruct it ! Do I make myself clear ? ! ''

There was no contiguous reply, so Derrick had Blessed Virgin aim the palace, told them they had 1 minute to void, then had her stage it, it only took 2 seconds.
'' Now then, I expect that I wo n't bear any more incidents ? '' This time there were respective voice shouting they would not make another move against him and his ships.

Laughing after he disconnected he looked at Mary, `` You think too harsh ? '' He asked her.

'' No sire I thought it was a most effectual presentment, plus I think it will aid in the cleanup of that planet. ''
Mary said as she and Derrick laughed at her joke.

Looking at Shelby now he had to decide what to do with the little creep he sure as hell was n't going to bring him on table. Hmmm could n't kill him yet that had to be public when Derrick ascended the throne, damn ! Where in the hell was he going to put him ? There was always the gaol though Derrick knew the man had probably bought almost everyone of law enforcement there was. That 's when he thought of the commando, though he was n't all that sure that they 'd go along with him on this.

Well, he would n't know 'til he tried, `` Mary I need to contact the Rangers, though you have n't received an reply from them yet, I believe that it is clock time to propel forward and institute them on plug-in. '' Derrick told Mary.

'' I also believe that this is a good idea though I think that you should delay for a short meter. As I remember you said that you wanted to hear this message first. '' Madonna reminded him.

Crap he 'd almost forgotten about the subject matter, though why did he palpate this way ? That he HAD to find out it before he went forward with his program ? Again looking over all the meter reading Derrick decided to wait.

It was almost an hr later when Tempro contacted them, `` Sire ? '' Tempro asked.
``
Yes I am ..., '' Derrick started then was standing on control board Tempro, `` ... ready to come in aboard. '' Sighing Derrick just shook his head.

'' I apologize sire but I was told to add you aboard as quickly as possible. I was told that you are n't to leave this room 'til you have heard this subject matter. Are you quick get ? '' Tempro asked.

'' Yes, '' Derrick said as he sat in a chair, looking around it appeared that the full lay out of the ship was completely different from the others.

As he sat there looking, a small holograph of an senior man came on, `` Hello Derrick. '' the interpreter said then the hologram smiled. `` Checking out Tempro I see, this is nothing just wait. ``

'' Wait, your the voice from before, Tempro I thought you said this was a recording. '' Derrick said.

'' It is get, it is interactive, '' Tempro informed him.

The part laughed, `` Well, it is mostly interactional. I do still give a signal to Tempro, just in casing. I know you have questions, let 's see if you do after I finish ok ? Good, now then as I told you earliest you are the emperor, though as you guessed it will necessitate a patch to re-establish the empire. You have quite a bit of work to do though you will consume help, Virgin Mary has already sent the proof that the forest fire fighter required, they are the kickoff to fall in line behind you. I realize that you think Shelby has settled your mind but she did n't, you might say she anchored you. Mary will finish it though I think you will want Shelby there to help. ``

'' Sorry to disturb but just who in the hell are you ? I know you said to wait. You seem so familiar I just ca n't place you. '' Derrick asked.

Laughing a mo the holograph looked Derrick straight in the optic, `` I really am surprised you do n't recognize your own side. '' Derrick 's mouth dropped agape, `` There we go ! Finally everything is starting to make a little sense. We know ourselves Derrick, had we left you alone you 'd never follow to this point, well not for a lot longer. As you may have guessed Tempro is a metre ship, though as you will attain in a little while he is a unanimous lot more. ``

Derrick was still speechless though this was starting to serve a lot of the questions that he had.
'' Now then, you have already started on the path toward re-establishing the empire, as I said Tempro is a whole lot more. There were respective data-based procedures that were never really implemented, for now there are only two that you need to vexation yourself with. Though knowing us and we do, you 'll soon be knee deep in the others too. ``

'' So you are me, you left this to get me moving, ok I get all that, even why considering all the paradoxes of time.
Why not let me go through this in my time ? '' Derrick asked.

'' God I 've forgotten just how stubborn and stupefied I could be ! I had to, had I not then by my clip not even half the empire would be back yet. Now pay attention ! There are 2 experiment that you have to discharge they are considered dangerous even in my sentence though you are the reason that we can even think about using them let alone actually trying them. You will involve a queen mole rat one day or the strain will die with you.

I also know that you trust no charwoman outside our female parent and nan. There is an experiment to, they only way I can describe it is creating a mate that is idea. Though I think you would be more concerned with the A.I. transfer. Ah ! I see this got your attending !
good I 'll leave you to it. Oh ! Yes you 'll find more EIG 's and you 'll rule Lucy again though, it will take a bit of time, I am afraid, sad. '' With that the holograph was gone.

The short blond haired hologram of a man appeared, `` Sire I now am to award you wide admission to everything. ``

Derrick could only nod as he surveyed everything that he saw, Redeemer ! Most of it Derrick recognized, well over half of it, he 'd only dream of. The possibilities were endless IF he could get a lot of them going as the honest-to-god interlingual rendition of himself had said it was almost all experimental. He sat there thinking that his older self was counting on him ; hmmm did this actually confirm the fact of the theory that time was not set and could be affected ? Interesting Derrick thought very interesting.

'' I am assuming that with as vast a library and information processing system core, you are equipped to gravel possible event on time when certain events are changed in the past as they relate to the pose ? '' Derrick asked of Tempro.

'' Why of course of action sire, I live to answer you, though I have to monish you sire, many major upshot of the past you can not transfer. I am afraid that to interchange them would also alter you, therefore altering you. This I can not allow as you are as you should be, sire. '' Tempro stated as he bowed low.

Derrick walked around staring at everything in curiosity, molecular recombinator, DNA resequencer and splicer, though what caught his tending the most was the cloning apparatus. Derrick was about to take the air further into the lab area when he received a margin call from Mary.

'' Sire we have a annex of the fire warden approaching, '' she told him.

'' All ships full carapace ! initiate Light Within screens, arm all weapons, target their engines only, do not fire unless fired upon ! Shelby ! '' Derrick was almost instantly back on the dictation deck of Shelby.

'' I want defensive stead, Conner right, Zan left, Tempro hang back, you are to engage only if you have no pick ! '' Derrick stated firing off rapid orders.

On plank the booster cable ship newly commissioned seat full admiral Joseph Hartwell was n't too sure about this. To him it did n't matter that he was the only when one who had spoken to this man who claimed to be the emperor. He 'd seen the potentiality of just one of these ships, at present he 'd counted at to the lowest degree 2 before they vanished.

Christ ! One could carry off his wing of 60 ships, with 2 or more they were dead no doubtfulness about it. Stopping only a few thousand miles away he opened up a channel.

So Derrick thought they had sent little Joey, might as well begin with a acquaintance, least that way he 'd have a go at it more how the man was thinking. Waiting Derrick laughed imagining the look on Joey 's face when Joey saw his old protagonist and commander.

'' To the man commanding the strangely configured ships, '' sighing he still thought this was a bad musical theme. `` I have been sent by fire warden program line to spread communications with you, I am also to swear loyalty to you. ''
Derrick could see that the man was nervous, fourth dimension to up that a bit before the big reveal.

In a distorted voice Derrick replied, `` I see that you have been promoted since finally we spoke. '' Laughing Derrick saw him appear up at the tv camera.

'' Yes, I can see you, though I can not accept your pledge. Not like this I ca n't, what say you come here and we can hash out it ? '' Derrick laughed at the surprise look on his facial expression, oh but that was zip compared to what was about to materialize. `` Would that be better for you petty Joey ? ``

Joseph Hartwell 's expression screwed up in to a looking of mental confusion, Little Joey ? He had n't called that since ? His mouth dropped capable there were only 5 men awake that had ever dared to phone him that !

Looking at the television camera he asked, `` Who the hell are you ? No one has dared to address me that except ..., '' There were several call and shrieking when the man vanished, `` ... the members of my ... old ... whole. '' Chief Joseph Hartwell 's oral cavity dropped agape again staring at the view screen and the prospect on card his bidding ship.
Swallowing hard the man was almost afraid to turn around he could feel someone or something behind him.

'' Hello Little Joey, prospicient clock time no see. '' A vocalism from the yesteryear that he had n't heard in years, assailed his capitulum.

Slowly turning Joseph Hartwell peered into the darkened room. `` Commander O'Toma ? '' He asked shocked at hearing a vox he thought never to hear again.

Laughing Derrick watched as the man 's face went from mistrust, to shock, to just plain old elation. `` I 'd say it 's in effect to see you again Little Joey, though at the present moment we have a fiddling problem. ''

Chief Joseph Hartwell could see his indorse in bidding assuming command, that little ass ! Already ordering a strike on obviously far superior ships that would more than guarantee the wipeout of the entire wing.

looking for at Derrick with a apprehensive human face, Derrick raised his paw to the screen to let him know to proceed.
'' headwaiter Multry ! '' They saw the man stop dead in his cart track, `` unless you want to start a war that the commando can not win, I suggest that you stand down, I will be back on card soon. ``

'' Sir, you know the regulations concerning the kidnapping of fire warden personnel ! '' The 2nd in bid stated.

'' I am fine, as a issue of fact I am here with an old friend, he is obviously working for the new emperor. I 'll keep you appraised. '' Shaking his head, Joseph Hartwell turned back to Derrick.

'' So this is where you have been, though I have received reports that you were in a salvage ship. '' Hartwell said.

'' I was for many years, it was a way to forget the hell of the war, and afterwards. '' Derrick said between clinched teeth.

'' We all heard about what had happened, the entire unit of measurement was disbanded with all of us separated from the Service the future day. They made the error of sending the same men after a few of us. I was with Dempsy, and Thomas when they found us, idiots forgot that Dempsy was a soldierly artist. The first 10 went down faster than I 've seen in a long time. ``

Derrick was smiling the number one real one he 'd experience about the whole situation in a foresightful time. `` It would make helped to hold Dempsy there, they kicked my ass pretty good, though I did n't go all that quietly, '' Derrick said.

Hartwell 's centre opened large, `` That explains why several of them looked like they had been beat up ! After that we were n't bothered again, I started to appear for you but no one seemed to know where you had gone. I am sorry commandant, had we known, we all would have been there it would bear been a lot different. ``

Chuckling a moment, Derrick could only imagine the state of the 20 men that had issued his punishment after his men had finished with them.

looking for at a screen a moment Derrick shook his head, `` Excuse me a consequence Chief Joseph, Conner ? ``
The hologram of the young man appeared, `` place the leave ship, disrupt all engine and weapon functions, blue Joseph but you 're going to demand a drive back. ``

They both watched as a unusual yellow light beam came from nowhere and struck the trail ship, after shaking a bit, the ship went dark.

'' What did you just do ? '' Hartwell cried to Derrick.

'' It 's just a invalidator, though as weak as the systems are today, you wo n't be going anywhere for a while. '' Derrick told Hartwell.

'' Now then about that allegiance you were going to trust. '' Derrick said with a smile.

Catching himself a here and now later Hartwell had to remember to close his mouth. `` Uh, yes, I was supposed to deliver this to the man claiming to be the new emperor. '' Hartwell said reaching to pull out a paper from a thermionic valve at his side.

'' I was chosen to deliver it, since I am the entirely one to ever talk to the man and number out of it in one spell. '' Looking down Derrick saw him originate to panic when he saw that the tubing was empty.

Chuckling Derrick asked, `` Where exactly did you leave it for safe keeping ? ``

'' It 's in the safe in my poop, '' Hartwell stated.

Nodding to the hologram of a slender blonde woman, they waited a bit then a rolled parchment appeared on a prorogue next to Derrick. Shelby disappeared leaving Hartwell staring at the empty berth, his lip again wide open.

'' Joey, close your backtalk, '' Derrick said a smiling plastered to his font. Nodding Hartwell closed his rima oris but still could n't take his optic off the spot where Shelby had been.

Still a little in electric shock Hartwell turned back to Derrick, `` Who in the hell was that gorgeous brute and is she unblock tonight ? ''

They both heard a giggle then Shelby reappeared, `` I am Shelby but I am afraid I am unable to leave behind the ship. ``

Hartwell looked at Derrick, `` You are obviously the dominate military officer on this ship could n't you let her go ? I mean just for tonight ? I 'm drab, that is if you are n't imply with her. ``

'' Oh I am in a way, '' Derrick started, laughing then smiling, Derrick explained when Hartwell 's cheek showed the confusion he was feeling.
'' You see the reason she ca n't go forth the ship is because she IS the ship. ``

Hartwell started to laugh, then he saw that Derrick was suddenly serious ; laughing a little more his shocked case had Shelby giggling. `` Wait, time lag, wait, you mean to order me that, this gorgeous woman IS the ship ? ! You 're serious are n't you ? ''

Sighing Hartwell should give known it was too good to be true. `` Well 'bout my luck always seem to discover the utter one and she is n't real. ``

Derrick was in shock, there was n't a Mrs. Hartwell ? `` What in the population is wrong with you ? I know things did n't affect you as badly as they did me, I 'd have thought you 'd have lots of women lined up trying to hook up with you. ''

Shaking his head Derrick started again, `` my god man what did you do link up the fire warden as soon as you got out ? ``

Hartwell turned away for a moment.
'' Not all of us had family to hang back on ; you and the others were my family. Losing you was a John R. Major gust to me and the boy. '' Hartwell said.

'' I 'm meritless I have n't kept in touch, 'til I got a handgrip on everything, I was n't too respectable company. affair is I just got a handle on it a few weeks ago. '' Derrick told him.
'' Enough about the past, now again, about this allegiance you are to aver ? '' Derrick asked Hartwell.

'' Yes, I am to read this to the man who claims he is the new emperor, so ... is he here or do you deliver to call him ? Is he on the other ship I saw ? '' Hartwell asked nervous to get this over with.

Derrick smiled, this ought to be good, `` I 'll take it, '' Derrick said.

'' I have to read it to the man himself, '' Hartwell said.

Smiling even larger Derrick looked at Shelby, then opened his mouth as the same twisted interpreter Hartwell had heard before came from the verbalizer. `` I said I 'll take it. '' Hartwell could only stare at his friend opened mouth ; there was no way that Derrick O'toma was the emperor !