Derrick jerked awake as the proximity alert began to wail, `` Shelby composition ! '' Derrick shouted.

'' I am reading multiple ships heading in this general counselling, '' she reported.

'' Configuration, '' I shouted as I ran to the bridge.

'' I am reading at least four ; first stratum Ranger ships, closing on our location. '' Shelby replied.

red cent it ! first base class ? Plus there was the fact that there were 4 of them ? They were n't playing this sentence these were the ok ships they had. Heavily armored, heavily ladle with weapon system, if the EIG ships were to engage the ranger ships right now they might have a prospect to vote down them though Shelby was almost at full electrical capacity.

'' Status of all re-gen, '' Derrick asked as he began to pull up reading material.

'' At present, I am now hyper-drive capable, I estimate another 47 hours, 33 second 'til I am trans-warp capable. I also estimate I have the highest light shell power now at 60 %. '' Shelby reported.

'' Conner,"Derrick asked.

'' I now have all arm available though, not at full power it will hire another 4 mean solar day 23 hours 'til I have wax tycoon to weapons. I estimate another 23 hours 32 minutes 'til I am trans-warp capable, though hyper-drive will still remain off-line. I am happy to say I do have sub-light engines and I have 55 % luminance shield. '' Conner said.

'' Lucy, '' Derrick asked turning his tending to the other female ship.

'' Yes primary feather, I will command another 3 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes 'til I am hyper-drive and trans-warp-drive capable, '' Lucy sadly said. `` I am also sub-light capable, and am 55 % light-shield able. ''

'' Zan any alteration in your consideration ? '' Derrick asked.

'' I am afraid not primary feather, both my reactors and generator are only 40 % repaired, I require another day to have partial tone sub-light engine. The quietus of my engines will take the wax 6 Clarence Day to re-grow. I am happy to cover that I now have 25 % light-shield though for these forest fire fighter that, I fear, will be ineffective, '' Zan replied.

'' Alright, it appears that we are a hell of a lot well off than we were when we got here yesterday. Shelby I will need you to put out your ignitor buckler over Zan, I realize it wo n't give a great deal binding but it might throw them off long enough to get Conner 's trans-warp online. '' Derrick stated.

'' Primary, '' started Conner, `` I foresee another problem. With the passing of my nuclear reactor I wo n't stimulate enough major power to take more than two. ''

'' Shit, '' Derrick cursed, `` I forgot to factor in the power restraint ! We can do this if it comes to that, Conner you 'd rent 0001 and Zan. Shelby would be capable to use her hyper-drive more effectively with two ships less to tow. I want you to go over everything Shelby I want you ready if and when the meter comes for all of us to run. ''

'' Yes Derrick, I am already running a full diagnostic on all systems that would be affected. I am also running one on all other systems to make sure there is nothing else legal injury. '' Shelby said as the syllabus started to notice anything that might be wrongly.

'' goodness, remember all of you, I DO NOT want you firing on them, as I said before they are about the only law enforcement besides us. Though of course we are still un-sanctioned, and will be for short meter. '' Derrick stated.

'' clip ..., '' Derrick began.

'' I estimate at their present speed, they should gain our position in 1 day, 1 hour, 29 moment, 39 instant, '' Shelby reported.

'' How effective ..., '' Derrick began again.

'' With their trans-warp being non-operational, Lucy and Conner are at represent not being detected by the commando. I have extended my light-shield over 0001 and Zan ; unfortunately it has reduced the effectivity of it to a simple 35 %. At this range we are no more than a strong anomaly that under the code of the Rangers that you provided for me they have to investigate. I estimate another 12 time of day 'til they are finish enough to detect that we are NOT an anomaly. '' Shelby stated.

'' You really have to lay off doing that, I like to speak, you need to let me at to the lowest degree finish what I am saying Shelby, '' Derrick scolded the A.I.

'' I will seek to try Derrick, but it is far more efficient to afford you the answer before you ask. '' Shelby said sweetly.

'' It may be, but I find it irritating. '' Derrick said.

The hologram of Shelby lowered her head almost whispering, though she had a small-scale smile, `` Yes Derrick I will endeavor to commend this. ''

Derrick smirked now he knew that the freeing up of the program was working, the A.I. 's did n't deliver to retrieve anything, not with their banks of store. Derrick had just sat in the command professorship when a sudden idea hit him.

'' Conner, '' Derrick asked, `` if you were to release a little amount of Critela particles into your generator during re-gen, would n't it have a 67 % increase in re-gen ? ''

'' Hmmm analyzing, I am estimating a 66.375 % growth in re-gen. Under those precondition, I also estimate that my Trans-warp would be 100 % repaired in 12 hours, 26 minutes, 23 seconds. More than well within the time restraint that we are presently facing. '' Came an excited Conner 's representative.

'' Make it so, also monitor the catamenia and measure of Critela, do not let them fall below 23.3, or above 23.5 mcg per mm. '' Derrick recited seeing the chemical formula in his straits.

'' Yes primary feather, at present re-gen has already increased 50 % and slowly rising. '' Conner reported.

'' goodness, keep within those levels and you should be OK, though I am afraid you have to closely catch them, as Critela can get fluid at times. '' Derrick ordered.

'' Yes Primary, I will constantly monitor them 'til closing. '' Conner again replied excited.

The hologram of Shelby was smiling proudly, she 'd never heard of this subprogram that Derrick had Conner using. If in fact it worked as well as Derrick and Conner had said then they could be out of here well before the fire warden arrived. Though he was still somewhat afraid after almost frying his brain, Derrick knew he had to once again tread into the breach with his project. Though at nowadays he had Thomas More than adequate amount of cognition, he was still at an impasse as to what to do with the ships, or to lessen the chances of their destruction. After the shoemaker's last conflict, though they had all survived Derrick felt that as advanced as they were they should have come out of the battle with far less price.

Sighing Derrick also remembered there was the issue of the ship that was being used as a patsy to alert the enemy fleets. Pulling up all the reading material, signal confirmation, equipment readings and the general situation altogether. Derrick was still unsure about how to part it to the ship that had been used. Sighing Derrick decided that now was the right time to do it while they were still in mending.

'' Zan, I need you to run down section BF-32 through BF-999 on your outer pelt. Tell me what, if anything you detect in those expanse. '' Derrick asked heavily.

'' Yes primary quill, beginning scans now though ..., Primary ! I am detecting a Dicon homing twist attached to one of my bum Asterial quintuplet. Attempting removal now, Primary ! I am unable to remove ! It appears there is a highly unstable destructive twist attached to it. '' Zan reported.

'' I was afraid of that, continue to scan I want to clear sure there are n't more than one. We 'll grapple with it soon enough. '' Derrick advised.

'' Yes Primary, continuing scan now. '' Zan replied. Perhaps an hr later Zan came back, his hologram angry and scotch, `` primary coil I detected a total of xxv homing twist all of which I have removed all but two. Both of those have mellow output explosive complaint attached to them. At present I have no idea how to remove them. The other twenty-three have been removed and disabled and should prove no farther use to the slipstream connected with them. ''

'' Alright Zan, I have a program here I wish you to implement to scour your regrowth intercellular substance for these tracking twist. '' Derrick told Zan.

'' primary election, '' Zan asked a few seconds later, `` will it hurt ? ''

Derrick was taken aback this was the first base clip that any of the A.I. 's had reacted to anything like this. Sighing Derrick felt the trueness was always the advantageously, `` I am afraid that it will, though if I work on it, it wo n't as badly. Can you hold back 'til I can line up it ? ''

Derrick could hear the gratitude in Zan 's voice, `` give thanks you Primary at least with you when you say that, I know that you will try to do what you say you are trying to do. ''

Derrick was shocked they might not be real bread and butter beings per say but they were alive in their own way and deserved to be treated that way. Derrick was finally starting to see the paranoia of the old programmers, they were obviously afraid that the automobile were going to get more homo than they were and possibly try to supersede them.

'' You, your chum and sisters deserve no less than any being, stilted or corporeal. The way things are right now I might be the only one who believes like this. '' Derrick stated.

'' Then we are truly fortunate that you are the one to retrieve Zan and not another of the actor with the salvage company. '' Shelby interjected.

All the holograph were there thanking Derrick, each bowing to him, which really did n't set too well with him. `` I am just a simple man as I said before, '' Derrick again stated to all the A.I. 's. `` Please do n't bow down to me, for now we all need to play together to hold up the coming crisis. ''

Each of them nodded, smiling briefly, looking at Shelby before vanishing back to their various ships. ‘ I'm going to get to get a line what hold she has on them ; they act almost as if they have to have permission from her.'Derrick thought perplexed a instant.

For the next 11 hours Derrick sat trying to think of a bettor scheme to escaping the Rangers rather engaging them. As it sat now he knew he 'd lose two maybe three of the EIG ships, though with the firepower they now had Derrick had no doubt the forest fire fighter ships would n't survive at all. Not really a secure way to go a farsighted term relationship with an organization he might accept need of later on. `` Alright Conner, as soon as possible, I want you to transport 0001 and Zan to the other side of the extragalactic nebula. skim ahead, I want you there with no sightings, veil them as well as you can then return, understood, '' Derrick asked.

'' Yes Primary, I will endeavour to obscure their detection 'til they can be better shielded. '' Conner replied.

Derrick was doing planning further when another alarum went off an hour later. `` Shit Shelby, try and hide the eternal sleep of the ships more. clip Conner ? ''

'' I still need another 25 minute of arc, 39 endorsement to cycle through and start up. '' Conner stated.

'' Ok, the second you feel you can, go ! '' Derrick ordered. `` We can better guard if the two most damaged are away to safe. ''

'' Yes Primary I understand it will be as you say, '' Conner answered.

'' Then as soon as you return I want you to get Lucy and lease her there also. '' Derrick was thinking as far ahead as he could.

'' primary feather what of you and Shelby ? I can not leave you here un able to defend your ego ! '' Conner shouted, upset by the medical prognosis of leaving Derrick and his sister.

'' Not to care Shelby has fully Hyper-Drive, she also has full phase of the moon weaponry. Plus the fact that Lucy does also you can recall immediately to retrieve us. '' Derrick said though he sounded a lot more confident than he felt. They were so battered and bruised almost anything could find if Conner got them all away he felt that Shelby could easily out run the Rangers, plus her Buckminster Fuller light shield would aid.

'' Primary I must resist, there are so many component that could go ill-timed, nigh of our system are barely operating. What would we do if there was a loser ? '' Zan and Conner spoke up.

'' That 's why I am having you move as many as you can Conner. We have already established that Shelby 's Hyper-drive is a broad day repaired now. She has a high-pitched weak shield, Please get them to safety then we 'll worry about us ok ? '' Derrick felt as if he were lying to his own children, hell he was scared shitless Conner and Zan had both been right there were too many systems in question. There were too many unknown factors to estimate a more favorable outcome.

'' DERRICK ! '' Shelby shouted, `` The Texas Ranger ships have accelerated they will attain our position in another two hours ! ``

shucks it ! We 're barely going to make it !

'' I should be ready in another 17 mo, 20 seconds. Primary I again have to protest you staying with Shelby you should do with me your refuge is of the topmost importance ! '' Conner said again.

'' Conner I need you to do this, I need all of you, not just one or two of you go now ! I will be fine. '' Derrick said trying to convince both of them.

'' Yes Primary, cycling finished commencing commencement up, 15 minutes, 45 sec. '' Conner said not too glad.

All of the holograms appeared in front line of Derrick, `` Please Shelby watch out for the Primary heyday. ''

'' I will protect him with my animation, Conner escape prime-one is enacted as per Imperial code 0001-alpha. '' Shelby said. The optic of the Conner holograph opened astray, he looked at Derrick, and then his dresser puffed up. `` It is enacted with pride, thank you for the honor Shelby. I will not fail you, '' Conner said as he bowed slightly to Shelby.

Derrick pretended to be interfering with a general read-out ; he did see what had been going on. I really need to find out what is going on ; again it 's as if she is giving permission to the others for certain things and obligation. Could she be far more than I thought at 1st ?

'' Primary are you fine ? '' Shelby asked. `` I could n't feel you for a few present moment, nor could I detect your feelings or thinking. ''

Hmmm interesting Derrick thinking unadulterated thought no distractions no emotions, this was a good matter to remember but to reach that State Department he 'd have to put to work on it.

'' Yes Shelby, trying to clear my idea in rules of order to centralize on the problem at hand. '' Derrick lied and felt care horseshit as soon as the words left his mouth, he really did n't like to lie and would generally not speak if he might have got to. Up to date it had worked pretty well though he still had n't been capable to avoid a few engagement that not speaking had generated.

'' I am now moving into stance, '' Conner advised them a few minutes later. `` I should return for Lucy in an hour barring any difficulty. ''

'' Good and secure change of location Conner ; be careful as you do n't receive your full armory to protect yourself or them. prefer carefully then return. '' Derrick said trying to win more authority as they approached the clip for all this to materialize.

'' I will Primary, you be dependable as well sire, I would not forgive myself if something happened to you, '' Conner said then bowed to Derrick. Derrick felt like an idiot standing there with his mouth open, a fact that Shelby 's giggling alerted him to.

Ten minutes later Conner flashed out, Derrick began to feel better as Shelby increased the wanton buckler around them to the full 60 % she had. Derrick could only smile ; he could see the muddiness on the Ranger ships as there was a very brief stiletto heel of magnate then almost nothing. He watched as they started to push their engines to get to their position as fast as possible. The affair was that Lucy and Shelby were almost invisible to them now, good luck finding them quickly.

'' Shelby, did you detect any trouble with your Hyper-Drive ? '' Derrick asked.

'' Nothing was detected in the for the first time symptomatic, though I did scan a slight power spike with the second in a few secondary system. I have been working to touch on those since the last-place fourth dimension when you had me run the tests. '' Shelby reported.

'' undecomposed keep a close eye on all those organisation, are there any that could inadvertently step in with you propulsion scheme ? Or with any other system that we will be need during this operation ? '' Derrick asked.

'' At present I have replaced and repaired all parts of the systems that might stimulate failure, would you wish me to run another diagnostic Derrick ? '' Shelby asked.

'' Considering the gravity of the situation I think that would be best, and Shelby, '' Derrick said stopping the holograph of Shelby. `` You really need to look sharp ; a failure now could be deadly, to either us or the Texas Ranger. ''

Shelby 's holograph 's head dropped a moment and she whispered. '' I will hasten Derrick, I want nothing to happen to you, nor will I reserve it to pass to you. ''

Derrick sighed at times he could n't figure Shelby out tinker's dam ! Just like a living cleaning woman. The hour was almost up when there was a tacky beside Shelby then a portal opened and Conner emerged.

'' I have procured an domain well hidden and secure, primary election. Shall I take both Shelby and Lucy ? '' Conner asked.

'' No, joint to the architectural plan, the strain on your trans-warp engine carrying two others does n't want to be duplicated. rest with the program I know you are worried but stay with the program, all will be well. '' Derrick said hoping he convinced Conner to go.

'' Yes Primary, '' with that said, he connected to Lucy and flashed out. Derrick could see the Texas Ranger on the other face of the moon.

'' Alright Shelby I just hope everything works out, engaged hyper-drive get us out of here ! '' Derrick ordered.

There was a whine, funny Derrick thought, it has n't sounded like that before, then they entered hyper-space. There was only a trouble 45 sec later they emerged barely out of the system. Thankfully the Rangers had n't detected them yet but it was only a matter of time, these guys were n't stupid they 'd see the hyper trail as soon as they scanned.

'' Shelby ! '' Derrick yelled, `` what 's going on with the hyper-drive ? ''

'' It 's a burned circuit I was about to replace when we left it will take an hour to change it ! '' Shelby reported.

'' WHAT ! ? appearance me, '' Shelby panned through heaps of plans showing Derrick every Angle. `` I 'm going in, undefendable panel AA1, I am afraid you are going to have to deactivate voice of your personality. '' Derrick sadly said.

'' Derrick I ca n't ! I would die, it is n't potential ! '' Shelby cried.

'' It is, you would bear to go into hibernation, well character of you but there are provisions that could reactivate those parts afterward. '' Derrick said seeing all the path elbow room, how she could open and shut them. `` Look at the plans here, '' Derrick said as he thought as strongly as he could toward Shelby.

The hologram 's mouth dropped open she had n't known of these hiding places ! `` Alright Derrick I will retain enough to run and reopen myself, try not to touch the sides I can only exclude down so a lot. ''

Nodding Derrick watched as the panel opened and he started to crawl on his spine, ‘ shite I need to hurry,'he thought. As he got further into the mettle of Shelby and the ship, he saw more and more of the tour'dark. 15 minute of arc later he was replacing the circumference then trying to crawl out as fast as he could. At the end of the front crawl way Derrick was in such a hurry he forgot to not touch the sides and grabbed the extremum outer edge to pull his self out. The flow that flowed through him though not senior high enough to kill him was still high school enough to scramble his mind for a bit. Luckily for Derrick his momentum had been enough that he broke touch after only twenty s.

'' Derrick ? '' Shelby said when she was integrated three min later. `` DERRICK ! '' Immediately transporting him to the med bay Shelby grew worried.

Hooked up she soon saw that his life was n't in risk, though when she tried to enter his thoughts, she found she could n't hit gumption of them. The thick she delved the worse it grew, 'til nothing she saw was of the Derrick she knew. The horrible memories of the war were burning bright in the sum of all the chaos. She saw the men who died, and those that were saved, all the brave things that Derrick did, then she started to see the many men he 'd had to belt down. She saw how each soul weighed heavier and heavier upon him 'til it almost consumed him.

Shelby was about to take out when she heard a voice she hardly recognized.

'' What the the pits are you doing here ? What, you sent to torment me here too ? '' Turning Shelby saw a battle hardened Derrick, his human face as tush as steel, his features twisted in a looking at of pure hatred. `` As you can see I do n't really need you to add to the hell I am in here, go the nookie away before I kill you like I did the rest of them ! ''

Shelby became frightened ; she 'd never seen hatred as pronounced as this, the murderous looking in his center, the smell of death that was covering him.

Shelby, though more afraid than she 'd ever been, knew she had to aid him. Walking to him she watched as he snarled at her and raised a rifle pointing it at her. `` I said go the fucking away ! '' He shouted again.

Defiant she stared into Derrick 's eyes finally she saw what she was looking for, `` NO ! '' she shouted and touched his head, for a consequence cypher happened, then Derrick 's eye flared red at her, pulling back he went to prod her with a combat tongue he 'd drawn. Then he started to holler, a Christ Within came from his middle and mouthpiece. Shining out the chaos started to slow up and make more mother wit.

'' You fucking bitch ! I 'll kill you ! You 've destroyed the only safe oasis I had ! '' Derrick screamed even louder as he tried to lunge at Shelby with the knife. Slicing and hacking Derrick screamed louder when he saw that he was doing no scathe at all to Shelby. `` NO, I 'll never forgive you NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo ... .. ! ''

Finally the topsy-turvyness was starting to adjudicate not very fast but at least now she could see a small order.

Coming out Shelby felt the ship straight thrust as an zip blast hit the cuticle ; almost automatically she returned fire, at full military unit ! Quickly she fired another electron beam of energy slightly faster ; she hoped Derrick would n't be too mad. As she 'd pick up Derrick say there would be hell to pay, as she watched the instant caught up to the first, over taking it they both exploded. Unfortunately it was within only 50 miles of the Ranger ship ! Sighing she had n't fired fast enough as she saw that the energy and shock wave quickly crippled the Ranger ship. Quickly while they were distracted she started the hyper-drive, at foremost they were shocked then they started to afford pursuit but as Derrick had thought they were no match for her focal ratio.

A groan drew her attention, `` Shelby ? Why am I on the bio-bed ? Last thing I remember was ... fuck ! I guess I have you to give thanks for my life. '' Derrick groaned out.

Smiling weakly Shelby bowed her capitulum, `` I hope you are not mad at me. The Texas Ranger ships caught up to us and fired, I ... I ... ''

'' You did n't demolish them did you ? '' Derrick asked afraid.

'' Oh no, but I almost did, I fired total force, then had to intercept it, I am afraid that I rendered the commando ship inoperable ! '' Shelby said afraid that Derrick would be mad.

'' honorable little girl ! '' Derrick said laughing inside he knew there were going to be some really pissed off Texas Ranger tomorrow, maybe they 'd finally get those newer ships they 'd been wanting !