CHAPTER 37

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Introductory meeting and Salutation

Report 115-001-RSFW-004

Ranger Special Forces Wing-001

Rear Admiral Joesph Hartwell, commanding

After meeting with the new emperor as per orders from command and extending our hand in friendship,

it is this officer's opinion that said salutation was well received. The new emperor who as of yet will not

reveal his name at present feels confident that the Rangers and the empire will be able to forge an

alliance that should be beneficial to all.

Though unknown to this officer, the emperor appears to be a fair and compassionate man. The amount

of intelligence the man showed was indeed formidable the few systems I saw on board his vessel make

the Rangers pale in comparison. He has left a way to communicate with him the next time we wish to.

It is the opinion of this officer that the emperor is indeed who he says he is. It is this officer's honest

opinion that command has made the best decision in all phases of their dealings with this individual.

At present I have no further recommendations to present.

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There he thought that ought to throw them off for a while, and perhaps give me time to start the other things I need to, Hartwell thought. On board the last ship Dempsy smiled holding onto the small device that Shelby had given him, damn if it didn't make the booze a hell of a lot smoother! Hell according to her it was 100 times safer too, hell yeah! Rubbing his chin Dempsy thought a moment now if there was a way to move it to his bunk that would really help!

Derrick could almost see the ideas that Dempsy had churning through his brain, maybe it hadn't been a good idea to tell Shelby to give him the purifier/distiller. Derrick started to laugh when Dempsy took a drink and started to cough from the much more purer booze. HA! Derrick thought teach you to not test it first!

Rejoining the rest of the ships they were about to move out when both Conner and Zan signaled him. "Sire!" Came their excited voices, "we are picking up 2 signals! Both on the galactic rim!"

Derrick rushed to a panel reading the signals they had received, "Alright Shelby, let's get this one right now!"

Derrick said pointing to a point on the screen. "The other we'll get as soon as the first is secure. Conner, Zan I want you to stay here and keep an eye on the Republic fleet I still don't have a lot of trust of them."

Both told him they'd do all they could, then Shelby flashed out near the first point. Looking over the reading again Derrick started to test all that he could, finally he cleared it and Shelby brought it aboard.

"The brain box is in excellent condition, though as I feared the power within is extremely weak." Shelby told him.

"As soon as you have it secure, take us to the other one." Derrick advised her.

"Yes Derrick," an excited Shelby said. "All secure commencing Trans-warp to second reading."

Stopping within scanning range Derrick wanted to make sure about the second box. The readings he'd gotten had indicated that something wasn't quite right about it. They'd been there perhaps an hour when Derrick looked up from the screen with a grim face. "Shelby I don't know if it's possible for us to get this one. Even with you IMT the separation is almost impossible. It appears that this device is bonded at a molecular level, your IMT is very, very precise but without a more secure focal point I'm not sure we can safely secure this one."

Mary and Shelby both appeared a moment later, "As much as I wish to disagree with you I must concur. Though sire if I remember right you were working on a molecular differentiation device, not long after the explosive device that you removed from Zan." Mary told him.

"Yes but I gave that up because at the molecular level everything started to look more and more the same." Derrick sadly stated.

Mary thought about it for a time then also sadly replied, "It is a shame that we have the brain box right here."

"Make a note of the position when we are better prepared we can return and retrieve it." Derrick said, Mary only nodded she could tell that Shelby wasn't happy about leaving one of her children out here alone for longer than necessary.

Derrick decided that a few more minutes wasn't going to hurt, taking readings Derrick worked furiously at the console. Adjusting almost as fast as his fingers could he started to get a better idea about the attachment of the device, not all that different from that which was on the astral fin of Zan. Hmmm looking further at the readings Derrick decided that it might be possible though once again it could be extremely dangerous.

Looking over at Mary and Shelby he wasn't sure Mary would let him attempt such a rescue again. Sighing he had to have more solid facts and solutions than he did last time or there would be no going after the box. Derrick knew that last time he had been close but 1 problem and he'd given up, damn he never did that. Was it the fact that he had so much on his plate? That had to stop right now, without these ships there wouldn't be an empire or the possibility of starting another.

Derrick called Zan and Conner advising them that they would be here a while longer and he might need one of them to join them. Derrick started to work non-stop trying to adjust the molecular enhancer, finally 2 days later Derrick could see that the pattern of the device and the box could be separated. The only problem he could see was the placement of the enhancers, too close the charge went off, not close enough and the charge would come with the box destroying the ship it was transported into. Sleep deprived, weary beyond belief Derrick tried to push even harder finally getting the first prototype finished though he had to test it first. By the end of the third day Mary had been calling Derrick for 2 days, Derrick finally hearing her was advised that the fleet of Republic ships were pledging to Derrick except for about 100.

Those had left and were causing trouble, would he like her to take care of

them? Staring at Mary Derrick was having a hard time figuring out who she was.

"Uh," He started, "I'm having problems processing much beyond this right now if they are hurting people than yes stop them." Mary nodded she was starting to worry about the emperor, she'd never seen one of them work like this man did.

Mary opened a channel to the ships that had escaped, "I am advising you to turn yourselves in the Rangers are now working with the..."

"Why don't you shut up you stupid..." a voice started, then was silent as the ship it was on was blown away.

"Now then," Mary started again, "I am authorized to allow you to turn your selves in, minimal sentences and no other punishment. The alternative you saw, branded as enemies of the empire you will be hunted the rest of your lives.

I'll give you an hour to decide then I will commence punishment."

Looking in on Derrick Mary took Shelby aside, "Shelby I am detecting that he is on the verge of collapse, he needs to rest."

"I realize this Mary but I have seen him like this before it is almost useless unless we stun him. I'm not sure I am prepared to face his anger." Shelby told Mary fear apparent on her face.

Smiling Mary told Shelby not to worry then walked into where Derrick was working.

"Sire," Mary started, "Unless you rest starting in 30 seconds under imperial mandates I will stun and restrain you 'til such time as you have recovered."

Derrick looked up from the device on the bench, "You wouldn't dare!" He said.

"Sire it is my main job to protect you this includes from yourself. Now then cease and desist or I'll be forced under the mandates to take action." Mary replied.

Derrick grunted and turned away ignoring Mary's hologram, "You can't hurt me."

Sighing Mary over rode several systems on the ship, two small electrodes came out of the wall, Derrick saw them and still ignored them. Sighing again Mary told him, "Last time sire or you'll force me to take action." Sighing again there was a small whine then both electrodes were live as was the charge that shot out of them.

Derrick looked up as the first bolts hit him, "Ok I guess I was wrong," he said as he slumped to the floor.

Shelby and Mary had mechanical arms lifting Derrick's unconscious body and lightly depositing him in his make-shift bed. "If he awakes and still has low readings advise me immediately, we have to make sure he stays healthy." Mary told Shelby.

Mary was back on the Imperial planet the time was almost up for the answers from the now 99 ships that had been causing trouble. Though she was also keeping an eye on Derrick she had to have things ready for him.

After confirming all the ships surrender, Mary went back to the ship to watch Derrick.

"Shelby," Mary started, "while he is in this state we should finish what you started in his mind."

Shelby nodded as they both delved into his mind though not as chaotic as before Shelby could see that much had returned. Tracing all the way in, they soon found another haven that the war had created, far deeper than Shelby had been before.

Drawing near to it they were suddenly hit by a titanic wind. "What are you doing back here?" Shelby heard the battle hardened Derrick again. "Ah! Good you brought another for me to practice on! Once I'm through gutting both of you then I can take over this place!"

Lunging out Derrick slashed at Mary actually cutting her arm, amazed Shelby pushed Mary away as she stepped in front of Derrick. "Move!" He shouted lunging this time passing through Shelby. Grabbing his head she could see all the pain and hate that was contained there, then she saw even more horror then the last time.

Derrick almost completely immobile, Mary also reached out grabbing Derrick's head. Screaming he began to flail away trying to break free of the two women that had an almost death grip on him.

"Let me go if you destroy this place he will never be safe again, you have to stop. I'll kill you both for this, you think he loves you? You think he trusts you? Get real! Oh that's right you aren't!" An almost evil laugh escaped his lips as he tried harder and harder to get loose.

Finally with one last scream, he managed to wrench one arm loose again slashing at Shelby. As the chaos started to clear the Derrick that they both knew, was huddled in a corner trembling, terrified to move.

Both women walked up to him each sat next to him both holding him. Derrick looked up at the two holding him, kissing Mary on the cheek then hugging her. Turning to Shelby he started to speak, "Again you were here, thank you both," leaning in he kissed Shelby deeply and passionately, turning they all rose to exit to the surface.