CHAPTER 25

Mary was monitoring every communication out of the Republic world, when she saw the order she smiled. Finally the pitiful excuse for a ruling class would be shown just how insignificant and inconsequential they truly were. As per the second emergency code Mary started to target not only the Republic world but every ship of theirs within 2 light 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 confrontation coming and soon it would be better if he found more ships but at present he had to wait for Tempro and the message before he moved on it. For some strange 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 switches and smiled, almost time to be a hero boy. Shaking his head he caressed the long scar on his leg, activating another set of switches 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 program buried extremely deep within my records. I've never seen it before, yet records 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 programs and devices." A shocked sounding Shelby stated.

"WHAT!?" What the hell was going on? He was never this lucky or fortunate; nothing EVER just fell into his lap like this. Looking the program over it was almost the same as the one he'd been working on for weeks. "Zan, I think we have the program ready to remove the charge from you. Are you ready to try?"

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

What the hell now? Derrick thought then shook his head he knew something would go wrong it always did. "Explain Zan."

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

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

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

All the holograms froze they hadn't heard an order this serious in almost 1000 years, bowing they all sadly stated, "Yes my lord we hear and obey." Shelby started to protest though she'd heard the order.

"No Shelby, I HAVE to do this; if I don't then I don't deserve to wear the crown of the emperor." 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 don't remove it we are all in danger, even as you risk your life for me will I risk mine for you, I told you I have feelings for you, feelings that died from all the killing, 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 dead serious, this in itself shocked Shelby.

Derrick began to pack several pieces of equipment from his ship, and then went over readings from Zan's effected section. Hmmm so the device packed an explosive force of 25 x 4.184 gigajoules, powerful enough to punch a substantial hole in the side of Zan and almost anything within ten thousand miles, it also seemed to be laced with something else that could amplify the blast. It appeared that the further from Zan it was the weaker it was, a good thing to remember. Finally ready an hour later, Derrick transferred to Zan. The young man, still in overalls appeared as soon as Derrick began to move to the air lock closest to the astral fin.

"Though we are under the executive order I still must protest, my lord," Zan stated. "If you are lost it would mean 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 important to me as I am to you. I have to do this or I won't feel I am near worthy to lead you and the others." Derrick stated.

Zan's face began to show 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 Lord, 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 device, I want you on the other side of the others. The further away the better, it appears the device is triggered to amplify the blast the closer to you it is." Derrick advised Zan.

Bowing his head Zan then nodded. "I will do as you say my Lord." Exiting the ship Derrick looked around at the side 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 side 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 know if there are any changes." 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 charge it appears to being enabling itself to arm." Zan advised.

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

"Derrick there is a small maintenance thruster on that suit, please remember that is only a class 2 suit, it won't offer as much protection as a class one if the device explodes. You also have a temporary shield good for approximately 60 seconds please use it if necessary." Shelby advised.

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

"Program complete Derrick," Zan told him.

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

"DERRICK!" Shelby's scream broke into his thoughts, "the device is starting to arm itself! Use the thruster pack!" Derrick started the pack, slowed, and then started to move in the opposite direction. Son of a bitch he thought, this will help but it's not enough! Behind him there was a titanic explosion, looking down he saw that the fuel was almost used up great! He knew there wasn't much time so clicking the shield on he waited a few seconds, he could feel himself accelerating, plus the heat wasn't too great either but at least it was starting to lessen. Trying to keep his eyes open he thought he saw the outline of one the ships, then he was crashing into something long and sharp feeling a tearing down his leg through the suit, 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 wake had pushed Derrick away at an accelerated speed. Shelby was monitoring the whole time; suddenly she got a signal that the device had armed itself! Warning Derrick, she watched helpless as he turned, slowed, and then started to move away from the device. Unfortunately he had used part of the fuel slowing and reversing direction. Finally he was starting to put a little distance between it and him but she feared it wouldn't be enough. Then the device exploded, desperately she tried to tell Derrick to activate the shield, when he did she still couldn't relax as she saw that the heat had risen and the shield was barely keeping it at bay. Counting she was afraid Derrick was going to die if she didn't do something. Jumping in she was in front of Derrick when the blast 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 pass through. Screaming she watched as the broken fin ripped a gash down his leg. Bringing Derrick in to med bay she tried to jump to the others but with her fins damaged, she could only manage a few thousand miles. In the med bay Derrick was immediately treated for burns and radiation, plus the gash in his leg sealed before he bled to death.