CHAPTER 48

Drawing a heavy breath Milley nodded her head yes, "For you Derrick I will do this I won't like it in the least but I'll do it. Just don't ask me to do it that often, not 'til I am used to it, say in about 100 years?" This last comment drew a laugh from Derrick and a wide eyed stare from Sherry.

"Thank you Grams, Mother; I am afraid that you both will have to stay in the palace 'til it is safer. From what I have seen of my father's research there are at least two factions out there that I am concerned about. It is as you feared Grams they do possess tech that is comparable to ours, though I already have Mary advancing ours as we speak." Derrick informed both of them. "Get what you want to take with you we have to go soon ok?"

"Alright Derrick I'll be ready soon," Sherry told him.

Milley just shook her head, "We have to go as soon as possible, she has nothing with her really and yet she's still not ready to go. "God woman, are you that scared?"

"It's ok Grams," Derrick told the older woman, "It took me a bit after I first came on board, give her a few minutes ok?"

"Oh alright," Milley told Derrick as she rolled her eyes.

"Mother, just follow the corridor to the end when you are ready ok?" Derrick informed his mother.

"I'll be a bit Derrick," Sherry told him as she sat in the nearest chair.

Derrick nodded though he really wasn't that sure about leaving his mother alone, he was soon leading his Grams to the control room. "I'm glad that you agreed to this Gram," he told her.

"As I said before don't expect me to do this that much, still not too keen on the idea of moving through space as energy, might leave something behind so, not really a fan of it." Milley told him, bringing a wide smile to his face.

It was perhaps an hour later when Sherry O'Toma appeared at the doorway leading to the corridor from the control room. "I guess I am about as ready as I am going to be." She told Derrick.

"Shelby, I want you to keep a link to me, if you have a situation call me. I have worked on a few improvements to your system." Derrick told Shelby.

"Yes Derrick I will, please don't be gone long, we have just found each other, now is not the time to get ." Shelby informed him.

"Alright Mary we are ready," Derrick told the palace guardian. Within seconds they were standing in a huge room with a throne-like chair at one end.

"Welcome home Sire, you are the first to stand in the throne room for over 200 years. I also wish to welcome the Imperial Mother and Imperial Grandmother." Mary said bowing low to all three of them; Milley O'Toma was of course, loving the attention.

"Mary," Milley stated, "do you have rooms prepared for us?"

"But of course your Ladyship, we have a room for both of you, Uh, your Ladyship are you well Ma'am?" Mary said with a concerned look on her face as she looked at a pale Sherry O'Toma.

"I'm not sure, Sherry replied, "this is a little overwhelming. The mere fact that I am a royal seems strange enough in itself. I think I need to lie down a bit, can you tell me where my room is? I'm sure I can find my way..."

"Nonsense ma'am," Mary said as a flat transport pulled up next to Sherry. "This will convey you to your room; do you need a doctor? I can call one from the city if you wish."

"No, but thank you Mary, I feel I just need to lie down a bit." Sherry told Mary as she sat on the flat surface and it immediately conformed to her shape to make her as comfortable as possible.

"It is my pleasure, Imperial Mother, please rest well, shall I call you at any certain time?" Mary asked

"No, if I need anything, what do I call you?" Sherry asked.

"You just have to call out and I will hear you. I am attuned to all three of you now for anything that you will need. As I said, just call." Mary replied as Sherry nodded then was whisked away to her room.

Looking at Milley, Mary asked, "Does the Imperial Grandmother wish to rest also?"

"No, but I would like to take a tour of this place, if that wouldn't distract you from your duties," Milley told Mary.

"No not at all, it would be a pleasure to guide you through the palace." Mary informed Milley. To which Milley smiled and nodded her head as she started to walk off with the image of Mary.

A moment later another image of Mary appeared. "All is ready for your inspection Sire," Mary said as she bowed low to Derrick. "I have the crown ready for the coronation later today or tomorrow if you wish, Sire. I'm afraid that in order to open the palace defense field, you will have to go through this formality. Plus I am sure that it will convince many of the other nobles that haven't pledged yet to sway more to your side."

Derrick was only nodding as he started to look over all the preparations that Mary had done according to the plans that they had discussed earlier. "I see that you've had to replace a few of the bore worms," Derrick commented when he read over that part of the report.

"Yes Sire, when the planned execution was delayed they had to be replaced, after they are taken out of stasis they can only live a few days before they expire without feeding. It is almost impossible to put them back into stasis when they also haven't fed. Luckily as I stated before we have well over 100 of them. Sire? I need a decision on your coronation. I know you'd rather put it off but I feel it would prove to be advantageous not only to you but for your position with the nobles." Mary touted off.

Derrick nodded as he thought for a moment, "Contact rear Admiral Hartwell, I want him and as many of his men present for it." Smiling wide a minute Derrick stated, "Little Joey wanted a chance to see the palace; this ought to be a reasonable excuse for him and as many of the crew as he can send."

Mary's eyes went wide for a minute, "I will have to go through all of their records before I can allow any of them within the confines of the shield Sire." Sighing, Derrick nodded.

"Is everyone except Hartwell and Dempsy correct?" Derrick asked a moment later.

"Yes Sire, I had already gone through theirs when they first came aboard Shelby. I have also checked those of your other compatriots Thomas, Rayburn, and Kimison. I have already started the process to have Kimison brought here. Not to worry Sire I have assessed their diagnosis of him or rather their misdiagnosis of him." Mary informed Derrick, this last bit snapping Derrick's head up suddenly.

"They said there was nothing they could do for him," Derrick whispered the anger apparent on his face. "I owe that man my life more than a few times. Anything we can do for him, Mary I want, do you understand me?"

Mary's face went serious for a few moments as she replied, "Yes Sire, his condition is easily curable though I am afraid it will take at least two days, I am sorry that it will take so long."

"Long?" Derrick said, "Mary to the people now that in itself is a miracle! Alright, but I want him here as soon as possible. Can Shelby go and bring him back sooner?"