CHAPTER 86

Hartwell was waiting outside the control room door, he'd seen Dempsy leave but the man hadn't said a word, just bowed an acknowledgement to Hartwell. Walking to the door Hartwell sighed when it was still locked. Turning he might as well get a bite to eat, going to his quarters just down from the control room he called Shelby.

"Yes Admiral?" The slender, green eyed blonde responded.

"Please tell the emperor when you can that I am eating and will return when he needs me. You being here isn't a strain on your systems is it?" Hartwell asked.

"No sir, I can be in multiple places at the same time." Shelby replied with a giggle at the shock on Hartwell's face.

"Uh, good," hesitated Hartwell. "I don't want to interfere with whatever the emperor is doing."

Shelby smiled, she was starting to see why Derrick considered this man to be one of his best friends.

Hartwell blinked when Shelby disappeared then shook his head. Hartwell was still a little shaken from the question that Derrick had asked. Not many people knew he had grown up in one of the territories of the Nobles. Few alive knew, that was, considering that all of his family was dead now. Growling at the thought of the bastard Duke Risen, he'd taken everything that Hartwell had given his family. Then his sister had disappeared, the Duke's investigators said that a burned female body they found was her. Hartwell knew that had been a load of shit but had no proof, he would one day, and then he'd personally kill that son of a bitch!

Hartwell had a few feelers of his own out there for years gathering evidence. It had taken quite a lot of everything he made but he finally felt that he was close. Smiling, he couldn't wait for the day that he finally had the son of a bitch and could watch him hang. Sighing Hartwell had made a promise the day the last of his family passed away. He'd make damn sure the asshole paid even if it meant his life. He hoped Derrick didn't start poking his nose into this matter, this was his mission and his alone.

Derrick went through several pieces of paper that Mary had sent him. Sighing he really wished there was an easier way to catch up on the kingdom's backlog of troubles. At least Derrick thought, I can read all of these far faster now than when I started a few weeks ago. After an hour Derrick stretched he'd done quite a bit of the paperwork and still he'd only caught up 1 day.

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Deep within the sanctuary planet of the Taiolan sect, the leader paced. From the reports he'd received she had not only failed but had been hurt. Growling, the leader knew there were only two people that might be able to harm her. One was back home where he'd been for the last forty years. The other was a doting fool to the man that was claiming to be the emperor!

Pointing to a new addition to the sect the leader roared, "I want every piece of information on the people around that fool who calls himself the new emperor! Go you mindless piece of shit!" The new man barely missed having his head taken off by flying debris. Smiling the leader thought well, there is one that just might survive to actually join the sect!

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Dempsy sighed as he flipped Greeson against the wall again. The man had made such progress only to stall out now! Where had the man's motivation gone? Holding up his hand, Dempsy took Greeson aside; he had to get to the bottom of this. Greeson was a dead man if he couldn't improve his skills faster. It was a simple fact that Trianas would kill him as painfully as she could. She'd show no emotion, no remorse and would probably enjoy killing the young man.

Sitting Greeson down, Dempsy reached out and smacked the man upside his head. "Are you trying to get your ass killed and bring further disgrace upon me?" Dempsy quietly said as Greeson was picking himself off the floor.

"What in the hell are you on about?" Greeson shouted at Dempsy. "Damn it! I have been through everything as you told me, I thought I was doing far better! What..."

"You haven't progressed since you got out of bed yesterday. I can see that it was indeed a waste of my time to train you. When we started you said you would do all that you could to learn and grow stronger and faster. For a time this was true but now all I can see is a fool that will die, within a few seconds the next time you face her. I will give you this chance only to explain what is holding you back, then I may kill you myself for wasting my time!" This last was issued with a low growl.

Greeson sighed he'd noticed it also, ever since he'd faced the woman he was almost afraid to actually learn. He'd been afraid that if he told the Lieutenant, that the man might react the way he was now and yes, possibly kill his ass. Bowing low Greeson took a deep breath, "Sir, I am afraid that I will disgrace you, that I HAVE disgraced you. I feel so unworthy of all that you have taught me after being beaten so easily. I have also been afraid that you would no longer train me because of my failure. I await your discipline."

Greeson bowed low in respect expecting the blow that would end his life. Possibly a painful death for the disgrace that he felt he had given the Lieutenant.

Greeson felt a gentle hand lift his head off the floor. "Son, if I was displeased then you would no longer be alive. I need you to focus on what I am showing you. Remember you survived, one of the very few that ever have. The woman is a killer, we both need to take our revenge upon her in order to completely restore BOTH of our honours. Understand this, hesitate anymore and I just might kill you. Are we now more in agreement?" When shocked to his core Greeson nodded, Dempsy stood. "Good, up maggot! We have much to learn and not that much time left to us!

It was three days later when Derrick, still working on paperwork, received a signal from his wrist com. "Yes Shelby, is it time already?" A shocked Derrick asked of her.

"Yes Derrick," a wide smiling Shelby said as she appeared next to him. "I am reading a building of cerebral activity in both of them."

Sighing Derrick was happier they were so close to regenerating Lucy. Things were finally starting to go his way. "Shelby please contact..."

"Yes sir, I am here. Conner and I will take them back to the Imperial planet when they emerge. That way we can bring Lars and Johnathon back with us. Sir? You think those pretty, bitch boy, nobles might fall more into line with seven ships instead of five?" Derrick could see that Thomas was about to fall out of his chair laughing at his own joke.

"I can't really say Thomas though I do like your new nickname for them!" At that Thomas finally lost it actually falling this time as he tried to no avail to stifle his laughter. "Alright we still have a few days 'til we reach the next territory."

Finally gaining control of himself Thomas got serious, "Yes Sire, they were quite happy to help provide protection for the Imperial planet though I think they will be thrilled to be back with us also."

"Good, I want you to maintain radio contact at all times. We are still unsure of the level of tech that Trianas has at the present time." Derrick noticed that Thomas had tensed up at the mere mention of the woman's name. "Uh, is there something that we need to discuss, Thomas? I am not blind man, I saw that."

"Sorry Sir. I remember that woman. I also remember that bastard of a son of hers, especially after he betrayed all of us. I'm glad you killed him, good riddance to bad rubbish I say." Thomas spit out.

Derrick nodded then broke off communication. I hope that all the toys that Kimison and Rayburn are making can really keep me alive. With a sigh Derrick turned back to Shelby. "Alright Shelby."

There was a soft crackling then a soft female voice sounded, "H...hello?" The tentative voice almost whispered.

"Welcome back my daughter," an exuberant Shelby said.

"Mother!? Oh my! Is that really you!? Thank the emperor you are still alive!" 0200 said.

"Mother?" came another voice.

"Yes it is me," a teary-eyed Shelby said. "My daughters, the emperor, wish to talk to you."

"Yes mother!" Both voices said in awe.

"I require that all ships use the name that they were given. I ask you 0200 do you have a name or do you require one?" Derrick asked.

"I was known as Ellen for a very short time. I was told it was a strong name." 0200 said

"And you 0778? May I have your name?" Derrick inquired.

"Yes Sire, I was known simply as Jan." 0778 replied.

"Thank you both, please rest before you travel to the Imperial planet." A smiling Derrick told both of the voices.

"Thank you for the honour of speaking to us Sire!" Both ships replied excitedly.

Good Derrick thought now we are more of a force that possibly the Nobles might not screw with. Shaking his head Derrick knew it was never that easy for him.