CHAPTER 97

Mara's eyes were still wide; it had been exactly like the emperor had said. She'd only been asleep for possibly two hours at the most. Here she was hearing a voice in her head of one of the ships. Looking over at Derrick she asked, "Uh Sire? Do you want me to go to my ship right now?" She asked.

"I'm not all that sure right now Captain," Hartwell said with a wry smile on his face. "As upset as you were, do you really think that you are ready for this?"

Mara snapped to attention as she saluted both Hartwell and Derrick. "Yes sir, I am more than ready!" Mara's face a look of consternation as she was staring at Hartwell after what he'd said.

Hartwell turned to Derrick still with a wry smile on his lips. "What do you think, sire? Do you feel that she is settled enough emotionally to take on this challenge?"

Derrick had caught Hartwell's smile and nodded slightly at the man. "I'm not sure Admiral; I am in need of more primes for the ships. I do have to make sure they are mentally sound though!"

Mara's face had gone from elation to downright anger, "With all due respect Admiral, sire, let's cut the crap ok?! I am a hell of a lot more stable than Mack Brown! Besides, after leaving us for as long as you did, we all deserve this!"

Derrick started to smile wider as did Hartwell. "Do you know which ship is the Sire?" Hartwell asked.

"Yes," Derrick replied, "They all inform me before anything is done. In this case being second was understandable." Derrick nodded looking up and said, "All right, I agree for those reasons. I want you at 100% before we talk about that." Derrick nodded again then looked at Mara. "I suggest that you rest for a bit, it's going to be a bit before you can finish bonding with your ship's A.I."

Mara nodded, "Yes Sire, thank you Sire!" Then she cocked her head to the side as she was walking out of the door. "Yes, my god I am so excited to meet you! I just hope..." she was saying as the door cut off her conversation.

Hartwell just shook his head, "Really Sore that was mean!"

Derrick laughed, "True but I already knew she was ready. I have to keep things serious after all!" Derrick was suddenly quiet as he stared at Hartwell. "So.... when were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you Sure? I'm not sure what you're talking about." A confused but wary Hartwell said.

Derrick sighed, "Mary, Shelby, I need isolation for the following conversation!"

"Yes Derrick, all communication is off, all recordings are off, all outer walls now sound proofed. You can proceed." Shelby advised him.

"Again I ask when were you going to tell me. What, you think it could go on as long as it has and I do not find out!? Christ Joseph we're best friends what has come over you?" Derrick almost shouted at Hartwell who was still looking at Derrick with a questioning look. With a frustrated grunt Derrick continued, "You're really going to make me say it aren't you? About your family, about your sister!"

Hartwell's eyes suddenly narrowed, "that's none of your damned business!" He shouted. "That's my family and I'll take care of it! Now back off!"

"Look you stubborn ass! I am already involved. Had you come to me with this I might..." Derrick started.

"You might have stuck your nose where the hell it didn't belong! As I said back the..." Hartwell shouted.

"Joseph Johnathon Hartwell! You and the men ARE my family! I cannot and will NOT let anyone hurt my family!" Here Derrick pointed a finger at Hartwell as he continued. "You, you stubborn ass are too damn proud to ask for help! Well too bad! You've got it now damn it! Besides as I see it this may be all I need to roast that idiot for all the shit I am hearing he has done."

Hartwell refused to look up damn it, this was his responsibility, "It is my responsibility to kill..."

"I'm not denying you the right to that. You and the others are my family and I will protect my family to the best and last breath in my body. Remember that you and all of your family are mine also. I know about the disappearance of your sister, the suspicious deaths of several of your family members. I have had Mary gathering every shred of information she could. Marry if you please."

"Yes Sire, I have noticed many, many discrepancies in the Duke's records. I have made detailed investigations of all the money that is the Duke's money. I have also noted increases in his financials in the same amount that you sent your family. I am now requesting the source of that money. Under the Imperial penalty, I am again making requests. If they are not answered I have sentries in place to take action. That being said, I have also threatened prison time. They have exactly one hour to turn over all records I am inquiring about before they are taken into custody."

Hartwell could only nod open mouthed; he'd not expected Derrick to have gotten this far. As a matter of fact he thought that it was still well under wraps. "I'm sorry; I have lost so much, so many of them. I don't mean to sound ungrateful but..."

"SIRE!" Came Mary's sudden shout.

"What's wrong? Have they refused?" Derrick asked, a little worried.

"No sire, this is another matter. It seems that the day the Admiral's sister disappeared a new slave was added to the Duke's residence; a slave that more than closely matches the description of the Admiral's sister!" Mary informed them.

"WHAT!? I'll kill that bastard with my bare fucking hands!" Turning, Hartwell bowed, then left the room.

"Keep an eye on him Mary; I don't want to lose him now; especially after I just got him and the rest of them back!" Derrick told both Mary and Shelby.

"Yes Sir, I'll do what I can." Mary said.

"As will I, Derrick," Shelby stated.