Lost Empire 15 by pars001
plans move forward , Derrick was fighting to open his eyes ugh! He felt like he’d been kicked a few times and possibly run over. For some strange reason he felt he needed to be mad at Mary when he woke up but for the life of him he couldn’t seem to remember why. It was at that moment he noticed that he was far more tired than he usually was.Mary and Shelby went over his readings again, the nanomites were working at 100% to boost his energy levels. Mary was starting to worry a bit that she and Shelby had performed the procedure far too soon. Problem was Mary had done it many times and had never had a subject not come out better or quickly.
Shelby was half tempted to delve back in, the kiss Derrick had given her had held a lot more meaning to her than the last. Touching her lips again she watched as Mary ran through several scenarios trying to figure out why Derrick hadn’t awoken yet. Mary wasn’t blind to the fact that Shelby was far more worried about Derrick than a mere A.I. should be. Softly Mary examined Shelby’s circuits hmmm interesting Shelby was far more alive than Mary had at first thought. Reaching out she found that the others were at 8% they had almost independent mobility. Shocked a moment Mary looked at Derrick in a new light. So the emperor was a far more trusting soul than any of the previous emperor’s. Shaking her head she contacted Tempro she had to do something for him, something that hadn’t been attempted in well over 900 years.
It had been almost a day and a half when Derrick jerked awake. What the hell was he doing on the bunk, the last thing he remembered was… smirking he knew she’d go a long ways to protecting him but this was a little far even for her. Stretching out his 6’2” frame Derrick rubbed the scar on his leg, he needed to finish up so he could get things going. The addition of 2 more ships would most definitely be an added power advantage when he started to go against the nobles. They’d enjoyed free reign for far too long and needed to be brought to heel, smiling Derrick felt he was the perfect one for the job. He needed to get this fleet back in shape first, and then he could start to think about looking into the many injustices he’d heard of.
Shelby appeared at his side a moment later, “feeling a lot better Derrick?” She asked her almost ever present smile on her face.
Thinking a moment Derrick chose his words carefully, “Yes I do Shelby though I think I could have done without the shock treatment,” Derrick chuckled.
“I am sorry Derrick; it was the only way she could get you to listen to her. You had pushed yourself past the point of exhaustion, she felt under the mandates she had no other choice.” Shelby explained.
Sighing Derrick knew she was right but there were times, he had no choice himself, but to push like that. He had accomplished many a great thing with him doing that.
Anyway I look at it, I think Mary needs to take a look at the record of the many things I have done. Just because I am exhausted does it mean that I am in any type of danger.
“Shelby, have you…” Derrick started.
“Yes Derrick, she has been hooked to my generators for 4 days, now she should emerge in almost an hour. Derrick?” Shelby asked excited.
“Is something wrong Shelby?” Derrick asked.
Shelby was silent only a moment then rushed her answer, “I have determined that this is Zan’s wing mate, 1000, is it possible to have him answer her when she awakens?”
Derrick thought a moment this was a welcome bit of news from what he’d read the two wing mates acted better together than they had when he was linked to the ships. “I think that would be an excellent idea, they have after all been apart a very long time. Have…”
A moment later Zan’s hologram appeared beside Shelby, “you wished to see me sire?” He said as he bowed.
“It appears that we have located your wing mate, I wish for you to be here when she awakens, I hope that I am there though. This new device I am testing may further help with problems like you had on your fin. As a matter of fact your problem may have helped to furnish the idea for the solution.” Derrick told the now shocked but proud image.
“Thank you sire I think she will appreciate it also. I know it was a shock when I heard you and not a more familiar voice, sorry sire I don’t mean to insult.” Zan apologized
“It’s fine considering the shock of suddenly being alive again.” Derrick told him.
Shelby appeared, “Sorry to interrupt but it is Rear Admiral Hartwell.” She advised Derrick.
“Open the channel let’s see him and let him see my eyes again.” Derrick told her.
“Channel open, all adjustments made Derrick.” Shelby replied.
“I say again to the emperor, we have retrieved the president and his ship. Please advise as to action to take.” Derrick heard Hartwell’s voice.
“Hello again Rear Admiral, I am glad you called. Under imperial law and mandates he would normally stand trial but as you have read, as I know you have brushed up on imperial law. The attempted assassination of the emperor carries an immediate death sentence which I am sorry to say I have been lax in carrying out. Please advise your high command and your command that I will make an appearance on the imperial world to carry out said execution in 2 days. Until such time, could the Rangers please imprison him? At the moment I am on the other side of the galaxy.”
“Thank you sire for clearing that up. Now as to the crew of the ship and his assistant?” Hartwell asked.
“Truth scan them all; if they didn’t know about the missile let them go, but they are to be grounded a year. As for the assistant I am sure there is more than meets the eye with that one, hold him for now.” Derrick said.
“Thank you sire,” Hartwell said with a wink, “I’ll let you know as soon as I receive word from both.”
Derrick laughed, so little Joey had impressed them it seemed good, though they might not be as pleased if they knew that Little Joey and the emperor were good friends. Then again they just might be terrified. Derrick tried to sit up and suddenly realized that he was indeed weaker than he’d at first thought.
“Derrick!” Shelby shouted as Derrick nearly fell to the floor. “You could at least wait for me to be there to catch you when you hit the floor!” she said as she chuckled.
Derrick’s head snapped up damn! That was sarcasm! Chuckling to himself a moment, he felt better that meant that her circuits were closer to being free than he at first thought.
“So you’re turning into a smart ass now huh?” Derrick said as Shelby began to giggle.
“I thought you liked me like this,” she said slyly. Man Derrick thought I think I created a monster, but a monster I wouldn’t give anything for.
“Shelby, the explosives that are attached to the brain box we are at present trying to restore. Query, I know that the boxes are supposed to be indestructible, but at present can the force of the explosives harm the case in any way?”
“Scanning now; it appears that the case is in fact totally intact. Though the charges are attached to the exterior, I am not reading enough force to damage the box, though I am afraid it would be sufficient to devastate a ship from the inside.” Shelby told him.