Derrick nodded taking a few more readings, “Is it possible to use IMT to place my enhancers in the correct positions?”
“At present it would prove to be difficult to place them in precise position, given the present movement. Plus without precise coordinates it might prove to be an unsound risk.” Shelby reported. Derrick sat back a few more minutes to allow his head to clear.
There had to be a way to position them without blowing himself or a ship to pieces. “How long…”
“I would say that she should be aware in a few hours, her case was untouched and her energy is still at full.” Shelby advised Derrick.
“Good, Shelby, do you really think it is advisable to have Zan answer her when she awakes? I am afraid that he might become emotionally unable to perform when we need him the most.” Derrick asked her.
“I believe that this would go farther to promote his self value than you think, plus as stated before it would be better to hear a voice one has heard before. As the emperor it could be a little overwhelming to hear the emperor’s voice when one first awakens, some might even see it as a punishment.” Shelby told him.
“Hmm I see your point, alright since we now have a more enhanced system for finding them, it might, as you say, prove beneficial. The simple fact that we found two more EIG’s this fast is most advantageous and give me much hope for finding them,” here Derrick’s voice broke from the pain he still felt, “and Lucy.”
Shelby nodded as fresh tears began to fall from her eyes, she was extremely grateful that she’d heard Derrick that day months ago.
“I have also been thinking about the problem of the enhancers, Query, is it possible to stop the movement of the box without physically touching it?” Derrick asked.
Shelby was quiet only a moment then her eyes opened wide, “I believe it is Derrick, the same tow beam I used on the pirates could be adjusted to slow and stop the motion of the case. I do believe that it would only require lessening the power of the beam to ensure that nothing is crushed or damaged.”
Derrick’s eyes grew wide as he went through the beam specifications it was more than feasible, “Shelby…”
“I began changes to the system a few moments ago I estimate it will take another 45 minutes 34 seconds to recalibrate to the specifications you are needing.” Shelby said again answering before Derrick could even ask.
Shaking his head he should have known she wasn’t going to stop just from him asking.
“Now all I have to do is figure a way of delivering the enhancers around the case without blowing everything up.” Derrick said more to his self than Shelby.
Shelby herself had been trying to think of something, the mere fact that she could do this was a shock in its self. Though the fact that she might actually be able to help thrilled her to know end.
On board Tempro several machines were running at the present moment, “Mary, mother I am not so sure of this. I do not want the new emperor to become angry with me when he finds out what we are trying to do. You know it was banned after so many failed attempts that ended with horrible results.” Tempro almost begged of Mary.
“Tempro,” Mary started, “for all he has done, for all that you and I know he can accomplish he will need this, he will need her.”
“I realize this, all of this, but we both know it is wrong and in the words of the human race immoral.” Tempro again was almost pleading with Mary.
“If we don’t even attempt this then we are no better than the masses that were the Republic. Do YOU want to see the most glorious empire reduced to that?!” Mary questioned Tempro.
“No, but we have to proceed with more than extreme care, if it appears to have failed we need to terminate, finishing that form would be cruel and I know you are not that mother. Please don’t make me go through that again the last time was almost too much for me and the crew, remember we lost half after the first failed set.” Tempro told Mary.
“I remember,” Mary whispered hearing the screams and agony.
Derrick had been sitting at his desk for several hours trying to come up with a solution to the problem. Laying his head on the desk he began to go back through everything that had happened to him over the last 6 or so months. The meeting of Shelby, finding that the detection system that so many had called useless could actually find the ships. The battles to protect the galaxy, the losses and near losses, the love, and trust he felt from and for the ships and their A.I.’s. Then there had been the two strange messages from his, he guessed, future self the second most profound. The first though had something in it that still seemed to bug Derrick if it really was his future self then yeah it made sense, what was it? Derrick had almost fallen asleep when he heard part of the first message again: ’Rest the answer will come, it always does, and it’s always that simple.’ Snapping his head up Derrick was shocked at the simple things he’d been thinking of my god, was it really that simple?
Leaping from the desk Derrick went running to the command deck. “Shelby! I may have an answer!” Derrick was screaming as he entered the command deck. Once again Shelby was shocked she hadn’t expected to see Derrick for a while longer.
“Shelby!” Derrick yelled again.
“I’m here Derrick is everything alright?” A worried Shelby asked him.
“I may have an answer; remember the thruster pack I used when I removed the device from Zan’s fin?” Derrick questioned her.
At first she only nodded then her eyes flew wide, “Under the mandates I am afraid that Mary and I cannot allow you to place yourself in danger like that again.” Shelby sternly told him.
Derrick drew back a moment, God! She was completely serious! “No I have something far less dangerous than that, I also do not wish to be in that position again. I was thinking of a mini thruster pack on each enhancer that could be maneuvered into place, with you controlling them in should prove a far better way to place them.”
“Hmmmm this plan has much merit,” Mary said behind Derrick making him jump a bit. Both Mary and Shelby giggled when Derrick had to sit a moment to calm down. “I calculate that this plan has a 95.6% completion chance. This plan I find far more acceptable than the last that involved you risking your life.” Mary told him after a few minutes. “Though I believe that we will have to increase the fuel that it carries and add 3 more burn tubes.”
Derrick started checking all the specifications and started to add the additional equipment, the whole time Mary watched closely as did Shelby. Finally finished Derrick sat back more than pleased by the design he’d come up with.
Mary’s head was nodding at the design she was more impressed by the emperor’s detail to the design.
“I believe you’re right Mary these extra tubes will give us more stopping force, plus I think the extra weight might actually be easier to calculate fuel wise.” Derrick told her.
“Production has already started on them Derrick,” Shelby told him sweetly.
“We need to stop the box and mark where it is, I have a promise to Zan to keep,” Derrick stated.