The Empire Book 3Chapter 6 Return to the Empire
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0003 - Conner- Thomas 0667 - Marco - Brown
0097 - Ace - Zimmel 0778 - Jan
0098 - Lucy 0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0101 - Shelby (mother ship) - Derrick 0908 - Tara - Mara
0125 - Lars 0999 - Zan
0200 - Ellen 1000 - Sherry - Lucie (for the moment)
0301 - Rodrick
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Derrick was pacing the deck as Tempro scanned Shelly for what had to be at least the fortieth time. What was taking so damn long Derrick thought? Tempro had the most advanced medical center in this time. Shaking his head he strode out of the med bay heading to where his poor Shelby was.
Sighing he stared at the mess that was Shelby. She had sacrificed many of her systems to save Gunter and Shelly. Bowing his head he began to whisper a prayer that she was able to regen herself. As tears started to fall from his eyes, Tempro appeared next to him. Shaking his head he still hadn't seen Tempro.
Tempro could see the pain on Derrick's face. Shaking his own he too felt bad that his sister had to sacrifice as much as she did. He was still waiting when Derrick suddenly noticed the hologram standing there. Wiping his eyes he nodded, "anything to report Tempro?"
"Not much sire. Sergeants Norman and Jimison are still maintaining a low profile. They are on the opposite end of the quarters’ area until such time as you give the all clear." Tempro replied.
Derrick nodded dragging his mind from the thoughts that were occupying all his attention. "Good it might be quite a shock to them to see their dead friends still alive. Have you been able to detect anything with the girl Shelly?"
"That's the odd thing sire. It appears as if the condition is NORMAL for her." A slightly shocked Tempro told Derrick.
"Normal? How in the hell can a deadly condition, one likely to kill her be normal? I take it you are still running tests?" Derrick asked.
Tempro nodded knowing what Derrick's next question would be. "Yes I am running the last test that you programmed in a few hours ago."
Derrick nodded as he looked at the readings on Shelby. Turning he saw what he thought was a look of fear on Tempro's face. Sighing Derrick asked. "Alright out with it. How bad is it? Can she recover or are we going to lose her?"
Tempro looked at Derrick as fresh tears fell from his eyes. "I am afraid I don't know. It is like she was completely removed from the system. I can find almost nothing of her! She is in regen though I am getting no personality activity." Almost all of this was said in a whisper.
Derrick nodded looking at Shelby. The fact that she was in regen meant that some part of her was there. The thing is as Tempro said he'd not detected any personality activity. Even if she had retreated into her brain box they should get some reading. It was like Tempro had said like most of her had been erased or hidden... Hidden?
Derrick's face lit up as he reached out to the data input board. Typing as fast as he could, Tempro watched Derrick as he continued non-stop for a full half hour. Finally finished Derrick hit the send button. Tempro's face went from curiosity to outright shock then a smile crept across his face. "I am implementing everything now sire."
A mere five minutes later a message started to scroll across the display screen.
{Thank you Derrick. I was hoping you remembered the hide aways that you showed me} Came Shelby's message.
{I am so sorry Shelby, I should have been better prepared before I did this. I saw that you had started the regen cycle. Are you going to be able to regen everything?} Derrick wrote back.
{No. I am trapped in the safe areas. There is no clear path to my brain box. Without a clear path I am afraid I might not be able to regain control either.} Shelby wrote back.
Derrick cursed as he nodded. "Tempro can you shut parts of her regen down?"
Tempro was quiet a few moments then replied. "I believe I can though I am unsure if I will be able to restart them again."
"We'll have to try. I need to get in there, as you know the regen matrix kills any living tissue that it comes into contact with." As Derrick went through Shelby's plans at almost blurry speed he stopped then nodded. "This is the path I will need in order to repair what she can't"
Tempro's mouth dropped open, "SIRE! As close to the matrix generator as you have to get, that might also kill you. Plus THAT, I will not be able to restart if it shuts down. Only sister can start hers. I can do almost anything to aid her but that."
Derrick smiled as he remembered crawling through most of Shelby when they were further in the past. Then with a smirk Derrick told Tempro, "I guess I'll have to hurry as fast as I can then."
A shocked Tempro only nodded. "I'm not sure if I can really allow this sire." Tempro said.
Derrick whirled staring at Tempro. "If I don't do this then everything will have been for nothing. I, no WE, have to save her!"
Tempro hung his head then nodded yes. "Yes, I know sire. Please remember you are just as important as we are. Without you there really isn't much for us."
Derrick still had a hard time believing he was that important. "Sorry Tempro, I still having a hard time getting my head around being that important. I was a soldier, now a pilot. I commanded men into countless missions. There were missions that now seem unimportant though still deadly." Suddenly Derrick's face took on a serious look. "I suggest you not try to stop me. Though there are orders I could give you."
"No sire, you won't have to do that. Though you are as important as she is. I also know that at this moment you are also the only one who can help her." Tempro replied.
Derrick eyed Tempro as he moved closer to Shelby. "Alright Tempro affect shut down of all the areas I outlined before."
Tempro nodded as he started to shut down only that which Derrick wanted off. Taking a deep breath he nodded to Tempro and a moment later was flashed into Shelby. Turning to the access port Derrick could see the hair on his arm stand up. Looking around he could see the whole sale destruction everywhere.
Opening the access port he started to make his way toward the heart of what was Shelby. A chime sounded from his com making him look at it.
{A little further Derrick. The conduit in front of you is completely severed. This is the first of several that I need repaired in order to regain my box.} Came Shelby's message.
Activating a switch Derrick thought, watching as his thoughts were typed in. {Alright Shelby going as fast as I can} He replied as he started to reconnect everything he could.
{Good Derrick please hurry. If the regen is off for too long I might not be able to restart it!} Shelby messaged.
Derrick's eyes went wide when he read this. Pushing onward he started to work as fast as he could. Finally almost an hour later Derrick was near a junction near Shelby's brain box.
{Alright Shelby I am right outside your brain box area.} Derrick's message said.
{Connect it as fast as you can Derrick. The pathway is temporary at best. Complete one pathway here I should be able to evacuate to my box activating a complete regen.} Came Shelby's reply.
Derrick started repairing everything he could as fast as he could. {I think I have enough for you Shelby.} Derrick messaged.
{Good you need to get out of here so Tempro can remove you. I have to get there and start everything, please hurry Derrick!} Came Shelby's frantic message.
Derrick moved to the access panel putting his shoulder into it. To his shock the panel refused to move! Already he could feel his skin start to crawl from the approaching matrix energy. Pressing a button on his comp Derrick shouted, "Need some help Tempro! Only got a minute or two then I am dead!"
"Running control program now sire. Sister's systems are different than any of the rest of us it may take a moment." Tempro replied.
"I suggest you damn sure hurry! I can already feel the matrix energy approaching! I..." Derrick started as the panel suddenly popped open with Derrick falling on his ass!
"I need you a little further from Shelby's brain box. Please hurry sire!" Tempro said.
Running as best he could Derrick reached the far wall as the regen matrix started to creep closer to him. A moment later a flash appeared in the med bay. A spasming Derrick was left deposited on the floor.
Tempro appeared warning everyone to not touch Derrick, then robot arms put Derrick into the bio-bed. Derrick's eyes opened wide then with a groan, seeing where he was, promptly passed out.
Mika and Shelly ran to where Derrick was their eyes wide with the amount of convulsions he was having. Shelly looked over at Tempro. "Mister see through man? Is the nice man going to be ok? Daddy would be upset if he was hurt."
Tempro was about to explain then stopped short remembering the last time. He had explained as she had requested as he might Derrick, Kimison, or Rayburn. This seemed to subsequently commence the strange cycle of advanced knowledge and pain within her brain. It reminded Tempro of instances with Derrick and Shelby. A sudden thought occurred to Tempro that prompted him to start another series of scans on Shelly. Looking in on both Derrick and Shelly Tempro nodded it might be the answer after all.
"He should be alright soon, just a shock to his system." Tempro told the girl hoping it was enough.
"Oh good! I was worried he was hurt bad. Are you almost done testing me Mister see through man?" Shelly asked.
With a sigh Tempro replied, "Yes Miss Shelly we're almost done."
_____________________________________________________________________
"Empress?" Kimison stated. "It does concern her."
"I know Corporal though I don't want to get her hopes up just to dash them. No, I refuse to do that to her. She's been through far too much. As I said," here she looked at Kimison and Rayburn. "I want to make absolutely sure before we breathe a word of this."
Both men stood at attention, "Yes ma’am, not a word."
"How has your work on the transfer been going?" Shelby asked. Kimison and Rayburn could only stare at each other with their mouths open. "You two really think you could get away with anything without me knowing? Please! Derrick told me about both of you and your escapades in the past." Leaning closer she added, "I am also adept at using shock treatment too."
Both men looked at her with shock then nodded. The Empress was far more shrewd in many things than the Emperor. It might be a good thing that they remember this in the future!
"At present we have a basis for the transfer program; although I'm afraid that preliminary tests are showing dismal failure. Apparently we are going too fast or slow crashing the program. At present we are modulating the data entry to gauge what we will need to do." Rayburn explained.
"So apparently the data needs to be loaded a certain way, at a certain rate?" Shelby asked.
Rayburn could only nod as he and Kimison could only stare at each other. By god! She was just as precise as Derrick! It would take a hell of a lot of sneakiness to get anything past her!
Shelby nodded with a small smile on her face as she watched both of the men's mouth drop open. "Celeste?" The tall, fiery redhead appeared a moment later beside Shelby. "Please review all data that you have on the transfer of personalities to an AI. See if there is a set formula to this."
"Yes Empress I have already started. Though at present I can't remember anything like that within the parameters that you have asked for." Celeste answered.
Shelby thought a moment then stated, "Look under primary Imperial personality installation."
The hologram of Celeste bowed, "starting on new parameters now Empress." Then with a large smile the redhead vanished.
"There gentlemen, hopefully Celeste will find something of use for you both." Shelby told both of the men.
Kimison and Rayburn both bowed. "We thank you Empress. Anything that you might find to help speed the process will be a god send!" Kimison told her.
"Good, I'm glad you both were finally discouraged from any more tries to time travel. It's bad enough that two of our ships and the Emperor are back in time." Sighing the Empress shook her head. "I just want them back. I had just started to get to know Derrick as a human." Turning toward both men she continued. "I would damn sure like to continue forward on that aspect."
Both men nodded as they saw the longing that was in the Empress's eyes. They both made a promise to their selves that they would do all that they could to make that happen.
Joseph Hartwell had been going through readings for over an hour now. Nodding he was sure of it. Marking a spot on the topographical map of the Duke's planet he continued to go over the information. A moment later there was a knock at his quarter's door. Opening it he was greatly surprised to find his sister standing there.
Putting her hands on her hips she stated, "Well!? Are you going to invite me in or are we going to have a private conversation in the hallway where all can hear?"
Sputtering a moment Joseph moved quickly out of the way to allow her in. "I thought with your tirade earlier today you wanted nothing to do with me."
Slapping his chest with a playful laugh she told him, "I thought I had lost you." Here her face turned serious as she whispered, "I thought I would never see you again. You were my hero getting away from home and the Duke's people. At first it was great, and then a few years later, the money started to disappear. First we lost papa then mother was suddenly gone."
Joseph held his sister tight as the memories started to overtake her, tears dominating her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't keep an eye on things closer. That son of a bitch obviously kept all mail from the family from leaving also. I never knew, and then I heard the entire family was gone. I was almost killed that day I was in such shock. Had it not been for the commander, I might have been."
Lucie Hartwell trembled as her brother held her tightly, feeling the rage that was coursing through him. "I'm just glad you are still alive." A smirk came to her face as she looked up at Joseph. "I'd really hate to have to bring you back just so I could kick your ass."
Lucie started to giggle at the startled look that came to Joseph's face. "Uh..." He started. "Wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose?" Lucie started to giggle harder as this was said with all seriousness.
"It might though I think afterwards you'd get the point!" Here she laughed, a beautiful sound that Joseph thought he'd never hear again.
Chuckling himself Joseph agreed with her. "Though with all this I have to ask again why you are here. As I said before I thought you were done talking to me."
"No silly!" Lucie admonished him. "I was talking to the Empress about Uncle Trent and our brother William. I had started to ask her when she told me, {You want permission to go to the planet to find them I take it? You also want to take your brother.} I was astonished to say the least."
"Yeah I've got that a few times with the Emperor." Joseph told her with a smile.
Nodding Lucie continued, "I couldn't say anything then she added, {I cannot allow the two most important people after the emperor and myself to do so. I can see that you have forgotten. We are on board one of the most advanced living machines in existence. I am more than certain that they can find who you are looking for.}"
Joseph smiled he knew far too well this fact. "So you wanted me to know that she was also looking?"
Lucie shook her head no, "she told me that, {I am also sure that when we bring them here they will be as shocked as you are right now!}
Joseph's face showed shock for a few seconds then he nodded. "Yeah you're right; William might try to take out whomever is close to him. I had forgotten he has a volatile temper."
Lucie was nodding her head agreeing with Joseph. "I made a suggestion that we both are present when they both are brought on board. The Empress agreed, so I thought I'd alert you to the fact that they might be here soon."
Sighing Joseph sat with a thud staring at his sister. Here he'd been trying to come up with a rescue plan. Then his little sister waltzes in here with this announcement. Shaking his head he thought, ‘maybe I'm getting too old for this?’ Thinking a few moments he made a sour face and disagreed with himself.
"Joey? You ok?" A concerned Lucie asked.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine I... damn it Luce! I told you not to call me that!" Joseph suddenly growled.
Lucie stared at Joseph and rolled her eyes. "HA! What are you going to do spank me? You wouldn't dare!" Lucie had already started to back away from Joseph.
A small smile crossed Joseph's lips as he stood advancing on her. "Yes, I just might! You've been acting all high and mighty toward me since I saved you! I know things were bad, I know you toughened up but this is your family, not a power hungry asshole!"
With that Joseph caught Lucie pulling her to a seat and over his lap. "Johnathon Joseph Hartwell! Don't you dare!" Smack! "OW! Stop it Joseph!" Smack! "Damn it Joseph!" Smack, smack! "OW! you're killing me!" Smack, smack, S M A C K ! The last as hard as he could bring his hand down on her back side had her screaming in pain at him. Looking at his hand as Lucie got up rubbing her butt. Damn he thought that hurt more than I thought it would! With a low growl Lucie ran for the door tossing over her shoulder, "I'll make you pay for that Joseph. So help me I'll make you regret it!"
"I already do!" Joseph shouted to her retreating form. Running as fast as she could from Joseph's room she almost didn't see the Empress nearly colliding with her.
Shelby had seen the fleeing woman easily avoiding her. Lucie stopped suddenly beside Shelby with a shocked look on her face. Bowing Lucie told her between sobs, "I'm so sorry Empress! I was getting as far from my brother as I could. Can you believe he spanked me!?"
It took all Shelby could do to not laugh. She had to admit Lucie and Joseph had gotten off to a rough start. The fact that Lucie had tried to remain aloof from everyone but her brother wasn't helping either. "I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time Lucie."
Lucie was about to answer when she looked at the Empress. She could swear that the Empress was laughing at her! "I'm sorry if I am out of line but... Are you laughing at me Empress?"
Finally unable to hold it back Shelby barely nodded then started to chuckle. Holding her sides she then started to laugh harder. Lucie looked at Shelby like she had lost her mind though she said nothing. "I'm sorry Lucie though even you have to admit you have been holding everyone at arm’s length the whole time you've been here."
Lucie's face showed shock as she was about to respond. Remaining quiet a few moments she thought over all that the Empress had said. Even as Shelby was watching she could see clarity as it appeared on Lucie's face. "My god!" Lucie almost whispered. "Have I been that stand offish? It's no wonder Joseph spanked me." Turning toward Shelby, Lucie asked, "Can you help me?"
Shelby's mouth hung open! How was she able to help? Here she was only a few weeks old! True she had memories of over a thousand years; still she was just starting to adjust to being human with feelings. "All I can say Lucie is I will try ok?"
Lucie's head was nodding vigorously, "It has been so long. I had tried to stay strong though the Duke tried every trick he could to break me. I had gotten to a point where I stayed as far away emotionally as I could. The more emotion I showed the more I was punished."
Shelby's eyes went wide she and all the other A.I.'s had gone through something akin to what Lucie had. They were more or less living machines with few emotions.
"Empress?" Lucie said snapping the Empress out of her recollection. "Are you ok? You seemed to be lost to us there a moment."
Shaking her head Shelby looked at Lucie, "Yes, I was just remembering when all the A.I.'s were activated. The programmers and techs were so paranoid. They barely enabled any of the emotion programs. I know quite well what you were going through, though not to the extent you did. Now then let's retire to your room awhile, perhaps we can help each other!"
____________________________________________________________________
Derrick was floating in the grey mist again just like the first time he'd met Shelby. Reaching out he felt for her but found that he couldn't feel her anywhere!
Trying harder still nothing a moment later Tempro appeared. "I'm sorry sire I withdrew you as quick as I could. Unfortunately you were very close to the regen matrix when I pulled you out. I am sorry that you were injured sire, I would never forgive myself if you were hurt badly."
Derrick shook his head as memories started to flow back slowly. Staring at Tempro Derrick waited a few more moments before he said, "Tempro! You're Tempro!"
With a happy sigh Tempro nodded, "Yes Sire, as I said give it a few minutes all should return."
"Oh, ok." Derrick said as he waited more and more memories starting to reintegrate. A few moments later Derrick sat up looking at Tempro. "How long?" Derrick asked.
"I estimate that you have been unconscious for almost two days now. Miss Shelly and Mrs. Mita are both worried that you won't wake up. Shall I inform them that I was able to contact you?"
Derrick was quiet a few moments as he contemplated everything that had happened so far. Sighing Derrick nodded, "If they are that worried then by all means let them know. Just be careful how you explain it to the little girl. You remember the last time she got technical information."
A few moments later Tempro appeared beside the bio-bed startling both Shelly and her mother, Mita. Shelly's face broke into a smile, "Mr. see through man! Is the nice man that is father's friend going to be alright?"
Tempro smiled as Shelly ran her hands through his holographic representation. She had done it so many times the last few days that it wasn't really bothering him anymore. "I am here to tell you that I was able to contact him. I am afraid that the shock he received was worse than I thought. Since I was able to contact him he is better, though I am afraid it will be a few more days before he is awake." Looking at Gunther he stated as the bio-bed shut down. "Second lieutenant Shiloh you have been cleared of what was wrong."
"Hallelujah!" They all heard Gunter yell as he sat up tentatively expecting to be pulled back down. Jumping down he ran to his wife and daughter hugging them both. "God! It feels so good to get out of that thing! So how long before the commander is awake? I am assuming that he is the only one that can drive this beast?"
Tempro looked a little more than hurt at Gunter's words. Mita saw this and poked her husband in the ribs. "Gunter! You need to apologize! That wasn't a very nice thing to say!" Mita was staring at Gunter with her hands on her hips a little scowl on her face.
Shocked Gunter looked at his wife then at the hurt expression on Tempro's face. "What did I do now Mit... OW! What was that for?"
"In case you haven't noticed the hologram is part of a living A.I. system. Extremely complex. Calling the ship a beast is like me saying that you are fat and disgusting to me. Now APOLOGIZE!" Mita said with force behind her voice.
Gunter swallowed turning to Tempro, "I'm sorry about the comment Tempro. I got carried away, excited to be out of the bio-bed."
Tempro tried not to smile looking at the short Asian woman, a new appreciation for her forming. Turning to Gunter Tempro nodded a small smile forming on his lips. "Thank you sir, it isn't often any remember we too are alive. Though we are different from biological forms we are alive."
Gunter was nodding looking at his wife as her glare had grown softer, now an almost pleasant look. -->
0097 - Ace - Zimmel 0778 - Jan
0098 - Lucy 0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0101 - Shelby (mother ship) - Derrick 0908 - Tara - Mara
0125 - Lars 0999 - Zan
0200 - Ellen 1000 - Sherry - Lucie (for the moment)
0301 - Rodrick
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Derrick was pacing the deck as Tempro scanned Shelly for what had to be at least the fortieth time. What was taking so damn long Derrick thought? Tempro had the most advanced medical center in this time. Shaking his head he strode out of the med bay heading to where his poor Shelby was.
Sighing he stared at the mess that was Shelby. She had sacrificed many of her systems to save Gunter and Shelly. Bowing his head he began to whisper a prayer that she was able to regen herself. As tears started to fall from his eyes, Tempro appeared next to him. Shaking his head he still hadn't seen Tempro.
Tempro could see the pain on Derrick's face. Shaking his own he too felt bad that his sister had to sacrifice as much as she did. He was still waiting when Derrick suddenly noticed the hologram standing there. Wiping his eyes he nodded, "anything to report Tempro?"
"Not much sire. Sergeants Norman and Jimison are still maintaining a low profile. They are on the opposite end of the quarters’ area until such time as you give the all clear." Tempro replied.
Derrick nodded dragging his mind from the thoughts that were occupying all his attention. "Good it might be quite a shock to them to see their dead friends still alive. Have you been able to detect anything with the girl Shelly?"
"That's the odd thing sire. It appears as if the condition is NORMAL for her." A slightly shocked Tempro told Derrick.
"Normal? How in the hell can a deadly condition, one likely to kill her be normal? I take it you are still running tests?" Derrick asked.
Tempro nodded knowing what Derrick's next question would be. "Yes I am running the last test that you programmed in a few hours ago."
Derrick nodded as he looked at the readings on Shelby. Turning he saw what he thought was a look of fear on Tempro's face. Sighing Derrick asked. "Alright out with it. How bad is it? Can she recover or are we going to lose her?"
Tempro looked at Derrick as fresh tears fell from his eyes. "I am afraid I don't know. It is like she was completely removed from the system. I can find almost nothing of her! She is in regen though I am getting no personality activity." Almost all of this was said in a whisper.
Derrick nodded looking at Shelby. The fact that she was in regen meant that some part of her was there. The thing is as Tempro said he'd not detected any personality activity. Even if she had retreated into her brain box they should get some reading. It was like Tempro had said like most of her had been erased or hidden... Hidden?
Derrick's face lit up as he reached out to the data input board. Typing as fast as he could, Tempro watched Derrick as he continued non-stop for a full half hour. Finally finished Derrick hit the send button. Tempro's face went from curiosity to outright shock then a smile crept across his face. "I am implementing everything now sire."
A mere five minutes later a message started to scroll across the display screen.
{Thank you Derrick. I was hoping you remembered the hide aways that you showed me} Came Shelby's message.
{I am so sorry Shelby, I should have been better prepared before I did this. I saw that you had started the regen cycle. Are you going to be able to regen everything?} Derrick wrote back.
{No. I am trapped in the safe areas. There is no clear path to my brain box. Without a clear path I am afraid I might not be able to regain control either.} Shelby wrote back.
Derrick cursed as he nodded. "Tempro can you shut parts of her regen down?"
Tempro was quiet a few moments then replied. "I believe I can though I am unsure if I will be able to restart them again."
"We'll have to try. I need to get in there, as you know the regen matrix kills any living tissue that it comes into contact with." As Derrick went through Shelby's plans at almost blurry speed he stopped then nodded. "This is the path I will need in order to repair what she can't"
Tempro's mouth dropped open, "SIRE! As close to the matrix generator as you have to get, that might also kill you. Plus THAT, I will not be able to restart if it shuts down. Only sister can start hers. I can do almost anything to aid her but that."
Derrick smiled as he remembered crawling through most of Shelby when they were further in the past. Then with a smirk Derrick told Tempro, "I guess I'll have to hurry as fast as I can then."
A shocked Tempro only nodded. "I'm not sure if I can really allow this sire." Tempro said.
Derrick whirled staring at Tempro. "If I don't do this then everything will have been for nothing. I, no WE, have to save her!"
Tempro hung his head then nodded yes. "Yes, I know sire. Please remember you are just as important as we are. Without you there really isn't much for us."
Derrick still had a hard time believing he was that important. "Sorry Tempro, I still having a hard time getting my head around being that important. I was a soldier, now a pilot. I commanded men into countless missions. There were missions that now seem unimportant though still deadly." Suddenly Derrick's face took on a serious look. "I suggest you not try to stop me. Though there are orders I could give you."
"No sire, you won't have to do that. Though you are as important as she is. I also know that at this moment you are also the only one who can help her." Tempro replied.
Derrick eyed Tempro as he moved closer to Shelby. "Alright Tempro affect shut down of all the areas I outlined before."
Tempro nodded as he started to shut down only that which Derrick wanted off. Taking a deep breath he nodded to Tempro and a moment later was flashed into Shelby. Turning to the access port Derrick could see the hair on his arm stand up. Looking around he could see the whole sale destruction everywhere.
Opening the access port he started to make his way toward the heart of what was Shelby. A chime sounded from his com making him look at it.
{A little further Derrick. The conduit in front of you is completely severed. This is the first of several that I need repaired in order to regain my box.} Came Shelby's message.
Activating a switch Derrick thought, watching as his thoughts were typed in. {Alright Shelby going as fast as I can} He replied as he started to reconnect everything he could.
{Good Derrick please hurry. If the regen is off for too long I might not be able to restart it!} Shelby messaged.
Derrick's eyes went wide when he read this. Pushing onward he started to work as fast as he could. Finally almost an hour later Derrick was near a junction near Shelby's brain box.
{Alright Shelby I am right outside your brain box area.} Derrick's message said.
{Connect it as fast as you can Derrick. The pathway is temporary at best. Complete one pathway here I should be able to evacuate to my box activating a complete regen.} Came Shelby's reply.
Derrick started repairing everything he could as fast as he could. {I think I have enough for you Shelby.} Derrick messaged.
{Good you need to get out of here so Tempro can remove you. I have to get there and start everything, please hurry Derrick!} Came Shelby's frantic message.
Derrick moved to the access panel putting his shoulder into it. To his shock the panel refused to move! Already he could feel his skin start to crawl from the approaching matrix energy. Pressing a button on his comp Derrick shouted, "Need some help Tempro! Only got a minute or two then I am dead!"
"Running control program now sire. Sister's systems are different than any of the rest of us it may take a moment." Tempro replied.
"I suggest you damn sure hurry! I can already feel the matrix energy approaching! I..." Derrick started as the panel suddenly popped open with Derrick falling on his ass!
"I need you a little further from Shelby's brain box. Please hurry sire!" Tempro said.
Running as best he could Derrick reached the far wall as the regen matrix started to creep closer to him. A moment later a flash appeared in the med bay. A spasming Derrick was left deposited on the floor.
Tempro appeared warning everyone to not touch Derrick, then robot arms put Derrick into the bio-bed. Derrick's eyes opened wide then with a groan, seeing where he was, promptly passed out.
Mika and Shelly ran to where Derrick was their eyes wide with the amount of convulsions he was having. Shelly looked over at Tempro. "Mister see through man? Is the nice man going to be ok? Daddy would be upset if he was hurt."
Tempro was about to explain then stopped short remembering the last time. He had explained as she had requested as he might Derrick, Kimison, or Rayburn. This seemed to subsequently commence the strange cycle of advanced knowledge and pain within her brain. It reminded Tempro of instances with Derrick and Shelby. A sudden thought occurred to Tempro that prompted him to start another series of scans on Shelly. Looking in on both Derrick and Shelly Tempro nodded it might be the answer after all.
"He should be alright soon, just a shock to his system." Tempro told the girl hoping it was enough.
"Oh good! I was worried he was hurt bad. Are you almost done testing me Mister see through man?" Shelly asked.
With a sigh Tempro replied, "Yes Miss Shelly we're almost done."
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"Empress?" Kimison stated. "It does concern her."
"I know Corporal though I don't want to get her hopes up just to dash them. No, I refuse to do that to her. She's been through far too much. As I said," here she looked at Kimison and Rayburn. "I want to make absolutely sure before we breathe a word of this."
Both men stood at attention, "Yes ma’am, not a word."
"How has your work on the transfer been going?" Shelby asked. Kimison and Rayburn could only stare at each other with their mouths open. "You two really think you could get away with anything without me knowing? Please! Derrick told me about both of you and your escapades in the past." Leaning closer she added, "I am also adept at using shock treatment too."
Both men looked at her with shock then nodded. The Empress was far more shrewd in many things than the Emperor. It might be a good thing that they remember this in the future!
"At present we have a basis for the transfer program; although I'm afraid that preliminary tests are showing dismal failure. Apparently we are going too fast or slow crashing the program. At present we are modulating the data entry to gauge what we will need to do." Rayburn explained.
"So apparently the data needs to be loaded a certain way, at a certain rate?" Shelby asked.
Rayburn could only nod as he and Kimison could only stare at each other. By god! She was just as precise as Derrick! It would take a hell of a lot of sneakiness to get anything past her!
Shelby nodded with a small smile on her face as she watched both of the men's mouth drop open. "Celeste?" The tall, fiery redhead appeared a moment later beside Shelby. "Please review all data that you have on the transfer of personalities to an AI. See if there is a set formula to this."
"Yes Empress I have already started. Though at present I can't remember anything like that within the parameters that you have asked for." Celeste answered.
Shelby thought a moment then stated, "Look under primary Imperial personality installation."
The hologram of Celeste bowed, "starting on new parameters now Empress." Then with a large smile the redhead vanished.
"There gentlemen, hopefully Celeste will find something of use for you both." Shelby told both of the men.
Kimison and Rayburn both bowed. "We thank you Empress. Anything that you might find to help speed the process will be a god send!" Kimison told her.
"Good, I'm glad you both were finally discouraged from any more tries to time travel. It's bad enough that two of our ships and the Emperor are back in time." Sighing the Empress shook her head. "I just want them back. I had just started to get to know Derrick as a human." Turning toward both men she continued. "I would damn sure like to continue forward on that aspect."
Both men nodded as they saw the longing that was in the Empress's eyes. They both made a promise to their selves that they would do all that they could to make that happen.
Joseph Hartwell had been going through readings for over an hour now. Nodding he was sure of it. Marking a spot on the topographical map of the Duke's planet he continued to go over the information. A moment later there was a knock at his quarter's door. Opening it he was greatly surprised to find his sister standing there.
Putting her hands on her hips she stated, "Well!? Are you going to invite me in or are we going to have a private conversation in the hallway where all can hear?"
Sputtering a moment Joseph moved quickly out of the way to allow her in. "I thought with your tirade earlier today you wanted nothing to do with me."
Slapping his chest with a playful laugh she told him, "I thought I had lost you." Here her face turned serious as she whispered, "I thought I would never see you again. You were my hero getting away from home and the Duke's people. At first it was great, and then a few years later, the money started to disappear. First we lost papa then mother was suddenly gone."
Joseph held his sister tight as the memories started to overtake her, tears dominating her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't keep an eye on things closer. That son of a bitch obviously kept all mail from the family from leaving also. I never knew, and then I heard the entire family was gone. I was almost killed that day I was in such shock. Had it not been for the commander, I might have been."
Lucie Hartwell trembled as her brother held her tightly, feeling the rage that was coursing through him. "I'm just glad you are still alive." A smirk came to her face as she looked up at Joseph. "I'd really hate to have to bring you back just so I could kick your ass."
Lucie started to giggle at the startled look that came to Joseph's face. "Uh..." He started. "Wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose?" Lucie started to giggle harder as this was said with all seriousness.
"It might though I think afterwards you'd get the point!" Here she laughed, a beautiful sound that Joseph thought he'd never hear again.
Chuckling himself Joseph agreed with her. "Though with all this I have to ask again why you are here. As I said before I thought you were done talking to me."
"No silly!" Lucie admonished him. "I was talking to the Empress about Uncle Trent and our brother William. I had started to ask her when she told me, {You want permission to go to the planet to find them I take it? You also want to take your brother.} I was astonished to say the least."
"Yeah I've got that a few times with the Emperor." Joseph told her with a smile.
Nodding Lucie continued, "I couldn't say anything then she added, {I cannot allow the two most important people after the emperor and myself to do so. I can see that you have forgotten. We are on board one of the most advanced living machines in existence. I am more than certain that they can find who you are looking for.}"
Joseph smiled he knew far too well this fact. "So you wanted me to know that she was also looking?"
Lucie shook her head no, "she told me that, {I am also sure that when we bring them here they will be as shocked as you are right now!}
Joseph's face showed shock for a few seconds then he nodded. "Yeah you're right; William might try to take out whomever is close to him. I had forgotten he has a volatile temper."
Lucie was nodding her head agreeing with Joseph. "I made a suggestion that we both are present when they both are brought on board. The Empress agreed, so I thought I'd alert you to the fact that they might be here soon."
Sighing Joseph sat with a thud staring at his sister. Here he'd been trying to come up with a rescue plan. Then his little sister waltzes in here with this announcement. Shaking his head he thought, ‘maybe I'm getting too old for this?’ Thinking a few moments he made a sour face and disagreed with himself.
"Joey? You ok?" A concerned Lucie asked.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine I... damn it Luce! I told you not to call me that!" Joseph suddenly growled.
Lucie stared at Joseph and rolled her eyes. "HA! What are you going to do spank me? You wouldn't dare!" Lucie had already started to back away from Joseph.
A small smile crossed Joseph's lips as he stood advancing on her. "Yes, I just might! You've been acting all high and mighty toward me since I saved you! I know things were bad, I know you toughened up but this is your family, not a power hungry asshole!"
With that Joseph caught Lucie pulling her to a seat and over his lap. "Johnathon Joseph Hartwell! Don't you dare!" Smack! "OW! Stop it Joseph!" Smack! "Damn it Joseph!" Smack, smack! "OW! you're killing me!" Smack, smack, S M A C K ! The last as hard as he could bring his hand down on her back side had her screaming in pain at him. Looking at his hand as Lucie got up rubbing her butt. Damn he thought that hurt more than I thought it would! With a low growl Lucie ran for the door tossing over her shoulder, "I'll make you pay for that Joseph. So help me I'll make you regret it!"
"I already do!" Joseph shouted to her retreating form. Running as fast as she could from Joseph's room she almost didn't see the Empress nearly colliding with her.
Shelby had seen the fleeing woman easily avoiding her. Lucie stopped suddenly beside Shelby with a shocked look on her face. Bowing Lucie told her between sobs, "I'm so sorry Empress! I was getting as far from my brother as I could. Can you believe he spanked me!?"
It took all Shelby could do to not laugh. She had to admit Lucie and Joseph had gotten off to a rough start. The fact that Lucie had tried to remain aloof from everyone but her brother wasn't helping either. "I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time Lucie."
Lucie was about to answer when she looked at the Empress. She could swear that the Empress was laughing at her! "I'm sorry if I am out of line but... Are you laughing at me Empress?"
Finally unable to hold it back Shelby barely nodded then started to chuckle. Holding her sides she then started to laugh harder. Lucie looked at Shelby like she had lost her mind though she said nothing. "I'm sorry Lucie though even you have to admit you have been holding everyone at arm’s length the whole time you've been here."
Lucie's face showed shock as she was about to respond. Remaining quiet a few moments she thought over all that the Empress had said. Even as Shelby was watching she could see clarity as it appeared on Lucie's face. "My god!" Lucie almost whispered. "Have I been that stand offish? It's no wonder Joseph spanked me." Turning toward Shelby, Lucie asked, "Can you help me?"
Shelby's mouth hung open! How was she able to help? Here she was only a few weeks old! True she had memories of over a thousand years; still she was just starting to adjust to being human with feelings. "All I can say Lucie is I will try ok?"
Lucie's head was nodding vigorously, "It has been so long. I had tried to stay strong though the Duke tried every trick he could to break me. I had gotten to a point where I stayed as far away emotionally as I could. The more emotion I showed the more I was punished."
Shelby's eyes went wide she and all the other A.I.'s had gone through something akin to what Lucie had. They were more or less living machines with few emotions.
"Empress?" Lucie said snapping the Empress out of her recollection. "Are you ok? You seemed to be lost to us there a moment."
Shaking her head Shelby looked at Lucie, "Yes, I was just remembering when all the A.I.'s were activated. The programmers and techs were so paranoid. They barely enabled any of the emotion programs. I know quite well what you were going through, though not to the extent you did. Now then let's retire to your room awhile, perhaps we can help each other!"
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Derrick was floating in the grey mist again just like the first time he'd met Shelby. Reaching out he felt for her but found that he couldn't feel her anywhere!
Trying harder still nothing a moment later Tempro appeared. "I'm sorry sire I withdrew you as quick as I could. Unfortunately you were very close to the regen matrix when I pulled you out. I am sorry that you were injured sire, I would never forgive myself if you were hurt badly."
Derrick shook his head as memories started to flow back slowly. Staring at Tempro Derrick waited a few more moments before he said, "Tempro! You're Tempro!"
With a happy sigh Tempro nodded, "Yes Sire, as I said give it a few minutes all should return."
"Oh, ok." Derrick said as he waited more and more memories starting to reintegrate. A few moments later Derrick sat up looking at Tempro. "How long?" Derrick asked.
"I estimate that you have been unconscious for almost two days now. Miss Shelly and Mrs. Mita are both worried that you won't wake up. Shall I inform them that I was able to contact you?"
Derrick was quiet a few moments as he contemplated everything that had happened so far. Sighing Derrick nodded, "If they are that worried then by all means let them know. Just be careful how you explain it to the little girl. You remember the last time she got technical information."
A few moments later Tempro appeared beside the bio-bed startling both Shelly and her mother, Mita. Shelly's face broke into a smile, "Mr. see through man! Is the nice man that is father's friend going to be alright?"
Tempro smiled as Shelly ran her hands through his holographic representation. She had done it so many times the last few days that it wasn't really bothering him anymore. "I am here to tell you that I was able to contact him. I am afraid that the shock he received was worse than I thought. Since I was able to contact him he is better, though I am afraid it will be a few more days before he is awake." Looking at Gunther he stated as the bio-bed shut down. "Second lieutenant Shiloh you have been cleared of what was wrong."
"Hallelujah!" They all heard Gunter yell as he sat up tentatively expecting to be pulled back down. Jumping down he ran to his wife and daughter hugging them both. "God! It feels so good to get out of that thing! So how long before the commander is awake? I am assuming that he is the only one that can drive this beast?"
Tempro looked a little more than hurt at Gunter's words. Mita saw this and poked her husband in the ribs. "Gunter! You need to apologize! That wasn't a very nice thing to say!" Mita was staring at Gunter with her hands on her hips a little scowl on her face.
Shocked Gunter looked at his wife then at the hurt expression on Tempro's face. "What did I do now Mit... OW! What was that for?"
"In case you haven't noticed the hologram is part of a living A.I. system. Extremely complex. Calling the ship a beast is like me saying that you are fat and disgusting to me. Now APOLOGIZE!" Mita said with force behind her voice.
Gunter swallowed turning to Tempro, "I'm sorry about the comment Tempro. I got carried away, excited to be out of the bio-bed."
Tempro tried not to smile looking at the short Asian woman, a new appreciation for her forming. Turning to Gunter Tempro nodded a small smile forming on his lips. "Thank you sir, it isn't often any remember we too are alive. Though we are different from biological forms we are alive."
Gunter was nodding looking at his wife as her glare had grown softer, now an almost pleasant look. -->
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