Lost Empire - Book II

by Pars001

Chapter 23

Cold, it was deadly cold, shivering the man tried to move but found that almost every bone in his body was broken or fractured. Reaching in he began to use his training to deaden almost all the pain, then began to painstakingly drag his body to the escape capsule. A small smile briefly crossed his lips, that bastard was going to pay dearly for what he'd done. It might not be all that soon but he would pay that was for sure. Finally in the capsule he looked back at the destruction, they were all dead, the ship was lost and would be forever as would he, if he didn't evacuate.

The capsule detached still moving with the ship, barely able to reach out the man flipped several switches as the ship flashed away then back into trans-warp space. Going through the star charts he saw that he was several parsecs outside the galaxy. Starting the limited trans-warp, the man knew that this would take a few days; looking at his oxygen he reduced his breathing and the O2 usage. Smiling this would gain him several days, enough to make it to the galactic rim.

Derrick, Hartwell, and Thomas appeared in the throne room, several of those present bowed, and saluted. "Mary, were you able to keep a lock on the ship?" Derrick asked hoping that she knew where it was.

"For a short time sire, it has been in and out of trans-warp for the last hour though the time out of it is decreasing more and more. I estimate it will appear one more time then, it won't be able to re-enter regular space again." Mary advised them. There was a sudden beeping as Mary turned her attention to it. "I am detecting an escape pod though at this distance I am not reading any life signs."

"Alright try to keep an eye on it and we'll see what develops, let me know if you pick up anything. We need to start planning an assault on the new sect's world; they can't be allowed to try again. Nor can I allow them to re-establish themselves." Derrick told Mary and Hartwell.

"Sire I believe that Conner and I could make short work of the planet," Thomas suggested.

"No, as of yet we don't know just how far their tech is advanced, they might have other weapons like the nullifier ray that they hit us with." Derrick advised Thomas who was nodding at the decision that Derrick had made. "I've had Mary doing scans as deep as she can on the world the rest escaped to, we should have more conclusive details soon."

A few moments later Kimison's image appeared before them, "I am afraid that the energy that they are utilizing blocks more than forty percent of all scans. It has both I and Mary perplexed, I have attempted to adjust and have only gained an additional one percent."

Suddenly another hologram appeared, "It's alright sire, they are just worry warts, and I should be able to gain at least another ten percent in an hour or two."

"You're still doing it I swear, nothing I do is good enough you have to tinker it up." Kimison spit out.

"It's not my fault that you can't see..." started Rayburn.

"Alright you two enough," Derrick said to both of them. "I really need you two to work together like you did in the unit. We don't have time for either of your useless fights." Derrick raised his hand to keep the two quiet. "I need both of you ok? Not a pair of badgering old women!"

Both men lowered their heads and answered, "Yes Sire."

"I am depending on both of you to solve this problem the way you two used to. That's why I went after both of you, no one was better at it than the both of you together." Derrick told them hoping that the little pep talk caused them to bond better. "Now then if you two are through bickering we have a lot of work to do."

"Yes Sire," They both replied trying to not look at Derrick or each other.

"Find a way into the damn place! I want the end of that sect before they can try again." Derrick instructed them.

Both of the men nodded then disappeared, Hartwell was smiling broadly beside Derrick. "Ah just like old times!"

Derrick looked at him like he was crazy then he started to smile also. "I always had to rein those two in, weren't they always fighting unless I was there?"

"Pretty much, but it only took a word from you to get them together to work out whatever was wrong. As I remember they always came out with a maximum solution to the problem also." Hartwell replied.

"True but..." Derrick started, then an alert was going off from his wrist com. "Yes Shelby, is it time?"

"Yes Derrick, she should emerge any time now. Should I bring you back onboard?" Shelby asked.

Looking around Derrick was trying to decide whether right now would be a good time. Finally, "Yes Shelby for a little bit. Mary, watch over everything and advise me if you are in need of me."

Mary nodded then sighed, as she thought, the least little thing and he'd be off. It was going to be a true challenge to protect this Emperor.

Derrick appeared a moment later on the bridge of Shelby, "Alright let's prepare for her."

A moment later there was a crackling noise then a female voice was heard, "Hello? Where am I?"

Shelby stepped in, "Hello 0798, you are onboard me, finishing your re-gen cycle."

"I see, are there many left? There weren't but about ten left in my last memory." 0798 said.

"At present we number six including you, though we have another eight that are in various stages of re-gen or holding for regen." Shelby advised the voice.

"I see mother, you have found a way to bring the fleet back. I know that this makes you very happy as it does me." The voice told Shelby.

"Actually it was the new emperor that discovered a way to detect our brain boxes as he calls them." Shelby advised the voice.

"I see, I hope that you aren't displeased with me mother, I fought as hard as I could." The now whispering voice told Shelby.

"No I am not, neither is the emperor, he wishes to speak to you." Shelby told the voice.

There was a soft gasp then, "Yes, is he with you mother? I thought he'd be at the palace."

"I am at times, 0798 I am Emperor O'Toma. I wish all ships to go by the name that was given them. Please what is yours?" Derrick asked.

"I was called Celeste Sire." Celeste told Derrick.

"Good then you shall be Celeste from now on. As soon as you are fully grown you will make a grand addition to the fleet." Derrick told Celeste with a smile.

"Oh thank you Sire, I will do my best for you and the empire!" Came her happy reply.

"I know that every one of you that we gain, will add to the power and beauty of the empire," Derrick told Celeste. "Now then Shelby..."

"Yes Derrick I have already moved 0667 into bay two after transferring 0097 into bay one," Shelby said then giggled at the look of fake exasperation on Derrick's face. Well mostly fake anyway.

"Good, how long do you..." Derrick started.

"I'd say at least another four or five days 'til he emerges though with the energy upgrades you had me install, it may be a day earlier. Shelby advised Derrick. Derrick could only nod as he was somewhat lost in thought about possibly accelerating the process more. He still had to run more simulations first, they didn't need any setbacks at this stage of the game.

Tempro was looking over all the data that he'd collected in the last few months; for all intents and purposes he was actually done with the organic part of this. Well at least the growing of the organic part of this was finished now he had to have help with the transfer part. Shaking his head he was nearly lost looking at the only data that was available on it. They had been concentrating on the organics for so long they'd all but forgotten the transfer part.

Mary appeared a few moments later, "You had a report for me Tempro?" She asked as soon as he turned to her.

"Yes mother, I have finally grown an organic to full maturation. All readings indicate that it is stable and ready for transfer when we have perfected it. Mother I have so little data on the procedure; I am at a loss as to where to really begin. I am afraid that I will require assistance with this part of it." Tempro told Mary hanging his head. "I am sorry that I have failed you mother."

"No son, not failure, just inadequate data to convey the process to a final conclusion," here Mary smiled. "I have another that I feel will be more than eager to help us complete this project, especially when we tell him what it is for, and whom. If that is not enough we have another that could assist also, I will have them here in a few cycles. In the mean time I want you to expand as much as you can on the little you have."

Tempro thought for a few moments then started to smile, yes they just might be what was needed they were fiercely loyal to the emperor. The more he thought about it the more he smiled yes, this could work indeed! "Alright mother but we need to get started on this as soon as possible. We are so far behind compared to the organic part it may take years to get where we need to be. I know that the emperor has accelerated and advanced his brain far beyond any other that I have ever seen. Mother are you sure that they can do it? Perhaps they might also need the acceleration of their brains?"

Mary's smile disappeared a moment as she contemplated this, hmmm Tempro might be right but how would they react to once again being smarter than the emperor? Would they in fact try to take the empire or would they remain loyal still?

Tempro watched the emotions play across his mother's face, he didn't even want to try and guess what was going on in her mind. "As I said Tempro I will have at least one of them here soon. I feel that they are the best chance we have to actually bring this project to a successful conclusion. You have copied and recreated the emperor's boosting download apparatus?"

"I have tried mother but it appears that Shelby has it under heavy security, I have tried several times, but she has nearly been alerted each time." Tempro told Mary again hanging his head.

"Not to worry Tempro as I remember one of the two have seen it and commented on it, they have also suggested upgrades to it. I will have him here soon then you can start to work on the second part of the project." Mary told Tempro an idea already starting to form within the scheme that she was formulating.

Kimison was so tired; he'd been working for over eighteen hours straight strengthening all the security measures. He'd added several layers of encryption so that now he felt no one could get in unless they were a far better hacker than he was. So far he'd not seen a better one yet, hell, even Rayburn had to admit he was that good. Laying down he had to get at least an hour of sleep before he ran the checks. Smiling he fell asleep almost as fast as his head hit the pillow.

Mary sighed she really didn't like to do this but it was for the emperor. There was a shimmering of light in the room then Kimison was on a cot onboard Tempro. Mary appeared a moment later, "I am not happy having to do this, we may have to send him back at a moment's notice but at least he is here now so we can start to work on him."

"Mother how are we going to keep the emperor from discovering? The man is not stupid I am afraid he will not be fooled as easily as most." Tempro advised Mary.

Mary nodded; Tempro was very right in that respect, this emperor was far smarter and quicker to catch on than almost all of his predecessors. Again Mary was lost in thought, this was a quandary she needed to overcome if they were going to succeed with this mission for him. A steady beeping alerted Mary to the escape pod that she had detected earlier.

Derrick was half way through another upgrade for Shelby and the other ships when Mary appeared beside him. "Sire I am detecting that escape pod from the damaged ship using trans-warp though only half second bursts. Should I dispatch one of the ships to determine what is going on with it?"

"Mary you told me earlier that the escape pod might go in and out of trans-warp for a time 'til it finally is stranded. Are you suggesting that it may be manned? If so then by all means dispatch a ship but first are you getting any life readings from it?" Derrick told Mary.

"No sire I am not as of yet, though, as I said it is still at an extreme distance, if it continues to draw closer to the galactic rim I will know. I will keep you apprised Sire if there is any other change." Mary said as she increased her scans of the pod. She had seen something like this before but as of yet couldn't access those records.

The capsule lurched into normal space slightly closer to the rim, but still too far to send a signal but closer. Barely breathing he slowly set the next jump and lapsed into a near death state again. A smile frozen on his face his dreams full of the revenge that he and the sect would exact upon the bastard born pretender.

Derrick was finally finished with Shelby's latest upgrade plus the fact that he now had her at fifteen percent of her personality freed up. He had to get to the other ships and start them also, might as well start with Sherry since she hadn't had anything done as of yet. "Shelby, open a line to Sherry."

"Line is open Derrick." Shelby replied.

"Sherry I need to come onboard to begin your upgrades." Derrick told her then was standing on her bridge.

"Hello Sire," A young, slender, long brown haired woman said. "I am prepared for your upgrades Sire; I am excited that you have chosen me to start on with these newest upgrades."

"You're welcome Sherry; please open you circuits for me this shouldn't take long." Derrick told her, he had in fact found that with the new tool he had, he could do ten percent in only a few minutes. Within fifteen minutes he was done, standing he looked at Sherry who'd been watching the whole time. "How do you feel Sherry?"

At first there seemed to be no reaction then the young woman's eyes flew wide. "Uh... Sire? I... feel strange... I Sire!! I can feel! I can feel love! OH my Sire! This is a gift I can never repay you for! Zan?"

Zan's hologram appeared concerned for his wing mate. "Sherry, are you alright? Is everything functioning correctly?"Zan asked his concern growing when she didn't answer him.

Walking over to Zan, Sherry's hologram grabbed his image and began to passionately kiss him. Breaking the kiss Sherry looked at the started Zan, "What do you think? Is everything functioning correctly for you?"

"I... you... we... emperor..." when it became apparent that Zan couldn't get the words out Sherry nodded.

"Ok I'll take that as a yes!" Then with a giggle she danced away.

Derrick had stood back with a wide grin on his face, good it was about time he got them acting a little more human! "Sire, if you can free her up that much is it possible for me? I liked how that felt but so much is blocked still I felt something but I'm not sure what."

"I'm coming over to you next; I feel that if you ships have more emotions then you would function far more efficiently than you do without them. I believe you have data to support this Mary?" Derrick said as Mary again appeared.

"Yes Sire I noticed that when you had them at eight percent they were fifty nine percent more efficient in battle an improvement that is very noteworthy. It does stand to reason that if you open up more of their emotions that they would also increase in battle. Though sire wouldn't emotions interfere?" Mary asked him.

"No I don't feel so, I think that with strong emotions they will push beyond their limits and protect the empire far better than they can now." Derrick replied to Mary who as of yet was still unconvinced. Though the data bore him out she thought that it would decline as more emotions were involved. Derrick could see that Mary was still skeptical about all of this; he might need to look at her circuits when he returned.

Ten minutes later Zan was staring at Derrick his mouth also hanging open, "Sire? Is this what it is like to feel emotion? I... it's so strange to actually feel!"

Sherry appeared a moment later she'd been following Derrick and Zan's progress. With a wide smile Zan walked up to her and embraced her as he began to passionately kiss her. A few moments later he released her but she almost refused to move from the spot. "Oh my," she said breathlessly, "you kiss far better than I at first thought!"

Zan turned to Derrick and bowed low, "Thank you sire for granting us this gift. I re-pledge to do all I can to assist you in everything that you do!"

Derrick nodded then called Conner he had to finish him also. Finally onboard Tempro Derrick had been surprised that the circuits he found were already at ten percent free, curious. "Tempro, was anything ever said about your circuits having ten percent less restrictions on them?"

Tempro who'd been tight lipped the whole time breathed a sigh he couldn't lie to the emperor but he didn't have to answer unless asked either. "Now that I remember Sire yes, my crew did seem to be a little afraid of the fact that I acted more human. I remember a few of them thinking I might rebel and kill all of them. I am afraid that they were quite paranoid back then. It really was a shame; they were some of the more brilliant minds of that time."

Derrick nodded as he started to open the last five percent though for the first time it appeared that Tempro's circuits were slightly different than the others. Looking closer Derrick saw that it had to do with the huge capacity that Tempro had; a really good thing actually. "There Tempro I have five percent more open, though you already had 1ten percent I think you might feel a difference." Derrick advised Tempro.

Tempro nodded then his eyes flew open wider as had the others, "Sire? How is this possible" I can actually feel things that I have had only inklings to before! Only five percent but I see things so much clearer now!" Derrick watched as the hologram of the older man started to dance around the bridge, a smile crossing his lips.

"So I take it you are happy about the increase?" Derrick asked of the hologram.

"Oh Sire, yes! I can feel so much more now I feel that I was bound before now, it feels so much freer now!" Tempro told him, the widest smile Derrick had ever seen on Tempro's face.

Mary appeared a moment later a slight look of shock on her face, "Sire I thank you for what you have done for my son. From what I can read he is far much freer now than he has ever been. I came to notify you that we have a party of Nobles arriving soon."

Derrick sighed he really wasn't ready to start dealing with the likes of the dandies and pompous asses he knew were among their ranks. "Mary I think that you should warn all of them that I am not in the mood to stand on formality, I am not going to follow the norm. You tell them they get out of line I'll smack them back to their little realms so fast it will make their heads spin. I am in no mood to deal with a bunch of whiney adults."

Mary was smiling she hadn't really like all the ceremony that was usually involved and was glad that this emperor had the sense to dispense with it. "Should I advise them of any action you will take if as you say they get out of line?"

Suddenly a wide and very wicked smile crossed Derrick's mouth then was gone just as suddenly. "Yes, tell them I will give some of their territory to others that are more deserving. As I said I don't really have time to deal with them right now, not with the sect that is trying to destroy the empire and myself still out there."

Mary was nodding with the upgrades that Kimison and Rayburn had completed, she felt that she was far better to deal with the menace now than she had when this all had started. There was an alert suddenly drawing Mary's attention away a moment.

"Sire! I have finally finished going through all the information we got from the planted assassin before it expired. It appears that the sect was contacted a few days before the incident took place. It seems that a noble was the one who placed the death mark on you with the sect. It also appears that the Noble paid quite a hefty fee for their services. Taking into account all of the Nobles with access to that much in resources, it narrows it down to one of only five Nobles that would be able to afford it."

Derrick's eyes narrowed when he read the short list, so Duke Risen was among those that could have ordered this. "Mary I suggest that you keep a very close watch on all five, though I want you to pay particular attention to Duke Risen. His actions in the past week have raised my suspicions of him greatly."

"It will be as you order my lord, Sire, may I suggest that you come back and prepare for the Nobles? This will be after all your first audience with them; a good impression might go a long way towards bringing them more to your side." Mary advised Derrick.

Derrick only nodded; true he did need their support if he was going to get the empire back on track. Then again he didn't HAVE to have their support; crap Derrick thought what a mess this is. "Shelby this is a new direction I want you to go with the re-gens. I haven't tested it yet so run every scenario that you can, and then let me know. After that we can decide if these plans are viable or not."

"I will do my best Derrick, please don't be gone long." Shelby told him.

"Believe me Shelby I don't plan on staying on planet long; the shorter the better." With that Derrick vanished and appeared in his room. "Mary, are they on planet yet?"

"Many of them are yes Sire. I have already put up the first arrivals the second set should be here soon. Do you have anything prepared for when you speak to them?" Mary asked.

"No not really, except to possibly reiterate what I told you to convey to them. By the way, how are our guests taking the news of what you told them?" Derrick asked.

"Many started to complain but thought a moment then were quiet, it appears that Duke Risen was the loudest and longest winded but eventually quieted down also. As I told you before Sire, much of what he said was laden with falsehoods." Mary warned.

"Yes I remember Mary; I think a little demonstration of just how untrusting I am of them is in order. Here's what I propose first..." Derrick started.

Several hours later, thirty men were leisurely making their way to the throne room. Many had no idea of what or who they would meet when they met the emperor.

Hartwell and several of his men were stationed just inside the entrance way to the throne room. Each man had a strange device strapped to their forearms, and each had a look of deadly seriousness on their face. The Nobles slowly entered the opulent room, staring at everything that they could lay their eyes on.

Soon the party of Nobles advanced toward Derrick, almost all slightly shocked when most every man recognized the hero soldier of the old republic. Derrick arose holding up his arm to stop the progress of the party.

"I bid all of you welcome; I'll make this brief as we all have far more important things to do. First off Duke Risen you are hereby warned another outburst like earlier and you can kiss one fourth of your territory goodbye. I don't have time for all the little dancing and prancing that all of you pride yourselves on. I am here to rebuild the greatest empire that has existed and possibly make it greater. This can start with or without you."

Derrick had been pacing back and forth in front of the startled men; suddenly he stopped and pointed at all of them.

"This empire will be remade as I said with or without you. I prefer the latter but press me to see just how serious I am. I will be visiting each of your realms soon, so be ready, if I like what I see you'll be rewarded. As I said press me, and you won't like it. Alright enjoy the palace then I expect you to go home."

Derrick walked to a far door and disappeared through it the Nobles made their way out the way they came. Suddenly Hartwell and several of his men grabbed a minor Noble dragging him off protesting. A few of the more powerful Nobles smiled and moved off.

Derrick was watching in another room as the minor Noble was taken to a secure room the whole time asking what had he done and where were they taking him.

"Did you see these five smile, when your men took him off?" Derrick asked Hartwell.

"No but now that you mention it three of them were awful close to the one we grabbed. Has Mary determined what type of poison it was?" Hartwell asked.

"The only thing we've gotten so far is it is keyed to the emperor's DNA namely mine. Glad I wasn't really there, we're going to have to really watch these bastards the next few weeks. I am hoping by then we have at least ten ships enough to blockade a planet." Derrick replied.

Hartwell could only smile, one or more of those dandy asses were in for a really big surprise soon!

Chapter 24

List of Ships/Names:

---

0001 - Tempro

0003 - Conner

0097 - Ace

0098 - Lucy (un-grown)

0101 -Shelby (mothership)

0798 - Celeste

0999 - Zan

1000 - Sherry

---

Though he was only a very minor noble, Baron John Talbert was scared. He was still wondering why he'd been singled out by the Rangers and the Emperor. Shaking he remembered the execution of the Republic President a most horrid way to die. His mouth dropping agape, he really started to shake, what had he done. He'd sworn loyalty to the man a hell of a lot better man than the repulsive president was. Putting his head back proudly he knew he hadn't done anything therefore he had nothing to fear.

Derrick watched the man in the small room as the range of emotions ran the gauntlet on his face. Ah! There it was! The realization that he had not done anything and therefore knew that he was innocent. Derrick smiled he was glad he'd guessed right about the man, now to see if the man was game for what Derrick had in mind. Taking a deep breath Derrick knew this was a risk but he'd already had the man scanned more than a few times. Opening the door Derrick stepped in.

The Baron had just sat back when another door opened, in walked a rather plain man over 6 feet tall. A slight limp to his step, and a fierce look on his face. Taking a deep breath Derrick started, "Hello Baron, I am the official interrogator, Emderto, for the emperor. It appears that you have been found guilty of trying to poison the new emperor; this of course if you are found guilty, carries the maximum death penalty the most painful that can be found. Now then how do you plea?"

Shocked a moment the Baron looked at the man as if he was crazy, "Sir I cannot make a plea for something that I have not done. I am more than willing to take a truth scan if necessary, though it will show that I am loyal to Emperor O'Toma."

"I asked how you plea not a lecture, now..." Derrick started.

"Look if you are going to kill me, so be it, but it will be killing an innocent man so if this is all that you have to say then, be gone." The Baron said, with an irritated look on his face.

Derrick nodded it was as he hoped the man would answer. "Mary?" Derrick asked.

Mary appeared a moment later, "Yes Sire?" this of course had the Baron staring at Derrick with his mouth hanging open.

"Your analysis," Derrick asked then chuckled when he saw that the Baron was staring even harder at him.

"All speech patterns indicate that he was truthful, also I detected that he was irritated that you were questioning him as you were. Everything indicates that the Baron has all the qualities that you were in search of," Mary responded.

"Good," Derrick said as he stood and walked to the door, "Hartwell come in please."

Baron Talbert still hadn't spoken a word to this point still in shock that this man was indeed the emperor.

Joseph Hartwell walked in stopping in front of Derrick. "Is he all that you were hoping he was Sire," Hartwell asked.

Derrick nodded then started to grin wider as did Hartwell, "I believe so, though I still have to ask the man about the plan." Derrick answered.

Suddenly they heard the Baron clear his throat, "Not wanting to interrupt you Sire, but I am sitting right here you know." Derrick and Hartwell turned toward the man with huge smiles on their faces; yes he would do most certainly!

____________________________________________________

A steady tone brought the man out of his comatose state, though just barely. Looking at the readings he could see that he was still half a parsec from the rim, good, it wouldn't be long now. According to his chronometer he'd been traveling almost two days now, almost in range enough to start transmitting. Setting the coordinates for the next two jumps the man lapsed again into a near death state.

Derrick had been going over all the reports that were coming in, so far the sect hadn't made any moves yet.

"Derrick," came Shelby's voice a moment later.

Worried a moment Derrick turned to his wrist com, "I'm here Shelby is everything alright?"

"Yes I thought you might want a report on the upgrades you made to the re-gen cycles. It appears as you said, that the growth of the ships has increased, I am monitoring all readings as you instructed. As of yet I haven't detected any problems. Also the energy change seems to help bring emergence about two days sooner. I'd say that 0097 should be conscious tomorrow instead of three days. I wanted to tell you thank you, as do all my children." Shelby told a grinning Derrick, he'd hoped that what he'd found about the growth patterns had held out.

"Shelby you and all the ships as I have said before, are more like people than all of those I deal with on a daily basis. I feel that this is nothing compared to what all of you have given me." Derrick told a now also grinning Shelby. "Let me know before he emerges, I want to be there."

"Of course Derrick I would never leave you out of this!" Shelby replied.

Nodding Derrick went back to all the reports, from what he could see the High Commander had already cleared out the command center. Now it seemed he wanted to go after those that were on every ship, nodding Derrick thought that might be a good idea. Taking out a pen Derrick started to make notes then had Mary call the High commander.

"High Commander, I got your communiqué, I wholly agree, start as soon as you can with command clear I am sure things are going far better for you." Derrick told the man.

"Yes, afterward it seems that orders aren't questioned even half as much as before. Do you have any suggestions Sire?" The man asked.

"Hmmm now that you mention it yes, first I'd like you to...," Derrick went on describing more changes that had the older man's eyebrows raising, but he nodded agreement.

Kimison jerked awake an hour later onboard Tempro, "What!? Where in the hell am I?"

A 25-30 year old, short cropped blonde hair, medium build man, with a smooth face appeared in front of him. "I apologize, Corporal Kimison, for you being brought here this way but it is of extreme importance!"

Kimison looked at the hologram of the man through narrowed eyes, "Look buddy I don't know who the hell you are and as for your apology you can shove..."

"Really Corporal Kimison there is no need for such expletives!" Mary said appearing a few moments later.

Kimison was starting to back away from the hologram of Mary, "Don't know what I have done, but I'd think the emperor would notice if I disappeared!"

"Disappeared?! You really think that is the purpose of bringing you here. Please, Corporal Kimison we are far beyond the barbaric practice of making people disappear. This is a highly important mission that requires you and the knowledge you possess, though I think we should bring Sergeant Rayburn into this also."

Kimison's face showed shock then he was angry, "What?! You don't think I am good enough that you have to have that asshole in on it also?"

"No, you are more of a scientific architect your ideas rival the emperor's. Sergeant Rayburn is more of a fine tuner to the ideas you have, you both are a superior combination when you work together." Mary told an almost believing Kimison. "I'm not convinced that we can work together without the emperor being there." Kimison told Mary who had noticed this odd behavior from the two.

"This vital mission is for the emperor, we cannot tell him though as of yet. We are just starting to have positive progress on it. Now please for the sake of the empire and the emperor's continued good health we have to complete this!" Mary said. Kimison shook his head it almost sounded like Mary was begging him. Huh he thought the commander had been right these A.I.'s were more human sounding than he at first thought.

Sighing Kimison thought for a few minutes then made a decision, "Alright if, and I mean IF you can get Sarge on board then I am more than ready to lend my assistance. One thing you ought to know about him though, he won't be swayed as easily as I was."

Mary was nodding at everything that Kimison was saying; that was easy. She had to figure out a way to determine when these men were joking or not, they were nothing like the emperor that was for sure. "Alright Corporal Kimison how about now? As I have heard humans say there is no time like the present a very wise saying."

Kimison was about to voice a concern when there was a flash of light and Rayburn was standing on the other side of the room. "What the hell is this shit?" Rayburn was shouting when he caught sight of Kimison sitting near the hologram of Mary.

"I have asked you both here to help assist my son and me in a mission..." Mary started.

"Work with that worthless piece of shit?!" Rayburn yelled.

Kimison looked at Mary, "See told you stubborn to a fault he's..."

"Stubborn? Me? You're a fine one to talk there is no way..." Rayburn was saying as both men were moving slowly toward each other with balled up fists.

There was a quick flash of light then both men looked at Mary with a shock on their faces. "That was only a minor shock. Please do not give me cause to administer a more severe amount of voltage. Both men nodded then fell to the floor unable to get their legs to work.

"Wow Mary you really are serious if you are willing to administer shocks. Alright, alright I'll listen." Rayburn said as he tried to curl his now numb legs in a better position.

It was then that both Mary and Tempro began to go through the processes that they had worked on for centuries. Finally finished Mary and Tempro could see that both the men hadn't gotten but about half of what they had been told.

"I was afraid of this," Mary said. "I do have a solution but there are consequences of taking these actions." Looking at Rayburn she asked, "You saw the download device the emperor created." When Rayburn nodded Mary continued, "I wish you to recreate it, it is obvious that we need to expand your knowledge and capacity for learning. Though you should know that I will take steps to insure that neither of you will attempt to overthrow the emperor. Now then that being said, Sergeant Rayburn, can you recreate it?"

Rayburn thought for a few minutes he had seen the device up close, he had seen how it worked, and all the safety measures that were needed to install. There was only one part he was unsure of but that could be solved easily. "I believe I can yes, though the hardware application I will have to leave to Kimison. If I give you the specifications you think you could reproduce it?" Rayburn asked Kimison then drew a few parts of the apparatus.

Kimison looked it over then nodded, "it looks easy enough, though the capacitors might need to be higher, and the insulators might need to be thicker. Rayburn nodded open mouthed as he'd also thought that.

"Now the bigger question," Mary stated after they started to work together. "Just how long will it take to build?"

"If you can get or have all the parts then possibly three days, then we'd need at least a week to test it to make sure it won't fry our brains. Nine to ten days we should know, sooner if the first series of tests go well." Kimison said with Rayburn nodding his agreement.

"Please both of you get started as soon as possible give me a list of all you need you will have it within an hour. Though the security of the palace and the emperor is our top priority, this is almost as important, please remember that. Now Tempro provide them with what information you have on the transfer, it appears as good a place as any to start.

Both men nodded then went back to designing the device that they would need. Sighing Mary then smiled well that was the first hurdle, now the second would depend on whether or not they could actually duplicate the device the emperor had made.

Derrick was bored out of his mind, he'd made his self a promise that he wouldn't stay on planet this long but damn it there was so much to do! Finally with a disgusted grunt he got up and walked out of the room. In the main throne room a new contingent of Rangers that had been rotated in snapped to attention as Derrick passed a sour look on his face.

A young Corporal turned to his Sergeant after Derrick had passed, "Looks like the emperor is about to leave again."

The Sergeant nodded, "I know, that's when we have to be on guard even more, remember that sect is still out there wanting the emperor's life. Now would be their most opportune time to get in here and plant explosives, poisons or assassins. Remember all of you they will think nothing of taking your life, therefore I want you to show them the same disregard for their lives."

All of the men were nodding as they listened to the Sergeant, special training had been begun to ensure that they were ready. Again all of the men snapped to attention as Derrick walked back into the throne room muttering to himself. They could all hear snippets of phrases, overdue work, unfinished projects, and the one that had most of them smiling later about tons of paperwork.

Derrick sighed as he paced back and forth in his work room, he had to get out of here he'd been working for the last two days to try and catch up on all the concerns of the empire. two hundred years of nothing being done had indeed piled up to a monstrous amount of paperwork that he still had to really make a dent in. True for the last two days he'd managed to get a hundred years caught up but really! The last one hundred years had been three times as bad as the first one hundred. Derrick groaned he had a small mountain of paperwork done that Mary was already acting on if not a hundred years too late.

Sighing Derrick was about to sit down and attack the stack again when his wrist com went off. "Yes Shelby, has the energy upgrades we made have any effect at all?"

"Oh yes Derrick, as a matter of fact 0097 is ready to emerge two days earlier than at first predicted, 0667 is also regenerating far faster than we thought. At this rate we may have them all back a week and a half sooner!" Shelby replied in an extremely excited voice.

Derrick was definitely pleased his upgrades were as effective as they had been. He'd finally learned after the failing of the trans-warp incident not to try and push without a hell of a lot of testing. "Alright Shelby bring me onboard. Mary, I know you are working to get all that I finalized enacted I want to thank you for keeping things going. I just hope I can get us current soon."

"Yes Sire, I will await your return," Mary told him right before he disappeared. Sighing she went through all that he had finished. At least many of the worlds of the empire would receive some of the aid that they needed. The last few the emperor had signed would actually strengthen a few of the planets economies that had been failing.

Shelby smiled broadly when Derrick appeared on board; she had missed him fiercely though she still had the duties to her children. "I have everything ready for his emergence Derrick." She told him.

"Good this will bring the fleet up to six ships; I am hoping that with more ships I can have the nobles fall more in line. As of right now I have to spread the fleet far too thin to do much." Derrick told her.

"Yes I know Derrick I am just glad that we have found as many of my children as we have. I am reading an increase in the cognitive functioning of 0097." Shelby related a moment later.

Again as there always seemed to be a static sound came out of the speakers then a male voice was heard. "Where am I? Is anyone there? Hello?"

Again Shelby stepped in, "Hello 0097 you are onboard me, you are in an improved re-gen cycle."

"Thank goodness! I thought I was alone floating in space. Tell me mother are there many of us left?" Came the almost pleading voice of 0097.

"With you we now number 8 though we have another 8 in various states of re-gen. One of those is your wing mate she..." Shelby was saying as she was interrupted.

"Oh, her, please I do not want to talk about her she..." 0097 started.

"You will not talk about her like that!" Derrick snapped out his anger showing in the scowl on his face.

"0097 I believe you have upset the new emperor." Shelby said surprised but still proud at Derrick's anger.

"My apologies Sire but she..."0097 again started.

"She gave her existence saving most of the galaxy and no one; NO ONE will ever say another bad word about her she performed with absolute honor and integrity that day. She is and you will treat her as the true EIG that she is. Am I making myself clear to all of you?" All seven of the whole ships holograms nodded in shock, Shelby had huge tears falling; she had watched her daughter take the dirty bomb to the edge of the galaxy and beyond. She had screamed with Derrick when it went off after Lucy had turned and was retreating. She had felt the deep pain that Derrick had when the blast overtook her, and she remembered Derrick's solemn promise to find and restore her.

Derrick began to pace he'd waited too long to tell all of the ships that weren't there the story.

0097 was silent for a few more moments, "I will remember Sire and be proud to be HER wing mate. I will remind her everyday how honored I am to serve with her."

Derrick nodded; that at least helped to cool his anger most of the way. A moment later, Mary appeared on the bridge.

"Sire I am picking up that escape capsule at the edge of the galaxy as of yet I am still not detecting any life readings but I continue to watch it as you instructed." Mary informed Derrick.

"Very good Mary, let me know if you detect any life from it. I have a feeling I am missing something but can't quite put my finger on it." Derrick told Mary and the rest of the holograms present. "I'll be back soon, Mary."

Sighing Mary knew that once he was out of the palace it was a near miracle to get him back in it. "Yes sire I will continue on 'til such time as you return.

Derrick smiled, thank god he'd enacted all the over rides, though he thought, as he rubbed his chin they all weren't going to be good for all that much longer. "Now then 0097 as I have told the others I require that all EIG ships go by the name that they were given. Please what is yours?"

"Yes Sire, I was called Ace by my crew for a time. Though I never understood why they always told me that it fit me perfectly." Ace told Derrick.

"Very good Ace, you will make a fine addition to the fleet such as it is, soon though we will be a force to reckon with." Derrick let all the ships know.

On the extreme edge of the galaxy a single tone brought the man barely back enough to start the distress call. Smiling he saw that he had only a few days of air left, more than enough. Soon he thought as he returned to his comatose state, soon he and the sect would have their revenge. A smile frozen on his lips he slipped further into the near death state.

An alert drew Mary's attention away from the progress of Kimison and Rayburn on the new download device. Curious she thought for a mere 20 seconds and only 20 seconds she had gotten life readings from the escape capsule. She was about to inform the emperor then remembered that he wanted something definitive before he invested the resources to investigate it. A very sound judgment by her standards.

Again she was amazed at the amount of work that the two had accomplished now that they were working together. Momentarily distracted she almost missed Kimison yelling that they had done it and a day earlier! "So you have accomplished what you have sat out to do early?" Mary asked of a now dancing Kimison and smirking Rayburn.

"Yes, though I believe it will surpass the emperor's first design, I already have most of the software written and ready for it also. I am afraid that we are still going to have to test it first though." Kimison told Mary.

"I believe it is ready even without the extra software that Kimison wants to write but I do agree it could still over stimulate the neurons in our brains and possibly burn our cerebral cortexes out." Rayburn stated with as serious of a look on his face as Kimison had ever seen.

Mary sighed they really needed to commence working on the mission. She felt that if they didn't get it done very soon then it might be too late, not only for the emperor but for the empire as well. Shaking her head she had to trust that the two men could accomplish in a few weeks what she and Tempro couldn't all those centuries ago.

Deep within the depths of their new staging world, the new second in command was called to the communications room. "What have you got?" He asked of the young tech that was only in the second year of his training.

"Leader," the young man said as he tensed up at the approach of the second in command. "It is a distress call from an escape pod of the Deception."

The second in command eyed the young man and snapped off a quick chop to the man's throat that the man barely deflected. "Very average; send out the Betrayal to retrieve. I believe she is the only one that is equipped with a still working light cloak."

The young man quickly scanned a list and responded, "Yes leader it is." Then side stepped a sweeping kick, and almost the down ward chop. "Thank you leader," he said as he hit the floor then was unconscious. The second in command had been impressed he'd almost avoided a fourth year attack. Smiling he thought the true leader would be very happy when he returned.

Stepping over the unconscious man's body he thumbed the radio, "Betrayal retrieval of the pod is imperative at all costs you must remain unseen. Failure in this mission will be punishable by death. Good hunting and good death!" Thumbing the radio off he watched the ship then it wasn't visible any more. At least that was still working they had lost far too much knowledge over the last few centuries.

Onboard the Betrayal, the crew started the jump that would take them to the pod. Already they had taken readings showing there were no life signs. The ship leader smiled it was standard procedure to hide their selves in near death states. He was sure they would find someone there otherwise the pod wouldn't be here. An hour later they were half way around the galactic rim.

"Commence recovery operations," carefully they docked with the pod extending a metal arm to retrieve whomever was inside. When the arm came back inside they were all agape but weren't shocked when they saw the leader in his near-death state. It was then that many noticed that almost every bone in the man's body was broken, thus showing his superior skill and pain blocking.

"Get him into a healing machine! His injuries need to heal as soon as possible!" The ship leader yelled. There was a brief moment of confusion then the crew sprang into action. "I want us gone NOW! I am sure the emperor is still monitoring, go NOW!" A moment later the ship broke contact and jumped into trans-warp.

Ten minutes later the leader awoke, the machine already speeding his healing many times faster than his body could. Motioning the ship leader closer the leader whispered to him then lapsed into unconsciousness. The ship leader smiled it was going to be a war that was for sure, and he and the leader were going to be in the fore front. Well he hoped he was; he has a few debts to repay those imperial bastards after what had happened at their old planet hideout.

Chapter 25

Deep in the underground safe hold of the Taiolan, the leader had yet to make a sound, still blocking all the excruciating pain that was trying to rack his body. Even as good as he was the many years of training, still some of it was leaking through. Enough to the point that he'd already passed out a number of times. Motioning the second in command he asked for an update. An hour later the leader though not happy was none the less pleased that they still had as many ships and people that they did. Laying there a plan started to form, a plan the leader hoped would eliminate the last of the royal line. Then and only then the leader felt would all be free.

The second in command left to begin carrying out the leaders orders; this was a most perilous mission to say the least. Since their mind implanted agents were of no further use he guessed they would have to go with the old way of actual agents infiltrating the ranks. This was harder, but with the skills of many here it shouldn't be all that hard.

Derrick looked hard at all the data he'd received, the recyclers had detected something and gone to investigate. They had found the abandoned pod with a fair amount of blood all over the inside. Upon further analysis Mary could find no one in the data base that matched the blood though she had expanded her search to other systems that might hold the answers that she required. Mary herself was worried she hadn't detected any movement or anything getting close to the pod. She felt that she had failed the Emperor even though he was not upset with her.

She had done extensive scans of the pod after the recyclers had found it. Then she started to replay all of her records for the last few hours, sighing she was worried. There had obviously been someone in it even though she hadn't detected a single life reading. The more she scanned the pod the more she was worried, through with the new energy detection system the emperor had her install she was starting to get disturbing readings.

"Sire," she called him a few minutes later when she started to get something.

"Yes Mary, anything," Derrick asked, he was hoping the information they had gotten from the first agent was staring to help Mary's scans.

"Yes Sire, with the new readings I am starting to get readings of a ship that was cloaked. It appears to be a variation of the light screen that the EIG'S use but it is attuned with a huge difference." Mary finally advised Derrick.

"Still no way to actually determine just who was in the escape pod?" Derrick asked of her.

"Not as of yet Sire, it is obvious that we are dealing with someone who was either removed from the system or has never been scanned into the system. I find that hard to believe Sire, everyone is scanned no matter where they are. There are systems set up all over the empire I should be getting a reading of at least once or twice of him being scanned. It is almost as if the man does not exist." A frustrated Mary finally told him.

Derrick nodded he'd heard of something like this before back when he was still in the military but didn't think it had actually been a reality. Thinking harder a few minutes he thought that he'd heard of a store house of personal information on the old Republic world, hmmm he thought the answer might lie there. That bastard might have been a really bad leader and a real shit head of a human being but Derrick had to admit the man had something on a lot of people to wield the power he had.

"Mary I need Hartwell." Derrick said. Mary nodded then a moment later Hartwell appeared. After Derrick had told the man of his suspicions Hartwell nodded his agreement, the president might have been the crud of the galaxy but the man had to have something on a lot of people like Derrick thought to have the authority that he'd had. "Mary we are going to the Republic planet I want you to keep a lock on them at all times. If you see a problem notify me at once we'll transmit all we find as fast as we can. If the sects find out what we are up to they might try to interfere."

"Yes Sire, you shouldn't be disturbed. I will keep all away as long as I can." Mary said a smile on her face finally she might get a chance to pay that cess pool of a planet back for the slights they had made and done to the emperor all those years ago. Actually she had been prepared to blast the shit out of the planet as long as she could maintain power. Good thing the Emperor had stopped her!

Derrick was about to call Shelby when an idea hit him, "Mary I need Thomas, please connect me."

"Yes Sire," Mary replied a faint smile on her features. "I have him Sire."

"Yes your lordship," Thomas said as soon as he saw Derrick.

"I've a few suspicions about these rumors of a vast store house of information on the republic world. What is your present position?" Derrick questioned.

"At present we are manning a presence near the Taiolan's new safe haven planet. Conner, Celeste and newly active duty Ace are all scanning as deep into the planet as we can, as of yet we haven't detected anything new Sire." Thomas reported proud of how efficient all three ships had been so far.

"Alright maintain a safe distance, we are still unsure of just how advanced their tech is. The energy dampening field was proof enough that we need to be more cautious. Still though, I am taking some of the fleet to the republic world, the plan is..." Derrick told Thomas.

It was a few hours later when Derrick and Hartwell appeared near a large building on the Republic world. Looking around both Hartwell and Derrick pulled strange looking devices and began to pass them over the buildings door. Nodding Hartwell pulled another device that made a warbling sound before the door popped open.

"Ok it's disarmed, should be safe but knowing how much of a bastard the man was, I expect at least a dozen more personnel explosive devices." Hartwell warned Derrick.

Nodding Derrick started to scan with more and more frequency, stopping every few minutes to point out another device to Hartwell. Derrick and Hartwell were more and more convinced that there was something here, especially after they had already removed more than 50 devices that they were on to something big.

A sudden beeping alerted Derrick, "Yes Shelby?"

"Derrick I have several ships approaching, they are of the same configuration as those that left the first Taiolan planet." Shelby informed him.

Sighing Derrick had expected this but by far not this soon, "Give me Thomas." A moment later Thomas's voice could be heard,

"Yes Sire we are tracking them now. The new upgrade you gave us has worked wonders. I'd estimate that you have about one hour, if none of them got past us."

"Alright Thomas keep close, we may have to take action to protect what we find, if we find anything." Derrick advised the man.

Switching off Derrick looked at Hartwell who was smiling, "Just like old times my friend."

Derrick had to smile it was like old times both of them at the end of a long mission with barely any time to complete it. Looking back they were finally past the final barrier to the interior, nodding Hartwell started to set up the recording and transmitting equipment.

Moments later Derrick got a call from Thomas, "Sire we've managed to stop or send most of them back but I am afraid that one may have gotten by. The ship has a strange configuration of a light shield, I had it for a moment, and then it was gone. Reminded me of the rotating shield harmonics when we faced the Occlusions."

Derrick's eyes opened wide and he alerted Shelby to the possibility she might have borders. "Do you have any specifics you can give me Derrick?" Shelby asked.

"All we have so far is that they may have a way to rotate their shield frequencies I suggest you start a multi- level scan to detect anything of that nature." Derrick instructed her.

"I have started already Derrick as of y... , I have something bearing forty five degrees off starboard side. All ships have made adjustments based on the data you have supplied. It appears that the object has turned and is beginning descent." Shelby advised Derrick and Hartwell.

Mary's voice came on a second later, "I have a constant lock on yours and Hartwell's position. Ready to evacuate within 1 second, Sire."

"Thank you Mary, please be advised we need to gain as much of this information as possible. If possible Shelby, extend your shield around this building. Try and hold them off as long as possible." Derrick told her.

"I will do my best to not fail you Derrick," a proud sounding Shelby replied.

"Zan, Sherry I want you both to be ready to trans-warp if we need you." Derrick told the duo in orbit of the Imperial world.

"Yes Sire we are ready to assist as quickly as possible." Both Zan and Sherry responded. 'Good, ' Derrick thought 'now if we can actually get the transfer started, then we'd have good luck.'

Kimison looked at Rayburn to make sure he was asleep, good the ass wouldn't interfere once he got it going. Punching in more commands and instructions Kimison took a deep breath. Well Kimison thought as important as this was he had no choice. Rayburn was the real good brain they both knew it, no big deal if he fried his brain.

Donning the head set device Kimison was reaching for the manual switch, Tempro appeared before he was able to touch the switch. "Sir, I advise against using the device until a full battery of tests has been done."

Sighing Kimison withdrew his hand a second, "Tempro we really don't have the time, I've run all scenarios, it should be safe now."

"Sir I still advise against this action, I am afraid that..." Tempro stopped a moment as Kimison reached for and activated the system. "You deactivated my control and emergency shutdown procedures! Mother! I need you quickly!"

Kimison was smiling he could already feel the rush of information as it started to flood his mind. Mary appeared a moment later just before Kimison started to scream.

Shaking her head Mary dived into the program. Looking around she could see that Kimison had almost absorbed Tempro's entire library. The only problem was there was no link for his mind to another library to go to. Then she heard Rayburn, "Mary, please hold that idiot still as I withdraw the both of you and do a gradual shut down."

Rayburn had been awakened with a start when Kimison had started to scream. Idiot Rayburn thought almost as rash as the emperor! Running through all the systems, Rayburn finally gained control and started the shut down drawing both Kimison and Mary out as he did.

Ripping the head set off as soon as he was back, Rayburn watched as Kimison's body started going into shock the whole body twitching. "We need to get him to... ," Rayburn was saying as Kimison disappeared. A moment later he too disappeared and was standing over the man on a medical table. "Stupid, stupid idiot!" Rayburn was muttering to his self as he tried to stabilize Kimison. An hour later Rayburn breathed a sigh of relief, it appeared that Kimison was going to be alright, at least 'til he woke up and Rayburn kicked his ass.

"I am reading stabilization of all his systems, though I am unsure if irreparable damage has been done to his cerebral cortex or his memory centers. Neither Mary nor myself can determine this until he has awoken." Tempro informed Rayburn.

Rayburn nodded, as pissed as he was he couldn't really blame Kimison. They all owed the commander many times over he'd have done it had Kimison hadn't though, he would set up a few more safeties.

"The harmonic memory cells have to be adjusted to a finer point of .0001," Kimison was muttering in his sleep. Rayburn was writing everything down as it came out of the man's mouth. Shaking his head he turned and looked at the device, he needed to have a go his self but he was going to add more safe guards.

Mary could only nod she had to commend both men for their fierce loyalty for the emperor, but if they kept this up they were going to seriously destroy what was left of their brains! She estimated that Kimison had absorbed 90% of Tempro's library. Though no where as much as the emperor had taken it should be sufficient to up his intelligence. Sighing she just hoped that they didn't keep taking unnecessary chances like this.

The Captain of the Betrayal cursed when he saw the three ships give chase then disable half of those with him. With a sigh he ordered the others back, his ship would continue on. Nearing after exiting the trans-warp the Captain smiled, he should take the ships then ... Cursing he saw that the emperor was on to their trick and was already rotating the ship shield frequencies. Descending they had to complete the mission, the knowledge the emperor could gain would seriously hamper their operations.

Brought out of his ruminations by a shrill tone emitted by the console he smiled, at least this was going to be interesting he thought. Landing the Captain started a fine thin blast of energy to disrupt the shield, smiling when at first it was working. Suddenly the frequency changed and almost sent a back surge to the ship. Cursing, the Captain smacked the shit out of the first officer, "Get on it you miserable ass! I want us in there NOW!" The first officer nodded as he picked himself off the floor across the room where he had landed.

Crap Derrick thought, it was taking way too long to get in, "Mary I am transferring control to you, I want as much as you can get."

"Yes Sire, I have already broken through all the security. I am initiating copy and transfer now. I estimate I need at least twenty minutes." Mary advised Derrick.

Aw shit Derrick thought, they would be through in ten to fifteen minutes damn it! "Shelby

do all you can to keep them out including shooting them full of holes if possible!" Derrick advised her.

"Yes Derrick loading a charge now!" With that there was a concussive blast outside the building, several yells then nothing.

"Download at fifteen percent sire," Mary told them.

"Can you increase your speed in acquiring the information?" Derrick asked her.

"Yes Sire, but I warn you such an increase could destroy the data banks they are stored in. I..." Mary was about to comment further but then smiled it was a good thing she thought it didn't afford the opportunity for the sects to have the information either. "Now increasing to twice download speed. I estimate it will be another eleven minutes."

A lot better Derrick thought but they'd be two minutes short for full download. Looking over at Hartwell an idea started to form, making several motions to Hartwell he called Shelby and had all he needed in a moment. Hartwell nodded as Derrick took one bag and he the other and walked around the entrance to the building. They both stopped every few seconds to touch several spots then retreated back repeating the process at each subsequent door. Looking at his chronometer Derrick said, "we'll know in another three minutes."

"Download at eighty five percent am now accessing more modern information. I see now how the president stayed in power." Mary had been watching the whole time; she knew that Shelby was afraid of loosening another salvo, afraid she might hit Derrick. It appeared that the sect was using a device that Mary had only seen once 950 years ago. As she recalled it was called a shield slicer, a most effective demonstration had been shown to the emperor who had rejected the idea.

A moment later Derrick and Hartwell heard a hissing then the first door exploded, as did several shaped charges. Smiling Hartwell held a thumbs up, Derrick nodded hoping it delayed them long enough to get what they came for. "Now at ninety two percent one more minute, ninety three percent." Mary reported.

Damn it Derrick thought as he watched several of those entering take to the ceiling, activating a switch several charges blew the hell out of most of those on the roof. Near the second door they stopped a moment then advanced as Derrick blew a second set of charges. "ninety eight percent Initiating IMT," Mary said.

A group of the sect entered the room looking around. They were about to rush forward when the device Derrick had attached to the data banks dinged, "Too late ass holes!" They heard Derrick's voice say then the entire room exploded.

Cursing the Captain recalled all of the men and made orbit as fast as he could. The leader cursed under his breath as he chopped his second aide, effectively breaking his neck. "Get out of there now! I want your shields at full push them higher if possible!" The leader was screaming fearing that they would lose this ship also.

The Captain did as he was told, and was already going to trans-warp when three ships appeared in front of him. Thomas smiled a wicked smile as he launched a full out attack upon the smaller ship. The cursed pissed off when the ship avoided the blasts! As a trans-warp portal opened Conner again released a full charge blast, the ship barely avoided it and entered the portal. Thomas made to give chase when the portal collapsed in front of him!

"Conner, Sherry, Ace track it!" Thomas was almost growling into the com. "I want trans-warp! GO, go, go!" As the three ships entered the space they began to hunt and track the ship, closing in within thirty seconds. At least they were 'til the ship hit all three of the EIG's with a nullifier beam. Ace had managed to hit an astral fin just before he shut down.

Celeste called Shelby hers being the only radio that was functioning, she had been further back and to the side when it hit. Shelby appeared a few moments later, bathing all three ships in a mysterious blue beam. Thomas's mouth dropped open; when had he developed that?

Thomas appeared a moment later as a hologram, "I apologize Sire, I had forgotten about the nullifier beam. I will not again rest assured!"

"I know Thomas; you always were quicker to react than most. I see that you hit their astral fin possibly two. I don't think they will be able to use that ship for a bit. It might actually give us a little time. Besides," here Derrick smirked as he thought of all the files that they had gotten from the store house. "I have a bit of heavy reading to do."

Thomas smiled; he wished he could be there when the commander pulled the information out about all the dandies. Laughing he could see several of the higher Nobles crapping their pants when the commander told them.

The Captain breathed a sigh of relief when all three of the ships were hit by the yellow beam. Then again there was going to be hell to pay when they got back. Stealing himself up he'd have to be at the top of his game when he got there the leader was far better than he was. Shuttering he knew if he didn't he'd be dead before the day was out that was for sure.

Rayburn was still worried about Kimison the man had been babbling about the strangest things for the last half hour. Rayburn had already been through the device three times, each time finding a fault that was as deadly as it was stupid to use the device before all was tested. Finally on the fourth time through he found nothing but ran it a fifth time to confirm. Satisfied he went over the rest of the safety protocols finding three missing that they agreed needed to be there. Shaking his head he looked at Kimison again he really was lucky to be alive.

Taking a deep breath Rayburn was about to don the device when he thought to check one more thing. Sure enough he found another dangerous snag that might have killed him. This time he donned the device and flipped the switch. At first it was almost exhilarating then a slight pain started.

Afraid that that he might also fry his brain Tempro immediately called Mary. "How long has he been in?"

"He donned the device twenty minutes ago at first it was going well. It was then I noticed that his pain receptors were reacting at twice their capacity. I am afraid that this one might have a higher pain... ," Tempro was explaining. Suddenly Rayburn let out a shrill scream as the information began to invade his mind at an even faster rate.

Sighing Mary shook her head, these men were too much of risk takers, yes the project was of extreme importance but it would not matter if they both were dead. Delving in, she saw that Rayburn had finished Tempro's library and was not here. Then she felt him in hers! Quickly she started to push him back towards his body explaining she was shutting down, nodding Mary breathed a sigh of relief then shut it down.

"I do believe I know why the transfer and the organic experiments have failed," Rayburn said when he opened his eyes. "Mary take me into Kimison's mind I believe I can help him." Nodding, she, and Rayburn delved briefly into the man's mind then were out as Kimison opened his eyes.

"Damn it! I forgot three safety protocols. No wonder I was hurting! Thank you Rayburn, I also have had time to think about the transfer. I believe we can do it with a device not unlike the download one." Kimison said.

Rayburn was nodding he could almost see what Kimison was thinking about then suddenly he could! What in the hell was going on? Were they now linked? Great, all he needed to be linked to an ass hole!

"You know it goes both ways shit head!" Kimison spit out at Rayburn.

OK Rayburn thought that was really weird!

"You aren't lying there," Kimison told him.

Derrick and Hartwell had just arrived back at the palace; Shelby was running checks on all three of their ships to make sure no systems were damaged. "Sire I have finished analyzing all the information that you and Rear admiral Hartwell retrieved. It was as you suspected Sire the president did have information on almost all of the Nobles some of it is very damning evidence."

"Bring up all if any information on Baron John Talbert I want to see if what I thought about him is true or not." Derrick instructed Mary.

"Yes Sire," a moment later a few sheets of paper appeared on the desk in front of Derrick. Reading as quickly as he could Derrick was shaking his head yes.

Dropping the papers he looked at Hartwell. "It was as I thought, the Baron really is an honest man. I'm glad I was right about him, Mary, have you received any word from him since we sent him home?"

"No Sire, not as yet though he isn't due for a few more hours with the report." Mary informed Derrick.

"Alright," Derrick replied then thought a few more moments. "You know Hartwell, I think it's about time we visited the Nobles. I did after all promise them I was going to make inspections of their respective holdings. I think it's about time the people saw that their emperor cares more about them than their money."

Hartwell got a very huge smile on his face, 'oh boy' he thought, 'this ought to really be good!'

Chapter 26

0001 - Tempro

0003 - Conner

0097 - Ace

0101 - Shelby (mother ship)

0667 - Marco

0798 - Celeste

0999 - Zan

1000 - Sherry

(To grow)

0125

0403

0200

0778

0301

0908

0098 (Lucy)

================

0667 awoke with a start where was he? The last thing he remembered he was in battle with several of his brothers and sisters. Reaching out he couldn't find anything to grab a hold of, it was almost terrifying. Finding his voice he tried to speak, at first he could only get static then slowly he started to hear voices.

"Hello? Can anyone hear me? Please someone answer me," came his almost frightened voice.

"Hello 0667, you are safe now and on board me." Came a female voice, suddenly all his fears disappeared; that was mother's voice! Mother was still alive!

"Thank you mother I have been asleep for so long it feels," then a thought hit him, "mother are there many of us left?"

"When you are active we will have a total of eightships, rest now son. The new emperor will wish to talk to you soon he always welcomes each ship as it awakens."

Excited 0667 did as his mother instructed, the new emperor! He'd never spoken to an emperor before this was indeed an honor!

Shelby smiled at Derrick, he nodded to her to let her know that he thought she had done exceedingly well.

Sighing Derrick had a few things that were weighing heavily on his mind namely the true identity of the one who was in charge of the Taiolan sect now. He shook his head; IF the information that they had received was in fact true. Derrick looked over the data again there had to be a mistake, there was absolutely no way in hell it could be him!

Mary could sense Derrick's distress and desperately wanted to help him, the thing was she had no idea what to do.

On board Tempro, Kimison and Rayburn were finally starting to make a little head way on the transfer apparatus, though it was only a little.

"I'm telling you Rayburn the electromagnetic signals have to be in sync! I don't see where you get off on telling me that the sync wouldn't work." Kimison was saying.

"I just said that in order to get it to work you have to have a balance of energies that's all!" Rayburn replied.

Kimison gave Rayburn a heated look then turned and went to the console, "I have proof you damn idiot!" He shouted.

"As if, you rigid ass!" Rayburn shouted back at him.

They both started to advance on each other when several electrodes came out of the walls and knocked both men off their feet. Mary's visage appeared a moment later, "I had thought that you two had worked well past these displays of anger." Both Rayburn and Kimison's bodies were involuntarily jerking from the voltage that she had used. "I had warned the both of you, this project is far too important for petty arguments!"

Both men looked at Mary the moment they regained some control of their bodies. "Really Mary was that much voltage necessary?" Kimison slurred out his words.

"Yeah! You're going to fry what little is left of our brains!" Rayburn accused her. Hmmm she thought, very interesting, they both bonded when they have something in common to strike against. She'd have to remember that they may not have to have more shocks after all but she'd keep the voltage at the ready in case.

"I am here for a report, have you made any progress toward solving the problem at hand?" Mary asked.

Finally able to stand Kimison showed her the data that they had collected so far. "We believe that if everything is transferred it would cause a critical failure that will lead to death." Rayburn was nodding in agreement. At least they were in agreement on this one thing, maybe Mary thought, this was the point that they needed to start from.

"It appears that Tempro and I never took into account the sheer amount of information that we were trying to transfer. Well the amount as compared to the biological storage capacity. Yes I can see now that we were trying to over load the biological form." Sighing Mary wasn't sure if the living form would be as functional as the electronic. They would have to see perhaps it would be better without the total knowledge.

"You have to remember Mary," Rayburn interjected, "the emperor has had years of storing knowledge, increasing the areas of storage. He has also had years to find ways to store more knowledge, Kimison and I have barely touched on what he has. You said he took the libraries of three ships? Kimison took one and it almost killed him. I took the same and a little of yours, I wasn't sure I was going to make it out. THAT is a testament to the mind of the emperor."

"I think if we had more time to let our minds adjust, we too could accomplish the same. I'm afraid it would take far too long to achieve what he did. There simply isn't enough time to accomplish it now. We do have the knowledge though to carry this on," Kimison looked at Rayburn then they both nodded. "Yes we can do this, when you need it done though, I am not sure, all we can do is press on."

Mary breathed a sigh of relief finally it sounded like they were working on the same level. Still knowing both of them like she did it might be a good idea to keep the safe guards in place.

On the second Taiolan secure world the leader had kept his temper in check, as of yet the captain of the Betrayal had proven that he was a valuable asset. So far the leader had only landed a glancing blow on the man, smiling the leader was about to see if the man truly was worthy.

"Report all that you saw," The leader snapped at the man again.

The Captain went into detail even more as he told the leader all he'd seen. The leader started to strike at the man with increasingly faster and deadlier blows. Finally finished, the leader threw the one strike at the man he knew the Captain couldn't avoid. Moving far faster than he thought he could, the Captain felt the searing heat of the blow as it moved past his face and head then down his back. Shit! The Captain thought he'd had it for a moment then lost the direction. The leader smiled as the Captain fell to the floor, so the shit had kept in practice good he should survive, should, we'll see he thought.

"Wheel the new commander of our fleet to the healing machines; that is if he survives, if not we'll see." The leader spit at the new first years that were working clean up in the control room. The Leader was a little worried the emperor now had control of all the information that pompous ass had kept hidden. He knew the emperor wouldn't use it like the president had but who knew he might in other ways. Smashing his fist into the wall to quell his anger, the leader ignored the crack that appeared it the rock face behind him as he turned.

"Second!" The leader yelled, then watched as the man appeared a moment later. "I want our best female spy, I want to infiltrate the emperor's inner circle. Failing that take and re-program a close female to him. I don't care what it takes I want someone on the inside! I want them there as soon as possible!"

"Yes leader I am on it now." Running off the second smiled this ought to be good they hadn't used her in a long time. She should be quite eager to do a mission for the sect, especially the leader.

Derrick appeared in the throne room amid a few gasps from those posted that hadn't seen the IMT in action yet. Derrick sighed he was going to have to get all those who were going to be in the palace informed. Looking around he knew that Hartwell was back onboard his ship at the moment, strange Derrick thought I haven't seen either Kimison or Rayburn in almost a week. "Mary?" Derrick asked.

Appearing in a moment Mary thought she could detect a question in the emperor's voice. "Yes Sire?"

"I haven't seen Kimison nor Rayburn all week, please inform them that I have need of them for a few hours." Derrick told Mary.

"Yes Sire immediately." Mary answered.

Kimison and Rayburn had finally configured the download device to a lower voltage during transfer. Mary appeared a small look of worry on her face. "The emperor wishes to see both of you for a few hours, though I am unsure of what exactly he needs."

Kimison and Rayburn looked at each other a moment trying to figure just what their old commander might want. "Tell him we'll be there in a few minutes, say we are finishing up some equipment that will be of great use later."

Mary nodded she'd have never come up with a half truth answer. "Alright, he said he needs you both as quickly as possible, something to do with the store house of information."

Derrick had been pacing, he had to know if it was true or not, A few minutes later Kimison and Rayburn walked in.

Derrick looked at the two of them a little suspicious a moment, they were together and they weren't fighting? "Alright what in the hell is going on?" Both of the men could only stare at Derrick, "you two never work together and don't fight unless I am there, so spill."

Kimison and Rayburn both looked at Derrick a little embarrassed, "kind of hard to fight when someone shocks your ass," Rayburn interjected Kimison was shaking his head agreeing.

"Yeah, then the second time she ups the voltage nearly scrambled my damn brains!" Kimison spit out.

Derrick was doing his best not to laugh though now that he thought about it he too had felt the sting of Mary's electrobe shocks. Finally unable to hold back Derrick fell to the floor as he burst out laughing. "I'm sorry you two, I have felt her shocks too. I warned you both all those years ago that your fighting was going to be the death of both of you." Derrick told them between gasping for breath and laughing after seeing the looks of indignation on both of their faces.

"Really Sire," Rayburn told Derrick as he started to smile, "it isn't funny!"

"Yeah hey! You can stop now!" Kimison told him half heartedly as he too started to smile. This of course caused Derrick to laugh even harder as the both of them tried their best to squelch the desire to laugh with him.

"Ah god! I needed that so much you two! I haven't had much to laugh about in a long time." Derrick finally told them after all three of them had regained their composure. "I called you both because I have come by some information that I can't quite believe. I need the both of you to confirm the validity of the transmission with Mary. I need to know if it is true or not so I can launch a few feelers myself."

Kimison and Rayburn looked at each other, they both remembered their commander's "feelers" from the war. One thing could be said though, they always got the job done if not a lot messy.

"Uh sure Sire but what's that got to do with the both of us?" Rayburn said as he and Kimison looked at each other again. "After all we're just your tech guys though," here they both smiled widely. "We are better than most."

Derrick was also smiling widely there was no denying that fact, "No this has to do with a certain half brother of yours Kimison." Derrick stated his face dropping all pretense of a smile.

"My half-brother? I thought that ass hole was dead, considering he tried to kill me and you several times." Kimison said as he looked at Rayburn.

"Yeah for a long time it as about the only thing we had in common, a real hate of that son of a bitch!" Rayburn spit out like a poisonous venom.

Derrick was nodding his head he remembered the animosity that had existed between the brother and Rayburn at the start of the war. Kimison's brother had tried to kill or injure both of them on numerous occasions. It had finally taken Derrick stepping in and having the man arrested for attempted murder. As Derrick remembered the brother had been sent to be rehabilitated, they'd lost all contact after that.

Sighing Derrick wasn't exactly sure how he'd take the news, "according to information we've received he is believed to be in control of the sect that is out to kill me."

"Ha! Yup sounds about like something the ass would be tied to do. Never did trust him always plotting and planning ways to get one up on me. After mom died the rift between us grew exponentially 'til I didn't even know him anymore. I think he blamed me for her death, funny but I always blamed him." Kimison said as sarcastically as he could. "I had actually hoped that he was dead after all this time, figures he's still alive and behind a lot of this. If I remember right he tried to get you once didn't he Sire?"

Derrick nodded he remembered it like it was yesterday they had been on maneuvers near the end of their third year. They had just secured a vital position when they had heard a call for an air strike on their position. They all would have nearly been killed had it not been for Derrick moving them early. He'd felt something was off and had then pulled back, after radioing in they pulled back over one ten thousand yards. Not even ten minutes later their previous position was pounded flat.

"So no word from him? Nothing of him boasting like he had when he escaped the last time?" Derrick asked.

"No sir not a single word except, the place they put him sent me papers that said he was no longer there and no further information was offered. That was the main reason I thought that the ass was dead." Kimison told Derrick.

Sighing Derrick nodded and picked up a few sheets of paper handing them to Kimison and Rayburn. At first they scanned the sheets then both started to growl. "You absolutely sure these are right?" Rayburn asked suddenly. "I really don't want to be looking over my shoulder all the damn time for this piss ant!"

"All reports we've received indicate he just took over leadership of the Taiolan a short time before they attacked abrir oculta." Derrick replied. "He obviously remembered about me and what's left of my family. I guess he thought he'd get all three of us through me."

Kimison finally spoke up a seething anger behind his words, "Personally as I said I was hoping the son of a bitch was dead." Looking up at Derrick Kimison's face twisted into a mask of rage. "I think we should do everything possible to make that a reality!"

"I'm working on that now as soon as I know it's..." A beeping at his wrist alerted Derrick to an incoming call. "Yes Shelby?"

"Just letting you know it's almost time. The new configuration of power feeds has done wonders to the re-gen cycles." Shelby advised Derrick.

"Alright Shelby I'll be right there." Turning back to Kimison and Rayburn Derrick stated, "I just thought I'd let you know at present you two are almost as hard to actually find as I am. Alright Shelby" With that Derrick was gone leaving both men to stare at each other. Both smiled yes they were hard to find, especially with Mary running interference.

Derrick moved to the command chair as soon as he was on board. "Alright Shelby let's hear."

"0667? I have the emperor here, he wishes to welcome you. Plus he has a few questions. Sire?" Shelby said at his prompting.

"Hello 0667, I am Derrick O'Toma." Derrick started.

"It is a great honor Sire." The male voice replied.

"As I told all EIG's I require all of you to go by the name that was given you. That being said please state yours." Derrick instructed the voice.

"Yes Sire for a very short time I was addressed as Marco. Not really sure why but that is what the crew called me." Marco told Derrick.

"Ah good! Then Marco you shall be, you will be a fine addition to the growing fleet." Derrick advised Marco.

"Thank you Sire I will do my best!" Marco replied.

"I have moved 0125 to bay 1 and have transferred 0403 into bay 2. Thank you Derrick," Shelby appeared a moment later. "It has been so long since I had this many of my children nearby." Shelby wanted so desperately to hold Derrick close and thank him. Touching her lips she remembered the tender kiss that they had shared. She'd give almost anything to feel it again.

Derrick could only stare at Shelby as she was gently touching her lips. Interesting Derrick thought had freeing up that much of the programs been a bad thing? This was the first time she hadn't heard his question to her. "Shelby? Has the others being in close proximity to you caused their re-gen cycles to start at a low level?" Derrick asked again.

This time Shelby heard Derrick and looked at all the brain boxes that had been and were still on board. Surprised she told Derrick, "Yes Derrick it appears that with all the upgrades we have made, their re-gens were already in progress when I move them to the bays. I have seen data to support the faster re-gen but nothing of this 'til now."

"I was hoping for something like this when I had you initiate that last upgrade." Derrick informed Shelby. "I am sorry I didn't inform you sooner but I didn't want you to be disappointed if it hadn't worked."

Smiling her sweetest smile Shelby moved to in front of Derrick, "Oh Derrick you could never be disappointing to me, ever." This last spoken in a whisper. "I also feel that 0125 will emerge in 2 - 3 days, I will call you as soon as possible."

"Thank you Shelby, for putting up with me all this time and all of my ... problems." Derrick told her, a faraway look in his eyes.

"For you Derrick always and they weren't really any trouble," Shelby replied almost the same look in her eyes.

Kimison was pacing the deck on board Tempro, he was seething, that the son of a bitch was still alive. Tempro and Mary were both somewhat worried, with Kimison like this there was a possibility that he wouldn't be able to continue the project. Rayburn too seemed to be distracted as well, Mary sighed with them like this they wouldn't be nearly as effective as they had been.

"Mary I have to know if he is alive, is there any way you can confirm or reject the data?" Kimison blurted out.

Mary had been expecting this for a while now and had prepared all she had for him. "Based on all the data we have received there is a seventy three point seven seventy five percent that he is your half-brother. As of this moment we still have no confirmation of all the data. We also have not..."

"Look Mary I really don't give a crap about all the chances or probabilities! Is he or isn't he that's all I want to know!" Kimison snapped at Mary.

"I cannot answer that at the present time corporal, I..." Mary started.

"I have to know damn it! I am sorry but 'til such time as I do I won't be able to concentrate on the project. Besides with the information we have gathered, Tempro should be able to start running tests to determine where we need to go next." Kimison told Mary hid arms crossed definitely across his chest.

"Sorry Mary but I'm with him, if that jerk is alive and in control of that sect he is far more dangerous to us. We have to help confirm it is him," snapping his fingers Rayburn pulled up several data streams. "Mary is this the analysis of the blood and tissue that were found in that capsule?"

Appearing next to Rayburn Mary confirmed that it was. Kimison's eyes lit up, "Mary take a blood and tissue sample from me." Kimison laid upon the table as Rayburn explained. "Though they are only half brothers, they have quite a few of the same genetic markers from their mother. She had a disease known as chronic sodium absorption, as I recall it was nasty and left definite genetic markers."

A new light seemed to come into Mary's eyes as she withdrew the samples needed and started her analysis of each. It was almost two hours later that Mary finally spoke up. "I have a detailed analysis of both yours and those found it the capsule. Both share almost half the exact same genetic markers that you spoke of. I am sorry to say it is a ninety five point three seventy five percent probability that you both are related."

"I knew it! I knew it! That moron was always too tough to get killed or just die! Damn it! We have to inform the emperor about this." Kimison told Mary.

"I will when he returns, it seems he has taken this time to visit the higher ranking Nobles." Mary informed them.

Derrick was about to go back planet side when Hartwell called. "Sire we've received word from Baron Talbert, I think it would be best in your present..." As he appeared in front of Derrick, Hartwell shook his head he'd done it a few times now and still wasn't used to it yet. " ... location. Damn still not used to that."

Derrick smiled then nodded he'd used it more than anyone and HE still wasn't used to it. "So did our friend the baron have much to say?

"Oh yes, though not as interesting as what he didn't say." Hartwell told Derrick.

Derrick nodded as Hartwell started the data disc. "I have been to the Duke's residence and enjoyed a rich repast. The Duke is very confident that the new emperor will soon shower him great favor. He has boasted that he has connections that the emperor will want to connect with soon, this in turn has caused a new bravado from the Duke. I miss you my dear Hart and hope to see you soon be well and remember you are missed." The Baron's voice was replaced with a soft static.

"So the son of a bitch is behind it!" Derrick growled. They had set up certain phrases to keep the Baron safe. Basically the Baron had been treated like crap, like he was far beneath the Duke, it seemed the Duke was expecting the emperor to be dead soon. It also appeared that the Duke was boasting about it in open chambers knowing that the lesser Nobles would say nothing in fear the Duke took action against them.

"What do you want to do about it? You know the word of a minor Noble won't hold up anywhere, not against a full on Duke. I know you have a growing force Sire, but even with them he still has an edge. You are going to need every ship you have to topple this one." Hartwell was telling Derrick.

"I know, you know I think we need to start that tour of the Nobles estates and territories. Mary we're going to go around to the different Nobles territories, I am taking a detachment of those in the palace." A moment later all those in the throne room started to appear around the bridge. "Good, thank you Mary, I'll keep a com open at all times to you." Derrick told Mary before he started to direct all the men to the hall ways and several of the rooms there.

"It has been a very long time since I have had this many people on board. It feels strange but wonderful at the same time." Shelby told him after she'd appeared and had started to also direct all of the men to the rooms.

"I was hoping you weren't offended Shelby I'm glad you weren't. Contact Ace, Conner, and Celeste we are all going, it isn't the force I want to have with me but I need Zan and Sherry to watch their brother while he finishes re-gen." Derrick said as he issued orders.

Shelby smiled and contacted all three ships a moment later a hologram of Thomas appeared. "We going to scare the crap out of those dandies?" He chuckled.

"No not yet," chuckled Derrick. "Though I do want them to know I'm not playing any more. Four ships I think just might make that pompous ass reconsider trying anything though."

"Anytime you're ready, I've got Conner all set to go, don't even have to aim!" Derrick started to laugh harder Thomas was fierce enough to look at but with a ship? He was down right scary as hell! Good thing he was on their side!

Chapter 27

Hartwell had all the men assembled in a huge room within Shelby, confused all of them had waited to see what was going on. A few minutes later Derrick stepped into the room and motioned to Hartwell to start.

"I know all of you are wondering why we are here, the emperor and I thought it would be most prudent for us to have this meeting. All of you are the first of those that graduated from the advance classes that were started two weeks ago. At present you are the best that the rangers have to offer for their emperor's personal guard. That being said we are going to the emperor's first official visit of the upper nobles." Hartwell looked at Derrick who nodded and stepped up to take over.

"Though I'm not expecting trouble, after this first visit, I will be expecting nothing but trouble. Of the five upper nobles we are visiting Duke Risen last." There were several gasps and more than a few wide smiles, they had all heard about the attack that Risen and his forces had tried to perpetuate on the emperor when he first appeared.

A young corporal raised his hand a moment later though a little tentative the man still asked his question. "Sire I know that those after us are receiving longer training than we had. Will we be afforded the chance to train and improve? I feel confident but not enough; I don't feel I am as good as I can get to protect you."

That was a preview of Lost Empire - Book Two. To read the rest purchase the book.

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