Expansion Fleet - Avalon Archive

"/You're/ the one who dropped the helmet," she shot back at him and rolled her eyes.

"My apologies, director, it was not within my power to do anything about it. And besides, major Embries appears to know more about this artifact, so we may be able to find out what it is with his help."

*Emrodel thinks out loudly.*

"I remember hearing stories of the Erendir homeworld.  If this crystal can recall old memories, I wonder how many others would remember with it and...."

*She notices that she is speaking her thoughts and immediately stops.*

"Enoch, if you tell us who the crystal belongs to, we might be able to find out where it came from.  It would mean a lot to us... I mean to the Erendir.  If it does truly belong to someone, I would not mention it outside of those of us who are here."

*Emrodel walks over to the corner.*

"Will you put that thing away.  They are only children!  They will not come out because you are scaring them.  Will you two please come out, I promise that no one will harm you.  We only want to ask you some questions."

*She holds her hand out to the shadows.  Waiting for one of the children to take her hand, so she can help them out of their hiding spot.*

*Enoch smiles and shakes his head.*
"This is some kind of trick, isn't it? Who set you up to this? Jarron, Hedford? Or Sanchez?"
*Suddenly he thinks that perhaps Sanchez had sent her to him, to check on him and see if he really keeps the crystal stone as save as he promised he would keep it.*
"Let me... let me put this ugly stone away first, if you don't mind."

*Embries glances at Emrodel in surprise.*
"It is not often that people have heard of my species before. The Erendir homeworld was cut off from the greater part of the universe by the Great Barrier, and therefore almost nobody knew about our existence. And when our homeworld was destroyed and our people killed, there was little of our existence left. Those species that do remember us, or heard of us, regard us little more then a legend."

*Avelsa looks past the woman who is staring at her, and she sees Svensson.*

"Why hello Svensson.  I did not expect to see you again, but here you are.  Would you mind telling me what you all are talking about, It sounds like something of great importance."

*Gives Svensson a BIG smile.*

*Enoch sees a fairly young, attractive Human woman standing in the doorway of his shop.*

"Oh, pardon me.  I did not mean to jump to conclusions.  I am a new comer here, it is my first time to be in this sector of space.  I don't know if you could help me or not.... But I would like to see what your wares are, if I may? "

*Emrodel notices the man holding something that is covered with a blanket.  She walks further into the shop.*

"What is that, if you don't mind me asking?  Could I look at it?"

*Emrodel holds out an inquisitive hand towards the object.*

"I see, I see... Well, in that case, you leave me no choice..."
*He leads her in the direction of the stone.*
"As you can see, I have made sure to keep it safe here in my store. Mr. Svensson, I would like you to meet a customer of mine, she claims to own the crystal stone."

*Embries notices Emrodel. For a moment, he feels a strange sensation, one he can't quite place. For a moment, he had expected to see some other face, but then all he sees is a human face. He quickly turns back to Enoch.*
"Mr. Enoch, I asked you a question! Where did you get that?"

OFF: continued from the Flag Admiral's Office in Ops forum.

*Vorak and Kha'Var enter the Promenade section of Avalon Station, and arrive at the entrance of the Camelot Medieval Store. However, the store is closed. The door is locked, the lights inside are out, and there appears to be no activity whatsoever.*
"Most unusual. It appears that Enoch is not in his store. However, I believe that the most logical place to visit next to find him, would be Celtic Corner. Please follow me, it is nearby."

*Embries takes a few deep breaths, and drinks from the glass of water, as he is slowly coming back to his senses.*
"I... I'm not sure... The crystal triggered memories I had forgotten about entirely. Of long ago... I... I..."
*He shakes his head, trying to compose himself. He leans back in the chair, finally able to relax after some minutes, and empties the glass of water.*
"There are some things you should know about me. You have probably never seen anyone of my species, the Erendir before, nor will you ever again either, and there is a reason for that. I am about 2000 years old... Can't tell exactly, I lost count around 700. When I was but a small child, my homeworld was utterly destroyed, my people extinct. I believe I am the only survivor of my kind. But even I had forgotten the horror that took place on my homeworld... I was but a small child, unable to comprehend what was going on, and my mind suppressed the memories of the terror that took place, because at that age I wouldn't have been able to cope with it yet. All these centuries, the memory was asleep in my mind, until this crystal stone awoke it."
*He looks up at Enoch.*
"That is why it is so important for me to know, where you found this stone. My homeworld was located near the Galaxy Core, beyond the Great Barrier, and this artifact likely dates from the time my planet was destroyed, and from around the same area. I'm not sure why I feel it is so, there are still many memories too vague, but I am convinced that I speak truth."

"My.... my name is Enoch."
*He looks at her in confusion, and it takes a few moments for him to realise that she had taken the blanket away from the crystal.*
"WHAT! Don't..."
*He jumps toward the crystal, attempting to grab the blanket again. At that moment, the crystal begins to light up, and various colorful rays  shine in all directions.*

*Svensson looks Embries deep in the eyes, before considering his decision.*
"Very well. I think you are an honest man. Computer, release locking systems and forcefields."
Computer: "Locking systems and forcefields released."
*He eyes Embries, to see if the man is about to contact any of the admirals, but he does not. Then he turns his gaze to Enoch, Emrodel and Vorlok.*
"Very well. It seems that we will have to work together on this one."

OFF: Continues in Celtic Corner

*Svensson tries to hear what Enoch and Zayan are talking about, but he's standing too far away.*
"Something's wrong, I can feel it. If only I could hear what they were saying."

"Celtic Corner... I should have been able to guess it."
*Sanchez sighs and shakes his head.*
"He practically lives in that bar. I remember when I was stationed on Deep Space, there was this Morn guy always sitting at Quark's Bar too. But Enoch might as well open his store right into that bar! Oh well, thank you, Hermes. Tell him I'm waiting for him here, and that I don't have much time."

"As a matter of fact, I did not see that boy leave the shop.  You know Enoch, the one that was playing with the crystal earlier.  I wonder where he went off to."

*It is not the familiar voice of the station's computer, but the friendly and warm voice of Hermes, that responds.*
"Greetings and welcome to the station, captain. I can tell you that Enoch is currently in the establishment called Celtic Corner. Do you wish me to alert him of the fact  that a costumer is waiting at his office? He asked me to let him know any time there is a costumer, so he would not have to keep the store open the entire day."

"I would very much like to find out where the artifact was retrieved, indeed. Maybe more artifacts of my homeworld can be found there. And in return, I can help you with investigating the crystal."

*Enoch turns off his computer terminal, and glances over at the box again, behind the counter.*
"The gods are smiling upon us, today. Well, I better get going to the Klingon Restaurant, before Kha'Var decides to send her Targh pet to fetch me."
*He opens the door, and leaves his store, making sure it is locked behind him, and heads for the Klingon Restaurant.*

"Well, I may need your help and intelligence expertise, to identify a particular... artefact. Captain Sanchez of the Evolution has trusted the object in my care for now, and I am to find out what it is and where it comes from. All the inside information I know, I know from you, and your information has never proven to be false. As it is, people are beginning to think I'm a mind reader or some sort of wizard with magical powers. But now, I need your expertise once again, in finding out all information available on this object. Wait, let me transmit some images to you."
*He taps a few buttons to transmit the pictures he had taken just before.*

"Surely you can stall time, somehow. Tell him that you're well on your way finding information about it, but you need more time. Any excuse will do to get him off your tail. I'm sure you can come up with some good excuse, you've always been a good talker."

*Enoch walks around the crystal, looking at it from all different angles.*
"Hmmm... not at this moment. I'll have to analyze this object, and see if I can find anything consistent, or at least somehow similar, in my archeological and artefact databases. It may take me a few days, or weeks, depending on how fast I can find something. I may have to request file transfers from Earth to research additional information, and you know how long it takes for transmissions from the Alpha Quadrant to reach us, with that Expansion Nebula blocking communication signals."

"I... I... got that from... nowhere. And it isn't for sale! So if you would all please clear this area, so I can close for lunch break and get myself a Guinness!"

"I also detect a strong residue of the Z.D.Y particle, of which very little is known in the scientific databases."

*Sanchez sighs deeply.*
"Thank you. Let's hope he didn't just order a new pint of Kilkenny, or I'll be having grey hair and be retired by the time he makes his arrival."

*Emrodel looks at Embries to see if he suspects anything about her.  Just as the woman named as general Zayan is answering the question of the hour, another person enters.*

"Designed? You mean... this crystal is not a natural occurance, but actually man-made?"

*Svensson looks up when he hears the name Zentox.*
"General Zentox... He was an important man among the Loxian rebels, was he not? I have carefully studied the log files of the U.S.S. Skytoucher upong their meeting with that man. I have also heard of his death... my condolences, general Zayan. But maybe his knowledge may not have died with him, about the crystal stone. Is there any way to retrieve the information regarding where he obtained the artifact from? He may have kept personal log files of some sort, in where he mentioned the crystal."

*Enoch nods.*
"I figured as much. But what if captain Sanchez returns to get it back? He told me I could only borrow it for a few weeks, until I had determined what it was.

OFF: Also check Intel board, Lyonesse base, Deputy Director's Office.

*The face of a man appears on Enoch's viewscreen.*
"Mr. Enoch, what a surprise. It has been some time
since we spoke."

"I guess you're right. I have no reason to distrust you now. Just promise me you'll let me know, as soon as you find out anything at all. Well, I better be heading to the admiral's office now. Thanks, Enoch, and we will talk again soon."
*Sanchez rushes out of the store.*

"Bah, children! We need to find that crystal!"
*He takes another tricorder, of an unusual but yet Starfleet design, and begins scanning the room as well. When he holds it toward the counter, the tricorder begins to beep.*
"Wherever the crystal stone is, it's still in this room, and somewhere near that counter."

*Sanchez walks in, looking in all directions to make sure nobody is looking, and places the box in the counter of the store.*
"I hope you can help me with this, you're my best hope. I need to find out the origins of the artefact inside this box. But until it is known what it is, it needs to remain secret. It's not my own artefact, and I promised to return it as soon as possible."
*He opens the box, and reveals the magnificent crystal inside.*

"Well, it's the best I can offer you. I doubt that anyone else in the quadrant can get you the information any faster, though. If you want to take it with you again now, be my guest, but I won't be able to run the necessary analysis to research the information I'm looking for. To be honest, captain, I'm hoping you could leave it in my care for a little while, it is rarely I get opportunities to study artefacts like this. Whatever it may be, I feel it is of great value somehow, and I will definitely treat it as such."
*He pats Sanchez on the shoulder.*
"Your artefact is safe with me. You go to the admiral before he gets angry, and you'll hear from me again in some days or weeks."

"On Vontak Nor, hmm? I see... I see... I believe that's where the Evolution was headed to last, as well."
*He looks up at the others, who are succeeding to get the two children to reveal themselves.*
"Ah, good. I think it's time to go to Vontak Nor. Let the children out of the store, we have no use for them. Computer, unlock entrance door."
Computer: "Entrance door unlocked."
*The door slides open and Svensson waves his hand in its direction, by manner of showing the children out.*
"Well? What are you waiting for? This is no playground! Go! Go!"
*Vorlok and Sarnae quickly hurry through the door, but as soon as they are behind the corner and well out of sight, they hide to see what happens next inside Enoch's store. Svensson, unaware like everyone else about the children still being nearby and watching them, he turns back to Enoch, Embries, Zayan, Avelsa and Emrodel.*
"Time to go, people. Svensson to Phoenix, beam everyone in this room up to the ship, together with the crystal stone."
*After a moment, everyone inside Enoch's quarters begin to dematerialize, as does the crystal stone. But at the last moment, Vorlok and Sarnae see what is happening, and rush back into the store without anyone noticing them, getting caught in the transporter beam as well, and they dematerialize too... After a few seconds, the store is left entirely empty...*

me quiet? your the one making the racket.

*Emrodel senses someone looking at the group in the shop.  She turns around and sees a newcomer entering the shop.  Emrodel whispers a warning to everyone, and she also sends the warning mentally without thinking about it.*

"Shhhh!  Some one is coming in!  We should not talk about the 'you know what'.  I advise that we act like traders who wish to sell or buy a good bargain."

*looks at the strange lady*

Sarnae wanders around the base curiously. She walks into the markets, after following some officers, and reaches what seems to be a store. She strolls in quietly and begins to look around.

"ooooh, swords" she says to herself as she reaches to grab one.. but it slips out of her hands and falls with a clatter on the floor. She quickly ducks down, hoping that no-one had heard the noise.

"Well... I suppose I could ask the person who gave me this crystal for safekeeping, where he  got it from, but I believe he didn't own it either, someone else gave it to him. Who, I don't know."

*Embries grabs the blanket, stopping Enoch from putting it over the crystal. To Enoch's surprise, the old Erendir man turns out to be physically stronger then he appears.*
"Not so fast, Mr. Enoch. This may be private property, but station policy clearly dictates that dubious items may be investigated to see if there is any danger for its surroundings."
*He glares at Enoch with a penetrating gaze. Enoch stares at Embries, trying to say something and resist, but he doesn't seem to find any words, and obediently steps aside... almost as if Embries was able to push him away without touching him. Then, the old man stands before the crystal stone, and puts his hands on it.*
"None of you have any idea how old this artifact is. It is ancient, from a time so long ago that even I can barely remember it. But maybe the memory of the artifact can tell me more."
*Embries closes his eyes, and begins to concentrate deeply. For moments, the shop is quiet. Enoch, Emrodel and Vorlok watch Embries standing in front of the stone, and say no word as if they aren't able to. *
"I... I can't... the stone won't tell me..."
*Suddenly, a blinding flash appears before Embries' closed eyes.*
"What... where am I?"
*Embries finds himself standing between two large buildings. Smoke is rising in the sky from behind them, and there is fire everywhere. He feels that it is becoming harder to breath, as smoke fills the air. The ground trembles, and he falls on his hands and knees. He suddenly notices his hands... they are not old and wrinkled, but small and childlike. Loud sirens blaze from all directions, and the sky grows darker. He looks up and notices a wall before him. He grabs it, to lift himself up again, and faces a window. The glass mirrors his face, but it is not the old face with the long white beard, but the face of a child, of but a few years old. Fear overtakes him, and he begins to panic.*
"No... no... help me! Someone help me!"
*He turns around and looks at the sky. A dark cloud seems to spread out and descend from the sky. Lightnings hit the higher buildings, and simply crumble them into pieces. The ground shakes again, and many others are running past him. People like him, old and young, flee in every direction they can. Suddenly, a hand grabs his arm and drags him with it. When he looks to see who grabbed him, he sees a middle-aged Erendir male, his face vaguely familiar. The man looks at him with a stern face. When he speaks, his voice appears familiar.*
"There isn't any time, we must go now!"
"But I don't want to go! I don't want to leave home!"
"I said we must go now! Soon our home will be obliterated!"
*Embries starts running along with the older man, and notices a large entrance gate of a ship. The ship is already powering up its engines, ready to disembark. The man drags Embries along the crowd into the ship.*
"I don't want to go! I don't..."
*He is pushed deeper into the crowd, and can't see anything any more. Everyone is much taller than a small child like him, and he has no idea of what is going on. All he knows is that he is now aboard the ship. Suddenly, he feels the floor of the ship trembling, and the gate close down. The ship is departing and lifting up from the ground. Embries makes his way to a window, and sees how the ship slowly ascends above a large city. Below the ship, the ground seems to break into pieces, falling down into a dark depth, taking all buildings, roads, trees and unfortunate people with it. In front of him, he sees the dark cloud, sometimes appearing in familiar shapes, as it comes closer and seems to attach itself to the ground, breaking it apart in the process.*
"The Na'jigat..."
*Another flash blinds Erendir, and he opens his eyes again widely in shock, as he loses his balance and almost falls on the ground. Enoch manages to catch him only just in time.*

*Embries takes a deep breath.*
"Humans... Well, they are definitely talking about an object that appears to be of great importance to the woman. Apparently Enoch is borrowing it from her. If you ask me, they're talking about the crystal, and she's the one who owns it."
*Embries smiles at Svensson.*
"Yes, Erendir have superior hearing capacities as well."

*On the Promenade, Embries was returning from ops, after having recalibrated the sensors, and was now on his way back to the science department, when he suddenly noticed unusual lights coming from behind the corner. Other people, of all different kind of species, that were walking on the Promenade, seemed to notice it too, and stared at the direction of one of the shops as they walked by.*
"What is going on there?"
*Embries suddenly feels a strange sensation. A sensation of recognition and memory. He had seen something like it before, long ago, but the memory was vague. Immediately, he takes his tricorder out of his pocket and flips it open, scanning in the direction of the lights.*
"Z.D.Y photonic particles... it has been so long since I have detected any of those, that I forgot about their existence."
*Determined to find out more, he closes his tricorder and heads toward the source of the light, only to find himself standing at the entrance of the Camelot Medieval Store. Soon he sees the source that emits those colorful rays... a crystal stone standing on Enoch's counter.*
"Mr. Enoch, where did you find that crystal?"

*Enoch suddenly notices what Vorlok is doing, and that the ball may hit the crystal and drop it on the floor again.*
"Stop! Stop that!"
*He jumps protectively in front of the covered stone.*

"A joke?  Who are you..."

*Emrodel's question is interrupted by the child's actions.  When the young boy hides behind her, she pointedly looks at him.*

"You know something little one?  I know you did not mean to break that vase.  Even so it would only be right to give the 'frightening' man an apology.  It is at the least an honourable thing to do, wouldn't you agree sir?"

*Emrodel looks back at the shop owner, who curiously enough is protectively standing in font of the 'ugly stone'.*

*crawls into a very tiny space that is "very" hard to see and drags sarnae into it as well.

Sit down, shutup and keep quiet or we'll both be caught.

*melts behind  a shelf and watches the proceedings with some interest.

crystal what crystal?

*Embries sighs.*
"I'm not sure why it works for me and not for you... perhaps the crystal was designed to respond to certain people, or certain species only. I vaguely remember something about that."

"Well, I could check his personal logs.  We were able to salvage some of the logs from the old asteroid community.  They might mention something about the crystal stone, but they are all back on Vontak Nor."

*Zayan walks over to the counter.*

"If your readings indicate that the crystal is some where near this counter, I suggest that we start looking for it.  You start searching this side and I will start searching the other side."

*She walks behind the counter and goes to the far side and begins looking behind and under the counter.*

"Not much yet, director. But it is likely a very ancient stone, from the time that the homeworld of Mr. Embries was destroyed by some powerful force. And when Mr. Embries touched the crystal, it seemed to make him remember things of his childhood that he had long forgotten or suppressed."

*tosses a very tiny ball up and down near some very delicate crystal*

*throws the ball in the air in shock after seeing enoch get mad*

*SMASH* goes a vase.

*shoots behind the mysterious woman visitor*

Scary man, very scary.

While the rest of hte group is talking and debating the crystal *Vorlok decides thats it's probobly wiser to move the source of the arguement*  *sneaks out and picks it up from behind the group (who have their backs turned) and puts it safetly behind the counter and darts back to his hiding hole) (Before Sarnae arrives).

(After SArnae)
*Bursts out laughing and drops hte helment he was holding* CRASH!!!  *startles sarnae, who's standing realtivly close to his hiding spot.

*Svensson notices the alarming look on the face of Embries, and slowly tries to move closer to the crystal, trying to reach the nearby blanket so he can cover the stone again without anyone noticing.*

"Are you sure it's safe here? I promised the Loxian woman I'd return it to her, and I don't want to tell her we lost it."

*opens the door very quietly and overhears the last few words?

little known parti thingy? oooo *reaches out a hand to touch the glowing crystal. what is it.

"You may file any protest you like, Mr. Embries, but you'll see it will do little good. I work above Starfleet regulations, and besides my name, that's all you need to know about me. I am Svensson, Peter Svensson. And if we are to determine what this artefact is, I suggest we all work together indeed, is that clear? So, Mr. Enoch, what have you found out so far?"

*Emrodel is concentrating on Enoch and the woman he is speaking with.  Using her mental powers she is able to gather a little more information.*

"Not exactly old one.  There were a few others involved with the crystal being here.  She should be questioned for details on where she gained possession of it."

*Embries is able to faintly sense the energy that Emrodel is using.  However, she is careful to protect herself from his mental probing.*

*Enoch rolls his eyes and sighs.*
"If I had known this, I'd never have accepted to 'guard' that crystal! Computer, lock all exits. Nobody's leaving until we find the crystal!"
Computer: "All exits of this room are locked."
"Good. Computer, scan this room for any Klingon lifesigns."
Computer: "There are two Klingon lifesigns in this room."
"TWO?"
*He starts looking around.*

"Ahh, good thinking, ma'am."
*He walks up to Zayan.*
"Welcome to Camelot Medieval Store. How can I be of help? Looking for something in particular, or maybe you haven't decided yet? Feel free to look around, and maybe you'll find something you never knew you wanted!"

"Hide? Me?"
*Enoch looks around in confusion, then puts his hand on his chest as if he just discovered himself standing there.*
"Oh, no... no, no no... not at all! I just covered this stone because it's so ugly, I don't even want it to be seen in my store. It would compromise my good name as merchant of quality products. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?"
*Enoch smiles innocently.*

*Enoch quickly hurries to Avelsa, in an attempt to distract her attention from the conversation at hand.*
"Welcome, ma'am, into my store. Is there anything I can help you with? Remember, if we don't have it, surely we can find someone who does!"

*Zayan exits the turbolift.  She follows the directions given by the computer.  Zayan approaches a shop with a LARGE sign written in an old medieval style.  It reads, 'CAMELOT MEDIEVAL STORE'.  She sees that the doors of the shop are closed, but there are several people inside talking in a group.  Not one to wait long for answers, Zayan walks through the doors.*

"Excuse me, I assume this shop is open.  I am looking for a person by the name Enoch, is he here?"

Mr enoch sir *while gentling bouncing the tiny ball again* Vorak said I had to stay here .   So you can't close the shop and leave me for here coz I might get into mischief. *gives a slight mocking smile* sorry to spoil your lunch date

*Enoch helps Embries toward a chair, and gets him a glass of water from the nearby replicator.*
"What happened? Are you feeling unwell? Did the stone do anything to you?"

*Enoch returns to his store, and reopens it. Turning on the lights, he makes sure that everything is clean. Then, at last, his attention turns back to the crystal. He takes it out of the box, and carefully puts it on the counter, as he begins examining it.*
"Hermes, scan the crystal artefact for recognisable particles."

(Edited by Enoch at 10:43 pm on Oct. 15, 2004)

*stands there wide eyed*

Sarnae jumps at the sound of a crash. She peers behind her and sees a boy staring back at her. She blinks and ducks behind a table to move over to him.

"Shhhh!" she grrrrs at him "keep quiet".

"Allow me..."
*He flips open his tricorder and begins to scan the room.*
"This will be faster."
*Suddenly, the tricorder beeps when Embries holds it in a certain direction, near a dark corner with piles of boxes.*
"I think I found them..."
*He glimpes over the pile of boxes, and sees a slight movement as Vorlok and Sarnae attempt to crawl away further to avoid being seen.*
"All right, come out of there... both of you. No need to pretend you're not here, I've seen you."

"You're welcome, and I promise to contact you."
*Enoch raises his voice to answer Sanchez, while the captain was already walking out the store. He smiles as he sees Sanchez disappear in the crowd on the promenade, and then turns his gaze back to the box on his counter.*
"Computer, dim lights and lock door."
Computer: "Acknowledged."
*Carefully, Enoch opens the box again and unwraps the crystal, confident that nobody would notice him now that he had dimmed the lights. But to his surprise, rays of colorful light beamed off the crystal, illuminating half his store.*
"What in the name of the gods... is THAT?"
*Quickly, he grabs a holocamera and takes some pictures of the stone, from all different angles.*
"This is definitely going to interest someone..."
*He puts the camera next to his computer console, and begins wrapping up the stone once more.*
"Computer, download new images into the computer terminal."
Computer: "Working... Download complete."
*After putting the stone in the box, and placing the box safe behind the counter, out of sight, he turns to his computer terminal and switches it on.*
"Establish a secure link, Enoch Alpha Secunda 41 Beta."
Computer: "Working, stand by."

*Enoch's eyes widen as he sees the crystal, as Sanchez opens the box. For a moment, he is speechless.*
"I... I have never seen anything like this before. Magnificent! Where did you find this?"

"Is that so?"
*He glances at Embries and then at the stone again.*
"Very interesting indeed. Well, let's find out what memories the stone will make me remember, then."
*He stands in front of the crystal, puts his hands on it slowly, and closes his eyes. He stands there for some long, silent moments, as everyone in the room stares at him in anticipation. After a few minutes, he takes his hands away and turns back to Embries.*
"Nothing! I'm remembering nothing! Absolutely nothing is happening when I touch the crystal!"

"The crystal consists of bilitrium, a powerful source of energy that can be hooked up to an anti-matter converter. I also trace rubindium, and the toxic tricyanate, naturally occurring on some planets, used in some industrial applications, but ingestion and inhalation of tricyanate both result in hypoxia and ischemia via competitive inhibition of hemoglobin in the bloodstream, and-"

*Enoch shakes his head, utterly confused.*
"I've never had so many customers  in my ship in the entire past year! Especially ones that don't buy anything!"
*He turns to Vorlok.*
"Vorak said you had to stay... here? That's strange. But oh well, he's the boss."
*Then he turns to Emrodel.*
"I don't recall asking you for a date, and there isn't much to tell about that stone anyway. As it seems, my shop just got busy, so maybe another time. Or was there anything you wish to purchase at my store?"
*Then he turns back to the crystal and is about to cover it with the blanket again.*
"Mr. Embries, this stone is private property, and I can't give you any information about it. So if you don't have anything in mind you'd like to purchase, then I'm sure you can see I still have my hands full with the other customers, thank you."

"Ah, here it is! I found it!"
*Svensson picks up the crystal stone and puts it back on the counter.*
"We will have to be more careful not to let this artifact out of our sight."
*He glances over to the other side of the store, where the others are apparently still trying to get the two hiding children to crawl out of their hiding place. Then he looks back at Zayan.*
"General Zayan, I may be able to find out what this crystal stone is all about. It is difficult to explain, but I have access to certain... secret channels, let's say. More so then captain Sanchez ever will. But in order to find out more about this stone, I need to know everything you know about it. For example, where did you get it from?"

*while enoch gets distracted, Vorlok picks up the crystal*

Ooooooo it's pretty *startles enoch*.

Why's it glow? *enoch jumps back and frightens Vorlok* *Vorlok drops hte cyrstal*

Time seems to freeze while both enoch and Vorlok watch the crystal head for the hard floor (enoch expecting it to crash and shatter) BANG the crystal hits the floor and remains solid.

Enoch:What on ...

Vorlok:coooool.

*Avelsa, with phaser drawn approaches the corner where Embries located the spies.*

"Come out and show yourselves, or I will come in there shooting.  Even though I don't want to, I will if I have to."

*Zayan follows Enoch to the group a bit confused.  She looks at the man who questioned her about the crystal.*

"How do you know I gave it to captain Sanchez?  You seem to know quite a lot about my activities and me.  For one who knows so much, I would think that you would know that I did not find the crystal.  I inherited it from...."

*Zayan turns around at a noise and looks straight at a person who looked up from some device at the same moment.*

*Enoch safely wraps the crystal in a tower, and puts it back in the box.*
"You should know me well enough, that you can trust me on this. You have my word. Now, didn't you say you were late for a meeting with admiral Montrell?"

*Embries notices that the crystal stone is still laying openly on the counter, for everyone to see. He gives an alarming look at Svensson, who is standing closer to the counter.*

*Emrodel withdraws her hand.*

"If it is such a worthless stone, then why have it covered?  If I knew you better than what I do, I would think that you might be hiding something."

*She thinks to herself: This is a very unusual man.  He is strange, yet intriguing.  I find that I am curious about him, maybe I should stay close and observe.  It feels as though something important will occur in his presence.*

*Emrodel smiles and shakes her head in disbelief.  She decides it is best to drop the issue about the 'ugly stone'.*

"I was just thinking, a girl like myself could get into a lot of trouble.  Being new here, I could use a guide.  You look like your trying to be an honest man, would you be willing to take the job?  I'll even let you name your price."

*Emrodel lifts up an inquiring eyebrow.*

"Well, will you take me up on my offer or not?"

"I am sorry to hear about your homeworld, it must have been horrible. But maybe we can be of help for each other, when this crystal is concerned. You see, it is not mine. A... friend... gave it into my care with the intention to find out what it is, and where it comes from. I have no idea where he got it from, but if you can perhaps help me figure out more about this crystal, then maybe I can help you figure out where it was found. What do you say?"
*He looks from Embries to Emrodel and Vorlok.*
"And naturally, what is being discussed here now, must remain within these walls. Nobody else is to know about the crystal!"

*Enoch smiles.*
"The customers in Celtic Corner tend to agree with you, director. Thank you for your help, and I will await further instructions from you."

OFF: This story now continues aboard the U.S.S. Phoenix. Everyone register ont he Intell division board, and post in the U.S.S. Phoenix forum. The idea is that Vorlok and Sarnae manage to remain unseen on board that ship, and find a place to hide on there.

...

*Zayan was about to answer Svensson, when she heard a crash.*

"What was that?!  Is someone else in here?  What do you mean it is gone!  It cannot possibly have grown legs and walk away!"

*Enoch smiles as he leans back.*
"Director Svensson, old friend. How are things at the new asteroid base? Didn't get too accostumed to the chair behind your desk yet?"

"And who may you be, Mr. intruder, to lock us in without warning or even a valid reason? What you are doing here, is against every Starfleet regulation! When we get out of here again, I will not hesitate to file a protest against your actions!"

"No such thing will be done without my consent!"
*Svensson, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, steps into the store.*
"Computer, initiate Svensson-512-Alpha."
Computer: "Acknowledged. All systems are locked."
"Good."
*Svensson turns back to Enoch, Embries, Emrodel and Vorlok, his eyes throwing a quick glance at the crystal.*
"I have used a security override code. All entrances and exits to this room are locked, a transport inhibition field has surrounded it to avoid beam-outs, all communications except my commbadge are blocked as well, and no devices that can record what is said and done here, can be activated. So, you will now all do as I say."
*Then he wanders over to the crystal stone, and stares at it.*
"So this is what all the fuss is about. Did I not tell you, Mr. Enoch, to keep this artifact in a safe place where nobody could see it? Yet, it is publicly displayed in front of a woman, a child and a Starfleet officer!"

*Enoch smiles at Vorlok.*
"Good, you're a smart kid."

"Ehh... umm... Ah, you mean... that..."
*Enoch glances over at Svensson and Embries carefully. He knows that Zayan must be the person who had given the crystal to Sanchez, but he can't just give it to her without Svensson and Embries noticing. Nor would they likely let the crystal stone fall in the hands of anyone else but themselves.*
"Well, if you could come back at a later time, perhaps... Then I can properly return to you your... treasure."

*For the first time on her long and lonely search, Emrodel arrives at Avalon Station.  Eager to be off the transport ship, Emrodel walks around the civilian section of the station.  She is about to walk past an odd shop called the Camelot Medieval Store.  Emrodel senses something of great importance is about to occur inside.  Knowing to trust these urges, she enters the store.  Looking around, Emrodel's eye is caught by a man carefully examining a crystal.  The sight of the crystal tugs at a very feint, mist shrouded memory.  After examining the crystal, she wonders why the man is scolding the young child.*

"Why are you being so harsh with the boy?  I am surprised that they even allow such a person to trade or deal with one so young as he is!"

"Keep to the point, Hermes. Any other elements you can scan?"

*The images appear one by one on Svensson's screen. He frowns as he looks at them, and slightly nods.*
"Interesting, very interesting indeed. Good work getting your hands on that thing, Enoch. I'm not sure myself what it is, but it looks somewhat familiar. I may have seen a picture of it once, in a secure archived file. I will have to go through the secured and intelligence files,  to see if I can come up with something. In the meantime, keep it safe and out of sight, until I contact you again."

*Enoch doesn't move away from the crystal stone, and offers an innocent smile.*

*Moments later, Enoch strides through the Promenade toward his store, where he sees Sanchez waiting for him.*
"Captain Sanchez, what an honour to have you at my store. Let me open the door."
*He quickly unlocks the door and turns on the lights in the store.*
"Come in, come in. Have a look around, you may find something you never knew you wanted! So, how can I help you, captain?"

"Several... days or weeks... I was hoping to have an answer sooner than that. I am already running late for my meeting with admiral Montrell... No doubt I will be getting a new assignment and be heading out into space again today still."

"NO! Don't-"
*He jumped to catch the falling crystal, but it is too late, and the artefact falls on the floor.*
"Nooo!!!! I said look around, not drop things!"
*He gives an angry look at Vorlok, and tends to the crystal.*
"Sanchez will kill me, for damaging the crystal... I'm sure it's broken now... Oh dear gods, how am I going to fix this?"
*He picks up the crystal, and looks at it from all angles, to determine where the damage is. But he can't seem to find it.*
"Where is the damage? The ruptures, the scratches? I can't find any... That's impossible, after dropping this hard, there has to be some damage..."
*He turns it over in all angles again.*
"There's nothing, not even the smallest scratch. This is incredible!"
*Then he notices Vorlok staring at him.*
"But that doesn't mean you should drop it a second time!"

*Enoch looks up in surprise when he hears a female voice behind him. Quickly, he takes a blanket and throws it over the crystal.*
"This child is not here to trade, ma'am, he just came in to have a look around, and dropped something of importance. That's all. Anything I can help you with?"

"Oh... Eh, you again. Well, I'm rather... preoccupied right now, but nothing important, really. So if you'll excuse me..."
*He turns to Zayan.*
"General Zayan, there is very little that I do NOT know. So you were saying that you inherited the crystal stone from someone? And why did you give it to captain Sanchez in the first place?"

*Emrodel turns around at the sound of the new voice.  To her surprise and disbelief she sees an Erendir.  This Erendir is one of the oldest ones Emrodel has seen, and the first in several years.  She quickly hides her facial expression, hoping that he would think the sight of the crystal brought it on.  As a second thought, Emrodel puts up a mental shield, to prevent the Erendir from exposing her true nature.  She thinks: 'I have finally found one of the lost elders.  I should find out more about him before I speak with him in private.  How odd, he is strongly attracted to the crystal. He must have been living with these people for some time as his thoughts are not well guarded.  For one of his age, I would have thought that he would know better!'*

"Very good. Enoch, it was good hearing from you again. You may not be a Starfleet officer, or a Section 31 agent agent, but you're doing worth the work of three official agents, out there at Avalon Station. Keep your eyes and ears open as always, you have no idea how much your information has been of help, for me to perform my job as Section 31 director. If you ever decide to enter Section 31 as an agent, I will give Director Sloan a letter of recommendation."
*His computer terminal gives a small beep.*
"Well, we need to end this transmission, before Avalon Station detects the secure channel we're using. We will talk again soon. Svensson out."
*The screen goes black.*

*Embries suddenly notices that the crystal is no longer on the counter, and moves closer to Svensson and Enoch.*
"Where... is it?"

*Emrodel looks from the shop owner to the boy and back.  She then addresses the boy as she walks closer to man with each word.*

"You do know something, don't you, young one.  You just did not know how exactly to tell me."

*Emrodel is standing very close to the shopkeeper.  She addresses the man in a seductive tone, as she leans closer.  Emrodel is so close that he can feel her breath.*

"You are a very interesting man, a little strange though.  But I love strange and interesting men, I don't know why I am strongly attracted to you... What did you say your name was again?"

*Having utterly distracted the man, She quickly reaches behind him and pulls the blanket off the 'ugly stone'.  The room instantly fills with the coloured light emanating from the stone.  It looks faintly familiar to Emrodel, but she can't quite recall why.*

"Don't you worry, Enoch, you can't tame an old beast any more. But I don't think you contacted me through this secure signal, just to find out how I'm doing. What news do you have?"

*Sanchez frowns.*
"You mean you don't know what it is either? I have no clue where it's from. I borrowed it from a Loxian woman, and I don't know where she got it from. Is there anything you can do to find out what it is supposed to be?"

*Zayan looks at Enoch seriously.*

"I am afraid that will not be possible.  I am only here for a short time and will need to head back to Vontak Nor soon.  I cannot guaranty when I will be able to return.  Besides it is rightfully my property and I was given a guaranty that my ownership of it would not be challenged.  I want it returned to me immediately!"

*Enoch can clearly see that Zayan is angered.*

*Avelsa turns at the sound of a crash and pulls out a phaser.*

"Did I hear someone say that something is missing?  If so, I think we have a thief hiding in here."

*A few moments later, Hermes addresses Sanches again.*
"Captain Sanchez, Mr. Enoch has informed me that he is on his way to you now. Please stand by for his arrival."

"I am inclined to agree with the risks involved, Mr. Svensson, if it were not for the case that you are keeping me hostage in this shop. Release the locking systems, and we will talk. If you do, I will say no word about it to anyone else, you have my word. And the word of an Erendir has a legendary reputation too."

*Sanchez materialises in the Promenade section of the station, not far from the Camelot medieval store. He had set the coordinates to this location on purpose, so he would not be seen by too many people. Holding close to him a small box, he hurries to the Camelot store, only to find it closed.*
"Oh no, not closed! Enoch, where are you?"
*He sees a small note on the door, and moves closer to read it. It says 'Be right back.' but Sanchez knows better than to wait for Enoch to be 'right back'.*
"Computer, locate Enoch."

"If that is the case, this crystal could have been built to be a powerful weapon. In that case, we can all be in serious danger. Until we know more about it, nobody else may know about its existence. The enemies of the Federation may know of it too, and be looking for it. We can't risk to get a powerful weapon fall in the hands of the Borg or the Dominion. Do we all agree?"

*Zayan glances suspiciously at the group, from which the man called Enoch comes from.  She gently, yet firmly pulls Enoch aside.  Hoping to be out of earshot of the other onlookers, Zayan whispers to Enoch.*

"A friend of mine told me that if I could not find him, that you would be holding what I came for.  I have not heard from my friend in some time now.  He was to inform me of his findings on my treasured belonging.  Could you please return it to me, promptly along with any valuable information you might have.  Oh, and do so with great discretion- It could mean the salvation of my people."

*Once more Zayan glances untrustingly in the direction of the group of people.*

"Ah, at last!"
*He gives Zayan a penetrating look.*
"General Zayan, is it not? I've read about you in the Starfleet databases. I believe you must be the one who handed over this crystal to captain Sanchez, who in turn gave it into the care of good Mr. Enoch here. You know, your artifact made us all quite curious here, and we'd very much like to know where you found it."

*Avelsa walks from the turbolift with her head down, constantly watching the map.  As it shows she is getting closer to her target, she looks up and sees a very odd antique shop.  Avelsa walks in and approaches the group as one of the women is speaking.*

"You wouldn't mind if I decide to tag along, would you."

*Emrodel steps close to Enoch, and whispers in his ear.*

"I was telling you the truth when I uncovered the crystal.  I am VERY interested in you."

*She steps back and speaks in a louder voice.*

"Where shall we have our first date?  You could tell me a story about your 'ugly stone', perhaps."

"The Z.D.Y particle... I've heard of that before. Doesn't Starfleet call it the 'mystery particle', because it's so difficult to make any molecular scans of it? Hmm... this should be interesting..."
*He takes a tricorder and begins making a closer study of the crystal.*

OFF: now would be a good time for Vorlok to wander in.

"Well as I told captain Sanchez, I do not know much about the crystal.  All I know is what it looks like in the light and in the dark.  Other than that I do not know what the crystal does or is supposed to do.  As for where I got it from, I was saying earlier that I inherited it from a close friend and mentor.  It was among general Zentox' few possessions.  I do not know where he got it from, I have not taken the time to go over his personal log entries."

*Enoch smiles at the woman, and nods.*
"Sure, you can look at anything you-"
*Suddenly, he notices her hand reach out for the blanket that covers the crystal.*
"NO! No, no... that's not... that's not for sale. In fact, it's nothing of importance really. Just some worthless stone, that's all."
*He picks up the crystal, covered under the blanket still, and is about to move it away.*
"See, it's so worthless, it shouldn't even be in my shop. Let me quickly get rid of it."

*Enoch had turned around, inputting some information about the crystal into his computer terminal. He quickly glances over, noticing a child having walked into his store.*
"Oh, hello there. Feel free to look around, and don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions."
*Absently, he continues to work on his computer terminal.*