The Knife...

[Webmaster 20]

Subject: The Knife...

Date: Sun, Jul 28, 1996 11:54 PM

From: ErinnaM

 

 

Erinna had known that going to this "Trade" show was a mistake.  But she had to confirm that everything was as the Terrans put it on the up and up.  There had been too many people plundering the resources of the galaxy only to have them end up in private collections or worse!  Used to create other works of art and then their historical value was gone forever.

 

She and Tess had approached a stand which was run by a Daimon.  Odd for Starfleet but I suppose that by Ferangi standards it was normal.  She had her suspicions but now they were confirmed.  She couldn't be sure of other pieces, but she knew an Egyptian necklace when she saw one!  Only months ago she had been involved with a find related to the Egyptian world.  One which still gave her nightmares.  But she knew these pieces to be authentic.  And if they were what were they doing here?  

 

Tess and she had tried to grab hold of the little troll who had called himself a Daimon and a purveyor of ancient antiques and had offered to show them the papers of authenticity!  Authenticity indeed!!!  If nothing else she would see these pieces returned to the places where they belonged.  And that wasn't on this starbase.

 

She took a few of the smaller pieces to ensure their safe return.  The larger ones would have to wait for station security.  She grabbed a passing crewman and asked where she might find the commandant of this station.  

 

Following the directions, she came to the office of the Commander of Starbase 24.  He came flying out of his office.  "Slow down Commander.  Nothing is going anywhere."

 

"I wasn't aware that you were onboard the Republic.  I would have greeted her personally had I been made aware."

 

"And why should you do that?  There was no need.  I am quite capable of arriving here on my own.  And I no longer have any braid on my shoulder."

 

"I am aware of that ma'am.  But still, protocol and all."

 

"Hang protocol!  You have a problem.  There are several Ferangi here masquerading an Archaelogical Trade show in order to sell precious antiques which are stolen!  I've got some of the smaller objects but there are several very large ones which will have to be transported back to their respective worlds.  I can send someone to help you with the tagging job if you wish.  I'll take the smaller ones back to the Republic and work on them myself."

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

"And you might want to find Captain Jael.  I'm sure she has some Ferengi in custody that she would want to turn over to you."

 

"Yes, ma'am.  I'll do that right away."

 

Erinna walked away from the Commander wondering if she was ever like that.  She tapped the pin which she now wore in place of the standard Com Badge and was greeted by an Ensign.  "Beam me aboard, please."  She was greeted by the usual hum just before the transporter effect grabbed her and placed her on the deck of the transporter room.

 

She took her little bundle of confiscated goodies to her quarters and began the slow job of identifying them.  Some were easy.  The necklace was obviously of Egyptian origin.  But a few presented a more puzzling scenario.  A piece of smooth stone with a few symbols embedded.  Possibly of Rigelian design but it could also be from at least half a dozen other cultures as well.  And here...  a small decorative vase with a key motif.  It looked like something out of the Terran ancient Greek culture were it

not for the elements in the mud from which it were fired.  A dead give away that it was not from Terra.  A spoon...  a woman's hair ornament...  a child's toy...  and in the middle of all of these pieces a prize to equal the Egyptian necklace...  a knife of unknown origin.  She had tried to identify the metal from which it had been made but was coming up with a blank.

 

She needed to rest.  Perhaps she would come up with a better analysis in the morning.  It was clear that she was in no condition to finish this tonight.  Now if only Destiny would sleep through the night!