Cole and I helped each other down from the redwood tree, following by Geordi and Tasha. We were none the worse for wear, except a bit shaken by the wolf incident. The huntsman's body had mysteriously disappeared.

I hit my communicator badge to report the incident, sending the details over to Data's scanner for the Captain's review. In turn, Data summarized what had happened to them only minutes later.

*Are you alright?* Picard's voice crackled through to us.

*Yes Captain, we're fine* I replied. *We'll keep searching the area for more clues. We'll report if back if there's anything amiss. Freya out*

Tasha thought it was best to split them up again, so the manipulator couldn't surprise and trap all four of us at once. Based on the Captain's report, the puppet master could only concentrate on one group at a time, giving the impression this was a one-man operation.

Cole and I set out in the direction the injured wolf had taken, hoping to unmask the manipulator at the end of the trail. I activated my phaser just in case anything happened.

We walked along quietly for about an hour, my scanner making the occasional beep to indicate whether an area was clear or not. The sun was rising steadily in the sky, so the forest air was becoming hot and humid. When we found a stream, we rested to take a drink and assess our situation.

"I'm starving," I sighed.

"We'll be back on the ship before you know it," Cole tried to comfort me. "Then you can have whatever you like."

"You know what I could really go for?"

Before Cole could answer, my scanner screeched and I saw immediately a life form reading show up on the screen.

We both jumped up on full alert and began following the radar to the site. We arrived at the edge of the forest, where a lonely tourist concession stand stood with a small wooden sign that read "Fresh Apples" in big red letters.

"What are apples?" Cole asked.

"An Earth fruit," I replied. "Must be popular here with the human tourists."

As we approached, we saw a young woman tending to the stand, setting out her wares in a tidy fashion on her storefront: red, green and yellow apples of every colour, size and texture. She had long dark hair and wore a kerchief to pull it back from her lovely, red-lipped face. She wore a simple blue dress with gingham-checks and a spotless white apron over top. The fashion was centuries outdated, but I suppose tourists love authenticity.

"Good day, ma'am," I called out. "I'm wondering if you could assist us."

The woman looked up and smiled at us, her white teeth brilliant in the sunlight.

"Certainly, officers," she replied. "What can I do?"

"We're looking for a little old man or woman," I explained. "And while we're at it, we should tell you this area has been evacuated by Starfleet."

The woman looked alarmed and glanced around warily.

"Oh dear," she said. "No I have not seen anyone come this way. Thank you for warning me, but what ever shall I do with all these apples? I can't just leave them here!"

"They're safe with us, ma'am," Cole volunteered. "We will make sure no one steals anything until we clear the area."

"Oh thank you," she said, clasping her hands together. "How ever shall I repay you?"

Someone enjoys staying in character, I thought.

"An apple would be nice," I suggested, eyeing a particularly large red one near her elbow.

"Certainly," she offered graciously. Following my gaze, she picked up the apple of my eye and handed it to me.

"These are the best apples in all the land," she gushed. "We grew them all organically in my father's orchard."

"How quaint," said Cole smiling.

"Won't you have one too?" the young lady asked him, batting her eyelashes suggestively at him. "They're like nothing you've ever tried."

"I'll pass," replied Cole, putting up his hand. "I'm not a fan of apples. I prefer my synthesized meat proteins."

"Suit yourself," I shrugged and bit into the apple.

It was dizzyingly delicious. I bit into the apple's soft flesh again, savouring the sweet juices. Suddenly, I felt my heart begin to beat strangely and my sight blurred. I reached out to steady myself, felt Cole catching hold of me with a startled cry, and then darkness descended.