Chapter 4

Bridge USS Titan

Riker was annoyed. He had received the same message 36 hours earlier as the Enterprise had. All Deanna could tell him was that they meant business and had every intention of carrying out their threat. What was worse is that their tactical analysis showed they were easily capable of destroying both the Titan and Enterprise before they could get a shot off.

Their viewer showed a large ship about 1600 meters long, 100 meters wide, and 35 meters thick. About 3/4 of the way down the hull two large wing like structures protruded out fitted with large warp like nacelles. The weapons analysis had shown 10 rail launch torpedo bays (8 forward, 2 aft), 20 concussion missile launchers, a powerful coupling phaser bank, and 16 mini high energy weapons stations. This was all protected by allantium armor plating, primary and secondary phase coupled shields. To put it mildly it made the Scimitar look like a tricycle.

"Captain message from Captain Picard"

"Put it through."

"Will have you been able to pick up anything else."

"No new data since our last conversation. Its almost as if these people want us to sweat."

"Lets be patient if we don't here something soon we will try and break the ice."

"Understood, Riker out."

Bridge USS Enterprise

Data was confused. In the lull of waiting for a response from the Gatton, he had been going over their primary orders over and over again in his mind. He still could not reason why a world of major political and strategic importance had not been taken care of with greater care. Obviously the Vulcan's must have known that the synthetic energy would start to degrade their planet, and that it would be almost impossible to retrieve the crystal. Also why did Starfleet's story completely differ from Guinan's. True Guinan's story was a legend, but in a race where they live hundreds of years, even this legend should have some truth to it. Data's only conclusion was that Starfleet wanted this crystal for some other purpose. It wouldn't be the first time that Starfleet had less than ethical motives in mind.

"Incoming message from the Battleship Gatton Captain."

"On screen Mr. Worf."

They were faced with a tall human male dressed in what appeared to be fatigues.

"Good morning, I am Captain Monnet of the Battleship Gatton, Galactic Rim Alliance."

"I am Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship USS Enterprise."

"Greetings Captain, sorry about the wait, but we had to make sure that you were not with the Borg. We keep a constant eye on the exit of that conduit to make sure that the Borg do not try and slip through."

"Understood Captain there is no love lost between the Borg and us either."

"If I may ask what is your business out here. You are very far away from home."

Here's crunch time Picard thought.

"We are on a mission in search of an ancient relic that was detected in this area of the galaxy."

Captain Monnet smiled. "The Tulrelian crystal is history Captain Picard. It has been lost for over 100 years."

If you would have hit everyone on the Enterprise with a sledgehammer they wouldn't have looked more shocked.

Captain Picard decided to abandon being subtle. "How did you know?"

Captain Monnet smiled again. "The Galactic Rim Alliance figured someone from the Federation would come and look for it someday. Would you like me to come aboard your ship and discuss our knowledge of the crystal."

"That would be very kind Captain."

"I'll fly over in about 30 minutes. You'll have to forgive us, but we generally only use transporters for freight."

"Understood Captain that will be fine."

A/N: Sorry it took awhile to update. I appreciate all the reviews. Please keep them coming. Yes the Titan is still alive and kicking. Will and Deanna will be in the next chapter. My next chapter should be along soon. If there are any story related questions I will try and work them in over the next couple of chapters, so let me know. Thanks.