Out of the Shadows - Part 4

Posted on Sat Aug 4th, 2018 @ 2:38pm by Tom Vercetti & Splendora Sage

1,509 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 95 - Helping Old Friends
Location: Starbase 400 - Promenade
Timeline: MD 10 Morning

ON:

The following day, Vox was back in the Gallery stood staring at the picture he painted, or should he say, Azrel painted to help Zando hide his stash. He could remember most of the clues but one, an orange circle with a wavey line through it, was alluding him. He would soon be joined by the others, including the mysterious Tomarn.

Splendora towelled off and quickly slipped into her outfit. She'd shopped for the occasion procuring black leather pants, ankle boots with solid 3 inch heels and a cotton tank top with a leather jacket to boot. She cut her hair to just above the shoulder and was happy with the way it fell curling around her face. She'd left her dog with Lai and had packed her bag with a few things that she would need. She strapped on a belt holster and stuffed a phaser she'd procured with the help of her Ferengi fellow business owners. It had not been hard once she'd waved some latinum in their faces. She'd also got a few extra and one for Tom just in case he didn't bring his own. One more thigh holster completed the outfit.

She slipped into her leather jacket and headed towards the Gallery. Tom would meet her there. The walk was slow as the station seemed busier then usual. She made it and was not surprised to see that she was the first one there. She entered the Gallery and found Vox there already. "Good Morning."

Vox turned around. "Oh Good Morning Splendora. I am working on trying to remember all the clues in the painting. But, one of them is alluding me. " He points the orange circle with the wavy line through it. " I think its a clue but I can't remember what it represents. "

"Hmmmm.." She thought about it. "It does look familiar to me too. Do you mind if I take an image of it. I have a few friends I can send it to...for some reason my mind it goes to a warning of some sort."

"Yes, it could be a warning of somekind. Take an image and see what you can find out " Vox replied.

She took a quick image and filed it for sending off when they were clear of the station. "I have something to show you." She pulled an item out of her bag. It was a 14inch by 14inch canvas a portrait of a young Andorian warrior woman standing in space surrounded by a purple nebula and Andoria in the background. It was signed Ardra Calum. Ardra was one of the hottest painters of the time. Her art was always in demand but it was rare. In fact the last gallery showing had made the gallery on Vulcan quite rich. Her paintings sold for a lot and not only were they rare but nobody had seen the artist. All the paintings were sold through an agent who claimed to never have seen Ardra. There was an authentication PADD that went with the painting that had the agency notice on it and claimed to have been painted two years ago. She handed the items to Vox. "For your Gallery, a house warming of sorts."

"Oh wow an actual piece of work by Ardra Calum. I have read so much about the artist, a recluse I believe, no one knows who she is or what she even looks like but the one thing we know and are quite certain about, is that her work is simply breathtaking." He puts the picture onto a near by stand and looks at it. "Only trouble is finding somewhere fitting to put it for all to enjoy it. Thanks. " Vox smiles.

Just then, a familiar face appears at the entrance of the gallery, Tomarn. "I wondered when you would arrive Tomarn." Vox uttered.

"Is that a work by Ardra Calum? "Tomarn asked "

"You have a keen eye. It is. Anyway, I have finished working on the clues in the painting but one symbol alludes me. Its a orange circle with a wavy line through it. " Vox replied

"Oh that, is it near caves on the painting?" Tomarn asked.

Vox moved over to the stand the picture was resting on. "Yes it does. " he said pointing the dark caves on the picture.

"Well, Alarin does have underground caverns which have deep fissures, some of them deep enough to see the molten lava from the volcanic region. Perhaps the symbol refers to lava...the circle being the core and the wavy line, the flow of lava. " Tomarn suggested.

"Interesting. Splendora, see what your search finds but this does sound plausible."

She gave a nod and greeted Tomarn. "Why don't I just pop in your office I can make the call. Alex and Tom should be here soon and then we can leave."

"Be my guest. It's a bit untidy so apologies in advance. " Vox replied.

Splendora smiled and headed to the office.

Tom arrived. Instead of his typical suit, he wore nondescript black pants, a loose fitting but not baggy black shirt with a black cotton vest-like jacket. He also has a small satchel, a 'go fast bag'. The strap was on his left shoulder and across his chest so the bag hung on his right side. In it he had a few trinkets and other times for trading, as well as a hidden pouch with some more...useful items.

"Mister Vox. Apologizes for my tardiness." Tom said when he arrived.

"Hello, are you Tom that Splendora spoke of? "

Tom nodded. "I am, nice to see you again Mister Vox...and I do apologize for our first meeting."

Splendora finished her call and it supported Tomarn's theory. She sighed and she closed the coms. She took a moment to collect her thoughts and then headed back out front. She was happy to see Tom had arrived. She smiled as she approached the group. "Looks like we're just missing one person." She looked at Tomarn. "You were right my source agrees with your assessment of the orange symbol." She tucked her hair behind her ear. She wasn't used to the shorter hair. She'd never cut her hair past elbow length but now it was just above the shoulder. She loved the curl but worried it would get in her face. Walking over she picked up her pack, "Any word from Alex?"

"I haven't heard from Alex since the other day." Vox replied. Just then a young woman arrived. She had long light brown hair that came down to her elbows. Like Vox, she also had Trill markings.

"Ah, Shenril Zor, you have managed to arrive on time. Thank you for offering to look after the gallery while I am away. Nothing has changed except the one item thats new to the gallery and is not, I stress this, not for sale, is the portrait of the Andorian warrior as its a gift and its by the artist Ardra Callum" Vox advised Shrenril.

"Understood. " Shenril replied and headed into the office at the back of the gallery. Vox turned to Splendora.

"Another friend of mine, also a joined Trill. You may have heard of one of Zor's former hosts, the imfamous Jorel Zor? "

Splendora searched her memory for the name, "Wait I remember something about Jorel. I read about him. He did quite a lot for Trill. Well respected and very much a visionary. He was....I can't recall but an Engineer right?"

"Right, a very well respected and rather prolific inventor." Vox replied.

"Yes and I remember an incident on Tonri three." She smiled, "Word was he had a good right hook and an eye for touble...expecially with Klingons." She laughed.

"Yes that was Jorel Zor. The young lady you just saw is Shenril Zor, the 7th host of Zor, Jorel was the 5th. The gallery is in good hands with Shenril. She has a passion for art and sculpture like myself and often helps out with my work from time to time. " Vox replied.

"Excellent, then we should get ready to head out. Maybe Alex can meet us at the ship."

Tom stayed back and to the side. He was the tag-a-long here, and while he was willing to help in anyway needed, he didn't want to seem overbearing.

Alex arrived shortly after and the group left for the ship. Once all clearance's were confirmed the group was on their way. Vox had submitted the flight plan to the central ops team before they left.

Eventually, after a rather uneventful journey, the group arrived in orbit of Alarin.

" I have the rough co-ordinates for the start of the caves. We can not beam into them due to high level deposites of terinore. It has a habit of scrambling transporter technology and personally I would like to beam down in one piece. " Vox paused "Remind me again who is it that knows the archaeological leader in charge of the dig down there?, isnt it you Splendora that knows Professor Robert Lucas.?" He asked.

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