Iphigenia stepped out of the turbolift on deck 15 and strolled past the peacefully sleeping Pegasus. She could hear the adorable gremlin emitting faint squeaks, blinking its eyes in the hopes of catching her attention. The plant was securely sealed within a vault, encased in titanium lead with a heavy shatterproof glass front. Recently, they acquired a new addition to their collection—a football-shaped stone with purple color and silver swirling striations. It materialized in a pressure negative tritanium lead vault similar to the one housing the anxiety-inducing plant.

“It appears harmless, but I sense something peculiar about it. There’s a subtle yet persistent urge to hold it.” Turning away from the glass vault that held the stone, she tapped her communication badge and spoke, “Lt. Ruuk, once you finish reviewing the data on the stone, please join me in the containment area on deck 13. I have a question for you.”

Henao, CO