Story:Star Trek: Conflict/The Cross

Faith once again comes into question when Edward Shield, alone and in Federation territory, gets the aid of a Federation captain to locate a religious relic that could be used as a weapon of war.

Chapter One
Tristan Marshal, forty-one years old and still as strong as he was in his late-twenties, enjoys a relaxing break from his duties on the USS Templar (NX-573912) on the planet Marxus, the largest non-Earth city in the Federation. But he is anything but relaxed. His friend, Fredrick Drake, tells him he should relax, since this is what the planet, and the bar in the city on this planet - which they are in, is for. Marshal, however, says that the information he was given was EXTREMELY vital and that this meeting is essential. Just then, he spots his man.

Edward Shield has been on the run ever since he disrupted the apparent "transmigration of races into the The Higher Plain". Cut off from his ship, he needs to leave Federation space in order to rendevous with the Enterprise-C. While trying to book passage off Marxus, he discovered an old piece of pottery from a planet some twenty light years from Earth that described in detail an ancient story of Earth lore. And now he's found the right man to listen to his story.

Chapter Two
Tristan and Fredrick sit down at the table where Shield is casually resting. After introductions are made, Shield presents to them the fragment of pottery. Marshal asks Shield if this is accurate, which Shield says that it is very much so. This piece of pottery might actually show the way to a legendary object of great power.


 * The Spear of Destiny

Shield and Marshal explain to Drake about the story of the Spear that pierced the side of Christ, which was said to make one invincible. Drake is at first not amused by this, but Shield says that this potsherd is the key that leads to the single-greatest archaeological find in the history of the human race: something that will lead to the discovery of an artifact that will undeniably prove, once and for all, that Christ did in fact exist.