Night fell on Gaenlin. All light disappeared, except for 12 flashlights just outside the village. A nocturnal animal dove into a hole in the ground, as the 12 strong Search Team ran over to the scrap yard.

"Some of those piles were disturbed. Looks like someone snuck in after the crews left for the night. Scan those piles", ordered Alkor, the team's captain.

Three of the 12, two of them uriaks, another a human, stepped forth, the display screens on their forearms activating. They directed their hands to the disturbed piles, and focused on the screens. The green glow remained steady, and then, a few yellow dots appeared, and the scanners beeped.

"What was that?" Alkor asked. "Nothing major. Just some old coins and electrical stuff", the human replied. "That is of no consequence. If the thieves think they can get any use out of that, whatever. They've done it before", Alkor said dismissively.

Suddenly, the screens began beeping more loudly, and with a higher frequency, as the steady green glow changed to flashing red. "That's new. They also took something important. Permission to search that pile, sir", the human said. "Granted, soldier", Alkor said.

The three scanners went through the entire pile, and after a few minutes, one of the uriaks stopped the other two.

"Burn marks. Looks like they found a working energy sword", the uriak said.

"And they didn't turn it in. We shall have to take it from them. By force, if necessary. But that energy sword could be anywhere. We have no leads. Simply forcing the village out will be inefficient, if effective at all. And small as it is, searching through every damn house will be wasteful. Especially considering they may have already left", Alkor said.

"Sir, permission to speak", another man said. "Granted." "I saw two children, about age 15 by the looks of them, trading some stuff with Kelven Olmun, after he fixed my blaster. They had with them some old coins and electrical stuff. I discreetly followed them to Fiena Lausin, and then to Kor's place. The old storyteller. They went in there for about 15 minutes. The energy sword may have been with them, though I can not be certain", the man said.

"You mean Verlan Sularen and his sister Jolara? Those two have been seen trading stuff before. It's surprising their mother allows them to do so at all, especially alone", said an uriak. "Could have been", Taerun replied.

"Then tomorrow, we find and question them. And Kor, too. Along with Kelven Olmun and Fiena Lausin. In the meantime, place everyone under lock down. No one is to leave or enter Gaenlin without our personal approval. And have this scrapyard locked as well, for now. Tell the mayor to assign the crews to construction for the duration of the total lock down. And now let's turn in for the night. Rise at 6 A.M. sharp", Alkor ordered.

The Search Team quickly made camp, and within minutes, everyone was asleep.

...

Banging sounded on the door, as Verlan, Jolara and Jenna were finishing their breakfast. Jenna sighed, and went to the door, opening it, revealing the Search Team captain in his black and burgundy uniform.

"How can I help you, sir?" she asked. "We have some questions for you and your children. Come with us now", Alkor said. "Of course, sir. Just give us a minute", Jenna said, puzzled.

As Verlan ans Jolara hurriedly finished their food, Jenna ushered them out, and they were escorted by Alkor and 5 other Sear Team members to their office. A few minutes later, Kel, Fiena and Kor were brought as well. They recognized the man whose blaster Kel repaired, and gave him a rude gesture, making sure only he could see it. He merely scoffed at them and shrugged his shoulders, but otherwise showed no reaction.

Kor, Kel and Fiena exchanged questioning glances with them, but otherwise, they too, stayed still. Though Kor had a slightly concerned expression on his face, which he hid well, however, so the Search Team could not suspect anything.

Then, the questioning began.

"Last night, on a scheduled patrol mission, we located a disturbance in the scrapyard. We checked every pile that had been disturbed. Apparently, some thieves snuck in after the crews left for the night, and stole some things. Most of them were inconsequential. Just some old coins and old electrical stuff. However, one of the stolen things was important. An energy sword-

"With all due respect, sir, but how does this concern any of us in any way?", Jenna asked, provoking disapproval from some of Alkor's personnel, and a worried face from Kor. Alkor gestured for his men to stand down.

"It is quite simple. We don't particularly care about any old stuff, but when it comes to something like an energy sword, we care a lot. But since you ask, Taerun here, saw your children trading stuff with Kelven Olmun and Fiena Lausin, and then going to old Kor's place. We have reason to suspect that your children had the energy sword with them", Alkor replied.

"I have no idea about any weapon. All they told me is that they collected some old stuff, and then they traded it off the next day. They never mentioned any weapon", Jenna said.

Alkor turned to Kel, Fiena and Kor, but all three assured him they had no knowledge of the weapon.

"Alright. The question as to why you allow them to go to the scrapyard and trade by themselves, is irrelevant as of now. What bothers me more is that you seem to have had no interest in whatever they found. Can you explain that?" Alkor said, taking a step closer to her.

"They never brought home anything of much consequence, and they are reasonable enough for me to not worry about them too much, most of the time, unless something drastic happens. And besides, they are never in a position where they can not call someone for help if they get into trouble", Jenna replied.

"If I may, sir, I and my friends are always nearby. None of us ever saw them doing anything dangerous or suspicious. They are good kids. I wouldn't worry too much", Kor spoke.

"Be that as it may. However, we do not take this matter lightly. Right now, your house is being searched. I would disclose this information if I were you. It will save you a lot of trouble", Alkor warned.

Verlan and Jolara remained still, shrugging their shoulders when Alkor and his personnel addressed them.

"Alright, then. We shall come back later. Make yourselves comfortable. It will take a while", Alkor concluded, and the team exited the room, locking it.

"An energy sword? Weren't all those destroyed after the war?" Jenna asked. "Most, but not all. There are some energy swords, and other weapons used by the Knights and the Kai Tor Luso Warriors, that to date, have not been found. Perhaps they never will be. Not that that is of any relevance to us now", Kor said. Verlan and Jolara grinned inwardly, as understanding dawned on them. Kor was hiding something. They were determined to find out what at the first opportunity.

"Did you really find an energy sword?" asked Kel, grinning slightly. "Not that we know off. We were just looking for something interesting. Without success, as always", Jolara replied.

Kor nodded subtly, and they relaxed somewhat, now completely sure he was on their side.

"What I don't understand is why they think you stole it. Neither of you ever really showed much interest in that kind of stuff. Some of Alkor's men are probably just biased against you", Fiena said.

"Wouldn't be the first time. Halon had a few encounters with them while he was stationed here. Not all of them casual", Jenna said.

"They've always been like this. It is what it is. Let's not worry ourselves with it unduly. The Search Team won't find anything. We just need to wait, and then they shouldn't bother us about it again. But Verlan, Jolara, be careful in the future", Kor said.

"Maybe I should forbid these scrapyard visits? It would save us all a lot of headache", Jenna said. "Please, don't, mom. There is nothing dangerous. We always come back before dark", Verlan appealed. "Alright, alright", Jenna said.

About an hour later, Alkor and a few of his men came back.

"All clear. You are all free to go. But for now, the scrapyard is off limits. And Mrs. Sularen, please keep your children under watch more. We wouldn't want to disrupt your day again", Alkor said. They departed swiftly, eager to get out of the oppressive atmosphere of the office.

"What now?" asked Verlan. "Go out and find your friends. I have to do some shopping", Jenna replied.

...