Captain Kirk's gaze flickered between Maine's crew's sophisticated weaponry and Valerie's composed face for a moment.
As an experienced Commander, he quickly weighed the pros and cons.
This group, calling themselves "Dimensional Explorers," possessed teleportation technology far beyond the Federation' current scientific level, clearly backed by an unknown and powerful force.
Given the urgent need to pursue Khan, making such a powerful enemy was not a wise move.
Detaining or expelling them could not only trigger unpredictable conflicts but also miss an opportunity to understand cutting-edge technology.
He took a deep breath and made a decision, his tone softened but with an undeniable bottom line: "I understand your situation. However, this is a highly classified Federation research facility.
According to regulations, unauthorized personnel cannot remain for long periods. And we," he glanced at McCoy and Carol beside him, "have an urgent mission that must be completed immediately and cannot stay here long."
He proposed a compromise: "If you are willing, you can temporarily accompany us as we leave this facility."
This suggestion made Maine frown slightly; their mission was not to integrate into local forces.
Valerie immediately understood her captain's concerns. She stepped forward, responding in a clear, slightly helpless tone, while reiterating their unique nature: "Thank you for your kindness, Captain Kirk. However, our dimensional teleportation mechanism is fixed-point anchored. The teleportation starting point and return point must be the same.
We must remain here, waiting for the Magos to recalibrate and open the portal before we can safely return to our dimension.
Moreover, according to mission protocols, even if subsequent exploration of this dimension occurs in the future, this initial coordinate point is highly likely to remain the primary teleportation landing point."
This explanation put Kirk in a new predicament.
He could not allow a group of armed, unknown individuals to remain in a classified facility, but forcibly removing them might trigger their underlying security mechanisms or cause unnecessary trouble.
His gaze subconsciously turned to Dr. Carol, who had been observing in silence.
This was the core testing ground for the genesis project, and she was the project's chief director, holding the highest management authority here.
"Carol…" Kirk's voice carried a hint of inquiry and subtle worry.
Carol's eyes, however, lit up. As a top scientist, an unprecedented research opportunity lay before her—direct communication with intelligent life from another dimension, possessing hyperspace teleportation technology!
This excited her far more than any astrophysical phenomenon or genetic sequence.
She interrupted him almost without hesitation, her voice filled with urgency and determination: "Jim, let them stay! David and I can stay behind to communicate with them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We can't just leave."
A complex expression crossed Kirk's face as he tried to persuade her: "Carol, this is too risky. We know almost nothing about them…"
"Precisely because we know nothing, we need to communicate!" Carol interrupted him, a scientist's persistence overriding her fear of potential danger. "They have shown a willingness to communicate and explained their reasons for coming.
I believe rational dialogue can resolve misunderstandings and bring invaluable knowledge.
As the head of the genesis project, I approve their temporary stay here until their portal reopens."
Kirk looked at the familiar, stubborn glint in his ex-wife's eyes, knowing that once she made a decision concerning scientific exploration, she was very difficult to persuade.
He was silent for a few seconds, finally sighing in compromise.
He could not stay here long; the mission to apprehend Khan was urgent, but he also had to ensure Carol and David's safety.
"Alright." His voice held a hint of helplessness. He then turned to the Vulcan officer who had been observing calmly beside him: "Lieutenant Saavik, you stay. You are responsible for protecting Dr. Carol and David's safety, and also… assisting with initial contact assessment."
He emphasized the word "protect," his gaze conveying a clear instruction—monitor and assess the true intentions and potential threats of these "visitors from another world."
Saavik was expressionless, merely nodding slightly, responding concisely in her flat tone: "Understood, Captain."
She took a step forward, standing beside Carol, her sharp eyes beginning to observe and analyze each member of Maine's crew more closely.
Kirk took one last deep look at Maine and Valerie, his eyes conveying a warning and a reminder: "I hope you will keep your promise and do nothing to endanger this facility or its personnel. Saavik will remain here." He then looked at Carol and whispered, "Stay vigilant, and contact me via communicator at any time."
Having said that, he no longer hesitated, turning and waving to McCoy: "Let's go, Bones, take Chekov. We need to get back to Enterprise first."
The two left the cave. Outside the cave was a research facility where the injured Chekov lay.
After picking him up, they contacted Enterprise via communicator and then teleported away.
With Captain Kirk's departure, the atmosphere inside the cave changed.
The sense of tense confrontation quickly subsided, replaced by a subtle ambiance of curiosity, caution, and a desire for exploration.
Almost the moment Kirk and the others disappeared, Carol eagerly took a few steps forward, her face radiating a scientist's characteristic enthusiasm and curiosity.
She first looked at Maine, the leader, and Valerie, who was in charge of communication: "So… can we officially introduce ourselves now? I'm Carol, Doctor of Astro-Genetics, and the chief scientist of the genesis project. This is my son, David."
She pulled the equally curious young man beside her.
Young David looked at the powerfully designed plasma cannon on Rebecca's back and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice: "Wow, your equipment… This is truly incredible."
Valerie, as the primary external contact, also timely reintroduced their core members: "Valerie, tactical and information coordination for the exploration team. This is our Captain, Maine. The other team members are on alert duty."
She did not introduce every member in detail, maintaining necessary confidentiality.
Saavik, who had been observing calmly, spoke at this moment. Her questions were direct and to the point, with typical Vulcan logic: "Ms. Valerie, what is the theoretical basis for the 'interdimensional teleportation' you mentioned?
Is it a variant based on the warp principle, or does it involve subspace penetration? How do you locate and stabilize such precise interdimensional coordinates?"
Her tricorder was constantly pointed at the members of Maine's crew, especially at their cybernetic enhancements and energy weapons, which clearly did not belong to the Federation' technological system, continuously recording data.
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Quickly went to the star trek wiki, Sarek was Saavik.I hope there's no one named Sarek as well...
Here we goo again