Facing this series of highly specialized questions, Valerie maintained a smile but answered skillfully: "Lieutenant Saavik, regarding the specific theory of teleportation, this falls within the core technical scope of the 'Magos.' My authority and knowledge reserves do not allow for in-depth elaboration.
As an exploration team, we are primarily responsible for the execution-level tasks.
However, what I can confirm is that its principle seems to have fundamental differences from the warp technology you mentioned; it focuses more on identifying and traversing 'folds' within dimensions themselves."
This vague yet information-rich answer made a flicker of thought appear in the eyes of both Carol and Lieutenant Saavik.
Differences implied an entirely new knowledge system, which further piqued their curiosity.
Carol took over, trying to approach from another angle: "So, what is the energy source used for these... enhancements and modifications you yourselves have? And your weaponry? It doesn't seem to be traditional nuclear fusion or antimatter."
She carefully chose her words, her gaze sweeping over Maine's powerful metal prosthetics and Dorio's heavy exoskeleton.
This time, Maine answered simply in his deep voice: "For mission survival."
He said no more, clearly unwilling to discuss his technical details further.
Jackie seized the opportunity to use his expertise. He grinned, attempting to lighten the mood and extract information: "Hey, relax, Doctor, Lieutenant. We really are just accidental visitors.
Speaking of which, what is this 'genesis project' of yours researching?
And that genetically modified man named Khan the Captain just mentioned... sounds like big trouble? Perhaps we could exchange some intelligence? After all, more friends mean more paths."
He cleverly avoided the core of their own technology, instead shifting the topic to their world.
Carol and Lieutenant Saavik exchanged glances.
Lieutenant Saavik shook her head slightly, indicating that the confidential information about the "genesis project" should not be disclosed.
Carol understood, so she focused on Khan, as this information was relatively more public: "Khan Noonien Singh, a genetically enhanced human from Earth's dark history.
He and his similarly modified followers were defeated and exiled fifty years ago by Captain Kirk due to their extreme aggression and desire for domination.
Now he has escaped confinement, stolen a starship, and attacked Starfleet facilities. His actions pose a serious threat to interstellar security, and Captain Kirk is pursuing him with full force."
Inside the cave, a cross-dimensional dialogue thus unfolded.
On one side were Carol and Lieutenant Saavik, representing the Starfleet's top scientific rationality, and on the other was Maine's crew, from the Cyberpunk World, having endured the brutal laws of street survival.
Both sides were cautiously probing each other's boundaries, exchanging non-core information, attempting to build a fragile but crucial bridge of understanding between them.
Carol enthusiastically began to describe the unique features of the cavern, explaining the initial connection between the energy flowing on the cave walls and the "genesis project" while avoiding core secrets, and invited Valerie and the others to a limited tour of the accessible areas of the vast underground facility.
Lieutenant Saavik, meanwhile, maintained calm observation and recording. Her tricorder continuously captured the energy spectrums, physiological signals, and unique physical effects generated by Maine's crew members and their equipment.
She noticed that the member named Pilar had neural reaction speeds and bionic eye scanning patterns far exceeding ordinary humans; and the pilot named Falco, his dynamic perception and predictive abilities of the surrounding environment also showed highly neuro-mechanized characteristics.
Rebecca showed great interest in the tricorder in Lieutenant Saavik's hand, asking Pilar in a low voice: "Hey, do you think that thing can scan the energy level in my cannon?"
Pilar, meanwhile, nervously adjusted his goggles, trying to analyze the energy type of the opponent's weapon.
Maine always maintained the vigilance of a leader. He instructed his team to take turns on watch, with some interacting with Carol and others continuously monitoring the surroundings, especially the Starfleet's teleportation platform and the only exit.
He knew that despite temporarily defusing the conflict, they were still in a strange and potentially unknown dangerous alien secret facility, and true safety would only come when the portal reopened.
This unexpected encounter continued in a delicate and fragile balance, under Doctor Carol's immense anticipation and Lieutenant Saavik's meticulous surveillance.
Two vastly different civilizations completed their first cautious handshake in this magnificent and mysterious underground cavern.
—
Days later, the familiar light of teleportation once again lit up on the cavern platform.
As the light dissipated, the figure of James T. Kirk appeared alone.
He was still in his crisp uniform, but his brow was clouded with an unyielding heaviness and fatigue. His usual sharpness seemed to be eroded by some great sorrow, and even his steps appeared much slower than when he left.
Carol and Lieutenant Saavik, who had already learned some news through the facility's internal communications, immediately went to meet him.
Maine's crew members also stopped their activities, watching the returning Captain warily and silently. A solemn atmosphere permeated the air.
Kirk's gaze first swept over everyone, confirming that Carol and David were safe and sound, then nodded slightly to Lieutenant Saavik, and finally looked at Maine and Valerie, his voice carrying a subtle hoarseness: "Things... have temporarily come to an end."
He did not describe the brutal process of the pursuit and battle in detail, but summarized the outcome in concise and heavy words: "Khan... has been defeated. The 'Genesis Device' he stole... was detonated on the uninhabited planet designated 'Genesis Planet.'"
At this point, he paused, as if the awe-inspiring, life-reversing scene of the galaxy reappeared before his eyes—a violent energy sweeping across the entire planet, reshaping the land, oceans emerging, the breath of life bursting forth in an instant, a dead planet transformed into a vibrant new world under an unimaginable power.
That was a great scientific miracle, but at this moment it formed a cruel contrast with the huge emptiness in his heart.
His voice deepened, filled with unconcealed pain: "But we... also paid a heavy price."
He took a deep breath, as if needing immense strength to utter the next words, "Spock... to repair the warp engine damaged by Khan, to ensure that all Enterprise crew members could escape the Genesis Planet's explosion range... he willingly exposed himself to lethal radiation..."
He said no more, but the deep sorrow in his weathered eyes said it all.
His last farewell on the Enterprise with his Vulcan first officer, who was both a friend and a brother, their palms touching through the transparent aluminum partition, the maxim "Logic is the minimum requirement for logical conclusions, but often, it is not enough," and Spock's final words, "Don't forget me," all now turned into heart-wrenching memories.
Kirk chose to bid farewell to his best friend in a way most consistent with Spock's ideals and contributions.
In orbit around the nascent Genesis Planet, under the solemn gaze of all Enterprise crew members, he placed Spock's body in a photon torpedo tube and launched it towards that brand new, infinitely potential living planet.
"I sent his body into Genesis Planet," Kirk finally said, his tone carrying a resolute mourning, "That place... perhaps is his best resting place."
After doing all this, and dealing with the most urgent military affairs and personnel comforting, he suppressed his grief and ordered the Enterprise to return to pick up Carol, David, and Lieutenant Saavik, who had been left here.