When Scott mentioned the critical role of dilithium crystals and their instability in certain situations, Osiris' synthetic voice interjected with a pointed question:
"Are there more stable or higher-performing crystal alternatives? Or, can the crystal structure be pre-stabilized by introducing an external energy field to withstand the energy load at higher warp factors?"
This question made Scott's eyes light up, as if he had found a kindred spirit: "Oh my, you think so too? I've submitted several reports on improving crystal stability, but the higher-ups always talk about budget and risk..."
He opened up, beginning to discuss technical details with Osiris that even Saavik, who was accompanying them, had to ponder carefully.
An Adeptus Mechanicus Magos from the Warhammer Universe and a genius engineer from the Starfleet were engaged in a cross-dimensional technical exchange in the engine room of this legendary starship.
Scott shared everything he knew, partly out of pride and partly guided by Osiris' precise and profound questions; Osiris, like the most voracious sponge, absorbed all knowledge about warp drive. Every byte of information laid a solid foundation for him to replicate, improve, and even surpass this technology in the future.
He knew that merely recording and understanding the principles was not enough; he needed something more substantial—perhaps design blueprints, perhaps methods for synthesizing key materials, or even... a complete warp engine.
At this moment, however, this deep, unobstructed technical exchange was the most wonderful beginning to achieving those goals.
His crimson optical lens stared at the stably operating warp core, as if he could already see countless unknown star systems beckoning him within this safe, reliable warp bubble.
—
The Enterprise journeyed steadily through the vast star sea, finally arriving in the Solar System. The blue planet, which held a special place in Osiris' understanding—the capital of the Starfleet, Terra—slowly appeared on the main view screen.
Unlike the suffocating metal Hive Cities covering entire continents and the never-ending shadow of war on Holy Terra, and also distinct from the dilapidated cyberpunk Earth, fragmented by mega-corporations, with environmental degradation and social division, the planet before him presented a harmonious, vibrant, and highly civilized appearance.
The azure oceans and verdant land outlines were clear, the atmosphere was pristine, and various space stations and ships operated orderly in orbit, exuding an aura of prosperity, peace, and order.
During the voyage, Kirk had already reported in detail via secure channels to the Starfleet Council in Paris about Osiris and his team's existence, their claimed identity as cross-dimensional explorers, and the initial contact.
After intense discussion and risk assessment, the Council issued clear instructions: they wished to hold a formal meeting with this "Magos" from another dimension, aiming to assess his true intentions and, based on that, determine the tone and depth of future exchanges between the two parties.
When Kirk conveyed the Federation Council's invitation to Osiris, the Explorer Magos' reaction was quite calm.
His massive mechanical body stood in the cabin assigned to them, his crimson optical lens fixed on the Earth growing closer outside the viewport.
"Bureaucratic procedures," his synthetic voice stated calmly, devoid of emotion, "a proving ground for efficiency. I understand it's a necessary evil."
For him, this level of political contact was far less efficient than direct communication with technical experts.
However, his enhanced logic core clearly calculated that obtaining official Federation recognition was a necessary prerequisite for more in-depth and systematic access to their vast technological library.
This "official status" would provide great convenience for his subsequent actions, reducing many unnecessary troubles.
"Understood," Osiris accepted the invitation. "I also wish to gain an intuitive understanding of the Federation' decision-making layer."
The itinerary was thus set.
Osiris would travel by shuttle, accompanied by Kirk and Carol, to the Starfleet Fleet Headquarters in San Francisco, which was also the meeting location.
Carol's presence would provide scientific support, and also because, as the head of the genesis project, she was one of the individuals who had direct scientific exchanges with Osiris.
As for Maine, Valerie, Jackie, and other team members, they were arranged to stay on the Enterprise.
Kirk assigned several reliable officers, such as the warm and friendly Uhura and the knowledgeable Sulu, to "host" them. This was also to prevent these heavily armed "interdimensional mercenaries," who were unfamiliar with Federation social rules, from causing unnecessary disturbances or security incidents in an unfamiliar environment.
Maine had no objection to this. He understood his position, ordered his team members to stay in the designated area, maintain a low profile, and at the same time, use this opportunity to learn more about this seemingly peaceful world from these Federation crew members.
The shuttle detached from the Enterprise, smoothly traversed Earth's atmosphere, and finally landed in front of the iconic, magnificent Federation Fleet Headquarters building in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Osiris' dark red, massive body stepped out of the shuttle, standing on the land that symbolized the core of the Starfleet's highest military and exploration power.
He raised his head, his optical lens steadily scanning the vast architectural complex before him, which blended futuristic technology with classic architectural aesthetics.
Streamlined silver structures coexisted harmoniously with solid concrete foundations, and energy conduits flowed with a faint blue glow along the walls under transparent protection, echoing the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, spanning the bay and gleaming in the sunlight.
In the air, several elegantly designed hovercars quietly traversed along invisible pathways, tracing graceful arcs.
The air was filled with a fresh, unpolluted scent, mixed with the slight saltiness of the ocean and the faint fragrance wafting from nearby green spaces.
The sunlight was gentle, and the temperature was precisely controlled within the most comfortable range for humans.
All these sights and scents seemed to find a vague correspondence with any fragment of "Earth" in his memory, yet in every detail, they were so different, so... idealized.
Here, there was none of the lingering heavy scent of incense mixed with machine oil from Holy Terra, none of the perpetually pervasive pungent emissions and over-fermented street food smells of Night City. There was only a precisely regulated, almost perfect tranquility and vitality.
"Magos, this way, please," Kirk gestured, his expression more formal and serious than it had been on the spaceship.
He knew that the upcoming meeting would determine whether two vastly different civilizations would move towards peaceful exchange or fall into suspicion and estrangement.
Osiris moved his legs, emitting a steady sound, following Kirk and Carol into the Federation Headquarters.
His data processing core had already been adjusted to the highest analysis mode, ready to record every detail of the upcoming meeting, not just the language, but also the micro-expressions and behavioral patterns of these high-ranking Federation officials, as well as the overall security level and technological application level of the headquarters.
For him, this was not just a diplomatic meeting, but also a valuable intelligence-gathering opportunity. The true exchange had already quietly begun the moment he stepped inside.