The nearly frenzied interdimensional academic exchange, which had lasted for several weeks, finally came to a temporary halt under the intervention of the Federation Council.
The reason was simple: Osiris, as a Tech-Priest, drew his power from a nearly perpetual plasma reactor, possessing processing capabilities far beyond ordinary humans, allowing him to work continuously at high intensity.
However, the Federation' scholars were flesh and blood. Such a large-scale, prolonged, and intensive discussion had already left many top experts physically and mentally exhausted, even affecting the normal operation of their respective institutions and projects.
Considering long-term development and the overall scientific research ecosystem, the Federation Council had no choice but to politely but firmly call a halt to this "all-inclusive" mode of exchange.
Instead, a highly focused "Warp Engine Improvement Project Team" was formally established. Its core members consisted of a few top experts who had performed most outstandingly during the previous exchanges and whose ideas best aligned with Osiris', including Engineer Scott and several authorities in theoretical physics and materials science.
The project team was granted corresponding authority and resources, with a clear goal: to gradually transform the theoretical concepts proposed by Osiris into feasible engineering technical solutions.
Upon receiving the invitation, Osiris' logical core quickly performed an evaluation.
While large-scale exchanges involved a vast information flow, they were too dispersed.
Establishing a specialized project team meant concentrated resources, clear objectives, and a depth of exchange far exceeding what came before, which better aligned with his goal of efficiently acquiring core technologies.
"Understood. Focusing on the advancement of specific projects is the best way to improve efficiency," he readily joined the project team.
However, in the brief interval just before the project team was about to officially start its work, Dr. Carol Marcus, alone, sought out Osiris' temporary residence—the hotel suite used to host extraterrestrial visitors.
Her face bore the unique expression of a scientist, a mix of intense curiosity and a hint of unease. Without much small talk, she cut straight to the point: "Magos, before you officially begin the warp project, I have a question that I must ask you privately."
She took a deep breath, her gaze burning as she looked at the crimson optical lenses, "What are your thoughts on... the 'genesis project'?"
This question was no small matter.
The "genesis project" was one of the Federation' top secrets, with its core technology and ethical considerations residing in an extremely sensitive area.
Kirk had previously explicitly refused Osiris deeper understanding, citing "Federation classified information." As the project leader, Carol's private inquiry at this moment clearly overstepped official boundaries.
Osiris' mechanical head rotated slightly, the light from his optical lenses steadily enveloping Carol.
He instantly calculated countless possibilities: Was this a test? Had Carol's personal scientific fervor overridden confidentiality regulations? Or were certain factions within the Federation hoping to ascertain his attitude through unofficial channels?
After a brief silence, his synthesized voice spoke, not directly answering, but instead counter-questioning: "Dr. Marcus, in what capacity are you asking? The head of the 'genesis project,' a scientist, or... Captain Kirk's ex-wife?"
His question was sharp and direct, aimed at clarifying the motive behind Carol's action and the stance she might represent.
At the same time, he was rapidly retrieving all known information about the "genesis project"—the device capable of reshaping dead planets into vibrant new worlds, the power to manipulate the fundamental laws of matter and life it contained, its danger as immense as its value.
In the Warhammer Universe he came from, similar technologies were often closely associated with "blasphemy" and "chaos."
How would Carol respond?
And how would Osiris evaluate this forbidden technology that could both create worlds and potentially bring unknown disasters?
The impact of this private meeting could far exceed that of the warp engine project currently in preparation.
Carol seemed prepared for Osiris' pointed counter-question about her identity.
She straightened her back, her expression becoming more formal, and stated clearly: "As the chief scientist of the 'genesis project,' and with special authorization from the Starfleet Council, I am here to provide you with a limited project briefing and solicit your professional opinion."
This answer caused Osiris' crimson optical lenses to slightly adjust their focus.
The Federation Council actively authorized the disclosure of classified information? The implications behind this were worth pondering.
This perhaps meant that, after witnessing his astonishing insight in the field of warp engines, the Federation' high command hoped to apply this "otherworldly perspective" to another equally important, even more sensitive, top-tier project.
They no longer viewed him merely as a technological exchanger but began to see him as a potential "consultant" of inestimable value.
"Authorization confirmed," Osiris responded steadily, signaling her to continue.
His data processing core had already elevated the priority of "genesis project" related threads.
Carol took a deep breath and began to reveal the core objectives and basic principles of the "genesis project" to Osiris in a more systematic and in-depth manner.
She explained how a special substance called "Genesis Particles" could be used, through precisely directed, large-scale energy bursts, to instantly reorganize the geological structure and atmospheric composition of a target planet, and activate pre-set, dormant gene sequences, thereby transforming a lifeless planet into an Earth-like environment suitable for carbon-based life in an extremely short period.
She mentioned key concepts such as "Life Seeding Matrix" and "Rapid Ecological Succession Model."
"...Theoretically, it can complete planetary evolution processes that would take millions of years or even longer in nature, within hours or days," Carol concluded, her eyes a mix of scientific pride and a hint of imperceptible worry, "We have verified its initial feasibility on Genesis Planet, but... as you know, it came at a great cost."
She was referring to Khan's attack, Spock's sacrifice, and the destroyed Federation starship.
Having finished her statement, Carol looked intently at Osiris: "Magos, based on your knowledge system, which comes from a completely different tech tree and cosmic understanding, what are your thoughts on this technology itself, and its potential applications and risks?
Are we... on the right path? Are there fundamental flaws or... philosophical paradoxes that we haven't yet perceived?"
This was a weighty question, concerning life, creation, and even playing the role of "God."
Osiris' mechanical body fell into a brief silence, with only the extremely faint whirring of his internal cooling system.
He was mobilizing all relevant knowledge for comparison and analysis—from the Adeptus Mechanicus' ancient tenets regarding "pure form" and "natural order" (though he himself did not necessarily fully adhere to them), to the disasters ultimately brought by the dark technologies in the Warhammer Universe that attempted to alter life and distort nature, and then to the negative consequences of crude intervention in human genes and ecology in the Cyberpunk World.
A moment later, his synthesized voice spoke again, his tone more cautious and serious than ever: "From the perspective of pure technical realization, the 'genesis project' is an astonishing feat. It demonstrates exquisite control over matter, energy, and the encoding of life, and its technological level is extremely high."
But he immediately shifted his focus to the core issue: "However, any technology capable of defining or reshaping 'existence' itself comes with an equivalent level of risk. The key lies in the depth of 'control' and 'understanding.'"
"First, the stability of accelerated ecosystems. Natural evolution is a long process full of trial and error, adjustments, and dynamic equilibrium.
The ecosystems you've forcibly shaped in an extremely short time—what about the fragility of internal interspecies checks and balances, their resistance to sudden diseases, and the long-term self-sustainability of energy cycles?
This requires extremely long and rigorous subsequent monitoring, and the potential risk cycle may far exceed expectations."
"Second, the origin of life coding and 'will.'" Osiris' optical lens fixed on Carol, "Where did the original template for the gene sequences you 'activated' come from?
Is it purely based on Earth's biological database, or... does it incorporate other sources?
In my cognitive dimension, life forms themselves may carry information beyond the material level, or even... 'imprints.' Forcibly implanting life coding that does not belong to this reality on a large scale may have unpredictable long-term effects."
He thought of the strange connection between Warp and the real universe but cautiously did not mention it directly.
"Third, and most crucial: the boundary of philosophy and ethics." Osiris' synthesized voice carried a metallic coldness, "Giving a planet 'life' is essentially playing the role of a creator.
Have you prepared the corresponding framework of responsibility for this? Not just scientific responsibility, but the eternal 'parental' responsibility owed to an entire biosphere that is about to be born and may have an independent evolutionary path?
Misuse of this technology will lead to galaxy-level ecological disasters and may even touch upon certain... fundamental cosmic laws of balance."
He concluded, his tone not one of negation but of high warning: "This is a key that can open the Garden of Eden, but also unleash unimaginable demons.
The feasibility of the technology has been partially proven, but the wisdom, caution, and sense of responsibility required to wield this power may require more effort than developing the technology itself.
Before taking the next step, perhaps a robust system of ethical constraints, risk management, and long-term guardianship should be established first."
Osiris did not give a simple "good" or "bad" judgment but conducted a calm, almost cold, risk analysis, elevating it to the philosophical height of civilizational survival.
These remarks would undoubtedly bring a huge impact and deep reflection to Carol and the Federation Council listening in the background.
Osiris' calm, almost cold, analysis precisely dissected, like a surgical knife, the core anxieties hidden beneath the glorious facade of the genesis project, anxieties that even the Federation's top scientists and highest council found deeply unsettling.
The issues he pointed out—ecological stability, the origin of life coding, and most fundamentally, the creator's responsibility and ethical boundaries—were precisely the hidden concerns that Carol and some far-sighted council members had repeatedly pondered but found difficult to fully clarify.
The expression on Carol's face shifted from initial anticipation to solemnity, then to a complex emotion as if she had found a kindred spirit.
She took a deep breath, as if making a certain decision.
"What you said... is precisely what we worry about most and what we most need external wisdom to help clarify." Carol's voice carried a hint of relief, and also deeper earnestness, "Theoretical deduction and model simulation have their limitations. To truly assess the consequences of 'Genesis,' especially the long-term effects, we must return to the scene—return to Genesis Planet."
She took a step forward, her gaze firmly on Osiris, and extended a formal invitation: "The Starfleet Fleet has planned a comprehensive and in-depth scientific research expedition to Genesis Planet, aimed at assessing the stability and evolutionary trends of the planet's geology, atmosphere, and ecosystem after the Genesis event.
This is an excellent opportunity to verify many of the issues we are concerned about firsthand."
"Explorer Magos," her tone was full of sincerity, "I, and the Federation Council, after urgent consultation, formally invite you to join this scientific expedition as Chief Science Consultant.
Your unique perspective, your understanding of high-risk technology, and the technical means you possess that might detect anomalies our conventional instruments cannot perceive, are crucial to this expedition.
We believe your participation will greatly help the Federation more comprehensively understand the true meaning and potential risks of 'Genesis.'"
The weight of this invitation was immense.
It meant that the Federation was opening one of its most sensitive and cutting-edge scientific research fields to Osiris, allowing him direct access to firsthand data and the on-site environment of the genesis project.
This was both a great trust and undoubtedly a huge test—the Federation might also want to use this opportunity to further assess Osiris' attitude and capabilities when facing this level of cosmic power.
Osiris' crimson optical lens stared at Carol, his internal processing core weighing options at maximum speed.
Genesis Planet is an unknown environment, having just undergone a drastic reality reconstruction, possibly containing unstable physical rules, unknown radiation or energy residues, or even hidden dangers undiscovered after Khan's attack.
Furthermore, this was also a clear "trap"; the Federation could use it to observe his reaction when facing the power of "Genesis."
The benefits, however, were immeasurable.
Personally inspecting an artificially transformed planet and studying the state of its matter, energy, and life sequences after being reshaped on a macroscopic scale is in itself an unprecedented scientific practice that touches upon the fundamental rules of the universe.
This would not only deepen his understanding of Genesis Technology but also potentially provide crucial inspiration and data for his own research (e.g., large-scale environmental modification, matter reorganization, or even combating Warp contamination).
At the same time, this also signified that his cooperative relationship with the Federation entered a deeper level, and the channel for gaining their trust and more technology was further widened.
After a brief silence, Osiris' synthesized voice broke the quiet: "I accept the invitation."
His answer was crisp and decisive.
Risks certainly existed, but for an Explorer Magos, the allure of knowledge far outweighed the danger.
To confront "Genesis" firsthand and unravel its mysteries was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"The specific itinerary and access details of the scientific expedition need to be clarified," he added, as always focusing on practical efficiency.
Carol finally showed a relieved smile: "Of course! I will prepare the detailed information for you as soon as possible. The Enterprise will be assigned to this mission, and Captain Kirk will be responsible for all security throughout."
A new journey was thus confirmed.
Osiris' vision would expand from laboratories and conference rooms to a new world, a planet "created" by humans, full of unknowns and philosophical contemplation.
The journey to Genesis Planet will undoubtedly reveal more secrets about life, creation, and responsibility, and will also test the choices of this Explorer Magos when facing a power almost miraculous.