Kirk seized this opportunity to make a request that was crucial to him: "Since the mission has been confirmed, then... please let the Enterprise carry out this final mission."
His voice held a subtle tremor, filled with deep affection and reluctance for his Old Pal: "She has just completed basic repairs and is capable of this voyage.
Rather than letting her quietly await decommissioning in the dry dock, gathering dust, let her soar through the stars once more, with a glorious exploration mission as the final chapter of her legendary career. She deserves such a farewell."
This request contained too many emotions: reluctance to part with the ship, a recollection of past glories, and an almost ritualistic sense of farewell.
To let the Enterprise carry them to Spock's resting place, completing this journey of salvation and exploration, seemed like the perfect footnote where all story threads converged.
Carol gazed at the undeniable earnestness and determination in Kirk's eyes.
She understood what the Enterprise meant to Kirk and the original crew.
Allowing this scarred legendary starship to undertake one last mission was not only fulfilling Kirk's wish but also a tribute to a starship that had rendered outstanding service to the Federation.
"...I will do my best to lobby the Council and the fleet," Carol finally promised. She didn't give a hundred percent guarantee, but her attitude indicated she would fully support the proposal.
—
Under Carol's persistent mediation and reasoned arguments, the Federation Council finally reluctantly agreed to Kirk's request.
They approved more comprehensive repairs for the Enterprise, beyond basic maintenance, aiming to restore the distinguished starship to a state where it could safely and reliably execute a deep-space scientific expedition, rather than merely being barely mobile.
Engineers in the dry dock worked day and night, replacing aging circuits, reinforcing the hull structure, and testing critical systems, trying to restore some of the old glory to this aging Constitution-class starship.
When the repair work concluded, personnel from various parties began to board the ship.
Dr. Carol led a capable scientific expedition team onto the Enterprise. The team members included several physicists, geologists, and biologists who had conversed pleasantly with Osiris during previous exchanges.
Their mission was to use the advanced laboratories and equipment on the Enterprise to conduct an unprecedented detailed scientific survey of the Genesis Planet.
Immediately after, Osiris' massive, dark-red mechanical body also appeared on the Enterprise. As a "special consultant" for this scientific expedition, his large, dark-red mechanical body created a strong visual impact when it stepped onto the Enterprise's deck.
With personnel assembled, the Enterprise's bridge once again welcomed its familiar crew: the steady Sulu handled navigation, the enthusiastic Uhura managed communications, the optimistic Chekov reported engine status, and Dr. McCoy stood in the medical officer's position with a reluctant expression (perhaps mixed with some thoughts not his own).
Kirk sat in the long-missed captain's chair, feeling a familiar yet slightly strange touch, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
However, an unexpected figure also boarded at the last minute before departure—Saavik, Spock's father, the Vulcan Ambassador to the Federation.
He formally requested to join the operation in an official capacity, with sufficient and undeniable reasons: as Spock's direct blood relative and spiritual mentor, he had to go personally to ensure his son's *Katra* could rest according to ancient Vulcan traditions.
His arrival added a heavy and sacred layer of redemption to this scientific expedition.
Just as everything was ready and the Enterprise was about to set sail, Osiris offered Kirk a suggestion he had observed for a long time.
His scarlet optical sensors swept over the busy Federation crew on the bridge—they were undoubtedly elites, excellent explorers, scientists, and operators, but they lacked something, something Osiris commonly saw in Maine's crew, in the Adeptus Custodes, in the Imperial Guard—the practical combat aura honed by years of immersion in war and slaughter, almost becoming an instinct.
"Captain Kirk," Osiris' synthesized voice calmly stated, "the professional competence of your crew is unquestionable. But according to my assessment, they are more adept at operating complex equipment and handling deep-space crises. For close-range security missions on a planetary surface, especially in environments where unknown life forms or residual threats might exist, it is not their specialty."
His gaze seemed to penetrate the deck, landing on Maine's crew members in the lower compartments who were almost "bored out of their minds."
"I propose that my exploration team—Maine and his crew—be responsible for the full security of the scientific expedition after landing on the Genesis Planet," Osiris' tone was a factual statement, "They are skilled in this, experienced, and their equipment and combat methods are also more suitable for dealing with sudden, high-intensity ground threats.
This will maximize the safety of the scientific team and your crew, allowing the scientists to focus on their research."
Kirk frowned upon hearing this.
He looked at Osiris, then recalled the fierce aura emanating from Maine's crew when he first met them, an aura that was incompatible with the Federation, and their heavy weapons clearly designed for killing.
He had to admit that Osiris made a valid point.
The Enterprise's security personnel might be sufficient for Captain interstellar disputes, but facing a planet reshaped by the "Genesis Device," full of unknowns, and potential hidden dangers left by Khan, a more specialized combat team could indeed provide stronger protection.
After quickly weighing the mission risks and personnel safety, Kirk nodded: "Understood. Maine's crew will be incorporated into the temporary security detail for this mission, responsible for escorting ground operations on the planet.
However, they must accept my unified command and adhere to Federation operational guidelines for this mission."
"Reasonable," Osiris agreed. He then issued instructions to Maine via internal communication.
Maine's crew members, who had been idle on the ship, were greatly invigorated upon learning they finally had a mission, and it was their forte: ground security.
Rebecca excitedly checked her plasma cannon, Jackie began to ponder if there would be any "local specialties" on the Genesis Planet worth pilfering, and Valerie had already started to formulate contingency plans.
Thus, a legendary starship awaiting its final curtain call, a captain seeking redemption, a group of scientists pursuing knowledge, a mechanical Magos from another world, a grieving Vulcan ambassador, and an elite mercenary team from the Cyberpunk World formed an extremely special and multi-purpose mission team.
The Enterprise's engines started, carrying everyone's hopes, sorrow, thirst for knowledge, and sense of mission, slowly departing the dry dock, adjusting its course, and once again plunging resolutely into the boundless star sea, heading directly for that nascent planet, filled with infinite mysteries and an unfinished destiny—the Genesis Planet.