The shuttle carrying Osiris and Kirk's crew smoothly docked with the Enterprise's hangar.
As the hatch opened and Osiris' massive mechanical body stepped onto the deck, the first thing he saw was Maine's team, who were already waiting there.
They had clearly just finished their cleanup operation, as they still bore the marks of battle.
Their power armor was stained with scorch marks from energy burns and uncleaned alien blood. Although their heavy weapons had been put away, the killing intent tempered by actual combat, which had not yet completely dissipated, still made the surrounding air feel heavy.
The busy Federation crew members in the hangar, upon seeing them, involuntarily became a bit more cautious in their movements.
Their eyes were filled with gratitude, but deeper down, there was an undisguised awe. These crew members had either witnessed firsthand or heard the brief yet brutal sounds of combat transmitted through the communication channels.
The Klingons, warriors renowned for their valor, seemed so vulnerable in front of this crew!
That kind of efficient, almost ruthless, method of elimination was starkly different from the Federation' tactical style, which they were familiar with and which focused more on suppression and non-lethal strikes, creating a strong cognitive impact.
However, Osiris walked directly through this invisible field interwoven with gratitude and fear.
His sensors clearly captured these emotional signals, but his logic core categorized them as "irrelevant data streams" and processed them no further.
He walked towards Maine, his synthetic voice as steady as ever, asking the most practical questions: "Target area eliminate level? Is control of critical ship systems fully recovered?"
After receiving Maine's affirmative reply, he no longer paid attention to the surrounding gazes and instead, along with Kirk, quickly headed to the medical bay.
Inside the medical bay, young Spock—or rather, Spock's revitalized adult body—lay quietly on a medical bed, with vital signs monitors displaying steady curves.
Doctor McCoy stood by, his face still somewhat pale, the burden from Spock's Katra within him not having lessened.
Osiris stepped forward, and his probe arm performed another comprehensive scan. Data streams rapidly compared and analyzed before him.
"Individual physiological state is stable," he announced the results. "Growth process has completely stopped, and cell division rate has returned to normal Vulcan adult standards. After detaching from the Genesis' energy field, the abnormal resonance effect has disappeared, and the potential structural risks and rapid aging risks caused by external forces have been reduced to negligible levels."
This news brought a sigh of relief to everyone in the medical bay, especially Kirk and Ambassador Sareek.
This miraculous reversal, from a cold corpse to a vibrant young body, was filled with unspeakable shock and relief, even for the well-informed members of the Starfleet Fleet.
Dr. Kroll, perhaps to dispel the lingering tension in the air, said with a hint of post-crisis banter, "Honestly, if we could control this... 'genesis' effect, and only use it to eliminate wrinkles and restore youth, I believe over half of the women in the Federation would go crazy for it."
To everyone's surprise, Osiris' steady synthetic voice picked up the conversation, with a tone of pure technical discussion: "From a technical perspective, if energy dosage and action range can be precisely controlled to achieve cellular activity restart and telomere repair at specific tissue levels, it is theoretically possible to achieve localized or overall 'renovation' of biological organisms, reversing some aging manifestations. This is not impossible."
This extremely rational, even academically curious, response made everyone present pause.
They were accustomed to this mechanical Magos discussing engines, weapons, or macroscopic physics, but they never expected him to offer such serious technical insights into a seemingly trivial application like "cosmetics."
In that instant, Osiris' impersonal, non-human quality seemed to fade slightly, revealing his broad interest as a pure researcher in any form of "technical application possibility."
Kirk cleared his throat, bringing the conversation back on track: "In any case, this is good news. Ambassador Sarek, Lieutenant Saavik, next..."
Ambassador Sareek nodded solemnly: "Yes, Captain Kirk. We must go to the Vulcan homeworld immediately. Only in the temple on Mount Seleya, with the ancient Fal-Tor-Pan ritual, can Spock's Katra be safely guided from Doctor McCoy's body back into his newly regenerated body. This is the only way for him to truly return."
—
The Enterprise did not depart immediately.
Although the ritual for Spock's soul to return was urgent, as a starship belonging to the Starfleet, Kirk had to first fulfill his duty to properly handle the aftermath of this sudden incident.
The Enterprise remained in the Genesis star system, undergoing temporary repairs to its hull, which had been damaged by the Klingons, while awaiting the arrival of the Federation Fleet.
Hours later, a task force consisting of three Federation cruisers arrived in the Genesis star system.
After receiving Kirk's detailed operational report and personally confirming the two klingon warships, completely paralyzed like snakes with their fangs removed, the Task Force Commander expressed full approval for the handover.
The transfer process proceeded quickly and orderly.
Federation Marines boarded the klingon warships via transport ships, apprehending the klingon crew members, who were helpless and demoralized due to system failures.
The two warships themselves were also initially secured by Federation engineering ships, preparing to be towed to the nearest starbase for further technical analysis and disposal.
This was undoubtedly a significant intelligence and diplomatic gain.
"The follow-up matters are up to you," Kirk said as he completed the final handover with the Task Force Commander. "We have a more important mission."
"Understood, Captain Kirk. Good luck to you, and may Commander Spock return safely," the Commander responded solemnly.
As the Federation Fleet began its takeover procedures, the Enterprise finally lifted its standby status.
Kirk stood on the now orderly bridge, his gaze sweeping across the main viewscreen showing the two klingon warships surrounded by Federation vessels, then turning to Navigator Sulu.
"Set course for the Vulcan homeworld. Maximum safe warp," Kirk's voice was steady and firm.
"Course set, warp engines ready," Sulu skillfully operated the console.
"Engage."
The Enterprise's engines emitted a familiar hum, and the massive starship elegantly turned, then transformed into a streak of light, disappearing at the edge of the Genesis star system.
On the bridge, Kirk's gaze fell upon the coordinates of Vulcan on the star chart ahead, his heart filled with anticipation for his dear friend's return, and a hint of reverence for the ancient and mysterious ritual about to take place at the sacred Vulcan site.
Inside the ship, Osiris continued to analyze the data streams acquired from Genesis and the klingon warships; for him, the journey to Vulcan was merely a necessary displacement to the next knowledge node.