The Enterprise exited Warp, and the familiar planet Vulcan, shrouded in an ocher desert and thin atmosphere, appeared on the main viewscreen.
Osiris' sensors scanned the planet's surface, recording its unique geological structures and climate data.
In his eyes, the planet presented a desolate yet magnificent 'charm,' but the civilization that developed on it gave him a peculiar sense of 'aloofness.'
This aloofness did not mean Vulcans lacked interaction or interest in the outside world, but rather an intrinsic, highly self-controlled atmosphere.
His database quickly retrieved and compared a similar case: the Aeldari of the Warhammer Universe, especially the Craftworld Aeldari.
They also possessed extremely rich and keen emotions but chose to suppress and seal them with strict discipline and spiritual training, the fundamental purpose of which was to prevent strong emotional fluctuations from stirring ripples in the Warp, attracting destructive attention.
So, what about the Vulcans? What was the deep-seated logic behind their suppression of their naturally strong emotions?
Was it to avoid some similar cosmic risk? Or was it purely a philosophical choice, believing logic superior to emotion?
This civilizational, holistic emotional control mechanism sparked intense academic curiosity in Osiris.
On the shuttle heading to Mount Seleya, Osiris posed this question to Ambassador Sarek, who was accompanying him: "Ambassador Sarek, I observe that Vulcan society generally practices strict emotional suppression.
Is the origin of this cultural pattern based on avoiding some external threat, or is it a purely endogenous philosophical evolution?"
Sarek's expression was as calm as ever, and he replied in his typical, uninflected tone: "This is a tradition and custom of Vulcans since ancient times, Explorer Magos.
Logic has brought us peace and prosperity; emotion is seen as the path to chaos and destruction. We chose the superior path."
This answer was cautious and official, not touching upon the core historical or philosophical roots.
Osiris immediately realized that this might involve core secrets or sensitive history of Vulcan civilization and was not a topic to be discussed casually.
His enhanced logical thinking quickly determined that pressing further was inappropriate and might even affect the good atmosphere of the current cooperation.
He felt a hint of regret, like a researcher who had discovered a highly valuable topic but could not obtain key first-hand data.
But he also understood the boundaries of inter-civilizational communication.
For an Explorer Magos, curiosity is important, but maintaining necessary 'social etiquette' to ensure that more important knowledge acquisition channels remain open is consistent with the principle of efficiency.
Thus, he abandoned his intention to delve deeper into Vulcan sociology and ecology, shifting the topic to the more practical and permissible goal at hand: "I understand. Thank you for your answer.
Then, regarding the upcoming Fal-Tor-Pan ceremony, I hope to be granted permission to observe. I am very interested in this technology involving consciousness transfer and fusion."
Sarek glanced at Osiris, seemingly evaluating the request, then nodded moments later: "The ceremony itself is solemn and ancient. As one of the key participants in helping Spock return, you may observe. But please remain silent and do not disturb the ceremony."
"Of course, I will abide by the rules," Osiris' synthesized voice responded steadily.
His attention refocused on the increasingly close Mount Seleya mountain range outside the viewport, shrouded in mystery and ancient aura.
While it was a pity that the mystery of the Vulcans' psychology could not be solved for now, the knowledge value inherent in the soul-guiding ceremony he was about to witness, which might involve higher-dimensional consciousness manipulation, was equally significant.
Deep within the temple of Mount Seleya, the ancient Fal-Tor-Pan ceremony proceeded solemnly in a dignified atmosphere.
The low chants of the Vulcan elders echoed through the stone walls, containing a unique rhythm and psychic field.
Osiris' massive mechanical body stood silently at the periphery of the ritual circle, his crimson optical lenses precisely recording every detail—
The subtle flow of energy, the brainwave changes of the participants, the unknown radiation fluctuations in the environment, and especially the invisible connecting bridge gradually established between McCoy and the body of Young Spock.
He observed a faint but definite energy transmitting and resonating between specific individuals, which confirmed his previous conjecture.
The ceremony itself was like a precise guidance technique, using specific mental concentration, ancient syllabic resonance, and a certain inherent latent ability of Vulcans to safely and completely guide Spock's Katra, residing deep within McCoy's consciousness, back into his original (newborn) biological vessel.
The entire process involved no earth-shattering explosions of light; it was more like a silent, deep-level integration.
When the last elder stopped chanting, Young Spock's body in the center of the ritual circle trembled slightly, then quickly returned to calm, but an ineffable, unique sense of 'Spock's' own presence began to emanate from him.
Osiris' internal data storage array recorded a massive amount of information, and he was very satisfied with this.
The value of this observation far exceeded expectations.
Back in the temporary analysis room arranged for him on the Enterprise, Osiris began a deep analysis of the collected data.
The unique physiological structure of Vulcans, especially their ability to carry and transmit Katra, deeply fascinated him.
After repeated modeling and comparison with the psyker theories of the Warhammer Universe, he reached a conclusion: Vulcans, strictly speaking, indeed possessed a certain degree of psyker talent based on the essence of the soul.
This talent enabled them to generate deep mental resonance or empathy with other intelligent life forms, sharing memories, emotions, and perceptions, and even achieving partial soul consciousness transfer and temporary storage.
However, this level of psyker ability was very low.
By the Warhammer Universe's standards, they would not even be officially registered by the Imperium as true psykers; they would more likely be classified as 'psychically sensitive' or a subspecies with special psychic talents.
They could not, like the psykers of the Warhammer Universe, directly manipulate the physical laws of the real universe, summon fire, Warp space, or foresee the future.
As for the fundamental reason, Osiris speculated that the problem might lie in the cosmic environment itself.
This universe does not contain a turbulent 'sea of souls' composed of pure emotional and conscious energy, like the Warp of the Warhammer Universe.
The souls of intelligent life in this universe, after perishing, might naturally dissipate, or perhaps return to the cosmic background in some unknown, gentler form, rather than converging into a dimension full of malevolent entities and eternal storms.
Therefore, Vulcan's psyker abilities are more like ripples on a 'calm lake,' limited to individuals or small groups, lacking the potential energy basis to induce a 'tsunami' and a dangerous external environment.
This also explains why their soul-related technologies could exist and develop relatively safely, without constantly facing the catastrophic threat of being watched by Warp entities or possessed by demons, as in the Warhammer Universe.
The souls of intelligent life in this universe, after perishing, might naturally dissipate, or perhaps return to the cosmic background in some unknown, gentler form, rather than converging into a dimension full of malevolent entities and eternal storms.
Therefore, Vulcan's psyker abilities are more like ripples on a 'calm lake,' limited to individuals or small groups, lacking the potential energy basis to induce a 'tsunami' and a dangerous external environment.
This also explains why their soul-related technologies could exist and develop relatively safely, without constantly facing the catastrophic threat of being watched by Warp entities or possessed by demons, as in the Warhammer Universe.
"A low-magic, even 'safe' form of psyker manifestation—" Osiris recorded this discovery in his data log, providing him with another important piece of the puzzle for understanding the life forms and energy rules of this universe.
Vulcan civilization, beneath its facade of detached logic, concealed a unique and subtle way of utilizing intrinsic soul energy, which itself was a highly valuable research topic.