The container issue was resolved, but how to safely and discreetly transport the two behemoths from the research institute to the Enterprise, hidden in a valley dozens of kilometers away, remained a huge challenge for everyone.
The discussion reached an impasse; conventional transportation methods were either too conspicuous or technically unfeasible.
Finally, Osiris proposed a plan: "Based on the analysis of this era's logistics capabilities, the institute will inevitably need to use large, specialized transport vehicles to move the whales.
The most efficient solution is to intercept them during transit.
Maine's team will execute the operation, controlling the transport vehicles and personnel, and transferring both the vehicles and the whale containers to the vicinity of the Enterprise.
As long as the operation is swift, ensures no casualties, and leaves precious metals far exceeding the vehicle's value as compensation, the risk of temporal contamination will be within a controllable range."
This plan was simple, direct, and even carried a touch of the street style common in the Cyberpunk World, somewhat at odds with the Starfleet's usual protocols.
Kirk frowned upon hearing it; he instinctively recoiled from such an act, which was almost robbery.
But after repeated deliberation, he had to admit that, given the tight schedule and lack of better options, this was indeed the method with the highest probability of success.
He finally nodded gravely, but sternly informed Osiris that no one should be harmed during the operation, and the compensation must be adequate.
While Kirk was racking his brain over the ground operation plan, Spock took a completely different approach to dealing with the mission objectives—the whales themselves.
He believed that bringing two living beings across hundreds of years into a completely unfamiliar environment ethically required their own consent.
Thus, with Dr. Taylor's assistance, Spock silently slipped into the water, approaching George and Grace.
He used the unique telepathic abilities of Vulcans to carefully establish a preliminary mental connection with these two massive marine creatures.
This was a deep communication; he conveyed the future crisis, the threat facing Earth, and the role they needed to play, in a way that transcended language.
He also perceived the whales' vast wisdom, their deep affection for the ocean, and the nascent willingness to take responsibility for a larger circle of life.
—
The plan progressed steadily with a peculiar blend of styles.
Maine's team members removed their signature heavy incendiary weapons and plasma gear; these formidable weapons of future battle would clearly be too shocking on the streets of the 20th century.
They managed to conceal their overly obvious combat cyberware and optical sensors with baggy jackets, bandanas, and exaggerated accessories, striving to blend in with the avant-garde youth on the streets of San Francisco.
The effect was unexpectedly good.
Their street-hardened demeanor and deliberately crafted, somewhat futuristic "retro" attire made them look like an extremely cutting-edge rock band or extreme hippies.
On their way to the designated reconnaissance point, some local hippies actually approached them, curiously asking where they got their "bionic tattoos" and "modifications," praising their look as "straight out of outer space."
Jackie fully utilized his ability to deal with all sorts of people; he chuckled and used a few strange-looking but simple gadgets he carried from Night City—such as a keychain that could project a simple holographic image, and an audio generator that made bizarre sounds—to successfully deflect their questions, and then smoothly struck up a conversation with these "local guides."
He offered them a few synthetic but strangely textured "cigarettes," and in the leisurely smoke-filled chat, subtly steered the conversation towards special transportation services in the city, especially regarding the large vehicle traffic to and from the marine research institute.
These street youths were clearly in the know about all the city's happenings; they eagerly provided a lot of useful information, such as what models of large flatbed trailers the institute usually used, which transport company they frequently collaborated with, and even vaguely mentioned rumors of "something big" possibly being moved soon.
Valerie quickly organized and analyzed these fragmented pieces of intelligence, providing Maine's team with valuable references for the time, location, and target vehicle characteristics for the subsequent interception operation.
Before the operation even began, Maine's team had already collected firsthand crucial information on the streets of the target era, thanks to their unique "localized" disguise.
When Jackie returned with detailed information about the transport vehicle, and it was combined with the city traffic data and internal institute schedule collected by Osiris, a clear action plan was quickly formulated at the temporary command post.
Osiris projected a simulated route on the map, calmly explaining: "According to the existing data model, there is an 87% probability that the transport vehicle will turn onto the main road via this service road next to Golden Gate Park after leaving the institute.
This section of the road has relatively open visibility, but sparse traffic in the afternoon, and the trees on both sides provide some concealment, making it the optimal interception point."
He paused, and the light shifted to the two female members of the team.
"The key to this operation is precision and speed, avoiding any unnecessary entanglement. Valerie, you will be responsible for on-site command and intelligence support, monitoring surrounding communications and police channels.
Morris, your Sandevistan System is crucial for ensuring instantaneous control of the situation; the core of the operation will be executed by the two of you."
He further elaborated: "Maine will lead Dorio and Falco to stand by in an adjacent block as a quick response force, to deal with unforeseen circumstances.
Jackie, you are responsible for creating a small, non-destructive traffic disruption at the intersection before the operation begins, such as faking a vehicle breakdown, the purpose of which is to slightly delay any potential unrelated vehicles, creating a window for the operation."
Once the plan was clear, the execution day quickly arrived.
In the afternoon, a large specialized transport vehicle slowly approached, its cargo bay carrying the custom-built tank with George and Grace.
The driver was a middle-aged man in a work uniform, casually humming a popular song from the radio, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
Just as the vehicle was about to turn, Jackie, driving an old pickup truck obtained with the help of the hippies, suddenly "stalled" and stopped slightly ahead at the intersection.
He jumped out of the car, lifted the hood with a look of "annoyance," perfectly blocking the direct view of the vehicles behind.
Almost at the same time, a blurry figure flashed out from the tree shadows on the side with a speed beyond the limits of normal human vision—Morris had activated her Sandevistan.
She silently approached the driver's cabin like a ghost, and before the driver could react, she deftly opened the car door, the cold blunt edge of her Sonic Blade precisely pressed against the driver's carotid artery, while her other hand quickly cut the vehicle's engine.
"Don't move, don't make a sound, cooperate with us, and you won't be harmed," her voice was calm, without a ripple.
Meanwhile, Valerie appeared from the other side; she quickly scanned the vehicle and the driver, confirming there were no hidden alarms or weapons, and reported in a low voice via encrypted communication: "Target controlled, environment secure."
The entire process took less than ten seconds.
Maine and Dorio observed their surroundings vigilantly from their car in the distance, while Falco monitored movements further away from a high vantage point.
Everything was under control.