Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 303 A Dialogue Between Two Worlds (Sixth Update)

Faced with this series of highly technical questions, Valerie maintained her smile but answered skillfully: "Lieutenant Savik, regarding the specific teleportation theory, this falls under the core technical category of the 'Sages,' and my authority and knowledge are insufficient to elaborate on it in depth."

As the exploration team, we are primarily responsible for operational matters.

However, I can confirm that its principle seems to be fundamentally different from the warp technology you mentioned; it focuses more on identifying and traversing the 'folds' of dimensions themselves.

This vague yet informative answer prompted a thoughtful look in both Carol and Savik's eyes.

The differences meant a completely new knowledge system, which further fueled their desire to explore.

Carroll picked up the conversation, trying to approach it from another angle: "So, what are the energy sources for your own... enhancements and modifications? And your weapons and equipment? It doesn't seem to me to be traditional nuclear fusion or antimatter."

She carefully chose her words, her gaze sweeping over Mann's powerful metal prosthetics and Dorio's heavy exoskeleton.

This time, Mann answered simply in his deep voice: "To survive the mission."

He then said no more, clearly unwilling to discuss the technical details of his own work.

Jack seized the opportunity to use his skills, grinning as he tried to ease the tension and extract information: "Hey, relax, Doctor, Lieutenant. We really just happened to be visiting unexpectedly."

Speaking of which, what exactly does your "Genesis Project" research?

And that genetically modified human named Khan that the general mentioned earlier… sounds like a big problem? Maybe we could exchange some information? After all, having more friends means having more options.

He skillfully avoided the core of his own technology and instead steered the conversation toward the other side's world.

Carol and Savik exchanged a glance.

Savik shook his head slightly, indicating that the secrets of the "Genesis Project" should not be revealed.

Carol understood and focused on Khan, as this information was relatively public: "Khan Nunion Singh, a genetically enhanced human from Earth's dark history."

He and his equally reformed followers were defeated and exiled by General Kirk fifty years ago because of their extreme aggression and desire for dominance.

Now that he has escaped confinement, seized starships, and attacked Federation facilities, his actions pose a serious threat to interstellar security, and General Kirk is pursuing him relentlessly.

Inside the cave, a dialogue that transcends dimensions unfolds.

On one side are Carol and Savik, representing the pinnacle of scientific rationality in the Interstellar Federation; on the other side is the Mann Squad, from a cyberpunk world, who have experienced the brutal rules of street survival.

Both sides were cautiously testing each other's bottom line, exchanging non-essential information, and trying to build a fragile but crucial bridge of understanding between them.

Carol enthusiastically began to introduce the unique features of the cave, explaining the connection between the energy flowing on the cave walls and the "Genesis Project" while avoiding core secrets, and invited Valerie and others to visit the permitted areas of this vast underground facility on a limited basis.

Savik remained calm and focused on observation and recording. Her terahertz continuously captured the energy spectrum, physiological signals, and unique physical effects produced by the operation of their equipment emitted by the members of Mann's team.

She noticed that the member named Pila possessed a neural reaction speed and prosthetic eye scanning pattern far exceeding that of ordinary humans; while the pilot named Falco displayed highly neuromechanical characteristics in his dynamic perception and prediction of the surrounding environment. Rebecca showed great interest in the tri-recorder in Savic's hand, and whispered to Pila, "Hey, do you think that thing can scan the energy level in my cannon?"

Pila nervously adjusted his goggles, trying to analyze the energy type of the enemy's weapon.

Mann remained vigilant as captain, directing his team to take turns on guard duty. Some communicated with Carol, while others continuously monitored the surrounding environment, especially the Federation teleportation platform and the only exit.

He knew that although the conflict had been temporarily resolved, they were still in a mysterious and potentially dangerous secret facility in another world, and true safety would not arrive until the portal reopened.

This unexpected contact, under the watchful eyes of Dr. Carroll and the meticulous surveillance of Lieutenant Savik, continued in a delicate and fragile balance.

Two vastly different civilizations, in this magnificent and mysterious underground cave, completed their first cautious handshake.
-
Several days later, that familiar teleportation light shone again on the cave platform.

As the light faded, General James T. Kirk's figure appeared alone.

He was still wearing that crisp uniform, but a heavy and weary look lingered between his brows. His former sharpness seemed to have been eroded by some great sorrow, and even his steps seemed much slower than when he left.

Carol and Savik, who had already received some information through the facility's internal communications, immediately went to meet them.

The members of Mann's squad also ceased their activities, watching the returning general with vigilance and silence, a heavy atmosphere permeating the air.

Kirk's gaze swept over everyone, confirming that Carol and David were safe and sound. He then nodded slightly to Savik before finally looking at Mann, Valerie, and the others. His voice was slightly hoarse: "Things... are temporarily over."

He did not describe in detail the brutal pursuit and battle, but simply summarized the outcome with concise and somber words: "The Khan... has been defeated. The 'Genesis Device' he stole... was detonated on the lifeless planet codenamed 'Genesis Star'."

He paused for a moment, as if the scene that shook the stars and reversed life and death reappeared before his eyes—violent energy swept across the entire planet, the earth was reshaped, the oceans surged, and the breath of life burst forth in an instant. A dead planet was transformed into a vibrant new world under unimaginable power.

What was a great scientific miracle now presented a cruel contrast to the enormous emptiness in his heart.

His voice lowered, filled with undisguised pain: "But we... also paid a heavy price."

He took a deep breath, as if it took immense strength to utter the next words, "Spock... to repair the warp drive damaged by Khan and ensure the entire crew of the Enterprise could escape the blast radius of Genesis... he deliberately exposed himself to deadly radiation..."

He didn't say anything more, but the deep sorrow filling his weathered eyes said it all.

On the Enterprise, his final farewell to his Vulcan first mate, who was both a friend and a brother, their palms touching through the transparent aluminum partition, the maxim that "Logic is the minimum requirement for obtaining logical conclusions, but often it is not enough," and Spock's final words, "Don't forget me," all turned into heart-wrenching memories.

Kirk chose to bid farewell to his best friend in a way that best reflected Spock's ideals and contributions.

On orbit around the newly formed Genesis planet, under the solemn gaze of the entire crew of the Enterprise, he placed Spock's remains in a photon torpedo tube and launched it toward that new, life-bearing planet full of infinite possibilities.

“I sent his remains to Genesis,” Kirk said finally, his voice filled with a resolute sorrow. “That… may be the best place for him.”

After doing all this and handling the most urgent military affairs and personnel reassurance, he forced himself to suppress his grief and ordered the Enterprise to return to port to pick up Carol, David, and Savile, who had been left behind.

(End of this chapter)