Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 314 Kirk's Mourning (8th Update)

When the members of the council saw the preliminary technical report that gathered the approval of many authoritative scholars and clearly pointed out that its theoretical foundation originated from the otherworldly sage Chen Yu, their understanding of this mysterious visitor finally materialized from "an otherworldly life form that has mastered unknown technologies" to "a powerful scholar with a disruptive knowledge system".

A sense of awe and awe spread among the higher-ups.

"With just one academic exchange, they were able to propose feasible directions for improvement to our core technologies that we are so proud of..." a senior legislator murmured, his tone filled with disbelief.

"If he gains access to more of our technological fields, will it have a similar catalytic effect?" another official in charge of science and technology affairs couldn't help but wonder, his tone tinged with a mixture of anticipation and concern.

Chen Yu's almost "Midas touch" academic ability has shrouded the unknown alien civilization he represents in a deeper and more powerful veil in the minds of the Federation's top brass.

This is no longer just a technological difference, but a crushing sense of superiority in terms of mindset and efficiency in knowledge application.

Therefore, some officials who were already inclined to engage actively seized the opportunity to make more ambitious proposals: "Could we consider inviting Mr. Chen Yu to participate to a limited extent in some of our other non-core but equally bottleneck-facing R&D projects? For example, the exploration of new materials or the optimization of energy efficiency?"

This offer is extremely tempting.

Having an "external brain" capable of quickly grasping the essence of technology and offering groundbreaking insights involved in other projects can likely yield unexpected benefits.

However, after careful discussion within parliament, a more conservative opinion prevailed.

"We have already seen Mr. Chen Yu's value and potential. But precisely because of this, we need to be more focused and cautious," the chairperson concluded. "Currently, the highest priority project, and the one that best reflects our sincerity and efficiency in cooperation, is to combine the wisdom of both Mr. Chen Yu and our colleagues to move the improved warp drive from a theoretical model to practical verification."

Let's not try to do too much at once; let's focus on completing this research together. Other potential collaborations can be explored later, based on the success and trust established in this current partnership.

Ultimately, the Federal Parliament reached a consensus: to temporarily refrain from expanding the scope of cooperation, concentrate all relevant resources and the efforts of scholars, and prioritize the improvement and verification of the warp drive improvement scheme based on Chen Yu's vision.

They realized that collaborating with such an entity required demonstrating a matching level of focus and efficiency, and that a successful, groundbreaking collaborative project was the best foundation for building long-term trust and deeper cooperation.

Pressure and expectations fell on the shoulders of Chen Yu and the federal scholars who were fighting on the front lines of academia.
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While Chen Yu was engaging in intellectual discussions with top federal scholars in the academic halls, leading warp drive technology toward new possibilities, James T. Kirk was in a completely different, private mental purgatory.

He returned to Earth, back to his familiar San Francisco apartment. Outside the window were the tranquil bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the scenery still magnificent, but in Kirk's eyes, everything seemed shrouded in a veil of gloom.

Spock has been buried according to Vulcan rites and Starfleet honors—or rather, his remains have been sent to the newborn Genesis.

The official memorial service has concluded, colleagues have expressed their condolences, the press has published an obituary, and all procedural mourning has been completed.

But for Kirk, that profound sense of emptiness grew ever clearer and heavier. Spock was not just the first mate or the science officer, but also his partner who was both a brother and a friend, the voice of reason that pulled him back from the brink of impulsiveness with calm logic countless times in crises, and a partner he could trust without reservation, someone he could entrust his back and even the entire Enterprise to.

That bond, which transcended ordinary camaraderie, was eternally imprinted in the depths of Spock's soul the moment he resolutely entered the radiation chamber, made his final spiritual connection with him through his gloves, and said, "Don't forget me."

Since returning to Earth, Kirk has tried to fill his time with paperwork, routine reports, and even long walks alone in the Bay Area to numb himself.

But he would often find himself walking to the science officer's seat on the bridge, as if he could still see that figure in the blue uniform with pointed ears standing there, reporting the scan results in a steady tone; or late at night, he would subconsciously want to connect to that familiar internal communication channel, just to hear the other person's Vulcan-style rigorous answer to some trivial question.

He became somewhat dazed, his reactions occasionally slow, and his gaze often unfocused, staring into the void. During meetings discussing matters related to Chen Yu, he would sometimes fall silent suddenly, his thoughts clearly drifting into the distance.

All of this was being observed by his close friend, Dr. Leonard McCoy.

This doctor, known for his volatile temper and deep concern, came to visit more than once.

“Jim! Look at yourself!” McCoy pointed the medical recorder at him without any politeness, the device humming in dissatisfaction. “Irregular heart rate, abnormally high cortisol levels, and the EEG shows your sleep quality is terrible! This isn’t mourning, it’s slow suicide!”

McCoy frowned, his tone filled with worry and even a hint of anger: "That green-blooded bastard Spock chose to sacrifice himself so that you could live and continue to lead the Enterprise to explore that damned planet where he finally rests!"
I didn't want you to wander here like a ghost and torture yourself to death!

He even stated sternly, "I warn you, if this continues, I must report to the fleet command and recommend that you undergo mandatory psychological intervention and leave evaluation. Your mental state is no longer suitable for an immediate return to command!"

Kirk knew McCoy was right, but he couldn't control the coldness and emptiness that spread from the bottom of his heart.

He tried to force a smile to tell the doctor he was okay, but the smile looked incredibly pale and weak.

“Bones… I understand.” Kirk’s voice was hoarse. “It just… will take some time.”

But he knew in his heart that the pain of losing a part of his soul could never be completely healed by time.

He stood at the window of his apartment, gazing at the starry sky, the boundless territory he and Spock had once explored together, now only filled with endless longing and a profound understanding of life, friendship, and sacrifice.

In stark contrast to the outside world's clamor and academic fervor, General Kirk was alone, savoring this silent and profound sorrow that belonged to a hero.

(End of this chapter)