Chapter 305: Headed for Earth
The descent of Ryo's massive dark red mechanical body abruptly changed the initially tense atmosphere caused by the dimensional portal's abnormal activity.
After a brief moment of shock, Dr. Carol's face instantly bloomed with the light of unparalleled excitement and enthusiasm—a state unique to a top-tier scientist encountering an unprecedented research subject.
She almost jogged forward, completely ignoring his inhuman form and potential deterrence. A barrage of questions poured toward Ryo like a torrential storm: "Mr. Magos! What principle is your dimensional teleportation technology based on?
"How do you overcome the potential differences in physical constants between different dimensions? How are the energy requirements resolved? How does the positioning accuracy reach such an astonishing degree?
"Also, is your... mechanical lifeform the prevalent form of existence in your civilization? What kind of fusion between biotechnology and mechanical engineering lies behind this?"
Her questions spanned multiple cutting-edge fields such as physics, engineering, and biology, eagerly seeking to tear open a corner of this unknown knowledge.
Ryo's gaze focused on Carol. His synthesized voice was steady, but listening closely, one could detect a trace of approval at encountering a "qualified conversation partner": "Dr. Marcus, your questions touch the core.
"The key to dimensional teleportation lies in identifying and utilizing the 'folds' of reality's structure itself, rather than tearing it apart with brute force. As for my form, it is an inevitable choice in the pursuit of efficiency and knowledge."
He then turned the tables and raised his own questions, aiming directly at the part he was most interested in: "I am extremely focused on the principles of your so-called 'Genesis Device.'
"How does it achieve matter recombination and life sequence encoding on a macroscopic scale? What are its energy sources and control logic? This kind of technology, which borders on defining rules, far exceeds the scope of ordinary energy applications."
Two top-tier scientists—one representing the Adeptus Mechanicus's ultimate thirst for knowledge and pragmatic technological modification, the other representing the United Federation of Planets' cutting-edge scientific research based on rational exploration and bioethics—had their minds violently collide in this moment.
Dimensional teleportation and Project Genesis: one excelled at crossing spatial barriers, while the other excelled at reshaping matter and life forms. At the highest levels of fundamental physics and energy manipulation, the two actually seemed to have points that could mutually inspire and corroborate each other.
Sparks of inspiration continuously flashed within their dialogue; both captured clues from the other's words that could greatly enlighten their own research.
For a time, the cavern seemed to become a temporary top-tier academic forum, filled with highly specialized and obscure terminology exchanges. Let alone Maine and the others standing by, even Lieutenant Saavik, who possessed profound knowledge herself, found it somewhat bewildering to listen to.
However, this enthusiastic academic exchange was quickly interrupted by a calm voice.
"Carol." Admiral Kirk stepped forward, his voice carrying the steadiness of a military man and the sense of responsibility of a commander. "All details of 'Project Genesis' are top-secret to the Federation. Any form of technological exchange, especially with... non-Federation members," he glanced at the inhuman Ryo, "must undergo comprehensive evaluation and formal approval by the Federation Council Security Committee. These are the regulations, and we must abide by them."
His words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing Carol's burning enthusiasm for the exchange.
She opened her mouth, wanting to argue that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but in the face of Kirk's serious gaze and Federation regulations, she ultimately swallowed her words, her face written with unwillingness and regret.
Ryo's mechanical head turned to Kirk, his crimson optical lenses flickering slightly.
A clear feeling of displeasure was transmitted through his visage, and his voice took on a trace of icy metallic texture: "Bureaucratic procedures. The shackles of efficiency."
He did not conceal his disdain for this process of multi-layered approvals that could drag on for days.
In the Adeptus Mechanicus, while technology certainly had ranks and clearances, the flow of knowledge between Magos—based on equivalent exchange or power struggles—was often much more direct.
However, Ryo's dissatisfaction stopped there. His heavily modified logic core quickly suppressed the meaningless emotional fluctuations.
As an existence capable of being promoted to Explorator Magos in the faction-ridden and strictly regulated environment of the Mechanicus, he understood the necessity of such "procedures" all too well—whether to maintain the operation of the organization or to protect core interests.
When dealing with a massive United Federation of Planets, forcibly demanding their highest secrets was foolish and dangerous, and it did not align with his interests.
"I understand your position, Admiral." Ryo's synthesized voice returned to a steady state. He no longer dwelled on immediately obtaining the core data of "Project Genesis," but turned his gaze to broader possibilities. "The Federation's technology tree clearly possesses unique value. Perhaps we can begin contact in some... non-sensitive areas. For example, basic energy theories, or materials science."
He did not make things difficult for Kirk, displaying an unexpected "reasonableness."
But this was not giving up; rather, it was a strategic shift.
He knew well that as long as the door to communication was opened, relying on the dimensional technology in his hands—which the Federation was equally interested in—as a bargaining chip, gradually gaining access to deeper technologies was merely a matter of time and strategy.
At this moment, maintaining a good preliminary contact atmosphere was far more important than tearing up their relationship for the sake of momentary knowledge acquisition.
The patience of an Explorator Magos was sometimes even more terrifying than his thirst for knowledge.
Hearing Ryo's almost reasonable response, Kirk's tense nerves indeed relaxed a little.
The rationality and restraint displayed by the other party made him far easier to deal with than Kirk had anticipated for an "otherworldly Magos" possessing unknown, powerful technology and an inhuman form.
This allowed him to see the possibility of peaceful, orderly exchange.
He pondered for a moment and proposed a more sincere invitation: "Mr. Magos, since you are interested in the Federation's technology, and your existence itself represents an unprecedented contact case for the Federation, I formally invite you and your team members to Earth—the capital homeworld of the United Federation of Planets.
"There, you can engage in broader exchanges with top scholars from the Federation Academy of Sciences, and specific protocols regarding technological cooperation can also initiate formal diplomatic procedures for discussion."
"Earth..."
This familiar word spoken from Kirk's mouth stirred a complex ripple of data in Ryo's processors, drawing out a trace of an emotional fluctuation bordering on "nostalgia."
Strictly speaking, this was already the fourth "Earth" in his cognition.
The first was the blue homeland in his blurry past-life memories, a hometown full of the breath of everyday life.
The second was the center of the Imperium of Man, revered as "Holy Terra" in the Warhammer universe—a metallic planet that had become crowded, suffocating, and covered in Hive Cities under ten thousand years of war and extreme bureaucracy; a symbol of heavy faith and cruel reality.
The third was the Earth where Night City was located in the Cyberpunk world, struggling amidst capitalist exploitation, technological abuse, and social tearing—a place of despair where brilliant neon and profound darkness coexisted.
And the one before him, the Earth of the United Federation of Planets... according to the analysis in his database regarding the behavioral patterns, technological levels, and social ideals of Kirk and his team, this was highly likely a utopian homeland that had achieved unity, peace, and prosperity, truly marching toward the sea of stars.
This was the image of "Earth" closest to the homeland in his memory, and the one that most perfectly fit humanity's beautiful fantasies of the future.
This strong contrast and sense of déjà vu left Ryo with almost no hesitation.
He needed to witness this "ideal template" with his own eyes, and even more so, he needed to make contact with the vastly larger technological system it represented behind it.
(End of Chapter)