Year Four , Issue 5 Summary . Spock is on board the Gemini Space Station and contacts the to inform them that he is beginning the separation process . With a burst of gases , the two sections of the station separate and drift apart . Chekov informs Captain Kirk that the two modules are approaching their final coordinates . He then comments that if all works out , they ' ll see what the Universe looked like at the beginning of time . Arex interrupts to suggest a possible negative outcome , and Kirk tells him that he ' ll take the odds that the simulations have given them . Spock finishes his preparations and brings the deflector shield online . The second module does the same , and a particle beam from each crosses space , joining in a beautiful show of light . Suddenly , the " Enterprise " is hit with a jolt , and Spock reports that there are fluctuations in the quark gluon plasma . A large , dark cloud begins to envelop the second module . Magnetic interference from the cloud prevents a clear signal from getting through as Kirk , Scott , Dr . McCoy , Chekov , Sulu , Arex , and Uhura meet . Chekov notes that the experiment was far more successful than they ' d expected , and that the cloud of plasma had become a singularity . Scott notes that the " Enterprise " has enough power to break away from the field , but that it is too dangerous to use the transporter s to try to rescue Spock . Kirk tells Chekov that as acting - science officer , he is to find a way to rescue Spock . He then apologizes to Arex for taking the wrong odds . After the others leave , McCoy and Kirk discuss the situation , realizing that they ' re both tense about the circumstances . McCoy suggests taking it easy on Chekov as he is still only in training as a science officer , and that he likely feels responsible for the situation . As they speak , another jolt hits the ship , and they learn that the cloud is growing exponentially and that the " Enterprise " is now trapped . On the station , Spock is working on the systems , trying anything to escape . On the " Enterprise " , they learn that the gravitational pull is too strong and putting any more power into the engines and Scott reports that they risk damaging them . Suddenly the station fires something at one of the star s and a large solar flare leaps out , approaching the cloud . The gravitational pull stops as the flare meets the cloud , but starts again when the flare burns out . Kirk contacts Scott and tells him to give full power to the engines , and then has Sulu lock the phaser s onto the same spot on the star and fire all banks . An enormous flare erupts out of the star , heading toward the cloud and the station , and the station is pulled into the cloud . Kirk looks on in stunned disbelief before leaving the bridge , and wandering into his ready room . Chekov interrupts and says " " It ' s Mr . Spock , Captain . I think he might still be alive ! " " He tells Kirk that the transporters would have worked for the instant that the gravitational pull had been nullified , and that due to the time dilation from the intense gravity , he would still be in the beam between station and ship . Kirk calls Scott and McCoy to the transporter room . There is no signal . Then the transporter noise begins as a low , and slow hum . Spock materializes , little worse for the wear , but says nothing . Kirk tells Spock that it was Chekov that made the leap in logic and helped save him . Spock notes that " " Mr . Chekov is a competent science officer . I expected no less . " " He then comments that he will need to figure out what will be needed to extinguish the cloud before it becomes a hazard and will need Chekov ' s help . Memorable quotes . " " If this succeeds , we ' ll " see " how the Universe looked , at the beginning – " " " " – or , create a gravitational anomaly and destroy ourselves . " " " " Mr . Chekov , have you been reading up on your space - time relativity ? " " " " I have Captain . Mr . Spock " insisted " . " " " " I " know " . He said the same thing to me . I ' m glad " one " of us listened . " " " " You ' re not going to say " anything " ? " " " " What do you require , Doctor ? " " " " We thought you were dead ! " " " " A fascinating diagnosis . Nevertheless , I understand that Earth medicine still shows great promise . " "