Why did Khan ask Admiral James T. Kirk about Project Genesis?A WR7Wн
When Khan first defeats Admiral Kirk, he asks about Project Genesis.
Why would he ask about Project Genesis?
Wouldn't the USS Reliant, a ship dedicated to helping the Genesis scientists, have far more information in its computers? Khan used the Ceti eels to control Captain Terrell's mind. He could just order Captain Terrell to give Khan access to the computers.
If Khan did have access to the memory files on the USS Reliant, he would not need to ask Admiral Kirk. In asking Admiral Kirk, Khan revealed his intentions, which a super-genius probably would not do. He also alerted Kirk to go to the science outpost, Regula I, since that is where the Genesis scientists did their research.
What happened when Khan beamed up to the USS Reliant that kept him from getting access to the computer memory files on Project Genesis?
Please provide answers from official sources.
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1This reminds me of the premise behind the first season of The Last Ship. When they were in the Arctic, the captain and everyone else on the ship knew nothing about the true reason behind the scientists' mission. The scientists knew and a few higher-ups in Washington, DC knew. The mission was on a need-to-know basis and apparently the captain and crew providing logistical support to them didn't need to know. – Jeeped 11 hours ago
2 Answers
The crew of the Reliant were kept on a strictly need-to-know basis about Project Genesis. They were given enough info to do their jobs with safety, but nothing more than that.
Khan questioned Terrell only briefly, but it seemed to give him great pleasure to extract information from Chekov. By the time he finished, he knew each tiny detail of what precious little anyone on Reliant had been told about the classified Project Genesis. He knew where they had been, he knew where they were going, and he knew they reported to Dr. Carol Marcus.
Wrath of Khan: Official Novelisation
When he interrogated Chekov, he learned that Kirk would have access to the full Project Genesis files.
With an edge in his voice, Khan asked, "Could he find out about it?"
Kirk was a member of the Fleet General Staff; he had access to any classified information he cared to look up. Chekov tried desperately to keep that knowledge from Khan Singh. His mind was working so fast and well that he knew, without any doubt, what Khan planned. He knew it and he feared it.
"Answer me, Mr. Chekov."
"Yes."
Wrath of Khan: Official Novelisation
Valorum's answer is good - but, keep in mind, Khan does try to get the information first from Regula:
First, Khan learns about Genesis (as well as Kirk) from Chekov and Terrell:
KHAN: You didn't expect to find me. You thought this was Ceti Alpha Six! Why are you here? ...Why are you here? ...Why? …
So Khan heads to the Regula station to retrieve it / the device.
But - The crew of the space station wouldn't give up the data
TERRELL: He tortured those people. But none of those people would tell him anything. He went wild. He slit their throats. He wanted to tear the place apart, but he was late. He had to get back to Reliant in time to blow you to bits.
Khan asked Kirk about it because Khan had failed to get it from the scientists, and as we see (and as Valorum shows from the novelization), Kirk is an Admiral and he literally has eyes-only access to the Genesis material:
