 Khan lures Enterprise to the space station Regula I , and he launches a surprise attack that disables Kirk 's ship . Kirk tricks Khan by using a special code to remotely lower Reliant 's shields , allowing Enterprise to inflict significant damage . Khan is forced to withdraw to make repairs . Using the mind @-@ controlled Terrell and Chekov as spies , Khan captures the Genesis device and leaves Kirk marooned on Regula I. Spock deceives Khan into thinking that Enterprise is crippled , surprising Khan when Enterprise rescues Kirk and escapes to the nearby Mutara Nebula . Goaded into following Kirk , Khan pilots Reliant into the nebula , where shields and sensors are inoperable . Due to Khan 's inexperience with three @-@ dimensional space combat , Enterprise defeats Reliant and Khan is severely wounded . Refusing to accept defeat , Khan activates the Genesis device , intent on killing his foe along with himself . Khan quotes Ahab 's words of vengeance from Moby Dick as he watches Enterprise try to escape . 
