Transporting to a pad seems to be a thing, but probably not because the pad would contribute. In "Mirror, Mirror", the Halkan pad most likely is what it looks like: a slab of concrete (or plywood masquerading as such). Most pads, including those in transporter rooms, might be equally inert when another transporter is available at the other end. All you really need is coordinates, and there's no point not having a nice reception room perhaps complete with equipment lockers and whatnot at those coordinates.
And really, if turning you into a ghost and pushing you toward a target through walls and space is risky, you really wouldn't want two machines working at it - having one machine where things can go horribly wrong is already plenty bad enough.
I don't think we're at the level of "speculation" here: the dialogue and the VFX both support the idea of Kirk being in charge of the only available transporter resource. And for a good reason, because I'm sure the writers went through the scenario where Kruge's forces beam to the bridge, see and hear the countdown, and beam back out and proceed to slaughter our heroes; shook their heads; and devised an elegant excuse. They might be blind to some inconsistencies, but generally they did good work with the TOS movies, and we don't have to assume they didn't figure this one out.
I mean, it is classic pirate movie stuff: ship of bad guy (that is, protagonist) sinking, transfer of flag to prize required, arrogance carries the day. Except this day was a good one to die.
Timo Saloniemi
And really, if turning you into a ghost and pushing you toward a target through walls and space is risky, you really wouldn't want two machines working at it - having one machine where things can go horribly wrong is already plenty bad enough.
I don't think we're at the level of "speculation" here: the dialogue and the VFX both support the idea of Kirk being in charge of the only available transporter resource. And for a good reason, because I'm sure the writers went through the scenario where Kruge's forces beam to the bridge, see and hear the countdown, and beam back out and proceed to slaughter our heroes; shook their heads; and devised an elegant excuse. They might be blind to some inconsistencies, but generally they did good work with the TOS movies, and we don't have to assume they didn't figure this one out.
I mean, it is classic pirate movie stuff: ship of bad guy (that is, protagonist) sinking, transfer of flag to prize required, arrogance carries the day. Except this day was a good one to die.
Timo Saloniemi
