Godzilla of the Monsters (Sci-Fi Evolved)/Nature vs. Nurture

This is episode one of Godzilla of the Monsters (Sci-Fi Evolved).

Synopsis
Mark Russell gets recruited into an organization devoted to keeping track of Kaiju while soon learning of their secret weapon.

Transcript
The episode begins with archive footage of various Kaiju incidents including the MUTO, Ghidorah, and Godzilla-Kong incidents, among many others from other universes. The watcher of these videos reveals himself to be Doctor Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos, who enters a hangar where Godzilla can be seen being held there, seemingly unconscious and immobilized.
 * Nick "Don't worry, big guy. You'll help everyone soon enough."

Meanwhile, on an alternate Earth, Mark and Maddie Russell are in the woods, hiking. The two continue hiking until they return to their woodland house as the sun sets. Just as their residence is in their sights, however, they spot two individuals lingering around their cabin, both dressed within formal apparels. The Russells make their way towards their cabin, where they meet with the guests, who they are able to easily identify as Japanese. While this is happening, the Japanese man is only able to smile and shake the two's hands. The four enter the cabin and the female guest explains about themselves.
 * Mark: "Now, this is life. No need to worry about giant monsters or insane ecoterrorists or anything like that. Just you, me, and mother nature."
 * Maddie: "(Playfully) So you just want to forget about what happened?"
 * Mark: "(Thinks) We can't progress in life if we're rooted to the past, Maddie. Besides, we haven't gotten another kaiju attack after Hong Kong. It's a miracle that we can even be here."
 * Maddie: "Yeah, go ahead and say that, dad... I'm sure we're going to have an attack within five minutes again. Crazy place out there, you know?"
 * Mark: "Can't argue with that. I'm just thankful we haven't got any extra-universal incursions until this point."
 * Maddie: "As far as we know of, anyway."
 * Maddie: "Anyone you know, dad?"
 * Mark: "I... don't know. I thought Monarch was done with me."
 * Mark: "Hi there, how are you?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "Dr. Russell! It is good to see you (shakes his hand). How are you?"
 * Mark: "I'm good. You?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "We're doing great! (Sees Maddie) Nice to meet you, too. You must be Maddie."
 * Maddie: "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you, ma'am (shakes her hand)."
 * Mark: "So, what brings the two of you here? Are you with Monarch?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "No, we are not with Monarch. Though, we intend to affiliate our organization with Monarch through you."
 * Mark: "I beg your pardon?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "Oh, uh... can we talk about this inside?"
 * Mark: "Oh, sure! Would you like something to drink?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "No, thanks."
 * Mark: "(Addressing the Japanese man) And you?"
 * Unidentified Man: "(Stutters, having difficulty to speak while looking back and forth at his friend) Uh... uh... n-no? Yes?"
 * Unidentified Woman: "(Cheerfully) He means to say no. I'm sorry, he's not that good at English."
 * Mark: "(Chuckles) No, no, (pats the man's back) that's alright. I understand."
 * Unidentified Woman: "Dr. Russell, my name is Asagi Kusanagi, and this is my associate, Rando Yaguchi. We are representatives of the Metaverse Megafauna Maintenance, or as we'd like to call ourselves, M3."
 * Maddie: "That doesn't sound so bad."
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "(Chuckles) Thank you."
 * Mark: "You people with the MSA?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "We maintain liaisons with the Metaverse Security Alliance, but we aren't an official part of it. Our organization maintains watch over the Metaverse's many different exotic gigantic creatures, in hopes of preventing them from doing any harm to other worlds while also conserving their lives."
 * Mark: "Megafauna? What kind of megafauna?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "Any kind of non-sapient megafauna. Dinosaurs, alien beasts, as well as giant monsters."
 * Maddie: "What do you do with them?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "Those that are harmless enough, we either observe or capture and maintain them in our conservations throughout the Metaverse. Those that are.. hostile, we either keep captive and study... or eliminate."
 * Mark: "Wait, so you... your organization has the means to kill Titans?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "Our organization is... well-funded. Some of our members, too, have experience in grappling with these type of monsters. But of course, killing is only an option of last resort."
 * Maddie: "Umm... I don't mean to disrespect, but what do you guys get by doing these things?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "By studying and... (swallows spit) eliminating megafauna, we prevent the spread of disasters across the Metaverse. And our conservations are also zoos, so we do have a source of income."
 * Mark: "Alright. Say that I am willing to join, and perhaps, my daughter, as well. What do we get from this?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "You will be paid in credits should you join our organization, which you can utilize to travel to other universes, should you wish it. Your participation within M3 means that you -- and by extension, Monarch -- are able to utilize the assets we have should your Earth requires assistance. Food, living space, and even metaversal insurance will be provided, as well. Not to mention free entry to the conservation-zoos."
 * Maddie: "And what if we don't want to go outside our own universe?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "We do not impose. But... our leader, Dr. Niko Tat-- Tato -- T (stutters, having problems pronouncing the name before clearing her throat) Dr. Niko, personally intended to recruit the two of you because of your expertise in Gojira."
 * Mark: "Godzilla?"
 * Asagi Kusanagi: "Yes. Godzilla. An incarnation of it that you may be familiar with..."
 * Mark: "(Ponders) I'm listening."

The scene transitions to the view of the Russells, Asagi, and Rando entering the M3 headquarters through a stargate. The headquarters, located in another universe, possesses an industrial look reminiscent of a factory and a whole host of personnel that are seen to be quite busy at this very moment. The four meet with Mr. Niko Tatopoulos himself, who is accompanied with a man and woman in glasses, as well as a more strange looking individual.

The group is then seen walking through the MSA base, where they pass through an area where they are able to see many mechanical constructs of different sizes being maintained in massive hangar bays. The Russells look upon them with awe, as they try to keep their pace with the group.
 * Niko: "Mark Russell, I see you're at least considering my offer. It's an honor to have you here."
 * Mark: "Yes, considering. Who are the people besides you?"
 * Nick: "This man in glasses is Dr. Newton Geiszler. The man besides him is Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. And the young one over here is Mei Kamino."
 * Newt: "Dr. Russell! I heard so much about you and your daughter. Newt Geiszler, here to make your acquaintance."
 * Mark: "(Shakes Newt's hand) Nice to meet you, Dr. Newt."
 * Newt: "And (points to Hermann with his thumb) over here is my colleague, Mr. Hermann. We're from the same universe."
 * Hermann: "(Walks forward and shakes Mark's hand) Mr. Russell. It is good to have your talent here, indeed."
 * Mark: "Thank you. Good to know you, Mr. Hermann."
 * Maddie: "Wait, are all of you from... you know, worlds that have... monsters?"
 * Niko: "Ms. Russell, we wouldn't be here if we hadn't experienced a catastrophe or two with giant monsters."
 * Mei Kamino: "(Steps forward) It is crucial that we gather as much information as possible concerning whatever kaiju are out there within the metaverse to prevent the deaths of many."
 * Niko: "Oh, um, how about we talk about this somewhere else more comfortable?"
 * Mark: "Sounds great. (Sarcastically) Can't wait to see what treats you have."


 * Maddie: "Whoa... are all these really that necessary?"
 * Niko: "You may call us militaristic, but believe me when we say that there are more than a few hostile monsters out there that want many people dead."
 * Mark: "What do you use these for?"
 * Niko: "We deploy them to handle megafauna incursions. There are several worlds out there that are quite vulnerable to megafauna attacks, so we send forth these machines to safeguard the planets that we have identified to be susceptible. We also send them out to accompany research expeditions to defend their lives. Sometimes, we also loan them to responsible parties that are in need of their services."
 * Mark: "You... also employ them as mercenaries?"
 * Niko: "No. We are strictly against the concept of utilizing these weapons for war. Yes, I know what I said. Weapons are for war, but the only war we're waging here is the one between civilization... and the primal monstrosities that threaten to destroy them. We don't loan them to private military organizations or warring factions."
 * Maddie: "Sounds like you're more geared up for killing monsters than conserving them."
 * Niko: "We make sure that they're not a threat to anyone in the Metaverse. Human, or otherwise."
 * Mark: "You also protect alien worlds?"
 * Niko: "We... try to be inclusive, considering that not every alien out there is out to kill us, humans. Besides, we have a number of non-human members in our organization, so they can give us input concerning what is to be done."
 * Maddie: "Haven't seen an alien around here until now."
 * Niko: "You and your father will get to see them in due time. Trust me."

Maddie glances at her father, expressing distrust over Dr. Niko with her facial gestures, which Mark reciprocates. As the group continues their trek to their next destination, the Russells get a good look at a particular mechanical construct that reminds them of a recent memory. The construct in question is seen walking into one of the hangar bays, having apparently suffered quite a lot of damage from the looks of it.


 * Maddie: "(Stops to gaze at the construct) Is that... Mechagodzilla?"
 * Mei Kamino: "Well, that's obviously not your Mechagodzilla. You'd be surprised how many Mechagodzillas are there in existence."
 * Mark: "Our Mechagodzilla was made out of Ghidorah's remnants."
 * Niko: "And this one -- or as we'd like to call it, Kiryu -- was made out of its home universe's own remnants of Godzilla."
 * Maddie: "Are Mechagodzillas always made of the remains of other Titans?"
 * Mei Kamino: "Not always. Although my world's version was, as well."
 * Newt: "(Smirks) Making jaegers out of kaiju parts. (Pats Hermann's back) That a good idea, Hermann?"
 * Hermann: "(Grunts) That is a horrible idea! I wouldn't even imagine what would happen if we had done such a thing."
 * Niko: "(Sniggers) Was that sarcasm, Gottlieb?"
 * Hermann: "You know we've seen the outcome of that idea, Director Tatopoulous."

The Kiryu docks in the hangar bay and its pilot exits the metal titan, apparently having experienced grievous wounds that aren't exactly visible to the group at the distance. As the Kiryu's repair process begins, the group continues their journey. Along the way, however, Yaguchi, Mei, and Asagi are sent away somewhere else by Dr. Tatopoulous himself after he has received an unseen piece of information from his datapad.


 * Mark: "Is there anything, Dr. Tatopoulous?"
 * Niko: "(Briefly glances at his datapad) They're needed elsewhere. And from the looks of it, (looks at Newt and Gottlieb) the two of you are needed, as well."
 * Newt: "I thought you told us that we were going to-"
 * Niko: "I'll handle their orientation myself. You two, head to the research lab. It's urgent."

Newt and Gottlieb immediately depart from the group, hastily saying their farewells to the Russells.

Soon, the trio are seen entering a room through a door tagged Director Niko Tatopoulous.
 * Mark: "What the hell just happened?"
 * Niko: "Follow me, Dr. Russell."


 * Niko: "Alright, here we are. (Turns to Mark and Maddie, who are trailing him) Welcome to my office."
 * Maddie: "(Looks around before abruptly being interrupted by a sight) Oh, this looks coz--"
 * ???: "(Gleefully) Hello!"
 * Maddie: "(Eyes wide open, surprised) Oh, sh-t, what the hell is that?!"

Madison immediately steps back into her father, who is in turn surprised at his daughter's behavior.


 * Mark: "Madison! (Instinctively embraces her) What is it?"
 * Niko: "(Laughs) You've seen Mechagodzilla from quite a distance and you're scared at mere service robot?"

Apparently, a robot of humanoid stature is seen performing maintenance duties upon the office of Dr. Niko Tatopoulous. The robot's relatively uncanny visage somewhat intimidated Madison, though its behaviour is something else.


 * Maddie: "No, no, it's just... (takes a look at the robot) I haven't seen anything like it before. Well, I mean, there were ASIMOs and HUBOs, but they're not... you know, sentient."
 * Niko: "(Laughs again) Don't worry, Ms. Russell. Although we know that 'killer robots' do exist in our wide extended universe, this one over here is not one of them."
 * ???: "I am sorry for intimidating you! I was not notified that Dr. Niko was having guests today. If I had known, I wouldn't have performed my cleaning duties at the regular period."
 * Niko: "It's alright, Mav1s. If you don't mind, you can do us a favor by bringing us some beverages."
 * Mav1s: "Certainly! I will retrieve for you some refreshing drinks!"

The robot, Mav1s, proceeds to depart from the office in search of beverages to serve for the trio. After she gave a facial look of delight at Madison, the Russells and Dr. Niko settle down in the office. The scene immediately flashes back to the past, where Mechagodzilla Kiryu was seen wrestling with a gigantic gorilla with bulging green veins and a size that nearly matches those of Kiryu itself in the midst of Elysium, where its rich inhabitants were seen running for their lives. Within the cockpit of the Kiryu, its pilot, Akane Yashiro, was seen struggling to overcome the gorilla's before inputting a command to the Kiryu's console that prompts it to stab the primate's bicep with its maser blade, which staggered him and allowed Kiryu to throw it away.
 * Mark: "(Takes a moment to think) Did you buy that... robot thing, Dr. Niko?"
 * Niko: "I found her during a research expedition to an Earth full of monsters. She ran out of power and lost her legs. She was... as far as I know, just one of the many robots sharing the same name on that Earth. But hey, I was in need of an assistant so, (shrugs) I had her restored. Bought her some new legs from some Kenton guy to save some MSA credits."
 * Mark: "Well, that's heartwarming. So... (props himself forward) why do you want us here?"
 * Niko: "(Thinks for a moment) Our organization might be large, but we are in a need of scientists who specialize in the field of giant monsters. Kaiju, titans, megafauna. I'm sure you get the gist of what we're doing here. We need your expertise in terms of determining our course of actions concerning the handling of these creatures. Especially... the one you know as Godzilla."
 * Madison: "What's with Godzilla? By the looks of it, if the other Godzillas out there are just like ours, they should just be left alone."
 * Niko: "(Sighs) For the past... several months, we've been facing... challenges. Earlier, you saw our Mechagodzilla, Kiryu, sustaining massive damage. (Picks up a remote and activates a holographic display that shows a video of Kiryu in combat somewhere else) We sent it to defeat a trio of giant monsters that were attacking a luxurious space station yesterday. We thought it'd be as it had always been before. But then..."

Kiryu blasted its triple hyper maser cannons at George, sending him straddling across the landscape before falling upon a mansion. George, however, got up with surprisingly relative ease despite the cannons' power. In defiance and seeming mockery, George beat his chest multiple times. Kiryu replied by firing its rockets at him, which he caught with his bare hands before throwing them back at Kiryu. The Mechagodzilla nimbly dodged the projectiles before standing its ground. By the time it had done that, however, George was nowhere left to be seen.

Kiryu made its way throughout the space station in high alert, its pilot diligently scouring the sensors to detect the adversary's whereabouts. When Kiryu found that there was nothing, Akane attempted to relay a message towards the M3's command, only for it to be ambushed by a saurian titan that decloaked itself right behind Kiryu. Kiryu's back unit was immediately torn apart by Lizzie, who also punched a hole into its rib with her surprising strength. Akane, also feeling the pain and enraged by this, commanded Kiryu to elbow strike the creature before turning around and blasting her with its twin maser cannons.

Just as Kiryu repelled the ambush, however, George suddenly rematerialized into existence, seemingly teleporting into reality itself and surprising Kiryu by attacking it from behind. At this point, Kiryu began to suffer heavy damage and struggled to keep the two at bay, even with its considerable might. With great effort, Kiryu managed to fend off both George and Lizzie, even dismembering the latter's hand with its spiral claw. Unfortunately, Akane had been exhausted, and when another monster dropped into reality the same way George did and unleashed an ear-piercing sonic scream that disoriented Akane, she was unable to operate the Kiryu effectively to defeat the three monsters. While these events unfold, Dr. Niko speaks to the Russells in the present day.


 * Niko: "We've had monster attacks before, where the perpetrators in question had teleporting capabilities. Even we know what specific type of teleportation were these baboons using. But it wasn't for them... and these three were never either stronger or greater than what you're seeing before your eyes. They never looked like that, either. Those monstrous eyes... that savage spirit. We've observed them and we know them... but never like this."
 * Mark: "I assume you've faced monsters with the same exact characteristics as well before these three?"
 * Niko: "Yes. We were able to handle them for the last three months despite their increased strength and teleportation abilities. But when Kiryu was... nearly annihilated by them, we knew that our mechs wouldn't cut it for the foreseeable future. Kiryu's defeat... was our first failure in recent memory... and the catalyst to our recruitment of you."
 * Madison: "For a second, I thought you'd ask for my dad because you wanted his help in deciphering the teleportation stuff."
 * Niko: "Your father does not have the qualifications for quantum physics. Mei Kamino and a few others have. (Turns his attention towards Mark) We need you because of your observational skills. You can help us understand more about the monsters we are facing right now in field observations. Observe their behaviors and decipher if these... beasts are truly animals or if they possess a higher level of understanding."
 * Mark: "What is your hypothesis thus far, Dr. Niko? Do you think that they are animals, or something else smarter?"

While Dr. Tatopoulous is replying, the scene returns to the flashback, where Kiryu was seen utterly decimated and ruined by the three monsters, who mauled upon the mecha with such ferocity that Akane could not have the Kiryu to fight back effectively. Even when the Kiryu moved itself with the consciousness of the Godzilla it was created upon, it was unable to stop the trio's attacks, which ended up knocking out Akane when Ralph unleashed another sonic scream. Eventually, the Kiryu ceased moving and Akane laid motionless upon her pilot chair. After this, the monster trio wasted no time once again teleporting out of reality, leaving Kiryu and its pilot, as well as a devastated Elysium.


 * Niko: "Definitely something else smarter. But then, I'm a biologist, Dr. Russell. I identify what lays within the creature's body, not mind. You are far more suited for the task of deciphering their behavior more than I do."
 * Mark: "You don't have other field observers? I thought you people study those damn things, as well?"
 * Niko: "Yeah, it's hard to send 'other' field observers when they all got killed by those damn teleporting monsters."
 * Maddie: "Okay, so you want my dad because he does field observations well and that your other field observers were dead because of a bunch of teleporting monsters. So, what about me?"

Just after Madison has inquired about her role, Mav1s returns to the room, carrying a tray of drinks: a cup of hot chocolate and two empty glasses accompanied by a casket of wine.


 * Mav1s: "Hello! It is good to see that you are all doing well. I have returned with the beverages you have asked for, Dr. Tatopoulous. Here, (drops the items on to a table) a hot chocolate for the young lady, and wine for Dr. Tatopoulous and his friend to share!"
 * Madison: "(Awkwardly) T-Thanks..."
 * Niko: "Thank you, Mav1s."
 * Mark: "Yeah, thanks, Mav1s."
 * Mav1s: "It is a pleasure for me to serve you all. If you need anything, you can-"
 * Niko: "(Giggles) Mav1s, I mean you no offense, but can you leave us alone for now? We're in the middle of something important here."
 * Mav1s: "As you wish, Dr. Tatopoulous! I am sorry for intruding upon your conversation. I hope you enjoy the beverages I have brought."

Mav1s once again exits the office and heads elsewhere. Dr. Tatopoulous proceeds to answer Madison's question.


 * Niko: "(Thinks) Would it be wise for us to separate you from your father?"
 * Mark: "Well, no, but... there must be a reason why she has to be here. Right?"

Dr. Tatopoulos ponders.


 * Niko: "Yes, there is. And it has to do something with Godzilla."
 * Madison: "Well, what is it?"
 * Niko: "(Suddenly blurts out another question) Are you hungry?"
 * Madison: "What?"
 * Niko: "I'm asking the two of you if you are hungry. I can either answer this after you two have eaten, or right now. Trust me, I've got nothing to hide."
 * Mark: "Then what's the problem?"
 * Niko: "You may be able to process my answer better if you are fully nourished, because it's going to be... quite strange. Especially to intellectuals such as the two of you."

Mark and Madison look at one another before the former decides to answer.


 * Mark: "We'll eat first, then."
 * Niko: "Alright, then. You may leave from this office now. I have other matters to attend to for the moment. Mav1s will lead you to the cafetaria. You'll like the minestrone."
 * Mark: "Okay. (Stands up and shakes Niko's hand) Thank you for your hospitality. We'll think about joining your organization while we're eating. Even if we decide not to join, we'll talk to Monarch about this."
 * Niko: "You have a deal."

After Madison takes her turn to shake Niko's hand and finishes her hot chocolate in a few gulps, the family exits Dr. Niko's office and once again meets Mav1s, who is seen walking towards them.


 * Mav1s: "Hello again! I have been notified that you are hungry. Come on, I will lead you to the cafetaria!"

Mav1s gestures the two to follow her to the cafetaria, going to an elevator to reach their destination.

- Somewhere in an establishment of dubious reputation, a woman garbed in a heavy cloak is seen sitting around while keeping her guard up, cautiously analyzing her surroundings, which are far from the usual standards of safe in her point of origin. A woman soon approaches her with a drink in hand, serving the item to her.


 * Claire Russell: "One Johnny Silverhand coming up."

The cloaked woman immediately grabs ahold of the drink and pays her the city's native currency. While drinking 'Johnny Silverhand', Claire notices the uniform hidden behind the cloak and strikes a conversation with this mysterious individual.


 * Claire Russell: "Not from around here, are you?"
 * Charlie: "No."
 * Claire Russell: "(Nods) Huh. Interesting. (Thinks about it) I'll leave you to it, then. Have a nice drink, ma'am."

Claire returns to her station and Charlie periodically drinks her order while keeping her guard up to prevent anything nasty from happening. Fortunately for her, the rowdier side of the bar has no interest over her. Even luckier for her, her contact has arrived even earlier than she thought.


 * ???: "Charlie Varela?"
 * Charlie: "(Turns towards the speaker) That's me."

Before her stands an Asian light blue-haired man with some face paint upon his cheeks, wearing a dark garment and fingerless gloves, complete with a steely gaze that truly expresses that he's in for some business.


 * Seth: "I see. How bold of you to choose this place as the site of our negotiation."
 * Charlie: "MSA wouldn't even dare to look into Night City for a bit."
 * Claire Russell: "(Blurts out) So I've heard. (To Seth) What can I get you?"

Seth grabs a card from his pocket and puts it on the bar table. When the card is placed, the holographic image of a distinct insignia is displayed. Upon seeing the symbol, Claire's eyes widen in disbelieve and she looks at Seth, who is seen already prepared with a remark.


 * Seth: "Your silence and a chamber for our... (glances at Charlie) businesses."

The scene immediately cuts to the view of both Charlie and Seth sitting around within an exquisite private chamber, where they discuss their dealings, safe from the prying eyes of many.


 * Seth: "(Pours in a drink for the two of them) The Shadow Broker was generous enough to allow me access to the materials you have ordered, Ms. Varela. All that he asks of you is that you keep your boss' business out of his."
 * Charlie: "I see... so you know of what is to happen?"
 * Seth: "The Shadow Broker knows every secret there is, Ms. Varela. While everyone is fumbling in the darkness, he has known every secret there is."
 * Charlie: "That's why you know my surname? The Shadow Broker told you?"
 * Seth: "(Smiles) What do you think?"
 * Charlie: "(Smirks) I think it's good to have business with your boss. Shame nobody gets to see him aside from his lieutenants."

Seth remains silent as he analyzes Charlie's words. For several moments, he processes its meaning, and realizes its meaning. Though not directly speaking of it, he simply gives a friendly, professional look at her.


 * Seth: "(Clears his throat before continuing) Before I proceed, I must inquire on whether or not your faction is interested in continuing business with the Shadow Broker."
 * Charlie: "I have not received any information concerning that from my superior. All that we agree upon concerning your boss is that we will not interfere with the Broker's affairs for the time being."
 * Seth: "I see."
 * Charlie: "Are you going to deliver the shipments according to our agreement?"
 * Seth: "The Shadow Broker has suggested a more... productive site of delivery as a show of generosity."
 * Charlie: "Where is it?"

Seth pulls out the same card as before and prompts it to display the holographic image of a small planet.


 * Seth: "Planet 4546B. It is an ocean world that possesses minimal human presence. Aside from the few human explorers and outposts, it is a desolate place filled with monstrous sea creatures, which I am sure are to the liking of your superior."
 * Charlie: "I thought the Broker would have suggested a quieter planet."
 * Seth: "Indeed. As we speak, the Shadow Broker's forces are scouring the planet of any human presence. By the time your shipment arrives there, no one will bear witness to anything that has happened and is to happen."
 * Charlie: "And if the 'local authorities' notice?"
 * Seth: "They won't. The Shadow Broker's got Trans-Gov bribed. If one of them gets even close to that planet, their very existence would perish."
 * Charlie: "(Smirks) I did not know that the Shadow Broker could be so generous."
 * Seth: "As I said. This is a show of generosity for your willingness to not interfere with our affairs."
 * Charlie: "(Takes a drink) That is good to know."
 * Seth: "The shipment will arrive within four solar days on a Type-9 Heavy. There should be no one else in the system that very day except our parties."
 * Charlie: "Understood. We have a deal."
 * Seth: "Indeed. On behalf of the Shadow Broker, I thank you for doing business with us."
 * Charlie: "The Pleasure's all mine, Mister... (pauses) you didn't give me your name."
 * Seth: "Haven't you heard, Ms. Varela? You shouldn't tell your name to strangers unless you want to make friends with them."
 * Charlie: "I see... so I am a friend of the Shadow Broker's now?"

Seth gets up and finishes his drink before heading out for the chamber's exit.


 * Seth: "(Opens the door, delivering a remark before exiting the premises) You'll know if the Shadow Broker has a room for new lieutenants, should be desire it, Ms. Varela. Everything is up to you. Sleep well, ma'am."

With that, their deal concludes and they part ways, heading towards different destinations.

- Back at the headquarters of the Metaverse Megafauna Management, Mav1s and the Russells are seen exiting the elevator and entering the cafetaria, which is surprisingly rather devoid of life as far as inhabitants go. Despite this, the cafetaria possesses a large array of seats and stalls that serve an even greater array of foods. Unfortunately, the stalls themselves aren't manned. At least as far as the Russells know.

The two proceed to walk along the stalls, seeing the many options they have while being followed by an enthusiastic Mav1s, who 'flashes' a smile at Madison, who looks back to see her whereabouts. She simply flashes an awkward smile back at her, which seemingly delights the robot. After several minutes, they come upon a rather 'special' stall.
 * Maddie: "(Steps out of the elevator and notices her surroundings) This place looks nice. Where's everyone, though? I thought this place would've been busier."
 * Mav1s: "The cafetaria is usually a busy place during rush hour! Right now, it is not."
 * Mark: "Whole place looks abandoned. If it wasn't for what we saw earlier, we would've thought that your organization's on the verge of bankruptcy, if that's even a thing out here."
 * Mav1s: "Oh! I understand where you're coming from. The Metaverse Megafauna Management is relatively large, but it is nowhere the size of the Metaverse Security Alliance. We only have one base of operations, and you're within it as of now!"
 * Mark: "No, I mean... are you understaffed or something?"
 * Mav1s: "No, we are not. We have a sufficient number of members."
 * Maddie: "(Smirks) And your boss went all the way to our world to recruit us."
 * Mav1s: "(Suddenly sounds more serious) Now that's a special occasion. (Immediately returns to a light-hearted tone) Come now! You can look around and tell me what you want. I'll be your sole vendor for today."
 * Mark: "Well, where are the other vendors, then?"
 * Mav1s: "The usual vendor is an AI, but he is currently under maintenance."
 * Mark: "Maintenance?"
 * Mav1s: "Trust me. It's a long and arduous story."
 * Mark: "Huh. Okay then."


 * Mark: "Heh. This must be that minestrone Niko was talking about."
 * Mav1s: "Ah, yes! Joel's Minestrone! Oh, I am so proud of Joel having opened his stall here."
 * Maddie: "You know who this Joel is?"
 * Mav1s: "Yes! He was the last person I saw before I went offline."
 * Mark: "Well, we're already here so... I'll take the minestrone. (Turns to Madison) What about you?"
 * Maddie: "(Walks around some more to see other foods available for her) I'll look around... (stops by a sign that piques her interest) well, what's this?"

Maddie looks upon the sign with a puzzled expression. When Mark joins her, he sees the sign, as well, and reacts with shock.


 * Mark: "Oh, what the--? Mav1s, is this a joke?"
 * Maddie: "I, uh, I'm not sure who's supposed to eat soylent green around here..."
 * Mav1s: "Soylent Gre-(stops to look at the sign) oh."

A brief and dreadful silence ensues.


 * Mark: "You have got to be kidding me. You're telling me that is real, too?"
 * Mav1s: "It seems that we haven't replaced that sign for a while. That stall has been empty for a long time, anyway."
 * Maddie: "Mav1s..."
 * Mav1s: "(Bluntly) Look, I know both of you have little trust within this agency, but please trust me when I say that we do not serve human flesh, processed or otherwise."
 * Mark: "Then why is it there?!"
 * Mav1s: "My memory banks tell me that someone attempted to sell Soylent Green here. He was promptly kicked out when several of our organization's recognized what it is through different incarnations of a certain movie... (playfully) strange, is it not?"
 * Maddie: "Okay, just... I'll have some Mac and Cheese, alright? Can you get that for me, please, Mav1s?"
 * Mav1s: "Certainly!"

Mav1s proceeds to enter the stall of Joel's Minestrone to cook the first order and the Russells sit at a table, waiting for Mav1s to finish their meals. There, they discreetly converse with one another.

Mav1s comes with both the minestrone and the mac and cheese.
 * Maddie: "You know, dad, this is already too much for me to bear... like, what the hell is this place?"
 * Mark: "We're going to need to talk to Dr. Niko about all this. We have to."
 * Maddie: "Do you trust him, dad?"
 * Mark: "Not entirely. Everything seems to add up until now, from what I've seen. But soylent green... this is insane."
 * Maddie: "Dr. Niko did mention that there are aliens, here... (shivers) I don't think I want to meet whoever that alien is who wants to eat human flesh."
 * Mark: "I'd think that we should get out of here, but we don't even know how we got here."
 * Maddie: "That was a stargate, right?"
 * Mark: "Well, we don't have stargates back home, Maddie! (Sighs) At least ones that Monarch solely operates, anyway. Stargates are sensitive tech, the MSA said..."
 * Maddie: "The more we know..."
 * Mark: "Indeed. I guess all we can do is humor Dr. Niko and sees what he wants."


 * Mav1s: "Here. I hope you enjoy your meal."
 * Maddie: "Thanks Mav1s."

Mav1s leaves as Mark and Maddie eat. It cuts to the garage as various people are surrounding the Kiyru as soon the pilot steps out, with a limp in her leg.