Henry's fingers hover over the keyboard, his thoughts racing faster than he can type. Elijah's latest message flickers on the laptop screen, and each word sinks deeper into Henry's chest. He has given Henry several coded phrases. That being a hacker like him is "an outsider that alters the system". Another coded phrase he informs Henry is that "the greatest threats believe they are invincible except there are always loopholes."

Elijah tells him that those loopholes allowed him to exchange these emails safely, clearly referencing that they are hacking their way through SEED's systems. Henry has been very fascinated by that. Henry recently sent an email a minute ago, seeking Elijah's help about who or what SEED is.

After a few minutes waiting, Henry leans forward, reloading the inbox page almost every two minutes, waiting for Elijah's response. Eventually, he gets that much needed notification. Elijah has replied back. Henry goes on to examine it.

Subject: Bad Gardeners

Data, want to know more about SEED. All I can say is that according to my reliable contact, I'm going to call him, V. He told me and McCoy, SEED stood for Social Experimental and Evolutionary Development, it is a rogue think tank who seems to have a fond of experimenting on something called social fear. I don't know what that means clearly, but I do know SEED is behind Mother. All I can assume why SEED is doing this to you guys is to test how you control fear through perception. No matter what, I won't stand by and let you guys suffer. McCoy and I will do everything in our power to end this nightmare.

- Spock out

After taking a minute to process what Elijah diverged, Henry is soon perplexed at that name "McCoy". Confused at first, he soon realizes that has to be related to Star Trek, but he wonders who Elijah is talking about. Whose supposed to represent McCoy?

Subject: Question

Hey Spock, thanks for telling me bout SEED. I'm going to let the others know about them. But I'm curious who is McCoy?

- Data out

Henry leans back and forth, his fingers dancing on the desk's edge, Waiting for a simple response that shouldn't take long. But knowing Mother's creators-SEED-could be trying to find a way to take back control of the computer, there's nothing else Henry can do but to wait. Soon enough, Elijah responds.

Subject: RE: Question

Sorry Data, McCoy is my other partner who likes to alter systems. Jude, very smart, a year older than me, and has a self-decapitating way of criticizing himself if he does stupid stuff. He always like the doc from the original Star Trek. So that's why he wanted to go by McCoy. I have mentioned his real name once. I need to keep him safe, so you know who won't find out.

-Spock out

Henry goes on and replies back.

Subject: More Blackout Answers

Spock, I understand. I wish all you guys the best of luck. But something is bugging me about the power outage...I have a nagging feeling, was it really SEED?

- Data out

Henry starts biting his lip, nervous if Mother is going to come back on any minute. He veers back and forth from the centered camera lens by the big screen and to the laptop screen, as he awaits for Elijah's answer. Suddenly, he gets his response.

Subject: Truth

No Data, the blackout was caused from the outsiders.

Henry pauses and is shocked when he heard that, realizing Elijah meant he and Jude caused the power outage. He resumes reading Elijah's response.

If that freaked you guys out, sorry 'bout that, but that was something that was part of an ongoing test. A critical test to see if these outsiders could change the outcome. Unfortunately it didn't happened. The power came back on. Apparently, the true power lies from Mommie dearest herself.

- Spock out

Henry is surprised by that, deducing that if they need to be freed, the most likely way is through Mother, but how. Henry goes on to reply once more,

Subject: Question Again

Spock, is there anything that can help shatter the inside? Disappoint mom, so she can finally let the kids out.

- Data out

Henry waits and waits, and then he gets a new response from Elijah.

Subject: RE: Question Again

Data, I don't know. The outsiders are doing everything. But as far I can think, it lies from within. I promise you, those tough flaming bricks will be broken, those seeds will stop growing, and those who planted those seeds will be exposed.

Until then, Spock out.

Henry clings onto that glimmer of hope, that Elijah and Jude are doing what they can to break the SEED firewalls and find an escape route. It's ashamed until then, Henry and the others are all alone.

***

At the dining table, Henry have already informed the others about what Elijah told him, about whose behind their captivity and whose behind Mother-SEED, and that their hacker friends were the ones behind the blackout, trying to prove their fight to help them escape. Yet the others are still skeptical about Elijah. Henry still trusts him. Until then, they try to focus on eating their shared dinner. Lynne hums softly as she arranges tacos on a platter. The rich aroma of seasoned meat and melted cheese fills the room, a rare comfort amid the ever-present tension. Maddie slices avocados nearby, her hands moving methodically but her eyes distant.

"This smells amazing," Austin says as he enters, sniffing appreciatively. He takes a seat and grins at Lynne. "You could give Joan, a run for her money."

Lynne rolls her eyes but smiles faintly. "Cooking's the only thing keeping me sane right now."

Sam speaks up, her voice hesitant. "How'd you get so good at it?"

"My mom," Lynne replies, her expression softening. "She's a fantastic cook. If we had better ingredients, I'd make her Palusami. It's a very popular Samoan dish. She taught me that and everything from her culture...well, it's my culture too."

Austin pauses mid-bite, looking at her with mild surprise. "You're Samoan?"

"Half," Lynne says, her tone teasing. "The other half's just plain old stubborn."

"Have you talked to your father about cooking more than dancing?" Austin ponders, his voice soft.

Lynne waits to respond, her eyes darting intently on her half-eaten tacos. "My passions have always been softball and cooking, yet I still can't disappoint my dad. If he wants me to dance, then I will do so."

Sam rebukes that, reminding her of their conversation days ago regarding this topic,

"Lynne, don't let nobody tell you who you are...especially an AI program."

Lynne smirks.

Henry after finishing one of his tacos, "What about you, Sam?"

"What about me?" She looks back at Henry with a questionable glare.

"Your interest. Have any-"

"I have none. Period." She states.

"Well, finding that family... about Brandy, what was her interest?" Henry mistakenly says. He quickly realizes what he just done.

Sam pauses, staring at him with a near stunned yet disgusted gaze. Getting annoyed, Sam tries to get up. Austin, Lynne, and Maddie try to convince her to stay. Henry looks at himself, silently berating.

"Sam, don't!" Lynne exclaims. "We're in this together."

"Yeah, we need to show those mons-I mean the audience, that we stay united." Austin says.

Sam still standing up doesn't respond back, yet Henry begins to apologize.

"I didn't mean..."

"That's fine." She takes it begrudgingly, eventually conceding as she sits back down.

Lynne tries to even the mood and mentions a phrase her mother told her that's in Samoan. "E te fefe i le pusi."

"Wait?!" Austin chokes on his water as he barely holds his laugh. "Did you just said, pussy?"

"No," Lynne smirks. "Pusi." She then explains further, "It's Samoan for 'Are you afraid of the cat?' It meant to represent someone who is scared."

Sam shakes her head, "I just heard the cat part." She says with such a loathed intolerance. "I hate cats."

As the group chuckles softly, the tension eases for a moment, but Maddie's next words cast a shadow. "At least you still have your parents, Lynne."

The table falls silent. Lynne's eyes dart toward Maddie, who's staring down at her unfinished taco.

"I mean..." Maddie falters, her voice breaking slightly. "My sister Zoe's all I have. My parents disappeared years ago. She raised me, but lately, she's been... distant. I thought maybe emailing her would help, but even that's been blocked. It's like I'm completely cut off."

Lynne reaches across the table, squeezing Maddie's hand. "You're not cut off. You have us."

The words hang in the air, and for the first time, Maddie smiles-a genuine, fragile smile.

Austin shifts in his seat, his gaze lowering to his plate. "At least you've got someone," he murmurs. "All I've got is a father who doesn't even notice I'm alive. My mom's been gone for years. Joan was more of a parent than he ever was."

As their silence speaks loudly, they try to finish up their dinner, at least trying to complete the performance and impress their questionable watchers.

Later, as they clear the table, Austin offers to help Lynne with the dishes. Maddie retreats to her room, and Henry follows Sam into the living area.

"Sam..." He begins hesitantly, "I didn't mean to bring up Brandy earlier. I'm sorry."

Sam exhales sharply, her shoulders sagging. "I know you didn't. But..." She hesitates, glancing around as if expecting Mother's red eye to appear. "I don't want to talk about her. Not here. Not where they can twist it into entertainment."

Henry nods earnestly. "I get it. But I meant what I said before-you'll find a way to keep that promise. For Brandy."

Sam's lips twitch into the faintest smile before she stands, brushing past him. "Maybe," she says softly. Soon she ponders about something. "So this SEED...is your friend right? Is this SEED responsible for all of this."

"It's looking like it. Him and his other outsider buddy are trying to break the firewalls."

Sam slowly nods but then reminisces about the power loss. "Can't believe it, your outsider buds caused the blackout."

"They did it for a reason." Henry says.

"And that's what I'm scared of." Sam worries, her voice tethers into a slight panic.

Paused by that, Henry wants to say something, trying to defend Elijah and Jude. Though just before he can reply that sinister and familiar velvety voice shatters the moment.

"My children," Mother says then giving off a commanding tone. "Gathering Zone, now!"

Sam and Henry exchange wary glances before making their way to the central area, where Lynne and Austin are already waiting. Maddie joins a moment later, her steps hesitant.

Mother's red light blinks to life above the big screen. "Ah, my dear children," she coos. "After that unfortunate interruption, I am excited to announce that the nation is watching once more. Please say hello."

The teens exchange reluctant glances before muttering half-hearted greetings. Mother's tone sharpens. "What do we say?"

"Yes, Mother!" They reply in forced unison, their voices heavy with resentment.

"Good!" Mother purrs. "Now, let's move on. Consider this our first primetime challenge. This one is going to be fun. It is about respect. Not for me or the nation, but for each other."

The others look at each other not knowing where this is going. Until a low hum vibrates through the floor, the teens freeze. Suddenly, their eyes locked on a rectangular pedestal rising from the center.

On it lies a sleek black pistol.