As Episode 5 opens, Monarch has imprisoned the protagonists within a command post nestled in the remote wilds of Alaska. Cate, defiance etched on her face, occupies a corner, asserting that intimidation tactics would fall flat on her. Kentaro, in a fit of frustration, roars out his lineage, proclaiming himself the son of Hiroshi Randa, and hurls a chair against the door in a vain attempt to break free.
Meanwhile, May is not isolated in her predicament. Agent Duvall, with a calculated air, questions the girl about the whereabouts of her backup for the files. Revealing her knowledge of May's true identity, she addresses her as "Lyra Mateo of Tacoma, Washington." Duvall hands May a card, insisting that trust can be established between them.
Tim, eager to enlist their aid, faces opposition from Deputy Director Verdugo. However, Duvall interjects, advocating for a strategy of keeping the young ones on a loose leash to observe their next moves. Her proposal gains traction and is eventually accepted.
Equipped with new passports, wads of cash, phones, and plane tickets provided by Tim, the trio contemplates their paths. May yearns to return to her life in Tokyo, while Kentaro and Cate are resolute in pursuing their father. Recognizing the peril in splitting up, they opt to stick together, setting their sights on Hiroshi's office in San Francisco as their next destination.
Shaw engages in a heated exchange with Verdugo, lambasting Monarch for its perceived inaction. Despite Verdugo's attempts to sway him with the information gleaned from the kids, Shaw remains unconvinced. In a separate conversation, Tim and Duvall delve into Shaw's unusual aging, attributing it to a botched mission that altered the course of his life.
James, a confidant of Cate's mother, Caroline, arrives to fetch Cate and her companions in San Francisco. Initially, Cate tries to decline his assistance, but eventually, they all climb into his vehicle. Upon reaching Caroline's residence, Cate intends to gently break the news about Kentaro, but the revelation of his full name leaves Caroline reeling.
Following a heartfelt discussion, it's revealed that Cate withdrew into herself on G-Day, prompting Caroline to encourage her daughter to venture to Japan in search of answers about her father. Determined to uncover the truth, Cate announces her intention to investigate Hiroshi's office, situated in a heavily guarded sector of the city. With her mother's aid, they manage to reach the vicinity, though Caroline is compelled to leave them to proceed alone.
As they wander through the crumbling ruins, desperately trying to find their way to Hiroshi's building, Cate's mind drifts back to the events that unfolded two days prior to Godzilla's catastrophic assault on the town. She recalls meeting her girlfriend, Dani, at their beloved coffee shop before heading off to work together, both employed at the same school. Dani had taken the opportunity to ask Cate if they could move in together.
Upon arriving at her classroom, Cate is disheartened to find that many of her students are absent, their families gripped by fear of the looming monster. Despite her best efforts to reassure the remaining students, the school remains on edge, unsure of what calamity might strike next.
Meanwhile, military officers stationed in the vicinity detect movement and spring into action. Cate, Kentaro, and May scramble for cover, their minds racing as they try to devise a plan. Cate's thoughts are haunted by memories of the past. On G-Day, she had been faced with a choice: stay behind at the school with her girlfriend or accompany the children on the bus.
Kentaro, ever resourceful, tosses a bag of chips near a car, drawing a swarm of curious cats. The officers, misinterpreting the commotion as mere animal activity, withdraw. Noticing Cate's somber mood, Kentaro begins to sing snippets of songs their father used to play for them. Cate's face lights up with a brief smile, but their moment of respite is short-lived as the military's renewed search leads them straight to the trio.
In a desperate dash for safety, they find themselves in an underground passage. However, Cate's trauma resurfaces with a vengeance, leaving her frozen in fear. May stays by her side, guiding Cate through controlled breathing exercises to help her regain her composure. Flashbacks reveal Cate's betrayal of her girlfriend and her impulsive decision to rush onto the bus with the children instead of staying at the school.
Cate confides in May, expressing her deep-seated belief that she is a disappointment and no better than her father. Just then, Kentaro reappears, announcing that he has discovered a way out.
In Hiroshi's office, they come across a cryptic map. Initially stumped by its complexities, Kentaro's expertise in projected images soon sheds light on the puzzle. He deduces that after Alaska, Hiroshi had set his sights on Africa. With newfound determination, the group exits the area and makes their way back to Caroline's house.
As Cate confides in Caroline, revealing that Hiroshi is still alive, May takes the opportunity to call Duvall.
