As the battle situation on Avarax stabilized, Marcus, aboard the Ishimura, found a window to return to the Resident Evil world. This time, he didn't bring the Ishimura; instead, he piloted the Sanctuary alone, descending directly in front of the United Government's headquarters.
Marcus's sudden return to the Resident Evil world wasn't without reason. Not long before the Greenskins were set to invade the Recidious Star System, the United Government had sent a report to the Ishimura, the vessel responsible for transporting personnel and supplies between the two worlds. It was a report concerning Mother Miranda. However, at that time, Marcus was preoccupied with establishing the Avarax defense line and didn't give the matter much thought.
"Welcome, Captain Marcus of the Ishimura," several high-ranking officials from the United Government greeted him enthusiastically the moment he stepped off his spaceship. Marcus's visit hadn't been announced in advance, so the fact that they had specially dispatched a welcoming party showed significant respect.
"Take me to see Miranda," Marcus stated indifferently. The United Government personnel readily led the way.
"Are you the only one this time?" someone inquired.
"What? Are you worried someone will attack a famous person like me?" The official who asked the question was momentarily speechless.
"Don't worry, there's nothing in your world that can threaten me," Marcus said casually, shaking his head. Despite his assurance, the United Government chose not to dismiss the large number of surrounding defense troops, fearing that something unexpected might happen to the Ishimura's captain on their territory.
After entering the building, the group took the elevator deep underground, reaching a depth of over a hundred meters. This depth was sufficient to withstand the impact of general tactical nuclear weapons. However, such stringent defenses weren't for external threats, but rather to facilitate the detention of dangerous individuals.
"We also captured her, and two others, not long ago," United Government officials explained to Marcus along the way, detailing the entire process from Miranda's discovery to the large-scale military operation for her capture and detention. Marcus listened in silence, not uttering a word.
"Thud!"
After more than a dozen extremely thick alloy sealed doors were opened, Marcus finally saw Miranda, imprisoned in a specially designed cell. In two slightly smaller cells nearby were Karl, the "Martial Arts Master," and the Eight-Foot Lady, Alcina Dimitrescu.
Casually sitting down on a chair in front of the cell, Marcus spoke indifferently. "You deliberately exposed your whereabouts to the United Government and cooperated with your capture, all for the Mycelium?" Although the report provided by the United Government indicated that to capture Miranda, Karl, and Alcina, the United Government had sacrificed dozens of soldiers and even deployed armored forces—making it seem like a significant loss, with Miranda eventually captured due to exhaustion—Marcus, who was familiar with Miranda's combat power, knew better. Even without the Mycelium, if Miranda had intended to remain hidden, her ability to freely change form would have made her impossible for the United Government to catch.
In her cell, Miranda, dressed in a simple white outfit, slowly rose to her feet. "You are the captain of the Ishimura. If I use you, I should be able to exchange for the Mycelium, right?" As she spoke, faint black Mycelium marks subtly appeared on Miranda's body.
"Interesting," Marcus said calmly, without making any movement. However, the surrounding United Government soldiers were on high alert. These soldiers wore the heavy engineer uniforms provided by the Ishimura to the United Government and were armed with miniaturized electromagnetic rifles, making them an elite special forces unit.
"Stop at once!" The United Government personnel immediately activated the high-voltage current generator in the cell. Flashing blue high-voltage currents continuously bombarded Miranda's seemingly delicate body. However, unexpectedly, after finishing her seemingly threatening words, Miranda made no move to act.
"Stop it," Marcus said casually. The United Government personnel hesitated at first but quickly turned off the high-voltage current generator. Only then did Miranda continue to speak. "You've only had the Mycelium for less than half a year, while I have studied it for over a hundred years. You should need the knowledge in my mind." In truth, Miranda herself was unsure. Her understanding of the Ishimura was limited, and she didn't know the extent of their Mycelium research. She truly had no other option but to intentionally allow herself to be caught by the United Government in order to meet someone from the Ishimura.
"I only want to resurrect my daughter. I am willing to give everything for that." If it weren't for the fact that everyone present knew what Miranda had done over the past hundred years, they would probably have been moved by her words. She perfectly embodied the image of a devoted mother.
"Since you've studied the Mycelium for a hundred years, you should have long recognized a fact: to resurrect your daughter, Mycelium alone is far from enough," Marcus said, shaking his head.
"No! I will have results soon! I'm sure!" Miranda insisted firmly. "As long as I find the perfect Mycelium compatibility, I can gather Eva's consciousness fragments."
Marcus, familiar with the plots of Resident Evil 7 and 8, naturally knew that Miranda's plan wouldn't succeed. However, he was indeed somewhat interested in Miranda, given her extensive knowledge of the Mycelium. Without much hesitation, Marcus quickly drafted a Psychic Contract.
"Sign this contract, and I will allow you to reconnect with the Mycelium, and I will not arbitrarily interfere with your attempts to resurrect your daughter. In return, you must work for me until the end of your life." Feeling the highly effective Psychic Contract, Miranda immediately signed her name. Just as Miranda herself had said, she was indeed willing to give everything to resurrect her daughter.
Since even Miranda signed the Psychic Contract, Marcus also conveniently drafted contracts for Karl and Alcina, who had been standing by, and brought them all under his command. This was a small expansion of the "talent reserve" on the Ishimura.
After dealing with Miranda's matter, Marcus had also accomplished his goal for this trip. During the time spent returning, the United Government's representative, following instructions from their superiors, began to inquire with Marcus about the troops dispatched to carry out the Universal Union's "war mission."
"The war over there will end soon," Marcus delivered the good news. At the same time, he casually took out a can of golden liquid, which was the longevity substance extracted from the brains of Tukuns on Pandora.
"Longevity substance, consider it a small extra reward from the Alliance to you." The excited United Government representative carefully took the storage can and repeatedly thanked him.
After leaving the United Government headquarters building, Marcus, Miranda, Karl, and Lady Dimitrescu boarded the Sanctuary together, then soared out of the atmosphere, and disappeared.