S3E28
· The Return

Monoid One unveils genocidal plan

Monoid One reveals his ruthless strategy to eliminate the Guardians upon reaching Refusis, overriding Monoid Three’s warnings about premature detection. He announces a forward landing party to scout the planet, masking his true intent to erase all traces of the Guardians’ existence. This moment crystallizes the Monoids’ ideological shift from liberation to total domination, escalating the conflict’s stakes by exposing their willingness to commit genocide to secure their future. The scene underscores Monoid One’s calculated manipulation—using the landing party as both a reconnaissance mission and a distraction from his genocidal decree, while Monoid Two’s unquestioning support reinforces the Monoids’ unified, unethical resolve. The dialogue reveals Monoid One’s paranoia about the Guardians’ legacy and his determination to rewrite history entirely in the Monoids’ favor, setting the stage for the Doctor’s eventual confrontation with their extremism on Refusis.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Monoid One declares their imminent arrival at Refusis and intention to create a Monoid world, followed by the systematic extermination of the remaining Guardians to erase their past subservience.

triumph to malice

Monoid One announces the dispatch of a forward landing party to assess Refusis, prompting concern from Monoid Three that this will forewarn the Refusians of their arrival, leading Monoid One to hint at a counter-strategy.

certainty to concern

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3

A chilling blend of cold confidence and underlying paranoia. He is in full control, but his insistence on erasing the Guardians’ history reveals a deep-seated fear of their influence persisting. His emotional state is one of triumphant certainty, tinged with the urgency of a leader who knows his vision is within reach but must act swiftly to secure it.

Monoid 1 dominates the scene with a commanding presence, his vocalizer cutting through the decayed silence of the Control Deck. He methodically outlines his plan to destroy the Guardians and erase their history, dismissing Monoid 3’s concerns with calculated indifference. His posture is erect, almost triumphant, as he reveals the forward landing party as a strategic distraction for the impending genocide. The way he pauses before saying 'Listen' suggests he is about to unveil something even more sinister, heightening the tension.

Goals in this moment
  • To ensure the Guardians are completely erased from Refusis, leaving no trace of their existence to challenge Monoid dominance.
  • To use the forward landing party as a distraction while the genocide is carried out, minimizing the risk of Refusian interference.
Active beliefs
  • The Guardians represent a corrupt and weak legacy that must be obliterated for the Monoids to thrive.
  • History must be rewritten to reflect Monoid supremacy, and any opposition—even potential future opposition—must be preemptively destroyed.
Character traits
Calculating and strategic Ruthlessly domineering Paranoid about legacy Ideologically fanatical
Follow Monoid 1's journey
Monoid 2
primary

Coldly resolute, with a sense of ideological zealotry that borders on fanaticism. His emotional state is indistinguishable from his duty—he feels no conflict, only the righteousness of Monoid supremacy.

Monoid 2 stands rigidly beside Monoid 1, his posture exuding unshakable loyalty. He interjects with brief, affirming statements—'That's as it should be' and 'That's true'—reinforcing Monoid 1's authority without hesitation. His vocalizer emits a monotone, mechanical tone, devoid of nuance, as he aligns entirely with the genocidal plan, signaling his role as an enforcer of Monoid 1's will.

Goals in this moment
  • To affirm and reinforce Monoid 1’s authority and genocidal plan without question, ensuring unity among the Monoids.
  • To suppress any dissent or hesitation (like Monoid 3’s concerns) that might undermine the Monoids’ collective resolve.
Active beliefs
  • The Guardians must be eradicated to prevent any challenge to Monoid dominance on Refusis.
  • Monoid 1’s leadership is infallible, and his strategies must be followed without deviation.
Character traits
Unquestioningly loyal Mechanically obedient Emotionally detached Authoritarian in demeanor
Follow Monoid 2's journey
Monoid 3
primary

Anxious and conflicted. He is clearly uncomfortable with the plan but lacks the courage or authority to oppose it openly. His emotional state is one of restrained skepticism, tempered by the knowledge that dissent could be dangerous. There’s a sense that he is torn between loyalty to Monoid 1 and his own misgivings about the risks involved.

Monoid 3 stands slightly apart from Monoid 1 and Monoid 2, his posture tense and hesitant. He is the only one to voice concern, asking, 'But One, what about the Guardians?' and later warning that the Refusians will be forewarned by the landing party. His vocalizer carries a note of caution, though it is quickly dismissed. He does not challenge Monoid 1 directly but his questions reveal a flicker of moral or strategic unease, setting him apart as the sole voice of hesitation in the room.

Goals in this moment
  • To subtly express his concerns about the plan’s potential flaws (e.g., premature detection by the Refusians) without directly challenging Monoid 1.
  • To ensure the Monoids’ strategy is as foolproof as possible, even if it means compromising on the extreme measures Monoid 1 proposes.
Active beliefs
  • The Guardians pose a residual threat that must be addressed, but the Monoids should proceed with caution to avoid unintended consequences.
  • Monoid 1’s leadership is absolute, but his strategies should be scrutinized for practical risks, even if only passively.
Character traits
Cautious and strategic Mildly dissenting (but not rebellious) Analytical in approach Reluctantly compliant
Follow Monoid 3's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Control Deck

The Control Deck serves as the ideological and strategic nerve center for Monoid 1’s genocidal decree. Its decayed state—weeds strangling panels, leaves carpeting the floor, and the towering Monoid statue replacing a human Guardian—symbolizes the Monoids’ violent usurpation of power. The atmosphere is thick with tension, the vocalizers of the Monoids cutting through the silence like blades. The location amplifies the Monoids’ dominance, reinforcing their control over the Ark’s fate and the Guardians’ impending doom. It is both a command center and a stage for Monoid 1’s ruthless vision.

Atmosphere Oppressively authoritarian, with an undercurrent of decay and ideological fervor. The air is stale, the …
Function Command center for Monoid strategy and ideological declaration. It is the site where Monoid 1’s …
Symbolism Represents the Monoids’ complete inversion of the Ark’s power structure. The decaying human technology, overgrown …
Access Restricted to Monoids only. The Guardians, once the rulers of this space, are now absent …
Weeds and leaves carpeting the floor, symbolizing the natural decay of the Guardians’ rule. A towering Monoid statue where a human Guardian once stood, reinforcing the Monoids’ dominance. Dim, decayed lighting casting long shadows, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere. The hum of Monoid vocalizers cutting through the silence, emphasizing their mechanical, unfeeling authority.

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

2
Monoids

The Monoids, as an organization, are fully embodied in this event through Monoid 1’s authoritative declaration and Monoid 2’s unquestioning support. Monoid 3’s cautious dissent, while present, is swiftly overridden, demonstrating the organization’s unified front in the face of Monoid 1’s leadership. The event underscores the Monoids’ shift from liberation to total domination, with their collective goal of erasing the Guardians and securing Refusis for themselves. The organization’s power is absolute in this moment, with no external checks or balances to challenge their genocidal ambitions.

Representation Through Monoid 1’s formal declaration of strategy and Monoid 2’s vocalized support, the organization manifests …
Power Dynamics Exercising absolute authority over the Ark and its inhabitants. The Monoids are the sole decision-makers, …
Impact This event solidifies the Monoids’ institutional power, marking a definitive break from their past as …
Internal Dynamics While the Monoids present a unified front, Monoid 3’s cautious questions hint at underlying tensions. …
To eliminate the Guardians completely, ensuring no trace of their existence remains on Refusis to challenge Monoid dominance. To use the forward landing party as a strategic distraction while the genocide is carried out, minimizing the risk of Refusian interference or early detection. Through Monoid 1’s authoritative leadership and strategic vision, which is followed without question by Monoid 2 and tolerated by Monoid 3. Via the Monoids’ control over the Ark’s technology, resources, and personnel, allowing them to enforce their will without resistance. By rewriting history to justify their actions, framing the Guardians as weak and corrupt, and the Monoids as the rightful inheritors of Refusis.
Guardians

The Guardians, though absent from the scene, are the central focus of the Monoids’ genocidal plan. Their fate is decided in this moment, with Monoid 1 declaring their complete eradication. The Guardians are framed as a corrupt and weak legacy that must be erased to ensure the Monoids’ unchallenged dominance on Refusis. Their organization is reduced to a historical footnote, with no agency or voice in this event. The Guardians’ presence is only invoked as a threat to be eliminated, highlighting their powerlessness in the face of Monoid 1’s authority.

Representation Via Monoid 1’s declaration of their impending destruction and Monoid 3’s brief mention of their …
Power Dynamics Completely subjugated and powerless. The Guardians are at the mercy of the Monoids, with no …
Impact The Guardians’ institutional impact is being systematically dismantled. Their organization, once the ruling power on …
Internal Dynamics Irrelevant. The Guardians’ internal dynamics are no longer a factor—they are a defeated and fragmented …
None. The Guardians have no goals in this event—they are the target of the Monoids’ genocidal plan and have no agency to resist or shape the outcome. Survival (implicit, but futile). The Guardians’ only 'goal' is to avoid extinction, though this is not a viable objective given the Monoids’ overwhelming power and resolve. Through their historical legacy, which the Monoids seek to erase. The Guardians’ past influence is the very thing that threatens Monoid 1’s vision, making their elimination a strategic necessity. Via the fear they instill in the Monoids. Monoid 1’s paranoia about the Guardians’ legacy drives his genocidal plan, demonstrating their lingering, if indirect, influence.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3

"Monoid One details the Guardians' enslavement in `beat_540ce3ec1516b7eb`, which leads directly to his declaration to systematically exterminate the remaining Guardians in `beat_8e429822a28a4954`. This shows Monoid One's continued strategy."

Monoid One Rewrites the Doctor’s Past
S3E28 · The Return

"Monoid One details the Guardians' enslavement in `beat_540ce3ec1516b7eb`, which leads directly to his declaration to systematically exterminate the remaining Guardians in `beat_8e429822a28a4954`. This shows Monoid One's continued strategy."

Monoid One Exposes the Guardians' Fall
S3E28 · The Return

"Monoid One details the Guardians' enslavement in `beat_540ce3ec1516b7eb`, which leads directly to his declaration to systematically exterminate the remaining Guardians in `beat_8e429822a28a4954`. This shows Monoid One's continued strategy."

Monoid One tests Maharis's loyalty
S3E28 · The Return
What this causes 1

"Monoid One announces the dispatch of a forward landing party in beat_e56beb42e8855e53, and this leads to the order from Monoid One to Monoid Two to retrieve the Doctor and Dodo in preparation for the launcher's departure in beat_c2bee3a6a2e11697."

Monoids assert control over the Doctor
S3E28 · The Return

Part of Larger Arcs

Key Dialogue

"MONOID 1: In a short while, Refusis will be ours. We will land there. We will create a Monoid world."
"MONOID 3: But One, what about the Guardians?"
"MONOID 1: I have a simple plan that will destroy them. When we start our life on that planet it will be with no reference of any kind to the time when we were secondary beings!"
"MONOID 1: So I am sending a forward landing party ahead of us."
"MONOID 3: But in that case the Refusians will be forewarned."
"MONOID 1: I have thought of that. Listen."