Impactful Complications

Gravel and grass crunched beneath Neph's boots as the two men drew closer. The entrance to the bunker was hidden behind several large metal crates, and its door looked heavy—definitely solid steel. It could probably repel gunfire and maybe even low-yield explosive ordnance given the thickness.

Zephyr pulled it open with a tug and stepped aside.

"After you," he said dryly.

"…Thank you. You're too kind."

Neph approached the narrow staircase that descended downward into darkness, letting his eyes adjust before taking the plunge.

If he hadn't asked his digital assistant, Magni, to search for this place's building permits, he probably would've never known about the bunker. It was amazing how easily the old man could keep secrets.

Alas, it would all be over soon. Things would be right; he would get paid; and hopefully reconciliation would be one step closer than before.

The staircase ended at a large room filled with boxes and shelves full of supplies—canned foods, water bottles, blankets, and medical kits. There were also several weapons neatly organized along one wall, including an ancient M1911 pistol.

"Quite the arsenal you've got for some retiree scientist. I'm guessing these're holdovers from when the Bygone was just starting up?"

"Yeah. Pirates didn't care about what you had to say unless you had a gun pointed at their face. And before you ask, the permits are still in order for self-defense."

The old man didn't elaborate further, though Neph already knew what he intended. He started checking the perimeter of the room, continuing the conversation.

"True. But this is a lot, isn't it? You could probably sell a few. Most of these belong in a muse—"

"We're not here to discuss what's on my wall. Just finish this up so you can leave. I've got things to do."

Neph smirked, guess small talk was out, especially with Zephyr glancing around the room like some cornered animal.

"Is this really everything though?" He shuffled around a few more boxes. "There aren't any other secret passages or the like here, are there?"

"No. This is it. You're just wasting your time."

Neph shrugged, knowing he would prove the old man wrong.

"We'll see about that."

However, his smile drooped as the seconds stretched into minutes turning over the entire room.

Did he actually miss the girl…? Damn it. Just his luck.

That would complicate things. He'd have to double back and check with Cassian about the limits he'd be willing to push.

"Well, I suppose that concludes my search. Apologies for the inconvenience, Zeph. I'll be out of you and your new daughter's hair—"

*THWACK*

In the blink of an eye, a fist slammed him and connected sharply with his jaw. He was sent sprawling to the ground and into several crates with a crash.

The world spun as Neph picked himself off the ground and rubbed his aching face.

The punch hadn't hurt too much, but for it to have enough power to knock him off his feet? He'd severely underestimated the old man.

"D-damn. That was a good one. Sometimes I forget that you went through gene therapy yourself. Perks of being the elusive father of the modern field, am I right?"

Zeph stomped.

"Stop running your mouth and get out of my home!"

"Yeah, well. I was going to do just that before you sucker-punched me."

"With the last thing you said? Cut the crap. You're still convinced I'm keeping someone here. Which means you're just going to come around and shake me up again."

Neph's mouth twitched. He really needed to get better at shutting up.

"Okay, fine. You got me. I'm still suspicious. But can you blame me? This 'Audi' matches Audra's description completely. The only differences are her hair length and a couple of scars."

"That's not 'completely', Nathan."

"You know what I mean. Her bionics are a perfect match too. You don't find those just anywhere… though you would already know that. Don't you, Mr. Prima Life?"

No response this time.

"Come on, say something. You took in a complete stranger and helped her. Why?! Why would you risk your life for some girl you barely know? Oh. Lemme guess, it's because she reminds you of Callie—"

*THWACK*

"I SAID SHUT IT!"

Neph caught the punch this time, but only barely.

Zephyr glared death as he continued.

"Audi isn't a stranger. She's like family—more than I've ever had since I lost them. There. Is that what you wanted me to say?"

Neph squeezed the man's fist hard, forcing a pained wince.

"Family? Really? You couldn't have known her for more than a month!"

"Don't you dare tell me how to feel. You lost that privilege once you desecrated Ash!"

Neph's annoyance grew as Zeph pushed back.

"I was just stating the truth."

"You literally spit on her grave! My wife's grave, Nathan!"

"Better than what she deserved. How can you possibly justify what she did? Being sad is no excuse for taking the coward's way out! And after how much you suffered for her and Callie? So what if you weren't able to save her? You still did your best."

Zephyr slammed Neph's chest with his free hand.

"It's my fault for this—for not noticing her pain! So don't you dare—"

Bone creaked as Neph's grip tightened.

"There you are making excuses again. Do you have a soft spot for the selfish? That explains things. Like why you took in another damned coward! Audra needs a reality check, not some pampered escape!"

"You need a reality check, Nathan! Audi needs support! She's had to live through things no one should ever have to—like you and all the other kids in that damned program!"

An entire childhood of sterile walls echoed in Neph's vision. Zephyr's kind face, running tests in a clinic, checking for mutations, fixing flaws just to save a genetic freak, all as he was powerless to stop his own mother's health from flatlining.

His strength started to slip.

"…But what happens when that illusion cracks, Zeph? You can't play pretend 'family' forever. It'll only fuck her up more once she realizes it's not the same. Do you realize just how much I—"

Zephyr knocked Neph's grip loose with a knee to the gut.

"Stop trying to lecture me! You did this to yourself!"

Pain exhaled through teeth as Neph refound his footing.

"Damn it, Zeph. You're not seeing the full picture. Audra still has family left! She's got a granduncle—a man named Cassian Gen. He's been worried sick about her! Not like the cowards you and I had!"

Zephyr clutched his fists, and Neph immediately tensed. However, the old man just gave him a piercing glare, chest straining as it rose and fell with anger.

"Nathan. I've… Never mind."

"W-what?"

Tension unfurled with a deep breath.

"Nothing. Let's just end this now."

"No. That's not how this—"

"It can and it will. Now. You're done. I've already told you that you have the wrong person."

"The hell? I'm not just going to—"

"I can't tell you anything about some missing girl because she's not here! Get that through your thick skull and leave!"

"Zeph. Listen to yourself. You can't possibly think that crap will fly with me. Almost everything is a perfect match to her. Even 'Audi's' bionics are the same models. It's not impossible, but—"

"But nothing! I already told you to get out of my home. I've complied as much as I will, and you've overstayed your nonexistent welcome."

Frustration simmered before Neph sighed deeply.

A quiet voice in the back of his head urged him just take the old man down—beat an admission out of him. However, it quickly faded.

Neph couldn't fault Zephyr for wanting to help someone, even if it was severely misguided.

"Fine. But I'll be back, Zeph. You know that don't you?"

Zephyr didn't respond. Instead, he turned around and began walking back towards the stairs.

"Just go. You can shut the bunker door on the way out."

"…See you later then, old man. And tell 'Audi' that she can't run forever."

Once again, there was no response. The silver-haired man stoically ascended the stairs.

Neph just followed behind and nursed his cheek. Once outside, the steel door closed with a thud.

"…" He took one last look back before heading back to his truck.

Perhaps he could report Zephyr for assault with the stint he'd pulled. But given how little damage there was and the old man's reputation, it probably wouldn't go anywhere.

Besides, he was technically trespassing at the time. His contract didn't let him search homes, and it was taken off company time.

Neph unlocked the truck door with a click and shook his head to clear his thoughts.

There was nothing more to be done here. At least, not for now. It would still be a while until the contingency he'd enacted at the beach kicked in—a simple handshake would be his key to drawing them out.

He paused, already trying to piece together a new plan of action as the truck rolled down the road.

His payout might not be as big, and he'd have to involve an unwitting pawn or two, but once things cooled down and the pieces were in place…

Neph sighed as the shop shrunk to a dot on the horizon.

So much for not making things complicated.