2026-04-10 14:42:44CHAPTER SEVEN
Zane sat across from her, his fingers tapping the table once before going still.
“The bunker…” he began, “…has already been built.”
Trigger’s brows lifted slightly.
“It was constructed by your company,” Zane continued, “about twenty years ago.”
That got her full attention. “Oh?” She leaned back, interest piqued.
Zane didn’t pause. “I’ve seen the structure. It’s old, but the foundation is still solid. What I need isn’t a new bunker…” His brows furrowed slightly. “I want it restructured. Reinforced. Upgraded to the highest possible standard.”
A small smile appeared on Trigger’s face. “Go on.”
Zane leaned forward. “I want full environmental insulation. Materials that can withstand extreme climate changes. Internal temperature regulation — constant, unaffected by external conditions. Even if the outside drops to extreme levels…” He paused briefly. “…it shouldn’t affect the inside.”
Trigger’s lips curved again. She already understood where this was going.
Zane continued, “The power supply must be independent. No reliance on public grids. I want something that can run for years without interruption. Backup systems, redundancies — everything.”
He didn’t stop there. “The land above it is large. I’m giving your team full freedom to work on it. Build whatever is necessary.”
Trigger nodded slowly.
“And above the bunker…” Zane’s voice lowered, “…I want a fortress.”
Silence settled briefly.
“Not just a structure,” he added. “A full defensive build. Reinforced exterior, layered protection, impact resistance. Something that cannot be easily destroyed.”
Trigger’s smile deepened.
Zane’s final words came calmly. “Something that can survive a high climate collapse.”
Trigger crossed her legs and looked at him directly. “…You want something that can withstand temperatures as low as minus two hundred degrees… and beyond.” There was a pause. Then she added lightly, “…like an apocalypse?”
Zane’s eyes lit up. “…Exactly.”
He leaned back, clearly satisfied. Trigger let out a soft chuckle. In her mind, she had already placed him as another rich heir in disguise. People like him weren’t rare in her line of work.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s talk about scale.” Her gaze sharpened. “What’s the size of the land?”
“Very large. I can’t say for sure. It should be documented on the land deed,” Zane answered.
Trigger nodded, already calculating. “I’ll need to see it myself,” she said, “and verify the current bunker dimensions before any planning or payment structure can be finalized.”
Zane gave a small nod. “That’s fine.”
---
Minutes later, they were in Trigger’s car. The vehicle moved smoothly along the road as the city gradually thinned out on their way to Nova Domicile.
Inside, Trigger spoke again. “Our company doesn’t just build bunkers,” she said. “IVDS operates through several specialized subsidiaries.”
Zane turned his attention to her.
“One focuses on advanced combat and survival training,” she continued. “Close combat, tactical movement, endurance conditioning, weapons handling — everything tailored to the client’s needs.”
Zane’s gaze deepened. Training… His mind drifted to his previous life — the hunger, the ambushes, the deep scar on his thigh that never fully healed. His fingers clenched.
“…What about equipment?” he asked.
Trigger continued smoothly. “Another subsidiary handles advanced materials and specialized fabrics.”
She listed them: thermal-regulated combat wear, multi-layered insulation suits, phase-adaptive fabrics, carbon-weave linings, aerogel padding, frost-resistant shells. Clothing designed for environments that would kill a person within minutes.
Zane’s interest was hooked immediately.
“These materials are also used in construction,” Trigger added. “Cryo-resistant alloys, thermal-stable concrete composites, insulated steel cores, anti-fracture reinforcement layers.”
Zane nodded slowly. These were exactly what he needed.
“…Weapons?” he asked suddenly.
Trigger’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. She smiled. “Of course.”
She listed close-range, mid-range, and long-range options. Zane’s interest only grew.
“I want them all… in large quantities,” he said simply.
Trigger’s smile widened slightly. This was going to be a massive deal.
“…Does your company also have access to firearms?” Zane asked.
This time, Trigger froze for a split second. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“I’ll pay extra,” Zane cut in calmly before she could deflect.
Trigger glanced at him through the mirror. “…I’ll ask,” she said finally.
---
The car slowed and stopped. Nova Domicile stood before them.
Trigger stepped out and swept her sharp eyes across the entire property. A slow, satisfied smile formed on her lips.
After a thorough assessment of the land and bunker, they stood outside once more. Trigger adjusted her sleeve and turned her iPad toward him.
“Mr. Vaughn,” she began professionally, “regarding the bunker renovation… the total cost will be approximately two hundred and thirty million dollars.”
Zane remained silent.
“As for the fortress above ground…” Trigger continued, “every inch of this land will be utilized. The current building will be completely demolished.” Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “That project will cost no less than five hundred million dollars. However, we can proceed with a structured down payment.”
Zane stayed quiet for a moment, calculating. Seven hundred and thirty million in total. He currently had only about four hundred and ninety-nine million. But once he liquidated the family assets…
“I’ll make full payment for the bunker,” he said. “I’ll also purchase all the materials and equipment in full.”
Trigger’s eyes brightened.
“As for the fortress…” Zane continued, “I’ll make a down payment. The rest will be completed later.”
Trigger nodded. “That works.”
“Then we’ll structure the contract that way,” she added. “Let’s go.”
---
Minutes later, they arrived back at the café. Trigger led him past the main seating area toward a quiet section near the back. She touched a section of the wall. A hidden door opened.
“After you,” she said.
Zane stepped inside. His steps slowed as his eyes widened slightly. The entire space opened up before him — steel, glass, and light blended seamlessly. Multiple levels connected by suspended walkways. Screens flickered with data. People moved silently.
This… was IVDS.
“Welcome,” Trigger said behind him, “to IVDS.”
---
By the time Zane returned to the Vaughn residence, it was already past 8 p.m.
“You finally know how to return home!” Madelyn barked the moment he reached for the stairs.
After an exhausting day, Zane felt too tired to argue. He continued walking up without paying her any attention.
“Come back here!”
She threw a stack of documents at him. Zane turned and looked at the papers lying on the step below. It was the Nova Domicile purchase document.
“Where did you get the money to buy this place? I heard about the commotion you caused this morning. Why do you insist on going against me, Zane Vaughn!” Madelyn screamed at the top of her voice.
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