Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 679: For the record: it was stupid.

Dr Roy was so excited. It was as if he had been handed the keys to heaven itself. Only he knew how much Finch had been disappointed when he did not see Ceasar in ropes, being dragged on his feet into Eden.

But, it would happen now. And with the supplies and trade deal he was taking back, Roy could see himself becoming vice president someday, if Finch was ever voted back into power.

He nodded and motioned at his team to follow him to the prison base where they had been denied entry an hour ago.

Hades stepped forward, his expression shifting from anger to a grim sort of determination. "I’m going with them. Roy is a little too excited for my liking. I want to see this Eden for myself."

Sunshine blinked. Was her husband talking about taking a trip outside? "Are you sure you want to do that? I was thinking of sending Carson."

"I know Finch....a bit," Hades said, his voice surprisingly quiet. "He’s a complicated man with a long memory but he can also be simple at times. I can read him like a book, and if he’s hiding a knife behind his back while he reaches out to shake our hand, I’ll be the one to see it and end him immediately."

Sunshine studied Hades for a long moment. He was the most observant person she knew. He was also determined. He had that same look she had when she decided to follow Nimo outside to search for Alfred. "I don’t like it." she said.

"I know, but we will be gone and back within two hours max." He assured her. "Keep lunch warm for me."

Sunshine folded her fists. "Fine. You go. You get to also choose the team. But I want you in an exo suit. Take our best plane with stealth, camouflage and a shield. The one which looks like a giant dragonfly." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Fair enough," Hades laughed.

"But before any of that," Sunshine said, her tone shifting, becoming sharper and more personal. "Before you leave, we need to talk about Emmet."

An image of the kid flashed through Hades’ mind, vivid and unsettling. He remembered the boy clearly_ a scruffy, defiant spark-plug who looked like nothing but trouble itself wrapped in an oversized hoodie.

"Townsend sent in a formal complaint this morning," Hades said, leading her out of the mall. "Apparently, the kid spent nearly the entire night shouting. Just raw, throat-shredding screaming. They finally had to sedate him just so the rest of the residents could get some sleep."

They stopped at the car and leaned against it, facing each other.

Sunshine up for a few seconds, her gaze drifting toward the horizon. "I knew him, Hades. In my past life." She shook her head quickly, as if trying to physically dislodge a painful memory. "It’s not important how. He said something... he said we were going to need him. He kept mentioning a name. Peter Strauss. The name sounds so familiar, like a song stuck on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t put a face to it. It’s just... there."

Hades’ relaxed posture vanished instantly. He frowned, his brow furrowing as he repeated the name under his breath. "Peter Strauss?" He let out a dry, incredulous chuckle. "Sunshine, Peter Strauss is dead. Deep in the ground dead. There’s absolutely no reason for Emmet to be bringing him up unless this apocalypse has found a way to bring the dead back to life."

Sunshine didn’t laugh. A cold shiver raced down her spine, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, suddenly feeling exposed in the open air. "I have a weird feeling about this, Hades. A really bad one. If Peter died a long time ago, how does a kid like Emmet even know his name? Who is he anyway?"

Hades shrugged, though his eyes remained sharp. "He is Cassius’s biological father and my former partner. He died in accident decades ago. Who knows how this kid knows the name? Maybe he crossed paths with Cassius at some point and Cassius happened to mention that Peter was his father. The apocalypse makes for strange conversation starters."

Sunshine winced. "I can’t see Cassius and Emmet being ’bonding’ buddies, but you’re right_ the world has upside down. People cling to weird things now, like the past." The best examples were Finch and Ceasar who still had presidential dreams. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I’m still going to the prison to ask him myself. If there’s anything buried in Emmet’s memory, I’ll have Dominic dig it out with that creepy ability of his."

She paused, letting out a long, heavy sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the entire week.

"How did the talk go?" Hades asked softly. "With your uncle?"

Sunshine’s face hardened. "Dustin is in prison. Exactly where he belongs." she turned her eyes on Hades, a spark of lingering frustration returning. "I’m still not happy that you allowed that man inside the house, Hades. He is not welcome in our lives."

Hades held up his hands in a defensive gesture. "In my defense, Earl was the one who opened the door. The man introduced himself as your father, Sunshine. The kids were standing right there_ they were thrilled! They thought they’d found at least one of your family members. I couldn’t exactly tackle him and throw him out into the street in front of them without looking like the villain."

Sunshine nodded slowly, her shoulders dropping. "I know. But you have to understand... the only remaining family I have is right here. You, the kids, Nimo and the Fawkes. Our Quinn circle. The Raine’s, they aren’t family. They’re just people who share my blood and wouldn’t hesitate to hurt the kids if it benefited them."

Hades didn’t say a word. He simply stepped forward and pulled her into a firm, silent hug. For a full minute, they just stood there, the events of the morning muffled by the proximity of each other.

Finally, they separated.

"I’m heading to Eden," Hades said, checking his watch. "I’ll see you back at the house later?"

"Yeah," Sunshine replied. "I’m off to the prison. Be safe out there. If you die, I will bring you back to life and kill you again."

He laughed.

"For the record, I think this is a stupid idea." She added.

He nodded with a smile. "And I support you in your thinking."

She watched him walk away and then climbed into the car which set off immediately for the prison. To no surprise of Sunshine, Dominic and Leah were already waiting, leaning against a pillar like two grim statues. In front of them, Warden Townsend was pacing a frantic circle, his hands fluttering nervously.

"Why are you here? Is there a security threat? Can I help? Are you bringing dangerous prisoners? Should I bring out the heavy suppressants? " Townsend’s voice was high-pitched and breathless.

Leah kept shushing him, her patience hanging by a thread. "Go away, Townsend. Just... stand over there and be quiet."

Sunshine almost laughed. If Townsend kept at it, Leah was going to swat him away like a bug.