18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 375

Joining the military meant grueling training every single day. It was tough, no doubt, but as bona fide members of the Phoenix Project, we had our perks-food, shelter, and clothing were all provided.

Stella could see the worry etched on her friends' faces. With a wry smile, she said, "Jasper's still recovering from his injuries, and I was sick not too long ago. It's a miracle I even made it into the base. Plus, with Rosie and Cooper to look after, enlisting or doing manual labor isn't realistic. I'll give scavenging a shot, and if that doesn't pan out, we'll figure something else out."

Every family has its own set of challenges. Noticing their reluctance to join the military, Cody didn't push them. "Alright, as long as you've thought it through."

After some casual chit-chat, Cody got up to leave. "Stella, Jasper, we've got more training tonight, so we better head back."

Stella wanted to invite them to stay for dinner.

Cody and the others shook their heads. "We've got our meals and accommodations sorted at the mess hall. We ate before we came."

Stella walked them to the door. "Drop by whenever you can."

Angela stepped forward for a hug. "Take care of yourself, Stella, and let us know if you need anything."

Stella smiled, "Will do."

After saying their goodbyes and closing the door, Stella sat down to digest the conversation. Then she declared, "We need to get ourselves a submarine."

Sure, Arcadia had yachts and cruise ships, but if tectonic plate collisions got worse, a massive tsunami would be inevitable, and those vessels wouldn't stand a chance. The submarines used by the military for the Phoenix Project, however, were reliable.

You can never have too many escape options. Stella wished she could fill Arcadia to the brim with them.

Jasper did the math. "The rare metals we've stockpiled should be more than enough to trade for a sub."

They had been hoarding with the intention of bartering, and now, if these metals could be put to good use and they could acquire an escape vessel, why not?

But it had been nine years, and scavengers had turned the earth upside down searching for such metals; they couldn't be too cavalier about using them.

After dinner, instructing the kids to get some early rest, Stella and Jasper headed into Arcadia.

The containers they stored had to look the part-rusty and worn wasn't enough. They hammered and pounded them into deformity, hastening the rusting and dulling to fake the illusion of being long buried by earthquakes. Faking it wasn't a one-day job.

But as new scavengers, they couldn't just show up with rare metals and trade for a sub without raising suspicions.

After a quick breakfast and packing up their belongings, they drove to the central hall, where they traded tobacco and liquor for a metal detector and officially began their scavenging life.

Real scavenging wasn't the plan, especially with the harsh conditions outside the base's protective range, where they could be targeted by bandits or other scavengers at any time.

Their immediate priority was to get familiar with the local terrain and replace a secure transfer site.

As they searched, they eventually made their way to Mount Murray.

The area, far from the city and off the beaten path of the base, was even more desolate than when they had last visited in search of medicine.

For safety's sake, Stella decided it was time to bring out the big guns.

It wasn't unusual for scavengers to be gone for days without returning to base, so the trio, along with their dog, weren't in a hurry. They rested at the foot of the mountain for a day before getting acquainted with Lincoln. Old habits die hard; they drove with balaclavas on, one at the wheel and the other on lookout.

And wouldn't you know it, they encountered scavengers looking for a brawl.

There were three groups in total-one already laid out on the ground, the other two gearing up for a decisive battle.

The winner would take the spoils.

The derelict off-roader kicked up a cloud of dust reminiscent of a scene from an old western film.

As the rumbling engine of their behemoth vehicle passed by, the scavengers were so stunned they nearly dropped their weapons.

"Holy cow, that's badass!"

From the pile of defeated bodies, a bloodied, dirt-covered figure suddenly leaped up, chasing after them and screaming hysterically, "Damn it, my ride, my ride!"

Finally, the car thief had been caught.

His precious car, his pride and joy!

The roar of the engine drowned out the man's frantic cries.

Jasper noticed someone chasing after them in the rearview mirror, seemingly having run out of his shoes.

He frowned slightly. "Looks like Bran."

Stella was taken aback. "Who?"

It didn't make sense. The Porras family, even if they'd left Griffith, would logically turn to an official base like Goldbridge, not end up at Kindle Society.

She was skeptical. "Are you sure?"

Jasper slowed down, allowing her to see for herself.

Indeed, there was a ragged beggar, covered in filth, chasing after them.

This image... ugh, it did bear a striking resemblance...

Tsk, the guy had chased them for hundreds of meters without giving up, even losing his shoes in the process.

Stella watched the rearview mirror intently-it really did look like that spoiled brat from the Porras family.

"Damn it, just when I finally got to show off my ride, Bran's ghostly presence had to ruin it all!"

Frustrated, Stella urged, "Faster, faster, speed up!"

They still had a shred of decency; they couldn't just turn around and kill him. So, they fled.

Jasper floored it, and the vehicle sped along the post-apocalyptic highway.

Stella watched as Bran's figure grew smaller in the rearview mirror until it was just a dot, and then even that dot disappeared.

Her beloved car would have to stay hidden. Her good mood was ruined, and she couldn't help but grumble, "Why would he leave a perfectly good official base to come to Kindle Society?"

Jasper was calm. "Probably Shane's doing."

The Porras family might have had status in Griffith, but they hadn't dabbled in military or political affairs. In the chaotic end times, wealth no longer held sway, and without significant influence, they were just another name to the official base. Shane's decision was likely a contingency for the Porras family, but who knew what had gone wrong with Bran to end up in such dire straits.

Disasters made life unpredictable.

Jasper shook his head, focusing again on driving.

Lincoln was home to Kindle Society, but Newtown was just as deserted. Those who could get into the base had done so, those who couldn't either moved inland or resigned themselves to their fate.

Let it be. It was hard enough just making it through each day. The major tectonic event might as well come sooner-better to die early and be at peace!

As the authorities retreated, law and order in the city collapsed, and crime was rampant. But after years of disaster, there was little left to exploit-barely even scraps.

As their vehicle entered the city, it quickly attracted unwanted attention.

Facing the behemoth, very few had the guts to confront it; most chose to adopt the "out of sight, out of mind" approach.

Staring at the ghost town that once thrived, Stella's heart grew heavy. To lighten the mood, she played some upbeat tunes.

Lincoln was a vast city, overseeing several counties. The pair made a special trip to what used to be the industrial district. Unfortunately, it had been turned upside down by a massive earthquake and picked clean by scavengers since, leaving not even a scrap of metal to be found.

After getting acquainted with the area, Stella pulled out a paper map and began to mark the locations of the city's major factories, discovering a plant that once processed special metals.

They didn't stop at Lincoln; every unique factory in the entire state was marked on their map.

Time was ticking, so they decisively hopped in the car and headed back to base.

Crossing the danger zone, they drove into an abandoned, dilapidated factory. Stella had planned ahead and brought a truck, loading up bent and rusted rebar, scrap metal, and old doors and windows.

They changed clothes as well, emerging covered in dust and grime, their outfits stained and dirty.

The dog, cunning as ever, cocked its head to one side and then threw itself on the ground, rolling around until it was just as disheveled, barking playfully, "Woof!"

They donned bulletproof vests and helmets, laden with their replaces, and made their way back to base.

Stella remained on high alert, eyes peeled for any danger lurking around.

They were now within the influence of the Kindle Society, a range where scavengers and nefarious groups dared not stir trouble. Their journey was smooth sailing. Suddenly, Rosie spoke up, pointing ahead, "Hey Cooper, check it out, there's a beggar up there."