18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 380

The tarp was yanked back, revealing a truck bed filled with weathered barrels caked in mud and rust. Each container looked like it had survived a bombing raid, dented here and bulging there. The warehouse worker couldn't help but wonder-what on earth was inside?

He scrubbed off the mud, chipped away at the rust, and finally, the emblem on one of the barrels came into view Titanium?

He cleaned a few more, revealing Tungsten, Beryllium...

"My God, these were rare metals-the kind the base had been scouring the earth for, with no luck. Production at the factory was hanging by a thread.

The worker's jaw nearly hit the floor. "All of this, in both trucks?"

"Yep." Stella wiped her dirt-streaked face, her voice tinged with urgency and anxiety. "Buddy, are these any good to you? We busted our backs and bet the farm to trade for these. If they're useless, we're done for." Considering the barrels' shabby state, the worker wasn't sure whether the contents were still intact.

"I honestly don't know." He got caught up in Stella's dramatic demeanor and grew nervous himself. "Hold tight, I'll get some folks from the research and testing department over here."

He dashed into the office and radioed for assistance.

After briefing the situation, he reminded them, "Yes, yes, it's two trucks full-send someone quick."

These metals were like industrial MSG-a pinch in the mix and you're golden. And this-this was a motherlode!

Twenty minutes later, a vehicle rolled up, unloading a few uniformed personnel.

As they caught sight of the two trucks' worth of barrels, their jaws dropped in shock.

The team leader, snapping out of his amazement, commanded: "Let's move, get these unloaded and sampled for testing."

The trading hub's staff scrambled to help.

Stella hurried over. "Hey, where are you taking our stuff? You haven't even weighed it yet. You aren't thinking of swiping it, are you?"

The captain flashed a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we're not thieves. Rare metals just need special storage. The last few years have been rough, and we need to test each one to make sure they're usable." Stella frowned. "How long will this testing take?"

"We'll test a batch first, should take about three hours to get results. If it's all good, we'll need two days for the full check."

They weren't taking the cargo, just samples.

Although the barrels looked beat-up, when they carefully pried off the lids, revealing the refined powder inside, the experts were thrilled-the metals had been impeccably preserved.

Their experience suggested near certainty about the condition of the metals, but scientific testing was still needed for conclusive results.

Within three hours, the trading center's staff needed to clean all the barrels' exteriors.

Arcadia kept things fresh, so the metals couldn't be bad, but that wasn't something Stella could explain to the testers. All she could do was wait.

The trio and their dog weren't idle either, joining the workers in the cleanup.

Understanding the value of the metals, the staff handled each barrel with extreme care. When Stella and Jasper were a bit rough, causing the barrels to roll on the ground, the workers called out anxiously, "Easy there, easy! Don't damage the barrels." To the uninitiated, one might think these sturdy containers were made of tofu.

The workers skipped lunch, focused on meeting the testing department's demands, cleaning everything as quickly as possible.

Word spread like wildfire throughout the trading center, attracting lone scavengers and groups eager for news. Seeing the haul, they were consumed with envy-if only such fortune had fallen into their laps!

Such a bounty could secure a lifetime's worth of necessities if traded.

Some tried to cozy up to Jasper with feigned camaraderie. "Buddy, where'd you score this loot? Let me in on it, I'll work for you."

Others offered more personal services. "Hey miss, need a strong arm or a loyal companion? Whether you want a beefcake or a delicate flower, I'm right here whenever you call."

Jasper's face darkened. "Beat it."

Stella was frazzled. "Get lost."

Rosie, hopping mad, declared, "She's my sister-in-law!"

Cooper bared his teeth with a growl. "Woof! Scram!"

The crowd lingered until Jasper, without another word, drew his gun and chambered a round.

Seeing the impenetrable trio and their dog, the group reluctantly dispersed, cursing their luck.

The workers chuckled. "Don't let it get to you. You'll get used to it."

It wasn't always like this, but with scavenging growing tougher, people were getting desperate.

But some folks always think they're the exception, endlessly attempting to schmooze and ally themselves.

Dealing with these nuisances was becoming a real pain.

The trio and their dog retreated to their truck to rest and grab some lunch.

Around three hours later, the test results came in fresh from the lab, and the trading department was notified the metals were up to standard.

The workers were ecstatic, quickly arranging for Stella and Jasper to weigh their haul and log the metals. "The ones that just passed the test will be converted into credits for you. The rest, you'll get your results in two days. Just bring your receipt to claim your points." Stella was fine with that-credits with a string of zeros were easily transferred into her account.

She did some quick math; if everything passed, they'd have enough points left after buying the submarine.

Not sure what else to need, the trio and their dog decided to check out the goods at the trading mall.

Last time they were here it was night, and they only saw the scrolling electronic screens. Now, with the staff on duty, Stella noticed plenty of new items including escape pods?

Single, double, four-person, six-person, ten-person-there was a size for every need.

As long as you had enough food and oxygen, an escape pod could withstand earthquakes and tsunamis.

Stella eyed the six-person pod. It was much smaller than what she had stashed in Arcadia, likely a result of material shortages-a scaled-down version.

Cramped, sure, and you'd have to stoop to move or use the facilities inside, but it could work in an emergency.

Yet, if the disaster lasted, without extra Arcadia to store supplies, and people crammed inside, madness would surely follow.

Stella pondered getting another pod, just in case, but she was wary of the materials. She waved over a staff member. "Hey, what materials are these escape pods made of?"

The pretty clerk, engrossed in a lively chat with a soldier, ignored Stella as if she hadn't heard a thing.

Johnny, our soldier boy, heard the commotion and tried to give a heads-up, but the waitress, a real looker, didn't give a hoot. She pouted, clearly annoyed, and said, "Just a bunch of window-shoppers. Why bother with them?" Every day the place was swarming with people, but less than ten percent actually bought anything.

Johnny's brow furrowed at her snooty attitude, none too pleased, but he kept his cool, saying smoothly, "Duty calls at the base, I gotta head back."

"Come on, Big Joe, you don't swing by often. Stick around for a chat, will ya?"

But soldier boy was already on the move, "Sorry, got official business."

When her blind date bolted, the waitress was livid, hopping mad. She whirled around on Stella and snapped, "What are you yelling for, with your born-to-be-broke face? You think you can afford a life raft?"