18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



Adrift on the vast ocean for what felt like ages, Hans and his crew were done with being castaways. They were desperate for a place to regroup and figure out a way to reunite with their loved ones. They had faith in their nation; Hope Point would rise again, they just knew it.

Breaking the silence, Stella asked, "Can you take him home with you?"

Hans's voice cracked, "Of course, it would be our honor."

Stella called Jasper down from the yacht to help retrieve a box containing ashes and suggested they give Hans some food and medicinal herbs as well. Arcadia's bounty of food and herbs was more than the trio and their dog could ever consume. It would be wasteful to let it spoil while Hans and his crew were barely getting by.

The journey ahead was tough, requiring them to navigate countless treacherous currents, something only possible with exceptional physical stamina. Arcadia belonged to Stella, and Jasper was more than agreeable, "How much do you want to give?"

Not only did he consent, but his heart also swelled with pride to see Stella's compassion endure despite the harshness of their new world. No one wants a partner with a cold heart.

Yet, Stella, having faced so much brutality, often used sarcasm and cold detachment as her armor, her spirit guarded like a hedgehog bristling with spikes. But those who ventured closer found a soul of tender warmth. Cody's words rang true; she was either heartwarmingly generous or piercingly sharp.

To Jasper, Stella's flaws and strengths were part of the package. As long as they didn't cross a line, he accepted her in full - it was the essence of a life lived with zest.

With Jasper's support, Stella pondered, "A thousand pounds of food, and for the herbs, how about remedies for colds, inflammation, and infections?" The quantity was a delicate balance; too little would be futile, too much could arouse suspicion.

Jasper suggested, "Let's give them aged corn and wheat, and I'll help you sort out the herbs."

They busied themselves, and after half an hour, the supplies were packed and laboriously loaded onto the submarine. Hans rowed over in a dinghy with two team members. Seeing the urn and insignia in the box, Hans and his team saluted solemnly, their eyes reddened as they took the box reverently, “Rest assured, as long as one of us lives, we will bring our hero back to Hope Point."

After the exchange, Stella pointed to the bags of food and medicinal herbs, "Captain Liu, we amassed a fortune in credits from trading rare metals, and aside from the submarine, we've stocked up on food and medicine. Consider this a token of gratitude. May you have fair winds and a safe journey to Hope Point."

In a post-apocalyptic world, food and medicine were precious commodities. Hans and his crew, facing daily rationing, dreamt of such supplies. Though coveted, they couldn't bring themselves to take from their kin.

"We all hail from the same roots, from the same base. If it weren't for your metal find, the base couldn't have built more subs or escape vehicles, saving more lives. Your contribution is immense; we can't take your lifelines."

Stella stood firm, "Please, take it. You've taught us invaluable lessons; who knows, it might save us someday. We've kept what we need; the rest would spoil eventually. It's better in the hands of those who need it most."

She didn't stop at food and medicine; she even supplied seeds, "When you surface for rest, try planting some greens." A lack of vitamins could lead to scurvy.

With eyes misty again, Hans and his team thanked her, "We hope to see you again at Hope Point.”

After two trips, all supplies were transferred to U-1926. The submarine sounded its horn in gratitude, and Hans's team saluted Stella and Jasper from afar before descending into the submarine. U-1926 submerged slowly, fading into the vastness of the ocean.

Stella watched the calm sea, feeling a profound solitude as if left alone in this immense watery world. Jasper seemed to read her thoughts, "Aren't I here with you?"

Stella took his hand, "We're family, aren't we one and the same?"

Unable to argue, he simply agreed. Stella looked at him, "With U-1926 gone, do you feel lonely?" After a ten-day acquaintance, they were friends, and friends' departures always brought a hint of sorrow.

"Do you want to go to Hope Point?" Stella asked.novelbin

Jasper answered truthfully, "Not now."

His response piqued her curiosity, "Why not?"

"At the end of the day, it's our herd mentality DNA. A sea base for a hundred thousand might take years, even decades to build, and it's likely to be honeycomb or capsule-style living." The thought of living in cramped quarters like Arcadia, let alone an overcrowded base, was something Stella couldn't imagine adapting to. Better to maintain the status quo and deal with changes as they come.

Stella couldn't help but laugh, "Jasper, you've become the worm in my stomach."

Jasper playfully pinched her nose, "That gross?"

It was impossible, of course, but he'd read stacks of her psychology books in his downtime, becoming an amateur expert. Stella snorted, "I'll take some worm medicine later."

After nearly a decade together, Jasper was immune to her barbs. Basking in the sunshine, they sat back-to-back, enjoying the cool sea breeze and the warmth of the sun. Rosie and Cooper scampered up, frolicking on the deck, their laughter washing away the melancholy of parting.

History was rife with disasters, from the dinosaur extinction to the Little Ice Age, never underestimating the resilience and will to survive of life. "Their forbears were cruel and narrow-minded aggressors, taking after their ancestors' crimes against humanity. To survive, what wouldn't they do?" Stella's stomach churned at the thought of Iran's mutated body, "Could their mutations be from drinking nuclear waste?"

Jasper wasn't sure; after all, those who dared to conduct inhumane biochemical experiments had no lines they wouldn't cross. Nuclear waste couldn't be confirmed, but Iran's intelligence and penchant for violence had clearly evolved.

Stella frowned deeper, recalling how Iran's group had split into three squads during the robbery, a sign of their increasing cunning. The soldiers aboard the 1926 submarine were in the same boat-no pun intended. They had scoured the sea, yet the elusive Iran remained undetected until they were practically on top of the sub.

But here's the head-scratcher: those fishermen were leagues away from the submarine, and they didn't have any fancy diving gear. How on earth did they manage to stay underwater without coming up for air?

You gotta wonder, had they chowed down on too many mutated sea creatures? Had Iran sprouted a pair of gills or something?