18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 371

Seeing the surprise on Stella's face, the duty soldier clarified, "You all have some pretty decent skills, fitting the criteria for the special passage. No need to waste time here."

Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity, especially when the military brass is opening a door for you. It'd be nuts not to take it.

Jasper drove their SUV, sticking close to the military vehicle as they passed through the main gate and veered towards Gate 2.

The soldier got out, exchanged a few hushed words with the personnel inside, then came back and said, "You're all set. Just follow the procedure." Jasper thanked him.

The military vehicle didn't stick around and soon vanished into the night.

Stella and her two companions got out and lined up at the service window.

The clerk took Jasper's ID, checked the system, then looked up and asked, "SWAT retiree?" Jasper nodded.

"Reason?"

"Injury."

"Where?"

The questions were so detailed it felt like they were ticking off some secret checklist.

It was like a full-on interrogation, lasting a good fifteen minutes, then it was Rosie's turn.

Jasper had all the paperwork ready-birth certificate, ID, everything-making it a breeze.

When it was Stella's turn, she felt like the questions about her background were way too detailed. They asked about the exact date she entered the orphanage, her school history, hobbies, talents, and even her high school exam scores. It felt like they were stripping her down to her core.

After a grueling half-hour, Stella's palms were sweating. She was relieved all her darker deeds were post-apocalypse; otherwise, she might have worried about being executed on the spot.

When Cooper's turn came, the clerk gave him a quick glance and waved him through.

up in the moment, clung to the window and let out a

was protesting, "Why aren't you asking me any questions? Is this

paperwork. "Move on to the next

step was a physical and skills assessment, nothing

were separated, and Cooper faced a specialized examiner, clearly

the stern-looking soldier who somehow reminded him of his own trainer. Without warning, the trainer

of ingrained muscle memory had Cooper immediately snap

it!

tone and excitement, the trainer got fired

surprise, Cooper passed before she even

"Ms. Ginger, we have a K-9 unit here. If you like, he's passed the assessment and

Impressive, my dog!

declined, "Thanks,

of Dogs and wasn't about to let Cooper be tempted, even when the trainer tried to entice her with the

Cooper probably doesn't have

give Cooper a chance to sow his wild oats, "Thanks, but

of the assessment hall, thrilled,

her and went in for

assessment was twofold: hand-to-hand combat and

didn't show off, drawing out what could've been a quick takedown of the female examiner to over fifty moves to achieve a draw. Even

I've trained as if

the choice between crossbow and firearm, and Stella, after a moment's thought, opted for the crossbow, easily passing the

finished, Jasper had also completed

cleared, the trio and the dog were deemed qualified, but they still had

hesitation, both chose to be

entering their information into the system and then issuing

person was to contribute fifty pounds of grain, with

of grain-there went a big

central hall,