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?"

just need special storage. The last few years have been rough, and we need to test

take about three hours to get results. If it's all good, we'll need two days for the full

weren't taking the cargo, just

revealing the refined powder inside, the experts were thrilled-the

near certainty about the condition of the metals, but scientific testing was still

hours, the trading center's staff needed to

so the metals couldn't be bad, but that wasn't something Stella could explain

trio and their dog weren't idle either, joining the workers

bit rough, causing the barrels to roll on the ground, the workers called out anxiously, "Easy there, easy!

meeting the testing

news.

a lifetime's worth

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

personal services. "Hey miss, need a strong arm or a loyal companion? Whether you want a beefcake

face darkened.

frazzled.

mad, declared, "She's

bared his teeth with

without another word, drew his gun and

the impenetrable trio and their dog, the group reluctantly dispersed, cursing their

it get to you.

with scavenging

always think they're the exception, endlessly attempting to schmooze

nuisances was

their truck

later, the test results came in fresh from the lab, and the trading department was notified the metals were

will be converted into credits for you. The rest, you'll get your results in two days. Just bring