18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 389

Boiling plain spaghetti, without a trace of grease, just a handful of dried veggies tossed in for good measure.

Eating pasta nine years into a series of natural disasters was a rare luxury, possible only because of the hefty naval subsidies. Stella wasn't one to let debts linger. She dug into her bag and pulled out six cold buns and a box of salted jerky and dried bacon. Even in tough times, it didn't hurt to butter up the instructor a bit.

Knowing the two had earned a fortune in credits, Mr. Cristian, though polite, didn't hesitate long before accepting the buns and jerky to heat up. Everyone settled down to eat.

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Stella said, "I had no idea we'd be living on a sub. I only brought a few packs of spaghetti. Let me handle breakfast tomorrow, and we can settle the food debt once we're back on land."

Mr. Cristian smiled. "No worries. You've spent a small fortune on that yacht, so the least the navy can do is cover your meals, even if it's not gourmet. Just don't look down on our humble fare." Technically, meals weren't included, but the pair got fast-tracked thanks to a nod from higher-ups, which is why Stella hadn't packed properly.

When the top brass makes a call, food becomes the least of your worries.

Three days of intense theoretical training followed, with Mr. Cristian making the dry technical details lively and engaging, answering every question Stella and Jasper threw his way with endless patience. Piloting, maintaining, and repairing a submarine aren't skills you can master in three days of theory. Stella and Jasper, prepared for the worst, grilled Mr. Cristian on scenarios they might face in a stormy sea. Their questions were sharp and detailed, sometimes even more complex than those posed by professional submariners.

Mr. Cristian, amused yet patient, worked through their queries.

Surviving a natural disaster is no joke. Besides basic needs, Stella and Jasper spent every spare moment - all four hours of sleep they allowed themselves - studying the submarine manuals. Knowledge could be the key to survival. Initially, Mr. Cristian had reservations about these two "connected" recruits, but their dedication and quick learning soon dispelled any doubts. They were picking up skills at an impressive rate, and he quickly saw their potential. "If only they were my soldiers," he thought.

Curious, he asked, "Why haven't you two enlisted? The base could use talent like yours."

Stella smiled, "We've considered it, but we have family to look after."

"That shouldn't be a problem; the base can ensure they're well taken care of," he reassured them.

experience, "I trust the base would provide for them, but after years of struggling, facing life and death, we want to be with our family until the

during crises. He respected their decision

a soldier or a civilian,

began. The submarine dove into the depths, navigating the vast

piloting a submarine, but life is full

creatures and underwater hazards. Stella, proactive with questions during theory, now faced them in practice, with Mr. Cristian challenging her to apply

proved to be a

they returned to the deep-sea dock and emerged into the sunlight, the

out, Stella noticed the new batch of submarines, likely theirs, ready for

the sea creatures through the submarine's viewports, Stella furrowed her brow, "They seem to have grown bigger, haven't

ice caps, causing mutations that made sea creatures not only larger and deformed but also

avoid them, go into hibernation mode. Don't provoke them unless it's life or death; their aggression

sturdy but vulnerable

four days of relentless practice, Stella could navigate the submarine almost

and her companions saw more submarines - it was time to take their own into

staff member checked the system, "Stella, right? Your submarine's ID is 2688,

her agreement, and recording her fingerprint, she got the

the group of three and their dog to

relief. She was finally the

depths, her gear was top-notch. All she needed now was

all this, she'd have to admit

the submarine, they began testing the equipment and inspecting

a fee at the operations center." Stella nodded, "Thanks, but I think I'd like to get a bit more practice out at sea before heading