18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 390

Jasper double-checked, and sure enough, there were no hidden cameras on the submarine.

Just to be on the safe side, Stella decided to head into Arcadia.

Despite Mr. Cristian's warm and genuine demeanor, Stella and Jasper hadn't let their guard down over the past few days. They hadn't noticed any suspicious behavior from him either.

Even when the submarine, code-named 2688, slipped into the sea, they didn't spot anyone tailing them.

"Why do you think Mr. Daniel was talking in riddles?" Stella pondered.

His smile was disarming, and if it weren't for his authoritative presence and the fact that he was older, Stella might have suspected he had less-than-honorable intentions, like an old fox chasing young chickens.

She admitted her thoughts might be narrow-minded, but it all felt so bizarre.

Maybe harboring secrets made everyone seem like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

It was strange indeed, but Jasper couldn't figure it out either. "Let's just stay on high alert," he suggested.

Regardless, the submarine was now in their possession.

Next, they had to strategize how to handle the cataclysmic event they referred to as the "Great Collision." Without a plan, they would be flying blind when it hit.

Cars, yachts, cruise ships, planes, armored vehicles, submarines - Stella felt like she could summon a genie with all the modes of transport at their disposal. But facing a natural disaster of unprecedented scale, they needed a cunning plan. Losing meant certain death. Survival was no place for arrogance or pride; they needed to stay humble to avoid a fate like the one in the old tale of the horse race.

Stella mused, "With all the people in the Kindle Society, if land, sea, and air routes are compromised on the day of the Great Collision, what do we do?"

Jasper thought it through. "The ocean covers 70% of the Earth, and it'll bear the brunt of the impact. The biggest danger is tsunamis, and once a person falls into the sea, their chances of survival are pretty much zero..."

The sea would bring tsunamis, while the land would be hit with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with dangers lurking everywhere.

the sky seemed

only relative because tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions could all disrupt

worst-case scenario, that could lead

lesser, and Jasper suggested they take to the skies in a plane at

equipped with parachutes. We'll wear them in advance, so if a crash is

to tie themselves together, take shelter in Arcadia during the

came next, the land wouldn't sink instantly. The outer edges would shatter upon violent impact, while

survivors would

respect for the ocean's power. There would be time to retreat to the sea for survival when there was no

to take to the skies first and then seek refuge in Arcadia if needed,

maneuvering the submarine in the ocean to ensure

then Stella and Jasper dove into the sea, secured

far from the Kindle Society, and it took nearly half an hour on the raft just to reach

to a

over 300 kilometers on rough terrain, often requiring detours, and it took them a

extra vigilant, but they were still

were not military personnel but scavengers,

long as they weren't

or diesel, too. Unfortunately, the base wasn't selling in bulk, so they had to refuel at high prices. In the end, with

tons of coal, enough for a long time

that the coal yard wasn't on the base, so she'd have to drive there

receipt and planned to pick up the coal when she had

crackled to life with an excited voice: "Sis, I made it! I passed the military

doubt, his voice tinged with a mix of

let out a sigh of relief.

I want to treat you

shared, and since Stella had returned half of the medicine, he had exchanged some for credits, enough to afford a

was finding a place to cook, and his culinary

"You're my brother, so save those credits for yourself. I'll treat you to dinner to celebrate your honorable enlistment." "No way,