18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 422

The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting an orange glow that slowly gave way to the impending darkness over the sea.

Stella hollered across to the other side, "So, what's the game plan for you folks?"

After drifting in the ocean's depths for so long, Hans and his crew planned to take a few days to kick back on the waves, soak up some sun, and get a decent dose of vitamin D to get their bodies back in shape. Running into 2688 had rekindled the flames of hope for 1926; they were convinced that if they just kept on cruising, they'd rally more of their kin and comrades.

South Base was gone, but the Ember Initiative wasn't about to fizzle out. They were determined to find a new haven one day.

Stella exchanged a glance with Jasper. If those guys wanted to take a breather, they'd keep a watchful eye on them. There was no harm in putting off the coordinates chat for a couple more days.

It wasn't that they distrusted Hans and his team, but they couldn't help feeling that they might be a bit too... naively kind-hearted.

What if the coordinates fell into their hands and one day they had to contemplate the annihilation of humankind, when every tribe and nation needed to band together to survive calamity?

What if the coordinates got out and attracted a horde of demons?

Dealing with natural disasters was tough enough, but if human folly entered the mix, could Hope Point truly be established?

So, Stella hesitated.

Of course, she might just be overly cautious.

Night fell, and the risks on the sea's surface were mounting. The two submarines began their slow descent, coming to rest quietly in the deep blue.

Seeing the sunlight and exchanging words with their countrymen lifted everyone's spirits; dinner portions grew by half a bowl that evening.

Maybe even Stella hadn't noticed, but she found herself humming a tune while showering.

Jasper, listening from outside, couldn't help but let a smile curl the edges of his lips.

Come morning, the subs didn't rush to surface. Instead, they waited for Blue Blue to finish scratching his itch against their hulls before powering up, to avoid the big lug from popping up in the middle of Shanghai and knocking Stella into the drink. Hans and his group, unaware of the situation, saw the massive blue whale near 2688 and frantically flashed their torches as a warning-danger was afoot.

Jasper signaled back with his light-You'll get used to it.

Blue was temperamental but manageable. If it wanted a scratch, so be it, as long as it

would likely leave both parties bruised

had its fill of barnacle-scratching and didn't seem intent on

2688 emerged from the water. 1926 surfaced a bit earlier, and a dozen folks were either sunbathing or pumping

a megaphone and called out, "What are your plans moving

shouting, so she picked up a bullhorn and

extend an invitation for 2688 to join forces. Companionship would ease the loneliness,

lookout spotted something on the horizon,

fishing boat? Out here?

spotted it too and quickly alerted her brother

and confirmed it was indeed a fishing vessel, a civilian craft

board, waving in

upside down by colossal tsunamis and relentless storms, the boat was surprisingly intact and operational. Both subs went on high alert, with Hans cautioning, "Watch for

would've dived back into Arcadia, but with

back inside the sub

was worried, "Brother,

instructed her, "Look after Cooper. Don't come

bulletproof vests worn as a

seasoned navy man, focused intently on the fishing boat, gauging its

drew near, three figures emerged from the cabin, sporting

hollered

Stella nearly choked.

across the man's face,

Hans tried to reply, albeit

thinking Hans understood, and started to

furrowed his brow, shaking his head in resignation,

heritage and picking up on the elaborate body language, got the gist.

and his people weren't medics, but Ember Initiative members were well-versed in a wide

how many were sick

held up three

there were seven people

The man nodded vigorously.