18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 424

Adrift on the vast ocean for what felt like ages, Hans and his crew were done with being castaways. They were desperate for a place to regroup and figure out a way to reunite with their loved ones. They had faith in their nation; Hope Point would rise again, they just knew

it.

Breaking the silence, Stella asked, "Can you take him home with you?"

Hans's voice cracked, "Of course, it would be our honor."

Stella called Jasper down from the yacht to help retrieve a box containing ashes and suggested they give Hans some food and medicinal herbs as well. Arcadia's bounty of food and herbs was more than the trio and their dog could ever consume. It would be wasteful to let it spoil while Hans and his crew were barely getting by.

The journey ahead was tough, requiring them to navigate countless treacherous currents, something only possible with exceptional physical stamina. Arcadia belonged to Stella, and Jasper was more than agreeable, "How much do you want to give?"

Not only did he consent, but his heart also swelled with pride to see Stella's compassion endure despite the harshness of their new world. No one wants a partner with a cold heart.

Yet, Stella, having faced so much brutality, often used sarcasm and cold detachment as her armor, her spirit guarded like a hedgehog bristling with spikes. But those who ventured closer found a soul of tender warmth. Cody's words rang true; she was either heartwarmingly generous or piercingly sharp.

To Jasper, Stella's flaws and strengths were part of the package. As long as they didn't cross a line, he accepted her in full - it was the essence of a life lived with zest.

With Jasper's support, Stella pondered, "A thousand pounds of food, and for the herbs, how about remedies for colds, inflammation, and infections?"

delicate balance; too little would be futile,

wheat, and I'll

were packed and laboriously loaded onto the submarine. Hans rowed over in a dinghy with two team members. Seeing the urn and insignia in the box, Hans and his team saluted solemnly, their eyes reddened as they took the box reverently, "Rest assured, as long as one of us lives, we will bring our hero back to

metals, and aside from the submarine, we've stocked up on food and medicine. Consider this a token of gratitude. May you have fair winds

precious commodities. Hans and his crew, facing daily rationing, dreamt

find, the base couldn't have built more subs or escape vehicles,

We've kept what we need;

didn't stop at food and medicine; she even supplied seeds, "When you surface for rest, try planting some greens." A lack of vitamins could lead to

eyes misty again, Hans and his team thanked her, "We hope to see you again at Hope

horn in gratitude, and Hans's team saluted Stella and Jasper from afar before descending into the submarine. U-1926 submerged slowly, fading into the vastness of the ocean. Stella watched the calm sea, feeling a profound solitude as if left alone in this immense watery world. Jasper seemed

hand, "We're family,

he simply agreed. Stella looked at him, "With U-1926 gone, do you feel lonely?" After a ten-day acquaintance, they were friends, and friends' departures

you want to go to Hope Point?"

answered truthfully, "Not

her curiosity, "Why

build, and it's likely to be honeycomb or capsule-style living." The thought of living in cramped quarters like Arcadia, let alone an

you've become the

playfully pinched her nose, "That