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?"

little would be futile, too much could

corn and wheat, and I'll help you sort out the

an hour, the supplies 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

trading rare 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 and a safe journey to Hope

facing daily rationing,

the same roots, from the same base. If it weren't for your metal find, the base couldn't have built more subs or escape vehicles, saving more

knows, it might save us someday. We've kept what we need; the rest would spoil eventually. It's better in the hands of those who need it

at food and medicine; she even supplied seeds, "When you surface for rest, try planting

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

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

"We're family, aren't we one and

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

go to Hope Point?"

truthfully, "Not

her

thousand might take years, even decades to build, and it's likely to be honeycomb or capsule-style living." The thought of living in

but laugh, "Jasper, you've become the

pinched her nose,