18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 443

Brady and his team didn't have a clue, but they figured the military higher-ups would be the last to leave, probably on a warship or plane. Stella looked worried. "The last to retreat?"

Jasper noticed her concern and turned to Brady. "Do you know what the other Kindle Society teams are up to?"

Brady shook his head. If they hadn't bumped into 2688, they wouldn't have known that East Base was tasked with building Hope Point.

The weather was good, and after two days of rest, the submarines were ready to set sail. Suddenly, at 0945, they spotted a ship at three o'clock.

Playing it safe, 2688 wanted to dive and leave, but Brady and the others noticed a red star painted on the side of the ship.

This was a sign of faith.

They decided to make contact.

Stella, wary of danger, handed Brady a bullhorn. "Hey there, friends! Where are you coming from?"

The crew on the distant ship noticed the submarines and responded excitedly in familiar language, waving and shouting, "Hey, we're from the official Northwestern Base." Northwestern Base?

Brady, still cautious, asked, "And where exactly is this Northwestern Base?"

"Qindu."

"Qindu, huh? Can you tell me how to make a proper burger?"

Indeed, nothing speaks to the soul like food. Stella nearly burst out laughing.

But just knowing how to make a burger wasn't enough for Brady. He threw out another challenge. "Fate brought us together. How about singing us some rock and roll?"

The folks on the other ship were skin and bones and barely had the energy to sing. If Stella were them, she'd want to throw her shoe at him.

But to their surprise, someone actually started singing. At first, it was just a few voices, but then more joined in.

on the ship are alright, kindred spirits. Should we bring them along?" A ship sails the seas, a submarine patrols the depths. If those folks had any sinister plans, there'd

no objections. "Sure, you guys guide them

exception,

told them a new base was being established and they could follow. The

seized the chance to counter-question. "What do

feet, shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, pineapple

not reassured, they asked, "How

it,

relieved, and

0945 extending its periscope to guide the merchant ship, keeping a watchful eye on

during calm seas

of observation, they detected

destination, life on the merchant ship grew more vibrant. "Hey, neighbors, we've got some fresh veggies here. Want some?" "What kind

greens,

ceremony. She whipped out a drone. The sea was calm as Jasper piloted the drone into

growing greens in old pots and cans, and they looked pretty

chagrined Brady chuckled. "Hey, why

then, it was clear. The inborn farming gene

shared

skillfully avoided the sea's perils multiple

were only a couple hundred nautical miles from

and the currents were simpler

deep-a far cry from the 9,000-meter

surfaced to rest and breathe, and a fighter jet soared overhead. The survivors on the merchant ship jumped for joy. "A fighter jet! It's one of ours!" My goodness,

circled twice in the sky, then

equally thrilled, surfacing

calmer, persistently moving

drew closer to the coordinates, the likelihood of encountering

035 Ming-class attack submarine, a national asset