18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 484

Stella gazed at the figures in the distance, a wry smile crossing her lips as she was reminded of characters from her favorite drama series-the traitorous collaborators, only now they seemed to have taken on a more global flair. When they realized Stella was from the East, they sent three of their own to probe the situation.

Stella didn't mince words. "Beat it!"

Instead of anger, the trio seemed oddly pleased at her dismissal.

Dillyn, a master of appearances, nodded and bowed, the picture of polite attentiveness. "Folks, all comers are friends here. We're just looking to make connections."

Vietnam, visibly uncomfortable, stood as still as a statue, while Belarus wore a look of smug superiority, as if the world was theirs for the taking.

To Stella, they were nothing but a bunch of creeps. "I said, beat it!"

Belarus was fuming, ready to spew profanity, but Dillyn clamped a hand over his mouth, muttering a frustrated "Damn it."

Vietnam whispered a word of caution, "Ease up a bit, will you? We're all part of the same cultural sphere."

Belarus, unable to contain their disdain, spat out, "Psh, Confucius is ours, they dare to pilfer and still have the gall..."

Dillyn and Vietnam could only share a look of disbelief at their self-deluding companion. "Do you even care about the mission our leader entrusted us with?"

The mention of the 'big brother' made Belarus grudgingly fall silent.

Dillyn continued with a servile smile, "Friends from Australia, we come with sincere intentions. In times of hardship, those from the East should stick together for survival."

Stella almost laughed, "Who's 'us,' and where's 'there'?"

Sensing a sliver of hope, Dillyn proudly shared, "We represent Union Base, aiming to band together all survivors worldwide to weather this catastrophe. We have individuals from seventeen nations so far." Stella was not interested in his rosy rhetoric, "And who calls the shots at this base?"

"We believe in peace, democracy, freedom, solidarity..."

Stella was losing patience. "Who's in charge, talk or get lost!"

Dillyn's expression soured, but he still managed a smile: "It's China."

"What's required to join?"

to relocate to Union Base, surrender all your supplies and weapons. The base will handle

hesitated before admitting,

to eat inside

toe the line, you'll get

time

unsure of her

it

to hold back. "What do you

just said we Easterners should stick together for survival. So why are you all kowtowing to

lick the plate clean? Or maybe you three are supposed

fists clenched. "The world's flooded, lands have sunk; there's no East or West anymore, we're all

not calling the shots-China is? They send you,

grimace, "So, you've decided against joining

was icy as she scoffed, "I've no interest in being a

the dogs!"

are folks from your place in the base too, spineless curs, obeying every command.

day, but at least they enjoyed a communal

pot, those

why should Australia be any

Jasper fired a shot

to the ground, a

knew they were in

dead-a loose tongue and thinking that clinging to

with someone who didn't play by their rules, he saw the

Belarus's frozen trousers made the

"You Australians, so ungrateful.

Belarus-better to save the food than waste it on the

survivors. Why leave your buddy behind?" Belarus continued to curse until his voice faded,

up.

over, Stella and

stooges from the East likely to exaggerate their story, and with Russia's recent trouble, they anticipated their own confrontation soon. They called Rosie over to discuss battle plans, not noticing

through the snow, its gaze icy and intent. Approaching the struggling Belarus, it bared its