18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 498

As they trudged forward, a foul stench assaulted their nostrils, growing stronger with each step.

They finally reached the innermost cell where two to three hundred people, of all races and genders, huddled together. Their clothes were in tatters, their faces smeared with grime, and their eyes vacant and lifeless.

When the prisoners noticed the newcomers - masked in balaclavas and gas masks, brandishing heavy-duty submachine guns - fear initially gripped them. But the unfamiliar attire of the strangers sparked a flicker of hope in some. They began to plead and sweet-talk in every language imaginable.

Among the cacophony, Stella's ears picked up her native tongue.

But freeing them now was a death wish. If she got out, she could consider their fate later.

After a full circuit, Stella emerged from the cell block. Just as she was puzzling over how to crack the quadruple smart locks, gunshots rang out from above.

She immediately grasped the situation - the Russians had arrived!

The Russians, long oppressed by the Union Base, had been keeping a close eye on their movements. They wouldn't miss such an opportune moment.

The base was too vast for just the two of them to tackle over two thousand enemies. Pursuing the escapees was out of the question. Having the Russians pick off the stragglers was fine by her.

Jasper frowned. "A lot of them got away. What if they spill your secrets?"

Stella didn't hesitate. "Anyone who knows, we'll just have to take care of them."

if they ran, they couldn't escape the Arctic. This wasn't the well-resourced Ocean Point Naval Station. It was the harsh, unforgiving Arctic. If she had to unleash her wrath, she wouldn't lose any

...

base, a

for revenge to come so swiftly. The seemingly impregnable Union Base was now in

to kill anyone who emerged. They seized a batch of weapons,

member forward. "Captain, we've got the situation," he

abilities? Two of

leaders laughed heartily, executing the half-dead base member on the spot. "You believe these liars? How many times

enemy's words. They

gave his orders with a stern face, "Listen up, unless you fancy dying, don't give them a chance to

to escape! Special abilities or not, even the Almighty wouldn't help them now. Just finish them off, no more words needed. Only with the complete annihilation of Union Base could they truly be safe! Any sign of weakness, and he

first sub-level, destroyed. The second sub-level, destroyed. With communication still functioning within the base, he knew the Russians were

liked playing by

be killed by holding in urine? First, they used an 1800-degree

third sub-level opened. This was the last level of the underwater base. Light shone through. Stella didn't hesitate, cautiously entering with Jasper All four security checkpoints were open, offering no resistance. It

Stella couldn't help but wonder what they would do if they were trapped inside. But this was a gamble, and they could afford to stay in Arcadia for a few months. What about

face a hundred or so armed base members, the dark muzzles of their guns trained

three base leaders as they approached. Stella frowned

they got straight to the point: "If you want it to live, hand

out a light chuckle, "You want to trade a wolf for my abilities? What were