18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 504

Seeing Stella's eyes light up at the sight of the artifact, Ivans knew he'd nailed the perfect gift. It was like he'd handed her a treasure more exciting than some

ancient relic.

Without hesitation, Stella accepted the challenge. "I'll give it a shot, but no promises on the harvest."

Fair's fair, so she asked Ivans what he wanted in return.

Ivans, a man of simple needs, shrugged. "These things aren't much use to us. If you manage to grow some veggies, just share a bit with us, and we'll call it even." Stella nodded briskly. "Deal. If I can get these to sprout, we'll split the bounty."

As they parted ways, Ivans couldn't hide his reluctance. "Stella, are you sure you won't consider moving over to our side?"

Her laughter was her goodbye as she waved him off.

After they'd gone, Jasper frowned. "Those Russians are tough cookies. Good thing you released ether in the detention center, making their heads fuzzy enough to think they were seeing things."

Stella felt the same. Considering the Russians had wiped out over ten thousand from the Union Base, they weren't to be underestimated.

"We need to stay sharp from now on."

They moved their new stuff back to their igloo.

Once inside, Rosie spoke with a serious tone, "Brother, sister, someone was tailing us after you left."

Stella wasn't surprised. "Who was it?"

Peering through the spyhole, Rosie had seen everything clearly. "Russians."

Jasper's frown deepened. "Seems they still don't trust us."

They'd sent Ivans to distract them while another team covertly observed from behind.

for the course," Stella remarked. "As long as they don't mean us harm, they can play their games. We just need to

ten years of catastrophe and constant persecution by the Union Base, paranoia was only

up the dragon head, a relic of Australian glory, now just a piece of scrap metal in the wake of disaster. It

dragon head before tucking it away

the Russians. No use asking outright for the artifacts; that would only

a couple of days' rest, they

eyes fell on the mischievous couple. "You two,

about to let them off the

expression fierce, Stella

punishment was swift and

whimpered for mercy, the siblings sat on the couch, indifferent to

the snow was as

after people, the misbehaving couple had it

hungry as a warning, "One

head low, not daring to make a sound. Cooper exposed his belly, submitting

gone, Stella could finally breathe

the Russians would step into the role of the new big brother. If they

wish was for her family to live

running off and hoarding food,

daily to run wild in Arcadia for half an

the Russian surveillance

more survivors began

Stella noticed new neighbors

in droves, about fifty strong, with armed guards leading the way, the men in

to have taken a

fancy living under the watchful

she grabbed her assault rifle, followed by Jasper and Rosie, who

like sentinels at the front door,