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

constant persecution by the Union Base, paranoia was only

carefully picked up the dragon head, a relic of Australian glory, now just a piece of scrap

wryly, caressing the dragon head before tucking it away for safekeeping

take it slow with the Russians. No use

couple of days' rest, they were all feeling

the mischievous couple.

off the hook just because they acted

fierce, Stella commanded, "Now, and don't make me repeat

punishment was swift

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

the snow was as

the Union Base had been after people, the misbehaving couple

breaking their legs and leaving them hungry as

hung its head low, not daring to make a

Union Base gone, Stella could finally breathe

of the new big brother. If they fell into

her family to live in

Snowflake stopped running off and hoarding food, instead behaving and caring for the young ones

out daily to run wild in Arcadia for half an

Russian surveillance didn't

more survivors began

noticed new neighbors

leading the way, the men in the middle carrying nothing, and

taken a liking to the

under the watchful

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

sentinels at the front door, their fierce and piercing gaze spoke