18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 507

Christian stood in silence, prompting Mark to ask, "They're doing alright, aren't they?"

"Yeah, they're holding up fine. I recognized them instantly; life for them hasn't changed much since our days back in Eastwood Eden."

Mark wasn't surprised. People with true talent thrive in any situation, be it peace or chaos.

What intrigued him more was their relationship with the Russians.

Christian wasn't sure himself. "That Russian guy was pretty nice to them. Maybe because they can grow some veggies or have other uses. Anyway, it looks like they're on good terms with the Russians."

He didn't want to dwell on their relationship; his mind was preoccupied with more pressing concerns. "Mark, do you think we'll ever get out of the Arctic?"

Surviving had only one purpose for him: to reunite with his son.

His son had made it into South Base, which meant military protection, so he was surely still alive.

Mark knew Christian was anxious, but fretting wouldn't help. "An opportunity will come, eventually."

Christian couldn't bear to wait another day. "The Russian said we could leave whenever we want."

Mark rubbed his temples with a grimace. "We arrived on the same boat, just this group of thirty-some people. Some want to leave, some don't. How can we achieve anything with such discord? The Russians might seem better than the folks at Union Base, but who knows what they're really thinking? They're polite to us Australians, not like how they curse and fight with people from certain other nations. But how can we be sure their kindness isn't just a façade? If they were truly friendly, why did those who chose to leave not only get no supplies but also end up crocodile food the moment they stepped out?"

Christian was painfully aware. "Those people's countries aren't exactly friends with Russia. I'm afraid they were..."

"Our disunity and empty hands mean certain death out there."

Mark, too, yearned to leave, to wake up from this nightmare, but the timing wasn't right. "Christian, I trust you, not because I doubt you, but because I'm afraid if we wait much longer, there might be no chance left to see AJ."

government post-disaster, even serving as the deputy mayor of Griffith. Mark could spot a ghost from a mile away. If the Russians truly meant well for the Australians, they wouldn't have isolated them like this. Especially that guy today, who seemed

puzzled. "What

pondered for a moment. "They probably want to reconcile with us, hence the ongoing show of goodwill. But they're also wary that Stella

ways.

hopes. "If they had the means, they'd have helped

it's hard not to indulge in fantasies. After all, Stella had once saved his life. If not for her, he

was unaware of the situation here, but meeting Christian had stirred memories of Griffith, Cody, and

had a restless night and woke

the Ivans were back,

are Aussies at the base who've tried many times but just can't keep

burns through fuel. The previous harvest barely fed

was flexible. "A sixty-forty or seventy-thirty split would work. We can trade fuel

hunting teams for crocodiles and seals, and the agriculture teams were expanding potato and

need meat, we can trade a pound of meat for a pound

her time before agreeing. "Seventy-thirty, your thirty, my seventy. We can trade for

up, and you had to account for every aspect of living under their watchful eyes. Selling greens to the Russians was actually a good

need to build an extra ice house. If it works out, we'll partner up; if not, we'll return the

without hesitation. "No

speaking, he signaled his men to

seizing the chance while helping out, whispered to Stella when no one

voice was low. "Saw him once at

a decade of disaster, many clung to such pillars

If

to play a part,

Ivans