18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 533

Bran smelled awful, and Stella, rummaging through her bag, pulled out a water bottle with chilled tap water, insisting he clean his face and hands.

Once they found a spot to sit down, Bran started recounting his ordeal. "I was part of a rescue mission out at sea. Our naval ship was evacuating people in the Arctic when we got caught in a massive storm on the way back..."

They had survived, but the ship's components were damaged, making it impossible to navigate properly. To make matters worse, the storm had shifted the ocean currents.

And it was the windy season.

With no other choice, they drifted.

After nearly three months adrift, they stumbled upon new land.

Not just any land, but there were the Southern forces they had dreamed of finding.

The team had just landed and was actively setting up a base.

The captain had given them the coordinates for Hope Point. For some reason, the commanding officer decided not to head to Ocean Point Naval Station but chose to stay put instead.

They provided a lot of help, not only repairing the ship and offering fuel but also scrimping together supplies to share.

Bran was already a soldier from the South Base, and knowing the name of the base only solidified his decision to stay.

Meanwhile, those willing to move to Ocean Point Naval Station were not hindered by the base at Griffith.

"Besides me, Deputy Mayor He decided to stay too," Bran added.

Ocean Point Naval Station had better conditions, but both of them were Griffith natives and felt a stronger sense of belonging to the South Base.

Stella pondered that aside from a sense of belonging, he probably wanted to search for his family.

If the Porras family knew about the existence of Griffith Base, they would likely choose to come, increasing the chances of a reunion.

She asked, "Did you find Shane?"

At the mention of old man Shane, Bran's eyes reddened instantly, "The old man... he..."

In fact, Bran's choice was right.

The Porras family did come, but Shane was no longer with them.

From a thriving family of dozens, only Josef and the second daughter of the Porras remained.

had found their way here half

once-wealthiest man in Australia, a leading figure in

to the catastrophic

they were not the

than a decade of natural disasters, it's estimated

quick to discipline with his cane, he adored his

and wild, was closest

sad reality was that children are ready to care for their aging parents who may not be

how

the subject,

I'd keep the Porras family strong. What's wrong with farming? I'm proud of

he wouldn't bother with

he had to rely on himself to survive

continued to divert the

my brother and niece at the East

barracks, and they're

seeing the change

where are you

was eager, "I'm off in a few days. I'll come

spoke up, "We've just arrived, haven't found a place to settle down yet. We want to get a feel

but the strict management

couldn't leave his post for too long. He gave them his address, "If you've got nowhere to go tonight, come to this place. I'll find a way to set

Stella's expression

a question. No one expected to run into Bran, and at the moment, his

demeanor, he was extremely

have guessed something, otherwise, he wouldn't have tipped

a spoiled rich kid with a penchant for fast cars and beautiful women, a wasteful heir who showed no

he was loyal to his

had taught him

flattery and favors towards

Stella, perhaps out of gratitude or the affectionate way

complexity of human nature was the real issue. Before, Bran had only himself to worry about,

Rosie, confused, asked, "Brother, sister-in-law, are

Where to go next?

chose to isolate themselves, leading to Rosie developing depression and anxiety. Stella, with her husband and Cooper by her side, had milder symptoms but

more than a decade of disasters, anyone with people around them was bound to