18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 541

Jasper leaned in, eager to hear any updates Bran might have about the Ocean Point Naval Station. When Bran didn't volunteer any information, Jasper broke the silence. "So, what's new at the base since we left?"

Bran looked momentarily caught off guard. "It's been good. Not long after you guys left, they started reclaiming land for new islands. I even ran into Dr. Collin at the clinic one time, and he asked about you two."

"Everyone at the base valued you both highly. Director Jiang often sighed and said, 'Either they've run into pirates or their sub malfunctioned. It's probably more bad luck than good-seems like the best always go first."

Jasper's gaze grew distant. "Do you believe that?"

Bran, slouched against the wall with a shoe in hand, had a tired yet roguish air about him. "Bro-in-law, can I still come by for a meal when I'm hungry?"

"Of course, if you're hungry, come on over."

With Jasper's promise, Bran waved casually and left.

After closing the gate, Jasper returned inside, thinking about their plans. "The least suspicious way to build a greenhouse is to go scavenging."

Stella had considered this too. "People have scoured this area for hundreds of miles."

"There's one place that's hardly been searched."

Stella's eyes lit up. "The ocean."

Survivors lacked tools, and the military was constrained by fuel shortages. A ghost ship laden with supplies appearing on the vast ocean wouldn't be too far-fetched, would it?

They wouldn't be stealing from the military, and with Daniel's status, who'd dare question or investigate her?

They needed to act fast, setting sail tomorrow.

After discussing the pressing matters, Stella brought up Bran, unsure of his

intentions that evening. "What do you think he's up to?"

his temples. "He's looking for

"You think he wants to

he were planning to use you for his gain, he wouldn't have warned you

mattered, but so did business acumen. It was impossible

beef, and Bran was like a man who hadn't

resist temptation once out of loyalty, but how many more times could he hold

what about his brother and niece? Were they not hungry as well? If they never crossed paths again, it would be impossible for him to act. But the roast beef was not

to speak ill of family, but in a post-apocalyptic world,

Bran's a liability. Either we eliminate him, or we make him

as much but didn't want to dwell on it. However, Jasper's words

especially since Bran was so cunning. Who could ensure he hadn't already shared the secret or had a backup

aching with indecision.

a moment's thought, Jasper said, "So far, he's shown loyalty, and he has a desire to align with the strong,

are no perpetual friends, only perpetual

shared interests than to wait for

day, potentially out

frown deepened. Her gut

in on the secret out of necessity, during moments of life-and- death urgency that

Rosie out of love and years of trust, as well as the impossibility

align closely, there was

unpredictability of human nature in a post-apocalyptic world

to rush. "I'll think about it. We'll talk after we return

was spontaneous, and she needed to inform the

weight of his concern when he learned of her plans. "The sea is unpredictable.

trade," Stella replied, unable to divulge the true reason. "If we don't look for resources now, it'll

resolute, Daniel resigned himself to her decision.

stay behind. She can start on the seedlings

parting admonition. "Take

might not adapt