18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 548

Stella could barely hold back her eye roll at Bran's shameless familiarity. "Feeling any better?"

Bran didn't miss a beat. "I told you, Dad's as tough as they come. He's got enough good vibes to fend off any illness. Even the Grim Reaper would think twice before messing with him. He'll hit a hundred, easy."

Stella let out an involuntary snort.

"Anyway, sis, the bodies on the cargo ship have been taken care of, and I've had the crew clean out the hold."

Bran got back to business. "There's quite a bit of cargo left. What's your plan for it?"

Daniel's condition wasn't critical anymore, just needed ongoing treatment for a full recovery. It was time to deal with the cargo ship.

Stella thought for a moment. "Keep the fuel on the ship. Glass, steel, timber- bring all that back here. Toss the moldy food, split the good stuff-half for me, half for you. If the military handles the glass, compensate them with the fuel. If it's civilians, pay them with food or meds."

"We'll take care of it and hand over the fuel we earn," Bran, ever the slick negotiator, chimed in. "We can take less fuel, maybe throw in a couple extra pounds of food for each soldier. How does that sound?"

What could Stella say? Bran was turning over the fuel to curry favor with the higher-ups while securing loyalty from her own troops with some extra provisions. A sly fox like Bran could make it anywhere.

If only the world hadn't gone to hell, he could've been a match for Shane in the business world. Of course, he could just as easily have ended up in jail or wrapped his sports car around a tree.

"Sis, you and Bro-in-law have been too good to me. I couldn't possibly take more from you," he said, feigning righteousness. "Don't worry, I've checked the cargo thoroughly. Nothing will go missing."

Stella, tired of his babble, took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. "Split the food evenly, and the soldiers' pay will come out of my share."

"Bran, how can I possibly-this is stuff you and Bro-in-law risked your lives for..." "Divvy up your share with Mark. I'll drop by and check on him in a couple of days." Bran, always quick to speak, "Sure thing, sis."

Too late to bite his tongue now! He was proud to be under his sister's command. "Where do you want the glass delivered? Your place doesn't have the space."

had plans. "I'm thinking of building greenhouses, but

Nobody's dying from holding their pee around here," Bran

of being a lovable rogue,

trust? With thousands of brains at Griffith Base, building greenhouses is a piece of cake. You just wait and

and the Project Genesis, Stella decided to take a chance on him. "Alright, let's see

his grin

remembering how Bran used to be the life of the car modding club, surrounded by luxury cars and beautiful women, living the high life. Now he was as giddy as a kid

straight to the south district's plantation. The dust storm and the recent

ahead. After feeding the kids, Stella handed over six cans of fruit preserves.

will be time-consuming, and I can't spare that much time from my duties. I'll have my brother

"Don't worry, we'll make it look good, or you can kick

was done with his chatter.

in for the

Stella preoccupied and restless, Jasper inquired, "Something

pulling his weight this time. I've decided to give him a

to our

"Yep."

punch, reminding Stella that some things can't be postponed. Bran might be a

networking or survival, he's got his own way of doing things. As a partner, he might just be a good

sense of relief, hoping the day she'd have to turn

work, Stella popped next door. "Why aren't you on an IV

"The hospital's overrun. Auntie Sue said she'll come by

Noticing the handwritten documents still on the table, her expression darkened. "You're working yourself

it off. "The important stuff