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."

thinking of building

our Aussie ingenuity, sis. Nobody's dying from holding their pee around here," Bran boasted confidently. "Leave it to me, I'll get those glass greenhouses up in

his track record of being a lovable rogue, Stella's internal alarms went off.

Griffith Base, building

of his recent contributions and the Project Genesis, Stella decided to take a chance on him. "Alright, let's see what you can pull

his grin stretching

cars and beautiful women, living the high life. Now he was as giddy as a kid over a construction project.

and the recent rain did a number on

kids, Stella handed over six cans of fruit preserves. "None for you, four for your brother and niece,

and eat, "Thanks, sis. Transporting materials and building the greenhouses will be time-consuming, and I can't spare that much time from my duties. I'll have my brother and niece run errands for

make it look good, or you

with his chatter. "Stop blabbing,

turned in for the

restless, Jasper inquired, "Something on

actually pulling his weight this time.

him to our

"Yep."

been a gut punch, reminding Stella that some things can't be postponed.

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

sense of relief, hoping the

once Vanessa had gone to work, Stella popped next door. "Why

Sue said she'll come by at

him regain strength, then set up the IV drip for him. Noticing the handwritten documents still on

important