18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 556

Stella unzipped her waterproof bag and found a remote sensor inside.

No doubt, it was for unlocking the Kindle Chest. It must have been set up before the land went underwater. Copies of the remote sensor and codes were, without exception, in the hands of the top brass of every Kindle Society.

On a whim, Stella wanted to see what was inside the Kindle Chest in Arcadia. And she acted on that impulse.

She pressed the button on the sensor and entered the code. The sturdy, heavy Kindle Chest swung open.

It looked like a massive machine. After rummaging around for a while, Stella discovered an inscription on the machine: a desalination system.

Not huge, but definitely sufficient for a base of thousands. The base was close to the coast, where the water quality was poor, and the harsh climate bred countless germs. A careless gulp could make you sick.

It wasn't just people who were affected; the land suffered too. The desertification of the alkaline wasteland made cultivation difficult, unable to retain soil or lock in moisture, creating a vicious cycle.

Daniel was visibly relieved. "Stella, with this, we'll soon have an oasis."

Seeing his smile, a warm current flowed through Stella's heart. "I'll bring it back."

The next morning, Rosie fought back her sadness and worry, mustering a smile to see the pair off. The family dog, scrappy as ever, clawed at them, reluctant to let his humans go.

Daniel and Vanessa stepped out to bid farewell. "Stay safe, and come back soon."

Stella couldn't find overly sentimental words, so she simply gave him a hug. The two hopped in the car and drove to the docks, picking up a few teammates who were on foot along the way.

The team, specially selected, was comprised of 14 individuals, all skilled in their own right. They could operate cargo ships, submarines, planes, tanks - true special forces, capable of reaching the heavens and diving the depths.

Stella admired and respected them. Oh, and I forgot to mention – the cargo ship was equipped with a helicopter.

the on-duty soldiers, saluted them for a safe journey.

helm of vessel 2688. The rest boarded the cargo ship, heading for a destination 500

weren't right for hoisting,

led the way, the freighter following slowly

affair, but dinner was a communal event on the submarine. As team leader, Jasper

life, the team was a

gets to enjoy Captain Jasper's cooking. We're

two female members volunteered

but only five dishes, all hearty

meal, two male members took on dish duty, promising to rotate the cooking and cleaning duties. They chatted some more before planning to return to the transport ship, but

massive ship had...

was stunned. A vessel that size couldn't just be stolen. During that time, both captains and Stella had been topside.

resting. Pick a room

Chest from the seabed wasn't feasible, otherwise, the base wouldn't have waited until now. But the mission was top-secret, with reports made only to the commanding officer. All roughly the same age, each had their

inside Jasper's room, he was alert. "You rest; I'll keep

demur, resting her head on his thigh. Jasper smiled knowingly, gently tucking a

simple breakfast of sweet potatoes and potatoes was ready. Stella

and with his daughter and son-in-law on the mission, it was both

eventually

the first coordinates, 500 nautical miles away. Based on sonar,

vast, and due to the variations, it took the sub more than two hours to pinpoint

professional diving gear was needed. Cole had it, and along with Stella and Jasper, decided

the water, heading toward the detected site. The remaining team members divided tasks:

on her

covering their rear. A hundred meters on land isn't far, but underwater, it's a different world. The deeper they went, the greater the pressure, and past a certain depth, each meter down became unbearably painful. The headlamp revealed a