18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 585

The group huddled together, brainstorming. They had to lose the tail that was stubbornly sticking to them.

But China was clinging on like a leech, and shaking them off wasn't going to be a walk in the park.

It was enough to make anyone want to unload a barrage of bullets in frustration.

Stella, however, was the picture of calm. "Captain, do you think our custom sub can go head-to-head with China's nuclear sub in a collision?"

She remembered how Hans and the others, when provoked by China on the seabed, had just gone full throttle, ramming right into their adversary's sub and blowing it to bits.

Cole looked a bit taken aback but answered promptly, "The main strengths of a nuclear sub are its 'nuclear' and 'stealth' capabilities. 'Nuclear' means it's built for nuclear strikes, and 'stealth' essentially means it can stay hidden, attack strategic land targets, sink transport ships, disrupt enemy shipping lanes, target large surface vessels and subs, and carry out mine-laying, reconnaissance, rescue, and special ops missions.

To achieve 'stealth,' it needs to avoid detection by enemy radar, which requires special materials. But those materials aren't exactly indestructible."

So, nuclear subs weren't invincible; they had their Achilles' heels.

The southern military's custom fleet of 3000 subs, however, was designed to withstand monstrous tsunamis and earthquakes, not so much for 'stealth.'

Hence, they were tougher and more resilient than the typical military sub.

The lightbulb went off in Stella's head. No wonder Hans's sub could tear through China's.

The materials were completely different.

If China wanted to keep playing hardball, then it was time to knock them out of the game.

Jake and the rest were raring to go. "Stella, let me at 'em."

They'd had enough of China's antics; it was time to smash them to pieces.

Cole stepped in, "Our subs are solid, sure, but their 'stealth' function isn't on par with nuclear subs, making them easier for China to spot. If they launch a nuclear attack, it could be extremely dangerous."

Going out meant risking a nuclear strike; staying put meant being followed.

Stella didn't waver. "I'll go."

"No way, Stella. You're the backbone of the salvage team; we can't afford to lose you."

The others started volunteering. "We have our own nuclear subs. We can cover the seed subs. When China's distracted, that'll be our moment to strike."

Stella wasn't just blowing smoke. "It's too risky for you guys. I'll be in and out in no time."

The team knew that with Stella's unique abilities, she was the safest bet for the mission.

feel right letting her face the danger alone. She was their one and only super-powered asset. What if something

until Jasper spoke up,

fell, and the sea grew restless. The nuclear sub began its

dove into the ocean

plunged into the sea

to lure the persistent

Arcadia, Stella and Jasper timed their

40 minutes later, they

laser-focused on what lay ahead, completely oblivious to the new threat

it was dangerously

the custom sub

sub was huge but slow, unable to turn

the incoming sub was significantly smaller,

no threat to their top-tier

China wasn't about to play nice. They unleashed

dared to mess with them?

watched the control panel with smug satisfaction as the torpedoes sped towards the tiny

their faces drained

had vanished

That was impossible!

close range, their systems couldn't

furiously, but the little sub was nowhere

when in doubt,

fired wildly in all

are coming

Damn those Aussies!

scrambled to dodge the torpedoes launched by Cole and his team, only

sub reappear, even closer

this range, firing a

signal: Let's talk

it was

external spikes, and

thunderous impact, the sub vanished

reeled from the hit, their sailors thrown about as

others vomiting last night's dinner, and some even

to retaliate, the pesky

could even curse, screams echoed; the sub was breached and

for the double hull-only

was still a chance for damage

alarms