18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 586

Stella had been at the base for a year and had never encountered anything like this before.

Was the base under threat of an attack?

Who would have the audacity to strike? China, Russia, or perhaps the mysterious Union Base?

After waiting at the dock for twenty minutes, the outgoing team still hadn't returned, so it seemed there wouldn't be any quick resolution.

Jasper drove them home, saying, "Let's wait for some news before we do anything."

Back in Griffith, the military headquarters was calm and quiet, seemingly unchanged from any other day.

Jasper went to check in, while Stella headed home.

Life at sea had been rough - the food was bad, rest was scarce, and relaxation was non-existent. By the time she got back, the four little ones were gone, probably weaned and taken for military training.

The old hound, known for his loyalty yet fickle as the wind, was also absent, likely frolicking on the farm where there was ample space for him and his mate to romp to their hearts' content.

After a meal and a long bath, Stella slid into bed to catch up on some much- needed rest.

She woke up to a dusk-veiled room, the silence pronounced, the neighboring houses equally quiet.

It made her feel like she was the one slacking off.

Had Daniel gone straight back to his relentless work routine after returning from the sea?

Just as she was about to step out, Bran showed up.

It had been a while since she'd seen him, and he looked different - clad in a crisp military uniform, his figure sturdy and fit, a smile on his face that made him approachable.

He really was a chameleon.

In the fields, he wasn't above shoveling manure, at the docks he was drenched in sweat, and here in the military HQ, he was all neat and proper.

Dedicated to his work, loving what he did.

Stella was puzzled, "What brings you here?"

"Come on, sis," Bran frowned, "I'm on duty at the base, naturally, I'm here to bring you the latest scoop."

Stella teased him, "Serving two masters now, are we?"

Bran bristled at that, "My loyalty is to you, through thick and thin."

'Through thick and thin?' Stella almost blurted out: Don't love me; there's no future in it.

Knowing he was jesting, she got back on track, "What's your position at the base?"

ambition, that was

a secretary," Bran admitted without a hint of

asked,

But that's a long way

being a secretary in the military was no small feat - many high-ranking officials had started in such a position. With time, they became adept at reading between the lines, anticipating their superiors' needs, keeping their eyes and ears open, eventually carving out a path

saw potential in

especially not being Daniel's, visiting Stella could be sensitive, but

wasn't here for a casual

asked seriously, "What's going

lowering his voice, "High command from Willowbrook

The staff officers?

had truly appreciated the talent, they should

fathom

ship, and ever since then, everything at the base seemed calm

of something? Regardless, until their intentions were clear, it wasn't wise for

Bran had snuck out

suddenly, the Kindle Chests at the docks hadn't been moved in time and had been

understood; she was to

for Ocean Point Naval Station were complicated; it was a base built with national pride, a place she once considered setting down roots, only to

Willowbrook high command wanted to,

could Daniel hold

returned indoors, feeling the weight of time on

sounds of the old hound echoed

surprise, but her expression was tinged with

Rosie's unease and asked, "Rosie, is something on your

moment of hesitation, Rosie sat down and began, "Sis, I just came back from the farm. Snowflake wanted to see Delta, so I took him and Cooper

expected to run into

her in an

brow furrowed slightly,

she was accurately addressed by name, by a young

brain but couldn't place

"Rosie, it's me, Dylan."

young man with a warm smile before her, struggling to reconcile this image with the frail

she remembered was delicate

the man before her was tall and well-built, with sun-kissed skin and a bright

smile

and adult reunions - years had transformed them beyond their most familiar appearances, yet Dylan

Point

for a moment, she asked, "How did

exchanged greetings," Rosie

people from

Naval Station doing here?"

with Stella harboring secrets,