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?"

had ambition, that was

admitted without a hint of

asked,

long

such a position. With time, they became adept at reading between the lines, anticipating their superiors' needs, keeping

saw potential in

visiting Stella could be

here for a

seriously, "What's

looked around, lowering his voice, "High command from

The staff officers?

on the second anniversary of the Griffith base's establishment. If they had truly appreciated the talent, they should have come right after the evacuation when the aircraft carrier returned to Willowbrook and they received

couldn't fathom

and ever since then, everything at the base seemed

many of them arriving, had they caught wind of something? Regardless, until their intentions were clear, it wasn't wise for Stella to show

why Bran had snuck

at the docks hadn't been moved in time and had

she was to

was a base built with national pride, a place she once considered setting down roots, only to leave in haste

If the Willowbrook high command

could

indoors, feeling the weight of time on her

everything, the familiar sounds of the old hound

but her expression was tinged with complexity,

Rosie's unease and asked, "Rosie, is

sat down and began, "Sis, I just came back from the farm. Snowflake wanted to see Delta,

expected to run

recognized her in

brow furrowed slightly, "And

she was accurately addressed by name, by a young officer

racked her brain but

"Rosie, it's me, Dylan."

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

she remembered was delicate and pale,

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

smile was indeed

beyond their most familiar appearances, yet Dylan

Point Naval

moment, she asked, "How did your

just exchanged greetings," Rosie replied, worry.

people from Ocean

Naval Station doing here?"

with Stella harboring secrets,