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

secretary," Bran admitted

instinctively asked, "For

long way

With time, they became adept at

saw potential

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

here for a

asked seriously,

his voice, "High command

The staff officers?

come 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

fathom

Bran. But when Stella had left, she had left behind a cruise ship, and ever since then, everything at the base seemed calm - at least on the

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

snuck out to

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

understood; she was to

national pride, a place she once considered setting down roots,

If the Willowbrook high command wanted to,

here could Daniel hold them

weight of

old hound echoed from outside, followed by Rosie pushing open the

show surprise, but her expression was tinged with complexity, "Brother hasn't come home

unease and asked, "Rosie, is

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

to

recognized her

furrowed slightly, "And

by name, by a young

had racked her brain but couldn't place

"Rosie, it's me, Dylan."

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

remembered was delicate

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

the smile was indeed

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

was at Ocean Point

she

just exchanged greetings," Rosie replied, worry. creeping into her voice, "Sis,

the people from

Naval Station doing here?"

was palpable, with Stella harboring