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 off," he

in such a position. With time, they became adept at reading between

potential

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

a casual

seriously,

lowering his voice, "High command from Willowbrook is

The staff officers?

the Griffith base's establishment. If they had truly appreciated the talent, they

fathom their

behind a cruise ship, and ever since then, everything at the base

had they caught wind of something? Regardless, until their intentions were clear, it

snuck out to see

arrived so suddenly, the Kindle Chests at the docks hadn't been

she was to lay low at

were complicated; it was a base built with national pride, a place she once considered setting down roots, only to leave

Willowbrook high command wanted to,

here could Daniel hold

indoors, feeling the weight of time on her

everything, the familiar sounds of the old hound echoed from outside, followed by Rosie pushing open the

her expression was tinged with complexity, "Brother

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

hadn't expected to run into

her in

furrowed slightly, "And

accurately addressed by name, by

brain but couldn't place

"Rosie, it's me, Dylan."

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

remembered was delicate and pale,

was tall and well-built, with sun-kissed skin and

smile

transformed them beyond their most familiar appearances, yet Dylan had recognized

Ocean Point Naval Station?

thinking for a moment, she asked, "How

exchanged greetings," Rosie replied, worry.

the people from

Naval Station doing here?"

anxiety was palpable, with Stella