18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 504

Seeing Stella's eyes light up at the sight of the artifact, Ivans knew he'd nailed the perfect gift. It was like he'd handed her a treasure more exciting than some ancient relic.

Without hesitation, Stella accepted the challenge. "I'll give it a shot, but no promises on the harvest."

Fair's fair, so she asked Ivans what he wanted in return.

Ivans, a man of simple needs, shrugged. "These things aren't much use to us. If you manage to grow some veggies, just share a bit with us, and we'll call it even."

Stella nodded briskly. "Deal. If I can get these to sprout, we'll split the bounty."

As they parted ways, Ivans couldn't hide his reluctance. "Stella, are you sure you won't consider moving over to our side?"

Her laughter was her goodbye as she waved him off.

After they'd gone, Jasper frowned. "Those Russians are tough cookies. Good thing you released ether in the detention center, making their heads fuzzy enough to think they were seeing things."

Stella felt the same. Considering the Russians had wiped out over ten thousand from the Union Base, they weren't to be underestimated.

"We need to stay sharp from now on."

They moved their new stuff back to their igloo.

Once inside, Rosie spoke with a serious tone, "Brother, sister, someone was tailing us after you left."

Stella wasn't surprised. "Who was it?"

Peering through the spyhole, Rosie had seen everything clearly. "Russians."

Jasper's frown deepened. "Seems they still don't trust us."

They'd sent Ivans to distract them while another team covertly observed from behind.

"It's par for the course," Stella remarked. "As long as they don't mean us harm, they can play their games. We just need to be extra vigilant."

After ten years of catastrophe and constant persecution by the Union Base, paranoia was only natural.

Stella carefully picked up the dragon head, a relic of Australian glory, now just a piece of scrap metal in the wake of disaster. It wouldn't even fetch a handful of potatoes in a trade.

She smiled wryly, caressing the dragon head before tucking it away for safekeeping in Arcadia.

"I'll have to take it slow with the Russians. No use asking outright for the artifacts; that would only raise suspicions."

After a couple of days' rest, they were all feeling better.

Stella's eyes fell on the mischievous couple. "You two, come here."

She wasn't about to let them off the hook just because they acted cute and cuddly.

With a vine in hand, her expression fierce, Stella commanded, "Now, and don't make me repeat myself!"

The punishment was swift and harsh.

While the two whimpered for mercy, the siblings sat on the couch, indifferent to the cries.