18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 533

Bran smelled awful, and Stella, rummaging through her bag, pulled out a water bottle with chilled tap water, insisting he clean his face and hands.

Once they found a spot to sit down, Bran started recounting his ordeal. "I was part of a rescue mission out at sea. Our naval ship was evacuating people in the Arctic when we got caught in a massive storm on the way back..."

They had survived, but the ship's components were damaged, making it impossible to navigate properly. To make matters worse, the storm had shifted the ocean currents.

And it was the windy season.

With no other choice, they drifted.

After nearly three months adrift, they stumbled upon new land.

Not just any land, but there were the Southern forces they had dreamed of finding.

The team had just landed and was actively setting up a base.

The captain had given them the coordinates for Hope Point. For some reason, the commanding officer decided not to head to Ocean Point Naval Station but chose to stay put instead.

They provided a lot of help, not only repairing the ship and offering fuel but also scrimping together supplies to share.

Bran was already a soldier from the South Base, and knowing the name of the base only solidified his decision to stay.

Meanwhile, those willing to move to Ocean Point Naval Station were not hindered by the base at Griffith.

"Besides me, Deputy Mayor He decided to stay too," Bran added.

Ocean Point Naval Station had better conditions, but both of them were Griffith natives and felt a stronger sense of belonging to the South Base.

Stella pondered that aside from a sense of belonging, he probably wanted to search for his family.

If the Porras family knew about the existence of Griffith Base, they would likely choose to come, increasing the chances of a reunion.

She asked, "Did you find Shane?"

At the mention of old man Shane, Bran's eyes reddened instantly, "The old man... he..."

In fact, Bran's choice was right.

The Porras family did come, but Shane was no longer with them.

From a thriving family of dozens, only Josef and the second daughter of the Porras remained.

They had found their way here half a year ago.

The once-wealthiest man in Australia, a leading figure in Griffith's business world, had fallen victim to the catastrophic disasters.

And they were not the only ones.

After more than a decade of natural disasters, it's estimated that less than one percent of the global population survived.

Although Shane was quick to discipline with his cane, he adored his son Hunter the most.

And Bran, rebellious and wild, was closest to Shane.

The sad reality was that children are ready to care for their aging parents who may not be around to see it.

Stella didn't know how to console him.

She tried to change the subject, "So, you're farming now?"

Bran, hiding his sorrow behind a laugh, said, "I promised the old man I'd keep the Porras family strong. What's wrong with farming? I'm proud of it. I'm a squad leader now, and farming gives me honor."

In the past, he wouldn't bother with anything less glamorous than diamonds or jade.

But now, with the old man gone, he had to rely on himself to survive and carry the Porras family on his shoulders.

Stella continued to divert the conversation, "How's Deputy Mayor He?"

"He's with my brother and niece at the East District plantation," Bran explained. "I'm staying at the barracks, and they're living together, looking out for each other."

Stella sighed, seeing the change in Hunter.

"Bran, where are you and Jasper staying?"

Bran was eager, "I'm off in a few days. I'll come to find you."

Stella was at her wit's end.

Jasper pondered, "I think we could stay."

Having lived with Bran for some time, he had a certain level of trust in him, but he couldn't deny that human nature was the most fickle in these end times.

Unless they were truly loved ones, Jasper could never fully let his guard down.

Whether Bran was sincere or not, as long as they had leverage, there wouldn't be a major issue.

Family could be a double-edged sword. It might be Bran's driving force, but it was also his vulnerability.

"Stella, Griffith Base is different from Ocean Point Naval Station. You're safer here."

Stella understood what he meant—the top dog at Griffith Base was Daniel.

"Bran's a smart cookie, whether he's being genuine or playing the game, he'll choose what's best for him."

Unlike the mishmash of forces at Ocean Point Naval Station, Griffith was established by the original South Base crew, and Daniel had always been the head honcho.

As long as the team was easy to lead, there wouldn't be any major issues at the base.

Besides, whether it was lifestyle habits, local culture, or perhaps the management style of the base, it all seemed more suited for the trio to stick around.

Jasper's analysis was crystal clear to Stella.

She looked over at Rosie, "Do you like it here?"

Rosie pondered for a moment, "I do."

Stella smiled and asked, "Why do you like it?"

It wasn't as cutting-edge as Ocean Point Naval Station, but the sound of the local slang that was once familiar now felt incredibly heartwarming.

It was enough to make one nostalgic for South Base, believing that one day it could regain its former strength.

After a moment's thought, Stella concluded, "Alright, we'll stay."