18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 577

Mark didn't waste any time bringing Evan on board. One would manage the paperwork, while the other kept the peace. They had worked together back in Griffith, so they knew each other well. This partnership was bound to be seamless.

Stella walked up to them. “Evan.”

Evan nodded. “Perfect timing.”

Seeing Poppy, both angry and helpless, Stella asked, “What’s going on?”

“Stella, someone’s stolen the livestock from the farm.”

Stella was stunned. “…”

So, the big-shot head of the Inspectorate came all this way just to investigate some missing farm animals? This was Evan, a key figure in Griffith's justice system, usually dealing with high-stakes cases. And now, he’s chasing after stolen poultry?

But then again, in these catastrophic times, human life had become cheap.

No joke, livestock was now incredibly valuable. It wasn’t just about feeding people; they were crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

To put it bluntly, these animals weren’t just livestock; they were symbols of civilization.

Overnight, more than twenty animals had vanished from the farm: chickens, ducks, geese, quails, and turkeys, all ready to lay fertile eggs. It was downright infuriating.

The worst part? The thief knocked out the farm guard. In the freezing cold, the poor guy bled out in the snow.

Security at the base was tight, with firearms and ammunition strictly prohibited. Petty theft happened, but the farm was owned by the boss’s daughter, and the base had a 20% stake in it.

Poppy couldn’t figure out who would be so bold as to stir up trouble like this.

Nearby, the victim’s family wailed as if the world was ending.

Stella’s brow furrowed. “Evan, can you catch the culprit?”

The officers had already surveyed the scene, and Evan had a lead. He was calm and steady. “Not a big deal, but it’ll take some time.”

This kind of case was a piece of cake for him. Stella wasn’t worried. “Alright, then I’ll leave it to you.”

Evan ordered the body to be taken back to the station. Aside from ensuring the farm’s cooperation, they had to console the victim’s family.

Stella readily agreed.

As he walked away, she turned to Poppy. “What’s your plan for dealing with the family?”

Without hesitation, Poppy replied, “Don’t worry, Stella. I’ve got this covered.”

Despite her youth, her words carried an air of seasoned wisdom. Stella’s curiosity was piqued. “Let’s hear it.”

“In this messed-up world, life’s cheap. They’re making a scene to get a better deal, that’s all.”

Poppy already had a compensation plan. “I suggest we give them a pair of breeding chickens and offer the guard’s son his father’s job to ensure a steady income.”

Stella pressed. “And if they don’t agree?”

Her voice was firm. “The killer is the one who owes them, not the farm, which is also a victim. We’re offering this out of compassion; it’s more than generous. If they make more trouble, they’ll get nothing.”

Stella was impressed; Poppy truly was Shane’s rightful successor.

As they talked, Stella suddenly asked. “Horace, if I could get you hybrid rice seeds, could you develop a new strain?”

Horace was taken aback. After a moment of thought, he replied. “It’s tough, but with the seeds and five years, I’m confident I could do it.”

Stella had the seeds, plenty of them, salvaged from a high-tech agricultural outpost. She had barely planted any, and hundreds of pounds were in storage.

Horace was unaware as he recalled painful memories. “When the disaster struck, my colleagues and I rushed to the company headquarters, but it had been looted. We managed to find some precious hybrid rice seeds…”

All students of the same mentor, they valued the seeds more than life itself. Even as some starved, they never considered eating the seeds. But during an evacuation, the seeds were stolen by looters.

Horace’s arm was slashed, and his colleagues were brutally killed.

If they were to eat well, they needed that hybrid rice.

Stella spoke up. “I’ll find a way to get the seeds. I’ll give you a greenhouse to work in, but keep it a secret until you succeed.”

Horace was surprised and then thoughtful. “To cultivate hybrid rice, we’ll need more than just the hybrid seeds; the more varieties we can get, the better our chances.”

“No problem. Write down everything you need, and I’ll take care of it. But until we succeed, we need to keep this under wraps.”

Besides hoarding hybrid rice, she had also stocked up on heirloom rice both in the official new town of Griffith and with the Southern Kindle Society. Plus, right when the disaster kicked off, she’d managed to snag a good amount through some connections.

The computer data she’d gotten from a high-tech company was still intact, and she believed it would be beneficial to his research.

At first, Horace was skeptical, but considering Stella’s resourcefulness, he eventually nodded in agreement. “Alright.”