18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel 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?"

The guy had ambition, that was for sure.

"I’m a secretary," Bran admitted without a hint of shame.

Stella instinctively asked, "For my dad?"

"I wish. But that’s a long way off," he replied with confidence.

But being a secretary in the military was no small feat – many high-ranking officials had started in such a position. With time, they became adept at reading between the lines, anticipating their superiors’ needs, keeping their eyes and ears open, eventually carving out a path for themselves.

Stella saw potential in him.

As a military secretary, especially not being Daniel’s, visiting Stella could be sensitive, but he had come anyway.

He wasn’t here for a casual meal this time.

Stella asked seriously, "What’s going on?"

Bran looked around, lowering his voice, "High command from Willowbrook is here."

The staff officers?

They chose to 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 when the aircraft carrier returned to Willowbrook and they received Daniel’s personal letter.

Stella couldn’t fathom their intentions.

Nor could 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 surface.

Now, with so many of them arriving, had they caught wind of something?

Regardless, until their intentions were clear, it wasn’t wise for Stella to show her face.

That’s why Bran had snuck out to see her.

They had arrived so suddenly, the Kindle Chests at the docks hadn’t been moved in time and had been spotted.

Stella understood; she was to lay low at home.

Her feelings for Ocean Point Naval Station were complicated; it was a base built with national pride, a place she once considered setting down roots, only to leave in haste due to various reasons.

No one was a fool. If the Willowbrook high command wanted to, they could likely figure out quite a bit.