18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 550

No one knew if Cole had simply vanished or if he had encountered danger in the depths of the ocean. Such mysteries weren't uncommon, with many setting out never to return. But today, Bran laid eyes on Cole once more, and he didn't look like he’d just come ashore.

Curiosity got the better of Bran, so he started snooping around. It didn't take long for him to find out that Cole had been at South Base even before the mainland started to rise again. In other words, Cole had not only found Daniel but had chosen to stay. That made sense—everyone has roots, and Cole, originally from South Base, naturally felt a stronger sense of belonging there. Just like Bran, who decisively chose to stay when he drifted to Griffith Base.

But why was Cole still venturing out to sea in a submarine? Rumor had it that each trip lasted several months. Stella felt a moment of disorientation, which quickly gave way to clarity. That explained Daniel's reaction when he first saw the sights of Arcadia; shocked, yet not entirely surprised. He had suspected as much.

Back in the southern military, Cole knew she was under special care from the high command. He had found the southern forces out in the vast ocean and relayed everything about Ocean Point Naval Station to Daniel. Daniel was well aware that Stella would never return to Ocean Point Naval Station. And he also knew that with the five military forces gathered at the hub base, even if ranks were equal, a leader was needed. Could the high-ranking officers keep their subordinates in check?

In this post-apocalyptic world, unity against disaster and a collective effort to rebuild civilization were paramount—the common goal to climb upwards, unwavering. But beneath this grand trend, composed of various military groups, human nature with its conflicts and selfishness remained. And Daniel, a leader in his own right, was all too aware of this.

Knowing that Australian civilization was continuing was enough; where it was being built didn't matter. A bloom in every corner was a sight to behold. For Ocean Point Naval Station, his presence or absence was of little consequence. Not only did he think so, but his commanding officers felt the same. Having dedicated his early life to the nation, and with Ocean Point Naval Station on the rise, Daniel now wanted to protect those he had neglected.

Thus, Daniel established Griffith Base, and Cole's sea voyages were a quest to find her. Stella took a deep breath; he had not breathed a word of it. Was this the silent nourishment of fatherly love, steadfast as a mountain? If so, his insistence on Jasper entering the military made sense. Having lived twice, Stella had never been cared for with such profound love, and her emotions churned.

Whenever Cole was mentioned, Bran couldn't help thinking of his brothers back at Ocean Point Naval Station. "I wonder how Hans and the others are managing over there?"

Stella composed herself and said indifferently, "No matter where, it's all about extending Australian civilization." Seeing through but not speaking of it, Bran, feeling full and content, took his leave.

Next door, Vanessa worked late into the night before returning home. Worried that Daniel might be hungry, she was surprised to find not only that he had cooked dinner but also saved some for her. Vanessa, astonished, teased, "Old man, is the sun rising from the west?"

Daniel knew his way around the kitchen, but only just. In his youth, he was often on missions, and even when he returned to base, he would eat at the mess hall. As his rank rose, he was busier than ever, with little time for culinary pleasures. For years, Vanessa had managed their daily life. His cooking was simple and admittedly not gourmet, but Vanessa was touched. This was the first time he had cooked for her.

Daniel was eager, "How is it?"

Being long-time partners, Vanessa spoke the truth, "Salty, but edible."

"Next time you cook, make sure to call me," Daniel said, a hint of disappointment in his voice, but he quickly brightened. "I'll learn a few dishes."

In the harsh conditions of their world, she had no chance to have more children. Disasters had been so devastating that there were few youngsters like Rosie. The youngest and most suitable for childbirth were Stella's age. If they didn't start families soon, who knew if they would ever have the chance? Things would improve, but fertility was a pressing issue.

Despite the current population of able-bodied individuals, there were few women at the base. Survival was tough, and many were already physically worn out, worrying that even if conditions improved, they might not have the opportunity. Daniel was reminded, "You could focus on that in the hospital. Once conditions get better, we could use medical means to give more women the chance to have children."

Vanessa nodded, "I'll talk to the chief of staff tomorrow and get the medical preparations started."

After resting at home for a couple more days, Daniel's pneumonia hadn't fully cleared, but he went back to work. With a family and daughter, he couldn't be as reckless as before, ensuring to rest at home once the important tasks were dealt with.

During his sick leave, good news arrived. The soldiers sent out for resources reported a limestone quarry a hundred miles away, a significant find for their rebuilding efforts. "You know, we could set up a lime kiln, toast the limestone into quicklime at super high temperatures. It'll make for a solid building material, get us out of this bind with the sand shortage. Then there's even better news on the horizon—some 200 miles yonder, there's a coal mountain waiting for us. But it's no strip mine; looks like we're gonna need a boatload of elbow grease to dig it out."

This news has got everyone's spirits soaring. Coal's not only gonna keep our hearths warm, but it's also the lifeblood of a bunch of our machines. The snag is, we're short on hands. After the initial excitement, it hit us—we're like top-notch chefs with no groceries. Griffith Base is a ground-up operation, no fancy machines, and our numbers are thin. We've been splitting soldiers in two to get the job done, but keep this up and we'll be running on fumes.

Balancing bricklaying with keeping bellies full—it's a real Sophie's Choice. Daniel listened to their back-and-forth, then cut in with his two cents, "When you're up to your ears in tasks and short on folks, you gotta make some tough calls."