The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 723

Hughie's group valued their freedom and hated being tied down, while military life came with rules for almost everything. Nicole had a hard time picturing them adjusting to it.

Joining the military was Jeremy's idea.

He explained, "The disasters are getting worse and harder to predict. We survived that sandstorm because we got lucky, but what about next time?"

They couldn't fight natural disasters on their own. Their best option was to rely on the government.

The base had advanced technology, military defenses, and specialized equipment designed to withstand disasters. If they followed orders and stayed with the military, their chances of surviving would be much better.

Jeremy really did think things through more carefully than most people.

Knowing all four of them had found a place where they belonged put Nicole at ease. More than anything, she just hoped they stayed safe.

She asked curiously, "Did they assign you to different branches?"

"Yeah. The base has army and navy units. We're with the navy's submarine division."

"You actually get to learn how to operate submarines?"

Nicole pretended to be surprised.

"Submarines aren't exactly common. We barely had any before the apocalypse, so how are there suddenly so many now?

"I glanced at the listings in the administrative hall last night, and it looked like submarines were even available for trade. Is that actually real?"

The four of them exchanged looks before Jeremy smiled and explained, "They're not the kind of submarines you're thinking of. These were specially designed in case a tectonic collision happens."

Nicole widened her eyes. "Tectonic collision?"

Hughie and the others hadn't heard about it until they reached the base either.

Just thinking about it was terrifying. It almost felt like nature was trying to wipe humanity out.

Still, Hughie's group were lucky enough to pass the military assessment. From now on, they would follow the government's lead.

These were a new type of submarine.

If they ran into an ocean disaster too severe to resist, the propulsion system and other external components could retract into the hull, allowing the vessel to drift with the current.

The interior had shock-absorbing systems, while stored oxygen and food could keep everyone alive for up to six months.

The outer shell was also extremely durable, strong enough to survive collisions with reefs or attacks from marine life without breaking apart.

Nicole thought for a moment.

"If these new submarines are that effective, why not evacuate everyone underwater? Why bother with land-based survival plans?"

Hughie explained, "Each one only holds ten people, and the base has more than two hundred thousand residents. Even if the shipyard could build enough of them, they require special rare metals."

The apocalypse had already lasted nine years. Even with the resources of the entire country, supply chains could no longer keep up, especially when rare metals were needed for so many other things, such as warships, cargo ships, aircraft, and land evacuation vehicles.