The Apocalypse Survival Manual (Three Days Before Doomsday, I Stockpiled Billions) novel Chapter 855

Chapter 855

Once these short-tempered krakens grabbed hold of something, any struggle or attempt to escape only made them more aggressive.

But the escape capsule was no ordinary survival craft. Built from aerospace materials, it was a small fortress. Its rounded shell also helped distribute the pressure of the tentacles, much like an egg that resisted being crushed in the palm of a hand.

Just as Nicole expected, the squid squeezed harder and harder without making a dent.

The moment it relaxed its grip, the stubborn little capsule bobbed toward the surface.

The squid caught it and squeezed again, only to let go when nothing happened.

The creatures were as playful as they were bad-tempered. As soon as one released the capsule, another snatched it up and tried to crush it, with no more success.

Their frustration mounted, and tentacles reached for the capsule from every direction.

Compared to the squid, it was tiny. Its round shape and buoyancy made it hard to hold underwater, especially with so many limbs competing for a grip.

Dozens of tentacles tangled together as the creatures fought over it.

Once Nicole felt sure the capsule could take the pressure, she decided to have a little fun.

She pulled it into the storage space, making it vanish from their grasp. Then she brought it right back out. 21

Over and over, the capsule appeared and disappeared between their tentacles, leaving the squid utterly baffled.

Their frustration gave way to fascination. Now they all wanted a turn with the ball.

Every squid scrambled to grab it.

In a group this large, some inevitably tried to assert their dominance.

Rivalries simmered, and it didn’t take much competition to turn them into a fight. Before long, the squid were brawling over their new toy.

Once again, the quiet sea erupted into chaos.

The capsule passed from one set of tentacles to another. One moment, it flew above the surface like a volleyball; the next, it was dragged to the seabed and tossed around.

Every so often, it vanished altogether, which only made the squid more determined to catch it.

They lunged and grabbed at it, fighting for a turn.

The water wasn’t especially deep. As the capsule rose and fell, its occupants caught glimpses of wrecked vessels scattered across the seabed.

They appeared to be all that remained of the Ardelonian base.

Chapter 855

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The commotion finally drew the attention of the group’s dominant squid. Finding the others fighting over a ball, it lashed out with an enormous tentacle.

The blow sent the capsule flying more than 100 feet. It spun through the air, crashed into the water, and drifted away on the waves.

None of the other squid dared go after it.

Even with the capsule’s gimbal system keeping them upright, Nicole and the rest were dizzy and disoriented. Still, they were finally clear of the squid.

The waves carried them farther away until the creatures disappeared from view.

More than three hours later, Nicole checked that the surrounding water was clear. She brought everyone and the capsule into her storage space, then moved them aboard the submarine and returned to the ocean.

The submarine slowly descended to a suitable depth.

With the squid safely behind them, the four settled in front of the viewing window for breakfast.

Nicole was having milk and breakfast sandwiches when she glanced up and saw an enormous shape heading straight for them.

It was Blue.

The whale seemed livelier today, and she nudged the submarine much more gently. Avenging her calf seemed to lift her spirits.

She circled them, swam away, then came back again.

Poppy tilted her head. “Is Blue saying goodbye?”

Nicole watched her for a moment. “I think so.”