18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 569

Evan took a good look at Stella. From her fresh-faced youth to her confident thirties, her appearance hadn’t changed much, but her aura was something else entirely.

"Were you just on the supply ship?"

Even after all these years, his gaze was as sharp as ever—nothing escaped him.

Stella nodded, "Yeah, my team ran into a group of survivors from Goldbridge while looking for the Kindle Chest a few days ago. Must've been you guys."

Evan nodded, "Thanks for the assist. We might not have made it to the base otherwise."

Stella, curious, asked, "Ocean Point Naval Station is pretty advanced. So why Griffith?"

Evan smiled, "Just a hunch."

Stella paused, then burst out laughing, "Ocean Point is definitely high-tech, but your hunch was spot on. There are old friends here, the kind you can really look forward to."

She extended her hand warmly, "Evan, welcome to Griffith."

Evan had met all kinds of people, and from her demeanor, he figured she held some serious sway in Griffith. She wasn't the same person she used to be.

She had transformed.

Evan reached out, and their hands clasped together.

Just as they let go, another figure approached, "Evan."

A hand clapped his shoulder.

Evan looked closely, "Bran?"

Was this the old friend Stella mentioned? The spark of hope quickly fizzled out.

But Bran in uniform was a far cry from his past self.

Bran's flattery was always on full blast, "Sis, Evan's arrival is like adding wings to a tiger for us here in Griffith. The good times are just around the corner."

He boasted without a filter, "Evan, I was just telling Mark about you yesterday. He said you're a whiz at keeping the peace and handling criminal cases. Griffith could really use someone like you. And here you are!"

Stella wondered how he managed to be so effortlessly shameless.

They’d have plenty of time to get to know each other. After some small talk, she left.

Evan watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.

Back at home, Jasper was there when Stella mentioned running into Evan.

Jasper had known Evan in both their lives—an upstanding yet flexible lawman.

Having dealt with them so many times, he had always turned a blind eye to their business.

Both Stella and Jasper held him in high regard, "I'm sure Mark won't let this chance slip by."

Running into old friends in Griffith was definitely something to celebrate.

Stella had encountered three groups of Goldbridge survivors. She believed many were still alive, just scattered around the globe. In time, they would gather.

The transfer of supplies from the Kindle Chest took ten days, and the team’s container modifications were also complete, all transported back.

No red-brick houses, but still much better than tents—spacious and bright.

The only downside was the heat, but a shade on the roof would do the trick.

Besides, they’d spend a lot of time out at sea salvaging, hardly staying long each time they returned.

The team headed to the trading center to exchange goods, and thanks to their contributions to the base, they managed an unprecedented haul of flour and rice.

Sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, greens—they got a good amount.

But meat was wishful thinking—only pricey canned goods were an option.