18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 607

Kitty, Angela, and the crew huddled with Stella to plan their next move. They decided to split up to scavenge for supplies: one team would gather tents, another would raid the supply warehouse, and a third would head for the fuel depot...

Stella, calm as ever, said, "We just came from the fuel depot. It's empty; looks like they moved the refined fuel."

Though the news took them by surprise, Kitty didn't push further. "Alright, we'll skip the fuel depot. But we need to search everywhere else thoroughly. These supplies are our lifeline for evacuation."

The captives, following Kitty's lead, quickly got to work.

Stella exchanged a knowing glance with Jasper. She was definitely someone to be reckoned with.

Before long, the results of their scavenging were in.

The abandoned Chinese stockpile was impressive, especially with a recent resupply. They found soybeans, compressed biscuits, canned vegetables, nuts, sealed coffee beans, and even some cigarettes and liquor, though the recent partying had depleted a lot of it. If not for that, there might have been more.

Two old armored vehicles, a large military truck, and weapons stripped from the fallen enemies were among their haul.

They didn't stop at weapons; they took everything, even Chinese uniforms, leaving not a stitch of clothing behind.

Kitty was relentless, insisting they take everything they could, including the tents.

Anything they couldn't carry was tossed into the blazing oil fields—a final act of defiance, leaving nothing for the Chinese.

The survivors threw the bodies of the Chinese soldiers into the fire.

Cody and Lukas raced over with their men, almost tearing up at the sight of Jasper. In unison, they exclaimed, "Jasper!"

Without Stella and Jasper's timely arrival, the battle might not have been won, let alone so decisively.

They had stepped in during a dire situation, saving many lives.

Jasper remained stoic, "Glad everyone's alright."

Cody and Kitty, having been apart for a while, embraced each other tightly upon reuniting.

With the immediate danger resolved, it was time to move forward.

Jasper spoke up, "Now that you're safe, we need to start looking for the Kindle Chest. We'll meet at the designated spot."

"Jasper, Stella, thank you for your help. Without it, we might have lost many more lives before regaining our freedom," Kitty said, her gratitude evident. "We know where the Kindle Chest is. We could guide you there; it might be easier. The chest is massive, and even broken into pieces, it's hard to transport. We need a bigger group."

"No need," Jasper declined. "We're part of a specialized salvage group with our own divisions. We're the front line; others will handle the follow-up. You should hurry to the rendezvous point; we have vehicles and will be faster. We need tight coordination for a timely evacuation, especially if the Chinese main camp catches wind of us."

The captives, worn out from hard labor, were physically and mentally exhausted. With limited vehicles, not everyone could evacuate by car.

Kitty, always sharp, had been briefed by Angela about the Griffith Salvage Group.

A team that could navigate the high seas had its own code and military secrets; if they said no, it meant they didn't need help.

They were part of an elite military unit on a classified mission, not something outsiders could pry into.

Kitty didn't press further. "Take care, and we'll wait for you at the meeting point."

After a brief reunion, both parties went their separate ways.

Each had their own mission to complete. Stella and her team said their goodbyes with heartfelt hugs and left in their Humvee.

"Take care of yourselves; I'll be back," Stella called out as they departed.

They came swiftly and left just as quickly, like a desert storm.

Kitty and Angela were left in a daze, as if it had all been a dream.

After the joy of reunion, Angela watched Stella interact with her new team and couldn't help but reminisce about the precious memories on the 18th floor. However, those days were now far behind.

Stella had a new team, people she could trust with her life in times of danger.

And Angela, after many life-and-death experiences, realized that this was just the tapestry of life.

No matter what, there was light ahead, and she would persevere.

After Stella and the team's departure, Kitty and the others wasted no time in organizing an orderly evacuation.

Desperate for a bathroom break, he rushed off to relieve himself nearby.

After scanning the area, he was about to return to his slumber when something caught his eye.

He hid and peered through his binoculars but could see nothing but the grey pre-dawn light. Was it a trick of his eyes?

He shook his head and went back to sleep, only to bolt upright moments later.

Oh my God!

There were intruders, real intruders!

He blew his whistle in alarm.

Stella and her group had been cautious, but they hadn't counted on such a blunder.

The piercing whistle cut through the silence.

Jake wondered if they should try their usual trick, but the Chinese soldiers quickly sprang into action, weapons at the ready.

Bullets flew like there was a fire sale on ammunition.

Thankfully, the crew was battle-hardened, swiftly finding cover to shield themselves from the hailstorm of lead.

Coming from a special forces background, their marksmanship was beyond question.

Even across several hundred yards, their adversaries' assault rifles couldn't touch them.

Stella, on the other hand, whipped out her sniper rifle, handing another to Jasper.

Jake and the others were also prepared, having slung their own weapons across their backs before setting out.

So they hunkered down, each in their own hideout, biding their time for the perfect shot.