18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 614

Stella got what Daniel was hinting at.

"Everyone sees what they've done. The military will decide how to evaluate them, and I'm sure they'll follow orders."

Daniel nodded, "I'll think it over."

With a sensor and a password, Stella had all six Kindle Chests opened ahead of schedule. Inside were solar power units, books on industrial development and design, some unidentifiable machinery, and one chest with vintage smelting equipment, likely to be preserved as relics.

Her job was to salvage; the base would handle the rest. Anything inside a Kindle Chest represented the pinnacle of Australian ingenuity and wisdom, enough to propel Griffith forward.

Stella gave Daniel a physical check-up, asking, "Has Nicholas been behaving lately?"

Daniel sidestepped, "He's just a pebble in your path, Stella. Watch out, but don't worry too much. He won't cause any real trouble."

Hearing this, Stella suspected Daniel had plans. Military secrets weren't her business, so she made sure he was fine physically and left.

Back home, Rosie served a plate of watermelon slices. Stella remembered how they used to spit out the seeds, and how Rosie had planted some on the farm. To their surprise, the seeds had grown into fruit-bearing plants.

About a dozen plants yielded just over twenty watermelons—not as good as the ones her sister-in-law grew, but they were Rosie's labor of love.

Stella kept two for themselves and sent half each to the town council and the military, sharing the fruits of their labor.

After tasting a couple of slices—average flavor, but still—Stella heaped praise on Rosie, "Wow, our Rosie is quite the green thumb, a true farming expert!"

Rosie's face turned red with shyness, "Sis, I've been giving extra classes."

"Oh, really? Tell me more!" Stella's curiosity was piqued.

"Grandpa He said the climate's stable now. He wants to seize the moment and plant, aiming to expand the farmland by thousands of acres. He asked me to run training sessions."

Was this Mark's idea? He really kept a close eye on people's welfare.

Stella was puzzled, "Don't we have agricultural experts?"

"Yes, but Grandpa He wanted me to teach."

Rosie was good at both fighting and farming, but lecturing to a roomful of people much older than herself had made her nervous at first. However, she quickly found her stride.

Her classes were packed.

Stella guessed Mark's reasoning: Rosie was young, energetic, and approachable. Her success on the farm made her the perfect spokesperson, embodying hope and renewal.

Not to discount the experts, but they leaned towards research, whereas Rosie was a hands-on doer.

To put it bluntly, who wouldn't prefer a vibrant young woman over a dry academic? She was certainly more pleasant to look at.

Over the past few months, the farm had expanded by several acres with successful potato harvests. The staff had grown to over a hundred people.

"Sis, the breeding farm wants to expand too. Poppy has a plan ready and is waiting to discuss it with you."

Despite similar ages, busy schedules had kept them from meeting often. Yet the farm and the breeding center worked hand in glove, with the farm's weeds and yellowed leaves feeding the poultry and their manure fertilizing the crops.

Rosie had full control over the farm, but she still made it a point to report to Stella, who listened with a smile, giving praise when due and offering suggestions when necessary.

Stella appreciated Rosie's current state: busy, confident, resilient, and strong. It seemed Dylan's arrival and departure hadn't affected her—at least, Stella hadn't noticed.

After chatting about this and that and wishing each other goodnight, they retired to their respective rooms.

Stella slept in, while Jasper was up early dealing with the salvaged goods at the military base.

As soon as she opened her door, her dogs came wagging their tails, eager for a treat.

Having been away so long, the meat they had stored in the freezer was long gone, and the dogs were craving a good meal.

Stella fetched some pork and bones from the Arcadia, giving them a tasty snack.

After enjoying a bowl of meatball noodles, she dressed casually and set off to find Cody Lukas at the guesthouse.

Only then did the dogs cease their brawl, though they continued to snarl at each other.

Seeing their 'grandmother' arrive, Delta and the pups stopped and ran over, eager for affection... and maybe some more meat.

The trainer, who had worked so hard with no reward, looked on helplessly...

Could he request a transfer or resignation?

The injured Shepherd lay bleeding, thinking to itself... FUCK!

It was a simple misunderstanding. The special salvage team had brought the Shepherd over, much to the trainer's delight.

Other than its actual parents, Delta had never seen another of its kind and warmly accepted the new dog.

They were playing nicely until Snowflake came to visit her pups and encountered the Shepherd.

For two days in a row, she visited.

Cooper, prone to jealousy, suspected he'd been cuckolded.

Stella had never considered this angle before. She thought bringing Ash home to be her granddaughter's suitor was a fine idea, but instead, it seemed to have thrown a wrench into a once-solid relationship.

Physical infidelity? Out of the question. Snowflake was still nursing, for heaven's sake.

As for an emotional affair, well, that didn't seem likely either.

A pang of sadness struck Stella. Her family's old dog was losing confidence.

Despite having had litter after litter, Cooper still looked the picture of health and strength. But the truth was undeniable: he was getting on in years.

Snowflake had no other options before, but with the sudden arrival of a young, dark-faced newcomer, the old dog became acutely sensitive.

Stella squatted down and pulled Cooper into her arms, ceaselessly petting his agitated form. "Cooper," she soothed.