18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 628

Dylan did come back, but it seemed like his heart was still left behind at Griffith.

Austin had nearly blown through his savings, trying every trick in the book to set his son up with the daughters of high-ranking officials. The girl he found was five years older but was the youngest lady in Willowbrook, and her family's wealth was no secret. Just tie the knot, and they could start a family—plenty of military brats were eyeing her. But he flat-out refused, "Sorry, I've already got someone I like."

The old man nearly had a stroke.

All the money and effort he’d poured into raising this kid, who he doted on... If he’d known, he might as well have raised a slab of bacon! But what could he do? Kids always find ways to torment their parents.

Even Monkey was rattled; the old man actually wept in front of him. This was the guy who didn't shed a tear when his wife passed, who weathered disasters without so much as a sniffle!

Just as the old man was sinking into despair, Willowbrook introduced a new policy. Since Griffith was also a base in Australia, residents of Willowbrook could choose to relocate to Griffith. This policy applied to soldiers as well.

Dylan announced he wanted to move to Griffith.

The old man couldn't hold back, slapping him in a fit of rage, "Have you got mush for brains? You think the higher-ups would really let you go? This could be just bait. If you really retire and leave, do you think Willowbrook's military would just let it slide? Even if they did agree to let you go, what’s your plan? Are you going to swim across oceans and continents to get there?"

Austin had spent a lifetime in the business world, having swallowed more salt than his son had eaten rice; he’d seen all sorts of human tricks. Willowbrook's military was a jumble of people from different districts and branches, leading to endless conflicts after long periods of coexistence. Only the privileged had resources; orphans could only rely on themselves, often going hungry.

Over the years, many, especially those with lower ranks from the southern military district, had felt restless. But what could they do? Not every finger is the same length; even those with a roof over their heads struggled for meat, let alone the orphans left out in the rain. Many were itching for a change, yet feared it would all be for naught.

Who knew that suddenly, the higher-ups would actually allow free departure? Once the first person stepped forward, soon there was a second. Most were soldiers, all hailing from the southern district. It wasn't that Willowbrook was lacking; they simply yearned for a homeland that felt right for them.

Aside from the soldiers, once the details about Griffith base were clarified, even some of the ordinary survivors were tempted. Eventually, the number of applicants reached into the thousands.

Austin couldn't win against his son, and in truth, he was also intrigued. After negotiations, the two families decided to move to Griffith. Over the years, many pyrotechnicians had been recruited to Ocean Point Naval Station. They could come over in submarines, no need for Willowbrook to send a ship. More than twenty submarines made the grand voyage together. A month ago, they arrived safely at Griffith across the sea.

Stella was surprised; she hadn't expected Willowbrook to be so open-minded. Griffith not only accepted everyone but also tried to find jobs for those who needed them.

"Thanks, sis," Monkey suddenly choked up, wiping his eyes repeatedly.

Stella was puzzled, "What's the matter?"

"Theresa managed to get a job at the farm."

Just about done with his tasks, Daniel didn't dare delay. He snuck into the yard, only to be greeted by an excited Cooper with a bark. His daughter caught him red-handed. What could Stella do? She forgave him, of course.

Father and daughter sat down for a late-night snack. Stella shared the joys but spared the worries; she didn't bring up the encounter with the radioactive tuna. Before reaching shore, the Kindle Chest had been completely unlocked. It contained neatly packed hard drives filled with aerospace technology designs and parameters, including satellites and rockets, along with advanced military concepts and educational materials for various industries. There were high-precision lathes, CNC machining centers, milling machines, grinders, and more. Also among the treasures were advanced exploration devices for finding oil fields, metals, minerals, and the like. Many might not be immediately needed, but they represented over a century of industrial civilization, invaluable for the future. With these assets, Griffith was set to soar like a phoenix.

Daniel was thrilled, yet he didn't want to delve into these topics.

"Stella, did Aunt Su tell you? A woman of marriageable age underwent treatment and successfully conceived."

Stella paused, "That's great news."

The continuity of civilization requires a relay of development. Fertility was a crucial issue for Griffith's leadership to consider. After a grueling six months of treatment and a meticulously balanced diet, the woman successfully conceived just over a month ago. The news spread like wildfire through Griffith, sparking hope among the doctors and other women longing to become mothers. The pregnant lady was now being pampered, with a special ward and team of doctors dedicated to her care at the hospital, all praying for a smooth delivery.

A new life symbolized hope, making the efforts of two generations all the more worthwhile.

"Stella, you and Yishen aren't getting any younger," a friend said, sitting across from her at a cozy corner café. "With all the natural disasters in the past, the timing was never right. But now, things are stabilizing, medical facilities are improving, and if there are any complications like breech births or difficult labor, the doctors have solutions. Given your current situation and capabilities, raising a child is no longer an issue. If you're thinking about having a baby, it's time to get a move on."