18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 509

Facing the tough situation, Mark kept his cool. "These Russians are just regular survivors, not cunning politicians. They still have some humanity left. But after being oppressed by Union Base, now that they've taken charge, they're naturally cautious about the future."

Being vigilant meant they were hyper-aware of potential threats. The Russians thought Australians, with their peaceful ways, would make ideal partners. But the long history of Eastern civilization still made them wary.

After all, Russia had only been a 'big brother' for a few decades, while Australia had been a beacon for thousands of years. This sense of superiority and deep- rooted thinking ran in their veins.

Facing natural disasters and the apocalypse, they might bow their heads but were skilled at seizing opportunities. Stranded in the Arctic, Mark had no better way to save himself. He just hoped the day when the Russians turned into complete villains would come later rather than sooner.

For now, all they could do was wait. Staying alive meant there was still a chance.

While the two men whispered to each other, Stella and Jasper sat in an igloo, warming themselves by a crackling fire, roasting sweet potatoes and yams.

The situation for Mark and his group made it clear they weren't free at the base. Russia's turf was no joke.

Stella opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Jasper spoke first, "People change. We can trade veggies with Russia, but we can't let our guard down."

As for other matters, he advised not to jump to conclusions too quickly. He peeled a roasted yam and handed it over gently, "Try this."

Stella bit into the fragrant, steaming yam, comforted by the dogs and wolves around her, feeling a warm current in her heart.

Rosie munched on a sweet potato. "Sis, are we really going to grow veggies in the ice house?"

Stella nodded. "We can try. If it doesn't work, we'll use the reserves we stored in Arcadia."

During those years in the villa, Rosie had cultivated her own garden, and they still had supplies they hadn't used.

Rosie was eager. "Let's start planting tomorrow."

The igloo entrance was narrow, with a windproof curtain keeping the warm air in.

It was quite cozy. With grow lights and a heater, they should manage.

If they ever grew tired of planting, they could spend the day in Arcadia and the nights in the igloo.

Stella felt no pressure, leaving the task to Rosie. "Do a good job. Our future trade with Russia depends on you."

Keeping her busy would spare her from overthinking. So, Rosie got to work, setting up hydroponic containers in the igloo, adjusting technical parameters, and ensuring proper lighting and warmth.

Jasper supported his sister, replaceing heating pipes and tools from Arcadia to create a constant temperature system for the planting containers.

Meanwhile, Stella was busy preparing for the New Year. In this post-apocalyptic world, hanging red lanterns and pasting fortune characters in an Arctic dwelling was as close as they could get to celebrating the Lunar New Year.

She hung a few small red lanterns in the living room and placed some customary plants. Then, in Arcadia, she decorated the villa with couplets and large red lanterns.

The New Year's Eve dinner was lavish, with chicken, duck, seafood, stuffed tofu, sauerkraut stir-fried with pork intestines, and a pot of aged rice wine.

The container was too narrow for the full spread, so the family moved into the spacious villa in Arcadia to feast. After a lively dinner, Jasper and Stella gave Rosie a red envelope for luck. Even the canine couple got theirs, with fish and pork bones inside.

The three little ones were not left out, but since they were still nursing, Stella decided to hold on to their gifts for later.

On New Year's Eve, it was traditional to wear new clothes. Stella picked out a few sets. "Here's yours, Jasper, and Rosie's..."

Cooper felt left out and came over. Stella glanced at him. "You've got a mate now, no need to play human. Just be a good dog."

Feeling slighted, Cooper returned to Snowflake's side. Snowflake nuzzled Cooper in front of everyone, then lavished affection on her pups.

After leaving Arcadia, the family gathered on the sofa to watch the televised New Year's Gala. Despite having seen it countless times and knowing the next line before the host, they still enjoyed every bit of it.

They soaked in the togetherness portrayed in the show, the dazzling dances, the laugh-out-loud comedy sketches, and the bittersweet skits. It was a world away, yet it felt so relatable.

Stella, touched by mixed emotions, leaned lightly on Jasper's shoulder. "Maybe, in our lifetime, we'll get to see such a wonderful New Year's Gala again."

Jasper was optimistic. "Since the land sank, although disasters have recurred, they're not as severe as before."

Especially from Ocean Point Naval Station to the Arctic, the weather had been erratic but manageable. He felt that Earth was healing itself, and hope welled up inside him.

Stella longed, "I hope so."

On the first day of the New Year, they had a hearty breakfast and started the day in earnest. Rosie opened the door and instinctively shielded her eyes, then quickly retreated inside.

Cooper and Snowflake darted out to relieve themselves. Rosie called them back quickly. Reluctantly, they obeyed and returned to the warmth of the igloo.

"What's wrong?" Stella asked, noticing Rosie's troubled expression.

"The sunlight... it looks off," Rosie said.

Stella and Jasper checked it out. The sunlight was indeed off, an eerie red that was harsh on the eyes. Stella glanced briefly before her eyes began to sting.

Australians were superstitious about omens, and just the day before, they'd been discussing the stabilizing of natural disasters. Now, faced with this forewarning, their spirits sank.

The year hadn't started well, and Stella feared it was a bad omen. Rubbing her eyes, she fetched antibacterial and antiallergic eye drops from Arcadia and promptly applied them.

After treating herself, she did the same for Rosie and Jasper. Cooper and Snowflake showed no discomfort, so they were spared for now.

They closed the door firmly, resolved not to venture outside. What could cause such a sudden change in the sun? They weren't meteorologists, and after a decade of inexplicable disasters, they knew science could no longer offer explanations.

If Stella had to guess, she'd say it was probably related to the atmosphere, the ozone layer, or a solar storm. Regardless of the cause, it wasn't within her power to resolve, so staying indoors seemed the wisest choice.

After a few applications of eye drops, the discomfort faded by evening. The family stayed indoors, and Jasper occasionally checked outside through a lookout vent on the roof, only to hear distant noises.

In the Arctic, where ice and snow blanket the land all year round, sunshine is rare, and any rise in

temperature is a novelty that camet

lure the reckless. Stella, however, was cautious by nature and stayed indoors for several days, wary of the unusual warmth. Contentbelongs to Nexttoons

As days passed, the sun's crimson glow began to fade, and by the fifth day, it returned to normal. Despite the apparent normalcy, Stella wasn't convinced. Whenever she ventured outside, she wore her radiation suit, limited her exposure, and avoided looking directly at the sun.

On the sixth day, the sound of a snowmobile broke the silence. Ivans arrived, ferrying a group of patients, including Russians and regular survivors. Among them, to Stella's surprise, was Mark.