18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



The entrance was so well-hidden that it could've easily been mistaken for a mere crack in the ship's hull, even in broad daylight. It was barely wide enough to squeeze through, and the door was rusted shut.

Stella, always the troublemaker, decided to make things interesting. She dumped two buckets of sulfuric acid inside, sealed the door, and strapped two bombs to it. Anyone trying to push the door open from inside would trigger the bombs, turning the whole area into an explosive nightmare.

After a thorough search, they found no other way in and headed for the main entrance. Considering the ether and sulfuric acid they'd just used, Stella pulled out a gas mask and strapped it on. They exchanged a determined glance and stepped through the blown-open gate.

Inside, it was pitch dark and bone-chillingly cold. The path sloped downward, littered with the bodies of base members and alligators. Using night- vision goggles, they cautiously moved forward, weapons at the ready.

After about half an hour, a faint light appeared. The red-eyed alligators had caused utter chaos, leaving a trail of blood and destruction. Jasper noticed a red light flickering in a hidden corner above the corridor. The base not only had power but also surveillance cameras.

He didn't hesitate to shoot the camera, giving Stella a quick look to stay alert. They couldn't risk exposing Arcadia's secrets unless absolutely necessary.

The long passage ended, opening up to rows of identical-looking "well-shaped" buildings made of special materials, their flickering lights adding to the eerie atmosphere. The underwater base was unexpectedly large and designed like a labyrinth.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Unlike the bloody mess of the corridors, this area was spotless. The door handles were all the same, with no numbers or identifying marks. They stuck together, destroying any lights and cameras they found.

Jasper tried pushing a door, and after a few failed attempts, one finally opened. Inside stood a foreigner, eyes wide with shock. Before Stella could react, the man collapsed. He was still breathing faintly, likely poisoned. Stella finished him off, then surveyed the room.

It was about ten square meters, empty except for a ventilation duct at the top. Jasper noticed the duct could be closed off, suggesting there might be other survivors.

The silence of the labyrinth, untouched by the chaos of the corridors, indicated the red-eyed alligators hadn't breached this far. Stella noticed crisscrossing track marks on the floor and ceiling, realizing these buildings could move and combine in endless configurations.

She had a bad feeling. Without a word, she shot out all the lights within range.

Suddenly, a voice boomed from the ceiling, "Welcome to the underground city." It was a man's voice, deep and slightly mocking. Stella didn't hesitate to shoot out the speakers.

Behind them, a building moved, blocking the corridor. At the end of the hallway, a door swung open, releasing thick yellow smoke. Poison gas! Union Base was fighting back.

The yellow smoke corroded the coated rooms almost instantly. It was toxic and highly corrosive, beyond the protection of any standard gear. Jasper's face darkened. "Run!" he shouted, grabbing Stella and bolting.

But the exit was blocked by a building, immovable despite their efforts. Desperate, they tried the doors on either side, to no avail. With the yellow smoke closing in, Jasper made a quick decision and putted Stella into the room where they'd found the body.

Inside, it was pitch black. Stella quickly retreated into Arcadia. The poison was potent and corrosive, so they had to suit up in their best fully enclosed hazmat gear. They knew Union Base wouldn't be easy to infiltrate, but this was on another level.

They were sweating bullets. This wasn't just a base; it was a full-blown biohazard facility. Thankfully, they had stockpiled hazmat suits before the disaster, but whether they could withstand the poison was uncertain.

Stella couldn't help but wonder if this was the same base where Russia had wiped out over ten thousand people. Either Russia was lying, or the base had been upgraded.

They sat down to rest. Jasper theorized, "If they're releasing poison gas even though we've blocked the vents, it means the foundation has multiple levels, and the ventilation on this level doesn't threaten them."

Stella was skeptical. "Are you saying they have another ventilation system?"

"Not necessarily ventilation, but a self-sustaining oxygen cycle." They had transport ships and warships; living above ground wouldn't have been so bad, yet they chose to build an underwater base for security and comfort.

They likely aimed to create a

national-level facility, similar to Australia's national plan. But somewhere along the way,

something went awry. Their ten

was small, but they'd picked

many allies during the exodus, along with a slew of lackeys, finally settling in the Arctic to establish a new base.

The number of ships indicated a large initial population. Being nearly wiped out by Russia was likely due to arrogance and being caught off-guard, possibly because the base wasn't fully operational at the time.

Now, the base was complete, and breaking through would be no small feat. Regardless, Stella had no choice but to push forward. Survival in this post-apocalyptic world meant that even if you kept a low profile or sought peace, it didn't guarantee mercy from others.

After waiting half an hour and suiting up in their biohazard gear, they opened the oxygen valves and, with a confirming glance, left the room. The suits were cumbersome, and holding weapons became awkward. Jasper shielded Stella as they stepped out.

The room was as they left it, the body now a festering heap, and the door riddled with corrosive holes. The thought of such deadly biochemical gas sent shivers down their spines. When they emerged, the yellow gas had dissipated.

But Stella remained vigilant, checking their suits for any changes. Thankfully, they were intact. The advanced suits, traded with Austin, had built-in sensors that would alert them to any breaches.

They looked at each other, turned the doorknob, and stepped into the unknown. The hallway was pitch black, a stark contrast to the previously sealed rooms that now stood open. Decay was everywhere; the dead littered the floor.

In other words, many rooms still harbored the living. Judging by their contorted forms, their deaths had been excruciating. Stella felt a heaviness in her heart as she looked upon the decaying bodies, a sensation of crawling dread tingling at her scalp.