18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 174

Stella shook her head, "We can't fish, and a fishing boat won't do us any good."

Truth be told, she longed for a cruise ship, and Aqua Base just happened to have one that looked fairly new.

Jasper frowned, "We already have a yacht."

Coming from an orphanage, she might lack certain skills, but she had learned to prepare for the worst far earlier than most.

Stella’s sense of crisis was even stronger, "A yacht can help us survive at sea, but if we encounter a major storm or a super earthquake and tsunami caused by a massive plate collision, a giant wave could swallow the yacht."

Indeed, Aqua Base had a tarnished reputation and might cheat them, but Stella felt it was worth the gamble, "If we lose, we just lose a batch of insulin; if we win, we get a cruise ship, which might save us when the world turns upside down."

Sensing her determination, Jasper didn't object, "We should plan for the long term and minimize the risk."

His agreement made Stella feel good, "You're good at strategizing. I'll follow your lead."

Her flattery made Jasper laugh, but he was also pleased.

Stella sat on the sofa, chatting with him while munching on snacks. They discussed their plans late into the night.

The next day, Austin came over early, "So, what's the news? Do we have a deal?"

Stella hesitated, "We have insulin, but how much does Aqua Base need?"

"For them, the more the merrier."

Austin, the savvy businessman, had already informed Aqua Base of Stella's rough demand, guessing it was either a fishing boat or a cruise ship.

Odeberg International also had fishing boats, but since Stella didn't ask for one, it was unlikely she would ask for one from Aqua Base, so her target must be the cruise ship.

Austin had considered all possible scenarios to save time and trouble.

Austin cut to the chase, "What does your seller want, a fishing boat or a cruise ship?"

"My seller doesn't compete for others' livelihood. What he wants is a cruise ship."

Austin breathed a sigh of relief. After all, in the current environment, a fishing boat was much more valuable than a cruise ship, being a tool for Aqua Base to grow and prosper.

He was really worried that Stella would ask for a fishing boat. They would have to exchange the life-saving medicine for it, no matter what. But who could guarantee they wouldn't cheat?

The base leader also seemed to want to exchange for a cruise ship, which should significantly reduce the risk. Austin was relieved, "The cruise ship is no problem, but they want 60 units of insulin."

Stella had it, but she didn’t want to give that many, "Who can cough up 60 units after nearly two years of disaster? My provider can provide at most 30."

If insulin wasn't easier to find than the vaccine, and if the cruise ship's value wasn't incomparable to a yacht, she wouldn't be willing to give up so much. In addition to the rarity of the drug, the large quantity could attract unwanted attention.

Austin thought 30 units were a bit too few, but it should be buy them enough time to find more drugs.

However, with half less than expected, he didn't dare to make the decision on his own.

Stella spoke bluntly, "Austin, I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, we're actually hesitating about this deal, considering Aqua Base's reputation on the street."

After he left, Jasper took the dog to patrol the hill.

At midnight, the alarm clock rang. Jasper woke Stella, and they drove in the dark to General's Valley, hid the car in Arcadia, and found a position where they could monitor the valley entrance.

It wasn't easy. They came to collect seafood, but it felt like they were setting an ambush.

Jasper spread his coat on the ground, "Stella, you should get some sleep. I'll keep watch."

Stella was no-nonsense. She lay down, closed her eyes, and said, "Wake me if you need me."

Perhaps it was genuine exhaustion, or maybe it was the security of his presence, but she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

After an unknown period of time, she was gently roused from her slumber. Sitting up, Stella noticed a light at the mouth of the valley. She pulled out her binoculars, and saw two trucks approaching, hauling shipping containers.

Several people disembarked from the trucks, directing the unloading of the containers. It took them about half an hour to finish.

They didn't stick around, and all left with the trucks.

Stella and Jasper didn't rush to show themselves. Instead, they used their binoculars to repeatedly scout the area, ensuring no one was lying in wait before they went to collect their goods.

Even in the dead of night, they donned wigs and masks and threw on trench coats.

At three in the morning, it was pitch dark. They didn't use flashlights for illumination, instead relying on night vision goggles. With utmost caution, they descended the hillside.