Apocalypse Rebirth: Crazy from Day One

"What’s all the shouting about? Who are you trying to scare, being so jumpy?"

Timothy Chase snapped at the man, his tone laced with annoyance. He was as short-fused as ever.

But the man who cried out seemed oblivious to Timothy Chase’s displeasure. He just kept shouting, "Look! It’s coming our way!"

His voice was so frantic that the others couldn’t help but look. Something was slowly approaching them across the water’s surface.

Unsure what it was, a wave of panic washed over the group. They feared it was another disaster.

As it drew closer, they could finally make it out. It was a transport ship.

As its shape became clearer, the others began to shout with excitement. The two Chase brothers were the first to dash forward to get a better look.

"A ship! It’s a ship!"

"Did you guys see that? The person at the front is wearing a uniform. Could they be from the government?"

"Is the government finally stepping in? Have they sent people to rescue us?"

Everyone was ecstatic. Cheering, they all scrambled to their feet, abandoning whatever they were doing. They rushed to the water’s edge, waving frantically at the distant vessel.

Stella Sterling saw it too, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

’Is it really a government search and rescue team?’

’But I have no memory of this from my past life.’

’Did I just not encounter them, or have things already started to deviate from how they were before?’

’I’ve been reborn, so it’s inevitable that some things would change.’

After all, in her previous life, the constant natural disasters had severed communications and destroyed transportation networks. Anyone with a bit of power built their own base and ruled their own territory. There was no longer a legitimate government—it was simply a matter of who had the most power and, therefore, the loudest voice.

While she was lost in thought, the transport ship drew nearer and nearer.

Standing at the bow was a middle-aged man in a uniform. He held a megaphone and was shouting, "We’re from Meridia Base! We’re searching for survivors! If you can hear this, please move to an open area so we can rescue you!"

The message repeated endlessly. The ship would pause at each new area to check for any other survivors.

Hearing this, the people there grew even more frantic.

"Help us! Help us!"

"There are people here! A lot of us!"

"I’ve heard of Meridia Base! It’s basically a government-established base. They’re always searching for other survivors and helping regular people get through these hard times. They’re completely different from the other bases."

"They’re here! It looks like we’re saved!"

Even the usually composed Louis Grant was getting excited now, but unlike the others, he didn’t drop what he was doing to run to the edge and shout.

’With so many people getting this worked up and crowding the edge, it would be a disaster if someone accidentally fell in.’

’Besides, I can just head over when the ship gets here.’

So, despite his excitement, he remained relatively calm and continued grilling his fish.

Stella Sterling glanced at him, surprised.

Louis Grant turned to her. "The rescuers are here. Aren’t you going to go take a look?"

"I’m more interested in how that fish you’re grilling is going to taste."

Stella Sterling’s tone was placid. ’He just got excited and dropped the fish right into the fire. Is it even edible anymore?’

’I’ll let him have that one later.’

Stella Sterling thought to herself.

Louis Grant was stunned. He thought he was being composed, but the woman beside him was even more unflappable.

On the surface, Stella Sterling was calm, but her mind was already racing.

’Meridia Base...’

’I heard about it in my past life!’

’In terms of both methods and strength, it was the closest thing to a true government base.’

’Seven years into the apocalypse, that base was still around, and it was very powerful.’

’I just never had any contact with them, never found a chance to join.’

’It seems the natural disasters haven’t changed, but many other things have.’

The transport ship was getting very close now, and the face of the man on the bow became clear to everyone.

’Another familiar face!’

Stella Sterling’s fingers twitched slightly.

"There are a lot of survivors here!"

Ethan Young, on the bow, spotted the group and called out, then ordered the transport ship to stop.

He seemed a little surprised by the scene but began directing people to board. On the ship, aside from the uniformed personnel, there were many other men and women in tattered clothes. They were sallow and emaciated, and most of them had a vacant look in their eyes.

’They must be survivors that the Meridia Base team found elsewhere.’

The recent flood had destroyed countless high-rises and claimed many lives. The survivors were often left separated from their families, displaced and destitute.

"Ethan Young? It’s really him!"

Louis Grant, beside her, exclaimed in surprise. He clearly recognized the man on the bow.

His mood visibly brightened upon seeing the man. He turned to Stella Sterling and grinned. "Hey, since we’ve been working together these past two days, how about we be friends? Once we’re on that ship, I’ll have your back. No one will dare mess with you."

’His tone was full of confidence. This change came over him the moment he saw Ethan Young. It seems their relationship isn’t a simple one, and perhaps this man’s own background isn’t simple either.’

Stella Sterling said nothing.

Louis Grant thought she didn’t believe him and quickly added, "I’m serious! If I’m looking out for you, your life will get a lot easier. See that guy on the bow? He’s got a high-ranking position in Meridia Base, and we’re practically brothers!"

As if to prove his point, Ethan Young, who had been directing people from the bow, spotted Louis Grant. He leaped down from the ship and strode in their direction.

"What are you doing here?"

"I just came out to check on the situation, but I got caught up in all this. Good thing I ran into you."

Louis Grant explained briefly, then stood and gave Ethan Young a big hug.

The two exchanged a few words, then Louis Grant said, "Brother, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. She’s..."

He trailed off. Stella Sterling, who had been right beside him, had vanished. And several of his grilled fish were missing...

When he looked again, he saw the woman, her large black backpack already on her shoulders, joining the crowd boarding the transport ship.

Just then, Ethan Young said, "We can talk later. We don’t know how many more people are out there waiting for us. The longer we delay, the more danger they’re in. You should get on board first."

Ethan Young went back to his duties, leaving Louis Grant to gather his few ragged belongings and hurry toward the ship.

’I have no idea where that woman went. I can’t find her anywhere.’