Apocalypse Rebirth: Crazy from Day One

Night had fallen. Outside, lightning still flashed and thunder rumbled, but the ship’s interior had long since grown quiet. Stella Sterling had eaten and drunk her fill and taken a long nap in the afternoon, so she was feeling very refreshed.

She had already been toiling away in her space for a long time, yet she felt no physical fatigue. In fact, she felt more energetic than ever.

When she emerged from her space, thunder was still rumbling outside, but it was much fainter than before, and the rain had stopped.

Stella Sterling considered for a moment, then got up and headed outside.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw a uniformed man standing beside it. He had been posted there specifically to guard her.

In their eyes, an armed woman like her was still a dangerous figure.

She glanced at the man. He was starting to doze off. Perhaps because she had been so quiet in her room, he had lowered his guard.

She raised an eyebrow. ’His alertness is a little low. It’s a good thing I bear no ill will toward Meridia Base. Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t even know how he died.’

With another glance at the man, she looked away and continued outside.

Most of the people on the ship were already asleep. Even those who were awake remained lying in their spots, unmoving.

Occasionally, one or two people on night watch would glance in her direction, monitoring the situation.

The night was so quiet that the slightest noise could wake a great many people.

Stella Sterling’s steps were light. She made no sound and disturbed no one as she made her way to the deck.

The rain had stopped, and the thunder had faded. Unexpectedly, there were even stars in the sky tonight.

She found a place to sit. The night air was cool and carried a foul, fishy stench.

The ship was still navigating through Mirefall.

The once-bustling city of Mirefall was now submerged, with only some buildings jutting out from the water. Everything else was drowned.

It was a scene of utter ruin and desolation.

As the ship moved forward, a panorama of ruin scrolled past, along with the endless debris floating on the water.

She took out her night-vision goggles, which brought everything before her into sharp focus.

As she felt the wind and watched the stars, her heart gradually grew calm.

"He... Help me!"

Just then, a faint cry for help reached her ears.

Stella Sterling thought she must have misheard. ’Who would be out on the water calling for help in the middle of the night?’

But out of caution, she scanned her surroundings anyway.

SLAP.

A hand reached up from the water and slapped against the side of the ship.

In the dead of night, it looked just like a scene from a horror movie. Add some creepy music, and it would be enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.

But Stella Sterling had always been fearless. Not only was she not frightened, but she was curious. She stepped up to the edge and peered over.

She saw a man gripping the side of the ship with both hands. He seemed to be trying to pull himself up, but he apparently lacked the strength.

He was gasping for air, the veins on his hands bulging with effort.

"He... help me..."

The man was still calling for help, trying to attract the attention of someone on board.

Unfortunately, his voice was so weak that it was impossible to hear unless you were right next to him.

"Need a hand?"

Stella Sterling asked politely, looking down at the man.

Hearing her voice, Basil Xavier’s eyes lit up with joy. It seemed his luck hadn’t run out; someone had actually heard him.

He jerked his head up and saw a grimy face appear above him.

The face was familiar, as were the dark eyes that held a hint of mocking amusement.

The words Basil Xavier had been about to say caught in his throat, changing the moment he saw her. "Stella Sterling? What are you doing here?"

"Well, listen to that. Your voice sounds plenty strong now, doesn’t it? A moment ago, you were crying for help so weakly it sounded like you were on death’s door. Do you not want to live, calling for help like that?"

Basil Xavier laughed, ignoring Stella Sterling’s taunt. "Quick, pull me up!" he yelled. "I’m out of energy!"

He reached a hand up to Stella Sterling. Without another word, she grabbed it.

With that little bit of help, Basil Xavier scrambled onto the ship. He collapsed onto the deck, panting and soaked to the bone. He didn’t even have the strength to stand—a truly pathetic sight.

Stella Sterling observed his condition. He had a gunshot wound on his shoulder, along with other injuries on his hands and feet.

’Looking like this, who knows how long he was in the water,’ she thought. ’He’s incredibly lucky to be alive.’

Stella Sterling glanced out over the water.

"Don’t bother looking. I’m not with Gordon Ford."

Lying on the deck, Basil Xavier turned his head to look at Stella Sterling. "Where are we?"

He had never expected to run into Stella Sterling here.

"On a ship."

She retracted her gaze, a little surprised herself to see him in such a sorry state.

For old times’ sake, she hauled him up and moved him to a drier spot on the deck.

Basil Xavier leaned against a sandbag. "Thanks," he said to Stella Sterling. "This is the second time you’ve saved me."

As he spoke, he clutched his shoulder, which was still bleeding. His face was pale and his breathing was shallow; he looked as if he could perish at any moment.

Stella Sterling frowned, looking at him. ’He has so many wounds, and he’s been soaking in that filthy water for who knows how long. They must be infected.’

’Even if he survives, treating this will be a huge pain.’

Meanwhile, he was looking around.

He had jumped into the water to escape, only to be swept away by the flood. When he came to, he saw a ship approaching, and his survival instinct drove him to climb aboard.

The last thing he expected was to meet Stella Sterling here.

’Why is she on this ship? And who does this ship belong to?’

He had so many questions, but he lacked the strength to ask any of them.

He could feel his life slipping away. A chill crept over his body, and he began to shiver.

"Can you get me something to stop the bleeding?"

Basil Xavier asked in a faint voice.

Stella Sterling didn’t answer, instead helping him toward the small, enclosed room she had come from.

Basil Xavier was astonished to see so many other people inside the ship’s hold. They all looked like refugees.

’Just where in the world has Stella ended up?’ he wondered.

Though she knew he was full of questions, Stella Sterling said nothing. She offered no explanation, simply settling him in the room before turning to leave.

A short while later, she found Louis Grant sleeping soundly in a less crowded area.

Before long, Louis Grant returned with Stella Sterling, carrying a medical kit.

When Louis Grant saw the man in the chair, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. But after a glance at Stella Sterling’s impassive expression, he wisely chose not to ask any questions.

He turned to Stella Sterling and said, "Should I get someone with medical skills? The only thing is, if I go looking for someone, it will probably alert Ethan Young. Your friend here will inevitably face some questioning."