章 97: Modifying LSI Sattelite
After the battle, everything seemed unchanged. The manufacturing bugs were still working around the clock, their tireless movements filling the streets and alleys. Ant and Spiders returning from missions roamed the city, continuing to clear out zombies from hidden corners. The city settled into an eerie calmness, as though the chaos had never happened.
Down in the basement, Zack was already hard at work early the next morning after a night of rest. "List satellite weapon options," he commanded.
"Right away, Sir," Ego responded, activating a holographic projection that appeared mid-air.
Zack was working on a bold plan: converting the LSI satellite into a tactical weapon platform. It wasn't just for striking the ground—it needed to be versatile enough to target other satellites too. A true multi-purpose weapon of war. "Orbital laser cannon?" Zack murmured as options populated the screen. He quickly shook his head. "No, it drains too much energy and takes forever to recharge."
His fingers glided over the holographic interface, dismissing one concept after another. "That's it! Space-based kinetic energy weapons!" His voice sharpened with resolve.
The plan was straightforward but devastatingly effective. Satellites would launch tungsten rods—each weighing several tons—fitted with embedded nanomachines designed for maximum destruction. These rods, measuring 30 centimeters in diameter and 6.1 meters long, would plummet to Earth under the force of gravity, accelerated further by electromagnetic propulsion. By the time they struck, they'd reach blistering speeds of 39,000 kilometers per hour—over 10,000 meters per second.
On impact, the nanomachines would activate, using the kinetic energy and heat from the collision to power themselves. These microscopic machines would immediately begin breaking down the molecular bonds of nearby materials, liquefying or vaporizing them and allowing the rod to punch deeper into the Earth or fortifications. Against this kind of force, everything was as fragile as paper.
But that wasn't all. The LSI satellite would also carry an electromagnetic railgun, designed to target and destroy enemy reconnaissance satellites. A true dual-purpose weapon. "Ego, modularize the weapon system. Use rocket propulsion to send it into orbit," Zack ordered. "I'll handle the final assembly myself."
Ego hesitated. "Sir, none of the current Power Armor are capable of operating in space."
"Then we'll build a space suit," Zack replied without missing a beat.
The concept of specialized armor wasn't new to him. Each Armor had a specific purpose, designed for different environments and enemies. Ego chimed in again. "Do you want me to modify the Project Alpha?"
"No," Zack said firmly. "Just strip down the MV-02W weapon systems and increase thruster power. It doesn't need to be fancy, just functional."
His focus shifted to a different project entirely. "Send me the combat armor blueprints," Zack demanded.
Zack was planning to create the ultimate land-based combat armor, a weapon designed not for restraint but for absolute domination on the battlefield. Unlike earlier models built with limitations in mind, this new suit would be relentless, engineered for power and adaptability rather than control. "This armor will need modular components," Zack muttered as he examined the files. "Each module powered independently—eleven reactors should do the job."
His fingers flew across the interface, tweaking the design to match his vision. "Material detected," Ego, his AI assistant, reported in a calm, mechanical tone. "Ultralium: Composition—60% gold for conductivity, 32.7% titanium for durability, and 7.3% graphene infusion for structural reinforcement and flexibility."
Zack nodded. Ultralium's unique properties made it ideal for armor. Its gold content ensured flawless power transmission, while the graphene infusion added tensile strength and heat resistance. The titanium provided the balance between toughness and lightweight mobility.
He focused on the framework, splitting the design into modular sections. The arms would house integrated energy cannons, powered by individual reactors to ensure sustained firepower. Each joint was reinforced with graphene weave to withstand extreme stress without compromising flexibility. The chest plate, the largest component, featured a reinforced power core housing a high-yield Cold Fusiuon Reactor capable of providing the suit with unmatched energy efficiency.
For mobility, Zack incorporated a graphene-based muscle weave throughout the armor, mimicking human musculature for unparalleled agility. The legs were outfitted with hydraulic actuators designed to amplify physical strength, capable of lifting several tons or propelling the armor into massive leaps.
"We need thermal regulation," Zack murmured, adjusting the cooling systems. Using graphene's excellent thermal conductivity, he added microchannels throughout the suit to disperse heat from the reactors and weapons systems. A secondary cooling mechanism, using a liquid nitrogen-based compound, would kick in during high-energy output to prevent overheating during prolonged combat.
For defense, Zack enhanced the outer plating with a layered structure: an ultralium alloy, topped with an electromagnetic field generator capable of deflecting projectiles and energy-based attacks. Over that, he added an ablative coating designed to dissipate heat and energy impacts, making the armor resistant to laser and plasma-based weaponry. "Ego, there's not enough reactor material for this," Zack said finally, frustration creeping into his voice. "Send the Ant and Spiders to gather what we need."
"Already dispatched, Sir," Ego replied. Then, after a pause: "But there's a problem."
Zack looked up from the projection. "What problem?"
Ego displayed satellite footage on the holographic screen. "The cargo ship leaving Caribbean base was attacked while crossing the ocean. All passengers and mechanical dogs onboard were lost. The ship sank to the bottom of the sea." The footage showed a lonely freighter drifting across open waters. On deck, mechanical dogs maintained order while frightened passengers huddled together. For a while, everything seemed fine—until the ocean around them turned black.
From above, it became clear the dark water wasn't natural. It was alive. Thousands of aquatic creatures swarmed the ship, surrounding it like a tidal wave. Ego zoomed in, revealing the attackers: grotesque, mutated beings that were part-human, part-fish. They had humanoid faces but gills and sharp teeth. Their bodies were covered in scales or shrimp-like exoskeletons. Some had fish tails, while others had shrimp-like legs that allowed them to move swiftly underwater and on land.
But their most horrifying trait was the unmistakable sign of infection: they were zombies. Bullets were only effective if they hit the creatures' brains or central nervous systems. Worse, anyone bitten by them would turn into one of these monsters within moments. "Analysis indicates these are marine creatures infected by the Zeta virus," Ego explained. "We've named them Abyss Crawlers. They're highly aggressive and amphibious. Current population numbers are unknown."
Zack's face darkened. "Wait… are you telling me the Zeta virus can infect aquatic life too?"
On Earth, 71% is covered by oceans, with only 29% being land. Imagine how vast and terrifying the marine life must be. "Yes, Sir. There's actual evidence that the Zeta virus can infect aquatic organisms," Ego explained.
"Have there been any recorded cases of Abyss Crawlers landing on shore?" Zack asked.
"No," Ego replied. "The attack on the freighter was the first known appearance of Abyss Crawlers."
"Alright, got it." Zack frowned slightly. He hadn't expected to be the first person to encounter zombie-like creatures from the sea.
Satellite footage clearly showed the Abyss Crawlers—countless of them—swarming like a tide. Their sharp, insect-like limbs pierced through steel plates as they quickly climbed onto the freighter's deck. Forty-five mechanical dogs opened fire, taking down a large number of them. But the skimmers kept coming, an unending stream pouring out of the ocean.
Soon, the entire cargo ship was overrun. By the time the Abyss Crawlers retreated back into the water, not even a single bone remained of the 1,900 survivors brought back from the Caribbean base.
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