Regressed with Omnipotent AI on Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 164: Bait Sattelite

The blonde woman—Kara—gave a curt nod, striding past them with cold indifference. The bustling world of Eden above, home to countless survivors and managed by its so-called leaders, was a smokescreen. Unbeknownst to nearly everyone above, a deeper, hidden base existed beneath their feet. And at its helm? Kara, known to the underground as the enigmatic leader of the Vanguard organization—codename: Immortal Fox.

Walking down the sterile corridor, Kara passed labs bustling with white-coated researchers. The atmosphere was clinical, almost eerie. Some operating tables were hidden beneath white sheets, but occasional movements hinted at grotesque experiments. From time to time, a gloved hand would toss what looked like still-pulsating organs into biohazard bins. Unfazed, Kara continued, never sparing a glance at the grim work surrounding her. At the corridor's end, she stopped in front of a seamless wall. Without hesitation, she underwent multiple layers of security checks: retina scan, fingerprint, and finally, brainwave verification.

Click. The wall slid open, revealing a room filled with advanced technology. At the center stood a sleek machine, resembling a high-tech cultivation pod connected by countless cables. Kara removed her clothes, stepping into the pod without hesitation. Dark liquid began to fill the chamber, swallowing her whole.

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away in the vast Sahara Desert, another facility lay hidden beneath the sands. In a dimly lit underground chamber, a similar pod hissed open, spilling out dark fluid. A blonde woman jolted awake, gasping for air as if escaping a nightmare.

Kara emerged from the pod, muttering under her breath. "This body's overdue for maintenance..." Stepping out, she wiped off the black liquid clinging to her skin. "Even the joints feel stiff," she grumbled, dressing quickly before taking an elevator to the surface. As sunlight poured in through the crack of the elevator doors, she squinted at the harsh Gobi landscape. Not far away, a towering rocket launcher dominated the horizon.

Ding.

When the elevator fully opened, the desolation of the desert hit her—a scene of endless yellow sands and scorching winds. Nearby, soldiers scurried about, hauling crates of mysterious black materials toward the launchpad. "Lady Immortal Fox!" The researchers and soldiers greeted her with a mixture of respect and fear as she approached.

"How's the rocket prep going?" she asked, her tone casual but sharp. A familiar face approached—a man known simply as Master. He wasn't under her direct command, operating instead in the Vanguard's energy development division, whereas Kara led the biotechnology branch. Despite this, Master reported with a neutral politeness that made it clear he wasn't intimidated by her.

"The rocket fuel's been fully loaded. We're ready for launch," Master said, adjusting his glasses.

Kara raised an eyebrow. "And Leo?"

"Alive and well, thanks for asking," Master replied evenly.

"Shame," Kara muttered, spitting on the ground. "Maybe next time I'll hear better news." Leaving Master standing there, Kara walked toward the massive rocket. Its design was unlike anything from traditional aerospace technology. Jet black with pulsing crimson lines that flared intermittently, it resembled a living organism rather than a machine. Its nozzle, crafted from a mysterious dark material, seemed almost organic.

As Kara studied the rocket, a holographic projection flickered to life before her. The blurry image of a large head appeared, its features impossible to discern. "Immortal Fox," a deep voice called out.

Kara's demeanor shifted instantly, her posture straightening as she offered a slight bow. "Prophet."

Everyone around her, soldiers and researchers alike, froze in place, bowing deeply at 90 degrees. None dared to lift their eyes toward the projection. The voice of the Prophet was calm yet imposing. "I hear the satellites from the Eden base were intercepted?"

Kara nodded. "Yes, Prophet. They ignored orders and launched too close to the NYC base. Their recklessness cost them."

As Kara mentioned the NYC Base, a fleeting absent-mindedness crossed her perfect face beneath her golden hair. Whatever thought had surfaced, she quickly brushed it aside. "You shouldn't dwell on such things," the Prophet's voice broke the silence. "Remember, they are allies now. Send them some outdated tech to make up for the loss of their satellites. Keep them placated."

"Yes, Prophet," Kara replied immediately, her expression unreadable. It didn't matter. The technology they sent would be outdated relics, things the Vanguard organization had long discarded—items NYC's leaders would likely disdain, but couldn't refuse.

The Prophet's holographic form turned slightly, his blurry visage observing the strange rocket poised on the launchpad. Though his features remained indistinct, the faintest trace of a smile appeared. "With this launch, we will have our own space-based weapon," he declared. "Securing an orbital presence over the eastern Hemisphere will ensure that NYC and its allies can no longer threaten us."

Kara nodded as the Prophet's image began to fade. "Understood, Prophet. I will ensure the rocket launches smoothly."

"This is critical to the organization's plans," he added as his voice grew fainter. Then the hologram blinked out completely.

Kara turned on her heel, her face hardening as she issued her next command. "Begin the launch sequence."

"Yes, ma'am!" came the quick response from the control room. She crossed her arms, watching the crew prepare with mechanical efficiency. The sooner the space-based weapon was operational, the better. With Zack preoccupied with shooting down the decoy satellites, there was little chance he'd interfere with this.

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"Begin countdown," one of the technicians announced.

"9... 8... 7..."

The tension in the air thickened as the final numbers approached.

"3... 2... 1..."

"Launch!"

A deafening roar filled the base as the rocket's engines roared to life. Blue flames erupted from its tail, propelling it upward at an astonishing speed. Its sleek, dark exterior glowed faintly as crimson lines coursed along its surface, radiating waves of energy toward its tail, further accelerating its ascent.

Unlike traditional multi-stage rockets, this one used a mysterious, seamless propulsion system. It soared higher, breaking through the atmosphere without pause. "Approaching geostationary orbit!" a technician called out.

Kara's lips curved into a rare smile as she turned toward the east, her gaze distant, as if she could see across the desert and the ocean to where Zack and his operations were. "Zack," she murmured under her breath, "you're not the only one with toys in space anymore."

Meanwhile, Zack leaned back in his chair, staring at the holographic projection in front of him. He had just shot down three reconnaissance satellites when another red blip appeared on his screen. "What's going on today?" he muttered, half annoyed. "Did they get a discount on rockets?"

Despite his sarcastic tone, he noticed something odd. This new rocket had avoided entering the firing range of Annie, his space-based defense platform. Its trajectory shifted mid-flight, settling into a geostationary orbit far from Annie's reach.

"Hmm," Zack mused. "A space-based satellite, huh? Not exactly groundbreaking, but I see what they're trying to do." He wasn't impressed. The concept of space-based weapons was hardly new. Even before the apocalypse, there were whispers of nations experimenting with devices like this—kinetic energy weapons that essentially dropped tungsten rods from orbit to devastate targets below. Zack's own Annie operated on a similar principle.