92: A vast net hangs high, watching over the world; a black tide sweeps across Africa.

Chapter Ninety-Five: The Skynet Hangs High to Survey the World, The Black Tide Rolls Forth to Devour Africa

Upon the azure waves of the East Sea, the islands of the First Island Chain stood like a string of iron locks, firmly gripping the throat from the open sea to the mainland. The radars of the East Sea Barrier Base spun ceaselessly, the patrol routes of carrier-borne fighter jets weaving an impenetrable Skynet, while the blue light of magnetic storm coils stretched along the coastline like a ribbon, rendering the entire sea area impregnable. Since the battle at Mount Fuji, the influence of the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute had completely withdrawn from East Asia, and this once war-torn sea finally welcomed a long-lost peace.

But Lin Zhou's gaze had long since passed over the turbulent sea, turning towards the higher, more distant heavens.

Within the aerospace launch site of the Central Hub Base, a silver-white launch vehicle stood erect on the launch pad, emblazoned with the conspicuous flag of the Dawn Army. Researchers in white protective suits were conducting final adjustments—this was Dawn City's first global monitoring satellite, tasked with the heavy responsibility of constructing the 'Skynet' system.

"The Skynet System must not only monitor the movements of Mutants worldwide but also keep a close watch on the traces of the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute," Lin Zhou said, his voice steady as he looked at the satellite simulation on the screen in the launch command center. "Their withdrawal to Europe and America is merely lying low, biding their time. We must grasp their every move."

As the countdown reached zero, the rocket shot into the sky with an orange-red tail flame, breaking through the atmosphere's constraints and precisely entering its predetermined orbit. When the satellite deployed its solar panels and the first set of global real-time images was transmitted back to the command center, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

On the screen, the Five Great Bases of China were embedded like five pearls upon the vast land; smoke curled from the chimneys of Qiming City on the Korean Peninsula, with rebuilt villages scattered in an orderly fashion; amidst the ruins of Sakura Country, survivors worked shoulder to shoulder with the Dawn Army's engineering teams. But when the view switched to the European and American continents, the scene changed abruptly—cities had become hunting grounds for Mutants, while black flags with silver patterns flew above experimental bases one after another. On the banners, besides the ferocious Serpent Skeleton totem, there was also a hidden emblem composed of a Compass, a Square, and a Single Eye, entwined by the serpent's body, exuding an indescribable sense of eeriness and coldness.

"This emblem..." a researcher who had studied abroad in Europe and America exclaimed, his pupils contracting sharply, "Before the apocalypse, this was the symbol of a mysterious organization in the West! They always claimed to 'control the world order,' I never imagined they would collude with the Serpent Skeleton!"

Lin Zhou's gaze fixed on that emblem, his fingertips slowly tightening. So behind the Serpent Skeleton Research Institute lurked such a colossal entity. These people were the true masterminds behind the apocalypse.

And when the satellite feed jumped to the African continent, even the generals accustomed to mountains of corpses and seas of blood couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.

The once Sahara Desert was shrouded in dark green poisonous mist. Deep within the mist, one could vaguely see 'gene ranches' bristling with Serpent Skeleton flags, the Single Eye emblem on the banners flickering in the toxic fog like the eyes of a beast choosing its prey. The cities along the Nile had all turned to ruins, the streets littered with the remains of Mutants and human skeletons. Beside those bones lay scattered Metal Plaques engraved with the same emblem. Even more appalling, in the images captured by the satellite, Serpent Skeleton researchers were herding African survivors like livestock into prison trucks, the vehicles' bodies also emblazoned with the serpent-entwined Single Eye symbol.

The encrypted information simultaneously transmitted by the intelligence department was even more heart-wrenching—the Serpent Skeleton had established dozens of experimental bases in Africa, with all funding and technical support coming from that mysterious organization. Here, they recklessly released Mutant pupa spores, used survivors as test subjects, and even fused Mutant genes with those of Africa's native beasts to breed more brutal killing machines. It was estimated that in the three years since the apocalypse, Africa's population had plummeted by ninety-nine percent, with true survivors being less than one in ten thousand. Those who managed to survive either hid in underground caves, clinging to life, or were injected with viruses, reduced to mindless zombies.

"Beasts!" Wang Hu slammed his fist against the edge of the console, his knuckles splitting and bleeding. "These scum have turned Africa into a slaughterhouse! That Single Eye organization, just like the Serpent Skeleton, deserves to burn in hell!"

The atmosphere in the command center grew unbearably oppressive. The generals stared at the horrific scenes of African survivors on the screen, their eyes wide with fury.

"Division Commander, I request to dispatch troops to Africa!" Chen Hao stepped forward, clasping his fists in salute. "The Far East Expeditionary Force is willing to cross the Indian Ocean to rescue our African brethren and eradicate the Serpent Skeleton remnants!"

"No," Lin Zhou slowly shook his head, his gaze still locked on that glaring Single Eye emblem on the screen. "The defenses of the First Island Chain have just stabilized. The construction of the Five Great Bases still requires significant manpower and resources, and the Space Force's Skynet System has only just begun. We currently lack sufficient forces for transoceanic warfare."

He raised his hand, pointing to the European and American continents on the screen, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The Serpent Skeleton has consolidated its operations in Europe and America, and the mysterious organization behind them is even more cunning. They deliberately exposed Africa's misery to satellite surveillance, aiming to divert our attention to Africa and trap us in a two-front war. For now, what we need to do is consolidate our foundation, strengthen our base, and watch and wait."

Lin Zhou's fingertip traced across the screen, landing heavily on the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and Europe/America. "Relay my orders: the Skynet System is to monitor Africa and Europe/America around the clock, with a special focus on all outposts bearing the Single Eye emblem. The Research Team must accelerate the development of long-range strategic weapons in preparation for future cross-ocean operations. Furthermore, initiate 'Project Spark'—transmit encrypted signals via satellite to the remaining survivors in Africa, teaching them methods of self-rescue and resistance, planting seeds of fire within the hearts of the Serpent Skeleton and that mysterious organization."

As the orders were issued, the machinery of Dawn City began operating at high speed once more.

The Space Force's Skynet System was continuously optimized, with satellite resolution pushed to its limits; even a single container engraved with the Single Eye emblem within a Serpent Skeleton base could not escape detection. In the Research Team's laboratories, the development of long-range missiles entered its final sprint phase, with new Sonic Warheads capable of precisely destroying Mutants' crystal cores. And the encrypted self-rescue signals, like scattered sparks, pierced through the Serpent Skeleton's signal jamming, reaching every corner of the African continent.

In a hidden cave within the Sahara Desert, several emaciated survivors huddled around a battered radio. When the signal from Dawn City came through and they heard the word 'resistance,' tears finally welled up in their parched eyes. The leading Black youth tightly gripped a rusted dagger, looked up at the starry sky, and a flame of defiance ignited in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in a deep-sea base in the Pacific, Zhulong stood before a massive screen displaying that very serpent-entwined Single Eye emblem. Holding a glass of red wine, he watched the horrific scenes from Africa on the screen, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Lin Zhou, do you think hiding in East Asia makes you safe?" Zhulong's voice was icy and piercing. "Africa's agony will soon spread across the world. When that time comes, the entire Earth will become our ranch."

He slowly drained his glass, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes.

The Skynet hung high, monitoring the shifting winds and clouds across the globe.

The Black Tide rolled forth, and the wails from the African continent faintly heralded a storm that would sweep across the world.