Weapon System in Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 226: Naval Outlook

The windowless room had once been a high-end conference suite inside Conrad's executive wing. Now, it served as the nerve center for Overwatch's long-term threat analysis division. Rows of terminals lined the walls. Holographic overlays pulsed with live satellite feeds, Reaper drone telemetry, and recently updated naval route scans.

Thomas Estaris sat alone at the central console.

The lights were dimmed.

A mug of black coffee steamed quietly beside him—forgotten.

His eyes were fixed on the glowing interface projected from his left wrist.

He was back in the system again.

But this time, he wasn't looking for rifles.

Or recon boats.

This time, he was thinking bigger.

He tapped the Naval tab. The menu expanded, sections branching like the hull of a warship.

Key Features:

Aegis Combat System

AN/SPY-1D Radar

96-cell VLS (Tomahawk, ESSM, SM-2, ASROC)

Phalanx CIWS

Torpedo tubes and ASW sonar

Helicopter hangar for SH-60R Seahawk

Operational Use: Long-range anti-air, anti-submarine, and surface warfare. Capable of independently deploying or operating within strike groups.

Thomas whistled low.

"Twelve million…"

But he didn't close the tab.

Instead, he opened the next listing.

[Horizon-Class Destroyer]

Origin: France / Italy

Cost: 9,500,000 Blood Coins

Length: 153 m

Displacement: 7,050 tons

Speed: 29 knots

Range: 7,000 nautical miles at 18 knots

Crew: 190

Key Features:

EMPAR Radar System

Aster 15/30 SAMs

8 MM40 Exocet Anti-Ship Missiles

Dual torpedo launchers

Multi-layered CBRN protection

Operational Use: European high-seas escort destroyer with emphasis on air defense and limited surface attack.

Thomas marked it. Lower crew requirement. Advanced defenses. But it lacked the teeth of the Arleigh Burke.

He backed out and entered the Submarine category.

[Virginia-Class Fast Attack Submarine (SSN-774)]

Origin: United States

Cost: 15,000,000 Blood Coins

Length: 115 m

Displacement: 7,800 tons submerged

Speed: 25+ knots submerged

Range: Unlimited (nuclear)

Crew: 132

Key Features:

12 VLS Tomahawk launchers

Advanced sonar suite

Torpedo tubes (Mk-48 ADCAP)

Special Forces deployment module

Low acoustic signature

Operational Use: Covert strike missions, intelligence gathering, undersea warfare. Extremely difficult to detect or intercept.

He lingered.

That kind of platform could give Overwatch eyes beneath the waves—deep, silent, and lethal.

But the price…

He tapped the Aircraft Carrier tab, just to see.

[CVN-78 Gerald R. Ford-Class Supercarrier]

Origin: United States

Cost: 45,000,000 Blood Coins

Length: 337 m

Displacement: 100,000+ tons

Speed: 30+ knots

Crew: 2,600 ship / 2,480 air wing

Flight Deck: Electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), advanced arresting gear

Capacity: 75+ aircraft

Key Features:

Dual nuclear reactors

AN/SPY-6 radar

Integrated Warfare System

Operational Use: Full spectrum maritime dominance. Requires massive logistical support. Strategic asset for global force projection.

Thomas stared at the price.

Forty-five million.

It wasn't impossible.

But it would come at the cost of every other project for months.

He swiped again.

[Queen Elizabeth-Class Aircraft Carrier]

Origin: United Kingdom

Cost: 26,000,000 Blood Coins

Length: 280 m

Displacement: 65,000 tons

Speed: 25 knots

Crew: 700 (air wing: 900)

Flight Deck: STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing)

Capacity: Up to 40 aircraft

Key Features:

Radar cross-section reduction

Automated systems to reduce manpower

Amphibious and humanitarian support

Operational Use: Versatile carrier for strike and aid missions. Less logistical strain than USN supercarriers.

Still out of reach, but more practical.

He bookmarked it, then returned to the Frigates tab.

[FREMM Multipurpose Frigate (Aquitaine Class)]

Origin: France / Italy

Cost: 6,800,000 Blood Coins

Length: 142 m

Displacement: 6,700 tons

Speed: 27 knots

Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots

Crew: 145

Key Features:

Anti-submarine warfare suite

16-cell A70 VLS

Exocet anti-ship missiles

Helicopter hangar

Operational Use: Balance of offense and defense. Ideal for coastal defense and regional deterrence.

"This one's tempting," Thomas murmured. "Affordable. Versatile. Can cover both land and sea threats."

His finger hovered over the Wishlist icon.

He tapped it.

The FREMM frigate was added to his purchase queue.

But he wasn't done.

[Type 212A Submarine]

Origin: Germany

Cost: 5,200,000 Blood Coins

Length: 56 m

Displacement: 1,800 tons submerged

Speed: 20 knots

Crew: 27

Key Features:

Air-independent propulsion (AIP)

Near-zero noise signature

Heavy torpedoes

Lightweight operational cost

Operational Use: Ideal for shallow-water ops, Baltic-style missions. Perfect for ambush and denial tactics.

Thomas bookmarked it too.

A sub fleet didn't have to be nuclear. Sometimes stealth mattered more.

After nearly an hour scrolling through hull profiles, radar systems, and torpedo configurations, Thomas leaned back in his chair, eyes heavy but mind racing.

He had enough intel to plan the framework for Overwatch Naval Command.

But resources were still tight.

Blood Coin income had been steady—but just barely. Most of it went to recon drones, munitions, suit upkeep, and infrastructure. Diverting several million for a single ship wouldn't just be a financial strain—it would be a strategic risk.

He needed a procurement phase.

Tiered deployment.

Start with the FREMM.

Pair it with a Sea Hunter drone.

Later—maybe—he'd add a submarine. Or two.

The carriers?

Pipe dreams.

Not now.

Not until they had full control of the Philippine coast.

He opened a new project file and titled it:

Project Blue Wake: Phase One

1x FREMM Frigate

2x Sea Phantom II Patrol Boats

1x Command Platform Barge

Deployment ETA: 21 Days

Total Cost: 8.6M Blood Coins

Funding Source: Zombie Extermination Raids Thru Airstrikes.

Thomas reviewed the list one final time, then saved the procurement file to a restricted-access drive synced to his command ID. He rubbed his eyes, dry and burning from lack of rest, and stood slowly from the console.

Outside the tower's reinforced windows, the first hints of dawn crept over the bay. The sea glistened like oil. Silent. Unknowing.

He wasn't just preparing for another deployment.

He was preparing for a new theater of war.

Land, air, and now—sea.

The Bloom thought it owned the oceans.

Overwatch was about to prove it wrong.

And they would start with steel.