Richard had just finished setting up a comprehensive surveillance network over Luzon Island. His latest acquisitions - MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and RQ-4 Global Hawk - were already in orbit, ready to track Lin Feng’s movements. The primary task at the command center now was to keep a vigilant eye on Lin Feng and his associates. There was a sense of urgency; they couldn’t afford to miss any opportunity to locate Lin Feng.

While monitoring the feeds, Richard decided to further strengthen his military capabilities. He increased his troop limit to 15,000 and invested in an array of military hardware, including Armored Personnel Carriers, Battle Tanks, and various logistical and transport vehicles. His air assets also saw significant upgrades with the addition of B-2 Bombers, B-52 Stratofortresses, and various types of helicopters and fighter aircraft. The cost of these acquisitions didn’t concern him; his resources seemed almost limitless, with a current balance of two trillion gold coins.

As he confirmed these massive purchases, Sara approached him with a cup of coffee. Richard momentarily paused his activities, closed the system, and accepted the coffee.

"What’s the latest update?" Richard asked.

"The satellites that you bought this morning were successfully in orbit. The people in New Clark City are asking about the noise that we are making in the Clark International Airport."

"Ahh...about them huh?" Richard mused. Earlier, there were simultaneous launches of rockets to send satellites into space and place them in orbit. It produced a lot of noise that disturbed the residents in New Clark City, demanding why there was so much noise.

"Just tell them that we are ramping up our defenses. This shouldn’t cause some concern because we are heavily fortifying our bases. Tell my little sister that I’m placing her in charge of coordinating the community relations. She needs to ensure the locals understand that these measures are for their safety and security."

Sara nodded, making a mental note of Richard’s instructions. "Will do. I’ll relay your message to her."

Richard then shifted his focus back to the mission at hand. He scanned the multiple screens displaying feeds from the newly deployed satellites. Each screen provided a different angle, a different slice of Luzon Island, yet Lin Feng remained elusive. His team, a mix of analysts and military strategists, worked diligently, analyzing every piece of data that streamed in.

"Where the fuck did he hide? How come we are not detecting him? We knew that they fled south, so focus on the south!" Richard raised his voice, his frustration evident. The staffers in the command center were startled at his outburst, a rare display of emotion from their usually composed leader. The tension in the room ratcheted up a notch, as everyone silently acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the growing pressure to locate Lin Feng.

Sara, sensing the mounting stress in Richard, approached him again. She placed a calming hand on his shoulder, her presence a soothing balm in the charged atmosphere. "Richard, we’ll find him," she reassured softly.

Richard took a deep breath, nodding slightly. He knew Sara was right. Impatience wouldn’t hasten the discovery of Lin Feng’s whereabouts. He glanced at her, appreciating her steady presence in the midst of this storm. Her ability to ground him had always been one of the cornerstones of their relationship.

"You’re right, Sara. I’m just... anxious to get this over with," Richard admitted, his voice softer now. "We can’t afford any slip-ups."

Then Mark approached.

"Sir we are seeing an unprecedented rate of increase in the mutated zombies. Hunters, Goliaths, Flyers, Juggernauts..." Mark said, handing him the document with evidence of the surging numbers. Richard quickly skimmed through the report, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information. The numbers were indeed alarming; mutated zombies of various types were amassing at a rate far beyond normal expectations.

"It’s Lin Feng," Richard stated with a certainty that left no room for doubt. "He’s escalating things, preparing for an all-out war." The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Lin Feng wasn’t just hiding; he was strategizing, amassing an army of these monstrous creatures.

Turning to Mark, Richard’s expression was grim. "Increase surveillance on all known hotspots for these creatures. We will conduct airstrikes on their position. Meanwhile, are there any reports that I should know about?"

Mark hesitated for a moment before responding. "Sir, there’s something else. I wasn’t going to mention it, considering our current situation, but the Joint Chief of Staff for Agriculture has requested your presence to see the progress of the plantations for the self-sufficiency program you initiated."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Why bring this up now? Seems like a waste of my time, given our focus on Lin Feng."

"I thought the same, sir," Mark admitted. "But the Joint Chief insists. He believes it’s crucial for you to see the advancements we’ve made in food security, especially now. However, I understand that Blackwatch’s attention is fully on Lin Feng."

Richard pondered for a moment. The self-sufficiency program was vital for long-term stability, but the immediate threat of Lin Feng and the mutated zombies was his priority. He made a decision.

"Mark, tell the Joint Chief I appreciate the invitation, but my presence at the command center is non-negotiable at this stage. Keep me updated on the program’s progress, and arrange for a detailed report. I’ll review it when I can—."

"How about you go Richard...for a change of pace," Sara suggested. "Look, you are just going to stand here in the command center, waiting for a hit. And it might take hours and even days. You should spend your time on other things like visiting the plantations. It could be a good opportunity to see how our long-term plans are shaping up."

Richard considered Sara’s words. She had a point. While the search for Lin Feng was paramount, the self-sufficiency program was also a key component of their long-term strategy for stability and security. A brief visit wouldn’t significantly impact his oversight of the Lin Feng operation, especially since he could stay connected and updated remotely.

"Alright, Sara, I’ll go," Richard conceded. "But I want continuous updates on the situation here. If anything changes with Lin Feng or the zombies, I need to know immediately."

"I’ll do that sir. Sara can come with you," Mark suggested, seeing the benefit of having Sara accompany Richard.

"That sounds like a good idea," Richard agreed, nodding at Sara. "It’ll give us a chance to discuss strategies in a different setting. Maybe a new environment will spark some fresh ideas."

Sara smiled, pleased with the opportunity to step away from the command center while still being able to support Richard. "I’ll make sure we stay connected to the team here. We won’t miss anything."

With that settled, Richard and Sara prepared to leave for the plantation visit. Richard left specific instructions with his deputy in charge, emphasizing the need for vigilance and immediate communication in case of any developments.

As they departed, the command center continued its operations, the screens and monitors humming with activity. The team worked efficiently, knowing the importance of their task and the trust Richard placed in them.