Doomsday Pillars

Chapter 98 - Chalk Mines

Madura is an Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java. Madura was administered as part of the East Java Province. It is separated from Java by the narrow Strait of Madura. The Madurese were one of the ethnic population in Indonesia. They came from the island of Madura as well as surrounding small islands, such as Gili Raja, Sapudi, Raas, and the Kangean Islands.

On the whole, Madura was one of the poorest regions of the East Java province. Unlike Java, the soil was not fertile enough to make it a major agricultural producer. Limited economic opportunities have led to chronic unemployment and poverty. This turned the Madurese into one of the toughest people in Indonesia. The island's economy turned to mining, fishing, cattle-raising and agricultural limited to tobacco farming. The island also has been a major producer and exporter of salt.

Alex and his group were currently being guided by Captain Eddy and some of his men. They took a drive by a truck heading north.. As soon as the outpost and the bridge disappeared from view, it was replaced by flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with pockets of forest and tropical trees. Captain Eddy was quite a friendly and talkative man for a soldier, he tried to be a good guide for the group and explained the situation of Madura Island.

"That's what I know about the Madura Island, later you can ask more about our defensive and military condition with the colonel, I do not have the authority to tell you about that."

"Ooo. Yes, I am sorry about your friend again, later you will see how much James Randall did for the survivors. Even this truck was provided by his company, many more people would have suffered and died if not for his help."

Alex really couldn't enjoy the view or the information, he was currently still troubled by the news of James Randall's death. Not only did he begin to feel attached to the man, without his resources, Alex's plans to prepare the Jakarta Doomsday Pillar will also be in jeopardy.

After a few minutes, the group arrived at the Jaddih Chalk mines. It's located halfway from the Suramadu Bridge and Bangkalan, the largest Madura Island city. After driving through the old mine tracks, the group reached the entrance of the mine. Chalk cliffs and azure water made for a very picturesque setting, there were a few atmospheric caves that have been hollowed out in long blocks.

Some parts of the mines were still used before the doomsday but the other parts were in progress to be turned into a hotel, it was a famous tourist site. At the moment, the hotel building and its surroundings have been turned into a headquarters for the army.

"This is the military headquarters, where are all the civilians?", Alex asked.

"Two weeks ago the army and your friend has successfully taken over the city of Bangkalan from the zombies, all already relocated there, the military headquarters stayed here as a way to coordinate easily from its surrounding, as you see we have high grounds, just a few hundred meters that way you can see the city of Bangkalan and the Suramadu Bridge. From what I heard, it's also James Randall who bought the unfinished hotel just a few days before the doomsday."

Alex gave a few thoughts of its placement and surroundings, it really was a good defensive base. If the army weren't able to take over the city, this could be a good location for a survivor base, James Randall really did give it a good thought... More reason for Alex to feel troubled by his death.

All around the base, Alex saw hundreds of soldiers in training. The group of nine arrived at the main headquarters, it's one of the hotel's large rooms about the size of a basketball court. In this room, a man in his 40's seemed to be anxiously waiting for Alex's arrival, there were two dozen armed men all around him. Finally, Alex now facing and staring at the man, he was Colonel Dion, the highest ranking soldier in this base.

"Halo... You must be Alex, James Randall mentioned you a few times, it seems he thought of you as the key to our survival."

Alex tried to study the man, it seemed there was nothing special about him rather than he seemed to have consumed a few spirit stones, but the way it looked, he should not have reached the peak stage. Other than that, this man looked really ordinary, he didn't even have a strong aura of leadership form his gestures and speech. Alex was anxious about the detail of James' death...

"I heard from Regent Suryo, the 4th army division general should be leading the army in Surabaya and Madura, did he not survive the disease?"

"... Yes, the general died from the disease. The other two high ranking colonels also didn't survive."

Alex saw the colonel's eyes and he seemed genuinely sad about it, but Alex had a better way to know about the truth, Alex stared at Theo, and Theo nodded... it seemed this was the truth.

"Before we discuss anything else, I really need to know about the detail of James Randall's death."

The colonel seemed startled with Alex's direct approach, he gave it some thought and answered slowly.

"It was three days ago, the hordes of zombies that approached from the bridge were at its maximum, James took some of his bodyguards, using two armored vehicles, they drove across the bridge, bought us some time to blow up the bridge, trough his action, we managed to stop the horde's advance, the last we saw him, the armored vehicles were surrounded and destroyed by the hordes, there were also explosion, there's no way anyone could survive that... he died heroicly."

Alex found there was something odd with this story, first, James would not agree to blow the bridge unless it's really necessary. Second, James was a millionaire, not a soldier, there's really no need for him to go on suicidal charge himself. Alex's suspicion grew even more.

"Why didn't the military do it? Why did businessmen like himself have to do it, do you know his reasoning?"

The colonel seems anxious and answered... "No, sorry I don't know..."

Alex gave a quick glance at Theo again, and he shook his head... Alex turned more furious...

"Please answer me another question, did he agree or disagree to blow up the bridge?"

The colonel seemed agitated... he answered "Yes... Yes... We all agreed on this decision."

This time Alex didn't even look at Theo to know the answer, he's burning with rage and continues...

"You are lying colonel... Tell me the truth!!"

The colonel suddenly panicked, gave a quick thought and said:

"I... I... I have no reason to explain it to you, you are just a civilian!"

Alex didn't think much and opened up his storage ring, a large black golem materialized from a thin air, everyone in the room turned alarmed... but were unable to respond quickly enough. The golem with its maximum speed quickly grabbed the colonel with its big arms. It pulled him up in the air with one arm, it had the power to crush the colonel with one squeeze... The soldiers hesitated, not sure what to do... But Alex suddenly shouted...

"DON'T you all dare to move!!"

Alex slowly moved closer step by step to the hysterical colonel... With a murderous eye he slowly said:

"Now Colonel, please tell me the truth..."

Suddenly a man rushed quickly inside the room...

"Stop!! There's no need for violence, I will help explain everything."

Alex turned around and saw a middle age man, he was a famous public figure and Indonesia ex-governer, a tall guy in his 40's named Cahaya.