Doomsday Pillars

D’Day + 87

In the morning, the USS Midway docked off the harbor of the island of Bali. Inside the command center, Admiral Gerard patted the shoulder of the officer next to him and said, "Take her to the sea and set sail!"

The USS Midway finally departed from the island of Bali. Inside it were Admiral Gerard, the crew, along with the CIA Agent Kenny and Nathanael. James Randal and his escorts as well as Doctor Rachel and several scientists involved in the energy weapons development team joined.

America is one of the largest countries in the world. Alex couldn’t tell how much the presence of James and his entourage would affect the fate of the country in facing the end of times, but he can only hope for the best.

On that same day, except for the mutated animals in the mountains and forests of Bali, all urban areas in Bali had been cleaned from any threats.

The defense post that was stationed outside the city of Denpasar had been repositioned in the area south of Denpasar. A portion of the Star army, as well as tens of thousands of workers, were assigned in the city of Denpasar to tidy it up. The south of Bali island could finally be revived.

Denpasar Post to the south, Gilimanuk Post to the west of the border area with Java Island. Bay City east of the main port of the Star Army and the Antiga military headquarters. These four locations serve as the headquarters of the Star Army.

Other than these four locations, Alex paid extra attention to the new fort built located on the west of the Starbase Headquarters. This fort wasn’t built to protect itself from the outside but from the inside. The fortress’ task of safeguarding the cave inside, where the new threats would emerge, was crucial.

Alex made a final inspection in equipment and, in particular, the condition of the star troops. After 3 days of fighting, many of these troops’ training began to pay off. Some even showed their hidden potentials. But Alex didn’t forget that for most of them, this was their first battle.

In front of tens of thousands of troops, Alex reminded, "This battle is just the beginning. There are still many threats that will come in the many years to come. You must become even better!"

The star troops roared back in unison as they heard their commander gave them encouragement.

More than 7,000 elite troops, 150,000 trained troops from divisions one and two, included the 50,000 cadets who have not yet completed training. In total, there are more than 200,000 star troops. Because of the victories they experienced, most of them felt more confident but there were also those who withdrew from the Star Army and chose to join other positions.

Death and terror of the battle are really not for everyone.

Time flew by and it was now evening. The Star Army’s headquarters was filled with bright light since tonight was a special night. The area around the stage was filled with thousands of people celebrating Bali’s liberation.

There was an abundance of food, liquors, dances, and songs. A beautiful woman, who was a famous singer and Spirit Enhancer named Raisa, performing a song on the new stage. Her voice was like a siren that was able to release all the worries of the doomsday. Tonight, the laughter and joy made those present feel like everything was back to normal.

Alex and the Spirit Enhancers gathered in a corner of the VIP area. Alex briefly smiled as he watched the ex-Governor of the Bali, Agung, dance wildly and raucously with the event he, himself, prepared.

But suddenly the memory of the governor’s tragic death that night took the peace out of Alex’s heart.

A large shadow of a man approached him interrupting his thoughts.

"Mr. Alex..."

"Yes... Raufgar?" Alex noticed the heavy breathing of the big man. "What’s wrong Raufgar? Is everything okay?"

Raufgar was fidgeting with his fingers as he asked, "Mr. Alex, I’ve heard that we’ll soon be leaving for Australia for a long time?"

Alex nodded and said, "That’s right, Raufgar."

Suddenly, the fluffy man’s eyes began to swell and started bawling. Some fighters didn’t expect the sudden outburst. "Mr. Alex... I’m sorry... I-I can’t follow you anymore. I can’t leave my mother alone. I-I’m sorry..."

After Raufgar said what he wanted to say, he turned around and ran away. Some people tried to chase after him, but Alex shook his head.

Alex felt dejected as he walked toward the table, grabbed a beer can, opened it and drank it.

In Alex’s previous life, Raufgar was one of the most valiant fighters, but obviously, he’s currently a different man. Whatever changes this man experienced in Alex’s previous life has not happened yet. At this moment, this man’s mind was only filled with worry about his mother.

Raufgar was one of the few fighters who survived that tragic night. He suffered critical injuries causing him to feel extraordinary fear, and Alex understood Raufgar’s feelings very well. The fear of not being able to look after loved ones. So even if Alex needed all Spirit Enhancers to follow him to Australia, he wouldn’t force them.

After Alex finished the can of beer and threw it to the bin, he decided to return to his residence and spend time with his family.

When Alex was about to depart, Aria tried to follow him, but he stopped her and said, "Don’t worry, you’re off duty today, Aria."

Aria’s emotions faltered, but she soon withheld it as she understood Alex’s intentions. She stayed put as she watched Alex’s back slowly vanishing amidst the crowd. Her gaze was then interrupted when Cindy pulled her over back to the party.

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Alex spent time playing with his daughters until the evening. With Tiffany being able to see once more, Alex’s heart was filled with joy. After reading a bedtime story to his daughters and tucking in the bedsheet for them to sleep soundly, Alex finally had time alone with his wife.

Devita approached Alex, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa, and asked. "Have you decided when to leave?"

Alex looked into his wife’s eyes. "Yes... the day after tomorrow."

Devita understood that her husband would be leaving for a long time. Hearing him confirm it, she leaned back at the sofa and blurted out, "I wish I could accompany you ..."

The words were said unintentionally, but a reply from Alex didn’t come out. Both of them knew it was impossible.

Alex hugged his wife tightly, gently looked into her eyes and kissed her. That night, their love was rekindled.

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The next day, Alex coordinated with every division to make final preparations. What the old man said to him still haunted his mind. Although Alex felt he had done many things, the old man said that all the things he did still wasn’t enough.

Inside the meeting room, Alex and the others who remembered that night were trying to deduce that old man’s identity. Who was that mysterious old man, was on everyone’s mind.

Cindy stepped forward as she remembered a word from the monster that became a clue. "Do you remember what the monster said before it was killed by the old man? The monster shouted Caliburnus."

"Those were the last words of the monster before being hacked to death by the old man," Alex said.

Cindy continued, "I tried to find the books that were left from the Bali City library and guess what I found. Caliburnus is the Latin name of the sword of legend which is very famous."

She smiled and exclaimed,

.

.

"The Excalibur Sword!"

"!!!"