Preface- When you take the time to study history, it is not unusual to find whole sections that have been rewritten by one group or another. This can also be true for relatively recent events. The September 11th attacks are one of those events. It is difficult for an American to forget Twin Towers but do we remember the fact that a hurricane was bearing down on Florida, the massive wildfires in the West, the fact that much of the east coast of Canada was in a state of emergency due to flooding. Saddest of all we forget that good things happened that day.
I was old enough to really remember chaos, the fear, the confusion that came from the four hijacked planes. But this is a different September 11th story. This is Canada's story. It is a story of forgotten history. The story about people trying to keep their homes safe and in a way, it is also one of hope.
Disclaimer- I do not own Hetalia in anyway shape or form. Nor do I own any of the historical events mentioned in this story. As an author I just try to stick to the facts.
Five Planes
Chapter 1-International Day of Peace
Canada sneezed.
There were advantages of living next to the world's sole super power. They shared the longest undefended border and they were each other's best trading partners, but this morning Canada was currently experiencing one of the downsides. His head ached and his throat had a tickle that threatening a cough on its way. Having an economy dominated by your neighbor meant Canada got sick whenever they did. It may not happen the same day or the same week, but when the US of A started coughing, Canada knew it is only a matter of time.
Canada stared at the hotel ceiling for a few moments trying to suppress a second sneeze before he rolled over and turned on CNN while he got ready for the day. The big international headlines involved immigration issues in Australia and aid workers being held hostage in Afghanistan. As the talking heads on the television continued to discuss the hostages, Canada had to admit that the Taliban really was dragging Afghanistan down to heck in a hand basket. Unfortunately the UN passed the sanctions that were available to them, which meant all the international community could do right now was sit back and watch while the country continued to implode in slow motion.
As he rolled out of bed and patted to the bathroom, the TV briefly mentioned that it was officially the International Day of Peace. Though, they failed to mention that it was the opening day of the UN General Assembly. The opening day at the UN was more formality then actual business. In fact the only group that had any work schedule was the Security Council, which kind of ignored because Canada was not included in it. At least the meeting of the Nation People would be pretty relaxed, which would probably mean that they wouldn't even notice that he wasn't in attendance. Canada chided to himself, he probably should call the United States and remind him mark him absent on the role just in case.
The news switched to a forum about the recent economic downturn in Wall Street. The guest lectured about the likelihood of a new recession and showing images of empty cafes and shops in downtown New York. Canada watched the images flicker by as he shrugged into his suit jacket. Quietly his thoughts mused on the facts. Canada might be getting sick, but at least he had the small comfort that the US was not the source of this recession. It was Europe this time, which generally meant that it would be relatively short and mild in North America. Perhaps if Canada played his cards right he could avoid feeling the full effect this time.
Canada blinked as he walked out of the hotel and into the crisp autumn dawn. Then he glanced down at the stack of briefing papers tucked under his arm. Today was a coffee morning. Luckily he was only a block and a half from his destination. The Bull Moose was a smallish greasy spoon cafe but they made great pancakes, very good coffee, and had excellent service. Though it the fact he was a regular customer when he was in Winnipeg probably helped the service aspect.
"Good morning, Mr. Williams." The middle aged waitress smiled as he entered and then guided him to his usual booth near the end before filling his mug with coffee. "And what would you like today."
"The usual, Shelly."
"One stack of Flapjacks, whip cream, double syrup, with a side of sausage coming right up." The waitress smiled brightly before passing his order onto the cook.
While waiting for his stack of pancakes, Canada began to page through the large stack of briefing materials. Today was Canada was technically involved in two major NORAD exercises. To the south Operation Vigilant Guardian was entering its first full day. It looked like the first exercise would involve a simulated hijacked plane in the Boston Area sometime during the afternoon. The operation would involve Ontario and some of the other border Canadian Provinces, but over all Operation Vigilant Guardian was limited to CONR area. CANR was simply an observer in the exercise, which was a very good thing in Canada's opinion. The war game currently in progress was taking up most of his focus.
Operation Northern Vigilance was entering its third day and things were just starting to heat up. The NATO forces that Canada and Alaska were hosting had 'attacked' Russia during the previous two days, and today Russia was scheduled to retaliate. The missiles that Russia would hurl towards North America Arctic were of course simulated, but the Russian planes were very real. So would be the American and Canadian fighters that would meet them at the border of North American airspace.
The waitress topped off Canada's mug, and Canada thanked her before adding some more cream and healthy squirt of maple syrup.
According to the schedule the situation to was going to peak late that night with an accidental launch of a nuclear warhead. The Canadians, and their Alaskan counterparts, would then attempt to prevent the nuclear weapon from making landfall. The following two days would involve North America's reaction to the attack and the mission wrap up. The entire war game was scheduled to take less than a week, but the full wrap up require a solid month of data analyze.
Canada's thoughts were interrupted as his cell phone started to blaring Maple Leaf Forever so loud that the mild manor country nearly swore. America had messed with his ring tones…again. It took him a few moments for him to turn down the ring volume, then Canada glanced around the room and realized that everyone were glancing his way. It was true that cell phones were not that new, but they were also not an everyday interruption. Canada's ears began to go pink with embarrassment.
"Sorry." Canada mouthed to the surrounding business men, soldiers, and government official whose quiet breakfast he had interrupted. He then sighed as he flipped the phone open. He didn't even get the chance to say a greeting before the voice on the other end started taking.
"Mr. Williams, sir, we are getting some odd reports from CONR. The radio traffic NEADS also picked up significantly." The voice on the phone sounded young and nervous. The words were spoken at such a quick clip that it made Canada wonder if the kid was originally from Alberta. "Sir, the general has requested your presence at CANR Headquarters at your earliest convenience."
Canada glanced at his watch and saw it was only 7:52 in Manitoba which would make it almost nine Eastern Time. The drill for the Continental United States NORAD region wasn't supposed to start for another hour or two to be respectful of the people working at the NORAD headquarters in Colorado. "Did the General mention any specifics?"
"No, Sir. I was told call you and request your presence at headquarters." The young technician almost sounded scared.
"Alright, Mr…."
It took a few heart beats for the kid on the other end to figure out what Canada was asking for then he quickly stammered. "Lt. Patterson, Sir."
"Alright, Lt. Patterson, please inform the General that I am on my way."
"Thank you, Sir. I will inform the General immediately, Sir."
The sound of relief in the young soldier's voice only increased Canada discomfort as he gathered the large pile of documents that were spread across the table and paid the bill for the breakfast he wasn't going to get to eat. As he left the diner at a trot Canada barely glanced at the calendar registering the date, September 11th 2001.
Abbreviations-
NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
UN- United Nations
NORAD- North American Aerospace Defense Command
CONR- Continental NORAD Region (Note continental refers to the continental US)
CANR- Canadian NORAD Region
NEADS- Northeastern Air Defense Sector
In Closing- I hope that you have enjoyed the first chapter of Five Planes. If you liked it please leave a review of what you liked. If you didn't please leave a message telling me what you didn't enjoy. I can only improve if I have the data inputs. Lastly, if you really, really liked it and would like to read the chapters earlier than the rest of the world send me a pm. I am currently looking for a beta and would love to know if you are interested.