A new story of somesoldiers from the British Army, on an exchange with the JGSDF (Japanese's ground self-defence force) this will contain mostly OC's, I will write in the original characters from highschool of the dead but not quiet decided how much of a part they will have. I am not looking for OC's so please do not send any
I do not own Highschool of the dead. this is a fanfiction i make no money from this work.
Soldiers of the dead.
On the shade of a porch in Japan an old man was sat on a chair he had that look about him that all old warriors have as he remembered his youth and the times of adventure and pain.
He was sat with his grandchildren and their friends around him. He felt blessed that he could have such a family, after those dark times. Speaking in a strange accent that was normal in this part of the new world "so my wee ones, will you like to hear a story?" he asked the enticed children. One of the children a girl with black almost violet hair spoke first. "Tell us of when you fought the monsters Ojiisan"
The old man huffed "well ok but are ye sure you'll no get nightmares. Because if you do I'm sure your mother or your grandmother, with that sword of hers will kill me" he addressed the little girl. Another a boy with spiky black hair spoke "No we won't sofu"
"Well ok but it is a secret between you and me" He said even though he could see their grandmother chuckling and shaking her head with its long dyed brown hair.
As he drew up the courage to talk about times gone passed, as he was hit by a pang of pain, for those that he missed and those that went home. Shaking off the feeling form his mind and with a glimmer in his eyes that made him appear younger than his 70 years, he began his story.
"It all started years ago, in the spring of 2013"
Outside the regimental headquarters of the 32nd infantry regiment east army JGSDF, stood two soldiers that did not look like the normal that moved to and fro, as the regiment went about its daily life.
stood smartly Dressed in the new MTP (multi-terrain Pattern) battle dress, with a strange looking head dress called a tam o' shanter, this was kaki coloured that had a blood red plume of fathers coming from a cross shaped cap badge on the right temple. These men clearly did not belong to the Japanese's ground forces.
They did in fact belong to 2 Platoon, A Company, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Black Watch from the British Army.
The reason for their visit to Japan. The 32nd regiment in 1 year was to deploy on a United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) taking over part of the British sector of the Green line so as to free up more British troops for OP HERRICK in Afghanistan. The exchange was so that the officers and men of the regiment could get use to the British troops, which they would be working with.
This was to be Japans first major deployment, since the second world war and the laws that had to be passed, due to the Japanese constitution and the uses of force in foreign policy. Yes they had deployed limited amounts of observers in the past. But this was the first deployment of a regiment size and a proud moment for the JGSDF more so that the 32nd regiment had been chosen.
The reason for the British involvement was because the Japanese where being as thought as always. Asking the nation, with the most experience in that the area. British involvement had gone back to when the line was first set up in 1974. The idea behind the exchange came from both the country's politicians. A friendly exchange program was then suggested. The British would teach them a little about the green line, that was more a babysitting job, as you keep the Greeks away from the Turkish and vice versa. The Japanese would get much needed experience and knowledge from the British.
Also a start for when HMS Ocean turned up, with a load of Royal marines and a complete amphibious task force, in 6 weeks for joint exercise that Japan was to hosting, that years EXERCISE RIMPAC.
This however did not bother the two men they were there to do a job. the first man was Captain (Cpt) John (Boss) Travis who was in charge of the group of soldiers. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches tall the man from Falkirk towered over most men looking intimating but was generally described by those that knew him as the genital giant. Stood next to him was Sargent (Sgt) Grant (foxy) Scott a man with deep greying red hair (hence the name foxy or silver fox) from Dundee who was to be the second in command of their little group of 20. 2 full sections of 8 men, 1 medic, 1 mechanic, 1 Rupert, and the platoon sergeant.
The meeting with the commanding officer of the 32nd regiment Lieutenant Colonel Sato. Went well, with invites to the officers and sergeants messes, then to the colonels home, for the both of them.
"Very hospital peoples the Japanese Boss." Grant was taking informally as it was just the two of them as is the norm. Most officers are giving the nickname of boss, as it still shows respect to the rank. This would only be done inside that person's direct chain of command and not to others outside of it, or those above the position of platoon commander.
"That they are Grant. Just remember the Japanese are very polite, but still have a dislike of foreigners" was the short reply. John was never a believer in long drawn out explanation cutting the bullshit as he would often say.
"Aye boss.. But why did we end up with this gig? Normally the Gurkhas' deal with this end of the world." he asked
John took his time to come up with an answer ""Because the Gurkha Rifles, are going on op's (operations). So our Battalion picked up the tasking. It will be fun… how often do you get Paid to go to Japan" he was unusually happy for the normal straight laced humourless man that John was famous for.
"I suppose you are right that and it beats going to Afghanistan, for the 3rd time." was his answer Grant was a veteran of 16 years' service. With umpteen tours of duty under his belt from war fighting in Iraq to peacekeeping in Kosovo and Cyprus he was the most experienced soldier on the exchange, next to his section commander corporal Matt (Mac) Mackie. Who was his best friend and had about done just as long as him, in the service. If it was not for his drunken exploits in his younger years he would probably have his third strip by now.
John turned to face Grant then asked. "Have the Jocks picked up the vehicles and equipment, from the C17's that came in this morning yet?" the officer asked curious as to what was taking so long.
Well last time I spoke with corporal Mackie, he was having a bit of trouble with crab air and they had just unpacked everything to check it all over. He should be here soon" crab air, that ever so dependable and normally late service called the RAF, or more notably the transport command element of it. 2 days ago all the equipment was left at RAF Brize Norton with Cpl Mackie and private (Pvt) Smudge Smith for him to escort it here. As always the RAF had lived up to its reputation and was late.
"Mind you Sir speak of the devil" the sergeant spoke while pointing up the road.
In the distance one Land Rover Defender E- WIMIK with trailer 2 Jackal 2's and 1 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle, appeared carrying some of the men, weapons and equipment appeared down the road.
Captain Scott turned round to the Sargent "I thought we were getting just Jackals for this?" The Jackal is the main fire support and patrol vehicle in the Army Replacing the land rover defender E-WIMIK.
Built by supercat it offered better protection and durability in a 4X4 the Coyote was the support version that was a 6X6. giving a larger load area.
"No boss I sent you an email and told you in the brief that the marines got the all the Jackal's we got what was left. Besides I think we got the better deal with the Coyote."
The Vehicles pulled up and then the familiar voice of his long-time friend Mac shouted out "Morning Sarg need a lift."
"Aye I do." he shouted with a smile. "but how many time have I got to tell you there are only two types of sarg in the army, that is a massage and a sausage and I'm nether" Mac ginned a goofy grin "lots more than you have Saaargeeent." drawing out the last word for effect. "Anyway where to pal" Grant flipped his friend the finger then spoke. "Armoury first to get the weapon's put to bed. Then the Accommodation so we can settle in for the day."
"Right oh jump in and lead the way." Mac then indicated to the commander's seat for his friend as he had taken the opportunity to drive.
"How was the flight over Mac?" Grant asked him. It was going to take a few minutes to get to the other side of the base
"Shite" was his less than enthusiastic reply "Fucking Crabs… fucked us about took us 2 bloody days cooked up in ether air terminals or a C17 full of kit. How about you"
"It was… well a belter. Stopped over in Qatar, nice sexy air hostesses what more could a man ask for." Grinning ear to ear he said winding him up about the nice civilian flight." all Mac did was looked his friend up and down and answered "fuck you…. All we had, was some fat load master, which would not stop farting." Grant could not help but laugh at the remark "bum deal pal bum deal"
Mac started laughing "you're not wrong mate"
The trip to the armoury was short. now for the boring work Grant thought to himself as all the checks for the weapon systems that they brought with them will need to be done as well as unbundled this is a job for the whole platoon that got the message sent earlier and where stood outside the Armoury in a gaggle.
Mac and the other corporal, Scot Mathews shook hands in a shot greeting "boss is here mate" Mac quickly said "na problems pal… right guys get fell in!" the platoon all responded at once getting fell in to the normal formation in front of the platoon commander as the corporals took their place at the back of their sections.
"Right men and lady" John loudly talked so all could hear him. "We are here to start some training with the Japanese's in the next day or two, on the UN green line op they are undertaking next year. Also a bit of a show and tell, they will get to see some of our kit and we in return will get to see some of theirs." At this point a phone started ringing an embarrass look suddenly came over the platoon commander. As the platoon boisterously reacted to what is a taboo in a parade. On looking at the phone it was the battalion op's room back home. "platoon sergeant carry on I need to take this" Grant looked at the boss "battalion already checking up on us sir?" he asked the officer. "It would seem so well full briefing tonight at 1800… Sort all this out I'll get you if you are needed." with that he put the phone to his ear and waked off.
Grant turned back to the platoon "right lads and lassie get your rifles out the bundles, then get over here. There was a flurry of activity as all the gear was unpacked and the soldiers lined up to get them put away. Under the watchful eyes of their NCO's.
30 minutes later the final count was for personal weapons 12x L85A2's 4 with the L123A2 UGL all with the LLM-01 (laser light module), 2x L22A2 carbins, 2x L110A1 lmgs 2x L129 sharp shooters, 1x L115 sniper rifle and 20x L106A1 sig pistols.
Next was onto the Vehicle mounted systems 4x L7A2 GPMG's (gimpy), 2x L2A1 HMG's (50 cal) and 2x H&K 40mm GMG.
Over an hour later. Grant was sitting taking stock over the small arsenal that they had brought with them, when a voice asked him "We starting a small war Grant?"
He looked up from his paperwork full of serial and butt numbers that had just been checked off. It was Mac.
Mac was a strange man, with strange tastes. He was the sort of person that would go out buy the loudest shirt he could find. Then get blind drunk. This would normally lead to some sort mischief that would get him time with the RSM (Regimental Sargent Major AKA GOD) minus the tea and cake. But in grants opinion there was no finer soldier. He was going to miss him, as he was transferring to the SAS having completed his pre-selection top of the class and in the summer was off on the full selection course.
"Maybe but I sure as hell hope not." it was at this point he noticed John returning looking rather sombre "what's up boss?" Both Grant and Mac asked in unison. Mac took the opportunity first punching his friend hard on the shoulder "Jinxed mother fucker"
John was not a man to mince his words or dance around a subject. "Get the Lance corporals to finish off I want the command group now!" he order the two men, Grant answered first, hearing the not time to fuck about tone in his voice. "On it… NCO's! on me" as soon as the order was given the 3 corporals 3 lance corporals ran over to him, standing in a half circle around John and Grant.
"Mike Take over here" he pointed to the senior of the junior ranks Lance Corporal Michal Gabriel the 2i/c of 2 section . "The command group is going for a chat Sir, do you want Cpl Stevens and LCpl Hirano with us" Corporal Tracy Stevens is the attached medic from the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corp) and the only female in the platoon. LCpl Jiro Hirano (Jay) was from REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers) and was to be the mechanic for the tasking, being half Japaneses he was also fluent in Japanese and the platoon interpreter. "Yes!... this concerns them too as attachments" was the short reply.
10 minutes later the command group consisting of the Boss, Grant, Mac, Scot, Tracy, Jay, and Corporal Daniel (Dan) Ocean from sniper platoon Support Company. All sat down in the boss's accommodation, as he opened his note book to give a briefing to his platoon HQ.
He looked at each person in turn, as if to gain some insight into the reactions he is about to get. "Right guys I'm not going to fuck about… that was Battalion headquarters back home and the news I have, is going to fuck things up, good and proper for us." pausing for a few moments so as to let how serious this was sink in.
"As of 23:00 GMT tonight so in about 15 minutes The United Kingdome is Closing its borders to all persons civilian, political and military" the silence in the room was total as his words echoed in their minds Mac was first to say something. "What the fuck boss?" it was an open question that had the tone of are you shitting me.
"As you all know riots started in the Balkans about 3 weeks ago. This has then spread from one country to the next, with civil unrest reported at an all-time high. Then Police and military forces of those countries soon become overpowered and unable to cope with the mass riots… Intelligence at first, reckoned it was going to be similar to the unrest that was seen in the Middle East last summer…"
John then changed his tone to one that had deadly seriousness to it. "But now they are slowly changing their minds. the most resent theory is, it is some sort of infection that overwhelms anyone it comes into contact with. Possibly some sort of bio weapon attack or test that went wrong and eventually got into the general population. But this is just speculation at the moment. reports of outbreaks of unrest are now worldwide, parts of Europe are now totally dark, with no information coming out. So the government has decided to hold anyone, that is in an airport or a port in quarantine and closes all access to the country. The police have even been armed and the government has authorised Military aid to the civil power." just that last part of that stamen was enough to spark total interest as that was the name for when the armed forces came to the aid of the police when things went tits up. "They are clamping down on any unrest at home, as the labs at Porton Down do their investigation, on some of the persons with this strange infection… that is cropping up."
He stayed silent for a moment until Grant asked "so where does that leave us over here some of the guys are married" John continued and answered the question "Battalion will keep us informed. Currently we are to stay put and offer any help if it is wanted. HMS Ocean has been re-tasked to the English Channel, as part of a blockade… So no EXFILL (exfiltration) for the foreseeable future they are asking the Australians for a ship to come get us. But as they have closed down as well there is no word yet." pausing again as everybody took notes.
Mac then asked "what do we do here then boss"
"Our orders are if asked, to help the Japanese… then do so. I am also to offer our help to their CO. if it comes to it we are authorised to survive by any means necessary with in our Rules of Engagement so JSP398 card Alpha (standard ROE to the inherent right to self-defence) is in effect. We are also to report in on sat comms once every 24 hours at 11:00 GMT 19:00 local if sat comms go down then HF radio, on the BBC world service network. Failure to report will result in our evacuation getting cancelled. We are getting sent via secured email a load of BATCO (battle code one time pad)and radio frequencies because we can't put a fill in our BOMAN radios."
the group all sat there in silence as the information was put down.
John then spoke again "Now for the bad news." Mac looked up "that was the good.. fuck me… this must be divesting then." John continued "the last part of the int I have been given was that there has been an outbreak of violence in a city near here conservative reports recon we will be in the thick of it soon enough ether tomorrow or the day after. Currently our CO is talking to the CO 32nd regiment and the politicians are talking too. There is talk of the UN calling a pandemic but that is early doors yet. that is all I know so far"
After some time and murmuring of fuck this shit Dan spoke "that so… When will we know what involvement we will have?" Dan the calm and unfazed by any situation sniper, did not say much so when he did take his opportunity to say something, it was normal direct and to the point and most would listen.
John answered in his normal way no bull "At the moment sit and watch until we are needed. I'm not about to Rambo this shit. However a little prep never hurt anyone." tuning to Grant he gave some instructions "I want us ready to go at a moment's notice. Have all the platoon and gear in a position to go. Get the soft mounts on the waggons and have them fully fuelled up. Get the guys packed out, so as to be ready to move on a 5 minute notice. All weapons are to stay in the armoury for now and I will see about getting us some ammunition from our hosts, if things go south… Now section commanders go inform your jocks… full brief at 20:00… I will be going to see our new CO. set the spare room up as a platoon ops room." there was a quick talk among themselves as the work to be done was divided up as John left the room only to have Grant run up beside him.
"This all legit sir." he asked john looked back at him "I hope so. As for a joke this is right out there."
Looking down for a second Grant then replied. "Well if this is your idea of a fun tasking sir, you have got me interested."
Ojiisan: addressing someone else's grandfather
Sofu: addressing your grandfather.
Authors note: Please review so I can see whether to carry this on. also may need a beta later.