Prologue 2
May 12th, 2015
Chinese Military Base near Fuzhou
Two lone Chinese soldiers walked along the fence line of a base near the coast. A beautiful beach-going day it was.
"It's almost leave time, what are you going to do Guiren?" The first asked his comrade.
"I dunno, maybe go to the city, find a coffee shop, find a nice girl. What about you Peng?" The second responded.
"I'm going to see my wife, it's been a while since I've seen her." Peng said.
"That's an idea." Said Guiren. Peng chuckled. "Better than yours."
"Hey now! You're stuck with your wife. So if you see any other girl, oh well. Me? I can still choose. I swear they'll swarm me." Guiren said playing along. Peng laughed some more. "Yeah. Assuming you keep your corny pickup lines to yourself."
"Hey now, ladies love historical based romance. Besides, what woman can resist my charms?" Guiren said proudly. "How about the Captain?" Peng challenged. "She's a higher rank than me, she doesn't count." Guiren retorted. "Yeah you keep telling yourself that friend."
"Ah forget you y- hey. Do you hear that?" Guiren asked. "Yeah what is that?"
The soldiers heard what sounded like multiple jets. Only they seemed… deeper. They looked up and high in the sky, and saw several white cargo looking planes over the ocean heading for land. They were as big as a normal cargo plane that could carry tanks. At least they looked like they were from this distance.
"What do you suppose is going on?" Guiren asked. "Don't know. Maybe new cargo plane types. Funny how we didn't know about this." Peng said. "Well why are they here?" "Who knows, maybe it's a rushed schedule. Sometimes the higher ups make split second decisions. I'm reporting this." Peng said grabbing his radio. "Captain Ling come in. This is Corporal Peng. We have eyes on unidentified cargo planes heading for the city." As Peng made the report, Guiren kept watching the planes, seeing more coming closer to the cargo planes. These new planes were fighter size. They too were white and looked somewhat similar to American F-14 Tomcats. "Hey Peng, there are more of them, looks like fighter escort. "Be advised we have fighter escort too Captain." "Air command has notified us. I was about to broadcast the message. There should be F-811 Ms approaching any second now. Be on guard." Ling said on the radio. "Understood, I can see the 811s now." Peng said.
In the formation.
"Command this is Captain Kang of Lotus Flight, we have the unidentified formation in sight. Cargo with fighter escort."
"Acknowledged Lotus lead. Hold fire until we determine their intentions." The airspace controller said. "Unidentified aircraft. You are entering Chinese airspace without permission. State your intentions immediately or we will open fire." A several seconds passed. No answer. "Repeat. State your intentions or we will open fire. This is your last warning!"
"Our intention is recognition and reclamation." Said a voice.
Silence fell over the Chinese for a few moments. "Recognition and reclamation? What is the meaning of this?"
Suddenly an alarm sounded in one of the pilots' cockpits. "I'm being locked! Repeat I'm being locked! Aircraft are hostile!"
"All pilots engage!" The Chinese planes picked a target as the unknowns opened fire. It was a full out dogfight.
"Get him off of me!" A pilot yelled. Followed by another saying, "No joy!" Lotus lead clipped one on a pass, but didn't bring him down. While his comrades were shooting or being chased. "Lotus lead this is Lotus 4. The cargo planes are opening their hatches!" True enough they were, but the weird thing was they were still over the ocean. Lotus lead got a good look. Soldiers jumped out of the planes with some sort of advanced wingsuits and went straight for the base and city. "Get a message to command! Enemy forces are beginning an attack!" He said right before a hostile pilot almost strafed him.
"COME ON LET'S GO!" Ling shouted. Chinese soldiers ran to the armories to grab their weapons and gear. "Who's attacking us?!" A soldier yelled. "We don't know! They haven't been identified!" Peng yelled back. "Where did they come from!? Why are they attacking?!" "Less talking! More preparing!" Ling shouted. Orders and shouting flew everywhere as the soldiers geared up and vehicles were being prepared. "Everyone look!" Guiren shouted. He was pointing to the planes. They were more of them now and hundreds of tiny flew from them straight to the city, with more heading right for the base. "What the hell are those?" Ling said. As the dots got bigger and closer, her answer came. They were soldiers using some kind of high tech wingsuits. They wore a tan uniform with white body armor and helmets. Most of them wore faceplates with blue visors. They wielded futuristic looking rifles and began attacking after they landed. "COVER!" Ling yelled. Opening fire with their QBZ-95 rifles, the Chinese soldiers raced to find cover behind the APCs that were supposed to bring them to the city. The enemy soldiers moved forward with caution and speed. "I just got a sitrep from the city! Things are heating up down there! More planes coming and more soldiers, with tanks!" Ling said. "CAPTAIN! LOOK! THEIR BODY ARMOR! LOOK WHAT'S ON IT!" A soldier yelled with absolute shock and a little fear in his voice. Ling peeked from cover and nearly freaked at what she saw. A perfect red circle on the chest of the enemy! "Is that what I think it is!?" She yelled. "ROCKET LAUNCHER!" A soldier yelled as an enemy carried a rocket launcher shaped weapon onto the field. He fired and hit on of the APCs. For Ling, Peng, and Guiren, it went black with the sounds of battle muffled.
Disputed Yellow Sea area
From a bunker overlooking the Yellow Sea, was a North Korean colonel by the name of Byung-hun, observing the ships of his nation's navy. On the other side of the so called 'territorial boundary' were the ships of the South. Both sides just sitting there. Like they were waiting for someone to snap and shoot. One thing for sure, this region belonged to the North. Just like everything else being 'disputed.'
"Colonel." A soldier said calling for his attention. Byung turned to see a corporal handing him files. "The reports from the front that you requested sir." He said.
"Thank you." Byung said.
Turning his attention from the ships, Byung looked at the reports. More live fire exchanges and skirmishes. Same artillery 'exercises' and more American threats of retaliation if it goes too far, whatever America declared too far. Repeat. Same old stuff since 2010.
"Thank you soldier. Return to your post. Inform me if anything changes." Byung said. "Yes sir." The soldier ran back to his post. Urging the rest of the staff to carry on working. "I will return. I am going to get a refreshment." Byung said. Followed by a chorus of 'yes sir's. As soon as he left the room, he began to ponder about the events going on.
"Some things never change." He murmured to himself. Now Byung was as patriotic as the next colonel and would fight to the death to defend the DPRK. But he also had open eyes. He knew that despite this endless cycle of live fire and exercises, it was only a matter of time until the war continued. Both North and South waiting for a bullet to truly fly and continue the war. You see, the war never truly ENDED, no one really won, the fighting just ended. It's just the longest ceasefire in human history. But it seemed it was okay to argue over land, otherwise it would've just been stare downs at the DMZ. He loved his country with all his heart, but he secretly wished for peace. No more stare downs between the DMZ guards, heck to no longer have a DMZ. But he knew that as of right now, it was wishful thinking, and it wouldn't be possible in his lifetime.
Returning to the room with a cup of water, Byung looked back out to the ships. Still staring at one another. "Sir, the new missiles have arrived, they're being moved to the storage area as we speak." A soldier said. "Excellent, make sure that-"
He stopped speaking the moment he heard an explosion. Quickly turning back to the ships, Byung saw one of the Northern destroyers on fire. "WHAT THE-?!" "Sir! One of our destroyers was torpedoed! They're taking on water!" An officer said Grabbing binoculars, Byung looked at the burning ship. The officer was right, there was a big hole in the side. "Prepare for battle!" He yelled. It was the South! It had to be! Or at least the Americans. Who else would be so bold? "Tell the destroyers to-" Another explosion sounded, only this time it was on the South's side. "That's it! HIT BACK!" Byung yelled.
"But sir, our destroyers didn't fire. Neither did the South!" The officer said.
Words he never thought he'd hear. "But if they didn't, who did?!" Looking back onto the ships, Byung saw a jaw dropping sight. Soldiers literally leaped out of the water and landed onto the ships. Firefights erupted as security detail clashed with the boarders. "Unbelievable." Byung said, he looked over to the Southern ships. The same thing happened. "GET WORD TO PYONGYANG!" He yelled. "SIR! THEY'VE HIJACKED ONE OF OUR SHIPS!" Immediately after he said that, a hole was blown into the bunker. "WHO THE HELL IS ATTACKING!? GET EVERY SOLDIER READY!" Byung shouted over the chaos.
The unthinkable happened. Both Korean nations were about to fight. But not each other.
Cam Ranh Naval Base. Vietnam
It was simply another day at the Cam Ranh Naval port. Sailors were placing munitions on ships to be taken to other parts of the country, while soldiers placed supplies in trucks. However, there were some soldiers on duty who were cranky. Some vacationers from the nearby beach came over earlier, drunk. Apparently there was a party going on. Need more be said? Thankfully no one was hurt nor arrested. But to ensure it didn't happen again, some soldiers were posted at the beach area outside the base. There was some eye candy so it wasn't too bad. Two soldiers maintained watch at their posts.
"Hey, Dao." Said the first. "What is it Phong?" Replied the second. "You know how lucky we are?" Phong asked. "Phong, what are you talking about?" Dao asked, honestly confused. "Here's what I mean. See the eye candy down there? Cute aren't they?" Turned out he was talking about the beachgoers, the female category. Some gave some 'friendly' gestures.
"Ugh, can't you spend one day without staring at beach girls?" Dao asked irritated. "Why else would I stand here?" Phong asked. "Because the captain told you to?" Dao said. "Heh whatever you say." Dao simply shook his head at his comrade's attitude. "It's a wonder you're in the army." He muttered under his breath.
Next thing they knew, tube shaped objects launched out of the water onto the beach. Frightening the beachgoers and alerting the soldiers. "What the hell are those?" Dao asked. These tubes were colored aquatic green and blue with a big red circle on the sides. Then the fronts opened and out poured unidentified soldiers, discharging their weapons and running towards the base. "Oh shit!" Phong yelled. He and Dao ran into the base as the alarm began blaring. "What's going on?!" The base commander yelled, rallying the guards. An explosion occurred on one of the guard towers, bringing more panic. A few minutes later, a whole was blown into the base's wall, and in poured the unknown soldiers. "Who are these guys?!" A soldier yelled from behind cover, firing his AKM. "No idea, they just came out of the water, LITERALLY!" Dao yelled. "Just keep firing!" Phong yelled. Firing at the enemy, he was hit in his right arm. "AH!" He fell over clutching his wound. "PHONG!" Yelled Dao, attempting to tend to his comrade. "LOOK OUT!" A Vietnamese soldier yelled. An enemy holding a rocket launcher fired at a fuel tank. The Vietnamese soldiers ducked for cover.
BOOM.
The deafening explosion did just what was expected. Ringing sounded in the ears of the soldiers as fire and debris filled the area. As the ringing subsided, the soldiers got back in the fight. "HELP MEDIC!" Dao yelled out. The invaders showed no sign of stopping.
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
Five American soldiers patrolled the perimeter of the airbase, ensuring no unauthorized personnel entered.
"So James, after patrol, what are your plans?" Asked one.
"Dunno. Maybe I'll just sleep in. What about you Robert?" James asked.
"Eh maybe I'll send a letter to my parents, let them know how I'm doing." Said Robert.
"You write to your parents every single day, take a chill pill man." Said the first.
You're one to talk Alex, you write to your girlfriend every single HOUR to tell her you're okay." Said the fourth.
"Ah screw you Tom."
"Knock it off you two." The sergeant said.
"But man I'm starvin. Haven't eaten nuthin since we left the base. Hey you know my dad runs a deli back in the Bronx, makes the best pastrami sandwiches you'll ever eat." Alex said.
"Alex. You ain't quite right." Tom said.
"Heh. Kinda like your sister eh ya fricken hayseed?"
"Can it you two! Stay on the ball! Just a few more miles and we're done for a few hours." Said the sergeant. "Yes sir." They all said.
"Hey sarge. I thought you said this was our last patrol." Said James. "Yeah seeing the jungle is fun and all, but I gotta get back, I got tickets to the Yankee game, they're playing the Red Sox I got box seats!" Alex said. "Ah shut the hell up Alex!" Tom said. "I said CAN IT! Boring or not we got a perimeter to secure private!" Said the sergeant.
That was when they heard a rumbling sound. Ten passenger looking planes flew very low to the ground and passed over them. Heading for the airfield. "The hell?" Robert said. "Damn hotshot pilots!" The sergeant said. "The hell's going on?" Asked Tom. "Probably adrenaline junkies racing to the landing strip." Alex said. "I dunno guys. Maybe we should report this. They sure didn't look like our planes. And they sure as hell didn't look like they were gonna land. Said James. "It's fine. They're always making new toys without telling us." Said Alex.
A few minutes later into the patrol, the radio started speaking. "Paterson! Sergeant Paterson! Where are you?!" The commander spoke in alarm, with the sounds of telltale fighting in the background. "Sir? We're ten mikes from the base. What's going on?" Paterson asked. "Get your squad back here now! Ten planes just dropped off unidentified hostiles! We need backup now! They're-" An explosion cut off the conversation.
"Commander. Commander Henson do you read?!"
"GET BACK HERE! NOW!"
"YOU HEARD HIM BACK TO BASE MARINES!" Paterson yelled. They ran faster than before back to base. Upon returning, they were greeted by gunshots, screams, and explosions. There were unknowns everywhere. How did they deploy from those planes so fast? They had faceplates and white body armor with a red circle on the chest. "Alex! Robert! Provide covering fire! Tom! James! Move with me! GO GO GO" Performing covering fire for one another all the way to the command center, the marines were shot at, nearly detonated, even charged at. The center had destruction written all over it. Nearby, a tower fell over and crashed down onto a hanger. The marines found themselves with Henson, who was shooting a service pistol from behind fallen filing cabinets. "Henson! Sir!" Paterson said. "Thank god! We need everyone for this!" Henson said. "Who's attacking!?" Paterson yelled. "We don't know for sure! But from the circle on the armor and the language they're speaking, I'd say it's the Japanese!" Henson said. "THE JAPANESE!? They're our allies! Hell the Post-War Constitution is still in effect!" Indeed it was, and allies the two countries were. Why would they risk another incident like this? One thing's for sure, they're in big trouble. "The Japanese?! I thought they were our friends!" Alex yelled. "So did I!" Tom said. A rocket flew over their heads and destroyed a chunk of the wall on the other side. "SHIT! WHERE'S THAT AIR SUPPORT?!" Henson demanded. "15 minutes out and closing sir!" "We won't last fifteen SECONDS!" Henson yelled. "ALEX! TOM! See if you can't find any more ammo! JAMES! Find a radio! Robert! With me!" Paterson yelled.
Alex and Tom were lucky, they found a wrecked APC with ammo and a SAW. James got hit in the leg returning to the center. "HIT THEM!" Tom yelled firing the SAW. "Keep pressure on the wound!" Alex yelled, Robert was wrapping the wound while Henson and Paterson fired back. "Kadena air base this is Onyx 1. We are inbound. Watch for the Apaches." Henson's radio said. "About time! HURRY!" Henson replied. Sure enough, five Apache attack copters strafed the runway with their rockets. Prompting the 'Japanese' to retreat into the jungles. "Thanks a bunch Onyx, looks like you scared them off." Henson said. "No worries Kadena. We're gonna see if we can't track them. Stay safe."
Henson and Paterson looked at the carnage after it was over. The base was in very bad shape. Building destroyed or burning, soldiers dead or injured everywhere. Not a pretty image. "What does this mean sir?" James asked, having recovered from his wound. "I know one thing. It's gonna be one hell of a shitstorm in DC." Said Henson.
These attacks occurred at the same time on the same day. And each done by the same party, everyone looking at the Japanese being said party. The Asian region prepared for possible war with Japan. The shocking fact was that demands were aired not that long ago and threats of attack were made if not followed through. But the world, still drunk on freedom from terror, ignored them at the time. Were the two linked?
The answer soon came. And it was the worst kind.
UN conference, Tokyo.
It was a nightmare. Every Asian nation was already yelling obscenities at the Japanese representative. Hell even North Korea was invited, the incidents were so large. Any attempt to calm them didn't work. It seemed war was unavoidable. The Japanese representative kept his cool. And it was icy cool. "The Japanese people have nothing to gain from these attacks, nor are we responsible for them. We willingly live under the Post-War Constitution and did not create a secret army under the American's noses." He said.
"LIES LIES LIES!" The Chinese representative yelled, "Reports CLEARLY say that the aggressors spoke Japanese and had the rising sun on their armor!"
"They also identified themselves as Japanese when the attacks were called off!" Both North and South Korea said. Then the two had a brief staring contest.
"Cam Ranh Port is stained red with the blood of our soldiers! WHO ARE WE TO LASH OUT AGAINST!?" The Vietnamese rep yelled.
"Answer us Japan!" Said the Chinese rep. "Please calm down Mr. Hong, we don't have to be violent here." The American rep said. "DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! WE ALWAYS SAID JAPAN MAY TRY SOMETHING! We were right to still hate them! First the I-SDF and now THIS?!"
"Mr. Yoshio, you're positive that the Japanese government is innocent?" The American rep said. "I am." Yoshio said. "LIES!" Yelled the Viet rep.
"Does anyone care what the British representative thinks?" Asked none other than the British rep. "NO!" yelled every Asian rep, except Yoshio. "What about the demands made a week ago? They are what we should be-" He ducked before a glass of water hit him in the face. "Why I NEVER!"
"Mr. Cunningham is right, the demands are a credible issue." The Russian rep said. "Obviously it's a smokescreen!" Said Hong.
It was then that the big TV started automatically. A brief picture of Japan's battle flag took place after the static. On it was a word written in Japanese. "Torimodoshimasu? That's reclaim in Japanese. What-?" Yoshio said before a new image took place. It was a rather old man wearing an unmistakable suit bearing the look of the samurai. It was black with red linings and large red horns on the helmet. On his chest was the Rising Sun. Flanking his left and right were similarly dressed men. But their armor was white, had smaller horns, wore faceplates with blue visors, and black uniforms under the armor. Behind them was the same flag.
"You have been warned." He said with a voice demanding respect and attention. "And you did not listen. Now, with your bases ablaze, you know our power. I will say it again. The Post-War Constitution WILL be suspended. Japan's military WILL be allowed to re-arm. The emperor's power restored, and ALL foreign military presence to be removed from the Japanese mainland. Then, with the exception of sovereign nations. You WILL return EVERY last piece of land that was once the Great Japanese Empire. Every island. Every base. EVERYTHING. Since you have NOW decided to listen, you will be given ten more days instead of six. If you don't make at least a move to obey at the end of the given time. We strike again attack the random base of a random nation. ANY random nation. Don't waste time. Make the amends while you still can! Dainipponteikoku o torimodoshimasu!" He yelled. The sound of thundering 'Banzais' filled the air as the camera turned to thousands of the soldiers who attacked raising their arms in the air just like the soldiers of World War 2.
The transmission ended.
… Fear… Shock… Dread. These were the perfect words to describe the reaction of not only the representatives, but the whole world. It wasn't just the UN who saw the broadcast.
A new chapter in terror has opened. And the stakes are higher than ever before.
So. How'd that grab you? Tell me your thoughts, I'd like some feedback and suggestions. That's it for now. Later.
