Chapter 1: Ask a Question
"Man's mind once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
One week later…
Unknown Location:
"Sir, everything's prepped and ready. We are waiting for your orders, sir" a lieutenant soldier said.
"Send the Prime Minister of Japan a direct message, saying that we are on our way to Japan." an unknown voice said. "Start the Airbus A400M Atlas and two F-86 Sabre drones to escort us upon our arrival in Japan." "Also send me my limo, thanks."
"Sir, yes sir!", "D-Squad, get on your AMP suits, we're going to Japan! Someone get the limo pronto!" said Lieutenant Miles into his radio.
With that the soldier left the room.
Sitting on black executive chair, is the CEO of the Resource Development Administration, Mr. Minh.
Renowned for creating the world's largest non-governmental scientific research organisation in human space. Mr. Minh is a powerful man up to this day. Created the RDA when he was only in his mid-20's after borrowing money from friends and family to start the company, it was only a small Silicon Valley start-up in the early 21st century. But now after the recent few decades, the RDA is a gigantic organisation, gaining most of its money from Helium-3 mining, pharmaceutical companies, the space industry and military assistance.
One of the company's most powerful and influence inventions, was the mass-produced vaccine that would inhibit the spread of brain tumours, eventually eradicating all known possible ailments of the brain itself. Inspired when his father passed away when he was only a small child from lung cancer. The RDA continued to make more medical and scientific discoveries to this day. But it now looks like they hit the jackpot, the Gate.
For more than five years, pharmaceutical companies and scientific committees have pestered the Japanese and US to grant them access to the Special Region. Now he beat them to it, from only a phone call from the Japanese Prime Minister. His office phone rang, he answered it.
"Yes, Mr. Minh here." Said Mr. Minh
"Sir, this is Lieutenant Miles, here. The Limo is waiting outside, it will take you into the Atlas, then my team will be with you on your journey to Japan. Good luck sir."
"Affirmative Lieutenant, I'm on way, I am just going to pack a few things and I will be downstairs."
"Everything is ready, no need for you to bring anything, all your necessary luggage is on board already, we just need you to be there." replied Miles
"Including my computer and documents" Mr. Minh questioned.
"Yes, it should be on the back seat in the limo." Miles replied back.
"Alright, I'm on my way. I will see you when I'm back. You could expect a promotion soon."
"Thank you, have a safe flight sir, bye" Said Miles
"Bye", with that Mr. Minh rushed down his stairs, he was then escorted to his personal limo by his two-armed guards wielding the RDA's standard issue rifle, the TERRA I.
A few hours later…
Fuchū Air Base, Tokyo
"Sir! We are picking up on our scanners, 3 unidentified aircraft approaching our airspace" shouted US Logistics personal.
"What are they, have you guys tried contacting them." The Corporal Barnabas shouted back.
Corporal Barnabas was a young lad. A freshman stationed at Fuchū Air Base in Tokyo. His entire family tree were in the military. Both his parents fought in Gulf War. Side by side they fought, that's how ironically they met. His grandpa was in the US Air Force during WW2, he flew the almighty North American P-51 Mustang and his grandma was a nurse at the base he was stationed at. His grandpa was the reason why he joined the Air Force. Barnabas never actually saw combat nor experienced it. He was the lad that usually barked orders around and his men get it done. He was only stationed here, because of the escalating Korean crisis recently.
"Sir, they appear to be one Airbus A400M Atlas, being escorted by two F-86 Sabre's.", "They are radio silent" a logistics person said.
"F-86 Sabre's! Aren't those retired and phased out? No one uses them nowadays! Who the hell is flying them up there!", "Pact me through to JASDF Commander here, prepare two F-35B's to intercept them!" The young corporal barked.
With that, once the orders were received, everyone was scampering around their controls, trying to contact people and relaying the information. At that moment, a private shouted at the top of his lungs, "SIR! IT'S THE JAPANESE DEFENCE MINISTER NOMURA!, HE IS ON LINE 1!"
"ALRIGHT SON, I WILL GET TO IT, THANKS!" Corporal Barnabas shouted back at the top of his lungs too.
He then picked the phone and said, "This is Corporal Barnabas, Commander of USAF at Fuchū Air Base. How can I help you?"
After the Corporal said that, everyone in the control room at the control tower listened in, intrigued on what the Defence Minister has to say. What seemed to be a long conversation was only a mere two minutes.
"Aha" said the Corporal, "Yes, right away sir. We will get to it. Thank you for telling me. Enjoy the rest of your day. Good Bye" After that phone call ended and the Corporal Barnanas was left holding the phone in his hand. He placed the phone back in its receiver and he took a deep breath.
"And? Are we still going to intercept them?" Everyone said interest on what he had to say.
Barnabas then calmly said, "Cancel the F-35B's, the Japs got it covered. It's apparent a very important person."
"Who is so important, uses such outdated F-86 Sabre's as escorts? I mean there are better aircraft." A logistics person said.
"I don't really know, but THAT'S AN ORDER, GET TO WORK PEOPLE, WE DON'T HAVE ALL DAY. WE ARE THE USAF, NOT THE US COUCH POTATOES" barked Barnabas.
After that everyone scrambled over their controls, cancelling everything, and relying information that is was a false alarm. As his crew were doing that. Corporal Barnabas let out a sigh, "This is going to be a long day.", "and where's my coffee?", "Someone please get me coffee here!"
Fuchū Air Base on JASDF side, Tokyo
"Ok men, we going to drive 3 convoys out there and surround the planes and secure it. Make sure the VIP is safe and sound. Welcome them to Japan! Show what the JSDF are made of! Everyone got that?" said Lieutenant Haru
"Sir yes sir!" His squads shouted in unison.
Lieutenant Haru was a middle-aged Japanese man. Kind-hearted and caring character. He always made sure his men were safe. He participated in the Battle of Gina, a few years back, lost a good friend back then to those trolls. But he never actually went through the Gate. He had a family to look after here. But his squad mates now and again went there and back. They showed him pictures of demi-humans and told him a story that a werewolf demi-human named Wolf had a huge package. Not that mattered to him, what mattered to him now was that his men had to secure the VIP.
Above the Fuchū Air Base
"Sir, we are approaching the airstrip. Letting landing gears down. Drones are too" said a pilot.
"Excellent" replied Mr. Minh into his COMM-Link, "D-Squad, you may enter your AMP suits and perform a second gear check as we land."
"Affirmative sir" D-Squad radioed in unison.
"AMP-02, Ready"
"AMP-04, Ready"
"AMP-05, Ready"
"AMP-03, Ready"
"Mr. Minh, D-Squad is ready, waiting for your orders sir"
"Awesome, prepare for landing" replied Mr. Minh
The landing gears of the RDA A400M Atlas and F-86's shrieked as it made contact with the hard-black tar of the landing strip in Fuchū Air Base. Loud shrieks can be from the trio of aircraft as they taxied into the base. Once the aircrafts came to a complete halt. Within seconds the 3 convoys rushed in, to secure them. As a Komatsu LAV neared the hulking Airbus A400M Atlas.
The gunner commented, "Who is the RDA?" As he read the huge lettering on the plane. His comrade replied, "They're the Resource Development Administration, their CEO, Mr. Minh is in that exact plane there. He is the VIP." The driver of the LAV joined the conversation, "I have also heard, they are helping Space-X and NASA in getting to interstellar planets quicker and back. Rumours say they are the Space Nazi's on the Moon, mining Helium-3 for the New World Order."
"That's complete bullocks, if they are space Nazi's why are they in Japan. We would have shot them down if they were Nazi's.", "The CEO name, Mr. Minh does not even sound German.", "Let's focus on the objective, shall we?" a JSDF Soldier replied.
"Right!" The trio replied. "I wonder what they have in that hulking plane, if it was just for one person." Thought the gunner of the LAV, as they drove towards it. The two other convoys make it to the F-86 Sabre's. They soon released that the F-86's had no pilots, they were drones. The reason for this was the fact that there were no cockpits, it was just metal. Similar looks of a predator drone but in a sabre.
"Lieutenant Haru, this is Convoy 2 & 3, the F-86 Sabres have no pilots. What should we do sir? Over" asked Convoys 2 & 3.
"What do you mean they have no pilot, a plane like that has to have pilot, am I right? Over" replied Haru.
"Yes, you are right sir, but these specific planes, are drones from the looks of it. Over"
"How are they drones?"
"Sir, from what we can see, they remind us of the predator drones, the American use, but in a form or airframe of a F-86. Should we still secure them?"
"Join Convoy 1, the planes are just drones, it's more important to secure and escort the VIP to the Kantei."
"Affirmative."
At that moment ramp cargo door of A400M Atlas opened and JSDF foot soldiers went to greet the VIP, then this happened. Heavy metal stomping can be heard, "Clomp, clomp, clomp, clomp...". What the JSDF 3 Convoys saw peeking out of the door of the plane made them pee in their pants. It was a mech, a huge one in fact. The height didn't bother them at all but when it walk off the ramp onto the hard tar. They peed in their pants even more. There AMP-02 stood up fully erected at 4m in height and 1.83m in width.
What made of the JSDF members cry was the gun it was wielding. It was longer than themselves, "Look at that gun, its huge! It's bigger than me! And the turret on this freaking LAV", "I don't want to be the guy that get shot by this." Thought the Gunner of the LAV in Convoy 3. The gun, AMP-02 was holding, was the GAU-90, a massive, 30 mm hip-fired autocannon. It can fire up to 250 high explosive, armour-piercing, or incendiary rounds per minute and has a large bayonet slung under the barrel support. It weighed 100.7kg and an impressive 2.19m in length.
The JSDF Convoys stared in awe at the suit, it then spoke. "Hey, could you please move, we are on a tight schedule." said AMP-02, with that the JSDF personal at the scene obligated. They then step aside, then not one but 3 Mechs came out wielding the same gun! This caused someone to faint. But he was attended too. The lasts thing that came out of the plane was Mr. Minh's limo.
A few minutes later…
The Kantei (Prime Minister's Office), Tokyo
"It's an honour to meet, the Prime minister of Japan" Mr. Minh said politely.
"Yes, indeed. It's also my pleasure of meeting the CEO of the Resource Development Administration. Have a seat. We have lots to discuss."
They both then sat down. The Prime Minister's secretary brought some tea for them to drink.
"So what business do I have with the Prime Minister of Japan?" Mr. Minh asked, grinning slightly.
"It's WHO and the GATE.", "The Japanese Diet request that your administration to enter the Gate into the Special Region, as a backup of WHO.", "In case WHO personal go rogue or something worst happens.", "Your base of operations in the Special Region can be anywhere except in JSDF Territory.", "You may bring anything that your administration needs and use our equipment when needed. But no nukes."
"Yes, of course thank you. We don't own any nuclear weapons in our arsenals. The private military, I own is just private security. The SecOps, Security Operations. I already have a small list with me of what I am going to send to the Special Region. You are giving me so much freedom here, what's the catch?" Mr. Minh replied intrigued.
"The catch is that any newly discovered fauna/flora must be reported to the JSDF stationed at Alnus. Provide us data on it. Supply the JSDF information regarding fauna/flora and possible magic from stay there. Provide Japan any resources you find and manufacture." The Prime Minister said.
"Yes, the data, yes. If we share the information with Japan, we will have to share it to the rest of the world about it too, in case of an Inter-war. Goods and resources must also be shared amongst other nations too, for those who are willing to pay of course, that includes Japan.",
Before the Prime Minister could reply, Mr. Minh continued speaking.
"My company will provide military support for the JSDF indirectly as we want to stay according to the locals there, mercenaries. We will provide the peacekeeping in our controlled areas and help you if needed.", "I would also like to request monopoly rights to all products shipped, derived, or developed from the Special Region in areas under the RDA's control."
"You know I can't grant that without the US and the rest of the diet."
"Yes, I know but you can influence it in the next UN meeting. I am sure the UN will agree. I have many political influences in many of the UN countries, including the US. They will agree, don't worry. You just have to propose the RDA, would replace WHO when they pull out or something happens. I mean, we can look after ourselves in the Special Region. We are the Resource Development Administration. Here is my list of what I need through the GATE, and if it is possible to ask Lelei to open a GATE, for the RDA to send in our larger items through."
"How do you know…?" The Prime Minister questioned.
"We, the RDA have our sources. What concerns you now is the list of the base's location and what I expect will go through the GATE.", "Thank you for your time and the delicious tea.", "I have to go now." With that Mr. Minh exited the Minister's office, and proceeded to return to his limo.
The Prime minister was left dumb struck, and he looked down to see a envelop with what he presumes is the list with the requirements. He then looked to the tea tray, and sees that his tea was left untouched and cold. "Hazma and the others are going to be annoyed when they see what passes through the GATE." Thought the minister, imagining the possible things on the list.
He opens the envelop and takes out the letter. The words that caught his eyes, were the location of the base, "In the Forestry Area, between the Inland Sea and the Range of Ice and Snow.", and what concern him more was the words, C-21 Dragon Assault Ship. As he finished reading the letter, he heard the propellers of Mr. Minh aircraft escorted by his drones, fly pass his office.
"This will be a long day." Thought the Prime Minister as he put the letter back into its envelopment, then into the file, UN.
Author's note.
That was a long chapter to write, I hope you enjoyed it. As I am writing this for a project of mine. I will try and get to the next chapter, while I am still on holiday. The next chapter will be called, "Background Research". Below this is the letter the Prime minister read.
RDA: Resource Development Administration
The RDA must be granted monopoly rights to all products shipped, derived, or developed from the Special Region in areas under their control. Location: "In the Forestry Area, between the Inland Sea and the Range of Ice and Snow."
The following listed below are subject to change in the future.
Vehicles for the Special Region Expedition:
Research and Civil Vehicles & Craft:
Kiravan Expedition Vehicle x5
MaxiMog Expedition Vehicle x5
English Electric Canberra Plane Modified x2
Kamov Ka-27 x4
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk x4
RDA Utility Suit x15
Pickup, Medium Truck x20, 10 Each
Heavy Truck x10
Private Security (SecOps) Vehicles & Craft:
Aircraft:
Ducted Fan Aircraft:
Aerospatiale SA-2 Samson x10
Scorpion Gunship x14
C-21 Dragon Assault Ship x1
Helicopter:
Kamov Ka-50 x5
Denel Rooivalk x5
Jet Aircraft:
Eurofighter Typhoon x2
Sea Harrier x2
F-86 Sabre Modified x6
Propeller Aircraft:
Airbus A400M Atlas x2
Land Vehicles:
Amplified Mobility Platform (AMP) Suit x25
Casspir Mk3 Infantry Mobility Vehicle x20
G6 Howitzer x20
RG-31 Nyala x20
Rooikat variants x30 in total
Badger IFV with Denel LCT 30 Turret x20
Drones:
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper Drone x4
RDA Unmanned Targeting Drone (U-T Drone) x200
RDA Patrol Drone x100
RDA Electric Drone x80
RDA Alarm Drone x150
Construction and Mining Vehicles (Development):
Bulldozers, diggers and other needed construction/mining vehicles (Number shall vary)
Transportation Vehicles:
SAMIL 50 (25)
SAMIL 100 (30)
RDA Road Train x3
Equipment:
All equipment needed to run and maintain a scientific research facility. All equipment needed for a manufacturing and processing plant. Machinery used to manufacture ammunition, weapons, fuel, vehicles, medicines and goods. Necessary safety equipment for scientific research and peacekeeping. Also, equipment needed to run a viable power plant and communication systems. Systems for analysing and collecting data are included too.
Private Security equipment:
Side-arms:
-RDA SN-9 Wasp
- Glock G19
Assault Rifles:
- AK-74
- AS Val
- FN FAL
Machine Gun
Vehicles:
-M60 Machine Gun
-M2 Browning
-Kord Machine Gun
Infantry:
RPD Machine Gun
Type 67 Machine Gun
Universal Machine Gun Model 1959
Submachine Gun:
FN P90
Heckler & Koch MP5
RDA Nail Gun
Shotgun:
RDA Combat Shotgun
-Phalanx Shotgun
Remington Model 870
Sniper:
Accuracy International Artic Warfare rifle
Standard Rifle for scientists:
M14 Rifle