Chapter Zero

The Six o Clock News

"Good evening. I am Genji Fukkoda, and this is Japan World News Report."

A series of graphics came onto the screen, making absolutely certain that the viewer knew exactly which cable news channel they were watching. This passed quickly, however, and the anchorman had returned.

"Topping our news tonight, JSDF forces conducting training exercises with American, British, and Australian military forces in South Korea." The image changed to a video montage of military maneuvers. "This has been a massive joint effort between the air, land, and sea forces of all countries involved." There were clips of groups in varying styles of camouflage practicing squad movements, American and British arm slaves, weapons fire, helicopters and various fixed wing aircraft taking off and landing. It looked almost like a war, except there was no enemy. "Prime Minister Takahiro has come under fire from the opposition party and various members of his own political group for his desire to strengthen the military forces of Japan, and for his closer ties with the Unites States and its allies."

This time a middle aged man with thin white hair appeared, and he acted quite perturbed, "Again the Prime Minister had flouted the pacifism that our nation embraced many years ago. The Japanese people have vowed to never again make war, yet Takahiro insists on putting us in a position to do just that! He says they are just for training, but what will come next?"

The anchorman returned, "Prime Minister Takahiro had this to say about the controversial participation in the war-game."

Takahiro, a young looking man with thick black hair, was standing next to a US Marine Major General, obviously on a military base, "As I have said in the past, Japan cannot afford to be defenseless in the face of a Communist Asia. I do not wish for any form of combat, but if it comes to us, we cannot simply depend on the Americans to save us. We must be capable of defending ourselves. This does not make us warmongers, it makes us sensible."

Anchorman Fukkoda returned to the screen, with a small picture of Takahiro next to his head. "The Prime Minister has been suffering from falling approval numbers since he won election two years ago. He had won an impressive victory, connecting especially to young voters, but now his approval rating is down to 18, with many voices calling for his removal from office. Most of this stems from his support for strengthening the SDF and forging new alliances with the West, as well as the stagnant economy. As public sentiment increasingly demands for the US Military to withdraw from Japan, PM Takahiro has publicly stated that he wishes for those forces to stay."

The middle aged commentator changed direction slightly, "In a related story, North Korea has again stated that it has concentrated a large force on the northern side of the demilitarized zone. The communist leaders of North Korea have been vocal about their suspicions that the maneuvers in South Korea by the US, Japan, and allied countries are just a cover for an invasion of their territory. American officials confirm the build up of troops, but dismiss the idea that a conflict could break out."

The anchorman seemed ready to move onto the next story, when he hesitated. He seemed to listen to something for a moment, then spoke again, "I have just been informed that we have received a letter here at Japan World News Report. It is from a group calling itself 'Free Karafuto Island', and it claims to have…" he hesitates for a moment, seeming shaken by the news he is reporting, "…it claims to have attacked the Soviet city of Komsomolsk with a biological agent. Is this accurate? The group claims that this bio-weapon was released three days ago, and that they estimate…these numbers can't be right."

The anchor seemed a little shaken by this sudden information, "Viewers, I must stress that this information is unconfirmed. I repeat, we do not know if this claim is true…"

With that, the TV switched off.

A/N

Sorry if this part was a little dull, but it helps me to set things up so well.

Author's Notes - This is the part where I try to explain the things that I don't expect you all to know, but would greatly enhance your understanding of my story.

JSDF – Japan Self Defense Force. This is sort of Japans military (well, as close as you are going to get in Japan). It has good equipment and technology, but it is so small that it would do little more than stall a major military power. This is why some in Japan want to strengthen their forces; they resent depending on the Americans to save them.

Komsomolsk, Soviet Union – A city on the mainland that is around 650 km north-northwest of the northern tip of Japan. It is a major defense manufacturer in the eastern USSR, with a little less than 300,000 people. It is the third largest city in the eastern Soviet Union.

Karafuto Island – The Japanese name for Sakhalin Island, a Soviet controlled area. A large island that is about 50 km north of Hokkaido. The fact that the terrorists call it Karafuto pretty much broadcasts the fact that the terrorists have ties to Japan in one form or another.

I will be proceeding with the, I think, reasonable assumption that you guys have some familiarity with Full Metal Panic, one way or the other. You could probably follow the story without too much difficulty without this prior knowledge, but it would be a little more difficult.

Okay, well, that was the prologue chap. We will get to see Kaname and Sousuke starting next chapter. Give it a chance!

Thanks for reading,

Gunso