===East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan===
0700 Hours, July, 20XX
"TOT, 30 seconds, standby… JDAM."
"Impact."
"Standby for BDA, good hit, target destroyed, out."
So the first bomb fell on what seemed to be the calmest of days. The 1000 lb JDAM had landed square on the remains of an old tank, propped up as a target for the team to use as a reference for their training. The JASDF F-2 soared through the skies, splitting up the clouds as they passed over. George marvelled at the sight as his team was admiring the mess they had made of that poor old armoured vehicle. His team, hidden in the thick foliage with netting around them, could only just about recover from the deafening boom that had erupted in front of them. George grabbed his pen, getting a notebook and noting down the events that took place as he patted the man next to him on the back.
"How much money do you think we've just scrapped off the JSDF's budget?" He said with a smirk as he folded his notepad away and placed his pen back in the pouch on his vest, patting it was he got control of his weapon again.
"Oh… I'd say about a couple thousand quid?" Said John, he gently kept his eyes on the target, haphazardly responding as he looked over the last of the smoke to disappear from view before looking back to the Captain.
"Hah, for those scraps? Fucking hell…"
Britain's first major exercise in Japan.
Britain's increasing presence in East Asia had begun upon the formation of the UK Carrier Strike Group, the country had previously initiated bilateral exercises with the arrival of the Honourable Artillery Company back in 2018. This had been a few years ago, since then the UK presence had been increasing at a steady rate as the UK sought to improve relations with Japan, South Korea and various other states afraid by the expansion of China's military influence in the region. This culminated in the first major bilateral exercise between the UK and Japan. Exercise ISLANDS GUARD consisted of cooperation between a group from 3 Commando Brigade headed by 45 Commando and supported by elements from 24 Commando, 29 Commando and various other supporting arms. Part of this was a mixed group from the Brigade Patrol Troop led by Captain George Roseman, veteran of Syria supported by a troop from 148 Battery. The group had been conducting specialised reconnaissance tasks in conjunction with men from the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade and the JASDF. And, as the sun began to show it's greatness over the land of the rising sun, the team finally received the word they'd all been waiting for.
"Sir, it's they're calling for sunray." The young Lance Corporal handed over the radio receiver to George as he looked over to John, giving him a quick wink. The Royal Artillery Captain could only scoff as he took the radio in hand.
"Zero Alpha, this is Six Zero Alpha, send it."
"Six-Zero Alpha, ENDEX, how copy?"
"Zero Alpha, solid, out."
George could only get a grin out of his mouth as the lads around him cheered over the exercise ending. The hole had started to smell, the everlasting stench of piss had started to get to their nose as they were finally able to get themselves properly packed up and out of this hell hole. Back to some enjoyment of the Japanese nightlife, not something they'd probably be able to experience for a long time. George began getting onto the radio, organising his recon sections to arrive at his position, gathering the men as he arranged for them to be picked up with a helicopter from the JGSDF.
Exercise ISLANDS GUARD had lasted for nearly 2 weeks at that point, BPT had been busy holding position and providing recon to 45 Battlegroup HQ on the disposition of enemy forces, played by a unit from the JGSDF. They'd spent 6 days in that specific hole, merely watching and waiting in the area as enemy troops and vehicles moved all around them, their clattering tracks easy to hear for the experienced Royal Marines. Clearly these Japanese troops were not aware of the presence, their columns at one point having come within metres of one of his reconnaissance sections. George's Troop began to gather around one of the open areas, holding an all-round defence in the area where a JGSDF CH-47 Chinook came from above, it's rotors whirring as the grass whipped up around it. George could only thank the COMTACs in his helmet for not ruining his ears as he gestured for his force to get inside, the fire support team entered first followed by his Troop HQ and finally by the men in his reconnaissance sections. George slumped onto the seat in the helicopter, it's ramp being raised as one of his Marines began talking to the loadmaster. He sighed, his arms relaxing as they suddenly lost all the strength within them.
Exercise ISLANDS GUARD had been considered a turning point in Japan-UK relations, such military cooperation had not been seen since the early 1900s and it proved that the UK was starting to regain its relevance in Asian security after handing Hong Kong back to China. The exercise had proved the ability of British forces to conduct its operations in support of the Japanese Self Defence Force. Whilst the Marines had been conducting operations with the JASDF and the ARDB in East Fuji, the Royal Navy and the RAF had been doing operations in the Pacific and practising their ability to work together. RAF fighters from No. 617 Squadron had been doing much the same as how the JASDF had been working with 3 Commando's BPT. Japanese JTACs from the ARDB had been guiding them into strikes on enemy positions, much like how they would in an exercise with American forces.
===45 Commando Battlegroup Headquarters, East Fuji Maneuver Area===
"Well, I think we've had a good couple weeks here, General. I think this has gone well, don't you think?"
Lieutenant Colonel Sam Baylee asked his host, Lieutenant General Hazama who was peering over the table. The General nodded in agreement as he ordered for his staff to start packing up all the maps and equipment for moving.
In broken English, the man smiled a bit as he patted the back of the Lieutenant Colonel.
"Well my friend, I hope this will be the start of a great relationship between our two nations. I'm sure your people will be back in our country by the next few years. I can say that your 'Jaffa cakes' that you brought over are absolutely brilliant, I love the taste. I must get some back over in the future."
The General replied as he gleamed at the mere mention of the orange filled cakes. Sam could only laugh a bit at the general's love of the classic British snack. He collected up some of his files, giving it to one of his aides as he extended his arm out, the general meeting it in a hearty shake.
"I guess you'll be leaving by tomorrow Colonel."
"That's correct General, 45 Commando will be airlifted out by transport aircraft from the RAF. They're probably going to be homesick and some of them are on schedule for deployment to the Falklands. Me and my staff will be staying here for another week just to get things in order, hopefully all our Royal Marines should be out of your hair by the end of next week."
The general nodded in satisfaction with the arrangements. It had been a pleasure to host the Royal Marines in Japan, they'd acted most commendable on exercise and had certainly proved in his mind the worth of Britain's most capable fighters. Too bad they were unlikely to return within the remainder of his time with the JGSDF.
===Yokota Airbase, Japan [1000 Hours]===
As the CH-47 touched down on the helipad, the ramp slowly creaked down as the men gingerly filed out of the helicopter with rifles in hand and Bergen on backs. It was the first time they'd been able to see concrete buildings after having spent their nights under the trees, their backs in the muffled dirt. The commandos coalesced around the edge of the helipad, some of the Marines dropping their Bergens on the ground and collapsing onto the floor. They'd be lucky to get some shut eye for a while before they headed off tomorrow.
"Pub?"
Suggested a figure coming to the rear of George, patting his shoulder as he looked over the figures on the ground. Warrant Officer Class 2, Adam Singh came behind him. The venerable Troop Sergeant could only look over the men around him, their bedraggled bodies populating the ground.
"I think I'll pass Warrant, I've got paperwork to do plus I've got a debriefing with the Lieutenant Colonel which you're also meant to be at."
"Fucking hell Captain… It's like you're treating me like a 10 year old, I am older than you."
"Wells, perhaps I should be calling you sir then."
"Bloody Ruperts."
George exchanged a curt smirk at his Platoon Sergeant, soon however, he got a message on his phone. Despite not being an official way to communicate, Royal Marines regularly used texts to receive information. It was easier than having to listen to the radio, especially considering how old their issued radios were. George opened up his phone, scrolling through his texts to see the newest send. It was from the Lieutenant Colonel.
Message: Situation developing in Tokyo, standby for orders. Your lads may be getting into combat, make sure to get some live ammunition.
George stared incredulously at the message, situation developing? Live ammunition? Shit. This was really bad. George slightly couldn't believe his eyes when it said there was a developing situation in Tokyo. He gestured over to his Troop Sergeant, informing him of the situation. Soon, the British-Indian was shouting at the men, ordering them to get up to hear orders from the Captain.
"I've just got text from Fireman Sam, there's something going down in Tokyo. Get your arses to the armoury and pick up some live mags from the Yanks. I'll be getting more information in a hot moment."
The worn out drabble that was on the ground quickly found themselves on their feet, Bergens on their packs as they shambled into a double column under the watchful eyes of the Warrant Officer. A few Marines seemed a bit perplexed by the situation as they began a march down the helipad towards the armoury. George was still waiting on notice about what the hell was going on, he dialled up the Lieutenant Colonel on his phone as they marched down despite having only just arrived back from exercise. Finally, once they'd finally reached the armoury, his call went through.
"Sir, I need an idea what's going on."
"Captain, I'll level with you. This is the weirdest thing I've heard or seen in my life, an unknown force just emerged from the middle of Tokyo, we're counting thousands of men just appearing out of nowhere. They look like bloody Romans and they're looting and pillaging their way through Tokyo. We're getting reports of civilians getting killed, you're getting inserted at the British Embassy within the next hour, 45 Commando is on their way but they won't be arriving for another 4 hours. You're the only British forces near Tokyo so make sure you keep our people safe. Understood Captain?"
"Yes sir, any idea what we're up against in weaponry?"
"Reports are saying melee weaponry, some even say dragons. Just keep your mind open Captain."
"Yes sir."
George lowered his phone. Dragons? Romans? What the fuck. Singh was busy organising the Troop to receive their magazines, a rapid movement as men exchanged their blank magazines for ones with life rounds. Many of the men were still questioning what was going as George called over his section leaders and John. He got them into a huddle as he kneeled on the floor, the 6 men around him doing the same.
"We've got thousands of armed men emerging in the middle of Tokyo, they're dressed like Romans and they're slaughtering the local populace. Our job is to keep our people in the British Embassy protected no matter what. I know you have questions but I can assure you, I probably can't answer them."
The group looked flabbergasted upon hearing the information, these men had fought in conflicts before end this was probably the strangest thing they'd ever heard. A few took time to process what they'd heard before they began to speak up. Sergeant Gabbie Wilson who led 2 Section was first to open her mouth.
"What the hell are you on about? This some kind of elaborate fucking joke?"
George's face said it all, it took her only a slight moment to realise it as she nodded her head in understanding. No one else seemed to have any other questions for a bit as George's phone began to ring again. It seemed it was the Lieutenant Colonel again, George placed the phone on the ground, setting it to loudspeaker as he accepted the call. It was something they all definitely needed to hear.
"Captain, you're going to get moving now. A CH-47 will take you and your troop to the British Embassy, you'll be landing at the back and provide security as we evacuate our Embassy staff. Local police will be organising the evacuation, you need to keep those bastards off our people. You'll be reinforced within the hour by Japanese troops, you're not getting fire support on this one. Any questions?"
"No sir."
"Good, get in the Chinook you just came on. I don't want more people getting killed."
As the Lieutenant Colonel hung up on the phone, there was a sense of confusion amongst the air between the Marines.
Just what the hell was going on.