In the Reborn Kingdom, Chapter 66, Invasion, Part 1

24 hours prior to invasion

Many in Tokyo were survivors of that awful day over twenty years ago, and those selfsame people prayed that it would never happen again. However, thanks to a lot of influence from the Emperor, the Diet got off their collective asses and did some serious disaster planning. Plans had spent years being fully fleshed out, and with a lot of input from the local residents, evacuation plans were drawn up and in some cases tested. Tokyo was a dense metropolitan area again, but thanks to the original attack and associated destruction much of the city had undergone dramatic changes. Oh there were still plenty of seedy back alley places of differing levels of repute, but by in large Tokyo was a better city. The residents of the city did not tolerate much in the way of crime or other foolishness, and with the morphing of the Yakuza Clans into their current forms, well the powers that be had a good read on the mood of the people at any time.

The clans truly protected those in their areas and even with modifying their old methods, they still made money, but it was more honest. Sure there was gambling and whores of either gender, but they were taken care of and kept safe. Slave traders, what little there was in Japan, were hunted down ruthlessly both by law enforcement and yakuza alike, and Japan had really become a haven of sorts for those that had been freed from captivity.

Sure stores and houses burned, but it was law enforcement, yakuza, and the communities that stepped up to help their neighbors and structures were rebuilt, sometimes even before insurance companies paid for the losses. Now, however things were a bit more critical. The clans were out in force, helping neighbors secure their shops and homes and ensuring families got to evacuation points together. However their enemy right now was time, and they were running out and they knew it. The Emperor himself had come on live television only eighteen hours ago to inform his people of what was coming, and he ordered the evacuation of civilians and non-combatants from Tokyo. Some in the rest of the world were scoffing at his actions, but he remembered that awful day, and he stood proud with his wife, his son and daughter-in-law, and grandsons as they guided their nation and people through the coming crisis.

He stood now with his son and grandson in the makeshift command center at the Haneda Airport reviewing the progress. "Time, if we only had more time," he groused softly.

"I can understand your complaint, however even mother and I can't go back and forewarn without disastrous consequences for us." She had matured greatly since she was born, and at fourteen she was quite a beauty already. Hayame had much of her mother's complexion, but there was plenty of her father in her face as well. It was hard being a fourteen year old princess with great responsibilities, but she bore them all with a good grace, and the support of her older half-sister Karin she was becoming successful. Heads turned at the sound of the new voice, and smiles graced faces of those that knew her personally, others knew her by both reputation and outfit, since she was the current Sailor Pluto.

"Hayame," began the Emperor as he greeted the young teen. "It is good to see you again." He did notice her eyes searching for, and finding a certain young man of interest, heck the light blush on her face gave her away, but she was quick to recover.

"As well your majesty, I just wish it was under different circumstances." She took a deep breath and relayed what she needed to, "As it stands right now we are willing to help with the evacuation. We are ready to send in some drop ships now to pre-position troops for what is coming, with your permission of course. We'll use those drop ships to take people out of the affected areas to established evacuation points that will get them well outside of Tokyo."

The Emperor was well aware of the situation and the fact that time was against them, and after a moment's thought he made his decision. "Begin the drop, the JSDF will coordinate with our allies and assist in the evacuations where possible. We are setting up near known incursion points with infantry and light armor. Our air forces are located outside the city areas to allow for aerial transport."

"Thank you," replied the eldest of the new generation of Senshi. She tapped what appeared to be a simple stud earring and it morphed to reveal a combination earpiece and microphone. A HUD display appeared as a band of yellow across her eyes that gave her a range of information that for now displayed information on friendly persons. "Pluto to command," she began. She also had the decency to let the Emperor and his aides in the area listen in on her communications.

"Command here Pluto," replied the female voice on the other end.

With a smile Hayame began her report. "Drop of ground pounders and mech is a go. Drop ships are to proceed to assigned JSDF locations to bolster defensive lines. Air vehicle drops are a no-go at this time."

Another familiar voice to most in the room cut in, clearly male as well. "Understood Hayame," replied Admiral Paul Williams from his place aboard the Agamemnon. "Drops commencing as soon as we get the troops loaded, ETA seven minutes."

"Understood, message relayed," replied Hayame. Communications technicians in the command post had heard the communication and were already finishing up relaying the messages to the troops out in the fields to let them know that help was on the way.

"I take it the Emperor is there with you, and you are on external?" asked Paul.

"Yes Admiral."

"With your permission sir!"

The Emperor smiled and replied with a sure voice, "Permission granted!" He was well aware of what was about to happen, considering he requested the following actions.

In an open spot of the command center Paul Williams appeared in his combat uniform. With a warm and open bow he greeted the Emperor of Japan. "It is good to see you again sir!" The Emperor was very familiar with Paul and after getting more than one chuckle at Paul's expense the Emperor insisted that Paul was able to address him in the current manner. Besides with what was coming dealing with formalities was wasting their precious time.

"And you as well Admiral," answered the Emperor with a gesture of greeting. He also made another gesture, and that gesture led in the direction of his grandsons, who in their teenage years were taking their responsibilities seriously through observation and honest questions. Paul just smiled and walked on quiet feet and snagged the brothers and lifted them by their reinforced shirts that had been supplied to them ages ago, for just such an occasion.

The howls of protest began almost immediately, but thankfully they didn't last too long as they were deposited in front of their father and grandfather. By now two significant others had arrived. The Empress and Princess, the elder of the pair in a fine kimono, the younger in a sharp business ensemble had arrived in the command center. "Mother?" asked the oldest of the boys.

"It was my decision," stated the Emperor in an open and honest tone. "Your father and I are going to remain behind during this time of crisis. However both your father and I decided to send you to safety in case the worst should come to pass you two will have to lead our people. Do you both understand?"

"Hai!" replied the boys, both now standing straight with serious expressions.

"Good," replied the leader of a nation. "Admiral, I now understand why those shuttles were brought down."

Paul just smiled and asked, "With your permission?"

"Of course."

With that Paul led his charges out onto the nearby tarmac where one of the heavily armored and armed VIP shuttles was standing by. The door swung open as he approached and the boys helped their grandmother aboard. Within two minutes the five were safely aboard and the hatch closed. The daytime sky was now alight with the trails of incoming drop ships carrying both troops and armor units piloted by individual Royal Marines/Soldiers. Without words Paul brought the shuttle to full flight status and he gained a departure route that avoided the JSDF helicopters ferrying civilians to evacuation centers, and the approaching drop ships. The VIP shuttle was configured to allow the guests front row seats for the flight. It was made in silence as the four guests were given a view that few humans got to experience. The ride didn't take too long and before they realized it they had arrived on the Agamemnon to a VIP reception, but under combat conditions.

London, twenty hours prior.

Their grandmother, stepmother, and on one case wife were safely well outside of London. The evacuation was proceeding well, and surprisingly there was little if any looting. Most of the population was aware of what could happen, and with the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales making a joint address on national television helped to relay the seriousness of the situation. Plans were quickly cobbled together and by the grace of God they were actually working, but time was their enemy. Any and every public form of transportation was being used to move those who didn't own a vehicle a way to get to somewhere with transportation. Buses were off their regular routes, and trains left London packed, but returned later empty. The immediate area round Hyde Park and Regent's Park were empty and occupied by armed British soldiers and marines. A command center had been set up a Heathrow and they were currently meeting to review evacuation status and troop deployments.

A not so unexpected flash of light appeared and a familiar figure to all present. "Charles, William, Harry, Mr. Prime Minister."

"Ranma," began Prince Charles. "It is good to see you again."

"Likewise," replied the monarch in question, "I just wish it was under better circumstances." They all smiled at that statement. "Is there anything you need that we can provide? We are prepared for just about everything we could think of."

The Royals on site considered things for a few moments silently before William began to speak. "Well we could use some help evacuating, there are some areas that are becoming bottle necks."

"We could also use some tactical assistance around the areas that were determined to be entry points," added Harry. "We have established kill boxes but we aren't sure if we should commit any troop to inside the parks."

Ranma thought for a moment before speaking. "Okay we can send evac shuttles to get people out of potential bottle neck areas. We'll use our drop ships that bring in ground troops to help with your people. Recon we can easily provide as well." He regarded the gentlemen standing there before him, "You mind heavies?"

All three Englishmen knew precisely what he was referring to, as well as some of the officers and enlisted on site. It was however the eldest that made the decision, "Please, all the support we can get will help."

Ranma smiled and lifted his hands as if he was going to type. One of the perks of being a king with connections is he had access to some nice technology, even more thanks to the input of a certain certified genus who was currently residing in Japan. He quickly typed in a set of commands and the holographic screen verified the inputs he was making. When he finished typing his hands dropped to his sides with a smile. "They are on their way now."

With a flash that spoke of a transport arrival a man in his forties appeared, clean shaven and in his combat gear. Col. Areen Thorson was originally from Haven, but like the rest of the majority of his people he moved back to the Moon Kingdom to serve under Serenity. "Reporting as ordered!" All the men knew each other and Ranma would leave his Colonel to coordinate both with the British military, and the forces of the Moon Kingdom.

Twelve hours prior.

New York City, specifically Manhattan was a madhouse. With the input from the Governor of the State of New York, and their contacts within the Moon Kingdom the decision was made to evacuate. New York was very sensitive to certain things, and unprovoked attacks were one. The National Guard of New York and even New Jersey were working hard to evacuate the civilians from around Central Park, and that was, by in large, done. Subways and busses were running non-stop to get people out, and ferries were making multiple runs carrying as many people as they could safely. Even owners of smaller boats were picking up small groups and ferrying them off the island.

The issue now at least for the past eight hours, was getting everyone out of the hospitals safely. Thankfully Matthew and Makoto knew that would be an issue and arrived at some of the major hospitals and they were using one way transport pads to evacuate the sick and the present families out to safety. It was slow going to be honest as not everyone had their mental faculties about them, or what was even trickier were those in critical care. The sheer volume of people that had to be evacuated out of hospitals from a city as large as New York was daunting, even to the best trained. Thankfully, the covert arrival of a large detachment of Galaxy Police, all disguised as officers in the NYPD were helping, and the NYPD was well aware of what was going on, and the men and women in blue weren't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

The National Guard was on hand and they were setting up a perimeter around Central Park. Thankfully they were supported by a brigade of Marines from Quantico, however the most needed Earth based forces were marshaling out of Watertown NY, the home of the 10th Mountain Division. The air units had arrived already and had set up a flight line at LaGuardia and most of the flight crews were bunked down in the terminal. Terminal staff had been told to go home, but many stayed in place or came in to help make sure the needs of the soldiers were taken care of. All three attack battalions were in place, and their aircraft were armed and ready, thanks to the timely arrival of their support staff, who were beyond busy making sure all the aircraft were 100% and ready to fight.

The infantry was being flown in via civilian and USAF transports, but most everything was still on I-87 heading south. The rest, unfortunately, was being sent by rail, and that took time as there was still regular traffic that had to clear the major rail lines. Time was not on their side. The commanding general for the 10th Mountain Division had arrived onto a makeshift command post that was set up the by the combined guard units on Roosevelt Island. They were pouring over potential battle plans, and they had accepted the fact that they may not have all their pieces in place.

Matthew and Makoto arrived via Sailor Teleport into the command center and although some soldiers were a bit on the jumpy and reacted to their arrival, recognition dawned and no weapons were brought to bear. They stepped over to where the commanders from the military were going over progress and status reports. "How goes the progress gentlemen?" asked Makoto in an honest tone.

The commander on site, the CG from the 10th Mountain Division, regarded the woman before him, and he knew she was dressed for battle. "Well thanks to you all the hospitals in Manhattan are evacuated. We also are setting up some field hospitals in Battery Park and at River Bank State Park. The staff from the Harlem Hospital Center and remaining staff at Mt. Sinai are raiding their supplies and sending what they can before they are evacuated. The others are secure by your barriers. We've got some looting going on, however that is being brought to a halt and we've been able to nail the perpetrators as we go. The evacuation is not proceeding as well as I would like it, and I'm chomping at the bit to get my armor here to say nothing about the rest of the supplies."

"What would you say to a quick arrival to the rail yard in Union City?" asked Matthew. He knew his home quite well, and he knew the available technology that the Moon Kingdom had.

"What do you mean?" asked the General, by now their conversation had caught the ear of two Governors and one harried Mayor.

"I'm sure I can convince Her Majesty to allow for the use of three teleportation sets, one to get the stuff on the rail, another to bring the convoy's right to Manhattan, another to bring the armor from the trains to a staging area in Manhattan, let's say either Bryant Park or Marcus Garvey Park. Both are close to Central Park and the areas around them are pretty much evacuated except for the more stubborn ones."

The General thought about his options for a moment and then stated, "Make it both parks and you have a deal."

Matthew smiled and replied, "We'll make it happen General." With that Makoto and Matthew held hands and quickly teleported away.

The General actually smiled and turned to those around him. "Okay I want whatever munitions we have for our armor staged at Bryant and Marcus Garvey Parks. I want them to be up and running yesterday. Once our armor arrives have them deploy to the key locations we discussed earlier. Once there I want people on watch. Crews are to bunk down on top of their vehicles and rest. I want airborne patrols over Central Park using whatever assets we can get. We are on full alert now. Time is not on our side."

Six hours prior, aboard the Agamemnon.

Paul was going over reports regarding the situation on Earth. Tokyo, London, Moscow, and Manhattan were evacuated and secured. Sydney was well underway to being emptied as well. Other cities, such as Paris, Berlin, Washington DC, Los Angles, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and Mecca were not evacuated, nor were their leaders at the state and local level even heeding the word that the Moon Kingdom. The American government had activated what they could and was scrambling their forces as best as they could, however the numbers were not on their side. That and the congressional laws passed over the years that the US had been a country really restricted when the military could be called out. It was a miracle that the 10th Mountain Division was able to get moving and it was a result of the hard work of the soldiers of that division and the application of Moon Kingdom technology that allowed the division to be in their places around Central Park. Their air assets were marshaled at JFK and it was late enough in the US that nearly everyone on the East Coast was asleep.

Thankfully they had enough ships and platforms in place where they could enter into Europe and the US within minutes of a request from a government. Sydney was covered by the HMS Enterprise, while Tokyo would be covered by the Excalibur. For now though the HMS Agamemnon would remain cloaked in a low earth orbit over the US. Thankfully London was covered by a joining of six monitoring platforms, and there were more available troops on there that can be deployed to London or into Europe as needed. Three monitoring platforms had joined and were currently cloaked over the Arabian Peninsula, however in the past twenty years it was beyond frustrating. He hoped that they would get the call, however he understood religious fervor, and he doubted they would get that call.

He knew of the Exodus Protocols, and they had been in place for years thanks to some clever marketing the items involved in that were a big hit with the kids, and even pregnant moms for some strange reason. The Moon and the rest of the involved planets and their associated populations were ready for this day, and he hoped that the rest were as prepared.

Sighing heavily he decided to close out his terminal and he pressed a button on what appeared to be his watch and his battle uniform seemed to melt off his form leaving him in a comfortable t-shirt and shorts. He padded barefoot into his bedroom, where his lonely bed waited for him. Without words he crawled into bed and the light automatically dimmed. He knew he would need the sleep he could get now. He had a bad feeling about things.

Zero Hour

The night was over Tokyo, and the city was alight, however at various points over the great city horrific howls were heard, and forms began to appear. Shinuku, Nerima, Itabashi, Minato, Juuban, ever ward had the howls of the demons as they began to invade and destroy, however at every incursion point there were containment shields that were in place to stop the demons from moving in to invade. Surrounding each point was a mix of JSDF and Moon Kingdom troops, all poised and ready. Fighting vehicles and armed troops lit up the morning with the clear sounds of both conventional earth based and Silver Millennium based weaponry filled the air. The invasion of Tokyo had begun.

London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Mecca, Sydney, Los Angles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, and Manhattan were all impacted by the invasion, and those cities that had heeded the call of the Queen of the Moon were prepared. The rest were not so lucky.