Just a quick Author's note. This is my first story, so there might be a few errors. I need criticism and advice to help improve to story, so if you see or think of something to make it better, go ahead and say it.

This story came about because I got tired of the lack of serious fics in the fandom. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good light-hearted story. It's like eating cotton-candy, tasty and enjoyable, but lacks substance. Sometimes you just want a little meat, and that's how this fic started.

Chapter 1

It's the Year 2020, and Nothing Has Changed

The year is 2020, and the world was as stable as it has always is; which is to say as stable as a Jenga game with most of the piece missing. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has continued its research of nuclear weapons and missile tests. China is continuing to build up its presence in the South China Sea, despite pressure from other countries in the region such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines, as well as the U.S. who feels threatened by China's growth in power.

Europe has not been faring much better; the European Union was increasing its stranglehold on the counties within it. The bureaucrats of the E.U. had been trying to increase the amount of control that Brussels had over the sovereign nations of the E.U., though so far, they had no army. It was clear to most that the E.U. was heading for a new supper state, one that could rival the U.S. or China. Migrants, from the Middle East, continued to flood Europe, causing the crime rate and terror attacks to climb continuously.

The United States is currently in a tumultuous state as well; the election cycle is a volatile as it has always been. The candidates running seem more interested in attacking each other over personality, rather than policies that could help the nation. While the political figureheads talk, violent clashes erupt across the country as polite discourse, and free speech gives way to political violence and lines are drawn. Neither side seems willing to budge on any topic, with the one group screaming about the emotions of the citizens while the other yells word salads to distract people from the real issues.

5/6/2020 - 6:30 PM

Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan

"According to the polls done by Gallup and other sites, this year's election could be one of the closest races in decades. Current polls say it's about 51% and 49% between the respective candidates, the margin for error in most polls is about 3%, so this election …"

Nikolas Amos sighed as he turned off the radio. While he did miss being in the good old United States, little love was lost for U.S. politics. Sure, he thought it was his duty as an American to inform himself on it and try to keep up to date with what both sides were arguing for, but it was times like these that made him dislike politics. The presidential elections were always the same; it was the same talking points with neither side making new arguments. The only thing either party cared about was staying in power and making as much money for their corporate overlords as they could.

He looked back at his desk from the radio and frowned at the piled paperwork on top of it. It was standard reports, requests, and day to day paperwork that needed to be done. Standing up from his desk, Amos did a bit of stretching. Being in the navy required a lot more paperwork than most people thought. Walking over to the nearby window, Amos looked out at the harbor where the U.S Seventh Fleet sat anchored. The admiration building that Arden worked in while not out a sea overlooked the ship he crewed, the USS Perry, a guided missile class destroyer.

"How is the paperwork coming along Lieutenant Amos?" asked a voice from behind Amos.

Turning around, Amos saw his commanding officer and captain of the Perry, Taylor Emerson. Emerson was in his 50s, and a fairly laid-back captain when off the ship. He stood roughly 6ft and looked a little bit like old George Clooney. Many sailors saw him as that favorite uncle. Always there to give advice on life and more than willing to share a beer with the men.

His fellow captains respected Emerson and having served for well over thirty years; he had served on many ships throughout his career. When Emerson reached his twenty years of service, he was offered a promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, allowing him to command a ship of his choice. Many of his fellow officers thought that he would choose an amphibious assault ship or an aircraft carrier. Many were surprised when Emerson not only decided to command a destroyer but also to remain a captain.

When asked why he responded "I don't want to be stuck at a desk for the rest of my career. I enjoy being out on the seas and well as being able to teach the next generations of sailors."

"Almost done Captain, just a few papers for you to sign and we should be all set for tomorrow," Amos answered as he put the papers on Emerson desk. "Though it's Lieutenant Commander now. Don't tell me you're losing your memory already?

"Me? Losing my memory, why, I have no idea what you're talking about. Since when did you become Lieutenant Commander." Emerson smiled as he walked to his large oak desk in front of the window overlooking the harbor.

"Oh, I don't know, about a day before we left on for the two weeks of 'Freedom of Navigation' sailing action we did." Amos chuckled as walked back over to his desk

"Oh yeah, I do recall promoting you. How does it feel?" Emerson asked with a cheeky smile.

Amos rolled his eyes in exasperation, Emerson had asked him the same question the day he had promoted him. "Oh, shove off, you've got paperwork to finish, so the men don't sit around base all day tomorrow."

Emerson raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll get to signing."

Both of them shared a chuckle as they finished the paperwork. The Perry had recently come back from a six-week deployment doing more Freedom of Navigation sailing through the South China Sea. It was a little more than just going through the sea to challenge China's authority in the region. The U.S navy regularly does such actions whenever a country makes such exaggerated claims to parts of the sea.

"How do you think China will react to the launch?" Amos said, his face growing somber.

"With their usual bluster." Emerson flatly replied, giving a deadpan look. "They'll claim that Japan is threatening peace in the region and how this is a violation of Japan's constitution. Unfortunately, they'll have at least some ground to stand on with the constitutional violation."

"Don't forget 'the United States is corrupting Asian countries and turning them against China.' All the while building more bases in on artificial islands and claiming the bases are for civilian use."

Tension over the South China Sea wasn't putting China in hot water with just the United States. Due to making moves to claim the Senkaku islands, if one was Chinese, or the Diaoyu islands, if one was Japanese. The dispute was making Japan far less than friendly towards China. The islands were claimed by both counties and were being a major point of tension between Japan and China. The dispute combined with a number of other facts like economic pressure, other territorial disputes and China's general hatred for Japan ever since the second world war had been making the Japanese government feel less than comfortable with their current military size.

Tomorrow, Japan would launch its largest aircraft carrier since WW2, the Kūchū bōei. While Japan was producing the Izumo-class helicopter carrier, they didn't have a catapult launcher that is needed for most fixed winged aircraft. Though the carriers could potentially hold twenty vertical takeoff variants of the F-35. The production of the carrier hadn't been the only thing the Japanese government had gotten up too; they had also increased its defense spending as well as up recruitment campaigns for its armed forces. The moves were not well received by either the Japanese public or the Chinese government. The public was displeased that its military was taking more of the budget and the Chinese by the increasing power of a rival nation and the potential threats it could pose to its own power.

Many officials were worried that China would merely preemptively strike at the launch of the Kūchū bōei to try and knock out the ship and as many leaders as they could before a war started. As such, only the Prime minister of Japan and second in command of the 7th Fleet Rear Admiral Eldon Chester would be speaking at the launching.

No one wanted war, it's expensive, and in the end, it would only damage the countries involved. The problem was that neither side was willing to back down, if one party did back down, then the other would keep pushing.

"What do you say to going and deliver the good news to the boys, Commander," Emerson asked as he made his way toward the door.

"Why not, I've already finished the paperwork. Might as well take a walk around." Amos smiled as he got up to follow Emerson out. It had taken hours to work through the small mountain of paperwork that was required after completing a deployment. There were reports required from both himself and the captain, all to fulfill someone in the Chain of Command's hard on for bureaucracy. The shore leave forms were relatively simple, just requiring the captain's signature.

"How much longer do you think this peace will last before someone finally snaps," Amos asked as they exited the building.

"Honestly, I don't know, but if I had to say, it would be either by the end of the year or the next. Humanity tends to try and destroy itself through stupid actions that seem sound at the time." Emerson rolled his shoulders as they made their way to the barracks "For now, just forget about that and just think about hitting the bar tonight."

"Did I hear something about a bar" called a voice from behind the two.

Turning around Amos saw Walter Cavan walking up behind them. Cavan was the Chief Quartermaster for the U.S. Yokosuka naval base. He was in his early 30s, looked to be in his twenties, a reasonably tall man with a fairly average build and a friendly disposition. The man loved his jokes and enjoyed watching for the bright side of life, complete with the song. Neptune help you if you messed with his neatly ordered supply depot, though.

"Greetings Master Chief Cavan, how have things been going on your end of the harbor?" Amos turned to greet the man.

"Well enough as the current events can supply Commander Amos. I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation Capt. Emerson, but I couldn't help but overhear something about a bar." Walter responded while giving the two of them a salute, his boyish face showing no signs of being sorry while his grass green eyes shone with mirth.

"All's fine Cavan, as for what Amos and I were doing, we were on our way to inform the men that they would have the night and tomorrow off for the ceremony." Emerson acknowledged the salute as he continued towards the barrack "Though there will be a caveat that they'll have to deal with."

"Oh, and what could that be Capt., and what does it have to do with a bar?" Walter asked as he walked alongside Amos and Emerson.

"You'll hear in a bit." Emerson simply smiled.

Entering the barrack, the three walked toward the section that held the Perry's crew. Upon opening the door, Amos could see most of Perry's crew relaxing from the time spent at sea.

"Captain in the room" stated one of the sailors, as the rest stopped what they were doing and turned to their captain and gave a salute with eager looks.

"Well gentlemen, we've just come back from a six-week excursion at sea, and the moment we get back, you all swamp Commander Amos and myself with piles of paperwork." Emerson stated with a stern look on his face "Maybe Amos, and I wanted to kick back and relax like the rest of you."

No one said anything, the men looking slightly off-put by the statement that their captain had just made, thinking that they wouldn't be getting any shore leave for another few days. Amos was busy trying to keep a straight face; he knew full well that Emerson was giving them a hard time so that the next part would hit home.

"So, in light of all this paperwork that you made the XO and I do, I'm giving you all shore leave with one punishment." The men started to look hopeful, thinking that they would maybe have to do some extra cores or something. "That condition being you have to spend the night with the three of us." Emerson finished as he motioned toward himself, Amos and Walter.

"Permission to speak freely, sir" one sailor spoke asked

"Granted."

"Does this punishment allow us to get plastered during the duration, so we don't have to listen to your stories of old?"

"Well if they are so horrible to listen to, I might just make you be the designated driver" Emerson joked as he left the room, a smirk on his face.

5/6/2020 - 8:42 PM

Yokosuka, Japan

"I have to say, Emerson, I didn't think you could pull off the plaid and jeans outfit." Cavan joked as he sat back, taking a drink from his 10th mug of beer. Despite his young appearance, Cavan could down his drinks and hold them better than an alcoholic

"That's just because you've never seen me in it, and you would be surprised how well the lumberjack look works. It just takes knowing how to wear it just right, that and having the looks to that go well with it helps too." Emerson replied smoothly, sipping from his glass of rum.

Amos couldn't help but chuckle, he had only seen Emerson in the lumberjack outfit a few times that they had gone drinking. For as laid back as Emerson normal was and his willingness to drink with his men; He didn't go out with the men all that often, preferring to stay on base and read a book.

"I've got to ask Commander, how long have you known the Captain?" asked Malone, one of the new sailors from the Perry.

"Ever since I got my first posting eight years ago," Amos replied as he sipped his bourbon whiskey. The drink giving a pleasant burning sensation in the back of his throat

"And those first few weeks you were under my command were a pain-in-the-arse." Grumbled Emerson as he took a sip "You were so wet behind the ears that you could've put a turbine behind them and powered a Nimitz class carrier."

"OIY, I wasn't that bad." Amos whined, his face turning a light shade of red "I never missed PT and was always got to meetings five minutes before they started."

"I know, but you couldn't get your uniform on properly most days, you memorized the handbook, you brought bright red luggage with logos on them, and had a way too cheerful personality."

"Wait, you memorized the freaking handbook?" Cavan exclaimed, looking like he was barely able to keep himself from laughing his ass off. "No one memorizes the handbook, not even the drill sergeants."

"Oh, those aren't the only things he did while wet, there was this one time that he …."

"Sir! As much as I respect you as both my commanding officer and the favorite uncle, I would greatly appreciate it if you did not bring that up." Amos cut it, his face turning red from almost having one of those events get spilled.

"Oh, come on, now you have to tell us, sir." Another one of the sailors prompted.

"Well, I could …." Emmerson trailing off, looking at Amos with a knowing look.

"Sir, if you don't tell them, I will do all of your paperwork for a month," Amos said, a bit of panic in his voice as he attempted to keep his secrets hidden.

"Tempting" Emerson replied with a grin on his face, knowing he could get more out of Amos if he kept pushing.

"I'll also pay for your drinks," Amos added quickly, knowing full well that Emerson would tell if he didn't sweeten the pot.

"Alright boys, no story time tonight." Emmerson laughed as he sat back in his chair, as the others grumbled about not getting to watch their Lieutenant Commander get embarrassed by the Captain.

"A shame, information always has a use." Stated a voice from behind the group. Turning his head, Amos saw Jaxson Haywood, chief of naval intelligence at the base. Haywood was the kind of man you would lose in a crowd quite quickly. He wasn't handsome or that great looking, but erred on the above average. He just above average height at about 5'9. His short blond hair and plane build adding to the mix. His most distinguishing feature would be his ice blue eyes, that shone with a sharp focus and awareness, always wary. The joke and rumor around the base were he had spent time as a C.I.A spook before joining ONI.

"Haywood, good see you, too what do we owe the pleasure?" Cavan asked.

"Things are currently quiet, and there hasn't been much chatter to go on right now," Haywood said as he pulled up a chair. "I hadn't left the office for nineteen hours and my second told me to get out before I start to collect pigeon shit on me." he finished, entirely straight-faced. Causing several of the men at the table to burst out laughing.

That was a thing with Haywood, he never really seems to get to the jokes, that, or he didn't have a sense of humor. His face was neutral as always; it was a rare sight to see any other emotion other than poker face which led him to win almost every poker game that he was ever invited to. There weren't many men left on the base that would invite him to a poker game if they could get him away from his office long enough.

"[What would you like to have]?" asked the waitress as she walked over.

"[Scotch on ice please]," Haywood replied in Japanese, the waitress nodding as she walked away to get the order.

"Such a polite language Japanese, it's amazing how often one has to talk around a subject rather than just say it," Haywood stated as he sat back. "Did you know that they don't even have a way to say 'you should do that'? The closest they have is "it would be wise if you did that."

"Agreed, must make for some intense passive-aggressive conversations." Amos chuckled, imagining scenarios. Everyone at the Yokosuka naval base could speak Japanese well enough to hold a basic conversation. One needed to when bases in Japan with a base that was practically built into the town itself.

"So, now that we can't find out about Amos dirty secrets, what else shall we talk about," Cavan asked, always one to try to keep a conversation going.

"The growing tension over the South China Sea, the potential dangers of tomorrow's ceremony, or we could talk about…" Haywood started

Amos groaned under his breath, that was another thing about Haywood. He never seemed to read the blasted atmosphere. If he had a thought or an opinion a situation, he would give it to you as blunt as a sledge hammer strapped to a rocket. And there were the times like these where he would kill the mood by saying something so off.

"That's enough Haywood." Emerson cut in, glaring at him. "We came here tonight to forget about that. Let's have the night off before worrying about the future. So, changing topics, did I tell you guys about the time …." Emerson started, starting to get into one of his stories about his past ventures in the navy.

Fin.