A Second Sunrise: Taiwan of 2020 Sent Back to 1911

[ChrisProvidence]

Taipei, Republic of China 11 Jan 2020

"It was a good speech, Lai."

"I'm not saying it wasn't, Chen," Lai answered. "You and I both know that. But what matters right now is that Xi knows that."

Of course, he wished it was him up there at the podium, but Vice President was better than nothing.

"I'm sure he got the message. Granted, I doubt the PLA will be rushing across the strait anytime soon."

"Especially not right now," said the new Vice President. "The Americans might have their hands full if they escalate this conflict with Iran."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. For our sake, if nothing else."

"Indeed. Besides, the reports show that China may have their hands occupied."

"Really? A potential pandemic, yes?"

"And a deadly one for us, if we don't lock down the borders now. And with that, Chen raised a glass to his successor. "To Taiwanese independence."

"To Taiwanese independence," Lai echoed.

Then they downed the champagne in the darkness, to the sound of crashing from outside.


Presidential Residence, Taiwan

"...The best of luck to you, Tsai," Han Kuo-yu told her. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight to you as well, Han," she answered as the line went dead. She turned to her cats. "And a goodnight to you two as well."

The cats simply sat there, and stared at her.

Tsai sighed and shook her head. She could convince an island of over twenty million to vote for her, but the cats were another story.

Still, tonight had seen another victory Taiwanese independence, instead of the Kuomintang's calls for cooperation with the mainland.

She'd always found that a bit amusing.

After all, the Kuomintang, the same party that once plotted to take back the mainland, now wanted to cooperate with Beijing.

She wasn't a historian, but she had a pretty good feeling that this wasn't what Chiang had in mind. Or what Sun had in mind, for that matter, though she was pretty sure Chiang probably went against his vision after the Shanghai massacre.

A quiet meowing from Xiangxiang broke her train of thought.

"Goodnight, you two," she repeated, her voice a mixture of assertion and amusement, "We have a long four years ahead of us."

The lights went out for, and the cats began to growl. The lights came back on, and the cats continued to growl.

"President Tsai," an aide announced as he walked in, "We need you in the Presidential Office Building. It is an emergency."

"Is it Beijing?"

"We don't know, Ma'am. But Minister Yen, Admiral Huang, and Director-General Chiu will meet you there."

"Lead the way," she answered. The aide nodded.

Tsai turned back towards her bedroom, and gave her cats a quick glance.

It would be a long four years, after all.

Ishigaki, Okinawa, Empire of Japan

Higa Akira looked out over the beach, the shore illuminated by the moon and stars.

Not that there was much for her to do on these islands, besides swimming, fishing, and keeping her distance from the local garrison.

Even if the newcomers had only been here for decades and claimed it as their own, her family had been here for far longer.

A boring life, yes, but that was the least of her, admittedly mild, grievances.

It was at that moment that the earth began to rumble, and the ground began to rumble, and she fell off her perch.

Shaking her head, she pulled herself up and began running.

She knew she needed to get to high ground.

Now.

Chiang Kai-Shek Park, Taipei, Republic of China

"Well then," Martin Li said to his friend. "Looks like you were right, Mike."

"I'm always right," the Marine officer chuckled. "Well, mostly right. You're just not trusting."

"It comes with the job, Michael. That and sometimes, I don't know what's going on through your head."

"This about the tanker thing?" Chen shook his head. "It's a good posting."

"Oh, I'm sure of it. I'm just wondering why in God's name you'd want to be crammed into it."

"Eh. Guess I just don't mind claustrophobia. Besides, you're one to talk about questionable decisions."

This time, it was Li's turn to laugh.

"I don't think you have the clearance."

"Heh. Probably not. But if it hits the fan, try to send something my way."

And let's hope I don't have to pay for my commander's meal when it arrives.

"Will do. Which reminds me, you keeping an eye on Wuhan? Something weird's happening over there."

"You sure you should be telling me this stuff?"

"Relax. It's OSINT stuff you could find in a couple hours. World Health Organization and social media stuff."

"How bad are we talking?"

"Mainland's going to the WHO, so it's something. I dunno, Mike. Here's hoping it's not SARS all over again."

"God-willing, it isn't, Marty."

Beneath them, the ground shook, and a bright light filled the sky.

And then it went dark, before the lights went bright.

"The fuck was that?!"

"Dunno." Li glanced at his phone. "I need to get to Shilin. You should probably get back to base."

"Yeah. You know what's going on?"

"Hell if I know. Fifty-fifty chance it's either the Mainland or an Act of God."

"Let's hope it's an Act of God," Chen muttered, before running off into the night.

Kaohsiung City, Chinese Taipei

Discord still wasn't working.

Rachel Fong tried resetting her laptop again.

Nothing.

It had to do with that bright flash outside.

Was Beijing finally invading? No, they couldn't. I'd have been informed, right?

Right?

Now, she knew that the MIB didn't know, either. But right now, there was the ever-so-slight chance that her employer had thrown her under the bus.

At least the power works. Internet, too.

She tried loading Discord again.

Nothing.

Well, nothing on her private server, anyways.

So she tried DMs instead.

'Lee, it's Fong. Something happened, here. I don't know what it is, but that wasn't us, right?'

She hit Enter and sent it, but got nothing.

So she tried again.

And again.

And again,

Nothing.

Then a ping.

"Lai? Why is she messaging me?"

We're not supposed to communicate unless it's an emergency. I guess this counts.

'Fong, what is happening?'

'I don't know'

'Was that us?'

'I hope not. Have you heard anything back from home?'

'…'

'Lai?'

'Nothing. Have you?'

'Messages aren't sending. I'll see if any of my contacts see anything.'

'Thanks.'

Rachel closed her laptop and opened her phone, dialing the first coworker she could find.

Or at least the one MIB agent she'd gotten to know.

"Hi, you've reached Martin Li's phone. I'm not available right now, so just leave a message after the tone."

"Martin, it's Rachel. Something happened over here. I'm headed to the office ASAP. You should get in contact with them, too."

Satsuma, Meiji 44

Captain Yagushi's eyes were blurred from the flash of light, and his ears were barely doing any better.

"What was that?" he asked his officers, "An attack?"

"Unlikely," said Commander Fukuyama. "The Chinese don't have a weapon like that. Or the Americans. Or anyone else in the world."

"Whatever it was, it came from Takao," said Sakurai, the navigations officer.

"Are you sure?" Fukuyuma pointed out the window towards the tall buildings in the distance, "That looks more like New York than Takao."

"It's the direction we've been traveling since we left port," Sakurai answered. "Though communications have gone silent for the last few minutes."

"I see," said Yagushi without a bit of irony. "Get the men to their stations. I want them ready in case we enter combat."

"Aye, Captain," said Fukuyama. "And you?"

"For the time being, you will have command of the Katori, Fukuyuma. Sakurai. Continue our heading towards Takao."

"Aye, Captain."

Before Fukuyuma could act, a loud whirring began to circle them.

"Get the men to their stations!" Yagushi shouted. "I want those guns loaded and ready!"

"Aye, sir!" Fukuyuma said before relaying the order. "Any communications?"

"None," answered Oda, the Comms Officer. Both Yagushi and Fukuyuma could barely hear him over the circling sounds outside. "I'll continue to hail them."

"Good."

"This is the Coast Guard Administration of the Republic of China!" a voice shouted in broken Japanese from a megaphone. "You have entered our waters and have refused communications. Cut your engines and prepare to be boarded!"

"Republic of China?" Sakurai repeated, "This has to be a joke."

Fukuyuma turned to Yagushi.

"Orders, Captain?"

"Maintain our course, but hold your fire. I don't want to start a war over a mistranslation."

"Understood," he said before relaying the command. "How long to port?"

"One hour," Sakurai shouted. Fukuyuma could have barely hear him over the whirring winds around him. If anything, they'd only grown louder.

"You have five minutes to comply before we will board your ship by force!" the same voice shouted again, "Cut your engines and prepare to be boarded!"

This time, something flew past the bow, and Fukuyuma could've sworn there were people inside of it.

Sakurai unholstered his pistol, and turned to Fukuyuma. The acting-Captain nodded, and unholstered his as well.

"We can take them," Sakurai muttered. "We have one of the strongest ships in the world."

"I'd rather not start a war over a misunderstanding," Fukuyuma insisted. "And I could have sworn that something had flown past our bow."

Sakurai nodded.

"Send a distress signal," Fukuyuma instructed. Oda looked at him for a second, then nodded. "And cut the engines. I'll negotiate with them."

"Commande-"

"We don't know what is happening, Sakurai. But if we are boarded, I want us ready to scuttle the ship. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Despite his disagreement, he knew that Fukuyuma was, for all intents and purposes, Captain of the Satsuma.

A minute later, and Fukuyuma was at the bridge, with a bullhorn in hand. To his shock, there were a half-dozen ships surrounding his own, and just as many vehicles circling the Saitama like vultures.

He turned to the one hovering at the bow. "This is Commander Fukuyuma of the Satsuma! We are a Japanese warship en route to the port of Takao!"

He waited a moment, unsure of what would happen next. Would they open fire? Would they try to take over the Satsuma?

He glanced over at his men, some of whom had grabbed rifles and were aiming at one of these flying machines.

"I see," the voice answered. He could have sworn its owner was a bit confused. "Very well. We will escort you to port, but we will return fire if fired upon."

"I accept," Fukuyuma agreed, and returned to the Captain.

"We could have fought them," Sakurai answered. "We have over nine hundred men with us."

"And they have vehicles that can fly, Lieutenant. For all we know, those vehicles can launch torpedoes and depth charges onto us."

"This could be a trap, Commander."

"If they wanted to kill us, they wouldn't have negotiated."

"Still, I don't like this."

"Which is why we're going to scuttle the ship if they try to seize it," said Yagushi as he turned to Fukuyuma. "We have our orders, and we will see them through."

Fukuyuma nodded, and so did Sakurai.

And with that settled, the Satsuma headed off towards the city of lights before her.

 

[ChrisProvidence]

NOTE TO SELF: EDIT TO BE MORE FORMAL LATER IF SUBMITTED

To put it bluntly, we have one job.

Keep the communists off our island, and kill them if they manage to land.

To that effect, we seem to be in decent shape on paper.

We live on an island that is hard to land on, can only be landed on at certain times a year, and we'll probably see if coming a month before it it happens.

Moreover, we have hundreds of tanks, armored personnel carriers, vehicles, planes, attack helicopters, and even a few submarines.

So on paper, at least, we seem to be in good shape.

Problem is, wars aren't fought on paper.

Now, where do I begin?

Manpower

To put it bluntly, we don't have enough men. Sure, we have compulsory service, but these guys are showing up for a year or less, and by the time they're finished training, they're out the door!

At this moment, we have units that are undermanned by as much as 30%, often in units such as armor, artillery, and the like that would render them ineffective, at best.

Now, it is a good thing that we want a more professional force, instead of a conscript force. After all, there is an American saying that the Department of Defense hates the draft more than anyone else.

But the problem is that we don't have enough manpower where we need them, even if the ROCAF is meeting recruitment goals.

This can largely be attributed to transfers from frontline units. Specifically differences in living conditions and obligations in frontline units.

While I do sympathize with the average soldier, the issue remains that we just don't have enough manpower on frontline units, to the point that we may be below 90% combat effectiveness in the event of an invasion.

Moreover, the insistence on transferring to non-frontline positions spreads the soldier's obligations to the remaining frontline soldiers, who are then incentivized to request transfers for similar reasons, creating a vicious cycle of low morale, combat effectiveness, and effective equipment maintenance.

To put it bluntly, we need more manpower, and we don't have it.

Reservists

The reservist is supposed to be the backbone of the ROCAF. That in the event of an invasion, our men will take up arms once more and fight for every inch of soil before we drive the Communists into the sea.

To put it bluntly, our reserve system is a clusterfuck largely inefficient system that neither maintains readiness nor uses reservists to their full potential.

With regard to the former, our reservists receive refresher courses every two years for a few days, where they go over basic drills and marksmanship.

This is not an effective means of retaining a strong reserve of capable infantrymen.

Moreover, the fact that our reservist system is focused on infantrymen is highly inefficient in and of itself.

We have soldiers who are artillerymen and tankers who, upon joining the reserves, are expected to be called up as infantrymen.

Which, in my opinion, is highly inefficient in almost every sense. Not only are we wasting what skills these men have learned over four months, but we are also barely training them to be infantrymen.

In the event of a war, their skills are likely to be wasted, and quite possibly their lives as well, and our units will still be undermanned.

Equipment

At face value, our military does seemed outgunned, given the Communists' continued modernization of their own forces. However, smart use of what assets we do have, combined with our domestic arms industry and effective maintenance (and defensive advantages) should limit their advantages in theory.

In practice, however, there is much to be desired.

While we do have a domestic arms industry, it is limited in what it can do, though advances in drones and armored personnel carriers does show promise.

Unfortunately, the lack of frontline manpower, coupled with the age of some of our equipment, has led to poor maintenance.

Moreover, the lack of training and retention of said skills leads me to argue that our reservists, despite their best efforts, will not be able to use their equipment to their full potential.

Conclusion

In short, we have a military that seems formidable on paper, but is in fact undermanned, under-trained (regarding reservists), and under-equipped due to poor maintenance.

While I can only speak for the land elements, I assume that similar issues exist for my counterparts.

To combat this, several drastic actions are necessary.

For starters, we need more manpower. While I am not recommending we bring back a conscript army, I do believe that we need to dedicate more funding towards recruitment and retention.

Moreover, transfers from the frontline should be limited. This can be discouraged through incentivizing frontline postings, particularly by improving the standard of living for the average soldier.

As for the reservists, I believe that significant reforms must be done as soon as possible.

First, there must be a significant reassessment of how reservists are utilized. I would recommend that reservists are assigned to positions that would best-utilize the skills they have learned during their service and that these skills are fostered and maintained through more specialized and frequent training courses, largely emulating the American model.

Moreover, these reservists should not be trained as infantry. Retrain tankers as tankers and artillerymen as artillerymen, etc.

I assume this would be even more important in the Air Force.

As for equipment, we need to ensure that we have enough stockpiles of equipment at mustering points. At the bare minimum, this would include weapons, ammunition, uniforms, boots, first aid kits, vests, armor, helmets, and the like.

Granted, this is likely a given, but it is important that reservists can be equipped like soldiers, not just armed like them.

More importantly, we do require consistent maintenance of equipment, as referenced in the issues with manpower. Should we have enough men with enough motivation, a complete overhaul of equipment and continued maintenance should be viable.

Of course, these are basic analyses and suggestions, and the different issues that different units face will need to be addressed accordingly.

But if these reforms are done effectively and in short order, we would see significant improvements in months.

I thank you all for your time, and will now be taking any questions.

[END]

NOTE TO SELF: Yeah, Taipei probably isn't going to like this, but the main thing is that we need money. Money to hire, train, and keep soldiers, as well as money to overhaul our organization and equipment.

It is doable, and thankfully it should not require going back to a conscript-heavy force.

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Presidential Office Building, Taipei, 12 January 2020

After four years in office, President Tsai had become familiar with the Presidential Office Building, from the various halls to the bunker command center she had been escorted to.

Of course, the last time she had been here was the guided tour in 2016. Unlike that time, there were dozens of uniformed soldiers at their stations, with a dozen more running back and forth through the halls outside of the situation room.

Inside, however, things were a bit calmer, but just as tense, with soldiers and officers standing at attention.

"Madame President," greeted Minister Yen. "I trust you have read the reports on your way here?"

"What little there was, Yen," she said to the retired general. "Are there any updates?"

"Given the electronics disruption, an EMP attack by the Mainland is not out of the question. However, we have not seen any significant troop movements outside of the Hong Kong area, nor have there been any mainland aircraft on radar."

"So an attack by the mainland is unlikely?" Minister Yen nodded, so President Tsai said turned to General Chang of the Air Force. "Still, I want aircraft patrolling the sky and the Navy on high alert."

"They're already in the air, Madame President," Chang assured her.

"The Navy has been placed on alert," Admiral Huang reassured her. "All available ships are being moved to intercept."

"Good. Any communications from the mainland?"

"We have nothing from Beijing," Yen informed her. "Attempts to contact Washington and the Seventh Fleet have failed as well."

"It seems we are on our own," Tsai observed, and breathed. "Yen, send out the order to call up the reservists."

The minister nodded, and sent a subordinate to send the order out, only for another soldier to come in and hand a folder to Director-General Chiu, who'd thumbed through the contents.

"It seems we aren't alone, after all."

Kaohsiung Harbor

Up to this point, Agent Li Wuhan had a largely uneventful career in the Military Intelligence Bureau. Most days he would be writing foreign intelligence reports, along with the occasional counter-intelligence.

A far cry from the Hunt For Red October, as far as he was concerned. Then again, here he was, questioning the captain of a Japanese battleship.

In 1911.

"Again, I thank you for your cooperation," he said to the Japanese captain. "Despite the confusing circumstances."

"It does seem unbelievable," Yagushi admitted. "Yet this is not the Takao I remember, and that is the Satsuma."

"Of course." Sure enough, the Satsuma matched the images he'd pulled up on Wikipedia. And it wasn't like the Japanese had been building a replica battleship, even if Article 9 wasn't a thing anymore. "It's still hard to believe that this is real."

"Yet your tablet is able to show moving pictures and communicate without wires."

"Science has gone far in the last ninety-nine years." Li took a second to pause, to make sure he didn't accidentally alter the past. "The world itself has changed. Arguably for the better."

"I take it that includes Japan?"

Li almost winced, but forced himself to act naturally.

"Yes."

"That is good to hear, Mr. Li. Though if I may be honest, things might become more complicated."

"How so?"

"Formosa, or as you call it, 'The Republic of China,' is a part of Japan."

"Except we aren't."

"Tokyo would beg to differ. As far as they are concerned, you are effectively in open rebellion to Japan."

"I see. Yet you and your men refused to open fire on us."

"I did not want to start a war by accident. Especially against a nation that managed to weaponize flight."

"I see," the agent said. He'd make a note of this for later. "And the rest of your nation?"

"That is for the politicians to decide."

"Of course. And you?"

"Seeing that we cannot reinforce Formosa, we will return to Japan."

"I see," he said as they returned to the gangplank. "Here's hoping it doesn't come to war."

"Indeed, Mr. Li. May we meet under more favorable circumstances."

Taipei Songshan Airport, Taipei, Republic of China

Captain Michael Chen parked his motorcycle and ran up to the entrance, flashing his papers to the MPs.

"Good to have you here, sir," the marine greeted. "You're clear to go through."

"Thanks."

To say the place was chaotic would be an understatement, with civilians being evacuated and troops moving to secure the place from paratroopers.

And that was before he had to deal with having a second country's armed forces on base.

"Chen," a man dressed in Singaporean fatigues greeted. "What the bloody hell is going on, here?"

Right. He'd almost forgotten that the Singaporeans were here.

Back in the 70's, Taiwan and Singapore had a special agreement to host joint exercises between Singapore and Taiwan under the codename "Project Starlight."

And this year's exercises were to be the biggest yet, if the Apaches, KC-130s, Leopards, HIMARS, and even F-16s were anything to go by.

"Honestly, Ma, I have no idea," Chen told his Singaporean counterpart. "For all I know, Beijing could be attacking."

"They'd have to be be stupid to attack during exercises, especially when they know we're here."

"Yeah. Still, we're all on high alert. You seen Colonel Lee anywhere?"

"From what I heard, Colonel Lee is still on leave in Manila."

"Oh, right. And Major General Feng's still in Hawaii for surgery, isn't he?"

"That's what your men are saying."

"What do you mean, 'My men?'"

"Well, you're the most senior officer in the 66th after them, which makes you the de-facto commander of the 66th Brigade."

"Oh… Oh goddammit."

"Quite sorry this is the way you found out."

"I'll make it work. Okay, are your guys unloaded?"

"Last of us landed a few hours ago, and they're moving their gear to their barracks."

"Okay, and where's General Shen?"

"Probably coordinating with your commander over with the President."

"Which means that you're the senior officer here?"

"…Yes."

"Okay… I can make this work. I can make this work… Kenny, I know your men aren't exactly under my command."

"Affirmative."

"Okay then. As a favor, I'm going to need your men to secure the civilian side of the airport and create a safe zone for civilians. Can you do that?"

"Shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Good. I need your guys securing the towers and the entrances. I can get our marines to secure our side of the base, but we're going to be spread thin arming the reservists."

"And you?"

"Over in the command center, I guess. I'll need you with me to coordinate. If this is what I think it is, you're non-combatants, and you'll be handling civilians."

"That's doable. And the rest of your men?"

"Quick Response Force, mostly. Not much else we can do right now but hold the line for when the PLA shows up."

"That's the thing, though, Michael. The PLA isn't on radar. Or anyone, really."

"Nobody?"

"Nothing but the last of our planes on one aide and airliners on the other. Other than that, skies are clear."

"No explosions, either?"

Ma shook his head.

"Then what the hell is going on, Kenny?"

Chen's phone began to ring, so he picked it up.

"Captain Chen here, effective Commander of the 66th Marine Brigade."

"Mike? Oh thank God you're alive."

"Hey, Marty. Everything good at MIB?"

"Yeah, we're in the clear. Now, you're going to want to sit down for a minute."

"Kinda busy here."

"I mean it. And this is only between us for now."

"Got it."

"Well, the good news is that Beijing isn't attacking us."

"Oh thank God," Chen breathed.

"Yeah. Turns out they went silent, but we have nothing on radar. Or anything, really."

"What?"

"Yeah… I don't know how to put this, but we went back in time to 1911."

"…What."

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Executive Yuan, Taipei, 19 Janury 1911

"Shit."

That was probably not the word Minister Su Tseng-chang expected to say, now that it turned out that the Mainland was not, and never would invade them.

Yet here they were, in a State of Emergency.

"Still, we have more than enough land to ensure food security," Hsu Kuo-yung reported. "And we have people in place to distribute it."

"Except we're running out of oil," Shen Jong-chin countered. Even with our limits on personal automobile usage, we're burning through our stockpiles."

"How goes the rush for more renewables?" Su asked, turning to Minister Chen Liang-gee.

"We have people working around the clock to build Hydrogen fuel cells and set up solar panels and turbines everywhere we can, but Shen is right. We need oil and natural gas, whether we like it or not, and it'll time to build wells in the Ocean."

Such was to be expected, seeing that Taiwan imported almost all of its energy before they'd been flung ninety years in the past.

"Of course," Chen continued, "whatever had sent us back into the past had been kind enough to re-fill the mines, so coal is not an immediate concern.

"Any recommendations?" Su asked aloud, though he'd turned back to Shen.

"The English are allied to Japan, so they might not be willing to recognize us, let alone trade with us," Minister Joseph Wu answered. "The Americans have the Philippines, so we could turn to them if we need more coal, and Standard Oil might be willing to work with us, while the Dutch may be able to help us with our oil imports. Royal Dutch Shell is only partially British, after all."

"Good. I take it that the re-filled gold mines could help pay for this?" Shen nodded. "Well, that should help stabilize things. Hsu. Su. Once that is settled, President Tsai has raised some concerns about unemployment, seeing that we've lost almost all of our trade partners.

Both ministers nodded. Su knew that action would have to be taken to keep companies from tumbling down, while Hsu had some ideas about unemployment and retraining programs.

"Joseph Wu has already made calls to Representative Kang. Presumably, "Ambassador Kang" in a few weeks."

"And Representative Tang?"

"Alive. As of now, he is now 'Ambassador Tang.'"

"We are dropping all pretenses now, are we?"

"Well, it's not as if the Mainland can invade us now, can it?"

That got a few chuckles from the assembled ministers, who could see that as a silver lining at least.

"Now, next on the menu: Mainland affairs."

Matsu Islands, 20 January 1911

"The drones still show nothing," Sergeant Song reported. "No sign of the IJN."

"No news is good news," Captain Zhu breathed. "Keep sweeping the area."

"Understood, sir."

"Anything from the mainland?"

"Nope. Just some horse-drawn carts and trains. Nothing headed our way."

"Good."

Location Classified, 21 January 1911

The radar pinged again.

"Confirmed location of the Satsuma, heading towards Tokyo."

"Good work, Ming." Granted, it was about as hard as keeping an eye on a goldfish, but orders were orders. "Continue tracking them."

Two more blips on the radar.

"Sir?"

"I see it. Continue shadowing them for the time being."

"Understood, sir."

MIB Headquarters, Taipei, 28 January 2020

Li Wuhan sat in the chair in the waiting room, just wondering what he'd gotten himself into. Sure, he had made the first contact with someone from the past, but that was because he was the only Japanese speaker with clearance in the area at the time.

But this? This proposal he had was honestly mad, even if his entire island had somehow flown backwards in time.

"You'd think he'd just reject it and be done with it," Li muttered to himself. But here he was, sitting outside of Director Chiu's office. "Well, at least I got to use my history degree for something."

"Director Chiu will now see you," the secretary told him. It was one of the few things she'd said to him despite him trying to chat her up.

James Bond he was not. Then again, it was more friendly conversation than anything serious. After all, he figured that trying to hit on his boss' secretary was highly unprofessional. And likely grounds for firing, especially after that cigarette smuggling scandal last year.

"Right this way, please," she said as she led him inside. "Director Chiu. Agent Li Wuhan is here to discuss his proposal."

"Thank you Rachel," the Director said while handshakes were exchanged. "Please shut the door behind you, and have a seat Agent Li."

"Thank you, sir."

"If I may be blunt, under normal circumstances I would have found this plan to be a waste of time. But as you know from experience, these are not normal circumstances."

"No they are not, sir."

"Still, this plan is ambitious. Supporting the Tongmenghui is one thing. But interfering in the Xinhai Revolution could have drastic consequences."

Li politely nodded. After all, he was proposing that the ROC alter the course of history. Then again, Director Chiu wouldn't have brought him here just to tell him no.

"That being said," the director continued, "finding the first people you've listed should be no problem, and they would likely accept our help and support. As for the rest... well, we know where they are and how they would act, so we can... how did you put it? 'Deal with them accordingly.'"

Li nodded again, trying his best to keep his composure at what looked like approval.

Li waited until the Director had finished talking, and another second to make sure. "It would be good to consult some historians for better insight," he added, and scribbled down some names. "While we'd be able to develop some psychological profiles on these people, these academics' input would greatly help our efforts."

"Yes, that should be no trouble." Li's eyes lit up at what was, for all intents and purposes, approval of his proposal. "Though I would recommend you hurry."

"Why is that?"

"The Guangzhou Uprising is in three months," Director Chiu reminded him. "Rachel will help you with the manpower and logistics."

"Thank you, sir," Li said as he stood up and offered a handshake, which the Director accepted.

"I take it you know who to contact first?"

"And who to contact second."

Keelung Harbor, Taipei, Republic of China, 28 Janurary 2020

News had traveled fast. If they were to be believed, Taiwan was no longer Japanese, and they even flew the Blue Sky with a White Sun that Lu had made almost, what, fifteen years ago?

He couldn't believe what he'd heard, even as a ship with the blue, white, and red flag had sailed past Singapore, but he had to have seen it for himself.

"It could be a trap," Huang told him, but he insisted on seeing it in person.

After all, if it was all a lie, even if it was a lie he'd still be in Japan, and there were Tongmenghui sympathizers here as well.

Yet here he was, standing at the port of Kirung, or as the locals called it, "Keelung," and sure enough, there were flags of blue, white, and red all over a city that seemed out of time.

At that moment, he knew he had come to the right place.

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Tokyo, Japan, February 1, 1911

"The people demand war," said Katsura Tarō, "and we ought to give them war. Our fathers and our sons have fought for Formosa, and we must not let their sacrifices be in vain."

"Yet that is not the same Formosa that we have seen before," said Ozaki Yukio, "The people there are, if we are to believe, of another time decades into the future. They are, in every sense of the word, not our people. So what right do we have to rule over them."

"The Treaty of Shimonoseki," the Prime Minister retorted. "Correct me if I am wrong, but does it not say that Formosa is to be ceded to us?"

"It does," Ozaki admitted, "But I would say that this 'Republic of China' is not a party to such a treaty, and as such, it does not apply to them."

"The treaty does apply, and any attempt to say otherwise invalidates the sacrifices of our soldiers and their accomplishments!"

Ozaki shook his head. This was going to be a long day.

Chiang Kai-Shek Park, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

This was the last place anyone would expect them to be.

Here, in the park literally dedicated to the traitorous Chiang? No good member of the CPC would be caught dead here.

Not now, anyways. I need all of them alive.

"So, we are in the past?" The elder MSS agent couldn't believe her. "Over a hundred years?"

"Apparently, Lai. That's what they are saying, anyways. Tsai is going to make a big announcement tonight."

"Well, it looks like we're stuck here, then. Us and the Nationalists.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Plan? Lai, we just got sent back a hundred years, to when Mao was a child. I don't think there is any contingency for that!"

"Well then, what are our options? Because if they find out who we are-"

"They won't. Taipei's too busy trying to coordinate a response, so they aren't doing much counter-intelligence. As for us..."

"Do you think they will go for Mao?"

"Didn't you say he was a child?"

"Rachel, these are the people who see him as basically Asian Hitler. If you could go back in time and kill baby Hitler, would you?"

"Lai," she sighed, "I'm not going to kill Mao. And I doubt the MIB is, either. Not right now, anyways."

"Please, just humor me. It's a hypothetical question."

"Then hell yeah, I'd kill baby Hitler."

"Of course. Anyone would. And I wouldn't put it past the Nationalists to try something similar to Mao. We have a few dozen agents around the island. I'm sure we could send one or two to keep him safe."

"They'd be going in blind into enemy territory."

"And I'm sure they would do so gladly," her fellow agent countered. "Because I volunteer to go."

London, England

"The Japanese are our allies, yes," Prime Minister Asquith said to Parliament. "And they do provide a counter to Germany in the east. However, given the distance, I am inclined to believe that any war between Japan and this so-called 'Republic of China' will be a quick Japanese victory."

"To that end, we will promise Japan diplomatic support, though this is largely an internal affair for them."

Anyang, Qing Empire

"Are you sure of this?" asked Yuan Shikai. The subordinate nodded, having told him exactly what Duan Qirui had said. "I see."

"Revolutionaries have taken control of Taiwan?" he mused to himself. Perhaps it was time to return to Beijing.

It seemed his "foot ailment" had conveniently subsided.

Washington DC, United States

"It seems we are at an impasse, Mr. President," Secretary of State Philander Knox explained. "On one hand, we have Japan, who seem largely amicable, even if they harbor Filipino revolutionaries. On the other is this 'Republic of China,' who can offer us technology beyond our imaginations."

"I see. And we trade with both, yes?"

"We will, yes. We have received a very generous trade offer from the Chinese."

"I see. Perhaps we can leverage economic power to get them to come to an agreement."

"It is possible," said Knox, though he lacked his boss' optimism. "And it seems the Chinese want to import oil and export machinery."

Ishigaki Island, Empire of Japan

Akira looked off at the coast as the ships departed.

After all, they had to be the largest they'd seen all year.

Visitors to these islands were rare, after all, besides the occasional merchant and fisherman.

They were decent enough. The men in uniform were busy talking with her father about supplies, and he was more than willing to work out a deal with them.

Though these were different ships than the ones she'd drawn before. After all, fishermen never sailed anything that massive, nor were merchants that well-armed.

Whatever was going to happen, she knew that it would be big.

The only question was how big it would be.

Taipei, Republic of China

"Good evening," President Tsai began, "Tonight we remember those we have lost in The Event three weeks ago."

"The last month has been one of grief and struggle that may never go away, even as normalcy returns. But even if our friends and family are gone, they are still with us, so long as we build a better world for when they return."

"I know it is not easy, but we have endured. Time and time again, our people have endured."

"For over seventy years, we have stood against the aggression of the mainland."

"For three decades, we stood against imperialism and all its brutality."

"And in this brave old world, we will stand where our parents and grandparents have stood before!"

Off the Coast of Okinawa, Japan

"Captain, may I have a moment?" the Executive Officer said at the hatch, after a bow.

"Of course, Fukuyuma. What is it?"

"We are off to war, aren't we?"

"It does seem likely, yes," Yagushi said to the younger officer. "And to think it had only been five years since the last one."

"It was all for nothing, wasn't it?"

"What was, Fukuyuma?"

"We stood our ground and did everything we could to stop this, yet here we are, headed back to Takao."

"It cannot be helped, Jun," he said to the younger man.

"Are you sure?"

"For men like us? No."

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Embassy of the Republic of China, Batavia, Dutch East Indies, 15 February 1911

Despite his new title, Ambassador John C. Chen more or less had the same duties as before The Event. As Representative of Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia, he was the ambassador in all but name. But with the PRC being a thing of the past and future, Taipei had seen fit to simply cut to the chase.

Granted, his work was practically focused on trade and economics, particularly the deal with Royal Dutch Shell. In a way, he was one of the few people standing in the way of another energy crisis.

The phone on his desk rang.

"Yes?"

"Ambassador Chen, we have an emissary from Japan who wishes to speak with you. Says it is urgent."

Odd as it may be, it made a bit of sense to Chen. After all, Japan refused to recognize China and still claimed it as theirs, Korea was a part of Japan, and Britain was Japan's ally, which left him and the Consul in Manila were the closest options.

"Sure, let him in," he decided. A minute later, in walked an older Japanese man in a suit that looked ninety years out of fashion. "I take it that you are the emissary?"

"I'm afraid so," said the Japanese man. "As of now, the Empire of Japan has declared the island of Formosa in open rebellion."

"With respect, sir, the Republic of China is not a subject of the Empire of Japan."

"Then consider this a declaration of war."

Battleship Mikasa, Philippine Sea, 200 km northeast of Taiwan

Admiral Ijuin Gorō looked at the map. What once had been Japanese soil had declared itself in rebellion, and for that, they would be crushed by the Imperial Japanese Navy at sea, then the Imperial Japanese Army on land.

While he knew he had the third largest navy on his side, he liked his odds, even if Yagushi's reports on their Navy were to be believed.

After all, he had four battlecruisers, eight battleships, a dozen and a half cruisers, and four dozen destroyers at hand, and that was before he counted the tens of thousands of men in transports behind him.

He liked those chances.

Taoyuan

"The UAVs have a clear visual on the fleet. Heading south at about 10 knots."

"Alert Admiral Huang and General Chang."

"On it, sir."

ROCS Kee Lung, North of Taiwan

"Sir, we have news from Command. Japan has declared war, and we've sighted the fleet about 200 kilometers north-northeast of Taiwan."

"How many?"

"About six dozen, at a minimum. They outnumber us, three to one."

"Then it is an unfair fight. For them."

"Should we ready the Harpoons?"

"Yes. Coordinate with the frigates and destroyers on targets."

"On it, sir," the comms officer answered. "Su Ao, this is the Kee Lung. We have located the Japanese fleet, over."

After chatter filled the command center for a few minutes, the officer turned back to him. "All ships are ready to fire on your command."

Admiral Huang breathed for a second. For the first time in decades, the Navy would be at war.

"Open fire."

Battleship Satsuma, 200 km northeast of Taiwan

Captain Yagushi checked his pocketwatch. Midnight. As of now, his nation was at war with the Republic of China.

His officers were silent, only speaking when necessary, and he imagined the enlisted men were doing the same.

He turned to Fukuyuma, whose stern demeanor hid his disappointment, then to Sakurai, who seemed a bit to eager for the Captain's tastes.

Yet both were still silent, focused on their work.

A loud explosion rocked the ship, sending Yagushi flying off to the side, knocking him unconscious.

Air Force Headquarters, Taoyuan

"Good effect on targets, Kee Lung. All hostile forces have sustained multiple hits from missiles. We have visual on multiple capital ships sinking."

Battleship Satsuma Bridge

"Captain!" Fukuyuma shouted as the water filled the room. "Captain! Get up!"

"He's gone, Jun!"

"He's unconscious," the XO shouted back, "Issue the order to abandon ship!"

"We can fight!"

"With what?! Pistols? Our magazine was destroyed, and so is our rudder!"

"Any communications from the Admiral?"

"Nothing!" Oda shouted, and turned to the XO. Fukuyuma nodded. "Abandon ship!"

"Come on, help me move him," Fukuyuma told Sakurai as the two men lifted up the unconscious Captain and helped him down the stairs.

"Good heavens," he said once they came outside.

As while he may not believe in Christ, Fukuyuma thought he was looking at Hell. The once-black night had turned a bright orange, with once-mighty ships had become flaming wrecks.

All around, he could hear a mixture of explosions, flames, and the screams of thousands of writhing souls jumping into the black water beneath them.

10 km above the Northeast of Taiwan

"All planes are clear to engage any remaining ships."

"Acknowledged, Command," the pilot answered. "Pick your targets. Don't waste them on anything sinking."

"Acknowledged. Good tone. Good tone. Fox 3 Fox 3."

ROCS Chung Ho, Location Unknown

"So, how are your men handling this, Kenny?" Chen asked the commando. "They ready?"

"Ready as they'll ever be. Yours?"

"Well, at least we have enough manpower. They have spirit, at least, so they have that going for them."

"You're going to have to do something about that when we get back, Michael."

"You volunteering to help?"

"It's not like I'm going anywhere," the Singaporean said with a wry smile. "They do remember the plan, yes?"

"Yeah, don't worry. You and your men go in first as recon, then we land at the designated point. Easy enough."

"You'll want to wait for the airstrike. Should soften them up and do most of the heavy lifting."

"Yeah, we can do that."

Battleship Satsuma, 200km Northeast of Taiwan

"We can stop the fire!" Shouted one sailor in a life jacket. "We can save her!"

"We're taking on water, we've lost the rudder, and the magazine is burning!" Fukuyuma shouted as he helped the unconscious captain into a life jacket. "Get off the ship!"

"Is that the Mikasa?" Sakurai shouted, just as a pair of rockets slammed into Admiral Tōgō's once-proud flagship. The navigations officer stood in horror as the battleship exploded, with Admiral Gorō likely suffering the same fate.

"Sakurai!" Fukuyuma shouted above the screams, snapping him out of his horror. "They're gone. And so will we if we don't abandon ship!"

To their shock, another pair of rockets had appeared, careening right towards the Satsuma.

"Get off the ship!"

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Philippine Sea, 22 February 1911

Captain Yagushi looked around him as the dawn came, and saw nothing. Nothing but corpses, wreckage, and broken men floating around amongst the two.

What had once been the world's third-largest Navy had been decimated in a night, and he was among the lucky. All he could do was pray that the thousands of men on the transports knew how to swim, or had the good fortune to find a life jacket.

And to their fortune and misfortune, ships with the enemy's flag had arrived.

"Come here!" A voice shouted in Japanese. "We're here to rescue you!"

"This could be a trap," Sakurai muttered. "We will be their prisoners."

"And we will die senselessly if we reject them," Fukuyuma retorted. "We can fight another day if we surrender."

Sakurai glared at him, and relented.

"Over here!" Fukuyuma shouted, and an orange ring landed next to him. "You first, Captain."

Penghu Island Prison Camp, 23 February 1911

"It's unfortunate we have met under these circumstances," Yagushi said to Li. "I did warn them."

"They should have listened," Li said sadly. "We've been preparing for something like this for decades."

"In your time?"

"Yes. Though we expected it to be from the Mainland, not Japan."

"I see. How many of our men did you rescue?"

"Ten thousand."

"Then that means that there are fifteen thousand missing," Yagushi muttered. "And yours?"

"None," Li said to the now-stunned captain. "Not a single casualty."

"Hopefully this will be the last of the spilled blood."

"Yeah."

Ishigaki, Empire of Japan

The sound of the explosion had shaken the entire village awake, aside from the garrison. Their barracks had been destroyed, and with it, most of the soldiers.

The same could be said for the Yaeyama islands to the west, though they would not know that the bulk of the Marines had landed here.

After a few hours for the Marines to make it inland, the island, like many others, had fallen to the invaders, with minimal resistance.

But at Ishigaki, a brief firefight among the survivors had resulted in the surrender of the local Captain and his forces to the Marine commander, via translator.

After that, it was simply a matter of ammo sweeps, burial details, negotiations with the locals, and setting up a new base camp.

Thankfully, nowhere near the old barracks.

"My men have no intention of harming your people," Captain Chen said. He needed a second while the translator did his work. Thankfully, the man he was speaking to could also speak Japanese. "But last night, Japan had declared war on our country."

The old man he was speaking to needed a second to process, and another few seconds for the translator.

"Are you from Taiwan?"

"Yes, we are from the Republic of China."

"I see. And what is your purpose here? Annexation?"

"Possibly. Your island happened to be close to out island, and we invaded once war was declared."

"And now?"

"Occupation, presumably. If Japan wants to continue the war, more soldiers will arrive to prepare for further attacks. But for now, life shouldn't be too different. Though we would probably have a blockade of anything from the home islands."

"I see..."

"Of course, we can offer supplies, as well as medical treatment."

"That would be appreciated," said the old man.

"Now, with that out of the way, do you have anyone else who can speak Mandarin?"

"Well, there is myself. However, you must understand that-"

"I can help, father," a woman interrupted, before turning to Chen. "I would like to help."

"Does she speak Mandarin?"

"See for yourself," she said to him. Her accent was heavy, but passable. "Assuming my father would allow me to, of course."

"Aki…"

"Father, I am twenty-three years old. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

The old man sighed.

"That you are. But be careful. Please."

He turned to Michael.

"I expect her to be back by sundown every day, or else we will have an issue. Am I clear?"

"Of course." It was like he was in high school in Los Angeles all over again. "You have my word."

The old man nodded, and walked off.

"So," he asked the younger Higa, "How did you learn Mandarin, anyways?"

"My father used to be a merchant, and there isn't anything else to do on these islands, Captain."

Taipei, Taiwan, February 26, 1911

Sir Francis May sat at his desk, in this new city, a far cry from the older Hong Kong he had worked in just months before.

Though unlike in Hong Kong, the Chinamen here saw themselves as his equal. And seeing that they had managed to destroy most of the Imperial Japanese Navy in a single night, they probably deserved that much.

"Tell me what their President wants me to do, again?" The culture shock still surprised him, even if these British from the future had been doing their best to accommodate him and catch him up on technology. "It sounded like President Tsai wanted me to end a war that they started."

"That the Japanese started, sir," the Englishwoman from the future said, "They had declared war on the Chinese."

"And they want us to settle it, since the Japanese don't recognize them as a country."

"More or less, sir."

"I see. What are the terms Tsai is proposing?"

"Japan renounces all claims to territory controlled by the Republic of China, opens itself to trade with them, and recognizes its independence and sovereignty."

"Well then, that seems feasible."

"The hardliners want Japan to hand over the Yaeyama and Miyako islands."

"That could be a problem."

"Indeed, sir. Though I might add that the rapid destruction of the Combined Fleet would put the Chinese at a good position to negotiate."

"Indeed it does," May agreed. "Any suggestions?"

"We could use the control of the islands as a negotiating point. That should bring the Japanese to the table. As for the Chinese, well, they probably want the Japanese to leave them alone."

"That would work," the Ambassador decided. "Bloody hell, I hope it works. Last I need is the Japanese calling us into this war, as well."

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Presidential Office Building, Taipei, Taiwan 10 March 1911

Some crowds of onlookers crowded the streets as two separate cars moved past them. First were the British, who were met with a decent amount of fanfare. Followed by the Japanese delegation, who were likely happy to have people manning the rails on the side of the road to keep the protesters at bay.

Upon entry, they had been brought into the halls, where the three delegations sat, with the Japanese in one third led by Prime Minister Tarō Katsura, the Chinese opposite them led by President Tsai, and the British under Sir Francis May between them as mediators.

"...Japan will not cede an inch of soil," Katsura persisted, after hours of negotiations.

"Yet you expected us to cede our soil and our sovereignty to you," Tsai retorted. "And you attempted to invade us."

"That land is sovereign Japanese territory."

"Claimed thirty years ago upon the annexation of Ryukyu. By force, I might add."

"Yet it is Japanese land nowadays."

Ambassador May sighed to himself, and hoped that Tsai was bluffing about taking the islands.

Hours Later

"If I'm being honest, Prime Minister, we can either come to terms regarding this conflict today, or we can end this conflict in Nagasaki in three months, with a free Korea at the table," Tsai said again. "We can stop the war, right now."

Ambassador May was praying to God that this woman was bluffing, because only an insane person would threaten to invade Japan.

And win.

But all everyone at that table knew full well that the Republic of China could possibly accomplish that. And more.

"Very well," Tarō finally relented. "We will cede these islands and recognize the Republic of China."

"And we accept."

By the next morning, the agreement had been announced to the nation, with the three signing the treaty as a formality.

Though at the same time, Sir May wanted to know just what the Chinese planned to do with some largely empty islands.

Ishikagi, Ryukyu County, Republic of China, 11 March 1911

"These are largely mandatory around the world in our day," Captain Chen said to the woman receiving the vaccination. "Well, except for parts of America."

"What happened?"

"It's a long story, Akira. But people somehow thought that these would make their children, er, how do I put this? Slow."

"Wait, do they?"

"No."

"Then why panic?" she asked as the nurse pressed the plunger. "Do they think they know something the doctor doesn't?"

Chen shrugged. "Probably. Maybe they just want to feel special."

"I see. Can I ask another question?"

"Sure."

"What are your men building over there?"

"You heard about those stories about people being able to fly?" Akira nodded. "Well, they need large flat areas to gather speed."

He left out the part where those planes would probably burn Nagasaki to the ground if they tried to invade again.

MIB Headquarters, Taipei, Chinese Taipei

"Are you familiar with one Captain Chen Qirui, Li?"

"Mike?" Li asked over the phone, "Yeah, I know him. Went to school with him as kids, back in Los Angeles. Why?"

"A report from him was just forwarded to our office, about the Army's combat effectiveness."

"That good news or bad news?"

"Do you want the short answer or the long answer?"

"Short," he told her, over the sound of practice gunfire in the background. "If you would."

"To put it mildly, Li, your friend described the military's preparedness as 'shit.'"

"That doesn't sound like him…"

"Right. The actual terms he used were 'under-manned, under-equipped, and under-organized,' or something to that effect."

"Didn't we just obliterate the entire Japanese Navy? That doesn't sound like something a military like that could do."

"Li, that was against an enemy that couldn't even get in range of out ships before the missiles hit. Or shoot down our missiles."

"Well, at least we'll be able to beat the Qing Navy," he said flatly.

"The Qing have a navy?"

"Not for long they won't. So, Mike's reporting on the ground forces' readiness… and it's bad, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Honestly, even she was surprised. If Taiwan wasn't a largely mountainous island with about two viable landing sites for only a few months a year, Beijing would have rolled them over decades ago.

"So, that's the bad news. Any good news?"

"Well, we aren't about to run out of guns or bullets anytime soon. And the textile industry can start building more uniforms and equipment. Helmets and body armor can be manufactured fairly quickly."

"Thank God for emergency government," Li muttered. At least they had that going for themselves. "Civilian industries have received the orders already, right?"

"Yes. Same as the arsenals. Assuming we can restart imports, production can largely continue as before."

"Well, that solves problem number two. What about number one?"

"The good news is that the reservists have been called up, and they are now training."

"And the bad news?" He practically shouted over the gunshots from the firing range. "What is it?"

"Most of them are assigned as infantry. It doesn't matter if they were tankers or artillerymen or even special forces. Everyone who got called up was dumped into infantry, and the bureaucracy is working hard to reassign and retrain them."

"Okay, not as bad as I'd thought. Are they getting equipped?"

"Yes. There is one catch."

Li groaned. Of course there would be one.

Then again, he knew full well that all those problems were real. After all, he'd done his own service as well.

He could still remember the sergeant trying to keep him in to train the next batch in marksmanship.

It was a tempting offer, but MIB was his dream job, and he wasn't about to pass that up.

"So, what's the problem?"

"Taiwan is currently at war and in a state of emergency. Actually, the war just ended a few hours ago-"

"Wait, seriously!?"

"…Yes? Oh, right, news must travel slow over there. But yes, the war is over, which means that we can demobilize, or at least once the state of emergency is finished."

"Oh. Yeah, that could be a problem."

Never in his life did Rachel think that Li would be upset about winning a war against a foreign invader.

But here he was, slightly dismayed.

That wasn't to say he was unhappy. Far from it, when he had to stop himself from shouting.

But the end of war meant demobilization, which meant they'd be back to square one.

Or close enough, anyways.

Sure, they would have all the equipment ready when they needed it. By the end of the year, they might even manage to fix their mobilization system.

But the Army would be undermanned again.

Sure, they could equip and organize people. Or, well, they would in about six months.

But there wouldn't be enough volunteers.

Sure, some would stay on, now that they managed to annihilate one of the largest navies on the planet.

But they'd still be undermanned in the event of a pre-Event invasion, let alone intervening in the Xinhai Revolution.

She knew it. Li knew it. Chen knew it.

Which meant that anyone with any real power above them knew it, too… even if they wouldn't admit it.

"So, how many do you think will stay on?" Li asked, seemingly reading her mind. "Thousand? Two thousand?"

"Maybe," Rachel figured. It wasn't as if the job market was particularly hot, these days. "But most of them will go back to their day jobs."

"Yeah, you'd think we'd get more recruits with all the unemployment."

"Farming and fishing pay better, it seems."

"Yeah. Any ideas on what we can recommend?"

"Short of finding Sun Yat-Sen and convincing him to give speeches to join the military, I can't think of anything."

"Yeah… Wait, did he agree to it?"

"Just focus on training the revolutionaries, Li. I'll handle this."

George Town, British Malaya

"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Martin Li shouted, and the bullets stopped. He looked at the targets from the men, and he had to admit, they were fast learners. "Good work, all of you! That's enough shooting for today."

"I see you have been busy, Mr. Li."

"Thank you, sir," he said, trying not to sound starstruck by being in the present of Huang Xing. "The T65 is good for getting lead downrange, and it's not like we are running out of them anytime soon."

"I see. Of course, I was a bit skeptical about your Republic, but it seems Sun was right about you."

Li beamed. "Of course. Though he was a bit disturbed by his image being all over the place."

"He's probably off-put by that right now," Huang chuckled. "Though I would not take that the wrong way. We're all grateful for your assistance."

"I'm just doing my duty to China," Li reassured him. "Now, I know I've said this before, but I must insist that the Guangzhou uprising be postponed."

"Why?"

"We don't need more martyrs."

Huang sighed. "Li, I am not afraid to die. Let alone lose a finger or two. And neither are any of these young men, either. But are you sure we cannot win?"

"To be honest? We probably could. If for nothing else than having airpower. But if we want to do things right, and not let Yuan destroy everything we're fighting for, then we need more time to get people in position."

"If you insist, Li. May I ask you a question?"

"Of course, as long as it isn't too personal."

"What if the Qing try to change things as well?"

Taipei, Taiwan

William Francis Ryan sighed as the printer started beeping.

He shouldn't be here. Not in Taiwan, and definitely not in 1911.

"Fucking layovers," he muttered to himself over the printer in his hotel room. "I was so close! So close!"

Like many tourists who'd been in Taiwan at the time, he'd been billeted in one of the otherwise-empty hotels for the time being.

But he wasn't like these other people. At least that's what he'd told himself when he'd boarded the plane for Thailand. Were it not for the layovers, he'd be knee-deep in the red light district over in Bangkok.

And it was taken away from him, one hundred and ten years in the future.

Still, this new world had plenty of opportunities for men like him, he'd reminded himself as he gathered up his papers.

After all, he had no love for this foreign land, and even less love for the Republic that would be coming.

But a man like Yuan Shikai? It was a longshot, but maybe Yuan could help him kill Cultural Marxism and Maoism in its infancy.

"You are a fucking genius, Will!" he'd told himself.

Next stop was finding a way to get off this God-forsaken rock.

 

[ChrisProvidence]

"Despite being the founder of the nation, the arrival of Sun Yat-Sen in Taiwan was initially met with little fanfare, though that is not to say that the Republic of China did not support his actions."

"Rather, he had been in negotiations with the government to discuss events, both past and present. Topics included the Wuchang and Guangzhou Uprisings of the "Lost History," as well as the exact details regarding the material and financial cooperation between the Republic of China and the Tongmenghui."

Sun Yat Sen and Back Again: The Role of Sun in the Chinese Revolution, National Taiwan University Press, Taipei, Taiwan, 1916

Liberty Square, Taipei, Taiwan, 14 March 1911

"As a doctor, I am trained to diagnose sickness. And today, there is no greater sickness than the rot that infests China," Sun Yat-Sen said before the crowd.

The place was packed, larger than any crowd he had stood before, with hundreds of thousands, at the minimum, in attendance.

After days of discussions, he and this President Tsai had decided that a direct appeal to the people of Taiwan would do wonders for the Republican cause. And not to mention, it wasn't every day that you got to see your nation's founder in the flesh.

"Yet you are living proof that the China of today can be cured of that rot. Each one of you is an example of what China could become."

"But the Revolution will need your help. There are twenty million citizens on this island. If twenty million people donate a dollar to the Revolution, then that would be twenty million dollars for the revolution."

Of course, he'd probably be getting that much and more from Tsai's government, but the sheer quantity of support had a quality of its own.

"And if one out of every hundred of you is ready to fight for China, then we would have two hundred thousand soldiers fighting in the revolution."

"What we will be fighting for will not be easy. This you and I both know. But with your help, we can bring Democracy to your ancestors."

"So now I ask you: Will you take a stand and fight for Democracy?"

For a split second, his voice had echoed throughout the silent plaza. A small part of him had worried that this really was just a dream, and he'd wake up in George Town with only a hundred supporters around him.

But the deafening roar of support told him that the had ten thousand times that.

Keelung Harbor, Keelung Taiwan

"He would only be a teenager," Fong said to the other two in the alley. "A brilliant teenager, of course, but a teenager all the same."

"We should do all we can to protect him," said Long. "Half of us could move to Hunan and keep him safe from our hosts. Smuggling ourselves out of here shouldn't be a problem."

"And the rest?" asked Fong. "I would recommend joining the Tongmenghui and working from the inside."

"Do you honestly thing that our hosts wouldn't have people on the inside trying to prevent exactly that from happening?"

"Of course they would," Fong said, "but we could prevent Shanghai from happening. And we could go after the Hanjian."

"We could get a few men on the inside, Fong," the older agent relented, "Oddly enough, the Hanjian might work with us."

"The thought of that disgusts me," Long spat. "We would honestly have better luck with the Bolsheviks."

"We could do that," Feng offered. "Get a few men over to Switzerland under some cover, then make contact with Ulyanov."

"Then it's settled, Fong agreed. Get your men ready."

Forbidden City, Beijing, Qing Empire

"Are the rumors true?" Duan asked the older general as they walked throughout the complex. "The entire Japanese fleet, wiped out in an hour?"

"It appears so," said Yuan. As they walked throughout the massive complex, two soldiers saluted them. "The Japanese Navy was gone in three hours."

"These rebels are powerful, Yuan," Duan said with some concern, "I take it that is why you have returned?"

"Indeed. Given these events, it is important that the Beiyang Army be expanded to meet these threats."

Duan nodded in agreement at the notion. "Would the court approve of this?"

"What choice do they have?" A smirk had formed on Yuan's face. "The Beiyang Army is the strongest force in the nation."

"And the revolutionaries in the shadows?"

"Kill the ones we have, and seek out the rest. Then rip them out, root and stem."

Location Classified, Qing Empire

As far as flights went, this had to be the quietest flight this Boeing-727 had ever seen, but the commandos on board didn't have much to say as they flew over the mainland.

"GPS is down," their commander had told them, "We'll be communicating by low-band radio, but for the most part, we'll be on our own for the next few months until Command gives us the signal."

The men and women nodded respectfully at the information, and they knew this would likely be a one-way trip if they weren't smart about things.

"Hey, you ready, Rick?" a young man asked another soldier. "Commander's saying we're dropping first."

"Yeah, I'm good, Dex," said the other soldier. "Just like the training back in Pingtung, right?"

"Just like training," he agreed. "I'll be right behind you, alright, little brother?"

"Alright."

"Team one! You're jumping in two!" the commander shouted.

"That's our signal," Lieutenant Richard Hu said to his brother. "Come on, let's get to the back."

From the looks of them, there had to be everyone in the Airborne Special Service Company on this flight. The best of the best, prepared to link up with, arm, and train the Tongmenghui against the Qing.

"Radio beacons are active!" Rick shouted through the radio. "Repeat, Radio beacons are active!"

"Affirmative. Team one's weapons crates are clear."

"Team one, you are clear for jumping. Good luck."

One by one, the near-dozen of the commandos jumped out the back of the modified 727, until it was Dex's turn to jump into the darkness.

Looking back behind him, he could see his brother diving towards him, into the great unknown of the Qing.

Behind them, the 727 flew off towards its next drop zone, the first of many that night.

Chinese Embassy, San Francisco, United States of America, 16 March 1911

Due to the efforts to place him in Chinatown, Stanley Kao had found himself under constant guard, what with the Qing having agents all across the West.

After all, the Qing once tried to kidnap Sun Yat-Sen himself. So if it meant a couple plainclothes bodyguards, then so be it. Them sticking out like a sore thimb might very well be the thing keeping him alive.

But right now, it was keeping his guests at ease.

"So this Korea is truly free?" Ahn Chang-ho asked, "And the Japanese were defeated?"

"They defeated the Japanese in a night," Park Yong-man retorted, "I'd say we can trust them."

"Thank you, Mr. Park," Kao said, "but let us get back to the matter at hand."

"I am always ready to discuss independence," Park answered, "Please, go ahead."

"Though we have formalized relations with the Japanese," Kao began, "it is a tenuous situation at best. The Japanese would rather see my people subjugated, and we would rather see your people free."

"Then our goals align," Ahn noted. "What are you proposing?"

"Park, I take it that your training school is up and running?"

"Yes, sir. Though we are a bit tight when it's coming to fundin'"

"I see... well, the Republic of China is willing to host you and your school in Taiwan. We will cover all moving costs and provide instructors as well as modern equipment for your men and women."

"As for you," Kao said to Ahn, "Your organization reaches from here to Siberia, yes?"

"It does, yes."

"Then would it be possible to recruit men from across your network to join Mr. Park's Korean Military Corps? We will be providing funding, of course."

"That does seem reasonable," Ahn told him. "You have a deal, Mr. Kao."

ROCAF Recruiting Station, Liberty Square, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, 18 March 1911

Le Van Ninh didn't really know how he got here.

After all, the leftist in him didn't have much love for the ROC. Even if he did grow up in Orange County.

At the same time, he didn't have much love for the PRC, but a lot of Vietnamese felt that way.

Which is how he ended up here, in 1911, instead of Beijing in 2020.

Well, that, and a stint in the YPG, but that was years ago… ahead? Fuck, this is confusing.

Now, what was a man like him supposed to do a hundred years in the past?

Go to America? Not when California was still in its Chinese Exclusion Act phase.

Go to Vietnam? No, not when the French were running the place.

So where did that leave him, a college graduate stranded in the past with no marketable skills outside of a few Army tours in Iraq and volunteering for the Kurds?

Which is how he ended up here, applying to join the ROCAF after Sun's speech.

And from the looks of all the other foreigners here, he wasn't the only one. Or the only American, either.

Good to be fighting for the good fight again. I missed this feeling.

George Town, British Malaya

"I'd advise against this," Li reiterated. "The man is a traitor."

He'd looked at the watch on his arm. They'd been arguing for almost half an hour. Even with the nice sea breeze from the beach, he'd rather not be here.

"In your time, perhaps," Huang retorted, "But the man has been a member of the Tongmenghui for almost six years."

"And he is likely a dead man, if we don't act soon," Sun Yat-Sen's voice crackled through the radio, "I remember that it was you that said, 'we do not need martyrs; we need leaders.'"

"It is likely that the Qing will have him executed," Huang added.

Now that Li thought about it, he'd be fine with that.

But Sun and Yuan wouldn't.

"I'll see what I can do," Li promised. "We might be able to get him out in two days, at the earliest. Assuming we know where he's being held."

"That should be no problem," Huang promised. "One of our informants has kept us updated."

Li didn't add that that was the easy part.

The hard part would be when they went in blind.

 

[ChrisProvidence]

Bohai Sea, 19 March 1911

"Comm check," Rachel's voice sounded over the radio. "Li, can you hear me?"

"I can hear you," Li said, though his voice was muffled by the black ballistic mask he was wearing. "Approaching target. How copy, over?"

"I hear you. Good luck, Li. Over."

"Expect medium resistance!" Ma shouted to the rest of the helicopter, "We may outgun them, but a bullet's a bullet. Don't get cocky."

Location Unknown, Outside Beijing, Qing Empire

He'd been sitting there, for Heaven knows how long, and he didn't know why.

Wasn't he supposed to be released? Yet here he was, still locked up for some reason. Could the rumors have spooked the Qing?

Even down here, he'd heard the rumors from the south. That Taiwan had rebelled against the Japanese, then obliterated the fleet that came to reconquer them.

He didn't believe it, or at least not fully, though he had a feeling his jailers did. Or at least enough to keep him locked up when he thought he'd go-

"Get up, Traitor!" a guard shouted, and swung the door open. "You're coming with us!"

Prison Rooftops

"Team One has landed," Ma whispered over the comms. "Huang, Fong, set up overwatch in the tower. The rest of you, with me. You too, Li."

Li undid the safety on his MP5 and donned his NVGs.

"Team two, moving."

"Team three, moving."

"Team four, moving."

"I have eyes on two targets in front of you," Fong's voice whispered on the radio, "Patrolling around the corner."

"Drop them," said the Sergeant, and held up a fist.

Li and the others stopped, then heard two thuds amidst the rain.

"They're down. Keep moving."

Li followed them at their slow pace, checking corners as he they worked their way towards the command center.

"Looks like they're moving some people to the courtyard," Fong whispered through the radio. "Might be the HVT."

"Shit," Li whispered to Ma. "They're moving to shoot him."

"Yeah, they are," the Singaporean agreed, before getting on the comms. "Team one has eyes on the HVT. HVT is in danger. Moving to secure. Team two, break off to cover us."

"Team two copies," the Lieutenant agreed. "Moving to assist."

"We have movement to the front," said one of the lead soldiers.

"Drop them."

A quick burst, and the guards were down.

"Keep moving to the courtyard."

"Team Two is in position. We have eyes on the HVT and about a dozen other prisoners, along with twice as many guards. Please advise."

"Team Two, hold your fire unless the HVT is in danger while we get in position," the Captain ordered, then turned to Li and his men. "Hurry up, people."

"Eyes on six guards headed to the courtyard," Li whispered. "On your go, Captain."

Ma held up a fist, and aimed his MP5. "Everyone pick a target."

Six whispers. Six bursts, and six dead guards.

"We're clear. Get up on the terrace."

"They're moving the HVT to the wall, Ma," the Lieutenant breathed through the comms. "Requesting permission to engage."

Li could see them marching Wang to the wall, while troops were readying their rifles.

"Team One is in position," the Ma calmly announced. "Work your way from your side to the center, and fire on my signal."

On cue, Li aimed down the sight. One eye on his target, and one on the HVT.

The presiding guard slumped to the ground, blood pooling around his head.

"Open fire."

Li fired a single burst, and one of the firing squad fell to the fround.

And another.

Followed by a third, then a fourth.

Li shifted, and saw a guard panicking, looking for where the bullets had come from.

Another burst from his MP5 calmed the man down.

Li turned his sights to the HVT, who'd hit the dirt. All it would take was a single burst amidst the chaos, and Sun would be none the wiser.

"Courtyard clear," shouted the commander. "Cease fire!"

Li lowered his weapon, and followed Ma into the courtyard.

After all, if he wanted to kill Wang Zhaoming, he'd have let the Qing do it.

"Command, HVT is secured, along with eleven prisoners. Requesting Evac, over."

Ishigaki Island, Republic of China, 20 March 1911

"Chen."

"Yes, Miss Higa?"

"I know you were explaining it to my father, but why are you building a tower in the middle of nowhere?"

"The wi-fi tower?"

She nodded. "The what?"

"Okay, how do I put it…" After all, he knew she wasn't stupid. Technologically-impaired, maybe, but not stupid. "You know how I can communicate with people over the radio, right?"

"Yes. Because of waves that go through the air?"

"Yeah. Well, that tower basically does that, but for information."

"I see… And why is it in the middle of nowhere?"

"Oh that's so nobody accidentally gets cancer by living nearby."

"Wait, what-"

"No, you'd literally have to live nearby for a long time. All of us, on the other side of the island? We'll be fine."

"I see… So, you're building a tower to communicate with Taiwan?"

"More or less. That and so we can get internet access."

"Come again?"

"That's how we communicate using the tower. It's a sort of network. That, and I'm kind of getting bored of watching the same movies all the time."

"I wouldn't mind watching the 'Chinese Cowboy Movie' again."

"Yeah, that's a good one. Wait, is that what we're watching tonight?"

"I think so. The new guys'll love it."

"How about those people who flew off earlier?"

"They'll probably miss it. Shame, really, because 'Let the Bullets Fly' is Marty's favorite,."

"I see."

Port of Tianjin, Qing Empire, 20 March 1911

Chen Qimei sat on the deck of the ship as it loaded the rest of the supplies for the next leg of their voyage when he heard the deafening roar of an engine above him.

To his surprise, he saw lights flying through the blackened sky, off to the horizon of the Bohai Sea.

"You saw that too, right?" a young officer in a Japanese uniform asked him. "The lights?"

"Yes, I did Jiang. Now, are the supplies loaded?"

The young artillery officer nodded and offered Chen a handshake. "Until we meet again, my friend."