Benevolent Crystal Tokyo

[Ordo]

I donÆt know why people think they have to make Crystal Tokyo some kind of evil empire to have an interesting story. So here IÆm going to set up a benevolent Crystal Tokyo and try to find examples of conflicts that would be interesting to explore.

I invite everyone to add to this with their own ideas.

The Government

The day to day operations, the budget and the creation of laws are the domain of the Senate. The Judicial branch has jurisdiction over constitutionality of laws, the citizens and the governments (including the Queens) actions. The Queen is Commander in Chief of the military, has the right to appoint justices and agency heads (with approval from the Senate) and is charged with bringing the worries and concerns of the people to the floor of the Senate.

The Queen has a lot of influence, but only enough power to do her job.

Internal Problems

There are a number of organizations who feel that Crystal Tokyo should extend itÆs might throughout the stars. The Queen and her Senshi are not among them. These groups feel it is the destiny of humanity to conquer the stars, and it is Crystal Tokyo that should rule humanity.

___

Other groups feel that man is too flawed to rule over himself and that the only sensible thing to do is turn over power to the AIÆs or MINDÆS. They acknowledged (Mostly) that the Queen is a good and just ruler, however they sight various corruption scandals throughout the planetary governments and within the Senate it self as justification for machine rule.

At the moment the machines completely run æSaberÆ, and æGlaiveÆ class destroyers and æDaiklaveÆ class battleships. There is also an AI installed on every human crewed vessel to provide assistance and tactical assessment where necessary (think æAndromedaÆ) and all colonies have an AI running their terraforming operations and the day-to-day government operations. Though elected officials handle the bigger issues, with AI support.

To date the AIÆs have a perfect operational record.

___

There is currently a major debate going on as to what should be allowed as far as Cybernetic and bioengineering. To date gene therapy, cyber limbs, and bio engineered organ replacements are common. Cyber uplinks (Allowing easy connection to the info net) have become an outpatient procedure, though most people still use Comm. Links and Data Augs.
It has been known for some time that Crystal Tokyo has the knowledge to take human augmentation further. Already there have been reports of post humans and even a few preterhumans being made to be the scions rich families by the æblack marketÆ. Some of the citizens are disturbed by the possibilities now open to humanity while others embrace it whole heartedly. A few extremist on both sides have taken up arms to æDefend the future of the human race.Æ


External Threats.

Of the three Alien races Crystal Tokyo has met, one is friendly, another is stand offish and the third is down right hostile. War has yet to break out between us and the hostile Aliens but many think itÆs only a matter of time

____

Malcontents are those people whoÆve decided (Without any facts or hard evidence) that Crystal Tokyo is evil. These groups have been little more than a nuisance in the past as they hate each other just as much as they hate Crystal Tokyo.

However, recent information suggests that a charismatic leader has emerged, one who is slowly bringing these disparate groups together under a single banner. They are armed, well organized and their numbers are growing as they find more and more malcontents hiding amongst the rural areas of earth.


Author notes: IÆll admit, this came about after reading the post æRevolutionÆ The author lost me the instant he said ôLet's assume a darker interpretationö. I could only consider that if UsagiÆs been dead for about four generations of Queens, and the latest oneÆs lost her dang mind.

So these are my thoughts on the subject of conflict within Crystal Tokyo, what do you all think?

 

[David Alan Abramczyk]

Certainly be a nice change, yes....

 

[GenocideHeart]

If you want a benevolent Crystal Tokyo, one interesting idea would be to simply have it NOT work. It's an utopia, and utopias, by definition, are unattainable.

It'd be a new spin on things if there was trouble in paradise not becaue of the people or supposed dissention, but simply because the Senshi realized that mantaining their utopia was requiring more and more effort, and essentially things aren't going as they hoped, yet they can't do anything to fix this because it's not anyone's fault but Fate's.

 

[Vasey]

To date the AIÆs have a perfect operational record.

So, how long before the nukes fly and humanity's hunted across the barren remains of Earth by killer cyborgs, then?

Yeah, I've been watching Terminator recently.

 

[Ordo]

The AI's would assure you that they have no interest in destroying mankind and creating a machine Utopia. You meatbags are just far too cute and fascinating to destroy

 

[AbyssalDaemon]

A major faction I could easily see emerging would be a Gaea-type given that in Sailor Moon they should know for a fact planet's and stars can be considered alive.

Another interesting player in politics would be the religious groups. We know that the major nuts apparently fled to Nemesis. But just how is Usagi viewed by the various creeds? After all if you take a look at her somewhat sideways and consider her adventures, especially the battle against Chaos and then her going off to create Crystal Tokyo, I could easily see quite a few people coming to consider her the Second Coming...

Also I could easily see them, now that they know the souls truly do exist trying to figure out the mathematical formula for it. Which could have interesting consequences down the line.

 

[Deleted member 5249]

The AI's would assure you that they have no interest in destroying mankind and creating a machine Utopia. You meatbags are just far too cute and fascinating to destroy

You could use Queen Serenity as the head of the AI. She does still live in the Eternity Main Computer on the moon and could easily be moved down to earth.

 

[Tornado Ninja Fan]

Or Sailor Moon and friends aren't part of the government at all. They have simply collected compound interest over the last thousand years and bought all of Japan (or at least the whole bay are) to build their Crystal Tokyo spires for their families.

 

[David Alan Abramczyk]

How about using The Butterfly Effect? With the agent provocateur who sets the dominoes tumbling being a well-meaning but bumbling Police Inspector of the Clouseau or Zenigata variety.

 

[PCHeintz72]

Other groups feel that man is too flawed to rule over himself and that the only sensible thing to do is turn over power to the AIÆs or MINDÆS. They acknowledged (Mostly) that the Queen is a good and just ruler, however they sight various corruption scandals throughout the planetary governments and within the Senate it self as justification for machine rule.

At the moment the machines completely run æSaberÆ, and æGlaiveÆ class destroyers and æDaiklaveÆ class battleships. There is also an AI installed on every human crewed vessel to provide assistance and tactical assessment where necessary (think æAndromedaÆ) and all colonies have an AI running their terraforming operations and the day-to-day government operations. Though elected officials handle the bigger issues, with AI support.

To date the AIÆs have a perfect operational record.

Hmmm... sounds like the Magi governing Tokyo 3's civilian government in Neon Genesis Evangelion, when people can't be bothered by it.

That would make the senshi puppets and desk clerks to the Central AI.

 

[mgsaintz]

Other groups feel that man is too flawed to rule over himself and that the only sensible thing to do is turn over power to the AIÆs or MINDÆS. They acknowledged (Mostly) that the Queen is a good and just ruler, however they sight various corruption scandals throughout the planetary governments and within the Senate it self as justification for machine rule.

At the moment the machines completely run æSaberÆ, and æGlaiveÆ class destroyers and æDaiklaveÆ class battleships. There is also an AI installed on every human crewed vessel to provide assistance and tactical assessment where necessary (think æAndromedaÆ) and all colonies have an AI running their terraforming operations and the day-to-day government operations. Though elected officials handle the bigger issues, with AI support.

To date the AIÆs have a perfect operational record.

Hmmm... sounds like the Magi governing Tokyo 3's civilian government in Neon Genesis Evangelion, when people can't be bothered by it.

That would make the senshi puppets and desk clerks to the Central AI.

Another thought came up with the AI idea this kinda reminded me of the Achuultani AIs from David Weber's Mutineers' Moon books. They're basically a race ran by AIs that gone rogue and taken control and stayed in control because of several loopholes in it's instruction. And to remain in control and to control the race it set a pattern of genocidal destruction to destroy the threats of the race by wiping all sentient or potentially sentient life and sending out those fleets to thin down the controlled race's numbers.

 

[Ordo]

Well, since AI seems a popular topic, let's take a look at some AI's in action.

(Warning, spoilers ahead!!)

First up, the Evil Annihlator AI

Mass Effect: Conversation with Saren

Crystal Tokyo's only advantage against these guys is Magic. The Reapers are unfamilar with it, they do not have the knowledge or mastery of it that they do over Mass Effect technology. The Queens magic should be able to detect and expung 'Reaper' indoctrination.

Next up, the blended AI being

Deus Ex: The formation of Helios

Seiya/Usagi mentioned that the previous Queen still existed, in some form, inside the Eternity main computer. Perhaps this is her ultimate fate, and is the reason Usagi trusts the AI's will not go rogue.

Finally, we view the AI Utopia

Deus Ex Invisible War: The Great Democracy

With the advent of augmentation and with the power of AI's a great utopia is born. This is the purest form of democracy, where every person's vote is counted by the AI's. This is the future some in Crystal Tokyo seek, the Queen has her own reservations.

 

[daniel_gudman]

Well, my problems with Crystal Tokyo begin with the big catastrophe that kills off all non-Japanese people. When the first step is genocide resulting in one ethnicity, it is a BAD END for us that are part of the 98% of humanity that died.

I am morally opposed to the the existence of a noble class, or of monarchs, let alone immortal, magically powerful absolute dictators.

Crystal Tokyo is the "happily ever after" of a fairy tale. It makes sense in that context, but my more modern sensibilities are offended.

 

[Deleted member 5249]

Well, my problems with Crystal Tokyo begin with the big catastrophe that kills off all non-Japanese people. When the first step is genocide resulting in one ethnicity, it is a BAD END for us that are part of the 98% of humanity that died.

I am morally opposed to the the existence of a noble class, or of monarchs, let alone immortal, magically powerful absolute dictators.

Crystal Tokyo is the "happily ever after" of a fairy tale. It makes sense in that context, but my more modern sensibilities are offended.

That is completely fanon.

First of all the disaster that caused CT is anime only which is a huge plot hole in general because Usagi could revive that amount of people with ease since the first arc of the manga. Second of all I don't remember any numbers being given so not 98% of people died. Third CT was the just the Capital of the world not the only remainder left behind in both verses so there isn't just one ethnicity running around.

 

[Ordo]

Well, my problems with Crystal Tokyo begin with the big catastrophe that kills off all non-Japanese people. When the first step is genocide resulting in one ethnicity, it is a BAD END for us that are part of the 98% of humanity that died.

Well then you're in luck! There was no great freeze in the Sailor Moon manga (unless I misunderstood a post from Seiya/Usagi in another thread) and Sailor Moon was infact elected by popular vote to be ruler of the world!

absolute dictators

The news get's better my friend, if you'll take a look at my first post, and as is implied in most of the posts I've written, Queen Serenity dosen't have absolute power. She is still bound by the laws and limitations of her office. Yes she wields a lot of influence, but her power is well regulated.

No dictatorship for her

Crystal Tokyo is the "happily ever after" of a fairy tale. It makes sense in that context, but my more modern sensibilities are offended.

I'm sure I could find something from David Weber to counter this, but I'm not going to go there. It is well within our power as creative individuals to come up with ways that Crystal Tokyo could work. It may not be a Utopia, it may even be flawed but it could still be the best government to come along in the history of our solar system.

 

[daniel_gudman]

By "absolute power" I wasn't just referring to whatever powers of office her constitution grants her, but raw magical power; the ability to bend reality to her own whims.

That's like a constitutional monarch who also has absolute command of the military. They're only going to rule legally until it's too inconvenient.

And that's leaving aside the concern of all humans being under one, monolithic government. It's something that is often assumed as a good thing... but I'm not so sure.

 

[Ordo]

By "absolute power" I wasn't just referring to whatever powers of office her constitution grants her, but raw magical power; the ability to bend reality to her own whims.

That's like a constitutional monarch who also has absolute command of the military. They're only going to rule legally until it's too inconvenient.

I understand your concern, but Usagi strikes me as a hobbit-type person in that she dosen't really think all that highly of herself. I honestly believe that Usagi wouldn't abuse her power like that because she doesn't feel she has the right to do so. She's seems pretty big on allowing people to make their own choices.

I view her as running a government in which you're allowed to destroy yourself, just not anyone else.

And that's leaving aside the concern of all humans being under one, monolithic government. It's something that is often assumed as a good thing... but I'm not so sure.

Well, part of the fun here is to do some world building. Start off with a benevolant Crystal Tokyo as the first nation to stretch it's influence out amongst the stars and go from there. Explore those concerns you have and their possible solutions and complications within the universe of sailor moon if that is your wish.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[Deleted member 5249]

By "absolute power" I wasn't just referring to whatever powers of office her constitution grants her, but raw magical power; the ability to bend reality to her own whims.

NQS is tied for fifth/fourth for most powerful character in SM. Cosmos Guardian, Sailor Chaos, Sailor Cosmos are all stronger than her. NQS probably surpassed or is equal to Galaxia by this point while She and Kakyuu are roughly equals in power in Stars. She's pretty much the only reason one of them hasn't swooped down and claimed earth for themselves. Cosmos Guardian I doubt would let Usagi abuse her power especially since Usagi was once apart of her. She'd smack her down the earth so past your head would spin.

NQS has very minor space/time abilities. But her powers are essentially only the abilities to heal and destroy.

Of the three Alien races Crystal Tokyo has met, one is friendly, another is stand offish and the third is down right hostile. War has yet to break out between us and the hostile Aliens but many think itÆs only a matter of time

I do wonder about their relationship with other planets.

The whole universe (Chaos said absorbing Usagi would be the last thing he needed to take over the universe) is basically indebted to Usagi. Mau, Coronis, and Kinmoku even had their own people (Luna & Artemis for Mau, Phobos & Deimos for Coronis) and in the case of Kinmoku had their ruler Kakyuu fight along side her.Galaxia's planet owe her for her helping Galaxia find her planet to guard over. If you include Ail and En's race Usagi is the only reason their species can reproduce.

Edited. Which 3 races were you referring to?

 

[Wakka]

Malcontents are those people whoÆve decided (Without any facts or hard evidence) that Crystal Tokyo is evil. These groups have been little more than a nuisance in the past as they hate each other just as much as they hate Crystal Tokyo

Given the tech levels (settled Solar System, minimum) I can see several very simple ways for these malcontents to become a very serious threat.

Way 1:

Step 1: Acquire an asteroid miner via deep-cover agents.

Step 2: Outfit said asteroid miner with a magnetic accelerator (Railgun) for "faster transferring of raw materials aboard a station."

Step 2a: Use the ship as advertised for an appropriate amount of time. Maybe a year or two.

Step 3: Come into orbit over Earth for routine maintenance while carrying a load of iron (or similarly inclined metal).

Step 4: Turn railgun on, aim at Crystal Tokyo.

Step 5: A few kilotons of mass hits Crystal Tokyo at a sizable fraction of the speed of light. Cue gigantic explosion visible from high orbit. 

Step 5a: The agents are completely screwed, but a couple suicide pills/self destruct charges ensure they're never interrogated.

Way 2:

If ships can't be privately owned, well, that's easy: either compromise a crew/AI via mind control (and use the weapons similarly), or do the following. If there's a mountain visible from Tokyo (or any other city, really), set up something similar (railgun, laser, etc.) in a dug-in part of the moutnain so that it's hard to spot. Then open up on government buildings/whatnot similarly. After the armed forces come inevitably crashing down like a ton of bricks, activate suicide charges.

Way 3:

Moving into the "magic" territory, you could set up unactivated life-force traps like the Dark Kingdom used. Only set a shitload of them up in a city, have them all go from "off" (and nearly undetectable [I think]) to "Maximum suck" in a coordinated move, then have them explode once they gather a certain threshold of life force, or if a minimum amount of time passes. Cue destruction of city blocks. Or if "power" crystals are available, buy up a bunch of them from all over the planet, ship them to a few locations to create the bombs, and use that to create massive explosions.

Bingo. Massive and hard to counter threat to Crystal Tokyo, minimum fuss. Seriously, uber-tech is so easy to pervert into horror. That's not counting the possibility of ordinary suicide bombers and such. Any serious malcontents could very easily become a horrific threat. Kinda like Iraq is today to U.S. forces.

Finally, these are humans. Scattered terrorist groups. You can't find them without massive wiretapping/Orwellian surveillance, and that makes CT into the hell some think it to


Looking back at this post, I have to wonder what the hell is wrong with me. My first thought after reading the OP was how easy it was to make malcontents a horrible threat. Maybe I need to read some more WAFF or something.

 

[daniel_gudman]

Nah, Usagi will "purify" them with ginzuishou. After that they won't have the capacity to be discontented with their Dear Leader.

 

[Wakka]

Remember. Benevolent Crystal Tokyo. Good Usagi.

These people aren't being evil for the sake of evil. They're honestly doing what they think is best for everyone (overthrow the Monarch, by any means necessary). To change their minds would require actual mind control. Usagi doing that would make this a not-benevolent Crystal Tokyo.

That makes this possible.

 

[Reader458]

Ahh, the Irony. They can overthrow the current goverment because it isn't the big bad evil goverment they think it is.
In the end they are all going to live beneath a real opressive dictator that has outlawed dissagreement with them. "Because we can't have those nasty Royalist have any ground you see. For the greater good of course."

 

[Wakka]

Ahh, the Irony. They can overthrow the current goverment because it isn't the big bad evil goverment they think it is.
In the end they are all going to live beneath a real opressive dictator that has outlawed dissagreement with them. "Because we can't have those nasty Royalist have any ground you see. For the greater good of course."

Bingo. The only way for regular people to win against cosmic power is for that cosmic power to be crippled in some way. In this case, Usagi cripples herself with morals.

The Senshi can be as strong as they like: the harder they crack down, the more the malcontents seem to be telling the truth. After all, it's very human to resent something that's always going to be stronger than you, and what's stronger than the Queen and her Senshi? Seriously. The more they visibly use the incredible power they're gifted with the greater the propaganda opportunities will be, and ultimately more people will resent them. I'm of course presuming the Senshi will get called in once city blocks start exploding.

And since it's a "good" Crystal Tokyo, there aren't going to be mass media blackouts and massive censorship of Senshi operations. Someone is going to see it. That person is likely to have a camera (Cell phone cameras are ubiquitous now, and they'll only get better in the future). Since the government is good, it's not too likely that that person will be vanished and unable to show the cool movie off. Again, benevolence will work against the government here.

Eventually, the idea of small "ordinary human" rebels valiantly fighting the "inhuman" nigh-omnipotent Queen and her "enforcers" will get started. Probably as propaganda by the malcontents. And it'll probably take root along the dirtier edges of society. Instant clusterfuck.


Even with all this going on, don't think I'm predicting an overthrow of the government. If there is any change in the government, it'll be by consent of the Queen because she is a cosmic. Fucking. Power. If there is a changeover, it'll be voluntary.

Make no mistake: if/when Usagi gets off her throne and *does* something, everyone who stands against her loses. Probably inside of a few seconds. I'm not disputing that. But in this scenario, she's crippled. And so are her best forces by extension.

 

[PCHeintz72]

Even with all this going on, don't think I'm predicting an overthrow of the government. If there is any change in the government, it'll be by consent of the Queen because she is a cosmic. Fucking. Power. If there is a changeover, it'll be voluntary.

Make no mistake: if/when Usagi gets off her throne and *does* something, everyone who stands against her loses. Probably inside of a few seconds. I'm not disputing that. But in this scenario, she's crippled. And so are her best forces by extension.á

Shakes head and sniggers... I have to enter the fray after all... despite efforts to avoid it. This comment forces my hand.

That defies the concept of her being elected if it is subject to her whim. Additionally... you imply she does not do the job she is elected to unless she decides to.

I see no efforts of an elected leader... no attempts at parlay, negotiation, diplomacy, or conventional means. Merely a government run to her standards of 'good'.

Thus... evil Crystal Tokyo.

In any case... the malcontents may well have a legitimate fear... that of Chibi-Usa being put in charge if mother at her whim decides it. Chibi-Usa has proven to be without the same morals as most of us. It either is a reflection on Usagi for not instilling the same values into her daughter, or is a reflection of her true nature as a defender of love and justice.

 

[Reader458]

Shakes head and sniggers...? I have to enter the fray after all...? despite efforts to avoid it.? This comment forces my hand.

That defies the concept of her being elected if it is subject to her whim.? Additionally...? you imply she does not do the job she is elected to unless she decides to.

I see no efforts of an elected leader...? no attempts at parlay, negotiation, diplomacy, or conventional means.? Merely a government run to her standards of 'good'.

Thus...? evil Crystal Tokyo.

In any case...? the malcontents may well have a legitimate fear...? that of Chibi-Usa being put in charge if mother at her whim decides it.? Chibi-Usa has proven to be without the same morals as most of us.? It either is a reflection on Usagi for not instilling the same values into her daughter, or is a reflection of her true nature as a defender of love and justice.

I dissagree. If her condition for leaving power is a new election, she is still good.

As for parlay and negotiations, I don't see these groups give a rats as about that. They believe they are fighting a big bad and wont't be swayed by "Obvious attempts at bribery of the virtous defenders of mankind". (Or some such bullshit.)

It might be true that "One mans terrorist is the other mans freedom-fighter" but that works the other way around too.

And you have my answer on the Chibi-U thingy. But let me copy-n-paste for the others.

My problem...? is Chibi-usa, should reflect the values and moors of her parents.? Chibi-usa has shown she has no quals about hypnotizing, mind control, and manipulation.?

Thus if Usagi was a good parent, then she is not against it either.

If Usagi is not a good parent (a fact seemingly suported by how wiki defines the Luna P in manga, and how it is in anime alone with relationship to Pluto), that shows Usagi's true belief in love and justice and in how good her ability to lead is, since she cannot properly take care of her own family.

Neither is good at all when used as a benchmark as Usagi's ability to lead.

And that is besides my personal views of Crystal Tokyo.

Well, I think it depends on how much leeway one is willing to give her. I'm kinda iffy on the details but depending on how inolved Usagi is in governing. (And other things, how much is she using the crystal? Chibi-U tried to nick it and all went to hell, right? That could mean Usagi is working overtime on something with it.)

If she is heavily involved, and there is a outside threat, I can see her leave raising Chibi-U to tutors and her trusted Senshi. As most of the Senshi is rather busy in this scenario, that would give the bulk of it to Pluto. (She is after all mostly at the Time Gates.)
And the Outers was always the most ruthless, willing to sacrifise the few for the many.

And some times even a good parent doeesn't catch all things. I know of several people who had really good parents but they are still bad persons.