All right, I think I found a way to make a benevolent Crystal Tokyo that is not in complete control of humanity and is facing significant threats both internal and external.
A brief history
Around the time that Queen Serenity came to power in Japan and began to stretch the new Kingdoms influence across Asia, the D-Engine (Dimensional Engine) was created. This lead to the creation of a powerful, but dangerous new field call
Arcanotech. This field took most of the world by storm, and the D-Engine quickly supplanted almost all other forms of energy production.
The Crystal Kingdom, and those areas allied with it, could access planetary Leylines, and the Magic Grid to provide power for their people. That plus fact that the design and repair of arcanotech can cause insanity and rifts in the fabric of space and time led Queen Serenity to outlaw itÆs use in Crystal Tokyo. This initially spared Crystal Tokyo from the wrath of the
Migou, who sent their agents, the
Nazzadi, to end the threat of humanity during the first Arcanotech war.
The war eventually ended with the Nazzadi turning on their masters, once the truth of their creation was revealed, and joining the recently formed
New Earth Government (NEG). Though all of Earth suffered during the first war, those territories under the protection of Crystal Tokyo suffered less than others. As such CT enjoys control over Japan, China, large areas of Russia, Australia and the Philippines. The NEG controls North & South America, Africa and Europe. The two powers disagree over certain issues which continue to prevent them from joining under one banner.
Queen Serenity feels that humanity should abandon Arcanotech. Her government argues that it has not only brought suffering to the children of earth, presents a clear and present danger to the safety of humanity, but that it also appears to be changing humanity. The emergence, study, and use of
Para-Psychics and dangerous
Magic by the NEG is also a matter of concern for Queen Serenity. She also does not like the fact that, while technically a liberal democracy, the NEG is also a police-state.
The NEG does not trust the leylines or the Magic Grid, pointing out that it failed to provide adequate protection for the Moon Kingdom in the past (Queen Serenity has been fairly open about the past history Moon Kingdom). The NEG also feels that Arcanotech is the path to humanities future, and the best defense we have against the Miquo, their allies and other cosmic horrors. They argue that too much of CTÆs defense relies on the Senshi and their power. If soemthing were to happen to the Senshi, CT would be dangerously vulnerable. They also feel that, while benevolant so far, CT is a constitutional monarchy and that could easily lead to trouble down the line.
Though they distrust one another CT and the NEG will work together to face a common threat, like the Migou, whoÆve managed to get a foothold on earth and the æDark MoonÆ whoÆve taken over Nemisis and activly seek to force all of humanity into their fanatical cult. Aside from them, both governments are dealing with Eldritch abomination cults like æThe Children of ChaosÆ, æthe Disciples of the UnnamableÆ, æthe Rapine StormÆ, æOrder of DagonÆ, and æthe Death ShadowsÆ, who seek to summon their æOld OneÆ masters to sing the song of humanities annihilation. Of course the Migou hate everybody and actively seek to end CT, NEG, Dark Moon and all the æOld OneÆ cults running about on earth.
If you havenÆt guessed this is a fusion of Sailor Moon with
Cthulhutech.
Edit:
World building notes:
CTÆs Magitek Grid is a combination of life energy, cosmic energy, and leylines (Planetary and Solar). CT grows and strengthens the grid as they expand their sphere of influence (Voice: ôYou must construct additional pylons.ö *whap!* ôOw!ö), and it can be used to run buildings and vehicles as well as empower people who have the right training. The ædenserÆ the grid is in a particular area the more energy that is available for use.
An example: A person of moderate talent and competent training could use the available energy on the very fringe of the grid to allow them to yank a gun out of personÆs hand with little effort. In an area with a moderate grid ædensityÆ that same amount of effort could easily knock a full grown human on their rump. At the gridÆs core (Crystal Tokyo) that same effort would be enough to hit a person with the force of a cannonball (Think the Force Unleashed).
Now, since the Senshi are tied to the planets and thus the grid you canÆt use the gridÆs energy to harm them. If a person were to empower a spell with all the energy they could muster from the gridÆs core and hurl it at Queen Serenity it would have the same effect as using Dragon Slave on Ruby Eye Shabranigdo.
CT does make use of modern (for the future) firearms, armor and gear but itÆs backed by the power available to itÆs armed forces via the grid. However, Nanoforges are restricted to police, and military use as the Queen is concerned about the possible long-term ramifications and the possibilities for abuse such technology presents.
The NEGÆs gear is more or less unchanged from that described in the
Cthulhutech pages I linked.
