A New Era Dawns
I, Empress Aiko, stand before the eight-sided mirror and prostrate myself at your solar feet, mother mine,
Dew drenched bloom of my heart, guardian of our people…I offer my humble salutations,
Allow my love to flow over the polished stone of my soul to collect in a pool of beautiful dreams,
These I dream for you and the child that sleeps within the cradle of my womb,
As I gaze upon this magnificent dawning – my crystal sword captures the light of your radiant smile and casts its light upon the oracle mirror,
Give your benediction, oh, great lady,
I lift my eyes skyward, gazing upon the sacred mountain,
Oh, great lady of the chrysanthemum, fill my heart with joy,
You have granted your daughters great power and responsibility,
The fragrance of Sakura fills the air; the birds sing their salutations – and your priestess stands before you…her heart an echo of your voice, upon which your wisdom is conveyed,
My feet ever following your path,
My face but a fragment of your celestial beauty,
Gomen nasai -- forgive me as I have failed to find the words to express that which lies in my heart sufficiently this beautiful day,
To my unborn child, who shall follow in my wake, guide and protect her and teach her to rule with love and wisdom… Aishiteru
(Taken from Empress Aiko's Auto biography, Wanderings of Thought: 2029 CE)
Japan 2023
Aiko sat in her private courtyard and closed her eyes, allowing the morning sun to soothe her as she sipped on a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. She sighed at the thought of all the suffering caused by the Millennium War of 2009-14, the conflict sparked by a paramilitary terrorist cell that had seized control of an Indian nuclear missile installation and launched indiscriminate attacks on Pakistan and Israel. In the panic and miscommunication that followed, the house of cards that was the Middle East finally collapsed.
Asia found itself, along with the rest of the planet, dragged into another global conflict. The war raged over five frightening years as the world's most powerful nations resorted to the unthinkable. It was pure insanity.
North Korea, taking advantage of the situation launched a number of missiles at several countries starting with Japan. Fortunately, the casualties were only 200000 due to the fact the weapon had veered off course at the last possible moment . If the missile had found its mark, the casualties would have been something in the order of 3.09 million. The North Koreans had launched another missile towards South Korea, the weapon exploding five kilometers above the capital Seoul, killing almost half the city's population. Then, they launched an attack against the US and again it fell short of its intended target, Washington DC and struck the west coast, the death and devastation of these three attacks only matched by the fierce retaliation that all but obliterated the North Korean capital and its surrounds.
All hell had broken loose. Nuclear and fusion warfare dominated the headlines across the planet leaving a post-apocalyptic wasteland stretching over eighteen countries with less than fifteen million survivors in what was left of central and eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, western China's border region, south west Russia and the Korean peninsula.
Matters weren't helped by the fact that the long predicted Bird Flu pandemic had broken out in China. It was bad, and a mutated stream. It had, over the course of several months at the peak of the war, lay waste most of China and parts of South East Asia, spreading as far south as the northern states of Australia and parts of New Zealand -- the scourge then spreading rapidly throughout Europe. Airspace and access by sea was all but impossible for the relief effort to contain the plague as common sense and diplomacy were thrown out the window for the first two years of the war. Billions died.
But the use of biogenic weapons in 2011 saw the formation of what was colloquially known as the Eastern Inferno, the vast badlands stretching thousands of miles in all directions and home to deadly chimera mutants that were proliferating throughout the region. The Biogenic bombs had precipitated the transformation of harmless GMO into predatory parasites that sought out other living systems creating a frightening nightmare world. The chimera monster plants, insect’s animals’ reptiles, birds and bacteria falling prey to genetic contamination. These new hybrids fed upon one another and the many refugees seeking to escape the Inferno, many mutating into horrific creatures themselves had to be destroyed. It was a mess.
Most of the world's medical experts were flown to Portugal after the outbreak of war. They worked around the clock to find a cure. But the breakthrough finally happened in Kyoto Japan by a group of dedicated researchers who wanted to be closer to the source of the pandemic. In gratitude, all tensions between China and Japan were set aside and preliminary talks between Beijing and Tokyo had taken place with a view to forming a new regional power. Empress Aiko and her new government initialized the vaccine and treatment programs in January 2014. Japan and its allies -- including the Russians and United States -- cleared the air and sea routs to allow safe passage for the medical teams to fly in and out so they could do their work.
In May of 2013, in the United States, the so-called – big one – hit California claiming almost 2000000 casualties. Finally, in March of 2014, peace descended over the war-torn planet. Two years later, in 2016, humanity's fortunes began to take a positive turn.
The achievements of the Japanese didn't end with the cure for the pandemic. During the post war period, a new and exciting renaissance blossomed, riding on the wave of economic prosperity brought about by groundbreaking medical and technological innovation. Both the US and Europeans and Asia pooled their resources finding cures for radioactive disease and much more besides. Cures for cancer, HIV, and breakthroughs in genetics ending all forms of physical impairment. Also, cures were found for most physical afflictions, including those of the brain, central and sympathetic nervous systems; the new genetic therapies with the ability to replace bone, cartilage and muscle tissue, to the microcellular domain, this spawning the fad of Body Modeling. The idea being that people could dramatically alter not only their physical appearance, but assume any racial or gender identity they so desired through the gradual introduction of nanotechnology. Debate had raged over this practice, but only a handful of countries had banned it outright, or at least had limits placed upon its use. But the fertility rate was such that most dropped all limits on its use and the ongoing research into the population problem continued.
The death toll of the war had in itself brought about a massive reduction in the birth rate -- global population decreasing from 6 billion to 1.04 billion over the course of the conflict and it continued to drop until the alarming statistic of some 808100000 tallied in the global census of September 2017.
Tokyo Japan
Amidst the radical transformation of her beloved homeland, Empress Aiko -- the first royal leader of the new Japan -- had given birth to her first child, a daughter, Usagi. She was truly unique, possessing her father's fair hair and deep blue eyes.
When Aiko first met Usagi's father, Sokhumi, she was surprised to learn that not only was he a gifted statesman, but also loved Manga and Anime; Aiko's key passions. They hit it off right away.
Aiko was a gifted musician. She delighted audiences with her skills at the harp. Aside from her obvious talents as a singer, artist and dancer, her true passion was writing.
Aiko was a vivacious energetic young woman. She knew what she wanted and went for it. The young princess and her new love often ran the palace staff off their feet. Sparing no lack of forethought to keep their secret liaisons whilst going for long, late night walks in the palace gardens.
Aiko's dexterous ability to scale trees -- a gift she had acquired from a very young age -- served her well. On other occasions, they would sneak into Tokyo to watch holo-films in a beautiful park, or Sky Dance on a beach with other young people on a maglev-kite.
During these surreal performances, Aiko would dance and sing atop her translucent platform that wove its way through and between stunning holographic landscapes. These included fantasy motifs from Manga and Anime to multi-cultural settings and themes to the beauty and mysteries of deep space. The choices were endless, a typical holo-mural, often rising to a height of several hundred feet.
Aiko, known and loved the world over, not just because she was the crown princess and future Empress of Japan, but for her abundance of creative talent and business acumen. Aiko had also acted in film and on stage. Her latest book, on echo-cultural lifestyles, her teenage autobiography, the spinning Princess, were best sellers.
~*~
Aiko loved gliding above the breaking waves. Playing her jeweled crystal harp, the instrument would record her playing, and singing, via an inbuilt highly sensitive multiphasic sequencer, she would download the material later and store in a crystal pod.
Aiko loved watching the gravity wells do the most amazing things under the direction of a group of talented holo-maestros. This group of dedicated sand sculptors, calling themselves, the Neko Masons, would use the gravity well to alter the sand's crystalline structure on a molecular level, to manipulate and transform it into a rock-solid work of art -- the effect, spectacular.
There were a series of sculptures featuring a range of fascinating characters from history -- both heroic and notorious – along with Sokhumi and Aiko's favorite Manga characters, including the indomitable Sailor Moon and her Senshi.
~*~
Aiko and Sokhumi had the paparazzi nipping at their heels most of the time during their two-year courtship. This continued after their marriage and the birth of baby Usagi.
So, after a fancy-dress ball, or holo-dance party -- whatever the occasion, Aiko happened upon an answer for that little problem early on in their relationship. She suggested they disguise themselves.
"It would not be as if we would be recognized. There are enough sub-cultural communities in the old sector of the city to lose ourselves amongst, don't you think? So, I will dress up as, Cat Woman -- also known as, Neko-sama – and you, my fine sir, shall be my Tuxedo Kamen!" Aiko laughed, slapping Sokhumi's back, and he almost spat out a mouthful of sushi.
"Take it easy, Aiko-chan, I do not want to choke on my food, thanks very much. I value my mortality you know, my over-excited princess!" He laughed, trying to turn away from her and stuff the last of his food into his mouth.
She laughed and shook her head. "I do not know what I am going to do with you."
He looked up at her with soulful eyes and said, in a seductive tone, "Love me?"
"Besides that, masked man!"
She snuck up behind him, her raven-black plaits swatting his head as she tickled him. He leant back against her chest, aware of the warmth and softness of her breasts beneath the black cotton T-shirt -- she had sprayed on -- he would say in a jocular tone as it was so tight and form-fitting, contoured to her well-proportioned figure. This would win him a wicked grin. She would sit on his lap, and pull faces until he laughed.
Whenever Sokhumi was drinking green tea or soft drink, she would sit before him on a chair or on the floor Indian style. If she were especially frisky – and if he was good – she would pout, straddle him, and make those funny faces he adored until he had to stop drinking. He would chide her every time her antics brought about an episode of uncontrollable laughter, often resulting in a fine mist of drink falling over them both. With kitten eyes -- she would simply say, "I asked you for the news, not the weather report, Sokhumi darling!" But he would shrug, laugh and start tickling her, or engage in a royal pillow fight with herself and younger sister, ishiko.
They were so in love. Aiko sighed, smiling at the memory of the first kiss she shared with Sokhumi.
Tokyo 2041-2
Usagi was a spirited young girl. A princess with attitude, as her best friend, and personal guard, Mina Porter described her. Usagi would spend a month in the UK and another six weeks touring the world with her mother, The Empress Aiko and her father. Her mother, a lover of Japanese and international popular culture, thrived on a diet of Manga and other forms of fantasy literature, and almost had to be surgically removed from the holo-imager where she participated in a holomorphic version of Maple Story 2030, the most popular version of the RPG devised, not to mention her Manga-Anime holo-RPG fetish. But she wasn't just into virtual entertainment. She was a skilled writer and musician, a harpist like her mother and could play the piano and any other keyboard with ease and grace.
In high school, at the age of fourteen, in the year 2037, Usagi headed the school magazine as its editor for over three years before graduating. Since that time, she had written several amazing short stories, these published in a series of anthologies and periodical young writer's magazines. She had published eight novellas, featuring the genres of fantasy and the supernatural.
Usagi had also arranged for her favorite web community members to have their work published in her Manga-Anime review magazine. Many of her on-line friends visited her at the palace on a regular basis. One or two English girls and one guy from Iceland, she arranged each year to be flown to Japan and lodged at the palace, as they were from single parent families, financially unable to pay their way.
~*~
It was Usagi's eighteenth birthday, the year 2041. The crystal pod rested in its transductive cradle in the history faculty of Tokyo University. Yomahoti Nerikamara, a student and friend to the young eighteen-year-old crown princess, was helping her look for historical data to assist her quest to better understand her people and advance her vision for them.
Usagi would soon become leader of the Order of the Chrysanthemum, a new movement founded by her mother to bring about the emancipation of women in the Japanese royal family. She had succeeded. She had replaced the old traditional in-house palace bureaucracy of the past. Her popularity was infectious. She had captured the hearts and minds of her people and their neighbors, including the Chinese. The old palace, was transformed into a multi-cultural academy by order of the Empress, Aiko in 2028.
The Empress had also scrapped many of the patriarchal customs. Its new mandate had proved more than adequate to fill the royal coffers and reduce the burden on the Japanese taxpayer.
Empress Aiko decreed a new palace be constructed on the outskirts of Tokyo to reflect the new era of royal equality and power sharing. The new complex fashioned from the most beautiful translucent sapphire and quartz. The gardens and the elaborate campus were fifteen miles square. It boasted its own airport and transport infrastructure.
A moving promenade flanked by ranks of Sakura trees led to the central outer courtyard of the magnificent new palace, where Cherry Blossom festival celebrations would be broadcast across Japan and to the world. The building, so beautiful that it graced the covers of international tabloid publications for years; such was its splendor.
The throne of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu -- the new seat of imperial power -- fashioned from pure sapphire, was a breathtaking sight up close on the ground or from the air. The temple designed to look exactly like a Sakura bloom.
~*~
During this time, secret negotiations were continuing between eight influential nations including Japan and China to create the most powerful federation the world had ever known. The vision of the Pan-Asian-Federation was based upon a philosophy of cooperation and prosperity. Pledging to secure a strong economic and multi-cultural community dedicated to working towards a future fashioned after the Asian imagination. It would embrace the best that the west had to offer suiting its unique perspective. But in order to forge this new alliance, and have Tokyo its capital, a marriage between two of its central power blocks in the new federation had to be agreed to. This was the only condition China placed on surrendering its self-reliance and nation-state sovereignty to embrace a grander vision for its people to join its new partners. But all this was contingent upon Princess Usagi marrying Endymion, son of the Chinese president.
Years before, the self-confident young man, adopting his Japanese name Chiba Mamoru -- as his mother was native to the Land of the Rising Sun. Endymion was the title name his father had given him, but everyone called him Mamoru.
He had inherited his mother's Eurasian features, especially her ocean-blue eyes, his father's height, jet-black hair and dark complexion. But the distressing part of all this for Usagi was the fact it had all been arranged behind her back. Overruled by her mother, she was told it was best for her people and would make Japan the shining light for humanity in the twenty-first century. She didn't care. The Pan-Asian federation could go to hell as far as Usagi was concerned.
According to her parents, the year 2042, they had said, would be celebrated the world over by both east and west as the new entity took its place upon the global stage, if Japan was to be part of it her parents had said -- this marriage was a small price to pay. The irony was, this was the only way forward for her people. But she didn't want to marry a man she didn't like, let alone love.
