[newspaper] The Daily Yomiuri

[Neo Queen Serenity]

(Editorial in the Daily Yomiuri, the most circulated newspaper in Japan)

As the political struggles are slowly resolved, the government of New Earth under New Queen Serenity consolidates its power-- and the people are still left with critical questions about their new leader. As the days have gone on, we have seen more of Queen Serenity, and the revelations are disturbing indeed. Merely 24 years old, with no executive experience to speak of, this woman has risen as the monarch over a global government.

Though Queen Serenity and her sailor senshi's power certainly have done good for the world, questions remain if this young woman is truly the right person to rule over a government this large-- or any nation, for that matter. The global reach of such a state has only been attempted by the United Nations, and even then those countries retained their sovereignty. Why does Neo Queen Serenity believe, just because of her supernatural-seeming abilities, that she has a right to govern Earth?

Why could the queen have not established herself and her senshi as a protective force alongside a more experienced and temperate coalition of world leaders? Neo Queen Serenity is, despite all of her mincing words to the contrary, a politician, and is no stranger to ambition.

She is hardly a remarkable woman in any other respect, and her television interviews have been banal at best. She was not accomplished in work nor education, and I must question whether such a vapid girl has any place at the head of the new government. Her uninspired speeches and simple words reveal a vacuous nature. A true global leader must be an experienced intellectual, not Empress Barbie in the flesh.

Her idealism in and of itself is cause for concern. The young do not belong at the highest levels of government precisely because of the naiveté that she has displayed. But like any new government, she came to power atop the heads of those who toil underneath her, and behind the scenes, who make the political deals that seal her global power. It is upon their far more experienced actions that Neo Queen Serenity enjoys her pedestal from which she preaches to the world about global peace and prosperity.

However these political alliances are fragile and situations globally remain volatile, as New Earth forces are still stationed in some of the most dangerous areas of the world. The political deals cut for expediency will come crashing down around this young queen's head. The question is, can the world survive it?

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Serenity unveils 'talking cat'
The Queen meets with South African delegation, reveals existence of "Luna"

Dec. 26th, NE 1

CRYSTAL TOKYO-- Last night's South African delegation and the Crystal Palace press corps were astonished to be greeted by the Queen and her talking cat, whom Serenity introduced as Luna, her advisor.

Though seemingly supernatural surprises from the Queen and her senshi are de rigeur in this day and age, the existence of a feline with human-level intelligence caused obvious shock with the Rose Quartz room, where the Queen received the delegation. Besides Luna, whose crescent moon marking is similar to the Queen's, Serenity was impromptly joined by her fiancé, Chiba Mamoru.

The receiving of the South African delegation marks a critical juncture for Queen Serenity and her political aims in Africa. The Crystal Palace's official stance on the former nation's WMDs program and other key points in the provisional benchmarks for South African integration into New Earth are expected to be up for discussion during the delegation's next few days in Crystal Tokyo.

The Queen formally met Kgalema Motlanthe, the last president of South Africa before the rise of New Earth, Nelson Mandela, the first post-apartheid president of South Africa (and Nobel Peace Prize winner), Thabo Mbeki, also a former president, Jacob Zuma, who was widely presumed to be Motlanthe's successor, and former members of African National Congress.

Mandela is a key player in Serenity's WMD dismantlement aims. South Africa acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear weapon state in 1991, and International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors subsequently verified the completeness of its nuclear dismantlement. South Africa was the only Middle Earth nation to voluntarily dismantle its nuclear program.

After the revelations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which details about South Africa's chemical and biological weapons capabilities were revealed, then-President Mandela oversaw the dismantlement of nuclear and CBW programs. The post-apartheid government of South Africa implemented its nonproliferation and disarmament policy through the Non- Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act (No. 87 of 1993) to control the transfer of sensitive items and technologies. South Africa joined the Zangger Committee in 1994 and the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 1995, and played a leading role in successful conclusion of the 2000 NPT Review Conference as a member of the "New Agenda Coalition" that also included then Middle Earth nations of Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and Sweden. South Africa also began working with the IAEA in 2004, in order to monitor international smuggling of nuclear weapons materials, after investigations of a South African businessman exposed connections to the A.Q. Khan network.

However, critical questions remain about how far Mandela was able to dismantle South Africa's CBW program, nicknamed Project Coast (or Jota). Personnel affiliated with the program said it was the most advanced program in the world outside of the former Soviet Union. Though South Africa ostensibly dismantled the program in 1993, allegations remain that critical samples of biological and chemical materials were transfered to rogue regimes such as Libya during the 1994 elections (allegations that Mandela promised to follow through on.)

Other questions remain on South Africa transferring chemical and biological weapons and technology to foreign intelligence personnel and black marketers trafficking in dangerous weapons long after Project Coast's supposed dismantling. There has been no independent verification of CBW capabilities dismantling the verifiable certainty of South Africa's former nuclear program.

Speculation abounds as to whether these factors were involved in Serenity's decision to first present this talking cat, Luna, to Nelson Mandela, who is widely expected to ally himself with the Queen on matters of weapons disarmament. After the formal introductions, the delegation went to a state dinner, and the Crystal Palace released a statement saying that both the Queen and the delegation were committed to developing a good working relationship and working closely on issues of mutual concern.

As to the delegation's sputtered shock at the revelation of her feline advisor, Luna, Serenity coolly quoted: "...there are more things in heaven and earth," from Hamlet, setting the political tone of more surprises to come from these critical endeavors.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Royal Betrothal Implodes
Queen Serenity calls off her engagement to Chiba Mamoru

Dec. 29th, NE 1

CRYSTAL TOKYO-- Speculation ran rampant yesterday over unconfirmed reports that Neo Queen Serenity halted her engagement to Chiba Mamoru on the 27th, just weeks before the wedding date. Anonymous reports from senior aides and palace staff set off the rumors, which were further fueled by a brief public appearance by the Queen in which she was photographed without her ring.

What was a raging topic has now been verified: the Crystal Palace Press Corps were the first to confirm the rumors, after one reporter asked the Deputy Press Secretary if the engagement was still on.

"Neo Queen Serenity is no longer affianced to Chiba Mamoru," Sato Kazuna replied. "Her Majesty regrets any confusion or pain this announcement causes, and expresses her appreciation for the well-wishes and support she has received during this difficult time. She cordially requests that her privacy and that of Chiba Mamoru be respected, and stresses the amicable nature of the dissolution of their betrothal."

Sato refused to answer any more questions or offer clarification on the nature of the break, only repeating that the affair was private and requesting that the press exercise restraint.

So ends a public and peculiar romance that predated the Queen's coronation. Both the Queen and her ex-fiancé were often the focus of tabloid speculation, on which the mercurial mood of the public's opinion of the pending marriage was often projected. Though reasons for the split remain a closely guarded secret, reports from the palace staff point to contention amongst Chiba and the senshi.

Others blame the intense media scrutiny and pressures of public life for the surprising rupture between the royal couple, just days after their last public appearance together with the South African Delegation.

One thing remains certain: this new development will present a new set of challenges for the young Queen, who has now emerged as the world's most eligible bachelorette.

Do the photographs of their appearances together foretell the coming break-up? Our body language expert analyzes on page A8!

[Crystal Tokyo Press Corps]

Royal Mess: Chiba Mamoru's Debauchery
Ex-fiancé arrested in drunken brawl over aspiring actress

Dec. 31st, NE 1

CRYSTAL TOKYO-- Chiba Mamoru, Neo Queen Serenity's ex-fiancé, was arrested late December 29th/early 30th, during a bar fight over an aspiring actress.

Photographers documented the event, saying that things became heated when Chiba was challenged after found in the amorous embrace of "Mayu," whose surname has not yet been disclosed. The arrest, release, and mugshot set off a flurry worldwide, as thousands blogged and tweeted the new developments.

Mayu was briefly reached for comment, saying that she and Chiba-san had been dated before the broken engagement, and that her 'other boyfriend' grew jealous when he saw her with Mamoru and started the fight. This story was disputed by the other man, Ishida Torai, who denied that Mayu had ever seen Chiba before that night, adding darkly: "if she had, he would have had more than a bruised jaw." He is expected to appear on a few talk shows, and is even talking about a book deal. Ishida said that FNN has already filmed an interview, that is set to air in two days.

Palace officials have not offered any comments, however, one government employee agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. "Chiba Mamoru has a lot of anger issues. Before moving out of the Palace, he left several maids in tears and would take out his anger on the staff. He was also in a large fight with Lady Mars, and then there were rumors of a fight, during which the broken engagement took place. Now this. As you can see, he has been in a lot of fights lately. Frankly we're all relieved that he is far away from the Queen, with that attitude. I do hope he seeks professional help."

This story was confirmed by several servants, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. "He needs anger management therapy. There's no excuse to talk to us like that," agreed one maid, who looked absolutely devastated by her ordeal.

Though charges were dropped without comment by the Metropolitan police, this new development has many questioning why it took so long for the Queen to end the engagement. Others continue to speculate on the nature of the fight and the arrest.

There are rumors about Mayu being from an escort service, though Mamoru was with Furuhata Motoki at the time, who was briefly detained as well. Both were caught in rather compromising positions with the young woman, raising additional concern about the kind of activities that Mamoru might have been involved with during his time as an official part of palace life.

"It's just despicable," Fukasawa Akina, a regular citizen in Yokohama said, when asked how the populace viewed the event. "This is our government. It shouldn't be run by drunk, violent, promiscuous men."

These kinds of comments were viewed all over the world as the news broke. Condemnation and demands for answers have flooded in from all reaches of the globe. Interest in Chiba Mamoru has only grown since the ill-fated betrothal ended. "Chiba Mamoru arrest" was the top Google search for the past day, and interest in the story is only expected to continue, with the growing silence from the subject himself and the Crystal Palace mounting.

[Crystal Tokyo Press Corps]

History Repeats Itself
Jan. 1st, NE 2
Op-ed by Dr. Jodie Collins

A young, blonde, blue-eyed virginal woman, newly thrust into the royal spotlight. The wedding of the century. An older, darker, handsome man, who would one day be King. Her desperate love; his stoicism and public stiffness. A humanitarian and an intellectual. A fairy-tale romance and marriage, that ends in deceit and tragedy.

Do you think that this describes the broken betrothal between Neo Queen Serenity and her ex-fiancé, Chiba Mamoru? No, this is the story of the former Prince Charles, and Diana, Princess of Wales. For Neo Queen Serenity's story has averted tragedy, at least so far. There will be no royal wedding; for the ill-fated royal marriage has been stopped before it ever really began.

The fractures were obvious to anyone who cared to closely observe the couple. Their public personas were vastly different. Serenity, with her open, demonstrative personality, and Chiba, with his reserve, were as badly suited for each other in photographs as they would be in married life.

Reactions to the break-up have been mixed in the public, but I have sighed with relief, for history was on the cusp of repeating itself. As more damning news emerges about Chiba Mamoru in the press, I am reminded of the War of the Waleses and the multitudes of royal indiscretions that splashed around the press as their marriage came to a close. Though the reaction from the Crystal Palace has been nothing short of mute, the Queen has subtly engaged in media manipulation reminiscent of those days.

"Leaked" accounts from the Palace, the tearful stories of the maids, and the public face of "refusing to comment on these affairs" has left Neo Queen Serenity emerging the victor so far in this blood bath.

But will Chiba Mamoru come forward to tell his story? Already he has been accused of everything from infidelity to alcoholism. Up until now the Palace has carefully crafted the fairy-tale image of the Queen and her Consort. Now Chiba finds himself out in the cold, away from the protective auspices of the press secretaries, and the royal Public Relations experts. And if the polls are any indication, Chiba is now the reviled instigator of the troubles between the couple. As suitors flock to the Palace, that is precisely where the Queen wants to keep him. Keeping Chiba in the public eye and the blackguard in the press allows the Queen to distance him from the monarchy, and his current outrageous behavior in a Tokyo bar from staining her image.

Instead, it will allow Serenity the ability to move on as flocks of eligible young men come to try to sway the attentions of the Queen. Perhaps this way she can free herself from the weight of a ten-year long dysfunctional relationship, and find someone more suitable to her temperament, and with which she has common interests. And, I firmly believe, someone closer to her own age.

As the situation plays out now, we can all look back to the past to see what might have been, and how much has been avoided by the courageous decision to end this marriage before it began. We have all seen the political and personal damage that can be caused by a couple as different as these two are. It is to the benefit of both parties that this ended, before it went on to include heirs to the crown, and to sully the monarchy itself.

---

Dr. Jodie Collins in a well-known celebrity psychologist, author, columnist, and television commentator. She specializes in studying royalty, and is currently promoting her new book: The Family: Comparisons Between the Windsors and the Mob. She currently practices psychology in the United Kingdom.

[Crystal Tokyo Press Corps]

From Playboy to Protector
Chiba Mamoru rediscovers civic duty

January 6, NE 2

CRYSTAL TOKYO-- Yesterday, Chiba Mamoru summoned the police on word that he had discovered a shop with "thousands of credits" worth of contraband drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers were astonished to find several kilos of methamphetamines, marijuana, LSD, and other psychotrophic substances. All were in an occult shop who's commercial license had long since expired.

"We believe the shop was operated by the yakuza," explained Officer Gotou. "With other purchases such as books and crystals, it was easy to account for the flow of drug money into the organization."

The officer went on to say that the shop had done a brisk business in stolen antiquities. Officer Gotou added that this was a major win for the Metropolitan Police in their efforts to crack down on yakuza activity within Tokyo.

"None of this would have been possible without Chiba Mamoru," he credited the former Consort. "He provided us with critical and timely information. The public owes him a debt of gratitude."

This news comes after several scandals have surrounded the ex-fiance of Neo Queen Serenity, from the tumultuous breakup, to their bizarre date out, and Chiba's own problems with the police. A recent bar brawl over a woman wound up with Chiba and his companion in jail, though all charges were later dropped.

One thing is for sure-- the storm of events surrounding Chiba and the Crystal Palace will not abate any time soon.