Null Tower, New York City
While Null Technologies employs thousands of people, very few of them work at the Tower itself. One of the upper floors houses all the Tower's living quarters: Vesta, Kari and Torn live here, as do Noriko and her father Bob. Max Black a.k.a. Quantum is knocking at Bob's door.
<This is probably a bad idea> Kari whispers to him.
Max doesn't have the time to answer before Quantum opens the door, greeting them.
<Yes, what can I…oh hi Max. It's been a while.>
Kari does a double take: she's used to seeing multiple people with the same face, but she didn't expect to see Max shaking Quantum's hand. But despite not knowing they're the same person, Erika seems to be far more shocked.
<I can't believe it. You…you are…>
<Quantum, the Man of Energy, at your service> he answers, taking a bow.
<Q, this Erika, my sister's girlfriend.>
<You know Quantum? HOW!?> Erika asks.
<Yes, how exactly?> Kari repeats, crossing her arms.
<Max and I go way back. In fact, I was the one to suggest Noriko to hire him. Now, I suppose this isn't exactly a social visit?> Quantum asks.
<I'm afraid not. My sister's missing and we were hoping to use the Tower's computer to find her.>
<Sure, why not. You can use the I.R.I.S terminal, two doors to the right. I'm afraid I can't stay here to help you; you know, places to be, people to save, that kind of stuff.>
<Of course. It was a honor to meet you, sir> Erika manages to say, stuttering.
<We better get started. See ya later, Q, I owe you one> Max adds, taking Erika's hand to drive her away from Quantum.
Kari watches them leave, then turns towards Quantum. She tries to touch him, but her hand goes right through him
<A hologram. I.R.I.S, is that you?> she asks. Quantum answers with a metallic female voice:
<Forgive the ruse, Kari Zel, but Mistress Noriko programmed me to save Quantum's secret identity.>
<Then why do I think that she's not gonna be very happy when she finds out that we brought a stranger into the Tower?>
<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>
<She does think of everything, doesn't she?>
<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>
<Just my luck...>
Space station Sword of Justice
The hearing has been going on for hours. Not a long time for gods, but as much as she tries to hide it, Noriko is exhausted. She has fallen asleep, resting her head on Vesta's shoulder.
The red-haired goddess instinctively warms the air around them a little bit.
<You care about her> Athena says. There's no emotional attachment to the sentence: the goddess of wisdom is simply stating a fact.
<She's my friend. I hope you're not pushing her too much into this.>
<I'm not pushing her to do anything.>
<Athena, please. You can fool Zeus, but I know you. Everything you do is part of a plan.>
<True enough. For what it's worth, aunt Vesta, I never intended to leave you stranded on Earth for such a long time.>
<You should try it, Athena. Live between mortals, experience time as they do. Take it slow.>
<I'd go crazy within the hour.>
The two goddesses chuckle, taking care not to wake up Noriko. The awkward silence that follows lasts a few seconds, before Vesta takes the courage to ask:
<How's the family, Athena? I was thinking...>
<You're still not welcome on Olympus> Athena cuts her short.
<After all this time?>
<Said like a mortal. But don't worry: sooner or later, they will understand. They have to.>
<Demeter didn't.>
<And what happened to her?>
<It wasn't my fault, Athena. I'm not the one who gave Noriko her power.>
<But you did allow her people to grow too fast. No wonder their Nexus killed the first hostile divinity she encountered.>
<I was sentenced to exile. I wasn't supposed to rule or influence mortals.>
<Since when do you follow your family's orders, Vesta?>
The family reunion is cut short when someone opens the doors with the force and subtlety of a battering ram. Still frightened by the noise, a dozen of ten year old girls leave rose petals on the floor and chant together:
<All hail Artemis, daughter of Zeus, Ruler of Olympus, and Leto, The Concealed.>
The sound wakes up Noriko, who jumps on her feet to meet the latest would-be ruler of Myridia.
Artemis looks like a fitness model. All of the goddesses Noriko has met have perfect bodies (as well as Hermes, no matter how much she tries to forget him), but Artemis' clothes seem designed to emphasize her well-defined muscles. Aside from the dark blue low-cut shorts and shirt that leaves her abs exposed, she's only wearing metal bands on her wrists and ankles.
Her white hair is very short with a boyish cut; there is a deep, nasty scar over and under her right eye, which hasn't healed completely.
The children step aside to let her pass, bowing respectfully. Artemis ignores Athena and Vesta, going straight to Noriko who does her best not to look intimidated: she's almost two feet taller and looks like she could break her in half without a sweat. To answer her stare, Noriko's silver eyes shine menacingly. Artemis doesn't seem to care.
<Elytra says you're the mortal girl who killed Demeter and wants to rule her worlds.>
<I am Null. Do you have a problem with->
Noriko doesn't have the time to finish before Artemis grabs her by the jacket's collar, lifting her effortlessly with one hand, and kisses her.
Athena sighs, rolling her eyes. Vesta is too embarrassed to do anything for the first five seconds; but then she sees that Noriko is clearly panicking when her efforts to break free are in vain.
<Artemis, stop it! That's enough!> she shouts, trying to separate her friend and her niece.
She's not strong enough to move Artemis by more than an inch, but finally she ends the kiss.
<Hm. Still don't understand what all the fuss is about.>
Noriko coughs heavily as if she almost drowned, which isn't far from the truth. Vesta immediately tires to help her, noticing that her eyes are now more shining than ever.
Noriko jumps towards Artemis; Vesta has to hold her to stop her. She's never seen her like this.
<How dare you!? I am Null! Slayer of gods! I will have your head for this!!!>
<I can see why you like this one, Athena. I think I'll keep an eye on her> Artemis adds, leaving to join the hall of Themis.
Athena doesn't react. Noriko is still mad with rage; Vesta is still holding her to prevent her from running straight into the hall. She's acting like a caged animal: it's only a matter of time before she hurts herself. And her eyes are now painful to look at, even for a goddess.
<Athena, a little help here!?> Vesta asks.
<I warned you about this> Athena explains, touching Noriko's forehead with a finger.
Noriko calms down immediately. She leans on Vesta, too dizzy to stand on her own. As she catches her breath, with her heart still pounding, she recalls:
<"The darkest part of humanity crawling inside your head". You said it when you gave me the power. It's happening, isn't it?>
<The Nexus gives you access to mankind's knowledge. Experience and intelligence, yes, but also unbridled ambition and aggression. When you lose control over it, this is what happens.>
<I felt it before...when I killed Demeter, when I faced Leiko...but nothing like this. It's getting worse. Why didn't you do anything!?>
<I can't. Nobody using the Nexus has ever been able to fully control it.>
<No, I'm talking about Artemis. Vesta tried to help me, but you just stood there and watched!!!>
<Artemis is very persistent; taking you away from her would've made you even more desirable in her eyes. Her lust is satiated for now. It was a calculated move; there's no need for emotional outbursts.>
<The hell there isn't> Noriko says, pushing Vesta aside and walking off, away from the hall.
Vesta crosses her arms, giving her niece a stern look.
<I hope you're happy. First she learns that her mother is a monster; now you watch her being molested and you don't even care!?>
<You're a million years old, aunt Vesta. It's time you grow up.>
<Yes. Maybe it is> she answers, leaving the goddess of wisdom to follow her friend.
In an empty corridor, Noriko is sitting with her eyes closed and her forehead on her knees.
"I'm not going crazy. I'm not" she thinks.
"Can we go home now? This place is scary" another voice replies from within.
"Let me out again. I want to kill that b##ch"
"Oh great, another one! It's getting crowded in here!"
"Shut up! Both of you! I'm trying to think!!!"
"Build another God Eraser. We can kill all of them in a single shot and rule the galaxy!"
"Who cares about the galaxy, give them what they want and let's go home!
<Noriko? Is everything okay?>
She looks up: Vesta is offering her a handkerchief. She didn't even notice she was crying.
"Hug her and cry on her shoulder!"
"Cut out our her heart and weaponize it!"
<I could use your help> Noriko answers, taking the handkerchief. Vesta sits down besides her.
<I'm sorry about what happened. I should've warned you about Artemis. And Athena. And...well I'm afraid everyone in my family is nuts. I shouldn't let you get mixed up with them.>
<I'm just tired to be a pawn is someone else's game. Leiko wants to use me to rule the world, the Mortal Liberation Front wants the Nexus as a weapon, the gods want to use me to mess with each other...and the worst part is I've been helping all of them without even knowing it. I can't even trust myself because there's a piece of alien technology in my brain that will eventually turn me insane.>
<I trust you> Vesta says.
<Why? You're a goddess. You could rule Earth if you wanted. Why are you still following me?>
<Because beneath the rude and bossy exterior you're a good person. Maybe Leiko and Athena gave you your power for the wrong reason, but so what? It can still be used to do some good.>
<Pretty hard to do when the Nexus keeps pushing the worst part of humanity inside my head.>
<I'm sure you'll eventually find a way to use it to your advantage. It's what humans do.>
Noriko's eyes flash intensely. She stands up, snapping her fingers.
<That's it! Why didn't I think of that!?>
<What? What did I say?>
<Come on; I have to talk with Hermes before it's too late!>
<About what? You're going to accept his proposal?>
<I need his help to win Earth and Myridia back. But I have to make him think he's winning.>
<You want to trick Hermes? He's the GOD of tricksters!!!>
Noriko smiles. It's the smile of someone who has just figured out how to beat impossible odds.
<Do you have any idea of many millions of lawyers there are on Earth? They are all here> she says, tapping a finger on her head.
Space station Sword of Justice
Unlike his fellow gods, Hermes doesn't have a mothership; in fact, he never travels by ship. Noriko is just outside his residence inside the Sword of Justice, accompanied by Torn and Kari Zel.
<I don't like it. This place gives me the creeps> Kari says.
<Believe me, you're not the only one who finds Hermes...uncomfortable. But there's no way we're going to be alone in the same room again> Noriko answers.
<"Again"?> Torn asks, raising an eyebrow.
<Don't ask.>
The door opens on its own. The three enter the god's room, which is illuminated by dozens of candles whose flame trembles as they walk by. Hermes is slouching on some kind of throne; much to the visitors' dismay, Talas Khanos is standing next to him.
<What's he doing here!?> Kari protests.
<He's my new Oracle. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Lady Null?>
<I have...reconsidered your proposal.>
<Teenagers. You just can't trust their hormones> Khanos comments, solely to provoke a reaction.
<Not. That> Noriko answers through her teeth.
<Oh, this I've got to hear. Leave us alone, Khanos.>
<As you wish, my Lord> he bows, disappearing in a flash of green light. Kari gives a worried look to Torn: it's the same effect of the teleportation device from Demeter's ship.
<Yes. Hermes Oracles can teleport on their own> Torn answers the unsaid question.
<So, let's get to the point, shall we? Why are you really here, sunshine?> Hermes asks.
<I'm willing to renounce my claim to Demeter's planets in your favor. You're a sleaze, but so far you're the least insane of the claimants. And you don't really need Myridia.>
<Interesting assumption. Did Athena brief you about my domain?>
<No need. Everybody else wants Myridia because the Drylon monolith inside it can grant them an instant army. You don't need that: you've got the Many that you stole from Demeter. The fact that you're now employing Talas Khanos, the creator of the Many, confirms it. The only reason you're doing this is because you don't want anybody else to have Myridia.>
<Clever girl. This could be the start of a truly wonderful alliance between us.>
<It doesn't mean I trust you. You sent the Many to kill me immediately after Athena chose me. If I deliver Myridia to you, I want something in return.>
<Of course. You could rule Myridia in my place, if you're willing to become my Oracle.>
<No. Myridia will choose its own rulers and you won't force them to worship you.>
<You're in no position to make demands, sunshine.>
<Myridia hasn't fully recovered from what Demeter did; if you want to rule a strong planet, you need to give them time to heal. What's a thousand years for a god?>
<A very busy god. I can't wait that long. I can give them a hundred years of freedom.>
<Three hundred. It's how long Demeter's rule lasted.>
<I'm not Demeter. Two hundred and fifty years.>
<Let's make a deal. A hundred years of freedom for Myridia...and you won't reveal the position of Earth to anyone. Even indirectly.>
<You do realize, sunshine, that Earth is in Demeter space. If I get Myridia, I get Earth as well.>
<I know. But what if some other god defeats you? If they don't know the location of Earth, it will take time before they attack it. They haven't found it in more than two thousand years.>
<Hm. Good point. Very well, I accept your proposal.>
<And you will declare it in front of Themis, of course. Your word alone isn't worth enough.>
<You hurt my feelings, sunshine.>
Artemis Chariot
The ship has a unique design: it's built around a large sphere that hosts the most diverse habitat Vesta has ever seen. It hosts all kinds of animals, even extinct or alien ones, in a perfect reproduction of a forest. Artemis sits on her throne of animal bones, petting a deer.
<It's nice to see you again, aunt Vesta. I did miss your company all these years.>
<You look...you look the same as ever, Artemis. Except that, uhm...>
Artemis instinctively touches the deep scar on her eye when she answers:
<You missed all the fun.>
<We have wildly different concepts of "fun", Artemis. But we do have something in common.>
<Are you sure you don't want to talk to Athena about this? She's the asexual one, not me. Although I still haven't figured out if she's sterile like you.>
<I see that rudeness still runs in the family. I was talking about leaving mortals alone instead of forcing them to worship us and treat them like slaves. The mortals of your sector are free, right?>
<As long as they acknowledge my superiority to other gods, yes. Why do you ask?>
<You know I technically own Earth, right? According to divine law, that is.>
<What's your point?>
<Renounce the claim to Myridia and I will formally surrender Earth to your rule.>
Artemis' stare gets more intense. The two goddesses haven't always seen eye to eye, and do say that their family has some history with double crossing would be an understatement.
<What's in it for you?> Artemis asks suspiciously.
<I care about Earth; someone has to defend it and right now I'm not up to the task. Leave it alone for some time...say, a hundred years. By that time Earth will have grown strong enough to give you a significant edge against the other gods.>
<I can't protect Earth against every god in the galaxy.>
<You won't need to. Only Athena and Hermes know where it is, but won't attack.>
<I can see why Athena wouldn't, but what about Hermes?>
<He can't attack without revealing its position. If he does, he'll automatically lose Myridia and open his sector to an assault from Persephone, Hekate, Hephaestus and you.>
<It looks like your precious Noriko has figured out everything, Vesta. Why do you really need me?>
<Hephaestus. One of his Talos has already attacked Earth but hasn't reported back; it's only a matter of time before he finds it and retaliates. We need you to defend the Earth against his army of indestructible robots...and I know you can't possibly resist a challenge like that.>
<Hmmm. I can't deny that. And I do despise that deformed blacksmith and his metallic army. Very well, I accept your offer...with one adjustment. How old is Null?>
<Eighteen years, but I don't see what's it got to do with...>
<She won't be attractive a hundred years from now, won't she?>
<I...I suppose not, it's close to how old humans can get.>
<What about fifteen years? She'll be a fully grown woman by then.>
<Where are you going with this, Artemis?>
<I will defend Earth against all gods for the next fifteen years without them even knowing. Then they will acknowledge me as their ruler and worship me...and Noriko Null will be my queen.>
<What!? That's ridiculous, she'll never accept that!!!>
<Either I take her in fifteen years or the Earth is doomed> Artemis sentences.
<Why are you doing this? You own hundreds of planets. Can't you choose somebody else?>
<My step-brother fancies her. It's reason enough for me.>
<I'll ask Noriko. She won't be pleased to know you're risking the fate of her world and possibly of half the galaxy just because you suddenly want to get in her pants.>
<We are gods. Mortals need to please us, not the other way around.>
"Why did I miss my family again?" Vesta wonders.
Null Tower, New York City
The I.R.I.S terminal is rather different from any other computer: it doesn't have any kind of physical interface, just a holographic keyboard and a paper-thin screen.
<You think this will find Kayla?> Erika Rhys asks.
<This baby can cross-reference any database on the face of the planet> Max Black boasts.
<What does that mean?> Kari Zel asks.
<I have no idea. But it sounds cool, doesn't it? There, I think it found something> Max says, pointing at the screen. All the information available about his sister's movements are highlighted, but the most recent one is several weeks old: a flight from Chicago to Colorado Springs.
<Dead end?> Erika asks.
<I.R.I.S, do you have anything else that might help?> Kari asks directly to the computer.
<I would suggest analysing all personal details about the people on the same plane.>
<Wait a second, what kind of computer makes suggestions?> Erika intervenes.
<Our> Max shrugs <I.R.I.S, do it.>
<Done. Five passengers were Air Force military officers. Should I break into the Pentagon servers to learn more about them?>
Max, Kari and Erika exchange very, very worried looks.
<Wouldn't that be kind of very illegal?> Max finally questions.
<Yes. But I am programmed to request permission before breaking the law.>
<That's both reassuring and creepy at the same time> Erika highlights.
<Yeah, welcome to Null's world. Go ahead I.R.I.S but please make sure nobody finds out.>
<Information recovered. Displaying details.>
<That was fast. Does this mean anything to you?> Kari asks Max, who's studying the screen.
<This is bad. I.R.I.S, if I'm reading this right, all of those people work at NORAD?>
<They were indeed assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, but they have been re-assigned to Project Silver four weeks ago.>
<What's "Project Silver"?> Max asks.
<Unknown. There are no details in the Pentagon servers. All information relevant to Project Silver is classified as "Cosmic Top Secret".>
<I guess it's not a nice thing> Kari whispers to Max.
<It's from the Pentagon. They don't do "nice"> he whispers back.
Project Silver, classified location
The two-star general is sitting at his desk, reading the latest report. When the red phone on his desk starts ringing, he stands up to adjust his uniform before pressing a button.
The hologram of the President of the United States appears, acknowledging the general's salute.
<At ease, General Anderson> the hologram says.
<Always a pleasure, sir. I wasn't expecting you to be back so soon.>
<I wish we had these holographic projectors during the campaign; we're saving a lot of gas lately.>
<I would suggest we use the projectors for most visits, sir. As you know, the secrecy of Project Silver is vital and, to be honest, Air Force One isn't exactly discreet. We already took a considerable security risk with your last visit.>
<I know, but I couldn't ask miss Black to volunteer without meeting her. Has she recovered?>
<Almost completely. The doctors tell me her body has fully absorbed the energy from the Heart of the Universe; we're running any possible kind of medical exam to be absolutely sure it's not harming her, but so far she's as healthy as humanly possible. We made it, sir.>
<That's a relief, general. What about her psychological profile? Can we be sure we can trust her? She is Quantum's sister, after all.>
<Things would've been easier if miss Black was a soldier instead of a security guard, sir, but I think she has the right stuff.>
<Let's hope so. Because if she turns out to be half as powerful as her brother, miss Black is the most powerful weapon at our disposal.>
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