Chapter 54: New order
Space station Sword of Justice
The twenty-story tall Themis walks into the hall, taking her place on the throne. Noticing that Athena, Vesta and Hermes rise up when she arrives, Noriko does the same.
She is wearing once again her formal attire: it's not her style, but the occasion warrants it. As Themis takes her time before talking, Noriko glances at the other goddesses present.
Persephone has her feet on the desk, unwilling to show any kind of respect to anyone: she even gives the middle finger to Noriko when she notices her. Artemis is at least more composed, but doesn't bother to hide her utter and complete boredom.
All the three bodies of Hekate are present: the Child and the Maiden are sitting next to the Crone's corpse, whose head is mercifully covered by her dark hood.
<The Court formally abolishes the Demeter Theocracy and recognizes Noriko, daughter of Bob, as her conqueror. However, since there is no legal basis for a mortal ruling a planet without the consent of a god, this Court will now divide the former realm of Demeter to the following gods. Persephone shall rule the following: Athosia, Lantea, Orvan and Syba.>
<Great, I win a couple billion goatf###ers. I hope the c##ksucker that gets the rest of the Old C##t's stuff has room for them, 'cause those a##holes ain't staying at my fu##ing place.>
Themis doesn't react to Persephone's vulgarities and continues:
<The Court also assigns the following planets to Hermes: Dagan, Revana, Satedia and Myridia. While the Court cannot assign a planet to Noriko, we hereby declare that the rule of Hermes shall follow her requests: Myridia shall be governed by its own mortal population for the next one hundred years, during which there shall be no forced attempt to influence their worship. Hermes and all of his vassals, oracles and subjects shall also refrain from revealing the position of Earth to any other gods, either by direct or indirect action. In the event that such rules are not followed, ownership of both Myridia and Earth shall be turned over to Persephone.>
<Sweet move, little b##ch!>
<WHAT!? Myridia is mine by right of conquest!!!>the Child form of Hekate shouts, causing the Crone's corpse to lean over the Maiden.
<Only gods can invoke right of conquest. The Court will consider Hekate as merely two thirds of a goddess until such time when all of her bodies are resurrected.>
<We shall see about that> the Child hisses.
<The Court also assigns ownership of Akadia and Earth to Artemis. The latter shall be governed by its own mortal population for the next fifteen years.>
<I object. How am I supposed to respect the borders of Artemis space if I can't disclose its location? > Hermes intervenes. Noriko expected him to be mad, but he's strangely subdued.
<Nice try. You know where it is, just don't go there and you'll be fine> Athena answers.
<What about the rest of Mom's s##t? You just assigned ten fu##ing planets, where's the others?>
<The Court has assigned all planets for which there has been a specific claim. According to divine law, in the absence of a conquering god, all unclaimed planets shall be assigned to any god which had submitted a formal declaration of war against the deceased. While the deceased was at war with Ares, no formal declaration of war has ever been submitted. It is therefore decided by this Court that, with the exception of the planets already assigned, all of Demeter's domain shall be inherited by the only other god at war with her: Hephaestus, son of Zeus and Hera of Olympus.>
<This is bad> Athena comments coldly.
Her fellow gods don't react with the same demure, but start shouting louder and louder:
<This is unacceptable! We will appeal to Zeus himself!!!>
<There's no way I'll let that bastard keep all that space without a fight!> Artemis echoes.
<I'll cut that #####'s #### and #### up his #### with my own ##### inside his #####!!!>
<Interesting> Hermes ponders, raising an eyebrow.
<SILENCE!!!> Themis says, pounding her giant fist on the desk. The thunderous sound is followed by absolute silence. Even Persephone keeps her mouth shut.
<Any god that does not obey divine law shall taste the wrath of mighty Zeus. Anyone willing to challenge him may proceed. The court is adjourned.>
One by one, the gods leave the hall after looking at Noriko. Their stares range from homicidal to challenging, and none of them leaves a good taste in her mouth.
<What just happened?> Vesta asks to Athena.
<Hephaestus just received ninety worlds and twenty billion new subjects. Thanks to his robot armies he doesn't need them: they will all be dead before the end of the year> Athena answers coldly.
<So I just killed twenty billion to save seven billion> Noriko realizes.
<No. Hephaestus just won a war without doing anything; he now owns the largest territory in the Galaxy, which gives him a significant advantage over both Dionysus and Artemis. It won't be long before he declares war on both of them. If we wins, which is extremely likely, I estimate that at least another fifty billion people will die> Athena explains coldly.
<She couldn't possibly have known> Vesta excuses her.
<On Earth you know everything, Noriko. But out here, you are dealing with forces beyond anything you can control> Athena concludes, before leaving the hall.
<For now> Noriko whispers.
Project Silver, classified location
When General Anderson enters the room, the two female soldiers keeping guard salute him.
<At ease. How are you feeling, Black?>
A stream of white-hot plasma flows out of the African-American woman, incinerating a block of granite. The power still runs through her veins when she's done.
-I'm feeling great, General. I've already learned how to shoot a dozen different types of energy.
<And no side effects?> he asks, not only to Kayla but also to the scientists in the room.
<I still want to run some tests, but it's very unlikely at this point> one of them answers, leaving his colleagues to analyze the ashes before continuing the explanation.
<Why can she only generate energy but not turn into it like her brother?>
<You said Quantum was disintegrated by the Heart. It's possible his own body shares the same power of the Heart, which we know can alter matter and energy. Since we couldn't disintegrate miss Black…regrettably…and we only irradiated her blood, it's possible there simply isn't enough power inside her to do more than transforming just a few cells into small amounts of energy.>
<"Regrettably" isn't the word I would've used> Kayla highlights.
<Or "small amounts"> the General adds, looking at the vaporized stone.
Myridia
The southern continent is mostly uninhabited, and for good reason: it's a never-ending swamp where plants grow uncontrollably, feeding off the light of the planet's six suns.
The Artemis Hunters have stationed here since the invasion, and they couldn't hate it more. They are space pirates that thrive off the chance to rape and pillage entire planets, but they've seen little to no action since their landing.
Elytra Elater knows this forced inactivity is hurting her leadership. The Ghost Maker she carries makes her literally untouchable, so she has little fear of assassination attempts, but mutiny is a real possibility at this point. She needs something to make the Hunters remember why they follow her.
Luckily, a scoutship from Athena's fleet just landed three people inside her camp.
Kari Zel is one of them: she's going to put up a fight. She doesn't recognize the man with red skin wearing a worn-off duster; she's never seen a human with that skin color, for that matter.
But the third one is Noriko Null. The girl with silver eyes. Much shorter than she'd expected.
Noriko has never seen a Lampyrian before. Elytra resembles a slim woman with blue skin, large bat-like wings and no nose; not very physically imposing, even with fully spread wings.
-Null, The God Slayer. Nice of you to drop by – she says.
<"God Slayer"?> Noriko repeats, glancing at Kari.
<It's what they call you on Myridia now. You've got something of a following> Kari understates.
<I want you off Myridia and, from what Kari tells me, you need my help curing your people.>
<Yes, I…>
Elytra can't complete the sentence: she vanishes before she can say a single other word. For once Noriko is caught off-guard, until she hears someone behind her saying:
<I appreciate the effort, sunshine, but I do my own housecleaning these days.>
<Hermes. Why are you still here?> she asks, barely containing her distaste for the god.
<What's not to like about Myridia? Good food, beautiful women, a Drylon artifact of limitless potential. And a very cute precious little thing that just managed to piss off half a dozen of the most powerful beings in the Galaxy. I look forward to meeting you again, sunshine.>
Hermes moves forward, kissing Noriko on the cheek. She vanishes in the blink of an eye.
Null Tower, New York City
In front of the elevator door, Erika Rhys shakes Max's hand, offering to do the same for Kari but receiving only a nod and a cold stare.
<Thank you so much for helping me find Kayla> Erika says, apparently missing the purple haired girl's hostility.
<I'm sorry we couldn't find more; all we know is she's involved with Project Silver, whatever that is, and maybe NORAD> Max answers.
<Still, now at least I have an idea where to look. I'll let you know if I find anything> she concludes.
Max watches the British girl with glasses leave the building; when she's out of sight, Kari adds:
<I don't like her.>
<Why? She seems nice.>
<Isn't it a little too convenient? Your sister just happens to find a girlfriend while you're off-planet, then only when you're back and Noriko is missing she just drops by to get help?>
<Now you're just being paranoid, Kari.>
<Your sister's been kidnapped by your own people, how come you're not paranoid?>
<I didn't say I'm not worried about Kayla. Believe me, I am. But losing our head isn't gonna help.>
<You're saying you won't let me send a duplicate to follow her and keep an eye on her?>
<I'm an optimist, Kari, not an idiot...>
Just then, there is a bright flash of light in front of Max and Kari. They get ready for anything…and are a little disappointed when they see it's just Vesta, Torn and Noriko.
<I HATE that god> the latter fumes.
The Aegis, Athena's mothership
As the ship exceeds the speed of light, the handmaiden fills two glasses with ambrosia. Both Athena and Hermes take a drink.
<I have to admit, Athena, I didn't think it would work. I mean, a mortal killing Demeter! But now she's gone and nobody can trace the killer back to us.>
<Not if everybody believes it was the Heart of the Universe that brought Noriko to Myridia instead of you. However we may need to take it from her; she's smart enough to figure it out.>
<I can't argue with that. The fact that she managed to trick me into keeping Myridia free for the next century is intriguing...professional jealousy, if you will. Very, very intriguing indeed.>
<Just try to keep your pants up, Hermes, galactic stability depends on our success.>
<Sister dear, somehow I doubt that the citizens of your Federation, or sweet Noriko for that matter, would approve the idea of inciting a massive war between your enemies.>
<Mortal feelings are irrelevant, Hermes. Peace is the ultimate goal of all my actions.>
<And to think they consider you a war goddess. How many will die to bring peace to the Galaxy?>
Athena looks outside the window; her cold, silver eyes shine over the reflection of the stars.
<As many as it takes.>
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone