Capítulo 33: Home is where people don’t try to kill you
It's eight PM and Jane Blake is watching TV with her parents. It's not how she thought to pass this Saturday evening, but the latest news left her no choice.
Vesta and Quantum have returned after disappearing for six weeks, and the news are having a blast speculating on their absence. But while she's captivated by the world's first super-heroes, Jane is more interested in the Asian-American they're working for: Noriko Null.
Noriko was her best friend before turning super-smart overnight; she hasn't heard from her for months. Like all of her classmates, Jane has been interview several times about Noriko…and like the others, she didn't know what to say.
<As you can see with this exclusive footage, teenage billionaire inventor Noriko Null has been seen leaving the scene after Vesta and Quantum flew away> the journalist says.
<Do you think they'll call you for comments, Jane?> her father asks.
<Probably. They always call when she does something weird.>
<You should try to visit her. I always thought she was a nice kid> her mother adds.
<Even before she got stinkin' rich?> Jane mumbles, jumping at the chance to leave the room when someone knocks on the door.
<I'll get it.>
Jane gasps when she looks through the peephole. When she opens the door, two silver eyes are staring at her.
<I need a place for the night> Noriko says.
An hour earlier, in front of Null Tower
Noriko is staring at a holographic reflection of herself, while two armed guards are keeping an eye on her. The silver eyes of both Norikos flash at the same time.
<I am Null. Let me in, now> the real Noriko orders.
<You have no power here, impostor. I can have security throw you out of sight> the hologram replies.
<We'll see. Security override F3E57D35779-NULL.>
<Gentlemen, please keep this young girl out of my sight> the false Noriko says, before her image disappears leaving only empty air.
<Gotta admit, she does talk like you. Now what?> Quantum asks.
<That code gives me full control of the Tower, including the holographic generators. Which means whoever is generating my double has full control of the Tower's defenses.>
After saying this Noriko puts a hand on her chin, pensive. It takes her a few seconds to formulate a strategy and simply add:
<We're leaving.>
Now, Blake house
Noriko sits down on Jane's bed, studying the room. It's no different than any teenage girl's bedroom, and she's been here before on a couple of sleepovers.
But she was a different person the last time she was here; now a poster gives her every known fact about the singer, every book cover comes with every translation and commentary ever written, even just a piece of clothing relays volumes of selling graphics and history of fashion.
<I suppose I should thank you for resisting the urge to gossip about me to the press.>
Jane doesn't comment, crossing her arms. It's one of the dozens of body language details that confirm to Noriko that she's upset.
<I suppose you also want me to apologize for shutting you out of my life.>
<Give me one good reason for not throwing you out of the house> Jane answers.
<I think I know why I became what I am now.>
Jane's taken aback by her friend's reply…she's not sure she's the same person. She certainly looks like Noriko…who else would ever wear that ugly green jacket…but nobody talks like that!
<Okay, I gotta ask: what the heck are you talking about!?>
<Something made me the smartest person on the planet, Jane. Something larger than life, giving the janitor's daughter the power to reshape the world. Is it any wonder that my previous life was lost after witnessing the grandeur of humanity's knowledge?>
<…>
<I'm trying to apologize.>
<You really suck at it> Jane says, hugging her best friend.
Noriko hugs back awkwardly; she doesn't feel sorry at all for embracing her newfound life, but she really did miss her friend.
<So, who's the lucky guy?> she asks amicably, with a sharp turn from her usual serious tone.
<What?>
<I've known you since seventh grade. You only wear perfume when you're on a date.>
<It's nothing serious. Besides, you don't know him.>
<I am Null. I know everybody> Noriko answers. She makes an effort to lessen her eye's brightness; Jane isn't used to see them light up.
<What, you wanna talk about my life? With everything that's happened to you!?>
Noriko's mind is bombarded with images of the past months…fighting the Many on the Moon, almost dying at the hands of the Talos, starving in a Myridian prison, killing a goddess…
<I could use a little girl talk. But if anyone asks, we're discussing the future of my empire.>
A dark alley
Kari Zel is standing in front of the burning flame that floats in the air, but she's still shivering: it's way too cold to wear her Myridian sleeveless top and miniskirt.
<You should've told me it wasn't summer on this planet> she complains.
<I'm really sorry; I'm not used to take care of such things> Vesta apologizes; she's not dressed for the weather either, but it doesn't bother her in the slightest.
A streak of light illuminates the alley, when Max Black a.k.a. Quantum turns back into human form with a shiny golden necklace in his hands.
<I really have to ask> he says to Vesta <The first time we met you were working as a waitress. How in the world did you pay for this!?>
<It was a gift from a Roman senator. Did you have any trouble finding it?>
<I just had to turn into neutrinos and there it was, fifty feet under the Coliseum. Why didn't you sell it centuries ago?>
<I don't have much use for money> she shrugs <But it should be enough to put a roof on your heads for the night.>
<"Our" heads? You're not coming?> Kari asks, while an exact duplicate of herself is rubbing her arms to heat her a little more.
<I have to bury my sister. I'll be back in a couple of days> Vesta adds, starting to float away.
<I have no idea where we'll be in a couple of days! How are you gonna find us?> Max protests.
Vesta giggles. She can't remember the last time she enjoyed mortal company this much.
<I have a feeling you won't keep a low profile for long.>
The goddess flies away, leaving Max alone with a purple-haired alien girl and her duplicates. He has no money, no home, no job, and the last order Noriko gave him was "Lay low; I'll contact you".
He also has fifty thousand dollars worth of gold in his right hand.
<Come on, Kari. Let's buy you some clothes, then I'll show you around New York.>
<Where's Torn?> she asks.
Max looks around: there's no trace of a red-skinned alien swordsman. He slaps his forehead.
<Great idea, Noriko: put Quantum in charge of the team.>
Another block
True to the stereotype, none of the New Yorkers that meet Torn stare at his red skin; in fact, few people seem to acknowledge his presence.
This isn't the first godless planet he's visited, but it's by far the most advanced. Most worlds forgotten by the gods are primitive and savage, but this is clearly a flourishing culture.
It's a little overwhelming to be exposed to an alien culture, even though the stoic Torn doesn't really show it. But when he sees something familiar, he's so overjoyed that the permanent scowl on his face almost disappears (almost: he's still Torn).
No matter where you are in the galaxy, there is always a bar.
The music is loud and the atmosphere is lively. Not his kind of bar, but a decent place to buy a drink.
He walks to the counter, where an attractive African-American girl is smiling at him.
<What can I get you, tall dark and painted?>
<Sphinx nectar.>
<I don't think I know that drink. How about a beer?>
Before Torn can say anything, the girl is already filling a glass. He's clearly staring at her.
<How many species are there on this planet?> he asks.
<Excuse me?>
<You're dark brown. I've seen light brown, dark pink, light pink, pale pink with strange eyes…>
<I can't decide if you're weird or just plain crazy> she notes, puzzled by the customer.
He drinks the beer faster than anyone she's ever seen, and she's been to college. He then stares at the bottom of the glass, before placing it back on the counter.
<Tastes like warm hydra ichor.>
The girl stares at him like he's from another planet. He is, but he can tell it's because she didn't understand what he just said.
<I didn't say stop> he clarifies.
<You can pay for this, right?> she asks while pouring another beer.
<Do you take Myridian Silver Obols?>
<Sorry, just American dollars. This one's on the house, though> she says offering Torn the second glass: she doesn't want any trouble.
Torn stares at the counter, confused. Then looks at the girl, the counter, then the girl again.
<It is a tiny house indeed. Is there a beast I can slay in exchange of these "American dollars"?>
<There's an ATM right outside> she answers, more and more confused.
<I'll be right back> Torn says, drinking the second glass. Then he walks towards the door; he stops there, pointing at the counter and saying:
<Put another drink on the tiny house.>
Watching the weird man with red paint on his face, the girl shakes her head.
<Only in New York…>
<BURDENING THE BEAST!> someone yells, followed by the sharp sound of something smashing through a wall. Someone is screaming.
Torn returns to the bar, lifting the ATM with one arm like a fisherman showing off his prey. Behind him, a trail of dollars flutter in the air. Both Torn and the banknotes are drenched in the red paint that makes the theft utterly meaningless…or if would, if Torn realized he had just pulled an ATM from the wall.
<Maid! I slew the beast. Is it worth enough dollars to wash away the taste of its foul blood with another beer?>
The girl stares at Torn with her mouth open. She starts pouring another beer…for herself this time.
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