Space station Sword of Justice, above planet Myridia
Vesta is waiting in front of the large marble door, waiting impatiently; she could never stand for all the pomp and circumstance of her fellow gods.
<Why is this taking so long?> Noriko asks, tapping her foot.
<Themis doesn’t usually give an audience to mortals. Give her time, Athena will convince her.>
<I still don’t like it. And why are you dressed like that?>
Vesta looks at herself: instead of her normal Earth clothes, she’s wearing an orange himation that covers all of her body except the right arm and shoulder.
<It’s a formal occasion. Aunt Themis is the Goddess of Divine Law. I don’t want to disrespect her.>
<Speaking of disrespect, Hermes made me an offer tonight.>
<I don’t think I want to know> Vesta says with embarrassment.
<Not that kind of…nevermind. He wants me to drop the claim to Myridia in his favor; he promised in return to treat its people fairly. Do you think he can be trusted?>
<I honestly don’t know. You can never tell with Hermes.>
The door opens, revealing a fully armored Athena; she’s even carrying her spear and shield.
<We’re ready. Hold on, young lady, where do you think you’re going dressed like that!?> she complains, pointing the spear towards Noriko. She’s wearing her usual attire: combat boots, jeans, black T-shirt with white Ø symbol, leather jacket of a horrible shade of green.
<Told you so> Vesta smirks.
<You need to change into something decent. An armor? No, you don’t have the figure to fill up a nice breastplate. Maybe something from Earth?>
Athena touches Noriko’s shoulder with her spear, and the girl’s clothes change instantaneously. She’s now wearing a black pantsuit over a green shirt. The white Ø symbol is a medal on her chest.
<It’s a good look for you Nori. You look just like…> Vesta starts to say.
<Your next words better not be “like your mother”> Noriko interrupts her angrily.
<…like someone ready to meet the Goddess of Divine Law> Vesta concludes hastily.
<That’s better. But did you have to give me high heels, Athena? I hate these things.>
<Let us hope that remains the worst of your worries. Shall we go, ladies?>
Now that she has all the knowledge of mankind and she’s met several gods, it takes a lot to leave Noriko speechless. However when she looks at Themis, sitting at her desk, her jaw drops.
Themis doesn’t have eyes; there’s only smooth skin where they’re supposed to be. She wears a golden crown over her white hair. And she’s twenty stories high.
<All bow before Themis, daughter of Ouranos, King of the Heavens, and Gaea, Queen Mother of the Titans> shouts a woman who looks just like her but only as tall as a human being.
Both Athena and Vesta bow respectfully. Noriko does the same, whispering to Athena:
<I thought we were going to see Themis alone.>
<That’s her daughter Dike, the goddess of mortal justice. She’s just here as a formality.>
Themis then talks; due to her size, her voice resonates in the immense room they’re in.
<The Court acknowledges Hestia, daughter of Kronos, Lord of the Titans, and Rhea, Queen of the Titans. Athena, daughter of Zeus, Ruler of Olympus, you may address the Court.>
<Your Honor, we hereby confirm the death of Demeter, daughter of Kronos and Rhea, and formally request her domains to be assigned with right of conquest> Athena says.
<The Court accepts the testimony and formally declares Demeter as deceased. Which one of you, Athena and Hestia, claims the right of conquest?>
<I do> Noriko answers. Themis chides her raising her voice:
<THE MORTAL WILL ADDRESS THE COURT ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO.>
<We both formally forfeit our right of conquest and recognize this mortal as legitimate heir to Demeter> Vesta quickly adds, to prevent Dike from punishing Noriko for her insolence.
The immense room falls silence. There’s no guarantee Themis will accept: this has never been attempted in recorded divine history, which goes back several million years.
<What is your name and parentage, mortal?> she finally asks.
<Noriko Null. Daughter of Bob.>
<You have the right to invoke any god you desire as your representative before this court.>
<I choose no god. I killed Demeter and I will defend my claim.>
<Very well. The Court accepts to deliberate on the claim of Noriko Null, daughter of Bob, over the domain of Demeter, including all of her vassals, stars, planets, ships, worshippers and any other kind of personal property. The Court dismisses Dike, daughter of Zeus and Themis.>
The goddess without eyes bows before her mother, walking away from her desk. She heads out of the room; she doesn’t acknowledge Noriko. She does a curtsy for Athena, then turns towards Vesta and spits on the floor. Vesta doesn’t seem to be particularly surprised by it.
<What was that about!?> Noriko asks.
<I didn’t exactly leave Olympus on the best of terms> Vesta answers timidly.
Null Tower, New York City
When Erika Rhys walks through the front door, she looks around in amazement. The holographic Ø that looms over the entrance, the sight of people discussing without emitting a single sound thanks to the Sound Nullifiers, the Nullbots guarding the elevators…it’s even better than she’d imagined.
<Oh my God. When you said you worked for Null, I didn’t think…I mean there’s plenty of offices and power plants popping out everywhere, but my God, we’re in the actual Null Tower!>
<So I take it you like the place?> Max Black asks.
<Her God apparently does, whoever he is> Kari Zel comments, finding the enthusiasm of the British woman a little over the top.
<Are you kidding me? This is where the future is! Can you believe it’s been, what, six months since Null made her first million dollars with that awful TV show?>
One of the Nullbots steps in front of Erika, blocking her access to the elevator.
<Authorized personnel only> it says with its deep mechanic voice. Like all the other models, the Nullbot resembles a human male covered head to toe by a black sheet of metal. Given the grave voice, the fact that it doesn’t have a face, and the only note of color being the white Ø symbol on the chest, it’s pretty imposing.
<Gee, I’m sorry. She’s with me> Max says, jumping in before Erika can have a heart attack.
<Let me see your badge. Please> the Nullbot reacts. The pause before the last word make the scene seem particularly creepy. After Max shows him his badge, the Nullbot takes a step to the side.
<You may proceed. Have a nice day.>
Max, Kari and Erika finally make it inside the elevator. When the doors close, the latter can finally allow herself to breathe again.
<That was a robot! An actual, working robot! Can you believe what could be done with these things if we can mass produce them? They could do anything from construction work to housecleaning!>
Max looks at Kari with an expression on his face meaning “can you believe this woman?”
<Before your head explodes, need I remind you we’re here to find clues about my sister?>
<Right, right, sorry. I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that Kayla’s brother works in the most important place in the world. What do you do here, exactly?> Erika asks.
<I, uhm, I’m a…> Max hesitates, elbowing Kari to get some kind of suggestion.
<Don’t look at me. I’m Russian> Kari shrugs.
Space station Sword of Justice
Just outside of the hall, the claimants are waiting for the next session. Athena and Vesta don’t seem to mind the wait, but Noriko is constantly fidgeting with her uncomfortable shoes.
<Seriously, how long is this gonna take?>
<We have to wait for all the claimants to arrive. Not everybody is as fast as Hermes> Athena explains; there’s a touch of disdain for her step-brother in her voice.
<So what do you think? Should I consider his offer?>
<It’s up to you, Noriko. I can’ take any official position on the matter.>
<Why? We are both sponsoring Noriko’s claim> Vesta asks Athena, who elaborates:
<I share a border with the Hermes sector. If I’m seen pushing for him to inhering Demeter’s sector, it could be considered as an attempt to create an alliance between us. Something that Ares and Apollo would not like at all; it would destabilize the entire galaxy.>
<So you’re saying I shouldn’t give him Myridia and the other worlds?>
<I can’t tell you that either. You must understand, what happens here can potentially affect thousands of planets; I am dealing with political intrigues and balances of power the likes of which you can’t even begin to comprehend.>
<You’d be surprised by what I can comprehend> Noriko answers with a veiled threat, punctuated by her shining eyes.
Then a very heavy door opens slowly, and a familiar voice announces:
<All bow before Her Royal Highness Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, daughter of…>
<Enough with the fu##ing resume, Hekate.>
The girl approaching has nothing regal about her. Green hair, black lipstick, tribal tattoos over half her face. She wears a black jacket full of rips and holes, with rolled up sleeves to leave room to spiked metal bracelets. It’s left open to show off the iron bra and panties, not to mention the green dragon tattoo. Chains binding her tights and high heeled metal boots complete her outfit.
She doesn’t look much older than Noriko; more than a Greek goddess, she looks like a weird combination of punk, metal and goth fashion nightmares.
<Well look who’s here. The Olympus Unf##kable herself.>
<Persephone. Unpleasant as always> Athena greets her.
<And Hestia. I thought Daddy sent you to Planet Goatf##kers to finally taste some c##k.>
<It’s Vesta now. And I see you haven’t matured one bit in two thousand years. What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you actually want to rule Demeter’s worlds.>
<F##k no, who cares about these s##theads. I’m here because the Old C##t finally kicked the bucket and I want to celebrate. Is this the little b##ch who f##ked her brains out?> she asks, looking at Noriko. With the face tattoos and heavy makeup, her blue sky eyes definitely stand out.
<If you mean if I’m the one who built the God Eraser that killed your mother, yes I am.>
<Good job, little b##ch.>
<It’s Null.>
<Whatever. Next time I’m on Planet Goatf##kers, drinks are on me. Let’s go, Triple C##ts> – she calls to the two forms of Hekate present, the Child and the Maiden. Despite exchanging some threatening looks, the three goddesses leave for the Themis hall without saying anything.
<Well…that was unexpected> Noriko comments, still unsure of what just happened.
<Don’t let her childish behavior and vulgarities fool you. Persephone is far more cunning and ruthless than her own mother> Athena explains.
<I don’t understand why she’s here; isn’t she supposed to be with Hades?> Vesta asks.
<Demeter offered her 10% of the galaxy to drive her away from Hades; that’s why her current estate is so limited compared to other gods of her caliber. Instead of divorcing Hades, Persephone expelled every living being from her domain and rules it part time, dividing her time between the Necropolis and the Underworld. If she inherits the rest of Demeter’s estate, she will do the same with it…or will leave everything to Hekate.>
<So let me get this straight. Persephone would exile everyone, Artemis would give the place to pirates, Hekate would kill everybody…and if I inherit everything, I will have to deal with all of them!? I hate to admit it, but an alliance with Hermes is starting to make sense.>
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