Null Island, Pacific Ocean
Doctor Catherine Kalama knew that being Noriko Null’s personal physician would be a demanding job. But she didn’t expect to be awaken in the middle of the night to assist her during an autopsy.
<Well, doctor, what do you think?> Noriko asks.
There’s a dead body on the medical bed. A naked black woman with a visible wound on her chest.
<I’m not a coroner, but I think she was stabbed in the heart.>
<Except she doesn’t have one. Look at this> Noriko adds, tapping her watch.
The corpse becomes partially transparent, exposing the organs. The doctor comes closer, trying to touch the woman’s feet; her hands passes right through them.
<This is just a hologram> she understands.
<Yes, I haven’t taken her out of the body bag; I used the Holographic Tomographic Scanner to do a complete reconstruction of the corpse. We can analyze her in 3D without touching a scalpel.>
<This is fascinating! I didn’t know you sold stuff like this.>
<I don’t. I invented it fifteen minutes ago. Now, as I was saying, take a look at this.>
The doctor comes closer to the hologram, whose organs are completely visible… the few of them left. The heart has been replaced with a mechanical device, badly damaged by the blade, but it’s not the only modification. Noriko explains:
<She’s not just missing the heart. Most of the organs have been replaced with machinery: the thymus, the uterus, almost the entire digestive system…>
<Poor woman. She must have been through hell to have all these operations.>
<Not necessarily. I can’t find any sign of physical defects, injury or disease; I believe these devices were installed to make her a better assassin.>
<She’s not from Earth, isn’t she? This technology is way too advanced.>
<Yes, even I would need a couple of months to come up with something like this.>
<Not that I don’t appreciate the experience, Noriko, but do you really need my help here?>
<Yes, I wanted to talk to you.>
<In a morgue?>
<About my father.>
Noriko’s words leave the doctor speechless; this is the first time she’s ever approached any topic that isn’t related to her job.
<I know you’re sleeping with him. And I’m not so petty to fire you for it, as long as it doesn’t affect your line of work.>
<It doesn’t> the doctor replies, relieved by the admission: she knows Noriko can be very temperamental at times, especially when it comes to her father.
<It’s not like him to be interested in someone who has a brain in addition to breasts, so there’s a chance this might actually be for the best for the both of you.>
<Thank you…I guess…>
<However>– Noriko adds, her silver eyes suddenly shining <Before you do something to hurt him, remember that I do know how to use a scalpel.>
<I’ll… keep that in mind> the doctor answers.
Null’s office room
Unlike Null Tower, the island was never intended as a permanent base for the Vanguard. While there’s plenty of room, there is no place dedicated to the team’s business.
The Mist is sitting in front of Noriko’s desk, his white cape draped over the chair. Torn is behind him, making sure he doesn’t make any sudden moves, while Kari is right next to him to prevent Torn from making anything stupid.
Quantum suddenly appears in the room, changing from radio waves to human form.
<Sorry I’m late… hey, what’s the white Batman doing here?> he asks, pointing at the masked man.
<I’m the Mist.>
<Wait, I thought Batman was white> Kari wonders. Surprisingly, Quantum ignores her and says:
<I know who you are, you’re the guy who saved Nori’s life in Shanghai.>
<I am. I suppose Vesta is coming as well?>
Just at that moment the door opens to reveal Vesta, closely followed by Noriko.
<I’m here. It’s not my fault this room doesn’t have windows> the goddess complains. Predictably, Noriko skips the pleasantries and goes straight to the point.
<I completed an autopsy on the assassin and I’m sure she wasn’t from Earth. I want you to tell me who sent her, how they know the location of Earth, and why they want me dead.>
<It’s very simple. What do you know about the galaxy?> the Mist asks.
<You’ve got to be kidding me, right?> Noriko asks back, relaxing on her chair. When the Mist doesn’t answer immediately, her eyes shine brightly for a second.
<Very well then. The Olympian Galaxy is a feudal empire of interstellar states under divine rule: the Aphrodite Queendom, the Apollo Protectorate, the Athenian Federation and so on.>
<I assume you memorized Demeter’s records when you took over Myridia.>
<Of course. Is there a point to all this?>
<Did the records say anything about the Dionysus Free Territory?>
<Not much. It’s on the other side of the Hephaestus Collective, near the edge of the galaxy.>
<Except the Collective doesn’t exist anymore. Remember when Hephaestus took over most of the former Demeter Theocracy when you killed her? Now that he’s dead, nearly a quarter of the galaxy is up for grabs. And the Guild may have a solid chance to take the most of it.>
<Are they under the rule of Dionysus?> Noriko asks.
<Unlikely. Even sober, Dionysus couldn’t rule anyone> Vesta comments.
<Everything is legal in the Dionysus Free Territory. It’s the ultimate anarchist state> the Mist explains. Noriko lifts an eyebrow, commenting:
<That doesn’t sound like a very stable form of government.>
<Not at all, which is where the Guild comes in. They effectively rule the Free Territory.>
<I thought only gods could be recognized as legit rulers> Kari intervenes.
<Which is precisely why they’re considered a criminal organization everywhere else.>
<So they’re what, the space mafia?> Quantum asks.
<That’s not a bad way to describe them. They run the galactic drug trade and are routinely employed to carry assassinations of high value targets.>
<Like me. That’s just great… on top of everything else, I have to deal with the space mafia putting a price on my head> Noriko complains, rolling her eyes.
<Actually, it’s not just you> the Mist notes, reaching for something inside his cape.
It’s a leaflet showing his picture under something written in modern Olympian. Noriko translates:
-<Wanted for interstellar terrorism. The Mist, dead or alive. Reward: 25 million”. I don’t recognize the symbol… Kari, what’s this?> Noriko asks, pointing at the Ω symbol.
<25 million obols!? You can buy a warship with that kind of money!!!> Kari exclaims.
<Then you might be interested in these. I took the liberty to translate them> the Mist adds, showing three additional leaflets.
WANTED for crimes against divinity and interstellar terrorism
Kari Zel of Myridia, the Legion: Dead or alive
Reward: 50.000.000 Ω
WANTED for crimes against divinity and interstellar terrorism
Quantum of Earth, the Living Energy: Dead or alive
Reward: 50.000.000 Ω
WANTED for high treason, crimes against divinity and interstellar terrorism
Torn, the Lone Demon: Dead or alive
Reward: 300.000.000 Ω
The news took everyone by surprise; Kari seems to be the most shaken, leaning against the wall.
<This is awful! Who wants to pay so much money for our deaths!?>
<And why is his bounty so much higher than mine!?> Quantum exclaims, pointing at Torn.
<I assume there isn’t one for me> Vesta asks.
<No, the Guild usually stays very far away from gods. Besides, issuing a “dead or alive” bounty for a goddess would mean acknowledging that gods can die, which is bad for business if the existence of your organization depends on Dionysus tolerating you> the Mist explains.
Only Noriko didn’t react to the bounties. Well, Torn barely moved a muscle, but that’s expected.
<These pictures were taken during our first stay on Myridia; I recognize the clothes and the background. Could the Oracles have issued the bounties?>
<Unlikely. With Demeter dead, they don’t have access to this kind of money… and they don’t know the location of Earth> the Mist explains.
<What about the Mortal Liberation Front?> Vesta asks, always suspicious of that organization.
<They hate the Guild, they consider them collaborators. They would never hire them.>
<Besides, it’s really a lot of money. Only a god would pay this much in cash> Kari stresses, while the Mist continues:
<Precisely. Present company excluded, there should be only three gods who know where Earth is: Athena, which I doubt is responsible. Hermes, who is still prisoner of Persephone. And Diana.>
<I noticed you didn’t say how you know about Earth> Noriko says, her eyes shining.
<I know. I also know that Diana is still bound by a promise she made when she was still Artemis: she can’t attack Earth personally or acknowledge its position. But if the Guild kills you…>
<Unless we prove she employs them, there would be no consequences for her. This does sound like the sort of manipulative plan she would come up with, Noriko> Vesta confirms.
<Few beings in the galaxy know it, but “Diana” is not just the new name of Artemis…it’s her body being controlled by Eris, who Vesta has known and fought for a really long time.>
<And before you think about bribing them to buy some time…> the Mist says, again reaching for something. Noriko firmly interrupts it:
<The thought never crossed my mind.>
<Good. Because even if they accepted Earth money, you’d never have enough of it.>
The Mist throws the last leaflet on the desk where everyone can see it. The picture shows Noriko holding the Genius Gun in a moment she will never forget: a few minutes before killing Demeter.
WANTED for multiple deicide, interstellar terrorism, possession of Drylon technology
Noriko Null, the Slayer of Gods: Dead or alive
Reward: 20.000.000.000 Ω
Everyone looks at Kari; to them, the sum is just a number. She’s noticeably paler than usual.
<That is a lot of money> Torn comments.
<“A lot”? You can buy a φθcκινγ planet for twenty billion obols!!!> Kari exclaims.
<Which means there will be more assassins, unless we stop them> the Mist says.
<What do you suggest?> Noriko asks.
<Leave Earth with me. We take the fight to the Guild. Killing Dionysus, if it needs to be done.>
<That is out of the question. My place is here on Earth.>
<Earth is just one planet. Your actions have consequences on the whole galaxy.>
<Exactly. That’s why I need more information before I jump into another mess.>
<I will get you all the information you need. But remember…you can’t hide on Earth forever.>
The Mist disappears after this cryptic remark, leaving only a trail of smoke behind him.
<Well… that was pretty pointless> Quantum comments, suppressing a yawn.
<You’re not really thinking about leaving Earth, right?> Vesta asks to Noriko.
<You’re dismissed> the girl answers, before leaving the room abruptly.
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