Parthenos, 80,000 light-years from Earth
As the sun sets on the city of Glaukos, Noriko Null finishes the last bit of programming of her Nullbot, under the supervision of Athena herself.
Not because she doesn’t believe Noriko to be up to the task; quite the opposite, she just wants to make sure she’s not too good about it.
<There. That should be enough to find what I’m looking for in the Grimoire of Drylon Weapons.> Noriko tells herself, suppressing a yawn.
<Brilliant work, as I expected. Although I must admit I’m a bit surprised you bothered to be so thorough in your instructions… you do know that I’m going to remove from your robot every bit of information I don’t want you to keep.> the goddess says.
<The Nullbots have a rather basic artificial intelligence. I had to boost it considerably if it’s going to be of any use.>
<If you say so. My Oracles will escort your pawn to its destination.> Athena says, raising her hand to give a signal to a couple of soldiers in full golden armor.
<I thought you’d take the robot there yourself.> Noriko admits, glancing at Kylon; judging by the expression on his face, her Lar ally is equally worried about this development.
<That would not be the best use of my time. It’s been a long time since the last time we met in person, Noriko, and we have a lot to discuss.>
<The favor you want in return for your help.> Noriko nods.
<You must have realized that Harmonia is a grave threat to this Galaxy. She has taken over both her father’s kingdom and Apollo’s, and she has deposed the Ice Queen to put her grandson Dionysus back on the throne. You know she is not going to stop there.>
<Of course I do. Just as I find it interesting that the Athenian Federation hasn’t been her newest target… you were, after all, the main adversary of both Ares and Apollo.>
<Harmonia is no conqueror. She is fanatically obsessed with her own warped definition of peace: she would never take up arms against anyone, not even her worst enemy.>
<Just what are those powers, exactly?> Kylon intervenes.
<Telepathic pacification. She can enforce others to completely lose the will to fight. The second she sets foot in a sector, she can immediately prevent anyone from attacking her.>
<Sounds like a rather useful power. Why did Ares lock her up if she’s that powerful?> Noriko asks.
<Because it works on gods as well, even Class-2 gods. Once her power grew enough to become a threat to his own rule, Ares decided she was too dangerous to keep around.>
<I didn’t picture Ares as the kind of guy keeping prisoners. Strange that he didn’t straight up murder her, even if she was his daughter.> Noriko says.
<Ares was an idiot, but even he recognized a potential asset. Unfortunately, his flawed strategy left us with a goddess with the potential to conquer the entire Olympian Galaxy.>
<But if she can “pacify” any god, why hasn’t she invaded your sector already?> Kylon asks.
<She’s a glass cannon, isn’t she?> Noriko deduces.
<I don’t get it.> Kylon admits.
<Sorry, some human terms don’t translate well sometimes. I mean that she has high offensive capabilities but poor defense.>
<Correct. Harmonia is only a Class-4 goddess: aside from her telepathic ability, she is extremely weak. A direct attack catching her by surprise would easily defeat her.> Athena explains.
<Not that easily, or you would’ve done it already.> Noriko points out.
<Taking on Harmonia would ensure retaliation from Hera. It is not currently in the best interests of the Athenian Federation to engage the Queen of Olympus in war.>
<But you’re just fine with me doing your dirty work.>
<You are the Slayer of Gods. Hera already hates you.>
<There’s just a problem with your plan, Athena… even I can’t get close to Harmonia without her pacifying me, if her powers are as formidable as you say.>
<I am confident we can agree on a suitable tactic. Besides, the Mortal Republic is probably a higher priority for Harmonia, and this is a good opportunity to agree on a shared defensive plan.>
<I think I’ll take a rain check on that.> Noriko replies, this time allowing herself to yawn; it doesn’t take much knowledge of mortals to recognize she’s exhausted.
<You seem tired. Have you reached old age already? Time flies by with mortals.> Athena says.
<Even I need to sleep sometime. Is there a room in your palace where I can catch a nap, while I wait for the Nullbot to get back? Preferably one you haven’t bugged?>
<Hospitality is as sacred to me as to my father Zeus, Noriko. You and your friends can spend the night under my full protection.>
<If you don’t mind, Lady Athena, I would rather continue the discussion. Like you said we need to agree on our military strategy; my people require less sleep than humans: I will still be awake by the time Null has recuperated.> Kylon proposes.
<Of course. Although you must remember that, while as President I am the commander-in-chief of the Federation forces, any agreement will have to be ratified by the Athenian High Command.>
<I am sure you are wise enough to suggest a treaty that will be beneficial to all the parties involved.>
Athena turns towards Noriko, giving her a satisfied smile.
<Your ability to recruit exceptional individuals never ceases to impress me. You have earned your rest, Noriko; pleasant dreams.>
By doing so Athena isn’t facing the Lar anymore, and so she doesn’t notice him winking at Null.
“Thanks for the quick thinking, Kylon: keep her distracted while I bypass her security.” she thinks.
Aquilia, 25,000 light-years from Earth
The journey through the myriad of small villages has taken longer than expected. Both Quantum and Torn could’ve easily reached the capital in a matter of seconds, but their host Terastios insisted to have them keep a low profile… something difficult on Aquilia.
Both foreigners really stand out, being the only black human and Demon on the planet respectively; the fact that they are wearing simple tunics that only cover their privates and half of their chest.
<So what do you think of Aquilia, strangers?> Terastios asks.
<Ever heard of pants? Or underwear?> Quantum asks, constantly trying to adjust his clothes.
<This planet is defenseless.> Torn observes.
<I prefer “peaceful”. I’ve heard stories of other planets… we get visitors from time to time… and here there are no wars, no diseases and no hassles. We just enjoy living!> Terastios exclaims, just as the trio has reached the destination.
On the outside it looks just like any other building they have encountered so far. But the various states of undress of the people inside leave little to the imagination.
<Dude, don’t tell me you wasted our time to bring us to a brothel.> Quantum sighs.
<Aquilians can be a little… judgmental towards people who don’t conform. You’ll find none of that here!> Terastios boasts, and he’s immediately surrounded by a couple of naked women who greet him like an old friend.
<Maybe the place is not so different from other human worlds.> Torn says, raising an eyebrow.
<We don’t have time for this! We better hurry towards the capital and…> Quantum says, almost leaving the place before hearing a familiar voice.
<Guys, what are you doing here!?> Kari Zel asks, creating a duplicate to get away from the man she was busy making out with. Quantum is a bit embarrassed by the situation: not because she’s naked, but because him and Torn are already the only people around wearing any clothes.
<We’re looking for Vesta. What are you doing here!?>
<I’ve sent duplicates all over the planet to explore, and to have fun: they think this planet is a paradise, but it’s rather dull. Obviously I couldn’t get Vesta to agree to visit a place like this!>
<Our beloved goddess has always been too uptight for her own good.> Terastios comments, getting close enough to grope both Kari and Quantum at the same time.
<Dude, try something like that again and I swear to God…> Quantum says.
<Which one?> Terastios asks innocently.
Parthenos, 80,000 light-years from Earth
Kari Zel rests comfortably on the king-sized bed, watching Noriko frantically examine the room with her N-Phone in search of any sort of spying technology.
<Gods sure know how to treat themselves. Any chance we can schedule a state visit to this place again?> Kari says.
<A state visit is just for heads of state, Kari.> Noriko points out.
<Aren’t you the Regent of Hell? Technically you qualify. I’m just saying, if you want to appoint one of my duplicates as your ambassador, I’m bringing my husband to test these beds thoroughly… and not just for sleeping.>
<We’re not doing any sleeping either, Kari. As crazy as it sounds, I don’t think Athena is monitoring what happens in this room.>
<Oh? And what exactly is going to happen here, Nori?> Kari asks, never missing an opportunity to embarrass her friend. Noriko, on the other hand, is just straight to business today.
<You’re going to keep guard while I project my consciousness into the Nullbot.>
<What? Why, don’t you trust your own programming?>
<I don’t trust Athena. If she doesn’t want me to read the Grimoire, I have to read it myself. I’m hoping she doesn’t know that I learned how to project my mind, or if she does that she doesn’t catch me doing it through the Nullbot.>
<So all that programming was for nothing?>
<I needed to buy enough time to make it plausible that I would need some sleep. If Kylon can keep her busy just a bit longer, she might not even realize I’m doing this.> Noriko says, taking off her boots to get on the bed… and just waiting in front of Kari, staring.
<What?> the Myridian asks.
<Get off the bed. I said you’re going to keep guard.>
<There’s enough space for both. If someone steps inside, what looks more inconspicuous: you sleeping on the bed with me watching over, or two beautiful women enjoying some…>
<Kari. This really isn’t the time.> Noriko sighs.
<You’re no fun.> Kari replies, getting off the bed to allow her friend to take her place.
Once in position Noriko closes her eyes; to a layman, it looks like she simply fell asleep.
<At least you could’ve had the decency to get undressed. This is seriously going to ruin my reputation.> Kari says, laying against the wall to watch over Null’s body.
Deep beneath the surface
When Noriko’s mind reaches the Nullbot, it’s like having her soul jump into icy waters: the ship in perspective is far more radical than any other form of consciousness she has experienced.
Fortunately for her, the Nullbot can’t show her emotions: it doesn’t have a face, just a completely black surface with her Ø symbol in white.
The two Oracles have brought the robot deep into the vault and have blindfolded themselves: they don’t dare to look at the massive book which they have just removed from the chains made of Neutral Matter that typically keep it close.
“This is an incredible discovery. We could learn so much from this.” Noriko can hear the voice of Roxiana says, seeing a projection of the former host right next to her.
“What are you doing here!?” Noriko exclaims mentally.
“Relax, the Oracles can’t see me any more than they can see your soul. Looking for something in particular?”
“I am convinced there’s a Drylon weapon hidden in Aquilia; it has to be listed here”
“Along with thousands of others. Without any leads, this might as well be a lost cause!”
“But I do have a lead: when I was resurrected, I briefly activated Drylon devices throughout the Galaxy… and I just happen to have memorized the location of all those planets.” Noriko reveals, flipping through the pages until she finds what she’s looking for.
It’s a page depicting a platinum bracelet, along with a brief description of what it is, and she reads its entry mentally:
“Weapon #4,178. Designation: Absolute Defense. Estimated age: 7.1 billion years. Known uses: shield generation and manipulation, grants invincibility to organic host. Last known location: Dikteon. Power rank 2. Threat rank 3.”
“I know of Dikteon, it’s the planet where Zeus was born. What makes you think this is it?”
“I’ve seen the location of Dikteon on a map before. It’s just five light-years away from Aquilia… and it’s not one of the planets where my resurrection activated a Drylon device. Granted, it might be a coincidence, or it might have been destroyed…”
“Or you might have found something Zeus wanted to hide. And I think I know why… according to these ranks, the Absolute Defense is more powerful than the Heart Of The Universe and nearly as dangerous as the Nexus.”
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