Beyond The Impossible

N01-Ragnarok, orbiting above Olympus

One of the advantages of being the Mortal Empress is not having to justify your actions to anyone.

The warship entered the solar system without being noticed, and it’s currently above the night side of the planet.

Noriko Null and Quantum are in the cargo bay, waiting for the crew to arrive.

<Are you sure this is a good idea?> he asks.

<We can’t defeat Baal with brute force; this will take creative thinking, and that requires taking certain risks.> she replies.

<Like recruiting so many gods? You know most of them just want to stab you in the back.>

<Don’t worry, the only god I trust is Vesta. I’m keeping my eyes on the rest.> she reassures him.

After a few moments of awkward silence, she adds:

<This could take a while, Max. If you want to go back to Earth for your marriage…>

<It’s not before a couple of weeks, Noriko. Besides, we didn’t stop all Vanguard missions for Kari’s wedding, we shouldn’t do it for mine.>

<Yeah, but Kari can literally be in two places at ones. If you need time for yourself, just say the word and I’ll adjust the mission parameters.>

<Hmm, weird how the Galaxy’s worst workaholic is suddenly so interested giving me time off. You didn’t happen to talk with Jane, didn’t you?> Quantum wonders, raising an eyebrow.

<She says you’re acting weird. Well, her exact words were “weirder than usual”.> she admits.

<Look Nori, I appreciate the concern, but it’s not really your business. I don’t comment on your private life, so…>

<What are you talking about, you comment on my private life constantly.> Noriko interrupts him.

<It’s not my fault that you’re the most famous person in the universe. Listen, just drop the subject and I just might convince Jane not to make you wear a dress as her maid of honor.> he offers.

<That was never part of the agreement.> Noriko replies.

<Oh that’s too bad! My beautiful Sunshine is so alluring in a dress!>

Both Noriko and Quantum turn their heads towards the god who just spoke. Hermes is sitting on one of the boxes in the cargo bay, playing with the apple in his hand.

<When did you get on board!?> Quantum asks.

<Two lies ago. You guys need better security, you know.>

<And you need to put on a shirt. There’s no dress code on the ship, but have some decorum.> Noriko chastises him; as usual, Hermes is only wearing an embarrassingly short white skirt.

Her attempt to instill some discipline is sabotaged by the arrival of another guest, who appears out of a pink cloud of perfume that leaves behind rose petals in the air.

<Hermes! What a delightful surprise to have you join this foursome!> Aphrodite excitedly exclaims, opening her arms to embrace him and to emphasize that she’s also just wearing a skirt.

<A very, very small amount of decorum.> Noriko sighs, covering her eyes.

 

The ship’s bridge

This is a rather eclectic team. In addition to all five members of the Vanguard, Noriko has gathered one demigod and several gods.

Hermes is standing before her, with Aphrodite holding on to his arm while simultaneously caressing his chest. They’ve both put on shirts taken from Quantum’s personal wardrobe, although neither of them has buttoned up.

Gilgamesh and Zeus are hanging out in the back, with the god constantly bringing up escapades from their youths while the Sumerian hero tries to pay attention to the room.

Dionysus is sitting on the floor, constantly drinking from a bottle that replenishes itself, his back laying against the chair where Persephone is sitting with her arms crossed.

<What a s#tshow.> she complains.

<You’re free to return to your post in the Aegian Galaxy, Persephone.> Noriko says.

<That cesspool you call a kingdom? Nah, I need some a##hole to punch to blow off some steam.>

<Is that what we’re doing? Can I be the first one to blow?> Aphrodite offers.

<You know why I asked you here. We’ve been over this when I recruited you.> Noriko tells her.

<Did you? Tee-hee, I wasn’t paying attention.> the goddess admits.

<F##king great. Does anyone know why we’re here?> Persephone asks.

<Free drinks.> Dionysus answers, raising his hand and belching.

Noriko’s eyes move towards Quantum; she interprets his shrug as a “told you so”.

He knows her enough to translate her stare and the shine in her silver eyes to mean “not one word”.

<Okay everybody, one last time before we leave, and everyone better pay attention.> Noriko says, raising her voice and clapping her hands a couple of times.

<Hermes and Torn are going to take us to the Dark Galaxy, where Baal is waiting for us. Zeus will launch the main assault with Vesta, Quantum and Persephone working as backup.>

<I’m no one’s backup! I’m the mother##king Goddess Of The Underwold!> Persephone protests.

<It’s alright, sweetie, daddy’s going to let you throw the first punch.> Zeus tells her.

<Don’t patronize me, d##khead!> she replies, flipping him off.

<Aren’t kids adorable?> Zeus whispers to Gilgamesh.

<A-hem. As I was saying: Aphrodite and Dionysus, after the initial assault it will be your job to keep Baal distracted. Just be as annoying as you possibly can.> Noriko instructs them.

<Easiest part of the mission. They’re both naturals.> Hermes jokes.

<Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say!> Aphrodite replies, throwing him a kiss.

<I’m assuming you’re supposed to kill this Baal c##ksucker, and that Miss Multiple C#nts over there is going to coordinate the operations?> Persephone asks, pointing at Kari.

<And to patch up things if you mess up. At least try following a plan, for once?> Kari asks, completely ignored by the goddess who then asks:

<That leaves just one question: what’s Null’s f##kboy over there doing on this ship?>

<Gilgamesh is the only one here with field experience in Sumerian territory. We might need him as our guide. Any other question?> Noriko asks.

<Yes, is anyone else allowed to f##k him?> Aphrodite asks.

<Any other question that I should take seriously?> Noriko corrects herself.

<I was serious. He’s cute.> Aphrodite pouts.

<I have a question. What can we expect from this Baal?> Hermes asks.

<You’re not supposed to engage him, Hermes. You will stay on call to evacuate us if needed.>

<I’m still bringing hostile gods in his territory, which makes me a target. I need to know what I can expect from this guy.> Hermes argues.

Gilgamesh proves his worth by explaining what he has known she he was taught as a child:

<Pain. Baal is a Primordial god: he can alter reality as he sees fit. With a snap of his fingers he could erase any of us from existence… except Zeus of course. He won’t do that: he will do everything he can to extract all the pain he can from you.>

<Sounds hardcore as f##k.> Persephone appreciates.

<Shouldn’t we bring more gods? Athena’s strategic mind could be useful.> Vesta asks.

<Baal is a creature of pure emotion, logic has no hold over him. And all the planning in the universe is useless when your adversary cannot be defeated.> Zeus argues.

<Sounds like you don’t have much faith in Sunshine’s plan, dad.> Hermes points out.

<I don’t. This is not going to work.> Zeus admits.

<Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence!> Noriko replies.

<Then why are you following her?> Hermes wonders.

<I don’t have a better idea. Besides, I didn’t think she’d last this long as Empress, so I’m ready to be proved wrong again.> Zeus replies.

<And people wonder why our pantheon is f##ked. Our chief god doesn’t know s##t.> Persephone points out.

 

Divine Throne, on the surface

The imperial cabinet has been kept in the dark about the mission: only Prime Minister Lyra Syzar and Secretary of Defense Enyo have been informed.

The only other two gods briefed about it are Divine Empress Hebe and her vassal Athena, who are currently connect to the ship’s communications system.

A hologram of Noriko Null is transmitted before them, to announce:

<We’re ready to depart. Remember, all records of the mission are under imperial secret: I don’t want other galaxies to take this as an excuse to label us a hostile power again.>

<I will take care of it. Please keep us informed if there are developments.> Hebe asks.

<It’s going to be difficult given the distance, but I’ll see what I can do.>

<Also try to trick Baal into confessing he has an alliance with an unknown third party. All signs point in that direction.> Athena adds.

<Already in my schedule. And Athena, I’m counting on you to keep the Galaxy safe while I’m gone: if Baal does have an ally, this will be their best opportunity to strike.>

<Your realm is in safe hands, Noriko.> Athena reassures her.

<As they say on your world: godspeed, Noriko.> Hebe tells her, disconnecting the call.

Once the hologram has vanished, the Divine Empress turns towards her vassal:

<What’s this about an ally of Baal?>

<A theory of mine. Baal would not have reason to attack the Null Zone: nothing there could harm him, and there’s nobody to torture there, so it shouldn’t have been in his interests to act this way.>

<This is most worrying, Athena. During Noriko’s absence, I should exert my powers more than usual… I expect you to keep me informed on this aspect.>

<It will be my honor, Your Majesty.>

<Any ideas of who this mysterious ally could be?>

<I have no information on this, but you will be the first to know.> Athena replies.

Hebe doesn’t notice she’s just been told two lies in the same sentence.

 

Bridge of the N01-Ragnarok

Hermes has freed himself from Aphrodite’s embrace, not without regrets from both parties, and is now talking with Torn while they both face the bridge’s main viewscreen.

<I understand you’re going to be the pilot, Demon?>

<I can point you at the Dark Galaxy, yes.> Torn answers.

<How, exactly? It’s a long way from Hell.>

<It’s the greatest concentration of Ichor in the universe. I have learned to control Ichor; not to perfection yet, but it speaks to me. It senses the Blood flowing through my three hearts.>

<So can’t you just open one of your portals to bring us to our destination?>

<Ichor hates life. It hates Demons even more. I will start opening a portal, but I will only sustain it for a few moments before it devours me. You will have those moments to push us through.>

<Sounds better than pushing the ship for billions of light years. I’m ready when you are, Demon.>

<No, you are not. But it is time.> Torn replies, concentrating.

A hexagram of darkness appears in front of the ship; as predicted, in less than a second tendrils of Ichor spawn from it and flow towards the Ragnarok.

Hermes moves so quickly that, from his point of view, time has basically stopped. In fact, from his perspective this is barely a stroll: he flies to the back of the ship and pushes it into the portal.

 

The Dark Galaxy

10 billion light-years away

For the mortals and gods inside the ship, it’s as if the ship was just hit from behind and moved only a few hundred feet forward.

Something is immediately different, though: the viewscreen is completely black.

<Switch to sensors.> Noriko orders.

<Already did, automatically. They aren’t picking up anything; no stars, no anything. It’s like empty space out there.> Kari Zel informs her.

<Did we miss the target?> Quantum asks.

<We did not. It has perceived us.> Torn ominously replies.

The darkness from the screen is finally broken. It’s no longer homogeneous: a bit of red light comes through once the uniform organism around the ship shifts its position.

The darkness dissolves into billions of tentacles with teeth and trillions of flies, all reorganizing themselves into a more recognizable form.

It’s a skeleton in a dark cloak, and its size is immense. It sits comfortably on a red dwarf star, resting its arms on two nearby planets; together they form a sort of throne, in complete defiance of all laws of gravity and physics.

<What strange vermin you bring into my house, Zeus. Shall we begin?> Baal asks.