Beyond The Impossible

Great Hall Of The People

Beijing, China

Todd Slate feels like a fish out of water. He’s had his share of formal events, but he’s been to state visits less formal than this dinner. Still, if Noriko accepted to wear a dress, he can put up with a tuxedo. The food is excellent, but nobody has said anything to him: after all, what does the political elite of China have to say to an American public relations manager?

Noriko seems to notice his mood, and politely excuses herself from the President to tell him:

<I can translate for you, if you want to say something.>

<I’m fine, really. Did he agree about the reforms you asked for?>

<He’ll push for them. Even I can’t turn China into a full democracy overnight, but since I’ve basically paid for the reconstruction of Beijing out of my own pocket, China owes me one.>

<That’s great Noriko, but it’ll be a hard sell in America and you know it.>

<I hope they’ll appreciate the irony of the Chinese government accepting demands from an American… and a half-Japanese one, no less.>

<Speaking of Japan… and don’t make that face…>

<What face?>

<You always frown when I mention Japan. Why did you accept this request for a formal visit but not Tokyo’s? Ignoring Japan isn’t good for your approval rating.>

<I’m not ignoring them: they want to discuss the Demon they’re still keeping prisoner, and I just said we can talk about it in New York. There’s nothing besides that> she answers; if the hostility in her voice wasn’t clear, the fact that her silver eyes suddenly become brighter is a clear signal that something is wrong.

<I think you’re missing an opportunity. Now that the reconstruction of Beijing is complete, Project Two is the Global Defense Initiative… and that’s already at 80% completion mostly because they elected Leiko Tanaka as Minister of Defense.>

<I’m not going to Japan, period> Noriko says through her teeth; she quickly composes herself, but the Chinese officials have noticed her temporary loss of control.

<<Excuse me. I’ll be right back> she says in Chinese, standing up and taking a respectful bow.

There’s something comical in watching six guards escort a nineteen year old girl to the bathroom, a scene that Todd watches from a distance. He can’t understand a word she says, but apparently she’s convincing enough: the guards let him go inside with her.

<Never thought I’d see the ladies room of the Chinese parliament> he admits.

<Never thought we’d need to have this conversation>– she replies, taking advantage of the lack of cameras to take off her high heeled shoes.

<I hate these things> she complains, adjusting her skirt. It’s not terribly revealing, reaching just above the knee, but she still feels embarrassed wearing it.

<It’s not a racial thing, isn’t it?> Todd asks.

<What are you talking about?>

<Japan. You never met your mother and grew up with a white single father; I guess it’s only natural if you have some sort of issue with your Japanese ancestry.>

<Oh for the love of… Listen, I’ve had enough people tell me I’m not Asian enough or White enough, I don’t need to get it from my boyfriend as well, okay? It’s not. A racial. Thing. It’s…>

<It’s what?>

<It’s that Leiko Tanaka is…> she starts to say, but she freezes. The voices in her head go nuts.

“Don’t tell him! You’ll just hurt the both of you! You won’t gain anything by revealing him your secrets. Keep the truth as a secret weapon. I don’t care. Ten bucks I can kill the guards”.

<She’s the Empress of Shadows. She can’t be trusted> Noriko says.

<Then prove it. You have the technology to do it, don’t you?> Todd pushes her.

<It’s not that easy.>

<Why not? You had O.D.I.N. expose what, thirty terrorist cells?>

<Seventy-five worldwide. But the Empire of Shadows uses some technology that completely shields them from O.D.I.N. I don’t know what it is, it’s probably alien or…>

<Or what?>

<Or I gave it to Leiko when I was Void. Or maybe she has a new ally.>

Judging from Todd’s expression, he’s not buying it. She sighs.

<Fine, we can go to Japan, happy? Now, if you excuse me, I have to convince China to re-establish freedom of the press> Noriko adds, pushing him to the side and storming out of the bathroom.

 

Defense Intelligence Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

This is supposed to be an intelligence agency, not a jail. But although it’s classified, under the main office there is a secret bunker that has been detaining Japan’s strangest prisoner for months.

He hasn’t touched the bed, preferring to sleep on the floor. And he hasn’t said many words, something to be expected from a Demon.

The door leading to the prison opens. The Demon stares at the woman who just entered, wearing a dark office suit: Leiko Tanaka, Minister of Defense. She’s accompanied by two soldiers in military uniform, who position themselves at each side of the Demon.

<You’re a remarkably polite guest> she congratulates him.

<I am Ravage, Demon of the Seventh Circle of Hell. I have nothing more to say to you.>

<You’ve told me enough already. My scientist have examined you for months: your alien physiology holds few secrets for me. Although I have to admit, I still don’t understand why you haven’t even attempted to escape.>

The Demon doesn’t answer. Leiko doesn’t seem to mind.

<Straight to business, then. I respect that. Do you know what this is?> she asks, holding between her fingers a metallic device a few inches thick.

<It’s based on something called Neural Coder. Null designed it to write software, feeding instructions directly from her brain. I have made some… adjustments> she says, handing the device to one of the soldiers.

Ravage doesn’t object when the device is placed on his neck, where it sticks easily.

<This is futile. My kind is very resilient; torture will not work on me.>

<Torture? How uncivilized. Now… bow to me, Ravage.>

There’s a quick electrical discharge, which seems to startle the alien. Then Ravage gets on his knees and crawls towards Leiko, kissing her feet.

<If you’re wondering why you’re doing this, Ravage, I should mention that the Neural Enslaver has been set on your specific brain wavelength. But then again, you won’t wonder about anything unless I order you to. Now rise.>

<Yes> Ravage obeys, standing up and responding with a military salute.

<“Yes” what, Ravage?>

<Yes, Empress of Shadows. I am at your command.>

<That’s better. Now let’s get to work… there’s much that needs to be done.>

 

Vrikion, 500 light-years from Earth

Kari Zel is proud of being a Myridian. Her power to duplicate has granted her the possibility to experience more things than most people could possibly imagine. But it has its downside: some of her duplicates are stuck with tasks that are necessary but unpleasant.

Vrikion is a prison planet, originally built by Demeter’s Oracles to deal with dissidents. Now that the Alliance has taken over, it serves as a jail for Demeter, Hephaestus and Hermes loyalists, which include the man she’s here for, the man she wants to make sure will remain a prisoner forever.

Talas Khanos sits in his cell, facing the energy wall that separates him from Kari. He’s freakishly tall, very thin, and there’s something unsettling in his sunken eyes.

<It’s always good to see you, Zel. A fine specimen of pure Myridian stock… too bad you’re not smart enough to pick the right side.>

<I’m not the one in jail> she answers. She knows he’s just trying to get under her skin.

<It’s not as unpleasant as it seems. I have food, water, a place to sleep peacefully, and plenty of time to think. I’m not chained to a wall, forced to spread my legs for Demeter’s glory…>

Kari clenches her fists at these words. Khanos knows perfectly well he’s describing the conditions of the breeding camp where Kari was born and her mother was killed.

<I’m sorry, is it too soon?> he taunts her. Kari is seriously considering deactivating the shield and beating him within an inch of his life, but doesn’t do anything when she sees a hand sticking out of her chest. Before she can understand what’s happening, the hand solidifies just enough to cause her severe pain. If this were the real Kari, she would die instantly. But this is just a duplicate, and it disappears from existence with a popping sound.

Talas Khanos stands up, nearly hitting the ceiling, and takes a step back as he studies the latest arrival. It’s a woman, wearing black hooded robes, and her skin is grey.

<‡╤▲╣₪╬▲Ͻ≈ > she says, walking towards the energy wall. It’s supposed to give an extremely painful neural shock to whoever touches it, but she’s not affected.

<Well, this is unexpected. Who are you?>

<╣♦☼▼►‡╤▌♦╣‡ , ⁞▼‡╤╒♦╚╚♦†║► > the woman explains, touching the wall. Once it comes into contact with her hand, its metallic surface turns into a perfectly black shadow.

<Hm. I prefer being able to understand what my allies have to say, but in your case I’ll make an exception> Talas Khanos concedes, disappearing into the black portal.

 

Manhattan, New York City

One of the perks of living in “the city that never sleeps” is being able to find a gym that’s open at three A.M. Max Black isn’t much of a fitness guy, but it’s hard to stay in shape when you don’t have to walk to get where you want in less than a second.

As he takes a break from lifting weights, he notices a girl staring at him. White, blonde, attractive.

<You’re a hard man to find> she breaks the ice.

<I keep weird hours. Care to join me?> he offers. She clearly likes to stay in shape and doesn’t seem shy to let him admire the results.

<No, I’m more into running than weighs. Speaking of which, where are your friends?>

<What friends?> Max asks back, suddenly defensive. Maybe she’s not just flirting.

<The triplets with purple hair who can bench press three times their weight.>

This triggers several alarms in Max’s mind. He repeatedly told Kari to quit showing off her Myridian strength in public, which is why she trains almost exclusively at the Tower now.

<You’re exaggerating. Kari’s not that strong.>

<“Kari”. That’s how you call all of them, isn’t it?>

<I get confused over which one is which, but they don’t mind. They’re Russian.>

<And I’m confused as to why a nobody from Chicago hangs around with a member of the Vanguard and gets a check from Noriko Null every month> she says, smiling.

<I don’t know what you’re talking about… excuse me> Max quickly changes the subject, and his phone just provided the opportunity: he just received a message.

<It’s from me> the blonde says before he can read it, waving her own phone.

<Yes, I’m that good> she boasts. She’s clearly enjoying having him on the ropes.

The message reads “I know you’re Quantum. Do what I say or the world will know”.

Max looks at her: for someone with a secret identity, he’s awful at keeping a poker face.

<Are you trying to blackmail me?>

<Yes. But not for money… I want an interview with every member of the Vanguard.>

<An interview? You’re a journalist?>

<Kristen Lynn, Washington Insider. So, what will be on the front page: Quantum’s first interview, or his secret identity?>