Beyond The Impossible

Null Tower, New York City

Dr. Catherine Kalama is in her apartment, watching the news. Like most of America, she can’t believe what the images are showing her: the North Korean military surrendering in front of Japanese and Russian troops, looked over by two people in superhero costumes.

When someone knocks on the door, she orders:

<Come in! Volume off.>

Following her voice, the door unlocks and the TV mutes itself; for a moment she realizes that giving vocal orders to appliances has become the norm since Null’s technology has hit the market, but this thought is replaced by the surprise of seeing Todd Slate coming in.

<Todd? Well this is unexpected.>

<I thought you’d be watching this> he says, pointing at the TV.

<Yeah, it’s crazy. They’re saying there were hardly any casualties; is that Max’s sister?> she asks, pointing at the African-American woman wearing a blue costume.

<Blue Star, yes, apparently she’s there as a consultant. You were supposed to say “Quantum’s sister”, however> he corrects her.

<Yes, you’re right. I guess you’re here to talk about Noriko, right? This can’t be easy for her.>

Just then, the TV switches images to show Leiko Tanaka give a speech in front of several generals.

<I still don’t get why. What’s the deal between her and Minister Tanaka?>

<That’s for Noriko to tell you, and I think you know that. Something else troubling you?>

<It’s a little embarrassing, to tell you the truth. I don’t like going behind Noriko’s back, but…>

<But she’s my patient. A very, very stubborn patient> Dr. Kalama says, turning off the TV and offering a seat to Todd. He takes the offer, but hesitates a few seconds before talking.

<She’s been acting… strange, lately.>

<Strange for regular people or strange for Noriko?> she jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

<I don’t know. At first I thought she was still trying to figure out our relationship: one second she’s very passionate, the next she won’t let me touch her. But I’ve seen her get angry for no reason and then immediately moody… I don’t know how to describe it, sometimes she doesn’t act like herself.>

<You’re worried her personality disorder hasn’t really been cured in Hell. God, I’ll never get used to say stuff like that.>

<Something happened to her on that planet, doctor. Something the rest of the Vanguard doesn’t like to discuss. Something Noriko is afraid to confront. She once said to me she’s “probably schizophrenic”… I thought she was exaggerating, but is it possible she’s getting worse?>

<I can’t discuss the details, but she’s raised the possibility before> the doctor answers, thinking about Leiko again. And she asks herself a much scarier question:

“How can you tell if the world’s smartest person is going insane?”

 

A few blocks away

Max Black looks through the window: Null Tower is clearly visible from the nearby hotel where journalist Kristen Lynn has been staying for the last three weeks.

He feels guilty, going through her stuff while she’s away, but he knows that after Eris he can’t take too many risks with her. Her story checks out: she’s a journalist from Washington, and judging from the evidence he found she’s actually a pretty good one. She took the precaution of securing every file with a password, but didn’t consider he could stand behind her as she typed it, completely invisible to her senses.

She knows he’s Quantum, obviously, but it’s just the start. There’s a lot more on her computer… tons of articles about the Vanguard, pictures taken of him and Kari in civilian clothes, a picture of Vesta from the fifties, even school pictures of Noriko when she was around seven. There’s even a picture of Todd from when he was in college, for whatever reason.

He’s startled by the door opening, but he doesn’t need to worry being caught: he’s made of radio waves right now. He makes a decision, and her phone rings. She smiles.

<Hey Max. I was wondering when you’d make up your mind.>

<We should talk in person. Do you have a minute?> he says; as his voice is entirely by radio, she hears the sound coming from her phone.

<Sure. Where do you want to meet?> she asks, fixing her blonde hair in the mirror.

<Here will be fine> he answers, in person, appearing right in front of her.

She does her best to hide her surprise; she almost manages to fool him.

<Straight to the point, hm? I like that. What’s with the mask? I know who you are.>

<You can never be too careful. Isn’t that why you carry a gun, miss Lynn?>

<How did you know? X-ray vision?>

<Actually, I prefer turning into magnetic energy… it’s safer. I hope I haven’t fried your phone.>

<Why the sudden change of heart? Does it have anything to do with the invasion of North Korea?>

<Let’s establish a few rules, miss Lynn> Max answers, coming closer: she’s rather tall, but he manages to get as intimidating as he can while he counts the points on his fingers.

<One, nothing about my secret identity. Two, no questions about Null or the Vanguard: this is strictly my choice. Three, I get to approve the interview before you publish it.>

<Fine, but I have my own rules: one, you can choose not to answer a question but the question itself will be published. Two, you will get me an interview with Null. Three it’s Kristen, not “miss Lynn”.>

<Alright then Kristen… let’s get this started.>

 

Argos, 100 light-years from Earth

If this world has become the de facto capital of the Alliance, the Presidential Palace is supposed to be the seat of its government… and it would be, if governing the Alliance wasn’t impossible.

A map of the Galaxy glooms over the round table at the center of the Mortal Office, showing the immense extent of the Alliance territory. After absorbing the Hermes and Diana sectors, the Alliance now spans over half of the Galaxy. But what is actually under its control is debatable.

Five people sit at the Mortal Office now, representing the various military factions. Alexer Syzar presides over it; his Lampyrian daughter Elyla is behind him, her blue wings casting a shadow over his figure. Former space pirate Aura sits on his right: she’s wearing civilian clothes now, but her seven feet height is still intimidating. Ganos Lal is on Syzar’s left, representing Null despite her having no idea that this meeting is taking place.

The Mist is here to represent the Guild, wearing his white mask and cape. An old man called Zenon represents the Mortal Liberation Front, wearing its black and white uniform; there is no information about him before the war, which probably means he isn’t as important as his position suggests.

There is one vacant seat: nobody is representing the Talos Collective.

<We have the results of the census, thanks to the Church of Null’s efforts> Syzar announces, giving Ganos Lal a chance to stand up and address the room.

<My clergymen have made contact with 1,193 planets. After reviewing their reports, we estimate the total population under the protection of the Alliance to be 483 billion mortals.>

<Lampyrians included> Elyla clarifies.

<Well that was a waste of time. How many soldiers can they provide?> Aura asks.

<We are fully capable of defending the Alliance as it is> the Mist replies.

<So you keep saying. We haven’t seen the Guild do much so far> Zenon says.

<We agreed to hold military actions to a minimum until we could call for a general election: most worlds of the Alliance haven’t had a chance to pledge their allegiance> Syzar reminds him.

<You underestimate the diversity of these worlds. Many don’t allow women to vote, or slaves, or slave owners. Some haven’t had an election since time immemorial. It would take years just to calculate how many people are eligible to vote> Zenon contests him.

<Fifteen percent, or about 72 billion votes> Ganos Lal answers, earning a disapproving look.

<Serves you right for underestimating a Myridian’s ability to multitask> the Mist mocks him.

<The general election will be one month from today. We will ask those worlds if they are willing become members of the Mortal Union, and to elect its President> Syzar says.

<We should expect heavy resistance> Aura comments, pondering the military aspect.

<Yes, what will happen to the worlds that don’t renounce their gods?> Zenon asks.

<We must allow freedom of religion. That is non-negotiable to have Null’s favor> Lal clarifies.

<That is simply ridiculous. Living under Dionysus or Artemis just pretending to obey them is one thing, but what about other gods? What about Ares and Apollo?>

The room falls silent at the mention of that name, as if everyone could be killed by a lightning bolt by just mentioning it. Which isn’t that far from the truth, probably.

<Oh don’t worry about my uncles. They’re really not that bad for soul-crushing monsters.>

The voice takes everyone by surprise. It belongs to a teenage girl, wearing a blue cloak, who’s taken the seat of the Talos. The Mist is the first to react, throwing a shuriken faster than the eye can see.

She catches it without problem, crushing it between her fingers. She smiles.

<You actually thought that would work? Daddy was right, mortals are soooo interesting.>

Zenon and Aura waste no time in drawing their laser guns and pointing them at her. Her head turns slowly, with her red eyes looking at them. All of a sudden, a flaming halo appears above her head.

<If you feel lucky, give it a shot. But I’m not here to fight.>

<Who are you supposed to be, child?> Ganos Lal asks her. The girl stands up: she looks about eighteen, possibly younger. She has red hair with an electric blue stripe in the middle; in addition to the blue cloak, she’s wearing what could pass for a cropped tee and yoga pants on Earth.

<This “child” is seven thousand years older than you, thank you very much. Now, as I’ve said I’m not here to fight, but I will be treated with the respect due to the daughter of Hermes and Aphrodite.>

<You’re Tyche, the Goddess of Fortune> Syzar realizes.

<I prefer “Goddess of Destiny”, actually. You’d better listen to what I have to say, if you want this little empire of yours to survive the arrival of Selene…>

 

Null Tower, New York City

Vesta knocks gently on the door, although she could open it forcefully if she wanted to. She waits patiently for the display to change from the red “ACCESS DENIED: PROJECT SEVEN” to the green “ACCESS GRANTED: VANGUARD LEVEL”, then the door opens automatically.

It’s dark: Null calls this the Think Room, and it’s completely isolated from the outside. The only sources of light are two silver eyes shining in the darkness.

<Vesta. I was not expecting you> Noriko says.

<ODIN told me you leave tomorrow and I wanted to give you this> Vesta replies, surrounding herself with a cloud of tiny flames to light up the room. Noriko is sitting a black table, which is the only thing in this room. Vesta places a package on the table, smiling.

<Happy birthday! Have some fun on Null Island, you really deserve it.>

<Right> Noriko says without the slightest enthusiasm. Other than her gloomy face, Vesta notices something else: an envelope with Japanese words written on it.

<You don’t have to open it if you don’t want to, Noriko.>

<It really should not bother me. I am Noriko Freakin’ Null, right? There’s nothing that Leiko can offer me or use to blackmail me> she decides, taking the envelope and opening it. Vesta is surprised by the speed of her change of heart, but even more by the look of utter shock on her face.

<What? What is… oh Gaea> Vesta says, placing her hand over her mouth when she sees the picture that Noriko has taken out of the envelope. It shows the Palladium, the Drylon device that masks the position of Earth to the rest of the Galaxy, and it’s in Leiko’s hands.

<“Don’t stand in my way or I’ll destroy it”> Noriko translates the Japanese words imposed on the picture. Vesta is flabbergasted: nobody is supposed to know where the Palladium is, not even Null!

<Eh eh. Eh eh HA HA HA!!!> Noriko suddenly bursts into laughter, ripping the picture in half.

<Nori!?> Vesta calls her; there’s something truly chilling in her laugh, and she continues.

<I’VE WON!!! I’VE WON, MOTHER!!! I’VE… I’ve…> Noriko finally stops, almost as if she noticed Vesta’s presence only now. She frantically takes a small bottle to recover a handful of pills, eating them in a single gulp.

<Please don’t tell Todd> she pleads.