52 Outbursts (1/2)

Null Tower, New York City

While Null Technologies employs thousands of people, very few of them work at the Tower itself. One of the upper floors houses all the Tower's living quarters: Vesta, Kari and Torn live here, as do Noriko and her father Bob. Max Black a.k.a. Quantum is knocking at Bob's door.

<This is probably a bad idea> Kari whispers to him.

Max doesn't have the time to answer before Quantum opens the door, greeting them.

<Yes, what can I…oh hi Max. It's been a while.>

Kari does a double take: she's used to seeing multiple people with the same face, but she didn't expect to see Max shaking Quantum's hand. But despite not knowing they're the same person, Erika seems to be far more shocked.

<I can't believe it. You…you are…>

<Quantum, the Man of Energy, at your service> he answers, taking a bow.

<Q, this Erika, my sister's girlfriend.>

<You know Quantum? HOW!?> Erika asks.

<Yes, how exactly?> Kari repeats, crossing her arms.

<Max and I go way back. In fact, I was the one to suggest Noriko to hire him. Now, I suppose this isn't exactly a social visit?> Quantum asks.

<I'm afraid not. My sister's missing and we were hoping to use the Tower's computer to find her.>

<Sure, why not. You can use the I.R.I.S terminal, two doors to the right. I'm afraid I can't stay here to help you; you know, places to be, people to save, that kind of stuff.>

<Of course. It was a honor to meet you, sir> Erika manages to say, stuttering.

<We better get started. See ya later, Q, I owe you one> Max adds, taking Erika's hand to drive her away from Quantum.

Kari watches them leave, then turns towards Quantum. She tries to touch him, but her hand goes right through him

<A hologram. I.R.I.S, is that you?> she asks. Quantum answers with a metallic female voice:

<Forgive the ruse, Kari Zel, but Mistress Noriko programmed me to save Quantum's secret identity.>

<Then why do I think that she's not gonna be very happy when she finds out that we brought a stranger into the Tower?>

<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>

<She does think of everything, doesn't she?>

<She also instructed me to avoid answering rhetorical questions.>

<Just my luck...>

Space station Sword of Justice

The hearing has been going on for hours. Not a long time for gods, but as much as she tries to hide it, Noriko is exhausted. She has fallen asleep, resting her head on Vesta's shoulder.

The red-haired goddess instinctively warms the air around them a little bit.

<You care about her> Athena says. There's no emotional attachment to the sentence: the goddess of wisdom is simply stating a fact.

<She's my friend. I hope you're not pushing her too much into this.>

<I'm not pushing her to do anything.>

<Athena, please. You can fool Zeus, but I know you. Everything you do is part of a plan.>

<True enough. For what it's worth, aunt Vesta, I never intended to leave you stranded on Earth for such a long time.>

<You should try it, Athena. Live between mortals, experience time as they do. Take it slow.>

<I'd go crazy within the hour.>

The two goddesses chuckle, taking care not to wake up Noriko. The awkward silence that follows lasts a few seconds, before Vesta takes the courage to ask:

<How's the family, Athena? I was thinking...>

<You're still not welcome on Olympus> Athena cuts her short.

<After all this time?>

<Said like a mortal. But don't worry: sooner or later, they will understand. They have to.>

<Demeter didn't.>

<And what happened to her?>

<It wasn't my fault, Athena. I'm not the one who gave Noriko her power.>

<But you did allow her people to grow too fast. No wonder their Nexus killed the first hostile divinity she encountered.>

<I was sentenced to exile. I wasn't supposed to rule or influence mortals.>

<Since when do you follow your family's orders, Vesta?>

The family reunion is cut short when someone opens the doors with the force and subtlety of a battering ram. Still frightened by the noise, a dozen of ten year old girls leave rose petals on the floor and chant together:

<All hail Artemis, daughter of Zeus, Ruler of Olympus, and Leto, The Concealed.>

The sound wakes up Noriko, who jumps on her feet to meet the latest would-be ruler of Myridia.

Artemis looks like a fitness model. All of the goddesses Noriko has met have perfect bodies (as well as Hermes, no matter how much she tries to forget him), but Artemis' clothes seem designed to emphasize her well-defined muscles. Aside from the dark blue low-cut shorts and shirt that leaves her abs exposed, she's only wearing metal bands on her wrists and ankles.

Her white hair is very short with a boyish cut; there is a deep, nasty scar over and under her right eye, which hasn't healed completely.

The children step aside to let her pass, bowing respectfully. Artemis ignores Athena and Vesta, going straight to Noriko who does her best not to look intimidated: she's almost two feet taller and looks like she could break her in half without a sweat. To answer her stare, Noriko's silver eyes shine menacingly. Artemis doesn't seem to care.

lytra says you're the mortal girl who killed Demeter and wants to rule her worlds.>

<I am Null. Do you have a problem with->