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Noriko Null was a seemingly ordinary Asian-American teen, until the goddess Athena decided to make her Earth's first line of defense against the impossible.
Now armed only with superhuman intelligence and instant access to all of humanity's knowledge, Noriko will have to solve the world's problems, face the secrets behind her transformation, and fight Greek gods in space in her spare time.
Will the world's smartest girl be able to defeat the all-powerful gods?

Beyond The Impossible

Unlike his fellow gods, Hermes doesn't have a mothership; in fact, he never travels by ship. Noriko is just outside his residence inside the Sword of Justice, accompanied by Torn and Kari Zel.


Kari says.

<Believe me, you're not the only one who finds Hermes...uncomfortable. But there's no way we're going to be alone in the same room again> Noriko answers.

<"Again"?> Torn asks, raising an eyebrow.

The door opens on its own. The three enter the god's room, which is illuminated by dozens of candles whose flame trembles as they walk by. Hermes is slouching on some kind of throne; much to the visitors' dismay, Talas Khanos is standing next to him.


<What's he doing here!?> Kari protests.

<He's my new Oracle. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Lady Null?>

<Teenagers. You just can't trust their hormones> Khanos comments, solely to provoke a reaction.

<Not. That> Noriko answers through her teeth.

<Oh, this I've got to hear. Leave us alone, Khanos.>

<As you wish, my Lord> he bows, disappearing in a flash of green light. Kari gives a worried look to Torn: it's the same effect of the teleportation device from Demeter's ship.

<Yes. Hermes Oracles can teleport on their own> Torn answers the unsaid question.

<So, let's get to the point, shall we? Why are you really here, sunshine?> Hermes asks.

<I'm willing to renounce my claim to Demeter's planets in your favor. You're a sleaze, but so far you're the least insane of the claimants. And you don't really need Myridia.>

<No. Myridia will choose its own rulers and you won't force them to worship you.>

<You're in no position to make demands, sunshine.>

<I'm not Demeter. Two hundred and fifty years.>

<Let's make a deal. A hundred years of freedom for Myridia...and you won't reveal the position of Earth to anyone. Even indirectly.>

<Hm. Good point. Very well, I accept your proposal.>

The ship has a unique design: it's built around a large sphere that hosts the most diverse habitat Vesta has ever seen. It hosts all kinds of animals, even extinct or alien ones, in a perfect reproduction of a forest. Artemis sits on her throne of animal bones, petting a deer.


<It's nice to see you again, aunt Vesta. I did miss your company all these years.>

Artemis instinctively touches the deep scar on her eye when she answers:


Artemis' stare gets more intense. The two goddesses haven't always seen eye to eye, and do say that their family has some history with double crossing would be an understatement.


<What's in it for you?> Artemis asks suspiciously.

<Hephaestus. One of his Talos has already attacked Earth but hasn't reported back; it's only a matter of time before he finds it and retaliates. We need you to defend the Earth against his army of indestructible robots...and I know you can't possibly resist a challenge like that.>

<Hmmm. I can't deny that. And I do despise that deformed blacksmith and his metallic army. Very well, I accept your offer...with one adjustment. How old is Null?>

<I...I suppose not, it's close to how old humans can get.>

<What!? That's ridiculous, she'll never accept that!!!>

<Either I take her in fifteen years or the Earth is doomed> Artemis sentences.

<I'll ask Noriko. She won't be pleased to know you're risking the fate of her world and possibly of half the galaxy just because you suddenly want to get in her pants.>

"Why did I miss my family again?" Vesta wonders.


The I.R.I.S terminal is rather different from any other computer: it doesn't have any kind of physical interface, just a holographic keyboard and a paper-thin screen.


<You think this will find Kayla?> Erika Rhys asks.

<This baby can cross-reference any database on the face of the planet> Max Black boasts.

Max says, pointing at the screen. All the information available about his sister's movements are highlighted, but the most recent one is several weeks old: a flight from Chicago to Colorado Springs.

<I.R.I.S, do you have anything else that might help?> Kari asks directly to the computer.

<Wait a second, what kind of computer makes suggestions?> Erika intervenes.

<Done. Five passengers were Air Force military officers. Should I break into the Pentagon servers to learn more about them?>

Max, Kari and Erika exchange very, very worried looks.


<Wouldn't that be kind of very illegal?> Max finally questions.

<Yes. But I am programmed to request permission before breaking the law.>

<That's both reassuring and creepy at the same time> Erika highlights.

<Yeah, welcome to Null's world. Go ahead I.R.I.S but please make sure nobody finds out.>

<That was fast. Does this mean anything to you?> Kari asks Max, who's studying the screen.

<Unknown. There are no details in the Pentagon servers. All information relevant to Project Silver is classified as "Cosmic Top Secret".>

Kari whispers to Max.

<It's from the Pentagon. They don't do "nice"> he whispers back.

The two-star general is sitting at his desk, reading the latest report. When the red phone on his desk starts ringing, he stands up to adjust his uniform before pressing a button.


The hologram of the President of the United States appears, acknowledging the general's salute.


<At ease, General Anderson> the hologram says.

Alliances