“Propaganda,” I huffed.
“We need to counter the lies that gods are spreading among the human,” Star said as she waved at the screen. The video had gone on to feature the other star gods and a smiling parade of humans. “The humans need to know that we're trying to free them. The Dark Star is here to bring them peace, not hurt them.”
Sin chuckled as he settled into his chair. “Is that necessary? Aren't you doing some kind of mass hypnosis on the humans anyway?”
“I'm keeping them calm so they can accept the change in their lives,” Star corrected. “Which makes this the perfect time to present the truth to them. They can process it better when they're calm.”
“You're brainwashing them,” Sin said with a nod. “Okay.”
“It's not brainwashing!” Star shouted and the room shook.
“All right, it's not brainwashing.” Sin held up his hands defensively. “Where will you be playing this infomercial?”
“Star wanted us to see it first,” I answered before my star tried to oppose my will and blast my general. “If I approve, it will be played on television in all of our conquered countries and be released on the Internet as well. I have no doubt that news stations in other countries will pick it up.”
“Yeah, but they won't be playing it to promote you,” Sin warned.
“The Horned Beast!” the announcer went on. “A fierce force for good.”
Sin shook his head at the image of Beast laying his clawed hand gently on a child's head. “You know what the world will do with him. They'll make him into the Devil.”
“No, they've already given that title to me.” I waved my hand and the video changed to a news report.
“Prayer groups are gathering all over the world, encouraged by god sightings,” the reporter announced behind her shiny desk. “A group of protesters in Washington D.C. this morning were given a divine shock when, in the midst of their prayers before the White House gates, Jesus Christ made an appearance to bless their efforts.”
“Did she just say... ?” Sin gaped at the screen as an image of the J-Man popped up.
Jesus had gone old school for his television debut, losing the John Lennon glasses and campy T-shirts in exchange for a loose cotton tunic and trousers. He even left off the Birkenstocks and went barefoot, although I would have thought sandals would have gone with the look. My ex-brother-in-law opened his arms wide and was swarmed by Christians.
“And it doesn't stop with Christ,” the reporter went on. “Angels have been spotted in the skies above Singapore, London, and Germany. Native American deities have visited reservations in America—”
“As if that hasn't happened before,” I muttered.
“And Ganesh has appeared in India,” the reporter went on.
The video shifted to a feed of a cheering mob, dancing around a man with an elephant head. Ganesh lifted his trunk and trumpeted.
“Holy shit,” Sin whispered.
“The Gods want it known that they have not abandoned us, that we are not alone in this fight against the goddess who calls herself the Dark Star.” The reporter lifted her chin as the video changed again.
A priest stood before his congregation, shouting, “The Devil has come to Earth! Satan has concealed himself in the body of woman, using beauty to blind us to the truth. If you want truth, look to the Angels. Look to our savior, Jesus Christ! Do not seek salvation in the arms of this harlot! That path will lead you straight to Hell!”
“Actually, the path to Hell is lined in diamonds,” I said drolly. “And I wouldn't lead anyone down it. It's fucking cold.”
“At least he called you beautiful.” Sin smirked.
I laughed as I flicked a hand toward the screen and it went back to playing our propaganda. “Yeah, and a harlot.”
“It doesn't matter,” Star insisted. “Once we conquer the nations of the world, they will view us in a different light.”
I sighed deeply and watched the conclusion of our video.
“And the Dark Star!” An image of me filled the screen; the starlight in my hair sparkling and my arms spread wide and welcoming. “The goddess to unite them all. Together, they will end all war and bring peace to the world. No more suffering. No more pain. Accept the Dark Star and bask in her light!”
The video went still on a shot of my star gods and me, standing in a line with wind blowing through our hair like a bunch of superheroes.
“It's a bit much,” I finally said.
“And where am I?” Sin lifted a brow. “Doesn't General Sin get a cameo?”
“Vervain, if you want humans to love you and not just fear you, you have to make an effort,” Star chided me while she ignored Sin. “This is a way to reach the people. Trust me.”
“All right, Star, release the video,” I gave in and glanced at the men.
The Star Gods looked unconcerned if a bit irritated by the silliness of it all, but Sin slid a worried look my way. I was inclined to agree with the General; this could be used against us. It could be spun to make us look like villains, even to me it reeked of indoctrination. But Star was right; in the end, we'd win, and this would be viewed in the way we wished it to be.
“Thank you,” Star said smugly. “It's done, released. You'll see; soon they'll be praising your name.”
“The new Jesus,” Sin whispered to me.
“Leave the J-man out of it,” I said back. “He was just trying to help.”
Sin lifted a brow at me.
Before he could ask, I countered, “How's Enki? Is he content with Marduk being imprisoned?”
“He's content that his son is alive,” Sin amended. “He goes to see Marduk every day, but Mar isn't talking. He just sits in his cell and mopes.”
“It's not easy to have your beliefs stripped away. To have everything you've ever counted on fail you.”
Sin blinked at me. “No, it isn't. But new beliefs can be good too and sometimes you have to strip
