A/N: Sorry about the wait. I tried to pre-write the next chapters so there wouldn't be too long of a wait next time. And I have other stories in progress. Thank you for the comments.

Phase 2: Discuss

"Madness!"

"Impossible!"

"What?"

"Us terraforming an entire planet?" murmured Poseidon.

"Father," Athena said, "you cannot be serious."

"Even that is far for me," said Hermes.

"That place is too infertile," Demeter joined.

"SILENCE!" Zeus slammed his lightning bolt and thunder shook the throne room. He continued his monologue once they were all quiet. "Yes, I admit that this is a far bigger feat than any we have done. But humanity is destroying the Earth. If we still want their worship for our sake, they need more space."

"But Lord Father?" Dionysus—for once not drinking—asked. "Aren't the brainy mortals already working on ways to get to Mars?"

"They are too slow at it," Apollo reasoned. "Even if they build the rocket for that now, it will take them too long and they will have to endure harsh conditions. That will take too long."

"I suppose you know that from the space program with your namesake, brother," said Artemis, rolling her silvery eyes.

Shining Apollo glared at her. Normally, the formally vain god would smile and boast about that. Now, after living as a mortal, he was more humble. "You know they're making one with your name, right, sis?" he retorted.

Aphrodite joined. "Why not instead of this cold, little world? Why not the world that is bearing my name? Venus is a similar size to Earth and much prettier."

"It's too hot, my dear," Hephaestus said generally. "Its thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid makes its proximity to the sun much hotter than Mercury and too toxic."

"I will agree that Venus is too hot to handle," Aphrodite said pompously. "But whose fault is that?"

"Everyone, wait!" Poseidon took that second to make an announcement. He turned back to his brother. "Zeus, I admit that this an incredible project… but do you think we can do this?"

"Of course we can," Zeus interjected. "We are gods. We can do whatever we want."

"That's not what I meant," Poseidon opposed. "I mean do you think every single one of us can work together? Despite all our feuds?"

Zeus did not answer. He held a stony face.

"Father, I have to admit," spoke Athena, "this is one of the rare cases that I agree with Poseidon." She locked eyes with her uncle for a moment. There were no thanks or warm feelings. Only silent agreement through straight faces.

Every god understands that when those two agree on anything—if it happens though—then the matter was too serious. Zeus, however, didn't pay it much heed.

"We will have to. For the sake of our rule, helping the mortals spread to fresh lands before the old go infertile."

"You say that as if Gaea is dying," Hephaestus said.

"She might as well be with how the humans have been treating her," said Demeter. "Wait! Wouldn't that mean that they'll pollute Mars as well?"

Before another row could break out, Zeus stood to make his voice be heard overall. "We will put it to a vote. All those who agree—"

"You are so ambitious, Zeus," Hades growled, rubbing his face. "You say you are looking to the future, yet you are looking to conquer someone else's land like in ancient times. All you care about is being worshipped and for the rest of us to accept your word as law. And you never think about how this affects us! Humans are the most invasive species. They don't require a certain environment. They adapt to everything! The Underworld is too crowded as it were. If they move to other planets, they'll spread like a virus. The population with skyrocket and my realm's check-in and security center will be overworked and the Underworld won't be able to hold the dead any longer. I'm stretched too thin as we speak, wealth-wise. If I invest in this, I'll be bankrupt! And not to mention Charon's obsession with Italian suits."

The silence had never been more eerily quiet. Even the flames Hestia was tending in the were quiet.

Hades took a deep breath. "I cannot support this."

All the gods gave each other strange looks. None of which said what they were thinking.

Zeus looked to the one who had the largest part of this venture. "And what of you, Ares, my son? This planet was claimed with your namesake. If you agree, you'll agree to let us bring it to life and for the mortals to do as they wish. What say you?"

The god of war was pondering. For once in his existence, actually pondered hard on something. "If I agree to this, I'll be turning over my Roman name to something new. And giving up my own planet. It is perfect the way it is. If the mortals do land on it, they'll need to fight against it to survive. That may not be a war, you might say, but it's conflict. I thrive on conflict and disorder." He stood up. "No. I will not give my consent to this—"

"You insolent brute!" The whole mountain rumbled. Many of the younger gods shrunk in their thrones. "All your existence, you have done nothing but cause problems for all of us. Your bloodlust was the root of so many meaningless deaths. Now is the time that you could give something that will last as a god should! If you don't allow your claim to be used, I will have no choice but to expel you from this council and exile you from Mount Olympus."

"Zeus!" Hera jumped up to put herself between him and their son. If he was going to smite him down, then she wasn't going to let it happen. "There has to be a more civil way to resolve this."

"No need, Mother," Ares said, turning away. "I do not give my consent. My planet, my domain." He marched out of the room.

"Where are you going?" his father demanded. "I did not dismiss you. Ares. Ares!"

"Let him go," Hera whispered to him. "Let him cool off. Maybe he'll change his mind later."

"Pff. As if that hothead could ever cool off," he said scornfully.

Out from the king and queen's sight, Aphrodite's eyes followed her lover as he left.