Chapter 1
Chapter TextRocket calls everyone into the Rec room to show off his newest invention. Something everyone should be happy about.
Once everyone is in the room. Peter said, "This better be important."
Rocket turns on the odd looking device before turning to Groot and saying, "Say something Groot"
Groot replied," I am Groot." What should I say, Rocket.'
Everyone looked at each other before Gamora says, "It translated what Groot said."
Rocket answered, "The range is limited to this room thou."
Peter asked, "how much of the ship did you use?"
Rocket surprised by the question answered," It only uses electricity from the ship. All the compartment I got from different vendors. So it did not cost you anything."
Drax turned to Groot and asked," How much of what you say to Rocket did he repeat accurately."
Groot answered, "All of it although he abbreviated a lot of it."
Rocket stretch and seeing it was getting late, asked," Who turns is it to be on duty tonight." Remembering he was on duty the previous night.
Peter answered, "It is my turn." and went up to the cabin.
Rocket turned off the translator before saying, "Time for bed, Groot."
Groot follow Rocket to rocket's room before laying down.
Rocket crawled on top and found his favorite spot to lay down and went to sleep.
Rocket felt himself being moved and carefully open one eye and saw Groot was putting him on a pile of blankets. He also notice a message from Peter asking Groot to meet him in the rec room.
After Groot left, Rocket waited a couple of moments before following.
Rocket carefully walked down the corridor in case Peter and Groot were planning something special for Gamora or Drax.
He saw Drax turned on the translator before he asked," Groot how can you sleep with it."
Groot answered," In all honesty, I would rather be sleeping in the sun room. I really dislike him laying on me."
Gamora shocked asked, "Why did you not tell him?"
Groot answered," Because I felt Pity for him."
Rocket sat down on the corridor floor totally shocked by what he heard,
Gamora asked, "Has it always been for pity?"
Groot answered. "No at first I thought he was kind of cute but after a while it turn into pity because of his night terrors. And I am tire of comforting him after he has them."
Peter said," And those night terrors wake everyone on this ship. I wish he would just grow up and quick having them."
Gamora replied, " We all have bad dreams. It just that he has them more recurring than the rest of us."
Peter said, "He is also the highest in unkeep. He has cost us over 90 thousands units in medical bills."
Gamora replied, "Due to the fact that he cover our asses as we get back to the ship and the last chance any of our attackers to hurt any of us. I think it not that big a deal."
Drax says, "What I can not stand is his smell?"
Gamora asked," What are you talking about. He keeps himself clean or are you referring to his natural musk?"
Drax answered, "HE smells like an animal and I hate having to eat at the same table as him."
Gamora asked," Why not eat in your room than?"
Drax replied, "Because if I don't stay at the table he would eat even more than what he eats now. Which is more than his fair share."
Gamora said, "And I eat less than my share. Main thing is nothing goes to waste."
Peter asked, " What is your excuse for him making bombs out of my ship?"
Gamora answered," And how many times has his ability to make bombs out of junk saved our lives."
Before Peter could answered, Groot says "I am also tired of Protecting and Carrying him and his stuff."
Gamora asked, " Have you ever told Rocket you did not want to carry him or his stuff?"
Groot answered, "he never ask me/ He always told me."
Peter asked, "Since you and Rocket are not spiritually connected. How do you know when he has a night terror.?"
Groot answered." I put a small seedling on him. When Rocket begins to have Night terrors he begins to sweat. That causes the plant to react and I react to the plant."
Peter asked," Don't you get tired of practice with him?"
Gamora answered, "No, because he is quicker and more accurate with small guns. And I learn how to better defend myself against quicker foes."
Groot asked, "How often do you fight smaller foes?"
Gamora answered, "remember those small furious rodents. That were attacking us as we rescued that ambassador. Rocket and I kept them at bay."
Peter said, "he also does not show me respect constantly calling me 'star dork' 'purse lord' among others.
Gamora glared at Peter and asked, "And you never tease him, Peter.'
Peter replied, "That just friendly bantering."
Gamora stood and said, "So let me get his straight. Drax you feel Rocket looks and smell too much like an animal. Plus he eat more than his share.
"Peter your upset with Rocket because of his night terrors, making bombs out of parts of your ship, making fun of you and his medical bills are higher than anyone else.
"Groot, I thought more of you before this but you are saying that your tired of rocket using you. You don't want him sleeping with you, you don't want to carry him or his stuff.
You don't want to comfort him after he has night terrors. You don't want to Protect him either."
Rocket could tell Gamora was getting upset. He want to keep at least one friend before Standing up and yelling, "Where are you , Groot."
Groot answered,"I am groot." I am in the rec room with the others.
Rocket enter the rec room and rubbed his eyes before saying, "Sorry to wake you guys up. But I need to get a small bottle of water." and open the refrigerator and getting out a small
bottle of water instead of one of the medium ones.
Gamora said. " We can finish this discussion later." and glare at the entire table before going to her room.
Drax quickly left the table as Peter returned to the Pilot chair.
Rocket slowly walked back toward his and groot room before saying," Groot, I just realized you never had a chance to try out your sun room. I plan to do some work after I get dress.
So why don't you go rest in the your room and get some sun."
Groot replied, "I am groot." I will Rocket. before quickly walking to his room,
Rocket got out some paper and began to draw up new plans for his room.
Rocket went into the kitchen and seeing Gamora, asked, "How long will we at this port?"
Gamora answered," Peter has some business to do here. So I think three to four days."
Rocket asked, "Would it be okay, If I run some errands. I should be back in about 6 hours."
Gamora replied," Okay," and watch Rocket leave.
After a few hours Groot came in to the room and signal for Gamora to follow him.
Gamora follow Groot to the Rec room wondering what he wanted to talk abo
Groot turned on the translator before saying, "Last night, I slept by myself in the sun room."
Gamora replied, "I hope you slept well."
Groot shook his head before saying, " I could not fall asleep until I made this." and produce a wooden life-size rocket-like figure.
Gamora asked. "so are you going to sleep with Rocket tonight?"
Groot replies," I think it will be best. By the way have you seen Rocket?"
Gamora answered, "He went to the market to get some stuff by himself."
Groot surprised Rocket did not get him, replied, "When he gets back let me know." and went back to the sunroom,
Gamora began to wonder what was going on with Rocket. First he let someone knows he was leaving and when he was coming back. He did not take Groot with him.
Rocket was happy he paid to have the items delivered. Luckily he had managed to get it all into his room before anyone saw any of it.
He knew he what he had to do. At least this should cause himself less grief with the others.
First he had to Put in the water recycling systems in. Than he put in the shower. Specially made for someone of his size. Than he put in the rest of the bathroom including the toilet.
Next was a small kitchen with a refrigerator and stove. Also specially made for someone his size. Finally and most important a small bedroom with sound proof walls. And a special
escape tunnel that opened to the interior ducts. With special connections that would keep him from accidentally opening it.
Rocket glad he had finish and saw he still had almost half an hour before he told Gamora he would be back. So he unpacked the rest of the stuff he had gotten and put it all away before
going back to the cabin.
As Rocket enter the pilot cabin he saw, Groot, Drax and Peter were there. So he asked, "What is going on Gamora?"
Gamora answered, "Peter might have a job for us. But was waiting for you to return before telling us about it."
Peter said," Everybody to the rec room and we will discuss it." and headed towards the rec room.
As Rocket passed the translator, he flicked it on. Before standing at the edge of the table. Not using his usual chair.
Peter waited until everyone was there before saying, " Ambassador Dermick's wife and two children have been token by a group of Kree soldiers. They are being held on Trispan and
Nova has located their hideout and want us to rescue them. It pay 250 thousands units, 10 percent of what they are demanding for the hostages."
"My plan is for Gamora, Drax, and me will break into their holds and Rocket will provide cover for us. If anything goes wrong, we each make it back to Xandar however we can.
"Are there any questions or any ideas that might help."
Groot asked, "What am I to do?"
Peter answered," You are going to stay here in the ship and have it ready to go, Once we are all back here."
Rocket said, "I hate to point this out to you, Mr. Quill but the only place I can see on this map is the ridge. There would be no way for me to return to the ship and cover you at the same
time. So I would suggest after rescuing the hostages. You bring them back to the ship and take off. I will make my own escape."
Peter a little surprised by the Mister Quill coming from Rocket, replied; " No we go in together we come out together."
Rocket replied, "But by than Mr. Quill they will most likely target this ship and probably blow it to pieces. I can not make the distance quick enough not to risk everything."
Gamora said, "You know he is right peter and I think you should stay with the ship. Groot would be better helping us rescue the hostages."
"I agree with Gamora," added Drax.
Peter knew that gamora was right and said," Ok it looks like we have a plan. If nothing go wrongs we will all meet back here in a few days.'
Rocket looked at the clock before saying," I will make supper and we can be on our way." Before going into the kitchen.
Rocket carefully measured the ingredients and made four bowls of Hobray (Specialty) Stew. A meaty one for Drax, A sweet one for Gamora, A Soupy one for Peter and a vegetable one for Groot.
Before doing all the dishes before yelling, "come and get it."
After everyone sat down before saying, "I have some work to finish before we leave."
Peter replied, "Sit down and eat. Whatever your working on can wait."
Rocket smiled and said, "Your choice but I would not want it to destroy the ship. Mr. Quill."
Peter hearing that replied," Very well go play with your bombs."
Rocket smiled and went to his room / workshop. He went into his small apartment and quickly made himself something to eat before doing the dishes.
Rocket began to practice his fighting style, when he heard someone knocking at the door.
Rocket opens the door and seeing Groot, says, "Seems sleeping in the sun room seems to be making you look better. We should have done it much earlier."
Groot said, "I am groot." Rocket will you sleep on me tonight.
Rocket shakes his head before lying, "I talk to someone about my night mares and they say I need to confront them. And that means sleeping alone no weapons and no companion, who makes the
terror go away. But we will sleep together once I have taken care of the night terrors."
Groot slumps his shoulder and replies, "I am groot." Hopefully it will be soon before leaving.
Rocket locked the door before going into his sound proof room and locking that door before going to sleep. Knowing when the night terror woke him, he would not as least awake anyone else.
Gamora finish her shift and knew Drax was in the pilot seat. So she headed for her room only to see Groot.
she walked over and asked," What is the matter, Groot?"
Groot turned on the translator and answered," I can not sleep. I miss the weight of Rocket body on me. My substitute rocket does not help me."
Gamora replied, "I will make you a better substitute tomorrow. Just do your best for tonight." wondering why Rocket was not allowing Groot to hold him while he sleep.
Peter asked, "What is going on?"
Gamora answered," Groot cant sleep since Rocket is making him sleep in the sun room to get better."
Peter replied, " I woke up waiting to hear Rocket screaming for help. And I can not get back to sleep.
Gamora said, "You both go back to your rooms and try to sleep. Because that is where I am heading." and went to her bedroom. Knowing something was not right.
She decided she would have to talk with Rocket, when she was wide awake.
Rocket left his sound proof bedroom. He looked at the clock, he figure half the time he was recuperating from the most recent Night terror. So he got in a good 3 hours of sleep before
he went into the shower to clean up. Than it was a quick breakfast and than on to his newest project.
While Rocket worked he ignored the noise coming from the rec room.
Suddenly Rocket hear someone knocking on his door. He made sure his small apartment door was closed, So it look like it was not there before opening the door.
Gamora said," Morning Rocket, your missing breakfast."
Rocket answered, " Already had mine. Was not going to wake everyone up just to get something to eat."
Gamora asked, "So what are you building this time?" As she notice several boxes of bought spare parts and the first aid kit.
Rocket answered." I figure that I have enough bombs guns and such for now. So I figure to try and see if anything else I could build. Any ideas as to what I should build?"
Gamora replied, "Without knowing what you have built so far, hard for me to think of ideas for what you should build."
Rocket walked over to his latest invention, turned it on before saying, "this baby keeps me from leaving hair all over the place. I am just trying to keep things as neat as possible."
Gamora said, "I am trying to figure a few things out before we rescue the ambassador family."
Rocket sat down and asked, " What are you trying to figure out?"
Gamora said, "I am trying to figure out what is going on with you. You have not eaten a meal with any of us for a couple of days and your seldom out of your room. Plus you no longer allowing Groot to sleep with you."
Peter entered the room before saying, "We have arrived everyone to the rec room."
Rocket said, "like Mr Quill not knocking before entering someone's elses room." Before heading towards the rec room.
Forcing Gamora to follow behind him, determining she would have a Family meeting when they got this mission done.
Rocket got his sniper rifle ready and kept an eye on the criminals headquarters, which was actually a Kree military base.
He saw the rest of the guardians running toward the ship.
So Rocket lined up his the closest pursuer and fire. One shot right between the eyes. That cause the rest of the pursuers to take cover.
Rocket saw someone on the Roof of a nearby building with a rocket launcher aiming for the Milano.
One more shot and that guy was no longer a threat.
Over the intercom, Peter voice came, "Okay Rocket. Get your ass back here and we can take off."
Rocket replied, "Get out of here. They are launching their space ships."
Peter said, "We are not leaving with out you in this ship."
Rocket was not going to waste any more time. He got out his remote control and start pressing buttons. He need to get them out of there, so he can make his escape off the planet.
Rocket watched the Milano jet into the night sky before he quickly dismantle his sniper rifle and left a small bomb to detonate 1 minute after he was away.
Rocket knew he would have to either hitch a ride or steal a ride to get off planet. Either one was okay with him. He would be back on Xandar in two days maximum.
Rocket return to the Milano and headed for his room to take care of a couple of minor injuries but to his surprise everyone was in there.
Rocket asked," What the hell is going on?"
Peter answered, "We want to know how you launched the ship, We were waiting for you."
Rocket replied," About 6 months ago, I told you, Mr. Quill that I had install a remote operating system for the Milano. You told me you would tell everyone about it."
Gamora glared at Peter before saying, "Quill did Rocket tell you about installing the remote?"
Peter replied, "Yes but I forgot about it since we never used it."
Gamora said, " I want to have a Family meeting. And everyone has to be there."
Peter, Drax and Groot immediately left Rocket's room. Gamora closed the door and looked at Rocket.
Rocket a little nervous about Gamora staring at him, asked, "What?"
Gamora answered, "I want to help you take care of your injuries."
Rocket replied," They are not serious, I can take care of them myself."
Gamora said, "You help me repair my cybernetics and other injuries. Let me return the favor and help you."
Rocket knew he would not win the argument replied, "Very well, " before very carefully taking off his jacket. Letting Gamora see the injury.
Gamora was shocked to see the knife wound that started just short of his shoulder and ran all the way down to his elbow.
Rocket pulled out his First Aide kit and began to clean the injury
Gamora took the sponge from Rocket and took over cleaning the injury before saying, "We should go to the med-"
"i have everything we need in the medical kits." Interrupted Rocket.
Suddenly Gamora knew exactly what was going. She was having the meeting after she finish helping Rocket with his injuries.
As they did the last injury, Gamora said, "Come on, Time for the family meeting."
Rocket almost pleading replied, " I was going to catch some sleep."
Gamora looked down at Rocket before saying, "You can sleep after the meeting, I promise." before gesturing for Rocket to head to the rec room,
Rocket sighed but headed to the Rec room with Gamora following close behind him. ''
Gamora raised her voice and said, "Everyone to the rec room. We are having a family meeting, right now."
Peter came down with a pad and replied," Before we get started. Rocket you need to accept the payments for previous assignments." before handing the pad to Rocket.
Rocket checked the decline box on each payment. Before putting his thumb print onto the pad and advancing it to the last page, not giving Peter a chance to change it, and handing
it back to Peter.
Peter put his thumb print on it, without reading it, and sat it down before saying, " Okay Gamora what do you want to discuss."
Gamora replied, "I want everyone to take a seat. This might be a very long meeting." before waiting for everyone to sit down.
After Everyone was seated, Gamora asked," Do you remember the last meeting we had without Rocket present , Peter."
Peter answered, "I remember it. You were constantly defending him."
Gamora replied, "You guys were not being fair to him. So now we are going to have the meeting again and this time. Everyone will be up front and honest."
Peter thought before saying, "I think I was mentioning how Rocket was always building bombs out of my ship."
Rocket knew Gamora was setting this up to clear the air. So the team would continue to work well together before replying, "Mr. Quill, You never have to worry about that again
I have been using my units to buy scrap to make items. Unless it is life or death situation I will only use scrap I buy to make stuff."
Gamora said," Rocket, to save time. Since you did hear everything that was said, give your response to each person. You can continue will Peter."
Rocket swallowed before continuing, "Since you think you spend too much on my Health. I will be responsible for my own medical well being. I will also from now on referring to you
only as Mr. Quill. I also made a sound proof room, so no one will hear my night terrors anymore.
"since Drax thinks I am nothing but an overeating animal. I will stay in my room, where I will eat meals I make for myself. But will continue to do my chores outside of my room. SO none of
you need to make enough food for me.
"Groot, I thought you were my dearest friend. Someone I thought meant as much to me as I did to him. But the one thing I do not want from anyone is Pity. So from now on you have your room
and I have my room. If you want to talk fine, But you no longer need worry about me sleeping on you or having to calm me after my night terror.
"And before I forget, Mr. Quill, I decline payment for those mission, which if I figure correctly, Should cover all the medical bills you have acquired because of me."
Peter grabbed the pad and seeing that Rocket had decline the payments and Peter had agree to it by putting his thumb print on it, asked, "what the hell. Rocket?"
Rocket answered, "I figure I should pay my own way."
Groot asked, "Are you leaving the team?"
Rocket answered, "I will still participate with the team but I am no longer going to participate in movie night, or a night on the town with the gang."
Drax asked," Why are you not going to participate with movie night or going to bars?"
Rocket answered, "Because right now, I only count Gamora as a friend. The rest of you I consider people I work with."
Peter said, "So your going to hold up in your room on my ship."
Rocket asked, "Mr. Quill, If you want me to leave your ship, just let me know. I will pack up and be gone as quick as I can."
Peter bowed his head and answered," I don't want you to leave the ship."
Gamora asked, "Anyone else have a problem. So we can deal with this as a friendly group."
Groot turned to Rocket and asked, "Any way for us to become friends like we use to be."
Rocket answered, "Given time, Yes we can but right now I felt totally betrayed by you. So we will start off as acquaintance and work from there."
Knowing it would be a long time before he could fully trust them again
Rocket than slowly walked back to his room