Not that satisfied with this chapter, but it's mostly filler, so that may have something to do with it. Also, the amount of research this thing is taking is ridiculous. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to look up Marvel planets and alien races and actually finding something helpful. So I'm sorry for any inaccuracies!
Also, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed/followed/favorite, you guys are the best!
Enjoy!
"Well, it's not the neatest job, but I suppose congratulations are in order." The gaping Nova Corps official said faintly, staring at the wrecked complex. The once-hidden complex was now surrounded by the landing Nova Corps ships, the Xandarian soldiers hauling out guard after guard through the falling snow, handcuffing them and escorting them to a ship where they would be taken, along with their master, to the Kyln.
Gamora rolled her eyes as Peter sighed, Rocket snorting.
"Well I didn't see you guys doin' much," he shot. "The point is, Nereen is in custody and his operation is pretty much screwed over."
"And the slaves are being safely freed now," Gamora added.
"What more do you want?" Peter finished.
"Damage control?" Rhomann Dey said, humor in his tone, as he approached them.
"Dey!" Peter greeted him. "Finally, someone with some sense!"
"That's debatable," Rocket muttered to Drax.
"How are you and your family, Rhomann Dey?" Gamora asked politely, cutting over Rocket.
"Wonderful, thank you," the Nova Corps official said, smiling. "My daughter's been asking if she can see you all again. Especially you, Rocket-she's been demanding you visit her again."
"Hmph," Rocket said, but his expression softened.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked hesitantly.
"And you too, of course," Dey smiled. "All of you, actually, now that you're famous."
"Psh, I was famous long before this shindig," Peter declared.
"I'm sure you were, Star-Prince," Gamora said snidely.
"Hey!" Peter exclaimed as Rhomann Dey laughed. "One time," Peter muttered. "One time."
"Well, plenty of people know your name now," Dey said. "That's actually part of the reason I'm here."
"What, you're not here to congratulate us on our spectacular act of goodwill?" Peter said, looking wounded.
"That we should be getting paid for soon," Rocket muttered. Peter stepped on his foot.
"Actually, no, but nice job on that," Dey said, surveying the bunker. "What did you do to the walls?"
"Tank."
"Psycho."
"Blue Swede." Rocket, Gamora, and Peter all said respectively.
"We rammed their own weaponry through their defenses," Drax said, self-satisfied. "It was most enjoyable."
"I am Groot," Groot's tone suggested otherwise.
"Ah," Dey said, looking as if he would rather not know. "Well, at any rate, you'll be happy to hear that we're helping the slaves return to their homes and families now."
"Thanks," Peter said as the other Guardians hummed in agreement.
"You said you were here for another reason, though?" Gamora questioned.
"Yes," Dey said, frowning. "We received a call last night from an individual who calls himself the Collector-are you familiar with him?" Peter and Rocket groaned. Gamora looked as if she was torn between anger and annoyance.
"What?" Drax said, confused. "I do not recall meeting this Collector."
"That's because you we're too busy placing a call to Ronan," Rocket muttered, tone suggesting he was far from over the incident.
"I made amends for that," Drax defended.
"By nearly killing us, fool-"
"Anyways," Peter interrupted hurriedly. "What does he have to do with us?"
"He wants to talk to you," Dey said. "He asked if you all could meet him on Knowhere-and I quote 'for a job worth as much what I would have paid for the orb'." Gamora's eyes went wide, Peter and Rocket gaping.
"Well I'm interested," Rocket said.
"Wait-so he wants to hire us? What for?" Peter asked.
"Considering the money he is offering, something decidedly dangerous," Gamora said darkly.
"We have no idea," Dey said apologetically. "That's all he said. He refused to answer any other questions, cut us right off."
"That sounds right," Rocket muttered.
"Does he honestly believe we are willing to aid him, after the Infinity Stone?" Gamora scoffed, a frown creasing her brow. Groot hummed in agreement.
"Are you serious?" Rocket asked her, gaping. "You hear what he's offerin'?"
"Yes, much as I did the first time," Gamora hissed. "When we were all nearly killed for our trouble."
"Well this ain't the first time!" Rocket shot back. "It's not like we're wanted fugitives with a mass murderer on our tail!"
"The raccoon is right," Drax said over Rocket's half-hearted "Hey!". "I fail to see how this is any more concerning than a normal mission."
"Because normal missions are not commissioned to us by an untrustworthy, greedy, hoarder!" Gamora said earnestly.
"To be fair, most people we have worked with in our lives are much the same, including ourselves," Drax countered, ignoring the sputters from his teammates.
"Besides, you don't even know what he wants us to do yet!" Rocket said, glaring at Gamora.
"I do not have to!" she hissed. "I need only know that he is untrustworthy, and that anything he wishes us to do will prove double-edged!"
Rhomann Dey's head swung back and forth as he watched the two's argument, looking nervous.
"You don't have to answer him," he said hesitantly. "But I have the meeting coordinates, if you want them-"
"Yes!" Rocket barked just as Gamora snapped a "No!"
"I am Groot," Groot's firm tone cut across the two.
"No," Rocket barked back. "We are not compromising here, she's just being a stubborn moron-"
"Watch your tongue, you self-conceited fool-"
"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Peter's concerned voice cut over them both, Rhomann Dey looking relieved at the intervention.
""I notice you have not stated your opinion yet," Drax said, turning to Peter. "As our leader-"
"Unofficial leader," Rocket muttered.
"But leader nonetheless," Drax continued firmly. "It is your responsibility to resolve this."
"Uhhhhh…" Peter said, resembling a deer in headlights. The rest of the team looked at him expectantly.
"Yeah, resolve this, leader," Rocket said.
"Peter," Gamora urged.
"Well," Peter rubbed his forehead, looking torn. "Gamora's got a good point, what with the Collector not being the best contractor there is-" Rocket groaned, Gamora looking smug. "But," he continued. "It is only one meeting, and we have dealt with worse, to be fair-" he shot Gamora an apologetic look. "So I think we should-I'm gonna say we see what he wants."
"Peter!" Gamora exclaimed angrily, Rocket whooping.
"Hear me out!" Peter said, throwing his hands up in defense. "We don't have to actually agree to him yet! It's just one meeting-we can decide if it's worth the trouble after!"
Gamora glared at him, folding her arms, as Rocket shrugged, muttering a "Fine, fine." Drax looked reasonably satisfied, and Groot simply nodded. Peter decided that Groot was his favorite for the time being.
"One meeting," he said. "That's all we're committing to." He turned to Rhomann Dey. "You got the coordinates?"
While there were plenty of planets most sane people steered clear of, there were few places in the galaxy that were all-together feared and avoided by even the toughest of looters. One of these such places was the dead, darkened realm of the Mad Titan, Thanos, and the fear it invoked across the galaxy was well-deserved. Few who dared to venture into the realm of Thanos ever made it out alive, much less unharmed. Even then, death was not the worst of their fears-for Thanos to merely kill his enemies was considered a great mercy, for the cruelty that the Titan was capable of was unspeakable.
That being known, Thanos' realm was given wide berth by all-save those who either dared to seek his help (as of late, the trickster Loki and the madman Ronan-both had met unsavory ends) or those who answered his rarely given summons. And as refusing his summons was tantamount to declaring one's wish for death, those summons were always met.
Which is why R'narin, former general of the Badoon forces, found himself and a contingent of his men in the dead realm. He had little fear for Thanos, per say, other than was healthy-but then again, he had little fear for anything, beyond what some had called sane. The former general, member of the reptilian Badoon species, had once been greatly renowned by his people for his absence of fear-however, one too many reckless and failed attacks against the rival Spartax Empire had led to his decline in popularity. While the hatred between the two races ran strong, there existed a fragile peace for now, held loosely together by endless treaties and compromises. R'narin, with his deep-set hatred for the Spartax and unsatiable bloodlust, had all but destroyed the peace himself. His actions had led to his disgrace and banishment from the Badoon forces, but the general held little regret for them-as did a number of his men, as they had followed him into his banishment.
A disgraced general, high on hatred and ruthless with his desire for power and conquer-R'narin quite perfectly fit the bill of Thanos' next subordinate.
"I am honored to have received your summons, Thanos, though I do wonder what one so powerful as you would have need of me for," the Badoon general addressed the Titan, surveying the dead world with passive interest.
"Nothing on the scale of the destruction of a world, for now," the Titan replied, back turned to the general. "I simply need you and your men to retrieve something for me, something of value."
R'narin snorted in disbelief. "So you wish me to be your errand runner? A simple thief, retrieving your trifling fancies for you?"
"Watch your tongue, boy," the Titan said harshly, his back still turned. "What I am asking you to retrieve is far more than a trifling fancy."
"Then enlighten me, Titan, and face me."
Thanos drummed his fingers on his throne, the faint prickling of annoyance rising in him. The mortals of this universe were remarkably irritating, and all the same- fools that believed they possessed the right to stand in equality to him. He felt a spark of anger towards the dead Ronan-things had been far simpler when he had the Other to deal with the mortals.
But he required R'narin's services, irritating as the Badoon general may be, so he rotated the throne slowly, expression devoid of any emotion as he faced R'narin.
"Ignorant as you are of the galaxy's happenings, I am sure you heard of the Asgardian crisis with the Dark Elves not long ago," Thanos droned. R'narin bristled at the insult, but recognition sparked in his eyes.
"The discovery of the Aether by a mortal, and the near-destruction of Asgard, yes," he replied.
"Then you understand the value of the Aether," Thanos said. "And the impact it could have."
"A simple weapon, one used by those without the power to conquer themselves," R'narin scoffed. "I fail to see why one such as you would have need of it."
"A simple weapon," Thanos repeated, half-hissing. "One that would aid in the destruction of the Spartax race, if you so wished."
R'narin's eyes narrowed. "I know what you promised Ronan. I know how that deal ended for him."
"Ronan was a fool," Thanos said. "He sought to take matters into his own hands, to use the stone himself. I am not offering you a stone. I am offering you an army."
That seemed to take R'narin's attention.
"What kind of army?" he asked, curious.
"The Chitauri, though having suffered a defeat on earth, still answer to my command," Thanos said. "Their forces have nearly recovered. The Aether has been stolen from the individual known as the Collector. If you bring me the Aether, I will give that command to you."
"The Chitauri," R'narin echoed, eyes widening. "In my command. With them it will only be too easy to wipe out the Spartoi."
"So we have an understanding," Thanos said. "Bring me the Aether, and I will give you your army."
R'narin stroked his chin, mulling it over. "We have an agreement," he finally said.
"Then you will leave now. The one who stole the Aether has fled to Shi'ar galaxy. Find him and deal with him as you see fit. But bring me the Aether. And do not touch it."
"As you wish," R'narin said. "You will have your Aether shortly, and I will have my army."
"So you will," Thanos said. "And take care to not fail me. The consequences, as I am sure you know, will be severe."
"You need not worry," R'narin scoffed. "It will be only too easy."
"Do not grow arrogant, boy," The Titan warned. "And do not think you are the only one searching for the Aether. The Spartoi will have their say, I assume," R'narin hissed at the mention of the race's intereference. "And the pathetic band of so-called Guardians will be searching as well."
"Ah yes, I've heard of them," R'narin said, smirking. "Shall I say hello to your daughter for you?"
"The only thing I would have you do to her is bring her to me in chains," Thanos hissed, glaring at him. "She will pay for her treason in due time."
"Very well," R'narin said lightly. "Then I will bring you both the Aether and your daughter. But if I am to be racing Spartax, I will require adequate forces to deal with their interference."
"As I said, the Chitauri have recovered," Thanos said. "I will give you command of enough of them to deal with any Spartax interference. But until I possess the Aether, the entirety of the army remains in my command."
"You are too generous," R'narin said, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Give me a week. You will have your Aether." He bowed to Thanos and turned, striding away from the throne.
He turned as he reached the edge of the stairs.
"And what should I do with the others who call themselves 'Guardians'?" he asked.
"Kill them," Thanos said flatly. "In whatever way you see fit. I already have a band of self-assuming 'protectors' to deal with."
"Don't see why he had to shove all those details down our throats, we already know where this Collector is," Rocket commented to Peter as they trudged through the thick snow, the two making their way to where they had hidden the Milano.
"Formalities, I guess," Peter muttered. "Like I'd know."
"Eh, useless anyways," the raccoon shrugged.
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with before we all kill each other."
"Well you're a fricking ray of sunshine," Rocket said, shooting Peter a look. "What's got you depressed? Someone mess up your name again?"
"No," Peter huffed, glaring at him. "It's just-this mission, I guess…well not the mission, per say, but, y'know-"
"Your girlfriend's reaction to it?'
Wha-no!" Peter stammered as Rocket raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Uh-huh. So Gamora's storming off after you agreed to get the coordinates has nothing to do with you acting butt-hurt."
"I am not acting butt-hurt- wait, she stormed off? Like, genuinely, pissed-off, storming?" Peter's irritated tone quickly faded to concern. Rocket resisted the urge to tear his own head off.
"Yeesh, no, moron, Gamora's not the immature one in this crazy sappy thing you got going," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "But anyone with workin' eyes can see that she's not onboard with it and that's makin' you two act like teenagers."
"We are not acting like teenagers, man!" Peter said indignantly. "We're mature adults and we're acting like it!"
"Then get your butt over there and talk to her," Rocket shot at him. "Stars know the rest of us don't wanna deal with you guys and your stupid feelings."
Peter glanced over to where Gamora was trudging through the snow ahead of them.
"Man, what if she knifes me-"
"She's your frickin' girlfriend, idiot, go talk to her!" Rocket half-yelled in exasperation, shoving Peter forwards. Apparently taking the initiative, Peter jogged towards her.
"Hey-hey, Gam! Gamora-gah!" He called to her, slipping across the icy snow as he ran and nearly falling flat on his face.
"Peter-oof," Gamora's irritated reply was cut off as Peter slid straight into her.
"Aw-dangit, I'm sorry Gamora-"
"Clumsy," she muttered at him, shoving him off her and cutting off his apologetic rambling.
"Yeah, I know, I know, I'm sorry-"
"Stop apologizing, it was an accident. What did you want?" she sighed, crossing her arms.
"Well, you know, I was just-just wondering if you're okay with this?" Peter asked hesitantly.
"It does not matter whether I am or not," she said, sounding weary. "You were right-it is worth at least one meeting."
"Yeah," Peter said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. "Just one trip for now. It'll be fine!"
"Sure, sure," she muttered. "You received the coordinates?"
"Yup," Peter said, handing her a datapad. "Hope you like severed Celestial heads."
"Back to Knowhere, then, I suppose," Gamora sighed resignedly, but she did not appear to be angry at him.
"Hey, it could be worse," Peter said, nudging her. "Remember that terrace? How we almost kissed and you pulled a knife on me for my 'pelvic sorcery'-"
"Yes, yes, how could I forget," Gamora huffed, cutting him off. Peter smirked.
"Anyways, it'll be fine. We'll actually get that money after all."
"Remember what happened last time?" Gamora said darkly. "This is likely to be just as grave a matter. I do not wish to relive that experience," she said softly, eyes distant.
"Gamora." Peter said spinning her to face him. "It will be fine. I promise. We're better now. We know what we're doing. No calls to enemies, no selling out for money-well, besides the Collector's money." Gamora rolled her eyes. "My point is, we're a pretty good team now. We can handle this." He smiled at her. "Besides, things were getting pretty boring anyways." Gamora scoffed.
"What, smashing a tank through a wall is not exciting enough for you?"
"Multiple walls. And you know me, gotta live for the adrenaline."
"That is an incredibly unhealthy way to live."
"Says the assassin with no self-preservation?"
"Oh, you are one to talk-"
"Hey, lovebirds, let's go!" Rocket's voice interrupted them.
"They are not birds," Drax's voice questioned over Gamora's hissed "We are not lovebirds."
"Aw, you're just jealous, man," Peter said with a grin, leaning over to kiss Gamora on the cheek, deliberately smacking loudly.
"Peter!" Gamora shrieked, jumping away and swiping at her cheek as Peter burst out laughing. "That is revolting!"
"You guys are just weird," Rocket muttered.
"Jealous!" Peter called to him.
"Ha! Not in a thousand years, you-ah, I mean," Rocket said hastily, clearing his throat as Gamora glared at him. "Lovey relationships crap ain't my thing."
"I am not lovey," Gamora said, frowning.
Groot looked at Rocket, expression sly as he asked "I am Groot?"
"Wha-that doesn't count," Rocket said, flushing.
"Oh, do tell, Rocket," Gamora said wickedly.
"Please enlighten us with your romantic conquest," Drax said, the tiniest hint of a smirk at the corners of his mouth.
"I swear, I will blast you all into the next dimension-"
"Ooooookay, enough on the love junk!" Peter cut them all off loudly, whirling to face them as he walked backwards up the Milano's ramp. "We got ourselves a meeting to get to!"
"I cannot wait," Gamora said sourly, as the others displayed equally enthusiastic reactions.
"Can't we just skip to the blowing up stuff part?" Rocket muttered.
"You are the one who wanted this," Gamora shot at him.
"Yeah, I want the money, not the meeting-"
"I feel as if we have already had this argument," Drax muttered.
"On the ship, and stop arguing, now!" Peter finally yelled despairingly at them. "We're going to Knowhere!" The four grumbled, but ceased their arguing as they headed up the ramp.
"And hey, look at the bright side," Peter said to Gamora as she came up beside him. "Last time we dealt with a fricking Infinity Stone. Can't get much worse than that!"
"I am Groot!" Groot said worriedly to Peter.
"Yeah," Rocket muttered. "Don't jinx it."
