Avenging Justice 3:

To Infinity and Anti-Life

Part XVIII

Sector 1148, Elemiar Orbit

The Guardians burst forth into reality again, their faster than light drive whining. Rocket was muttering something rude, while complaining about Quill's flying. Groot stood by assisting, with the random "I am Groot" added to the racoon's obscenities. Gamora was watching the displays, looking for any sign they were followed. Drax meanwhile got up somberly from his seat, something in his eyes hinting at haunted memories playing in his head.

Peter Quill felt the adrenaline leaving his body, and with it came the after effects of a near death experience. Pushing it off to the side, he brought up Milano's 3D model, and looked over the damage they had taken. All around the model were warnings about failed systems. He knew Rocket was working on the most important ones right now, but he had a feeling that they'd need to set down. He just hoped the locals were friendly, accommodating, and had the patience of saints.

That last thought ran through just as Rocket launched into another verbal barrage against him. There were days he wanted to kick that anthropomorphic racoon out the nearest air lock. Anyone who hadn't spent a lot of time with Rocket, could easily misconstrue that thought. It really was a term of endearment to only want to throw him out of the airlock. If you really hated him, then you wanted disintegrations, but the obnoxious racoon was family. Irritating family, but family none the less.

"Listen, Quill, I can't fix it in flight, we need to set down," Rocket growled. "Next time let me fly, obviously you learned to fly in a demolition derby."

Gamora hissed, "Not now, Rocket. We barely escaped, and we need to get patched up quick."

"Oh yeah, hate to insult your little boy toy," Rocket laughed back. "Listen, we shouldn't have gotten involved. We weren't being paid this job."

Quill angrily countered, "There are bigger things than payments, Rocket. Did you see those space zombies? A big wave of death killing people? Yeah, I couldn't watch that happen."

"Well real good that did us," Rocket sighed, not sounding as sure as his words led on. "Now we have a banged up ship and that planet is a backwater, even compared to Earth."

Peter Quill melted into his pilot seat. Just what he needed, another mistake to live down. Despite Rocket's words, he couldn't see rescuing those ships as a mistake though. The seat of your pants jump to escape what had been chasing them, that was a mistake. However, they were still alive, and that counted for something, didn't it?

"We need to get moving!" Gamora shouted. "We have company."

Immediately Peter was on the controls, "Rocket, get us as much as you can. This may get bumpy."

"When is it not a bumpy ride," Rocket shot back. "Oh that's right, when I fly."

"I am Groot," Groot interjected. "I am Groot, I am Groot."

"Stay out of this junior, nobody asked for feedback from the peanut gallery," Rocket paternally said. "And watch your mouth before I wash it out with soap. Really, where did you learn such language?"

Gamora checked the ships weapons, they were still offline. The engines were going as fast as they could, but they were damaged. Their defensive systems were nearly nonexistent, having taken a beating before the jump. The only thing she had left to throw at the enemy were their small arms weapons. Well, she could work with that.

Marching to the back of the ship, she triggered her energy shield. It would protect her from the emptiness of space, but would do little against any incoming damage. She wasn't planning on taking any, and that was one benefit to being trained by an abusive father to be his personal assassin. You got used to succeeding, no matter the cost.

The back access of the Milano opened and Gamora targeted the two black figures that had been appeared behind the ship. Pulling back on the trigger, her weapon spat out death towards to the two figures. Her targets were hit, but kept coming. Coming from them, if there had been an atmosphere to carry the sound, was a dreadful wail that bordered on spine tingling.

"Faster, Quill, they're catching up with us," Gamora commed back to the cockpit.

Peter's voice was full of resigned weariness, "Why are you… Never mind, trying evasive maneuvers, hold on." She heard him yell back to Rocket, "Anytime you're ready furball, we need to get going."

"I told you, Quill, we need to set down," Rocket roared. "Maybe next time don't get hit so often."

The response was drowned out as one of the black figures slammed into the Milano's hull. The next sound coming, brought a dread cold spike down each of the inhabitants spine. It was the sound of the hull being peeled back. To go along with this, was the sudden hiss, as atmosphere began to expel itself into the emptiness of space.

Peter Quill pushed his ship into maneuvers that it couldn't keep up with for long. He had to dislodge whatever was tearing her apart, but his poor ship had already been through the ringer. Playing through his mind were all the ways this could end badly, and the whole time he was pushing those thoughts away. He had to stay focused, even as he heard more piercing metal screeching. They were tearing her apart!

"Milano, stand by for assistance," a calm voice rumbled through the ship.

Gamora was putting as many rounds into her target as she could, but the damned thing just kept coming. Each time she saw bits of it be blown away, they were restored by black energy that pulsated from the thing attacking her. Already her weapon was starting to show wear from the continuous firing, but she dared not let up. If she did, that thing would probably be able to reach her easily.

"I am the guardian of this sector," a man in green and blue glowing armor slammed into her pursuer. "Stop this attack and return back from where you came."

The man blasted up and she heard scratching come from the hull as the second black figure tumbled back. She aimed her weapon and started firing at it, seeing it was reorienting and coming back after the ship and their new arrival. Her original target was engaged with the newcomer, and found itself being sliced in half by a green blade.

She started to shout a warning, but it was too late. The black thing was already reforming. The newcomer reacted, still surprised, but not caught off guard. He hit it again, this time a blue blade erupted from his offhand. The first strike sliced the thing, and as it started to reform, the other blade stabbed into the center of the thing. This time there was a small black explosion and she saw a small black ring simply dissolve.

Now getting a look at the newcomer, she finally recognized him as some type of Green Lantern. She hadn't seen one summon a blue blade before, nor have blue in their color scheme, but she wasn't about to complain. Especially as he used both his blades on the monster attacking her, and she saw a repeat of what happened to the first.

"Unidentified Craft, you are in distress," another voice sounded off throughout the Milano. "I'm bringing you in, cut engines."

Peter was hesitant, "Who is this? No offense but it's taking all I can do to keep us from burning up in the atmosphere."

"I can see that," the voice came back, definitely feminine. "I'm one of the Green Lanterns of this sector. Now cut your engines and I'll set you down softly."

Rocket popped back up, "Stall them Quill, there are things I need to hide."

"What?! That requires an explanation!" Peter was not surprised at this point. "You do realize I'm in no position to do this."

Rocket glared, "Listen Quill, they're like space cops, and we're getting pulled over. Just stall them while Groot and I hide some things."

"Why me?" Peter turned back to the comms. "Thank you for the assistance, Lantern…"

"I see you're the charmer of the group," the voice said, as a green glow surrounded the ship. "Just hold on, might get a bit bumpy."

Moments passed and the Milano bounced as it entered the world's atmosphere. Gamora had returned and taken her seat. Meanwhile Rocket and Groot were being bounced around, as they quickly hid their contraband in specially made smuggler's compartments. More than one unkind word was sent up towards the Green Lantern guiding them through the atmosphere. However, they did make it safely down, though there was a bit of an issue with one of the landing gear.

Rocket was able to fix that, and then Peter opened the ship up. Part of it was to get Rocket started on repairs. The other was to see the two Lanterns that had come to their aid. He kept his pistols at the ready. He was ready to use them, though with the day he was having, hoped he didn't need to. Making an enemy of the Green Lanterns would only complicate things further, and just when they were starting to build up a good reputation.

"Thanks for the assist," Peter called out to the two Lanterns making their way up his gangplank. "I'm Star-Lord, this is Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket and Groot."

"I am Groot," Groot laughed.

Rocket glared, "What did I tell you about language? And you said that towards two Green Lanterns!"

"You can relax," the male Green Lantern said. "We're only here to provide assistance. Is anyone injured?"

"We're all in one piece," Peter pushed forward. "I'm the captain of this ship. We were on an important mission and we came across those space zombies."

"So, that's why your first attacks didn't affect it," the female Green Lantern interjected. "Tell us more about them, please."

Rocket held up his hands, "I'm glad we're all friends here, but where there are two of those things, there will be more. We need to get off this rock before they come back."

"I would suggest you start talking then," the male Green Lantern said. "They call me the Emerald Knight."

At that Rocket snickered, and Peter was quickly trying to push the racoon away, "Don't you have a ship to fix."

"I need parts you numbskull," Rocket shot back. "Did you think I can just fabricate them out thin air?"

As if to answer this question, Groot held up the matter redistributor. It took materials, converted them to their base elements, and then remade them into what was needed. He had used it on other worlds to fix up damage on the Milano. Groot just hadn't realized there was more to it, some of the damage would require certain elements they didn't have onboard.

"I believe if you leave us a list, we can look for some materials that you might be able substitute," the female Green Lantern said. "I know a couple of people that are open to trade, depending on what you have to trade."

"Listen, sweetheart, we appreciate this little backwater has some stuff," Rocket said. "But we're looking for high tech space parts and refined materials. Your little planet looks to be stuck at the preatomic era."

"Is he always this charming?" she asked Peter.

Gamora laughed, "You caught him on a good day. Normally he's crankier. You have the look of a warrior to you."

"Well, you come from where I do, you either fight or be victimized," the Green Lantern said. "That is till our Emerald Knight came around. Since his arrival, things have been different."

The male Green Lantern moved to the side, "I think we have much to discuss, come and let me introduce you to some of my friends. They might even be able to help you find the raw materials you need."

The Guardians of the Galaxy were led out, as the two Green Lanterns led the way. Keith McCallister, the Green Lantern of 1148, created a floating barge to carry them all. He looked at his partner on this world, Leilanni, and created a small barrier so they could talk amongst themselves. The racoon was watching them with distrustful eyes.

"How did you destroy those two things?" Leilanni asked. "I saw your first attack hit, but then it didn't stop."

Keith nodded, "It only was destroyed when I used both energies of Will and Hope. Whatever those things were, it took the power of both to stop. I've sent the information, but I'm not getting any response back from Oa."

"Something's going on?" Leilanni sighed. "Figures they'd leave us out."

He laughed, "Well I am a living reminder of something they can't control. However, I think things are moving ahead. My other ring is detecting others out there. There are other Blue Lanterns out there."

"So, something really big is going on," she turned slowly. "What does that mean?"

Keith, the Emerald Knight of Sector 1148, just said, "That things are about to get a lot more interesting."