Peter Quill was not prepared for what was happening. When they first entered the nebula, it went as expected, with their sensors becoming nothing more than bells and whistles. However, after a few minutes they found themselves suddenly out of the nebula.
Rocket immediately ran the calculations and found that it was only four kilometers thick. The Titan Nebula was hollow. That was information that could be interpreted in a lot of ways. Drax was the first to point out that even though they were out of the nebula, their sensors were still not working. As the continued their path, Gamora noticed a ship just floating there.
Despite having been clear of the nebula for several minutes, the Milano's sensors weren't picking up anything. Then Nebula said, "Perhaps it's not the location, but the ship itself that's blocking are instruments."
"I am Groot." Groot spoke as to add some theory of his own. Rocket then responded, "Well, considering that we can't even get a magnified look with the ships outer cameras I'm inclined to agree."
Peter began to rub the temples on his forehead. Then he asked, "Is there any indication, that the ridiculously large ship, is a threat?"
Rocket snarkely replied, "Without any tools I have no idea, heck, I can't even tell if that thing is even operational!"
As they got closer, drax asked, "Why don't we simply go around the ship?" Rocket responded, "Because it's right next to the route, and any deviation that allows us to avoid the potentially dangerous ship would extend our time here by days if not weeks."
After some more time had passed, they had gotten close enough to be able to inspect the ship's hull. It looked old, like it has been floating there for quite some time. Peter couldn't help but notice that a single barrel from one of their many gun emplacements could destroy the Milano many times over.
The sudden rocking of the Milano had got everyone's attention. Peter shouted, "What was that?!" Rocket replied, "Since we still have no sensors, if I had to guess, I say we're caught in some kind of tractor beam."
As if to verify, the ship began to alter course. A message began to display, after a minute the computer managed to translate it. It simply read, "Auto docking sequence activated."
There were no other messages, no voice over the radio making declarations, or anything that might indicate that this was being done on purpose. Another minute passes, and the ship maneuvers into a docking bay. A dozen smaller but equally intimidating guns were trained on the Milano.
Once the ship was in its perch, there was an audible bang on the hull. Indicating a docking lock of some sort. There was some discussion about what they needed to do and how to do it. Mantis mentioned that while any sensor that was trying to scan the ship was useless, the ones scanning the environment worked just fine.
The ghost ship's atmosphere was perfectly sustainable for them. They all excited the ship since it wasn't going anywhere. There was no sign that there was any living crew on board. The first few rooms were empty, but the third the found a counsel.
Rocket tapped into it and found a maintenance log. Or some along those line, it was degraded and read like a prayer book, but it did talk about a glitch in the auto docking sequence and how half the time the guns would activate and destroy the unlucky ship.
They moved on, that was when they began to run across bodies. Peter took note of three different types. First were these pale elvish looking ones, then these tall, gray, mouthless ones in golden armor, and finally these heavily armored ones in blood-red armor.
Peter couldn't learn anything else because they were all covered in some stasis field. From all outward appearances and obvious injuries, they appeared to be dead. So, Peter didn't understand the need to preserve them to such an extent. Gamora and Nebula both gave an explanation that made Peter's skin crawl.
They were seemingly pretty deep in, or at least in Peter's opinion. More bodies, and more signs of conflict, but nothing to explain what happened or why. Groot then said, "I am Groot."
Rocket responded, "I agree, this place is creepy, and with our luck, we'll say or do something that will make this situation go from creepy too dangerous if not horrifying."
Peter knew the whole list of clichés that would trigger Rocket's prediction, in hindsight he should've told the others about it, because the next thing he heard was Drax saying, "How can this situation get dangerous or horrifying?"
The universe responded by having an overhead announcement saying, "Mock battle complete, commencing revival protocols."
Everyone looked at Drax and he just said, "What?" As the bodies began to rise, Gamora asked, "Are we going to try and talk, or do we just go ahead and start shooting?"
Then one of the golden warriors looked at them, then suddenly a door opened, and another gold one came in floating through the air. Before Peter could say anything, felt a huge pressure on his head and then blacked out.
Peter was immediately awakened by a sharp pain to his side. He let out a groan, and then he heard Gamora say, "Look who's finally awake." Peter tried to get up only to find his arms were tied behind him.
Peter registering the amount of pain he was in asked, "How many times did you kick me?" Gamora rolled her eyes and said, "If you don't like it, then start responding the moment I call your name."
Peter managed to get to his feet, he instantly knew someone was missing. He looked around and then asked, "Where's Rocket?"
Nebula answered, "He was already gone when I came to, so either he escaped already, or he was never in this cell to begin with."
"I am Groot." Groot said in response, Peter figured Groot was giving his opinion on the situation. Peter then said, "Whatever the situation, Rocket is not here. So, we need to figure out how to escape on our own. Has a guard come by at all?"
Mantis said, "No, not even in to pass by." Peter thought for a moment, and then said, "Okay, that means two things. First, this cell is probably under surveillance from a camera or something, and second, there is probably only one exit from this cell block."
Peter then tried to twist his body to look at his bindings. At first glance they appeared to be bonds of pure energy.
Suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard approaching. Several of the fellows in blood-red armor were in front of their cell. They had their weapons at the ready, when the cell door opened, one of them said, "Follow us, cause any problems and you'll live only to regret it."
Their escorts were clearly in no mood for games. Since they could get out of their restraints, they really didn't have a choice.
After a few hours of long winding halls, aggravatingly slow lifts, and rooms that were full of people, Peter realized that they barely made any progress before they got caught. Eventually, they were brought before a large pair of doors. After it opened and they were led inside, Peter figured that this must be the command center. A man was standing there with their back to them.
He turned and said, "Well it's good you could finally join us." The man said that with no sarcasm or venom. Before Peter could as any questions, Groot said, "I am Groot." Then they heard Rocket say, "I'm over here!" They turn their head to see Rocket in a earth style pet carrier. There was an old fashion padlock on it, probably what was keeping Rocket in there.
Peter said, "Alright now that's out of the way. Who are you, and why are we here?!" The man said, "To the first, you can call me Dovak. To the second, you're here and not floating in space because your reputation proceeds you."
Peter began to feel uncomfortable, and not because it was just casually mentioned that they would normally have been killed already. They were still alive for a very specific reason. Gamora asked, "What did you want from us?"
Dovak said, "I need two items that are currently in the possession of both the Collector and the Nova Corp. You are going to steal said items for me."
All of them was left dumbfounded. Especially Peter who knew the only thing that both of them had in common that was worth stealing from was the Infinity Stones. It was suicide, however, Peter felt it would be just as dangerous to automatically say no.
So, when Drax said, "We will never serve you in such a manner!" Peter wanted to strangle Drax. Dovak clicked his tongue and said, "I understand, perhaps you need a little understanding and motivation." With the snap of his fingers, they were brought to their knees and Gamora, Nebula, and Mantis were taken away.
Even with a gun to his head, Peter demanded to know where they were being taken. Dovak ignoring the anger, calmly said, "Since you refused when I asked nicely, here is how it's going to go. Either you collect the stones of power and reality for me, or you will never see Gamora, Nebula, and Mantis again. Try to tell anyone about this and you'll never see them again. I will contact you when you acquire one of them and you'll be reunited when I have both."
His tone was of someone not to be trifled with. Dovak then said, "Take these guys back to their ship, once there away, we'll return to are previous task." Peter and the others were taken away.
...
Rocket wasn't sure what happened. They were back on the Milano, but they weren't in the Titan Nebula anymore. According to the navigation system they were near Jupiter in the Sol System. The ship they were on entered into a purple wormhole and disappeared.
Peter wanted to chew out Drax for repeatedly opening his mouth, but it would go over his head on how it was his fault. Peter let out a sigh, then he said, "While we all agree this was a fiasco, let's figure out how to correct the situation."
Rocket said, "So here are our options, let's say we do as the guy says. Assuming that we actually pull it off as he instructed. We are than hoping that he keeps his rather vague promises. We could try and asking either the Nova Corp or the Collector for help, but they could say no and tighten security. Then there's the scummy idea of forgetting the girls ever existed and move on with our lives. I admit all three are crappy, but it's not like we can mount a rescue. Considering the weapons and forces on that behemoth, even if we knew where they were, I doubt we would succeed."
Everyone was silent for a moment. "We could try using the stones ourselves." Peter said with a serious look. Rocket responded, "I guess that's an option, I mean it will probably kill us and we would still need to get a hold of those stones."
Peter said, "Let's try asking the Nova Corp first, worst they can say is no, and letting them know there a mad man out there with enough firepower to destroy whole planets wouldn't be the worst thing."
Everyone agreed, and they set their course for the Nova Corp headquarters. Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched, and in truth the Guardians taking the path they were expected to.