"Hey, buddy, that's quite a title for a thief!" Star-Lord tried to argue.
"Don't be discouraged, brother. Your nickname is pretty cool…"
On Xandar, at the headquarters of the Weapons Division.
"In the meantime, Ronan is destroying our outposts across the galaxy. Shouldn't the Kree Empire be taking some action?"
In a pristine white hall, a middle-aged woman with white hair and a dark blue uniform was questioning the projection of a figure in front of her.
The figure on the projection, a blue-skinned man of the same race as Ronan, replied solemnly, "We've signed a peace treaty. What more do you want, Nova Prime?"
Nova Prime was clearly aware that the figure was trying to distance himself from the situation, implying that Ronan's actions were his personal deeds and not the responsibility of his faction.
Nova Prime responded angrily, "At the very least, issue a statement from the Kree Empire condemning their actions!"
"Because he's slaughtering children!"
"Destroying families!"
Yet, the figure remained unmoved.
"Sorry, that's your problem. I have other matters to attend to."
With that, the projection was abruptly cut off.
"Damn it!" Nova Prime swore.
At that moment, someone reported, "Nova Prime, we have some good news. It seems we've captured one of Ronan's accomplices."
Nova Prime looked surprised.
"An accomplice of Ronan? And?"
The report continued.
"In addition to Ronan's accomplice Gamora, we've also discovered an unknown individual who is very mysterious and seems to have an unusual status. They are currently being held in prison, and we need Nova Prime to make a decision."
The surprise on Nova Prime's face grew.
"An unknown individual?"
"Who is it that warrants such serious treatment?"
"An unusual status?"
Nova Prime was both astonished and puzzled.
In the interrogation room.
Several Nova Corps members were examining Gamora while reading her dossier.
"Gamora, enhanced through surgery and training to become a living weapon, is also the adopted daughter of the Mad Titan Thanos. Thanos sent you and your sister Nebula to Ronan."
"It's clear that Thanos and Ronan are colluding."
After reviewing Gamora's dossier, they moved on to Rocket Raccoon.
"Subject 89P13, self-named Rocket, is an experimental subject for illegal genetic and neural enhancements."
Another Nova Corps member curiously asked about Groot, the living tree.
"What is that thing?"
"He's Groot, a humanoid plant species. Currently, he's with 89P13, acting as his pet and bodyguard."
Then they came to Star-Lord.
"Peter Jason Quill, from Terra. Raised by a band of ravagers led by Yondu Udonta."
One of the officers commented, "Quite a bunch of space thugs…"
The scene then shifted to Syd, who was floating with his eyes closed, lost in thought.
Noticing their gaze, Syd opened his eyes briefly and then closed them again.
"The mysterious figure who suddenly appeared in Nova's capital, Xandar, possesses flight and telekinesis abilities. His identity is unknown, but his status seems to be significant, and his intentions remain unclear…"
Seeing the projection of the white-clad figure, the Nova Corps members were filled with apprehension.
Among the captured individuals, Syd was the one they were most wary of. They wanted to uncover his identity but had no leads.
They might need several more days to figure out who he really was.
Due to his mysterious and unknown nature, they dared not be rough with him. He appeared to be the most aloof among the prisoners, almost as if he was casually visiting the prison.
Especially since he maintained his floating state throughout this period, further adding to his mystique.
In the end, the Nova Corps made their decision.
"Send them to Klyn Prison…"
Klyn Prison, floating in space and surrounded by countless asteroids, was about to receive new guests.
Star-Lord and the others, wearing high-tech blue cuffs, walked along the corridor leading to the main area of the prison.
Rocket Raccoon spoke up.
"Here, the criminals are either depraved or brutal. Fortunately, this has nothing to do with me because I'll be out soon."
He boasted, "I've escaped from twenty-two prisons. This one won't be any different!"
"You should be grateful for this crazy woman's appearance. Otherwise, Groot and I would be counting your reward money, while you'd be torn apart by Yondu and his ravagers."
Rocket Raccoon taunted Star-Lord.
Star-Lord, not wanting to lose ground, retorted, "I'm not bragging. I've had plenty of people try to kill me over the years. I'm not worried about being taken down by a tree and a talking raccoon."
"What's a raccoon?" Rocket asked, puzzled.
"That's you, idiot!"
The two continued their banter until Star-Lord's gaze shifted to the mysterious figure in white nearby. He commented, "This isn't fair at all. Look at him! He's not here on vacation; he's supposed to be in prison."
He gestured towards Syd.
Everyone instinctively turned to look and were immediately struck by the disparity.
The mysterious figure was floating, not wearing the prison's yellow jumpsuit, and continued to hover in mid-air, with an air of disregard for everyone around him.
"I think he's a bit too arrogant!" Star-Lord complained.
"Shut up, idiot!" Gamora couldn't help but snap.
As they approached the main area of the prison, a group of inmates in yellow jumpsuits were discussing.
"Have you heard? One of Ronan's accomplices is also being sent to prison!"
"Really? We should give her a proper welcome!"
"Yes!"
Even among the most vicious criminals, Ronan was detested.
Soon, the prepared yellow-suited inmates saw Gamora, Star-Lord, Groot, Rocket, and the others being brought in.
Despite seeing Groot, who was unusual even by alien standards, the inmates weren't particularly surprised.
However, they quickly noticed that behind Star-Lord and the others was a mysterious figure floating half a meter above the ground, still dressed in white and not wearing the yellow prison jumpsuit…
(End of Chapter)