Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE:
“This is Mubrak,” Nova Prime said as she gestured to a three-dimensional holo-projection of a planet. “It is a relatively primitive place. They only recently developed space travel and made contact with other planets. Unfortunately, the Kree discovered there are significant deposits of rodinium on Mubrak. They are attempting to conquer the planet for those resources and a new supply of battle-slaves.” With a wave of her hand, some sections of the planet became shaded in blue, others in yellow. Nova Prime continued her explanation, “Two major ethnic groups inhabit the planet—the Muruks and the Brakians. The central government of Mubrak controls these regions.” She pointed to the yellow. “The Kree have allied themselves with a powerful Muruk terrorist group that believes in their supremacy. This group has a long history of violence against the Brakians and an agenda of ethnic cleansing.”
“I can see why the Kree like them,” Rocket commented.
Nova Prime continued, “The Kree and their allies have taken control of this region.” She pointed to the blue-shaded portion of the planet. “Their control of the region is tenuous, as there is a strong resistance in many areas. It is only with the help of the Kree that the terrorists are able to stand against the central government.”
Quill glanced at Gamora. She looked serious. He knew with her history, she despised the conquest of weaker civilisations by stronger ones simply because they could. Kraglin listened carefully. Rocket looked bored. Quill had decided the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t need to come to the meeting. Drax wouldn’t pay attention anyway. Groot would just play videogames and Mantis was still recovering from a job that had challenged the limit of her abilities.
Nova Prime explained, “Nova Corps has been providing support to the Mubrakian government against the Kree. Unfortunately, one of our spy drones crashed in this area.” She pointed to a blinking red spot in the middle of the blue region on the holo-map.
Rocket sighed audibly, “Just tell us what the mission is and how many units you’ll pay us to do it.”
“Rocket!” Gamora reprimanded.
Quill smiled sheepishly at Nova Prime. “Sorry.”
She maintained her unflappable composure. “That drone cannot fall into Kree hands. We do not want them to get our newest technology, especially the observation and transmitter technology. We also cannot have it be known that we have been helping the Mubrakian government. Our peace treaty with the Kree has never been strong. This could end it. We do not need another war.”
“Then you shouldn’t do risky things like playing in other people’s wars,” Rocket observed.
This time Nova Prime looked mildly annoyed.
Quill glared at the raccoon.
Gamora spoke to Nova Prime. “I assume you want us to recover the drone before the Kree do.”
“I want the transmitter and observation technology recovered,” she clarified. “Then destroy the drone so nothing can be traced to us. If recovery is not possible, destroy everything. There can be no connection to the Nova Corps, which is why I am asking you to go. If you can recover the technology, you will be paid 100,000 units. If you have to destroy everything, you will be paid half that.”
“We’re going to have to race out there,” Quill argued. “We’ll be burning lots of fuel. And then we have to…”
“What he’s trying to say is this ain’t gonna be an easy job. Or a cheap one,” Rocket interrupted. “Any time you get involved in other people’s politics it’s a mess, so don’t be stingy with us on this job.”
“I don’t like bargaining,” Nova Prime told the raccoon. “However, you have always helped Xandar when we needed it. If you recover the technology, you will be paid 125,000 units. If it must be destroyed, you still only get 50,000.”
“Sounds fair,” Quill agreed.
The others didn’t object.
“Let’s get back to the ship,” Gamora suggested. “We need to leave as soon as possible. The Kree and their allies are certainly already looking for that drone, so we have no time to lose.”
On the Quadrant, Kraglin immediately set course for Mubrak, then joined the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy gathered around the big table in the galley. Drax already looked bored. Mantis seemed to be much better rested than she had earlier in the day, although her antennae drooped a little more than normal. Groot, as usual, played one of his games and mostly ignored everyone else. Quill, Gamora, and Rocket were deep in discussion, pointing at a map displayed on the large viewscreen next to the table.
“Rocket and I will take the pod to the surface.” Quill pointed to the location where the drone had crashed. “It’s small and less likely to be noticed than the Benatar.”
“I will go with you,” Gamora decided.
Drax was suddenly enthusiastic. “We will battle the Kree!”
Shaking his head, Quill contradicted, “No, the whole point is to get in and out quietly. No battling Kree.”
Dejected, Drax declared, “Then I will stay here.”
“Good. Exactly.” Peter turned to Gamora. “I also want you to stay here. I grew up a thief. Getting things without being noticed is what I do. I want Rocket with me because we have to destroy the drone and blowing stuff up is what he does.”
The raccoon stood a little straighter, crossed his arms, and nodded with pride.
Quill continued, “I want you here, Gamora, because if something does go wrong, saving my ass is your thing. If something happens and we have to ditch the pod, we’ll call you and you can come pick us up.”
“And if your communications are jammed or disabled?” Gamora asked. “Do you have a backup plan?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Gamora raised an eyebrow.
“She’s waiting, genius,” Rocket prodded.
“If we run into trouble and can’t call you, we’ll head here,” Quill quickly decided, pointing to the closest spot on the map that was supposed to be controlled by the government of Mubrak.
“How will you get there?” Gamora pressed. “What if you’re captured?”
Peter pointed at Rocket. “He’s escaped twenty-two prisons. He can make it twenty-three if he has to.”
The raccoon smiled smugly. He loved it when Quill was forced to acknowledge his skills.
“That’s not funny, Peter.”
“Gamora, we don’t need a complicated plan,” Quill argued. “We’ll get in, get the tech Nova Prime wants, and be out of there before anyone even knows we’re there.”
Rocket added, “As much as I hate to agree with the dumbass, it does look simple. Disconnect a couple of things, set a few explosives… Shouldn’t take more than five minutes. I only told Nova Prime it wasn’t easy so she’d pay us more.”
Gamora was quiet for a moment. Rocket made it sound simple. It should be simple. They wouldn’t be on the planet for more than an hour. Probably much less. Yet so much could go wrong in that short period of time. “Be careful,” she finally ordered.
Quill flashed a roguish smile. “You know me.”
“Exactly.”