|| Bellwood, EarthThe ruined car park was lit in a cold wash of portable arc‑lamps, their beams cutting long shadows across the cracked asphalt. S.W.O.R.D. agents moved with brisk, coordinated purpose. Two escorted the three rescued refugees toward a waiting transport, medics already checking them over. Others were securing the captured gang members, guiding them into armored vans one by one.
Near the curb, a containment team worked around the nitrogen creature. It was still sedated, sat inside the temporary holding unit Ben, Gwen, and Max had rigged together from Rustbucket supplies. Frost clung to the metal and vapor hissed softly as the agents prepared to transfer it into a proper S.W.O.R.D. containment pod.
Max stood nearby, arms folded, watching the process with a practiced eye.
“Just keep the cradle steady” he commanded.
“Not sure how long that seal will last.”One of the younger agents glanced at him for confirmation.
“Yes, sir.. I mean, Mr. Tennyson.”
Max gave a quick chuckle before nodding at him to continue.
It was at that point that the air behind Max popped as if the atmosphere were snapping back into place. A tight ripple of violet light flashed once, and Abigail Brand appeared in the empty space as if she’d been there the entire time. She straightened her coat, eyes already sweeping the scene.
“Mr. Tennyson, I presume?” she asked, her eyes finally fixating on the older man before her.
“Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard the stories.”Max turned to face her fully.
“Likewise.”Brand’s gaze flicked to the temporary containment unit.
“That the creature?” She asked.
“Yeah,” Max said.
“We kept it stable until your people got here.”Brand nodded once.
“Good work.”She scanned the area again, taking in the refugees, the gang members, the empty stretch of street where the Forever Knights had vanished.
“Where are the kids?”Max exhaled.
“Ben took off the moment he heard S.W.O.R.D. was inbound. Gwen went with him.”Brand didn’t look surprised.
“Smart kid.”Max raised an eyebrow.
“You say that like it’s a compliment.”“It is,” Brand replied.
“For someone who doesn’t want to end up on a dozen watchlists.”Max’s jaw tightened.
“He’s fifteen. He’s not a threat.”Brand let out a short laugh before crossing her arms.
“He broke cover. He engaged armed combatants. And then he unleashed a nitrogen‑reactive organism in a populated area.”“He also saved three people who’d be dead without him,” Max countered.
“And kept that organism from blowing half this block sky‑high.”Brand didn’t flinch.
“He’s unpredictable.”“He’s a kid.”Brand’s eyes narrowed.
“You can’t guarantee he won’t become a problem.”“No. But I know him and I can guarantee he’s trying not to be. He’s a good kid.”Brand was silent, studying him for a long moment. Max couldn’t tell whether or not he had convinced her.
Max decided to shift the topic.
“The Forever Knights. You heard anything about their recent movements before tonight?”Brand’s expression changed at the words.
“I’ve seen reports. Rumours. Movement in places they shouldn’t be. But the details…” She turned slightly.
“Classified.”“Figures.” Max snorted.
Brand glanced back at him.
“You could always come work for me. Access, resources, intel. You’d be useful.”“Nope,” Max said immediately.
“I’m retired.”Brand gave a small, knowing smile. She didn’t push further. Instead, she nodded toward the containment pod as her agents locked it into a transport cradle.
“We’ll take it from here.”Max watched her for a moment.
“Just… don’t treat Ben like a weapon.”Brand paused mid‑step.
“Then tell him to stop acting like one.” She stated.
“You’re lucky it’s me you’re dealing with and not Cecil.”And with another sharp pop of displaced air, she vanished.
|| Sanctuary III, Deep SpaceThe bridge of the pirate frigate was a wide, circular chamber lit by flickering holo panels and the red glow of emergency strips. Smoke drifted from ruptured conduits. The crew stood in a tight ring around the center of the deck, weapons drawn but lowered. This was a duel for command, and they all knew the rules.
Titus knelt near the back, the remainder of his crew that had decided to also leave Knowhere gathered around him. They watched in anticipation, knowing the airlock awaited them all if they weren’t victorious today.
Nebula stood at the center of the circle, her blue skin marked with thin silver seams where cybernetics met flesh. One eye was a cold organic blue, the other a mechanical lens that adjusted with a faint whir as she tracked her opponent. Her armor was dark and worn from raids, reinforced plates fitted over a lean, coiled frame built for speed and precision. A retractable blade extended from her forearm, humming softly as she shifted her stance.
She lunged forward with a burst of cybernetic speed, her blade flashing in a clean arc across the challenger’s side. Sparks burst from the impact. She pivoted and drove a knee into the figure’s abdomen, then slammed an electrified fist into their jaw.
The crowd roared as the hits landed.
Nebula pressed the attack. She struck again and again, each blow sharp and precise. Her movements a blur of metal. The challenger staggered a half step under the barrage.
Only a half step.
Nebula’s expression tightened. She shifted her stance and snarled,
“You think you can just waltz in here and challenge me for my crew?”Vilgax let out a cold laugh as he straightened, rising to his full height.
The crew fell silent. Titus swallowed hard.
Nebula slashed again. Vilgax caught her wrist in one massive hand. The grip was monstrous. Her cybernetic servos whined under the pressure.
Vilgax’s other arm began to change. Tendons split into writhing, muscular tentacles that uncoiled with terrifying speed. They wrapped around Nebula’s throat and lifted her off the ground.
Her feet kicked helplessly. Electricity crackled from her fingertips as she tried to break free, but the coils only tightened. Her spine bent under the strain, metal creaking.
Vilgax stepped forward and lifted her higher. Nebula’s voice broke into static.
Then, with a violent twist, he tore off her cybernetic arm.
Nebula screamed as sparks sprayed across the deck. Vilgax hurled her body down. She hit the floor hard and skidded across it. Her limbs twitched as her systems attempted to reboot. Bones and servos realigned with sharp, mechanical pops.
The crew stared in stunned silence.
Titus bowed his head.
One of the Kree pirates muttered, “Her father won’t be happy about this.”
Vilgax turned. The tentacles retracted back and reforming into a muscular arm. His voice rumbled through the chamber, deep and resonant.
“Let Thanos come.”He stepped over Nebula’s fallen form and ascended the command dais. The ship’s lights flickered in response as he lowered himself into the captain’s throne.
“For now we sail to the War World.”