"Are they still fighting?"
"I'd say let them have their fun. That last job was a little too easy."
"You sure about that?"
"Ah, they'll be fine, Kraglin. Seriously, what's the worst that could happen? We've been pretty lucky since we got here."
"Not much excitement really... What was it called again? Rancor?"
"Ank kit."
"Right, that's the stuff."
CRASH
"Statement : You meatbags are earning my grudging respect. It's refreshing to know some things haven't changed after all this time."
"Come! Face your doom!"
"I am Groot."
A body went flying across the cantina, landing next to three figures seated in their booth.
"I gotta admit, it's nice seeing Groot doing something other than playing that stupid game," said the man in the maroon leather coat.
"Was that game really so bad, Quill?"
"Not terrible," said Peter Quill, captain of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with a shrug. "Just gets old after a while, you know?"
"Can I give it a try?" Kraglin asked.
Star-Lord grunted as his game console beeped, indicating yet another loss.
Beside the two men, Gamora watched the cantina brawl with a conflicted expression.
Sadly, this had become her primary form of entertainment lately. Ever since being taken by Thanos, her entire existence had revolved around fighting, killing, and training. Even watching others engage in violence provided a strange sense of comfort. It was all she could truly enjoy—nothing else seemed to bring her any satisfaction.
However, over the past few months, she'd found herself listening more and more to Quill's Earth music while watching Drax the Destroyer hurl a Quarren through the ceiling.
And...
Even though she tried not to show it, she genuinely cared about these idiots.
Even their newest member was starting to grow on her. HK-47 consistently expressed admiration for her combat skills and abilities, often lamenting his droid body's limitations in replicating those same techniques.
She observed as Rocket Raccoon stood atop a fallen opponent, pummeling him in a methodical fashion until HK-47 moved close enough to render the man unconscious with a precise strike.
Gamora's attention shifted to a section of the cantina that had remained relatively undisturbed during the chaos.
While the fight raged on, some patrons either ignored the commotion entirely or cheered excitedly with credits in their hands. Watching them, Gamora's eyes narrowed slightly as she focused on the one Guardian not participating in the brawl.
Mantis sat in another booth with a curious expression, deep in conversation with an armored figure who had removed his helmet. If she remembered correctly, Quill had mentioned this was the man Mantis had befriended.
This had to be Fennec Rau.
From what they'd learned in this galaxy, Fennec was part of a group known as the Mandalorians.
Apparently a warrior culture of some sort.
She wondered what he was doing here.
He didn't appear to pose any threat or harbor ill intentions toward Mantis.
He'd better not. Mantis was the most vulnerable member of their team.
"Gamora?"
Gamora blinked and looked back at Star-Lord and Kraglin.
"Hmm? What's up?"
"You alright?" Kraglin asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Just keeping an eye on the Mandalorian," Gamora replied, settling back in her seat. "Can't trust too many people around here."
"Yeah, especially after the Hutts tried to screw us over," Peter grumbled.
Star-Lord then picked up his drink and leaned back as Groot finally threw his opponent like a living battering ram.
"Looks like they're wrapping up," Kraglin observed.
Peter and Gamora turned to see Drax launching another mercenary out of the cantina while HK-47 crushed yet another man's skull with his metallic fist.
Rocket was cackling with glee, Groot wore a smugly satisfied grin, and the former was already heading to the bar to collect credits he'd pickpocketed during the fight.
Soon enough, drinks were refilled, more credits changed hands, and the cantina returned to its usual business.
"Who's covering the tab this time?" Quill asked.
"I've got it, boss," Kraglin said. "It's my turn anyway."
As Rocket, Groot, and Drax enjoyed their drinks...
Gamora briefly glanced over at Mantis and her Mandalorian companion, who appeared to be speaking with someone else.
She noticed him holding a communicator displaying a small holographic projection of another armored Mandalorian, when...
"Excuse me, could I trouble you fine folks?"
The group looked back to see a creature of short stature with thick limbs and only four fingers per hand. He possessed an elongated skull and reptilian features, with beady eyes beneath protective goggles. His skin was a light orange hue.
If the Guardians recalled correctly, the being approaching them was a Felucian—a species they'd encountered wandering around Mos Eisley not long ago.
"Maybe... depends on what you want to discuss," Quill said in a neutral tone.
"I... I've been hearing stories about you people, I'm Muris" the Felucian said nervously. "You call yourselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, correct?"
"More or less," Kraglin confirmed.
"Then please, I'm begging you to help me," the Felucian said desperately. "I don't know who else to turn to. I'm not even sure if my companions have managed to find anyone else here."
Gamora exchanged glances with the other two before addressing the visitor.
"What exactly do you need?" she asked.
"Pirates," the Felucian replied urgently. "They've been terrorizing my village for months now."
"Pirates?" Quill repeated. "That sounds promising."
"If we don't surrender a portion of our crops to these pirates, they threaten to destroy our homes—and us along with them."
"Okay, that sounds considerably less promising," Quill admitted.
"So what kind of crops are we talking about?" Gamora inquired.
"It goes by several names: nysillin, sillum, nysillin root."
"I think I've heard of that stuff," Kraglin said, scratching his chin. "Isn't it some kind of highly effective medicinal herb?"
"It's probably the only export our people can offer because it's so valuable throughout the galaxy."
"Nysillin farming is actually quite modest work. But without the herbs to sell, we'd have no money for food, fuel, or equipment."
"I can see your dilemma," Gamora said sympathetically. "But do you have enough credits to hire mercenaries?"
"We can negotiate payment and work out reasonable terms through bargaining. It has to be better than dealing with pirates," the Felucian explained.
"Query: Why don't you simply fight them yourselves?" HK-47 interjected.
The Felucian jumped in startlement, looking up at the droid that had appeared behind him. Rocket, Drax, and Groot had also returned to their seats.
"That might be easy for you to say, but look at me," the alien gestured to his small frame. "My fellow farmers and I are not warriors."
"Statement: One does not need impressive size to be an effective combatant," HK declared, glancing down at Rocket, who puffed out his chest proudly.
At that moment, Mantis rejoined the group.
"Hello everyone, what's happening here?" she asked politely.
"Deciding whether we should help this guy with his problem," Rocket explained, pointing at the Felucian.
"I am Groot."
The team groaned collectively, causing Rocket to growl in annoyance at the tree.
Gamora quickly brought Mantis up to speed on the situation.
"Oh," Mantis's antennae drooped sympathetically. "Can we help them?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out, Mantis," Kraglin said.
"These are farmers and they really need assistance," Mantis pleaded.
"Look, Mantis, I don't want to turn down work, but didn't we already accept another job?" Quill pointed out. "We can't handle both missions at half strength. You can bet the Protectors won't appreciate us asking for backup."
"Maybe not everyone needs to go with the Mandalorians," Gamora suggested.
"What do you mean?" Quill looked at her questioningly.
"We've already got plenty of firepower for the next job. There are so many Mandalorians involved," Gamora pointed out.
"So what? You're suggesting we split into two teams?" Kraglin asked.
"Essentially, yes."
"Could mean more profit for us," Rocket added.
"Remember, they're farmers, Rocket," Quill said dryly.
"Yeah, I know, Quill. But they can command good prices for their crops," Rocket pointed out.
"We do need to restock our medical supplies," Drax added, making the others pause thoughtfully.
"Good point," Kraglin agreed.
"Alright, so how do we handle this?" Quill asked.
"Eager statement: I don't mind helping these small creatures demonstrate my meatbag termination capabilities," HK-47 declared, causing the Felucian to look up at the droid nervously.
"I guess that means we're accepting your request," Star-Lord said. "Somebody's got to stop the bad guys."
"I'm going with the Mandalorians," Drax announced. "I want to study their warrior customs."
"I am Groot."
"No way," Rocket pointed at Groot. "If you're going with the Protectors, that means no video games."
"I am Groot!" Groot protested indignantly.
"Then start acting like it," Rocket shot back. "That game is rotting your brain."
Groot simply snorted in annoyance.
"I'm going with the Mandalorians, boss," Kraglin told Star-Lord, who nodded in acknowledgment.
"So Rocket and I will handle the farmer situation," Star-Lord decided. "Gamora?"
"I'll come with you," Gamora told him.
"Disappointed query: Lady Gamora, do you doubt my capabilities?" HK said, his synthesized voice conveying mock hurt.
"It's not your skills I'm worried about, HK, and you know it," Gamora replied flatly.
"Exasperated sigh: Blast it all, nothing ever escapes your notice, Gamora."
The Guardians of the Galaxy split into two teams, with Kraglin, Drax, Mantis, and Groot heading over to Fennec Rau, who was waiting for them near the cantina's main entrance.
This arrangement was somewhat unusual considering that Mantis's chance encounter with the Mandalorian had evolved through several meetings on different worlds into a developing working relationship with these warriors known as Protectors.
This would be their fifth collaborative mission.
The remaining four followed the Felucian toward the back exit.
"Do you have your own transportation?" the Felucian asked.
"Yeah, right this way."