Sugi stepped forward, blaster drawn, and declared, "I speak for the people of this village. State your name and business."
"My name is my own business," replied one of the Weequay pirates.
"Wait—did you seriously just name yourself 'My Own Business'?" Quill exclaimed incredulously. "Wow, your parents must have really phoned it in on that one."
The pirate who'd been dubbed "My Own Business" growled at the obvious mockery. It didn't help when his fellow pirates snickered at the exchange.
"We're here to collect what belongs to us," another pirate announced.
"Query: Is your name written on it, meatbag?" HK-47 interjected with obvious disdain.
"I'll write my name on you, droid," the pirate snarled back.
"You'd better stand aside. We're here to take what's ours."
"Nothing here belongs to you unless you're here to purchase it," Sugi said firmly.
"Purchase?" A voice laughed heartily. "My friends... I can't believe you came all this way just to see me!"
This drew the Guardians' attention to a figure approaching from the rear. As he moved to the front, they recognized a very familiar male Weequay.
"Hondo? What the hell are you doing here?" Rocket demanded.
Sugi glanced back and stared at the Guardians. "You know each other?"
The Weequay pirate known as Hondo grinned broadly. "Of course we do! Tell them how long we've been acquainted, Quill!"
"I'm afraid that won't be very long," Star-Lord said, pulling back slightly.
"Ha! And here I thought we were friends!"
"If you're genuinely interested in friendship, Hondo, I strongly suggest you stop threatening these farmers," Gamora said sternly.
Hondo gasped dramatically. "Oh! Please don't tell me you've been listening to these bounty hunters!"
"I don't even want to admit we know each other," Quill said, crossing his arms with an annoyed expression while retracting his helmet.
"Well, these 'associates,' just like you, are here to help protect what rightfully belongs to these people," Sugi informed the pirate captain.
"Oh, come now, sweetheart. How much are they paying you? It doesn't matter. Whatever they're offering, I'll double it, and all you have to do is... step aside."
The Zabrak bounty hunter responded by jabbing her finger into his chest and speaking each word distinctly: "We. Will. Not. Break. Our. Contract."
This caused Hondo's crew to quickly aim their weapons at the bounty hunters, who responded in kind.
Hondo paused, however, as he felt a blade pressed against his throat, facing down the most dangerous woman in the galaxy.
"You don't want to repeat the same mistake as last time, do you?" Gamora threatened in a low voice.
Despite his attempts to appear casual, Hondo shifted uncomfortably. He glanced at the sword, then at the other three Guardians, searching for...
"Oh, it appears not everyone is present?" Hondo observed.
The pirate captain chuckled and looked at the two droids that had accompanied him. Immediately, both machines raised their arms. Their limbs transformed from the elbow down into blaster weapons that resembled rail guns.
Instantly, the Guardians and bounty hunters raised their weapons, with the pirates following suit.
Now it was a proper standoff.
Hondo and Gamora stared at each other intently.
"Darling, do you really want to test me right now?"
"In case you forgot, the worst injury you managed to give me has already healed," Gamora reminded him.
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of how formidable you and your friends are," Hondo acknowledged. "But what about them?"
The droids then turned their attention toward the villagers.
Hondo asked curiously, "What exactly does this have to do with you, Quill? This doesn't seem like your usual type of work."
"Sorry, Hondo, but 'Guardians' is literally my team's name," Quill replied, his hands hovering over his element guns. "Besides the payment... there's something to be said for helping those who need it."
Hondo sneered. "I preferred dealing with the Jedi. At least Kenobi would offer me a reasonable bargain."
"Tough luck for you," Rocket snorted. "We're not those 'Jedi' you're thinking of."
"Besides, they would have been far more irritating," HK added. "With their personal restrictions and moral codes. Never could get the job done properly."
"True," Hondo nodded. "But at least when they help others, they don't think about profit."
"I thought pirates would be the last people to lecture us about ethics."
Hondo laughed again. "You know, despite being on opposite sides, I like you and your fellow Guardians. Always good for a drink and capable of more... flexible thinking when circumstances require it. However, Quill... no one is leaving this planet until I get my nysillin."
"Well, I hope you like it here, because you're going to be stuck for a very long time, scum!" Sugi snarled fiercely.
Hondo dismissed Sugi's threat as if it were nothing. "You know, the crops aren't quite ready yet." He turned to face Castas. "You'd better hurry up, old man. You wouldn't want to die before the harvest, would you?"
With that threat delivered, the pirate captain walked toward his speeder before he and his crew departed, heading back to their ship. The Terminator-like droids followed closely, transforming their arms back to normal. Thrusters ignited from their palms and feet as they took flight, pursuing the Weequay pirates.
They watched the pirates retreat, and once they were out of sight, everyone relaxed and lowered their weapons.
"We've got our work cut out for us," Star-Lord announced.
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