On the same platform where they'd arrived, five Avengers who'd come with Republic forces stood beside Satine's Mandalorian faction.
With the Duchess were her nephew and three of his friends, Prime Minister Almec, and numerous guards and high-ranking Mandalorian nobles.
The Jedi Knights with their clone officers and handpicked troops stood behind them to the Duchess's left, while the five Avengers positioned themselves to the right.
Everyone stared at the sky above, waiting for the Protectors to arrive.
Soon, seven ships descended through the clouds.
Three were Aka'jor-class shuttles, the other four Kom'rk-class fighters/transports.
"That's considerable firepower for just one meeting," Sam noted, frowning slightly when he spotted them.
"A display of strength," T'Challa observed. "Conveying they came for peace, but prepared for war."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Matt said flatly, gripping his cane tightly.
The ships began landing one by one, ramps opening to reveal heavily armed men and women—some human, others representing various species—emerging from the vessels.
The ship designated Slave I landed closest to the welcoming party. Its ramp lowered to reveal a Mandalorian in fresh green armor flanked by several other Mandalorians, a droid, a green-skinned woman, and a woman with large eyes and antennae.
And the last person emerging from behind this group was—
Sam and Hope stepped forward in disbelief. Peter took a moment to squint at the figures before he, too, reacted visibly.
The others looked confused as the two Avengers walked ahead of the Duchess, seemingly ignoring protocol and everyone else.
The two rushed toward the Mandalorian Protectors, some of whom tensed at the pair running toward them.
However, the person they were shouting at came forward, phasing through some of the Protectors, and stood before them with wide-eyed surprise.
"Sam. Hope." Vision, the synthetically created Avenger, exclaimed in disbelief and sheer relief at seeing friendly faces he hadn't encountered in far too long. "I can't believe how wonderful it is seeing you—oof!"
Hope and Sam nearly tackled the synthetic being with a hug that would've shattered vibranium, which the Mind Stone-bearing Avenger returned enthusiastically.
"I can't believe it's you!" Hope exclaimed happily, pulling back to look at him. "I can't believe this is real!"
"You gave us quite the surprise, man," Sam said, clapping the synthetic Avenger on the back.
"I never imagined I'd encounter you in a place like this," Vision said.
"Oh man, Steve's gonna lose it when he hears about this," Sam said, genuine shock in his voice.
"And the rest of the team," Hope continued, practically bouncing with joy. "We've got almost everyone back together now."
"You haven't located the rest yet?" Vision asked with a hint of concern. "Who's still missing?"
"Wanda's the only one we haven't found," Sam revealed. "Besides her, everyone's been located."
Vision offered them a smile and brief nod. "She's in this galaxy. I'm certain of it. I can sense her presence."
"Wow, I can't believe our luck." A young voice came from behind Sam and Hope. They turned to see Peter, Matt, and T'Challa approaching.
Vision tilted his head as he studied the heroes, feeling a strange familiarity with them that reminded him of home. The black suit particularly caught the synthetic Avenger's attention as he instantly recognized the material the man wore.
"Who are these three?"
Sam grinned and stepped aside.
"This is Peter Parker. Tony recruited him after our sudden departure," Sam said, patting the teenager's back. He then gestured toward the Wakandan prince. "And T'Challa. We brought him in when he, Peter, and another person found themselves stranded in this galaxy."
"The other being?"
"Matt Murdock," the blind lawyer stepped forward, extending his hand, which Vision grasped and shook. "Lawyer and New Avenger."
"You said lawyer?" Vision expressed surprise. "That's reminiscent of Mr. Stark's—"
"We thought exactly the same thing," Hope interrupted with a smile. "But no, he has his own unique abilities and skills. Tony and Clint saw his potential and recruited him."
Vision simply nodded and offered a friendly smile. "Pleased to hear the Avengers remain open to more defenders of our world. Wonderful meeting you three."
"Pleasure's ours," Peter said, almost giddy as he shook Vision's hand. T'Challa did the same shortly after.
It was amid this commotion that the Avengers realized they'd essentially interrupted what was supposed to be happening and now found themselves surrounded on both sides by Mandalorians and Jedi.
"Hey, Vision," a green-armored Mandalorian with the Jaig eyes on his helmet spoke up. "Mind explaining what just happened?"
"Oh, forgive us," the Mind Stone wielder began. "We've disrupted this planned meeting. I was merely reuniting with old friends and comrades."
"We can see that." With those words, the Protectors, clone Mandalorian, Jedi Knights, and even some Avengers turned their attention his direction. "So these are the friends you've been searching for."
"Yes, Spar," Vision confirmed. "These are my friends and allies, the Avengers."
"The Avengers?" the green-skinned woman among the Protectors spoke up. "The ones we heard about on HoloNet news? You didn't mention you were part of them."
"It never came up."
"Clone cadet." Captain Rex's voice came from the crowd, interrupting the exchange.
All eyes turned to a young boy standing among the Protectors. He was indeed a clone cadet.
"Hello, Rex. Been a while," the boy said.
"Cadet, what are you doing here?" Cody asked. "And with these Mandalorians?"
"I'm not a cadet," the boy corrected sharply. "I'm Jango's son."
"My name is Boba Fett."
"Fett," Kenobi muttered, regarding the young Mandalorian with surprise.
Boba looked at the Jedi and gave him a slight glare.
"Yes, I knew you'd remember, Kenobi," Boba said, the name coming out with barely concealed hostility.
"Alright, that's enough," Anakin stepped forward, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Let's not have confrontations here. The Duchess invited the Protectors to this meeting, so let's honor that."
"Fair enough." The green-armored Mandalorian now stepped forward. "We've made our point. Questioning us further would be excessive."
"It becomes necessary if violence erupts," Luminara Unduli interjected in her characteristically calm voice.
"Really?" Boba said, crossing his arms and regarding the Republic representatives with distrust.
"Ultron," Sam said grimly. "We're here as insurance, ensuring Ultron doesn't catch anyone unprepared."
"So he truly has returned," Vision whispered, forlornness and regret now visible in his expression.
"Spar." Satine had stepped forward now, standing directly before the Protector leader. "If you'll permit it, accommodations have been prepared for this summit."
Spar studied her, the Jedi, the clones, then the Avengers. He looked back at his people, then at Vision, then back at Satine.
He nodded silently and they all followed her lead.
Everyone except the Avengers stayed toward the group's rear as they conversed among themselves.
"So how did you end up with the Mandalorians?" Hope asked immediately.
"Yeah, never expected we'd find you like this," Sam muttered.
"I encountered some of them on the planet where I was stranded. The rest I met later."
"That's not a particularly detailed answer," T'Challa observed.
"That's a rather abbreviated version," Vision admitted. "One cannot always choose what circumstances befall them."
"We have considerable catching up to do, Vision," Sam said.
"The sentiment's mutual, my friends," Vision replied. "In fact, I'm most surprised and grateful having found you among the Jedi."
"Really?" Matt's curiosity was piqued. "Why's that?"
"Let's simply say that during my interstellar travels, I had a mentor who taught me extensively about the Force, balance, and even this." Vision reached up and brushed his fingers across the Mind Stone.
"Sounds mysterious," Peter quipped. "That's pretty cool."
Vision hummed with a subtle smile. "Yes. I'll admit, it was rather remarkable."
"What about them?" T'Challa asked, nodding his chin toward the larger group ahead.
"Those three," the Wakandan prince clarified, pointing out the unusual trio among the Protectors. "Two women and the droid. They don't appear Mandalorian to me."
Vision studied the three T'Challa indicated, his brow furrowing thoughtfully. "You're correct about them not being Mandalorian. They're Guardians."
"Guardians? Like the Protectors?"
"Not exactly. They're allies. The rest are elsewhere currently. Come, let me introduce you." Vision gestured. "Gamora. Mantis. HK."
The three turned toward the synthetic being waving at them.
Curious, they separated from the Protectors until Mantis kissed the green-armored Mandalorian's helmet, causing the man visible embarrassment and eliciting teasing laughter.
They approached the Avengers, studying them momentarily before looking at Vision.
"What is it?" the green-skinned woman asked.
"Gamora," Vision said, nodding at her. "Mantis, HK, I want you meeting my friends and comrades, the Avengers. Everyone, these are the Guardians of the Galaxy."
"Guardians of the Galaxy?" several heroes repeated.
"That's quite the nickname," Sam said skeptically.
"Statement: From what Master Quill and Mistress Gamora have explained, this was bestowed upon us ironically during their initial outing together as a team," the droid spoke. "The outing in question involved terminating a genocidal meatbag. Lament: Oh, the tragedy of not witnessing someone of such capacity."
The Avengers stared blankly at the bloodthirsty droid.
"Uh, what?" Peter said.
"Ignore him. He has several malfunctions and Rocket refuses repairing them," Gamora said dismissively.
"Hello, everyone," the large-eyed woman spoke, offering them an awkward smile.
"What is she doing?" Sam asked, tilting his head.
"Smiling," she said cheerfully. "They say that's what you do when meeting new people to convey happiness."
"Well, aren't you just a little ball of sunshine," Hope couldn't help saying, smiling and shaking her head. "You are?"
"Mantis," she replied. "Pleased meeting someone from Earth."
"Whoa, wait a minute." Peter held up his hands in a T-shape. "Hold on. You're from Earth too? Wait, are you from Earth?"
Gamora shook her head. "No, but Peter is."
"Yeah, I'm Peter. Peter Parker."
"Oh, no, I mean our captain, Peter Quill," Gamora clarified. "Peter Quill is also from Terra, or Earth as you call it."
"Feels like we're missing a story here," Sam began.
"Then let's discuss it after we're finished here," Vision suggested. "Regardless, we need catching up with the group ahead."