Meanwhile, on Xandar—
A small raccoon stood in the plaza holding a transparent scanning panel, sweeping it back and forth over passersby while muttering to himself.
"This one's an idiot… that one's a creep… wow, that guy's brain activity is tragic…"
He even scanned a random child without shame.
Beside him, a towering tree-like humanoid bent over a fountain, noisily gulping down the water as if it were the finest beverage in the galaxy.
"Groot, can you stop drinking from the public fountain? That's disgusting."
"I am Groot."
"You are absolutely drinking it. I can see it dripping off your face!"
The raccoon pointed accusingly at the water trickling from Groot's bark-like chin.
Suddenly, the scanner in his paw flashed red.
He turned, following the indicated trajectory, and spotted his target across a bridge—a man flirting shamelessly with a red-skinned woman.
"Ohhh, look at that. It's this loser. And he's worth that much? We're rich, Groot!"
Rocket grinned wickedly.
Groot, meanwhile, continued happily slurping fountain water.
---
After parting ways with the red-skinned beauty, Peter Quill headed straight for the broker's shop.
The shopkeeper was an alien with no resemblance whatsoever to a human.
"Mr. Quill," the broker greeted as Quill stepped inside.
Quill placed the Orb on the counter.
"Orb delivered. Mission complete."
"Where is Yondu?" the broker asked immediately. "He was supposed to handle this."
"Busy," Quill replied smoothly. "Sent me instead."
He tapped the metallic sphere.
"So… what is this thing, exactly?"
After studying it during his travels, he had already deduced that the sphere was merely a container. The real treasure lay inside.
"I do not disclose information about acquired objects," the broker said coldly. "Nor about my clients."
Translation: Not telling you.
"Come on," Quill pleaded. "I nearly got killed for this. Just a hint?"
"No."
Quill sighed dramatically. "I ran into some guys with cybernetic junk sticking out of their heads. Said they worked for someone named Ronan."
The broker froze.
"…You're certain they said Ronan?"
"I'm in my thirties, not hard of hearing."
The broker's composure cracked.
"If Ronan is involved, this deal is off. I will not do business connected to that fanatic. Take the Orb and leave. Immediately."
He shoved the Orb back into Quill's hands and physically pushed him out of the shop.
"Who is this guy?" Quill demanded. "You're acting like he's a boogeyman."
"Ronan the Accuser," the broker whispered fearfully. "A Kree extremist. He rejects the peace treaty with Xandar. He believes only in conquest. In annihilation. He will not stop until this world burns."
And with that, the door slammed shut and locked from within.
"We had an agreement!" Quill shouted.
Silence.
He turned—
And noticed a green-skinned woman leaning casually against the wall, eating a piece of alien fruit.
"You look like you just got dumped," she observed coolly.
Quill punched the door in frustration.
"He bailed on me. I hate people who go back on their word."
He straightened and flashed his signature grin.
"Peter Quill. Also known as Star-Lord. And you are…?"
"So you're special?" she asked, stepping closer.
"Most people say that. I'm very humble about it."
She smiled faintly.
Then suddenly—
She snatched the Orb from his hand and kicked him flat onto his back.
Gamora bolted.
"Hey!"
Quill sprang up and hurled two small spherical devices. Midair, they expanded into a tether that wrapped around Gamora's legs, sending her tumbling.
He lunged for the Orb—
She swept his feet out from under him.
They rolled across the pavement, grappling fiercely. Neither gained the upper hand.
Quill reached for his blaster.
Gamora stomped on his hand and pinned him down, straddling him with lethal precision.
Just as she prepared to finish it—
A blur tackled her from the side.
Rocket.
Groot lumbered forward holding a sack.
"Bag him! Bag him!"
Rocket shouted.
Groot extended wooden tendrils, wrapping around Gamora and attempting to shove her into the sack.
"Not her! The guy! Do you even know what gender is?!"
Rocket grabbed at Gamora's hair in frustration.
Quill seized the opportunity, scooped up the Orb, and ran.
Gamora hurled Rocket aside and flicked a dagger with deadly accuracy.
The blade sliced across Quill's palm.
The Orb slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the ground.
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