Queen Adora understood the Ravagers better than most civilized leaders cared to admit. They were essentially cosmic locusts, drifting through the galaxy in their ramshackle fleets, taking whatever work paid well enough to keep their ships fueled and their crews fed. Morality was a luxury they couldn't afford, and loyalty was a commodity that could be bought and sold like any other resource.
Under normal circumstances, dealing with Ravager clans required either overwhelming force or the kind of careful diplomacy usually reserved for negotiating with armed criminals. They respected strength above all else, and their cooperation typically lasted only as long as it served their immediate interests.
But these weren't normal circumstances.
"The Kree Empire's protection has always kept Ronan beyond their reach," Centurion Keith noted with obvious satisfaction. "But if he's committed to attacking Xandar with his full battle fleet, that protection becomes meaningless. He'll be exposed and vulnerable for the first time in decades."
"Tell them we accept their offer," Queen Adora decided. "As long as they focus their attacks on Ronan's forces and avoid civilian targets, Xandar will consider them temporary allies rather than criminals."
The strategic discussions were interrupted by the arrival of their off-world guests, who entered the command center with the casual confidence of people accustomed to walking into crisis situations.
Tony had clearly prepared for combat, his iron man armor gleaming under the command center's lighting as various weapon systems and defensive shields came online in response to the detected threat levels.
Marcus, by contrast, appeared completely relaxed despite the approaching battle fleet. His casual attire and amused expression suggested someone who viewed the coming conflict as entertainment rather than existential threat.
"So the coward finally decided to show up," Marcus said with obvious anticipation. "I was starting to think he'd learned enough caution to avoid direct confrontations."
"Ronan's approaching with his entire battle squad," Queen Adora reported, her voice carrying the tension of someone who understood exactly how outgunned they were. "Our intelligence suggests he may have obtained the Power Stone from the Cosmic Orb. If that's accurate, we're facing weapons capable of planetary destruction."
The casual click-click-click of metal spheres bouncing in Marcus's palm provided an oddly rhythmic counterpoint to the serious discussion. The Bounce Pad Mines looked innocuous enough, but Tony's enhanced sensors were detecting energy signatures that suggested far more destructive potential than their simple appearance indicated.
"Tony, you'll want to maintain distance during the engagement," Marcus advised with the tone of someone discussing tactical preferences rather than life-or-death combat strategy. "Your armor can handle most conventional weapons, but there's no point taking unnecessary risks against exotic energy systems."
"I'm more interested in Ronan's new ship than Ronan himself," Tony replied with obvious enthusiasm. "His technology should provide excellent research opportunities once we've dealt with the current ownership problem."
The casual discussion of claiming enemy vessels as trophies made Queen Adora realize that these two weren't just confident about the coming battle – they were already planning what to do with the spoils of victory.
"The last time I encountered Ronan, his ship ended up being converted into a mobile ecosystem," Marcus continued with obvious amusement. "Effective, but hardly the best use of advanced military hardware. This time I'm thinking we should preserve the weapon systems for proper analysis."
Tony nodded enthusiastically. "Dad's botanical projects are impressive, but I'd rather have access to Kree engineering specifications. The technological exchange possibilities alone would justify the effort."
Their conversation was interrupted by the harsh blare of communication alarms as Ronan's fleet established contact with Xandarian traffic control. The Accuser's voice filled the command center with the kind of pompous authority that had made him infamous throughout the galaxy.
"I, Ronan the Accuser of the Kree Empire, hereby level formal charges against the world of Xandar for harboring criminals who have murdered Kree citizens and shown no remorse for their crimes," the transmission began with ritual formality. "In accordance with Kree law and the ancient traditions of justice, I pronounce sentence upon this world and all its inhabitants."
Queen Adora's hand clenched into a fist as the implications of Ronan's words became clear. This wasn't going to be a limited military action or territorial dispute – it was a declaration of genocide dressed up in legal terminology.
"All citizens of Xandar are hereby declared enemies of the Kree Empire and sentenced to death," Ronan continued with the kind of cold satisfaction that came from believing himself the instrument of cosmic justice. "This sentence will be carried out immediately and without appeal."
"Lying bastard," Queen Adora snarled, her diplomatic composure finally cracking under the weight of Ronan's audacious accusations. "He's the one who's been raiding our shipping and terrorizing our colonies. Now he has the nerve to claim we're the aggressors?"
Marcus's response to Ronan's dramatic declaration was considerably more amused than angry. "Same old Ronan," he observed with obvious nostalgia. "Still convinced that volume and pomposity can substitute for actual tactical capability. Some people never learn."
The comment carried the weight of personal experience, reminding everyone present that Marcus had not only encountered the Accuser before but apparently emerged victorious from that confrontation.
"I suppose I should go remind him why his previous visit with me ended so poorly," Marcus continued, already surrounded by swirling void energy as he prepared for immediate deployment. "This feeling of déjà vu is quite nostalgic, actually."
With that casual observation, Marcus disappeared in a burst of dimensional energy, leaving behind only the faint scent of ozone and the sense that the real battle was about to begin.
Tony turned to follow, pausing only long enough to address Queen Adora with something approaching formality. "Don't worry about the outcome," he said with confident certainty. "Marcus tends to be very thorough when dealing with people who annoy him. Ronan definitely qualifies."
Aboard the massive Kree dreadnought Dark Aster, Ronan the Accuser stood in his command chamber surrounded by displays showing Xandar's defenses mobilizing in response to his ultimatum. The sight filled him with righteous satisfaction – finally, the enemies of Kree supremacy would face the consequences of their defiance.
The Universal Weapon in his hands pulsed with purple energy as the Power Stone responded to his emotional state. The cosmic artifact had transformed him from a mere military commander into something approaching a force of nature, capable of reshaping reality according to his will.
"Xandar's resistance is irrelevant," he announced to his bridge crew with absolute conviction. "Their Nova Corps, their planetary defenses, their alliance with criminal scum – none of it matters in the face of Infinity Stone power."
The weapon's weight felt perfect in his grip, its ancient design somehow enhanced by the cosmic energies flowing through its crystalline matrix. With this tool, he could accomplish what generations of Kree warriors had only dreamed of – the complete subjugation of those who dared oppose imperial authority.
"My lord," one of his subordinates reported with obvious nervousness, "sensors are detecting unusual energy signatures approaching the ship. Should we raise additional defensive screens?"
Ronan's response was cut short by the sudden appearance of thick fog in the center of his command chamber, swirling and condensing despite the lack of any atmospheric disturbance that could explain its presence.
"That won't be necessary," came a familiar voice as the fog resolved itself into a human figure that Ronan recognized with a mixture of rage and barely suppressed fear. "But I appreciate the offer of hospitality."
Marcus stood in the center of the bridge with the casual confidence of someone arriving for a social visit rather than a military confrontation. His hands moved in a simple gesture, and two spherical objects arced through the air to land at strategic points around the command chamber.
"You," Ronan breathed, his grip tightening on the Universal Weapon as memories of their previous encounter came flooding back. "I should have known you would involve yourself in this."
"Nice ship," Marcus observed, apparently ignoring the dozen weapon systems that were now trained on him from various directions. "Much more impressive than your last one. I do hope you'll be more careful with this one."
The casual threat underlying his words was unmistakable. Their previous confrontation had ended with Ronan abandoning his flagship and fleeing in whatever escape craft he could commandeer. The implication that this encounter might end similarly was clearly intended as both insult and warning.
"This time will be different," Ronan declared, raising the Universal Weapon as Power Stone energy began to surge through its focusing crystals. "This time I wield the power to unmake you at the molecular level."
Marcus's smile in response to that threat was not entirely reassuring for anyone hoping for a peaceful resolution to their disagreement.
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