"Take them down, everyone!" Fenn Rau's voice carried absolute determination, his blaster aimed directly at Black Sun's forces. "Clear the obstacles!" His shout echoed across the battlefield.
Three other Mandalorians fought alongside a raccoon and a ruthless assassin droid from elevated positions, the five of them unleashing concentrated fire on mercenaries and soldiers below, forcing them from cover.
On the ground, a dozen companions surged into battle like predators, blasting and pushing aside anything blocking their path. One Mandalorian wielding a rotary cannon swept left and right, cutting down mercenaries and bounty hunters in devastating arcs.
"We need to find that Mandalorian," Dax's voice came through clearly and firmly over comms.
"Copy that," Star-Lord responded. "Drax, Gamora, you're up."
Gamora's acknowledgment was crisp and immediate. Drax leapt down from a building, driving twin daggers into two criminals' backs, dropping them instantly. He grabbed another criminal, using the man as a living shield against incoming fire.
Gamora moved like wind made lethal, her blade flashing. Several weapons shattered. She quickly appropriated a fallen blaster, fired at multiple enemies, then threw a grenade. Within seconds, the explosion scattered enemies from their positions.
Star-Lord descended from above, pistols spinning as he tossed a triangular device into the mercenaries' center. The moment it struck ground, it snapped open and unleashed electrical cables, shocking a dozen people and trapping them in a crackling cage.
Moments later, Groot descended upon the battlefield like an animated tree, choosing to club a Twi'lek across the head with his branches. A massive vine extended from his other arm, lashing out at enemies like a whip. With one final powerful swing, he catapulted several incapacitated fighters toward their companions.
A Falleen shouted desperately in the confusion, swinging his weapon toward the newcomers, but his blaster ended up pointed at a bounty hunter wearing a distinctive round hat.
The Anooba, an aggressive carnivorous predator native to Tatooine, didn't appreciate its companion being threatened. It grabbed the Falleen and sank its teeth into the man's neck.
Embo observed this and smirked beneath his respirator. He wouldn't need to worry about feeding his pet now.
Simultaneously, Chirrut Îmwe and Baze joined the engagement. Baze's heavy blaster rifle became a scythe of death, dropping nearly twenty enemies within moments. The blind Force adherent Chirrut used his distinctive staff and bow to skillfully trip or repel anyone approaching him.
"No lightsaber?" Baze asked his companion casually while reloading.
Chirrut shook his head. "Unnecessary. It's already unfair enough having one ace in reserve."
Chirrut gestured skyward. Baze looked up to see Vision hovering there quietly, seemingly doing nothing, yet his mere presence brought the entire battlefield to a halt.
Then Baze watched in amazement as a yellow beam erupted from Vision's forehead. The energy lance tore through the night like a blade cutting darkness, instantly penetrating Black Sun positions and throwing them into greater chaos.
Some tried shooting him, but his form became insubstantial. Each shot passed harmlessly through him.
"Oh, you mean him," Baze whispered, his eyes tracking Vision as he phased past everyone who stood in his way.
"The Force is with us today," Chirrut said with a smile.
Amid this chaos, Guri simply watched. She'd never anticipated anyone coming to rescue Jom.
Mandalorians. She'd considered the possibility of backup, but these completely unfamiliar faces caught her off guard. She quickly catalogued several of them: helmeted warriors with red visors, a tattooed barbarian, a green-skinned assassin, an unidentified furry rodent, a tree-like creature, an antennae-bearing woman, and an assassin droid.
Guri's memory accessed files on a team called the Guardians of the Galaxy. Though the name sounded arrogant, they'd proven themselves capable in unexpected ways. Countless reports demonstrated this seemingly ragtag group of lunatics possessed considerable power.
They'd created a new organization across the galaxy called the Ravagers, whose reputation had risen rapidly.
Though her prince had been monitoring them, only close observation revealed the truth behind rumors.
The tattooed barbarian possessed strength beyond reasonable expectations. Guri watched him hurl a full-grown man effortlessly, his blades cleaving through nearly any obstacle. He might appear unrefined, but Guri easily recognized him as a formidable warrior.
The green-skinned woman moved like a phantom, her movements precise and economical. An assassin, her accuracy and combat skills were exceptional. On the battlefield, she flowed like wind, handling every attack effortlessly.
That seemingly ordinary rodent creature constantly produced gadgets and weapons from nowhere, an endless arsenal that defied explanation.
Their tree-man was even more unrestrained, and their assassin droid hunted with mechanical efficiency. No "meatbag" escaped its targeting protocols.
The antennae-bearing woman proved equally impressive, moving freely across the battlefield. A single touch from her could drop combatants. Whether her ability stemmed from the Force remained unknown.
Suddenly, Guri heard a sharp whistle. A red figure crossed the battlefield, her personnel collapsing instantly. Undoubtedly Kraglin.
Wes Jom joined the battle as well, rushing forward with a blackened beskar blade in hand.
Guri shook her head, assessing the situation. Their mission had clearly failed. For her forces, these Guardians and Mandalorians were overwhelming. They held absolute advantages in skill, abilities, and firepower.
She glanced at the Falleen standing beside her. They met each other's gaze and reached silent agreement. They needed to take the long view, find alternative strategies to defeat this formidable team. They had no choice but to retreat. After fierce engagement, some of their forces died, others suffered serious injuries, and the rest were forced to flee.
Yet the Guardians and Protectors still stood firm, holding their position.
"Was that even necessary?" Suji asked doubtfully, stepping past several corpses.
"Absolutely," Rocket replied firmly. "Our expanded team works well together. Excellent performance all around."
A Mandalorian noticed movement near what appeared to be an abandoned body and moved to investigate. As he approached the position, a dark shadow attacked suddenly, a blade slashing toward his helmet. However, he reacted quickly, catching the weapon in a deadlock.
"Wes? That you?" Dax asked in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" He paused. "Wait, were you the target those guys wanted dead?" Fenn frowned, studying the Mandalorian in black armor.
"Are you the crazy bastard rumors say has been waging a one-man war against Black Sun?" Fenn couldn't help asking.
"Crazy bastard? Ha, honestly, I was hoping for a more interesting challenge," Wes Jom said with bitter amusement.
"Good to see you again, Jom," Dax said with obvious relief.
Wes simply grunted noncommittally. Dax's expression soured beneath his helmet.
"Oh, come on, are you seriously going to be this cold?" Dax finally snapped. "We just saved your life. You could at least show some gratitude."
"I already told you, Dax. I won't join the Protectors," Wes Jom said coldly.
"Would Death Watch be a better choice then?" Dax challenged.
Gamora approached. "What's happening here?"
Her hand tightened slightly on her sword hilt, obviously alert to the tense atmosphere.
"This ungrateful bastard's a lone wolf. Heartless and ungrateful," Dax roared angrily, his frustration with Wes Jom evident.
"If the people who saved me weren't warmongering Mandalorians, I might show gratitude. Your kind has brought disaster to our people repeatedly."
"What the hell does that mean?" Fenn spoke now, anger clear in his tone.
"We're not Death Watch," Boba Fett retorted, his eyes gleaming with anger as he stared at the black-armored Mandalorian.
Star-Lord stepped forward. "We're here to help, not start infighting. Remember?"
The Mandalorians simply turned away. Derisive laughter echoed around them.
"Well, that's lovely," Rocket said dryly.
"What's wrong, Fenn?" Mantis asked innocently.
"Mantis, there's clearly history between them. Things aren't as simple as they appear," Gamora explained succinctly. The observation was obvious.
"Well, thanks for the assistance, but I need to leave," Wes Jom decided, turning to depart.
"If you consider yourself an honorable warrior, you should at least demonstrate gratitude," Drax shouted, crossing his arms indignantly.
Wes Jom stopped, turned slowly, and stared at the Destroyer.
"Are you not Mandalorian?" Drax questioned. "I'm well aware of the debt your people value."
At this, Dax smirked beneath his helmet, looking at Jom expectantly.
"Well?" he prompted. "Are you Mandalorian, Wes?"
Wes Jom clenched his fists, silently cursing the doctrine of honor, then reluctantly turned back toward them. "What do you want?" he asked bitterly.
"We want quite a lot actually," Dax Odo said eagerly, before Fenn elbowed him.
"What?"
"You're only proving to him we're unreasonable by doing that," Fenn said coldly.
"Okay, can everyone pause?" Gamora spoke again, her tone carrying annoyance. "We just rescued you, so you can at least answer some questions."
"Who are you people?" Wes studied this exceptionally strange group, then glanced at the Mandalorians.
"They're the Guardians of the Galaxy," Tobbi stated bluntly.
"What about the one in the cape?"
"And those two?"
"Chirrut and Baze—Fenn, what's wrong?"
Fenn stood with one hand against the side of his helmet, head tilted slightly.
"What is it?" Dax asked, noticing something different about his companion. Taking a step forward, he immediately sensed the serious atmosphere.
After several seconds of silence, only Fenn's deep, firm voice broke through. "Understood."
Then Fenn looked up at Dax with a grave expression. "News from Mandalore. It's an invitation. Duchess Satine Kryze called personally. She wants us to meet her on Mandalore."
Dax repeated, his tone puzzled. "What? Say that again."
Fenn met his eyes despite their helmets blocking direct vision. "You heard me correctly."
"This isn't simple," Dax said. "Satine Kryze, the Duchess. She's a leader who advocates peace over Mandalorian warrior traditions."
"Didn't you say she was your enemy?" Vision asked.
"It's not what most assume," Fenn said quietly. "Though we oppose each other ideologically, there's always room for dialogue."
"Did Spar tell you anything else?"
"Dax, Tobbi, Boba, and I will meet him on Mandalore and speak with Duchess Satine Kryze," Fenn said solemnly.