[As Gamora landed gracefully, the Abilisk convulsed violently. Its grip on Star-Lord finally loosened, allowing him to fire his thrusters and stabilize in mid-air.]
[With a final, earth-shaking wail, the massive creature collapsed in front of Gamora.]
[Yellow ichor continued pouring from the gaping wound as Drax emerged from the creature's interior, completely covered in digestive slime.]
[The big fool had no idea what had actually happened. Convinced his brilliant strategy had worked, he raised both swords triumphantly. "Ha! Yes! I single-handedly defeated this beast!"]
[Star-Lord and Gamora exchanged looks of pure exasperation.]
[Baby Groot pelted Drax with a small rock, wiping the smug grin off his face.]
[Drax looked down at the tiny tree with genuine confusion. "What's your problem?"]
"Look at Drax over there," Tony commented to Rocket as they drove through the Missouri countryside. "Guy probably thought he was some kind of tactical genius—jump inside the monster, problem solved."
"Yeah, that's totally him," Rocket replied with a dismissive wave. "Drax always comes up with these ridiculous plans. You get used to it after a while."
Captain America and Rhodey, riding in the backseat, wore expressions of bewildered concern. They'd known Drax was impulsive, but this level of strategic incompetence was genuinely impressive.
Back in the truck bed, Drax slapped his forehead in belated realization. Why hadn't he thought it through more carefully?
Star-Lord called back to him, "Aren't you grossed out being covered in monster guts?"
Drax shrugged matter-of-factly. "Not particularly. Victory requires sacrifice."
"Right. Well, we're almost there," Star-Lord said, refocusing on the road ahead. "Time to see what dear old dad left behind on Earth."
[After defeating the Abilisk, the team rested on the protruding battery housing that dotted the platform. Drax scraped slime off himself with a torn piece of fabric.]
[Star-Lord removed the thruster pack from behind his neck.]
[While cleaning himself, Drax studied the cylindrical containers. "What do you call these things?"]
[Star-Lord pulled on his jacket. "Anulax batteries."]
[Drax's ears heard something entirely different. "Fool batteries?"]
[Star-Lord stared at him. "That's not even close to what I said. But each one's worth thousands of units—that's why the Sovereigns hired us to protect them."]
[As soon as Star-Lord finished speaking, Rocket discretely slipped one of the golden batteries from its housing, examining it with professional interest.]
[Baby Groot perched on Rocket's shoulder, studying the shiny object with wide-eyed curiosity.]
[Mission complete, Star-Lord gathered his team to leave. "Watch your words when we deal with these people. They're easily offended, and they execute anyone who insults them."]
[Inside a magnificent golden hall, High Priestess Ayesha sat elevated on her throne, resplendent in flowing robes.]
["We thank you for providing external security services, Guardians of the Galaxy. We cannot risk Sovereign lives on such dangerous endeavors."]
["Each of us is born precisely as designed by our people—with perfect bodies and superior minds."]
["We control our offspring's genetic composition and nurture them in birthing pods until maturity."]
[Star-Lord replied casually, "I prefer the traditional method of making people."]
[Ayesha studied the man whose reputation was spreading across the galaxy.]
["Perhaps someday you could enlighten me about these... primitive ancestral practices. Purely for academic research, of course."]
[Star-Lord's face lit up with obvious interest. "I'd be honored! Yeah, for academic purposes... I think that would be very—"]
[He caught sight of Gamora's withering stare and quickly changed course.]
["—inappropriate! I don't like to be presumptuous about cultural differences..."]
["Oh, please," Gamora interrupted, stepping forward with barely contained irritation. "You promised payment for our services. Hand it over and we'll be gone."]
[Ayesha raised one elegant finger, and two Sovereign guards marched in carrying a hooded prisoner who struggled against their grip.]
[When they removed the hood, Nebula's scarred face glared out with pure hatred.]
[Gamora studied her adoptive sister with cold detachment while Nebula returned her gaze with burning resentment.]
[Star-Lord whispered, "Family reunion. How nice."]
[Ayesha explained the situation. "I understand she is your sister."]
[Gamora's voice remained flat. "She's worth a bounty on Xandar. That's all."]
[She hauled Nebula to her feet without ceremony.]
[Ayesha rose from her throne. "She attempted to steal our batteries and was apprehended by our security forces. Do with her as you wish."]
[Gamora said nothing, simply dragging Nebula toward the exit.]
[Star-Lord bowed slightly. "We're very grateful, High Priestess Ayesha."]
[As Star-Lord turned to leave, Ayesha's voice stopped him. "What is your heritage, Mr. Quill?"]
[Star-Lord faced her again. "My mother was from Earth."]
["And your father?"]
[Star-Lord's jaw tightened. "He's not from Missouri. That's all I know."]
["I detect unusual genetic markers in your bloodline. This hybrid vigor makes you particularly... audacious."]
[Hearing Star-Lord being insulted, Rocket immediately jumped to his defense.]
["You know what? I heard you people were all uptight jerks, but that's completely unfair..."]
[He winked at Star-Lord as he spoke, but unfortunately, several Sovereigns witnessed the gesture.]
[A nearby guard bristled with offense and reached for his weapon to grab the insolent creature.]
["Oh crap! Wrong eye again, wasn't it? Sorry! Didn't mean for you to catch that!"]
[Star-Lord said nothing, simply turned and walked out. Drax grabbed Rocket by his collar and hauled him along.]
["You're lucky they didn't execute you on the spot."]
["You're not my mom," Rocket muttered, then opened his belt pouch to reveal the stolen Anulax battery. "Anyone want to buy some batteries?"]
[Drax burst into delighted laughter.]
[Rocket immediately shushed him frantically. The Sovereigns' legendary pride meant discovery of the theft would trap them all here permanently.]
[What Rocket couldn't have predicted was just how relentlessly the Sovereigns would pursue anyone who dared offend their perfect sensibilities—a miscalculation that would soon cascade into far greater troubles.]
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