Chapter 357: Hawk and Gwen's Honeymoon Trip (Second Update!!!)
Xandar!
It is a Planet with a highly advanced civilization, peace, and prosperity. It possesses advanced, even sci-fi, technology, and even its sky is a beautiful pinkish-purple.
It is also the headquarters of the Nova Corps, responsible for maintaining peace in the Universe.
Every morning, the warriors of the Nova Corps pilot their Nova fighter jets, soaring into the Universe for their daily training.
If you are fortunate enough to stay at the Dome Hotel in the city center, you can even watch the daily training of the Nova warriors up close.
Compared to hotels on Earth that are named 'Dome' but are actually no more than a hundred meters tall—misleading in their description—the Dome Hotel on Xandar is a truly a Dome Hotel.
The Dome Hotel floats above the city center of Xandar, a cluster of circular platforms connected by transparent energy bridges.
Each platform is an independent suite, enveloped by a spherical energy shield with adjustable transparency, ensuring privacy while offering a 360-degree panoramic view.
At this moment, Gwen, wearing pajamas with a distinctive Xandarian flair, a cultural product of the Nova Corps, sat on the room's balcony, gazing at the Nova Corps training in the sky.
Today marked the thirtieth day of her and Hawk's honeymoon trip.
If Gwen were to rate this honeymoon trip, she would give it:
Five points.
Extremely satisfied.
Over the past thirty days, she and Hawk had explored the entirety of Xandar.
They visited the Hall of Honor of the Nova Corps.
Gwen saw the history of the Nova Corps, from its initial tribal alliances to establishing a global peacekeeping force, and she also witnessed the magnificent scene from the previous year when Nova Corps members united to form that famous golden energy net, attempting to block Ronan's Dark Aster.
They also went to Xandar's famous nature reserve—the Lumina Forest.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful forest.
The plants were not purely green but displayed a gradient of blue, purple, silver, and pink.
The animals were also unique and gentle.
They also visited ancient Xandarian ruins and even went to a fantastical small island where only the two of them were present. There, they dined while admiring the magnificent gradient of gold, orange, red, and purple that the Sun's setting on Xandar painted across the clouds.
Gwen currently sat on the balcony, performing what every newlywed wife does, looking at the projection screen in front of her.
She was organizing and doing some simple photo editing of the many pictures taken yesterday during their visit to the Nova Corps headquarters.
A purple light seemed to flow from the purple necklace on Gwen's right wrist.
This was her newest computer.
She bought it at a duty-free shop, similar to those found at the Starport, when they arrived on Xandar and registered their information for entry.
Just then.
Hawk, dressed in a suit, carried the breakfast delivered by room service from the room onto the balcony.
"Hi."
"Hi."
Gwen, who was editing photos, came back to her senses. She looked at Hawk approaching, a happy smile on her face, and kissed Hawk as he leaned in.
Hawk placed the breakfast on the balcony table.
"Breakfast is ready."
"I know, just a moment."
Gwen said, speeding up her photo selection, quickly deleting poorly composed, poorly backgrounded, or poorly exposed photos.
Such photos were not allowed in her honeymoon commemorative album.
Soon.
Gwen tapped the purple bracelet on her right wrist with her left hand, and the projection screen, visible only to her, disappeared. Then she took the knife and fork Hawk offered her.
Don't ask Hawk why, even after leaving Earth, alien cutlery is still knives and forks.
Because that question is as foolish as asking why the entire Universe speaks English.
While eating breakfast, Gwen discussed their last day of the honeymoon trip with Hawk.
"I've consulted with the hotel, and there are many souvenir shops in Harmony Square. After breakfast, we should go browse them to buy some gifts to take back to Earth."
"Okay."
Hawk replied with a smile.
With the Reality Stone in hand, the Universe is mine.
Things on Xandar cost money, but Hawk could use the Reality Stone to create the necessary currency.
Just as he and Gwen used the Reality Stone to create two identities as intergalactic bounty hunters when they arrived on Xandar aboard the Enterprise and entered the Starport, allowing them to smoothly enter Xandar.
So... not to mention buying a few things, even if Gwen wanted to buy out everything on Xandar, Hawk could afford it.
However, Gwen had actually already pre-selected gifts to take back to Earth for her relatives and friends.
Musical note stones that can arrange their own music—these are for Jean, who was a flower girl.
A sand table that can holographically project specified star maps—this is for Sharon, as a detailed Universal star map might help S.H.I.E.L.D. venture into the Universe sooner.
And a can of seeds that are said to bloom into rainbow-colored flowers in any environment.
Gwen bought two boxes of these, twenty-four cans.
They were cheap and beautiful, perfect for her bridesmaids and her mother, Helen.
Of course, there was also wine.
A local Xandarian brewed nectar wine with bubbles and a shimmer.
It wasn't strong, tasted good, and didn't go to one's head.
Paired with the rainbow flowers, it was perfect for gifting.
Gwen bought ten boxes of this.
She quite liked drinking this nectar wine herself.
Because it was a large purchase, the store thoughtfully sent staff to deliver the goods along with Hawk and Gwen to the Enterprise, which was docked at the Xandar orbital Starport.
Gwen stood by the window of the Enterprise, looking at Xandar slowly rotating below, its pinkish-purple atmosphere, pristine white cloud swirls, and the city lights on the continents at night.
Hawk walked up from behind her: "The Nova Corps will board for inspection in ten minutes. After everything checks out, we can depart."
Yes.
The inspection was to prevent anyone from taking prohibited items belonging to Xandar, a standard departure check.
Hawk had no objection to this.
He and Gwen came to Xandar for their honeymoon. When traveling, it's best to prioritize peace and comply with local laws.
Gwen withdrew her gaze, turned, and looked at Hawk approaching.
"I suddenly don't want to go back, Hawk. It's so beautiful here."
"...Alright."
Hawk was surprised at first, then smiled and said, "We can go down. You can stay here as long as you want. However long you say, we'll stay."
Gwen pouted.
"Hawk, I was joking. Although it's beautiful here, Earth is our home."
"I took you seriously. You know, I listen to you the most."
"I know."
Gwen smiled brightly, lowered her gaze, and stroked her abdomen, then looked up at Hawk: "So, you're not allowed to interfere with our children's education in the future."
Yes.
She was pregnant.
Just half a month ago, while visiting the Xandar Technology Expo, as they passed a scanner-like device, it unexpectedly presented this joyous news to Hawk and Gwen.
And it was twins.
One boy and one girl.
Hawk immediately took Gwen to a local hospital on Xandar.
Indeed.
The local hospital's service was excellent. Not only were all examinations for pregnant women free, but they even informed Gwen about the various benefits the children would receive if she gave birth on Xandar and they became Xandarian citizens.
Gwen was immediately persuaded and established a birth record at the hospital. This record, linked to her wrist, would remind Gwen to return to Xandar for the next stage of examinations when the time came, no matter where she traveled during her pregnancy.
No wonder.
Xandar offered too many benefits.
Currently, the Enterprise's cargo hold contained more goods that were not purchased by him and Gwen, but rather various nutritional supplements and other items freely given by Xandar to pregnant women.
But... Gwen wanted their children to become citizens of high-welfare Xandar, and Hawk had no objections.
Only the education?
Uh-huh, that wouldn't do.
Hawk shook his head: "I insist on retaining my right to education, my dear. I can choose not to exercise my right, but I cannot not have it."
Hearing this, Gwen settled for a compromise.
"Then you can't interfere when I'm educating the children."
"That's fine."
Hawk nodded in agreement.
As they spoke, the Nova Corps Starport inspector arrived, pulled out his device, and with a hum, performed a quick scan of the Enterprise's hull. He then signed his name on the release form and handed it to Hawk.
After Hawk signed his name, he handed the inspection form back to the inspector.
The inspector smiled and shook Hawk's hand.
"Have a safe journey, Mr. Phoenix."
"Thank you."
Hawk returned the smile and courteously escorted the inspector off the Enterprise.
Soon.
The Starport issued the clearance for the Enterprise to depart, and with a hum, the barrier securing the Enterprise was smoothly released.
In the bridge room.
Hawk called upon the intelligent program that had materialized with the Enterprise and was responsible for its operation.
"enterprise!"
"Sir."
"Quantum Asteroid Belt."
"Received. Plotting course. Course plotting successful."
"Depart."
"Understood!"
The Enterprise went to full power, and after leaving Xandar, it zipped into full-speed flight, rushing towards the final destination of this honeymoon trip, the Quantum Asteroid Belt.
The so-called Quantum Asteroid Belt, to put it simply, was the Universe's asteroid belt.
However, the asteroids here were in a quantum state. Simply put, you never knew where these asteroids would appear in the asteroid belt the next second.
In the Quantum Asteroid Belt, countless asteroids constantly disappeared and reappeared in a quantum state.
They darted around like wild horses.
Hawk didn't quite understand what was so appealing about it.
But Gwen said it was a place where one could observe quantum states with the naked eye, possessing an ineffable beauty.
Indeed.
Once a woman becomes pregnant, her aesthetic sense also changes.
Hawk thought to himself.
Just then.
The enterprise suddenly issued a warning, and the warning lights in the bridge began to flash...
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