Ronan

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Rocket stood with his arms folded, a smug grin on his face. "Yeah, it's flat wading!" he declared confidently.

Gamora eyed him, her doubt slowly giving way to cautious belief. Rocket's confidence, combined with Star-Lord's wild ideas, made it seem like escape might actually be possible.

But what Rocket said next took her by surprise.

Turning to Star-Lord, Rocket added, "Once we're out, though, I'm handing you over to Yondu. Gotta get my bonus back."

Star-Lord barely reacted. Rocket's harsh words didn't seem to register. Instead, he turned to Gamora and asked, "How much is your buyer offering for the orb?"

Gamora hesitated for a moment, then said, "Four billion units."

"What?!"

"Oh my god!"

Both Star-Lord and Rocket were floored by the number.

Gamora continued, her voice steady. "This orb is my only ticket out from under Thanos and Ronan."

She looked directly at Star-Lord, then turned slightly and said, "If we get out, I'll take you to the buyer myself. We split the bounty three ways."

The offer was too good to ignore. Star-Lord and Rocket were about to agree when a voice came from the side.

"I am Groot!"

They turned and saw Groot standing inside the adjacent cell, staring at them through the bars.

Rocket rolled his eyes. "He said four! He wants a cut too."

He muttered under his breath, "Pretends to sleep when there's danger, but shows up the second money's involved. Stubborn tree."

Groot scowled and let out a snort of disapproval at Rocket's complaint.

**Xandar.**

Meanwhile, on Xandar, Tony and the others had been busy. They had already picked out several advanced tech items and were still browsing excitedly.

Li Heng watched their enthusiasm with quiet approval. He knew they weren't doing this for themselves—they were thinking of Earth's future.

So he accompanied them, planning to pay when they finished shopping.

Speaking of paying, Li Heng already had someone in mind to foot the bill. That person wasn't on Xandar yet—but he would be soon.

Elsewhere, on his ship, Ronan received an unexpected transmission.

"You've been sold, Ronan."

Ronan stared at the hooded figure on the screen. Only the man's chin was visible, but the words struck hard.

"Gamora was just captured," Ronan said defensively. "She might not have found the orb yet."

At the mention of Gamora, Nebula lowered her head silently.

The figure on the screen replied, "No. My informants at the Kyln say she's planning something else. Your alliance with Thanos is in danger. He wants to see you. Now."

The screen went dark.

Ronan stood silently, troubled.

**The Sanctuary – Thanos' Domain.**

"You summon me because your daughter made a mistake?" Ronan growled as he stood before Thanos, who sat in shadow with his back turned.

"Watch your tone, Accuser," one of Thanos' aides warned sharply.

But Ronan didn't back down. He glared forward, listing Gamora's failures.

"She lost to barbarians. Then the Nova Corps captured her."

"You haven't exactly delivered results either," Thanos' aide shot back.

"And your informant says she's planning to betray us," Ronan snapped.

"Lower your voice, or I'll—"

Before the aide could finish, Ronan struck him down with a swift, brutal blow.

The sudden violence startled Nebula. She looked up, shocked that Ronan had dared such an act in Thanos' presence.

Ronan returned his gaze to Thanos. "All I ask is that you deal with this properly."

Finally, Thanos turned his chair and faced him.

"The only thing I haven't handled properly is you."

His voice was cold and thunderous.

"Your childish nonsense has separated me from Gamora, my favorite daughter."

At those words, Nebula looked down again, visibly shaken. Gamora—his favorite.

"I will honor our agreement, Kree. But I want the orb first."

Thanos leaned forward.

"If you come empty-handed again... I will decorate the walls with your blood."

The threat hung in the air. Ronan clenched his jaw.

Nebula stepped forward. "Thank you, Father. That sounds fair."

As she passed Ronan, she added quietly, "You can't win this on your own. Let's go to the Kyln together."

Ronan turned, glancing once more at Thanos, as if trying to burn the image of the mighty warlord into his memory.

Then he followed Nebula back to his ship.

Orders were given. The crew prepared. Their destination: the Kyln.

Thanos remained seated, watching the monitor.

Ronan hadn't dared defy him.

Satisfied, Thanos smiled faintly and leaned back, already envisioning the moment he would finally hold the orb in his grasp.

He had no doubts. Ronan would retrieve it.

And nothing would stop him.

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