Heroes Assemble!

We Could Really Jack Up Our Prices!

Xandar. A multicultural, multi-species planet of renown, but then, how could it not be, being the centre and capital of the Nova Empire. People from all over came here for trade and commerce, art, science and medical marvels. The only thing that really marred the planet were the rebuilding efforts that were still happening in the capital after the events of the year previous.

It was those events that had brought Thor here. Xandar had been 'visited' by Ronan the Accuser, a Kree fanatic, intent on destroying Xandar for the slights to his race over the decades. The fact that the Nova Empire and the Kree Empire had signed a peace treaty wasn't even considered of importance in Ronan's mind.

The fact that Ronan had in his possession on of the Six Infinity Stones, the Power Stone to be precise, was what had made the encounter so desperate. Touching the Power Stone to the surface of any planet would render it barren, devoid of any and all organic life and it was this that Ronan was intent on doing to Xandar.

Not even the might of the elite Nova Corps was enough to stop Ronan. In fact, they'd had some assistance, first in the way of a warning of the imminent threat and then in actuality by a crew of Ravagers. Together, they'd saved the planet, in the process bringing down Ronan's ship, the Dark Aster onto the capital city.

Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to get the job done and a new group who called themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, had needed to finish of Ronan. The stories that Thor had heard of the battle all finished in the same way – one of these Guardians was able to hold the Infinity Stone in his bare hand, a feat previously thought impossible.

Thus, Thor had spent the last handful of days waiting on Xandar, waiting for the Guardians to arrive so that he could speak to them, to find out what they knew about the Stones.

"Thor Odinson, your presence is requested at Nova Headquarters," a purple-skinned Xandarian informed him over the comm system.

"My thanks, I will be there soon," Thor replied.

Closing the connection, Thor strode from the room that he was staying in and out into the bright morning light of the twin suns.

He was met at the entrance of the Headquarters by one of the Nova guardsmen, a man who could pass as an Asgardian or even as one from Midgard.

"Mister Odinson? My name is Denarian Dey, I'll be escorting you today," the guardsman said.

"My thanks," Thor replied, inclining his head.

"What do you know of the Guardians?" Dey asked as they walked.

"Very little beyond the stories," Thor admitted.

"Then can I give you a piece of advice?" Day asked. At Thor's nod, he continued. "These guys are a little ... eccentric. Don't take everything that they say at face value. Basically, they're criminals – with their records expunged, mind you – but they're good guys. In general. And, if it means anything, I think that they've been trying to make amends for their past deeds."

"All any of us can do is our best with what we have going forward," Thor replied. "I'm sure that there are things in all of our pasts that we are not proud of."

Dey looked at him.

"That's the thing. These guys may have turned over a new 'leaf', but I don't actually think that they're regretting much that got them where they are today," he said.

Thor simply nodded. To be honest, he wasn't interested in the past of the Guardians beyond what they could tell him of the Stones.

Dey stopped beside a door and opened it, gesturing Thor to enter first.