Chapter 126: Xandar III
Rhomann's eyes narrowed slightly as he evaluated Dave's words. "That's reassuring, but we have protocols to follow. You'll need to register your presence and provide information about your activities while on Xandar."
Thor clapped a hand on the table, making the officers flinch. "Enough of this questioning! He's under my watch. You know who I am, and you know I wouldn't bring trouble to your planet unless absolutely necessary."
Rhomann hesitated, visibly conflicted, but eventually nodded. "Very well, but we'll be monitoring your activities while you're here. It's standard procedure for individuals with such power levels."
Dave nodded, his expression unreadable. "Fair enough. I understand your concerns."
With that, the meeting ended. As they were escorted back out, Natasha whispered to Diana, "Well, that could've gone worse."
Diana chuckled softly. "Let's hope they don't interfere too much with us."
As they stepped outside, the bustling streets of Xandar greeted them again. Thor turned to Dave, grinning. "Now that the formalities are over, how about we grab some of that famous Xandarian ale? You'll like it."
Dave smirked, adjusting his jacket. "Lead the way."
The group followed Thor through the lively streets, blending into the crowd while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
Rhomann walked deeper into the facility, stopping in front of a door and knocking lightly.
"Come in," a calm voice called from inside.
He entered the room, finding an older woman seated behind a sleek desk. Her monitors displayed live footage of Thor and Dave heading to a local drink shop, their casual demeanor almost masking their immense power.
"What do you think?" Nova Prime asked, her sharp eyes lifting from the screens to meet Rhomann's.
"They don't seem dangerous, but we can never be certain," Rhomann replied thoughtfully. "It would be wiser to maintain vigilance at all times."
Nova Prime nodded, her expression composed but serious. "Good. But ensure that we don't provoke them unnecessarily. We don't need to poke the hornet's nest."
"Understood," Rhomann said, bowing slightly before turning and leaving the room.
Meanwhile, back at the bustling drink shop, Thor laughed heartily as he slammed his tankard on the table.
"This place isn't too bad!" he exclaimed, gesturing to the bartender for another round. "Midgardian beer may have its charm, but Xandarian brews have a unique spark."
Dave sipped his drink more casually, his eyes scanning the room. "It's peaceful here. Almost makes you forget the chaos out there," he remarked, though his expression remained neutral. He was always on guard, even in moments like this.
Natasha leaned against the counter, swirling her drink as she observed the lively crowd. "Feels like the calm before the storm," she muttered to Diana, who nodded in agreement.
"Let's hope it stays calm," Diana replied, though the unease in her tone was evident. "But knowing our luck…"
Suddenly, Dave's haki pinged faintly in his mind—a warning signal. He subtly glanced toward the entrance, where two Nova Corps officers had entered, clearly scanning the room. They didn't appear hostile, but their presence was enough to confirm that the team was being monitored closely.
Thor, oblivious to the tension, raised his tankard. "To new adventures!" he declared, drawing a cheer from the patrons around him.
Dave smirked faintly but didn't raise his glass. Instead, he locked eyes with the Nova officers for a brief moment, silently conveying a message: I see you.
The officers shifted uneasily under his gaze but did nothing. They simply turned and left, likely reporting back to Nova Prime.
As the group finished their drinks, Dave stood. "Let's not overstay our welcome," he said, his tone calm but firm. "We've got a journey to continue."
Thor chuckled, slapping Dave on the back. "You're always so serious. But fine, let's move on. The forges of Nidavellir await!"
With that, the group made their way back to the ship, leaving the drink shop behind. Unbeknownst to them, Nova Prime was still monitoring their every move, her concern about the unpredictable nature of these powerful visitors growing with each passing moment.
Only when the ship left did she relaxed a she mumbled "I hope he never returns"
As the ship soared through space, Dave leaned back in his seat, deep in thought. The memory of the Xandar encounter had sparked something in him. The Power Stone... he murmured to himself, recalling the powerful artifact's presence. He quickly shifted his attention to the Asgardian pilots.
"Can you check if Planet Morag is on our way?" he asked, his voice calm but intent. "If not, how much of a detour would it be?"
The Asgardian pilot quickly accessed the coordinates, tapping the screen. "It's not a big detour, just a few space jumps."
Dave nodded. "Then go there first."
Thor, sitting across from Dave, looked up from his drink. "Wait, something there?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Dave glanced at him. "I overheard two people talking about a dead body of a Celestial located there. I have learned about them in your Library , just wanted to see one even if its a dead one," he said, as his eyes shifted toward the pilots.
Thor raised an eyebrow. "A Celestial body, huh?" he murmured, clearly intrigued. He stood up and gestured to the pilots. "Let's go then."
Dave nodded, agreeing with Thor's eagerness. "I also want to see how they look like," he added.
Natasha, who had been silent up until now, turned toward Thor with a raised brow. "What is a Celestial exactly?" she asked, curious but unsure.
Thor, leaning against the ship's console, looked at her with a smile. "Beings who create planets, stars, and galaxies," he explained. "They are older than time itself, and their power is immense."
Natasha's eyes widened as she processed the information. "So we're going to meet real gods?" she asked, her tone laced with awe and excitement.
Thor's grin grew wider. "You could say that," he replied. "But don't expect them to be like the Asgardians or even like me. Celestials are on another level entirely."
As the ship continued its journey, the crew fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The idea of encountering Celestials, beings of unimaginable power, both excited and worried them. They didn't know what they would find on Morag, but one thing was clear—it would be a momentous encounter.
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