The chaos in Knowhere had subsided. At Sean's covert instruction, Ronan's fleet had withdrawn from the spaceport and was now patrolling the surrounding star systems.
With the Kree gone, the coalition of armed forces that had risen in resistance found no reason to continue fighting. So they disbanded and went their separate ways in groups after confirming it wasn't a sinister plot orchestrated by the Kree.
Peter Quill, who had initially hoped to make a fortune, evaded Yondu's Ravagers and set off on another escape with Gamora. Rocket Raccoon, meanwhile, found Groot dragging the unconscious Drax out of a chemical vat.
This group, which, in another timeline, was destined to become the Guardians of the Galaxy and save Xandar, had not come together here. Their fates had diverged...
...
On the top floor of one of the Tivan Group's complex buildings, Sean sat leisurely in his seat. Across from him was a rather disheveled Taneleer Tivan, the famed Collector.
"Greetings, esteemed Collector. My apologies for this rather abrupt way of meeting you," Sean said, leaned back against the plush semicircular sofa.
Soft carpet lay beneath his feet, bright light filled the room, and every detail of the décor radiated luxury.
This was the private area of the Tivan Group, which originally belong solely to Tivan, now boldly occupied by this young man.
Standing behind the sofa was a blue-skinned bald woman. The extensive metal components covering large areas of her body indicated she had undergone multiple cybernetic augmentations.
Tivan recognized her... she was Nebula, a Luphomoid from planet Luphom, which had been consumed by Galactus. Like Gamora, she was also the Mad Titan's adopted daughter.
It was said that from a young age, she had been cruelly trained by the Mad Titan into a killing machine, her hands stained with blood and sin, instilling fear even in the most notorious space pirates. Along with Gamora, she was known as one of the most dangerous women in the universe.
"Your way of inviting me is certainly unique..." Tivan said with an awkward laugh. His robe cloak was marred with scorch marks, and his disheveled white hair had completely stripped away his usual air of elegance.
Recalling the recent events, a look of lingering fear crossed his face. Despite his long lifespan, being the target of a long-range strike that obliterated his starship, only to be forcibly dragged back to Knowhere from a nebula cloud, was a first for him.
"Are you... the Terran who made Thanos retreat in defeat?" Tivan asked, his eyes darting around.
As the master of the Tivan Group commanding a vast information network like Knowhere, a little thought was all it took for him to guess Sean's true identity.
"I had thought that news was merely a rumor spread by interested parties. Thanos, a dominant power in the universe, has never known defeat..." The Collector adopted an earnest expression.
'No wonder that mad Titan's daughter is by his side, and why Ronan had obediently left Knowhere...' he thought, 'It seems this young man possesses strength comparable to Thanos. Since when did Terrans have such powerhouses?'
Within the galaxy, the only civilization that left an impression on him was Asgard. After all, Odin's conquest of the Nine Realms, the invincible Death goddess Hela, and the extraordinarily valiant Valkyrior, had all left a deep mark on the Collector.
"Nebula once doubted it too, just like you. She believed Thanos was unbeatable..." Sean smiled faintly as he looked at the contemplative Collector, speaking softly, "Until I showed her this."
A gleaming golden gauntlet materialized out of thin air, resting on Sean's right hand. It was adorned with five Infinity Stones of different colors which sparkled like stars.
The Collector's expression changed abruptly, his previously comical and obsequious look instantly replaced by one of sheer shock.
"The Infinity Stones! And five of them?!" His tone, filled with utter disbelief, betrayed his deep shock.
Tivan was well aware that Thanos sought the six gems and had even forged a gauntlet as an energy conduit for them. So, when the Collector had wanted to acquire the Orb, he had considered the risks involved, but ultimately, his personal obsession had prevailed.
As a member of the ancient race known as the Elders of the Universe with a life of immense longevity, time was not something to be treasured... on the contrary, it was inconsequential.
To stave off the madness born of endless aeons of solitude, Tivan had chosen to collect rare artifacts. His brother, the Grandmaster, was obsessed with contests and gambling.
Both were peculiar beings who treated their hobbies as their very reason for existence...
"Space, Mind, Reality, Time, Power..." The Collector's breathing grew heavy as he enumerated them one by one, his eyes filled with the radiant glow emanating from the Infinity Stones.
In a daze, he even reached out involuntarily, drawn to touch that dreamlike brilliance.
A burst of intense purple light suddenly flashed, and a powerful burst of force sent him tumbling backward.
"My apologies. This is private property," Sean said with a smile, watching the rather disheveled Collector tumble across the floor. He added, "I wish to discuss a transaction with you."
"A transaction?" Tivan shook out his robes, appearing completely unashamed. His eyes were only for the Infinity Stones, "I could give you the entire Tivan Group, everything I possess, as long as–"
The famously avid Collector stared fixedly at the Infinity Gauntlet, his gaze fervent, betraying a tightly reined-in greed.
"Do you think that's possible?" Sean tilted, a hint of amusement in his tone.
The Infinity Stones were the most precious artifacts in this universe... They were symbols of supreme power. Not even if the Collector offered everything he had, nor if the three great empires combined their wealth, could they match their worth.
"Forgive my bluntness, but aside from the Infinity Stones, you have nothing of significant value," Tivan said, his head lowered in dejection.
His heart was restless with desire to seize the golden gauntlet, but as the Collector, he understood better than anyone the terrifying power wielded by someone who could casually bare the strain of five Infinity Stones.
"Sometimes, power itself is a bargaining chip," Sean said seriously, his gaze steady on the dumbfounded Elder.
He intended to forge Knowhere into Earth's forward outpost. Coupled with the Nine Realms forming a unified defensive line, it would create a complete strategic springboard.
"I have a Kree Empire Necrocraft fleet under my command, an assassin trained by Thanos, and an Infinity Gauntlet capable of sweeping aside the combined fleets of the three great empires..." Sean sat upright on the sofa, his expression calm, his tone carrying an unyielding firmness, "I believe there is still room for cooperation between us."
The golden glove on his hand flickered with a cold light...
...
{T/N: As of today, I've finally completed translating this fanfic back on Patre0n... You can read the remaining 41 chapters ahead of schedule here: [email protected]/MayaMatengele01 }