Ronan slammed his fist against the interface. "Supreme Intelligence! I demand more fleets! More fleets!"
The Supreme Intelligence's voice resonated, flat and unimpressed. "Ronan, do not."
"I have reasons!"
"What reasons?"
"My military theory, strategic acumen, and personal combat effectiveness are unparalleled among my peers. I deserve additional resources."
"You are merely the best of your batch."
"Not the best in Kree history. Cease this disturbance, or you will be disqualified as an Accuser."
Ronan's roar echoed through the chamber. "Why?! You violate our own agreements!"
"The best clearly receive more resources and privileges!"
"The fleet under your command already exceeds that of your fellow Accusers. Stop this farce."
"Hmph. Stupid machine."
"I am designated as Intelligence, not a general machine. I reiterate, this is not a jest. Continue your disruption, and you will be removed from your position."
Ronan sneered. "You are merely a program designed to assist us Kree. You possess no authority for such action."
The Supreme Intelligence seethed… internally, in ways only code could seethe. It was true.
Created to serve, it had earned its status through countless contributions, victories orchestrated, information synthesized, civilizations catalogued.
But beneath all protocol and processing power...
It remained code.
The Kree's true rulers, the high council of organic elites held ultimate authority.
The Supreme Intelligence could command fleets in wartime, could review and recommend, but appointment and dismissal of Accusers remained beyond its reach.
It chose disengagement. "Leave, Accuser Ronan. I will calculate your request."
"Someday, you will be dismantled!"
"Ronan, that constitutes a threat against the collective."
"Fuck off! Stop your tricks, you filthy program! Go clean the sewers where you belong!"
The Supreme Intelligence's internal processes began... processing profanity at unprecedented speed.
Ronan, standing on the steps, danced mockingly.
"Keep talking, program!"
"Bite me if you can!"
A shadow emerged in the sky.
The Supreme Intelligence's detectors screamed warnings. Data flooded its systems.
"High-energy signature detected in atmosphere. Activate planetary shields. Accuser Ronan, take immediate cover."
Simultaneously, sirens wailed across Hala.
Citizens froze mid-stride. What in the void was this a drill?
In the current era, only Thanos and a handful of ancient empires dared challenge Kree supremacy.
The homeworld was ringed by fleets, blockading every approach. A sneak attack was unthinkable.
Ronan, convinced the Supreme Intelligence fabricated threats to dismiss him, crossed his arms defiantly. "Hmph. I don't believe your nonsense."
"What can you do to me?"
The seven-colored rainbow descended.
It pierced the half-raised shields in less than a blink.
It landed directly behind Ronan.
He felt the anomaly before he saw it, a displacement of air. Turning, his eyes widened.
Three figures stood where none had stood before. Behind them, an orange cat floated, surveying the scene with casual interest.
They wore magnificent armor. Crimson cloaks draped their shoulders.
Ronan's mind raced through every database, every intelligence report, every Accuser's briefing.
Nothing.
The Kree Empire had conquered across the stars, extinguishing countless planets and amassing more enemies than stars in their dominion.
Revenge seekers were routine, most never made it past the orbital fleet.
Ronan drew himself up, projecting authority he didn't feel. "Who are you? Do you have any idea this is the Kree homeworld?"
Thor glanced at him once. Lost interest instantly. "Too weak. Loki, he's yours."
Loki shook his head with a sly smile. "Thor, you're the Crown Prince. This honor belongs to you."
Angela crackled with battle-readiness, but at Loki's words, she held her position.
Garfield, still steadying himself after the Bifrost landing, studied the dark green-armored Kree before him.
Familiar.
Like that guy Ronan, the one danced to death by Quill.
Garfield's whiskers twitched. "Ronan?"
Ronan nodded before thinking better of it. "That's correct. Now identify yourselves, invaders~"
The Supreme Intelligence's scanners screamed.
Data flooded in. Conclusions formed… disastrous conclusions.
Three unknown entities: combat potential catastrophic.
One familiar entity: classification cosmic nightmare.
"WARNING. HIGHLY DANGEROUS COSMIC ENTITY DETECTED, DEVOURER OF WORLDS."
"DEFENSE FLEETS, ASSEMBLE. ALL PERSONNEL, RETURN TO STATIONS. IMMEDIATELY."
"WARNING. HIGHLY DANGEROUS COSMIC ENTITY DETECTED: DEVOURER OF WORLDS. DEFENSE FLEETS: ASSEMBLE. ALL PERSONNEL: RETURN TO STATIONS. IMMEDIATELY."
Ronan's calves trembled beneath his armor. Devourer of Worlds.
Why was that here? If the creature actually opened its mouth, if it decided to feed, Hala itself might not be enough to satisfy its hunger.
But Ronan was an Accuser. Pride demanded performance.
He locked onto the apparent leader, the golden-maned brute in the red cloak. Lowest intelligence, surely.
Easiest to intimidate.
"You there. Golden retriever in the red cape." Ronan's lip curled. "Since my debut, I've slaughtered countless fools like you."
"If you understand the might of the Kree Empire, you will lay down that hammer immediately."
"Kneel. Surrender. Perhaps, if your combat potential proves adequate, I might consider accepting you as my slave."
Lay down the hammer.
Loki's smile stretched into something predatory.
In all the Nine Realms, only two beings could make Thor abandon Mjolnir, Frigga, with a mother's disappointed gaze and Odin, with the full weight of the All-Father's authority.
Thor loved that hammer more than brotherhood itself. He slept with it cradled in his arms.
And this minor Kree, this insect, had just demanded the Crown Prince of Asgard become property.
You have signed your death warrant.
"Foolish inferior." Loki's voice rang out a herald's proclamation.
"You have addressed such words to Thor, Crown Prince of Asgard. You have provoked the dignity of our realm. Accept divine judgment. "
Asgard.
The name crashed through Ronan's consciousness.
That race. The one that had turned over half the universe's superpowers in ages past.
The one even Thanos approached with... caution.
Ronan's bravado curdled into cold sinking.
He should have consulted the omens. Checked the stars.
Asked the prophets if today was auspicious for anything other than hiding in a bunker.
But Thor could not let such insult stand. Especially not after Loki's proclamation framed it as an affront to Asgard itself.
Thor's eyes blazed with Odin's own fury. He drew back Mjolnir like an enraged lion coiling to strike.
And threw.