The core area of Knowhere was now dotted with dense clusters of skyscrapers, magnificent art centers, opulent entertainment venues, and dazzling, colorful lights that swayed, creating a dreamlike ambiance.
The most striking of all was a towering edifice, the tallest structure on Knowhere. Its shape resembled a half-unfurled sail, its entire body gleaming silver-white. The red-and-white umbrella logo hanging from its top floor was particularly attention-grabbing.
Compared to its previous labyrinthine architectural layout and chaotic, shadowy districts, present-day Knowhere could be said to be completely revitalized. The once filthy and disorderly lower-level mining zones and the mixed-up residential areas had undergone redesign and planning. This lawless land had not only regained order but also exuded a new vitality.
Sean stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the prosperous landscape beneath his feet. A year had passed since he took control of Knowhere.
Despite being in the cosmos, Sean still preferred to measure the flow of matter and the passage of all things using Earth's time units. Though, when viewed against the vast cosmic canvas, such measurements were riddled with uncertainties and lacked precision.
Minutes, seconds, hours, years... these units were merely human constructs, artificial concepts of time. Different civilizations defined them differently. The Nine Realms shared relatively similar scales, but in the boundless universe, there existed unique civilizations with entirely divergent notions of time, each with their own methods of external communication.
Knowhere did not decline even with the absence of the Tivan Group and Taneleer Tivan's departure. It went quiet for a while at first, but soon revived its former prosperity through open and unrestricted trade.
No one knew exactly what agreement the new master of Knowhere had reached with the Kree Empire's Accuser, Ronan. When the Collector left, many major forces were eager to swarm into this place. They were like sharks smelling blood, opening their maws wide, attempting to monopolize this feast of delicacies.
However, the Kree Necrocraft fleet forced those opportunists harboring dreams of vast profit to retreat with bitter reluctance.
Throughout this period, space pirates drawn by the commotion never ceased probing and harassing Knowhere, only to pay a heavy price.
Thanos's adopted daughter, Nebula, proved her worth to Sean. To this ruthless assassin, those vicious space pirates were nothing more than lambs for the slaughter.
After single-handedly destroying two small fleets and sowing chaos among the pirates, she brought some under formal control while the rest were wiped out by their former comrades...
"The casualty rate among the Freedmen is climbing, and the integrated pirates are growing restless. If you still don't plan to recall Ronan from the Kree Empire, Knowhere will soon become a wasteland," Nebula said gravely, stepping past the verification of the Red Queen.
Since joining Sean, Nebula had shown extraordinary capability... proof that the mad Titan's brutal training had not been in vain.
At the start, Sean had declared the liberation of Knowhere's mining slaves, designating them as Freedmen to serve as a viable force for defending Knowhere.
Nebula took charge of their training. Thanks to her, in less than half a year, these former bottom-tier slaves who were once only capable of robbery and extortion could now stand and fight space pirates head-on.
"The space pirates are encroaching on the surrounding star sectors, severely affecting Knowhere's normal operations. If this continues, the entire trade route will collapse," she warned.
"Ronan cannot reinforce Knowhere. He has rallied the Kree Empire's warlords, declaring rebellion against the Supreme Intelligence's rule, arguing that Kree should not submit to a mechanical will." Sean replied calmly, "Pressed by the pro-war voices within the Empire, the Kree Empire unilaterally tore up the peace treaty with Xandar. After the war began, Ronan withdrew all Necrocraft fleets. This was done with my permission. Otherwise, why do you think these space pirates suddenly regrouped? The Kree-Xandar war has shattered cosmic calm. More civilizations are plundering resources, eager to climb higher in the banquet of power... and to them, Knowhere is a sweet, massive cake."
His expression remained calm, betraying no anxiety.
Since taking control, he had never shown his face publicly. Nebula handled everything, leading many to initially believe Knowhere's new master was Thanos.
But that illusion was soon shattered. With the Black Order's disappearance and rumors of Thanos's possible death spreading ever wider.
"You're deliberately letting them think this cake is unguarded to lure them in..." Nebula's eyes flickered as she pieced together Sean's intent.
"How did the three great empires establish their dominance? How did Thanos build his fearsome reputation?" Sean asked, then answered himself: "Through repeated wars! No matter how civilizations differ across the universe, one thing remains largely the same: savage plunder and ruthless conquest are the fastest ways to establish authority. Friendly exchange can never yield true peace. I need a group to jump out first, to let those with ill intentions witness a bloody lesson with their own eyes."
Hearing Sean's explanation, Nebula felt relieved, 'No wonder he had first freed the slaves, then used freedom as bait to drive them to fight. Then he allowed Ronan to withdraw the Necrocraft fleet, leaving Knowhere isolated and vulnerable. The rise of any power must be paved with the fall of stars. Sean needs the universe to know that the Tivan Group was now Knowhere's past...'
"Chaos breeds opportunity," Sean said, waving his hand. A massive holographic projection filled the air, mapping the power distribution of this grand cosmic era.
The vast universe was far from peaceful. War had reignited between the Kree Empire and Xandar, engulfing countless planets in massive conflict. Even the self-proclaimed cosmic police, the Nova Corps, could not remain neutral.
The seemingly stable Shi'ar Empire and the low-profile Skrull Empire churned with undercurrents, internal strife and external clashes unending.
Apart from these powerful titans standing atop the galactic hierarchy, there were also the aloof Elders of the Universe, the Watcher civilization that never interfered in any affairs, and secretive organizations lurking in the shadows.
For nascent forces like Earth, seeking a higher place meant either surviving in the cracks, or seizing chaos as a ladder.
"Don't worry," Sean said, his gaze fixed on the vast universe, eyes gleaming with anticipation, "An army will soon arrive at Knowhere."
...
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