Peter's remark, "Just a mere Ronan," was like dropping a stone into a boiling pot of oil.
The entire war room fell deathly silent for a moment, and then it completely exploded.
"Mere? And 'just'?"
A Centurion of the Nova Corps, his face turning the color of pig liver from a mix of rage and fear, pointed at the dark aster on the screen—which was radiating an ominous aura—his voice cracking with agitation.
"Look closely! That is the dark aster! Even before he got the Power Stone, there were few beings in the entire Milky Way Galaxy who could stop him!
Not to mention that he and his dark aster are now augmented by the Power Stone!"
Another Centurion couldn't help but clutch his head and howl in misery:
"We're finished! Xandar is about to become the next Planet he destroys!"
With these two setting the tone, the morale in the war room plummeted instantly.
Some were even contacting their families, thinking about how to flee!
"Hmph!"
Seeing their scattered and disorganized state, Sif couldn't help but let out a cold sneer.
"I thought the Nova Corps was something special, but I didn't expect a bunch of cowards like this!"
"What did you say?!" A Centurion glared at Sif.
"What, am I wrong?" Sif slammed the table imperiously.
"Asgardians do not engage in infighting when faced with a great enemy, and certainly don't focus all their thoughts on how to run away! Our Peter would never hide like you cowards!"
Hearing this, the Centurions' faces turned beet red, and many even drew their energy weapons, ready to fight Sif to the death.
"Enough!" At this point, let alone Sif, even Irani, the Nova Prime, couldn't stand it anymore.
Though her face was also slightly pale, her years of leadership allowed her to force herself to remain calm.
"This Asgardian lady is right. Facing Ronan, we have no path of retreat! The only thing we can do now is give it our all and fight to the last moment for all Xandarians."
Speaking to this point, she took a deep breath and turned her gaze toward Yondu.
"Captain Yondu, we are all in the same boat now. I need the help of you and your Raiders."
Yondu whistled, and that lethal Yaka Arrow hovered by his lips. He tilted his head, looking at Irani Rhom with a roguish expression.
"Helping is no problem, of course, but you know, the price for us to risk our lives isn't cheap."
"If you survive, you can name your price from Xandar's treasury!" Irani Rhom said through gritted teeth.
"Deal!" Yondu grinned and then roared at his subordinates, "Did you hear that! Get to work, boys! For the money!"
"For the money!" The Raiders' morale soared instantly.
"Mr. Peter!" Then, Irani turned to look at Peter. After a moment of hesitation, under the incredulous gazes of countless commanders, she bowed deeply to him.
"This incident itself has nothing to do with you, and I have no reason to force you to fight alongside us, but if you are willing to contribute your strength to this war..."
"You can set the same conditions as Captain Yondu. Furthermore, if we are truly fortunate enough to deal with Ronan, Xandar will become Earth's staunchest ally in the Universe from now on."
Noticing Irani's attitude, Peter couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. He raised his wine glass and gave her a remote toast.
"For your sake, I will provide necessary assistance to Xandar at the critical moment."
His demeanor made the Centurions who were already doubting him gnash their teeth.
But under pressure from Irani, they could only swallow their sarcastic remarks.
With Irani's mobilization, an alliance was barely formed, and she immediately began to command.
"All starfighters, take off immediately! Form a defensive line!"
"Activate the 'Star Net' defense system! Boost it directly to the maximum energy level!"
With Irani Rhom's order, Xandar's defense system was fully activated.
Thousands of Nova Starfighters rose from all over the city like a golden swarm of bees, merging with Yondu's scarred 'Eclector' and his Raiders' ships to form the final defensive line protecting Xandar.
In the sky, the dark aster was drawing closer. The shadow cast by its massive hull almost covered half of Xandar.
"Fire!" Rhomann Dey roared the command.
In an instant, ten thousand cannons fired at once!
Golden and red energy beams poured onto the dark aster's surface shields like a rainstorm, exploding into brilliant but powerless ripples of energy.
That purple shield only flickered a few times before showing no further reaction.
"It's no use! Our attacks can't penetrate his shields at all!" a pilot shouted in despair.
"'Star Net' is attempting to connect... connection failed! The opponent's energy level is too high; our systems are being completely suppressed!" The technician's report caused the temperature in the war room to drop to freezing.
"Breaking through the dark aster's defensive field is simply impossible. Even if we pour in all our output, we can only briefly tear a tiny crack."
This was the power of the Power Stone. Even the mere overflow of its energy augmentation was enough to completely paralyze the defense system that an interstellar civilization took pride in.
"Let us try!"
Seeing that the moment to risk everything had arrived, Star-Lord and the others finally stepped forward.
"This matter started because of us, and we should be responsible for it. Let us charge in; maybe we can find an opportunity to take back the Power Stone."
Hearing this, both Yondu and Irani subconsciously turned their gazes toward Star-Lord and the others.
This seemed to be the only method they could attempt.
Only... letting this bunch of unreliable fellows go against Ronan, what were the chances of success?
Just as everyone was hesitating about whether to let Star-Lord and the others go to their deaths, Peter, who had been sitting aside watching the show, finally moved.
"Save the sentimental drama. Things haven't developed to that point yet!"
While speaking, Peter stretched and stood up.
A light as brilliant as the stars visibly lit up on his body.
In the next second, he transformed into a streak of light and charged directly out of the war room.
Without any protective suit or weapons, he was all alone, charging toward the massive dark aster like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
"Is he crazy?!" Star-Lord's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"That idiot! Is he going to his death!" Rocket shouted, crossing his arms in disbelief.
Rhomann Dey, Irani Rhom, and the others looked even more ashen. In their view, Peter's action was no different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot—the most pointless sacrifice in this disaster.
Only Sif, with her arms crossed, watched the screen leisurely, a playful smile playing on the corners of her mouth.
The show has begun.
***************************
Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌