Several hours later in FTL travel the Guardians of theGalaxy flew through the gaping eye entrance to Knowhere, the moon sized skullof a long dead titan. Inside the skull was a makeshift geosphere with a city’sworth of people living off its scrapped smooth surface mining organic materialand minerals. Landing their ship at the space port the crew trudged off theirship and skulked back to their living quarters down the road… On Earth it wouldhave looked just like a slum apartment.
Opening the door and crashing back into a chair by thecorner of the living room Peter Quill groaned in disappointment, the rest ofthe Guardians feeling no different at the loss of potential credits.
“Five million… An intergalactic crime boss worth fivemillion just HAD to blow himself up like a frog gulping a cherry bomb theinstant we find him.” Wiping a gloved hand over his face he looked over to findGroot dunking his head in the sink for water and Mantis looking through thefridge, giving the human a sad look when she lifted two empty booze bottles forthe man to see. “Karma is a bitch on PMS!”
Closing the door behind him Rocket tossed his gun on thefloor and a small back pack on the table in the main room opening it up to revealgems and mangled bits of gold. “The bounty was a bust but I’m sure the blingthis guy died with is worth a few credits.”
“Where the hell did you find all that stuff?!”
“The jerk was wearing it, heck half of this stuff was aroundhis neck, I’m surprised he could even breathe.”
A smile returning to Peter’s face he whistled for the restof the Guardians to come around. “Guess what guys, Rocket got us a consolationprize!” Rubbing his hands together Star Lord gathered up the ruined jewelry andmade for the door. “Let’s head to the Nova Core and see what we can get for itall, who knows maybe they’ll give a bonus for the loser being dead!”
“I AM GROOT!”
“That’s what I like to hear! Come on guys, there’s money tobe made.”
Running out the door Mantis stopped briefly to see Gamoralaying on the couch looking worse for wear. “Feeling OK Gamora? Aren’t youcoming?”
“No, I think I’ll stay here… Ugh… The Collector shouldsanitize his museums more often.”
“Alright, I’ll tell the others.” Racing to the door to catchup the green skinned woman waved farewell before closing the door. “Get wellsoon.”
Hearing the door close Gamora turned around until her backwas to the door, her eyes feeling heavy and sleep claiming her then and there.
***
Flying out into space and heading towards Nova Prime theGuardians of the Galaxy were already making plans on their potential score,with Groot sprouting extra fingers to count from and Rocket trying to polishoff the dirt and burn marks from the gems.
“Too bad Gamora can’t come.”
“Yeah, hey at least she’ll get a cut when we get back, untilthen I see a long happy few days… Or weeks at beach planet to celebrate.”
“And they better have stiff drinks too!”
“Now THAT’s a plan.” Increasing the ship’s speed theGuardians of the Galaxy left Knowhere’s perimeter and into deep space.
***
Back on Knowhere Gamora moaned and tossed in her sleep, herface flush and feverish. Rolling onto her side her skin squirmed, almost likethere were worms underneath her cloths. With a gasp of air her skin eruptedwith writhing tentacles, wrapping her and the coach she slept on until she hadbecome enveloped in a fleshy cocoon. Still pulsing with life and taking up alarge corner of the room Gamora’s chrysalis continued o latch here and therewith stray tentacles to anchor her to the spot for safety, all the while insideshe dreamt and changed.