Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Saving Private Drax
On Xandar, Alan approached Rocket Raccoon and Groot. The anger in Rocket's eyes made it clear he already saw Alan as an enemy.
Alan chuckled helplessly. "Rocket, no need to be so hot-tempered. I have a task for you. Help me complete it, and I'll give you the Orb."
He took out the Orb, tossing it lightly in his hand. The shift in Rocket's demeanor was obvious—the temptation of the Orb was undeniable.
Alan removed the restraints from Rocket and Groot's mouths. Immediately, Rocket started cursing loudly.
"Kid! I'm gonna rip your face off and shove that Orb down your throat! Let me go right now!"
Groot chimed in, "I am Groot!"
"Ha! Well said, Groot!"
Rocket clawed at the ropes binding him, simultaneously trying to divert Alan's attention. But Alan saw through his intentions easily.
"Don't even think about escaping. You two are the most formidable bounty hunters in the galaxy. Let's just call this a trade. Otherwise, I'll hand you over to the Nova Corps."
As Alan tightened their ropes, Rocket fell silent, deep in thought. Alan was right—tied up as they were, he could hand them over to the Nova Corps at any moment.
"Fine! What do you want? Spit it out!" Rocket growled.
Alan untied them, then gestured for Quill and Gamora to join him. As he looked at this half-formed Guardians of the Galaxy team, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
"There's a man named Drax in the prison on Xandar. I need you all to break him out."
Quill looked bewildered. He had come to Xandar expecting to make a simple trade, but now he was being roped into a prison break.
"Who's this Drax guy? Why is he so important?" Quill asked.
Alan glanced at the group and explained, "Only with Drax can you defeat Ronan. I suspect Ronan already knows the Orb is here on Xandar. If you don't act now, it'll be too late when he arrives."
Alan's words made the group tense. Rocket, driven by his desire for the Orb, was unwilling to let Ronan get his hands on it. Gamora, too, was resolute in keeping the Orb out of Thanos' grasp.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Quill suddenly raised his hand. "If Ronan's coming, why don't we just take off? Why risk going to prison to rescue someone?"
Rocket immediately burst into laughter. "Do you really think you can escape Ronan with the Orb? What an idiot!"
Quill turned to Gamora, hoping she'd back him up, but she simply chuckled and muttered, "Idiot."
Alan interjected, "Time's running out. Go rescue Drax from the prison. If Ronan shows up, I'll hold him off."
Reluctantly, the group turned to leave the ship. Rocket perched on Groot's shoulder, wielding a massive gun. Quill and Gamora followed suit.
(T/N: Ahh Right Groot was Big in the starting stages, xd Kinda forget heh~)
The prison on Xandar held criminals apprehended by the Nova Corps. It was a chaotic place where the worst of the worst were confined together.
Standing outside the prison, Quill and the others looked up. The facility resembled a fortified fortress—sealed and impenetrable. The main entrance was heavily guarded by the Nova Corps, making a frontal assault impossible.
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