In the grand cosmic backdrop, information transmission had long entered a new era of quantum communication. Unlike the early colonial age marked by civilizational isolation, where communication was nearly impossible, information could now traverse half a galaxy in the blink of an eye...
The rise of colonial expansion, driven by savagery and plunder, had paradoxically accelerated cultural and technological exchange among civilizations, gradually ushering in an age of racial and cultural integration.
The battle at Knowhere had drawn the watchful eyes of numerous major powers. Ever since the Kree Empire tore up its peace accord with Xandar, and Ronan rallied warlords to prepare a military coup aimed at overthrowing the long-standing rule of the Supreme Intelligence, the brief tranquility spanning the cosmos had been utterly shattered.
Like a stone cast into still water, chaos would inevitably stir towering waves. As a thriving trade hub and spaceport, Knowhere's strategic significance and importance were beyond question, naturally rendering it a delectable slice of cake in the eyes of countless civilizations.
United solely by greed and profit, the space pirates had managed to assemble fleets. Armed with cutting-edge weaponry, their consolidated forces swiftly seized control of the star systems surrounding Knowhere.
Such coordination did not arise spontaneously. Unseen hands undoubtedly operated from the shadows. The ferocious pirates were merely blades. The hand gripping them remained concealed behind a veil of darkness.
Having seized Knowhere, Sean had long anticipated finding himself surrounded by hungry wolves. Yet possessing five Infinity Stones, he no longer needed to fear any formidable power.
There was no such thing as a free lunch without cost... a truth that held equally true across the boundless cosmos.
Sean coveted Knowhere's immense wealth and extraordinary developmental potential, intending to forge it into a bridgehead for Earth's advance into the stellar ocean.
He could see Knowhere's promising future, and so could others. Especially after the Accuser withdrew the Sakaaran fleet to devote himself fully to the Kree Empire's uprising... {T/N: FYI, Necrocrafts are the ships used by the Sakaarans, an alien race under the authority of Ronan the Accuser...}
With both the Tivan Group and the Kree Accuser gone, and lacking sufficient backing or powerful protectors, the Celestial skull began to emit an irresistibly tantalizing scent, drawing packs of ravenous hyenas and jackals eager to pounce.
To Sean, this grand cosmic age of coexisting danger and opportunity resembled a thrilling, novel game.
He deliberately remained hidden, placing Nebula at the forefront to lure out swarming space pirates, a move that intentionally created an excellent opportunity to train Earth's coalition forces.
Everything proceeded smoothly according to plan. Earth emerged victorious, forcefully thrusting itself into the awareness of civilizations across the universe...
Arriving at the top floor of the Umbrella Tower, Nebula said, "Your people have already taken over Knowhere's development operations. What should I do next?"
She now appeared transformed. Reforged by Skynet, her cybernetic body appeared far more formidable.
Her skin gleamed with a silvery sheen, reflecting a cold luster. The outer shell, forged from vibranium alloy, blended feminine curves with terrifying explosive potential.
This was Sean's reward; a mechanical chassis crafted from Umbrella's most advanced biological programs combined with the latest vibranium technology.
Upon awakening to her new form, Nebula had been genuinely astonished. The sensation of evolving again was intoxicating. She could intuitively sense that this vibranium-forged body far surpassed her previous one.
Flowing through her veins was no longer viscous blood, but mercury-like liquid metal. Her heart functioned like a warship's engine, capable of unleashing a roaring torrent of raw power at a moment's notice.
Nebula clenched her fist, feeling the boundless power permeating every inch of her frame. Toward Sean standing before her, a genuine sense of reverence arose within her.
"This war should have made it clear to those with ill intentions that Knowhere is not a piece of meat for them to covet," Sean said, gazing out the window at the bustling activity below, a faint smile on his lips.
After the war's conclusion, with space pirates no longer prowling trade routes to harass merchant convoys, and with Earth's coalition forces gradually strengthening control over surrounding star systems, Knowhere steadily regained its former prosperity.
Following comprehensive re-planning and renewed investment, Knowhere had been divided into three major sectors: the spaceport handling trade and transport, teeming daily with ceaseless traffic; the densely populated slave market; and meticulously crafted commercial centers such as auction houses and entertainment complexes.
In Sean's words, the goal was to satisfy every client's desire. Whether legitimate merchant fleets or illicit smugglers and raiders, all could find what they sought in Knowhere and enjoy luxurious, pleasurable experiences.
Of course, the prerequisite was that they had to abide by the rules of Knowhere, in other words, Sean's will.
"Gamora is your next mission," Sean said, turning to face Nebula, "She knows the location of the final Stone. According to intelligence I've received, she has joined forces with Star-Lord, Peter Quill. I've made contact with Yondu Udonta of the Ravagers, you may cooperate with him."
Complex emotions flickered within Nebula's electronic eyes. She stood motionless for a moment before slowly nodding.
Gamora was her sister, not by blood, but as fellow adoptees of Thanos. They had grown up together, maintaining a subtle, intricate bond.
Nebula had once believed she harbored only hatred toward Gamora. After all, each time she lost in their forced competitions, Thanos would punish her by replacing parts of her body.
That process had been excruciating, so much so that Nebula refused to recall it.
"I will bring her back," she said coldly.
She had already witnessed Sean's overwhelming power firsthand. The sight of him crushing the pirates' fleeing fleet barehanded had stunned every hidden observer, even drawing astonishment from the three great empires.
During her time as his subordinate, Nebula had gradually grasped his character. Unlike Thanos, who conquered through relentless plunder and bloodshed, Sean preferred to sit at the table, enjoying the game within the rules he himself set, yet was always ready to flip the board.
"When you return, Knowhere will look entirely different." Sean waved dismissively, signaling her to leave at her discretion.
Leaning over the table, he projected a crystal-clear hologram constructing Knowhere's model. The Celestial skull, equivalent to a small planet, would undergo continuous expansion in the future.
After careful deliberation, Umbrella Corporation had prepared a detailed proposal for this monumental project. It would soon be set in motion.
As tensions escalated between the Kree Empire and Xandar, population influx into Knowhere had already begun showing sharp growth. Sean needed to prepare accordingly.
His fingers tapped lightly, the air shimmered, revealing a wide-area star chart depicting a complex, precise coordinate system, with countless points of light glittering like stars.
Sean raised a finger, tracing a path beginning from Earth, sweeping past the Moon, then through the interconnected Nine Realms, all the way to Knowhere.
A clear line of expansion stretching across the galaxy materialized vividly before his eyes...
...
Read the remaining chapters ahead of schedule here: [email protected]/matengelem01