22 Future Warbound

It was quiet, all those who sat within the cramped confines of our shared cell said nothing as they looked around at everyone warily. The only thing that disturbed the peace was the moment a robot pushed two trays filled with food through the bars of our cell. They were large and brimming, but hardly enough for everyone here and no one made a move for it.

Everyone just looked to those around them, wondering who would make a move for the food first. Many looking to me, considering I was sat closest to it. But I wasn't stupid enough to make the first move, it would mean leaving my back exposed to an attack from behind.

Nor would I go last either.

Yet before anyone could make a move, Miek was suddenly shocked with a powerful electric shock courtesy of the disk planted upon his chest. "Watch it!" The red-skinned woman, Elloe Kaifi recoiled away from him in order to try and avoid the whips of electricity that sparked off of Miek's body.

On Miek's other side, the lone surviving Brood spoke up mockingly. "If none of us can pull it off, what makes you think you can?" Not completely true, after all, I hadn't even attempted to remove it. Though considering Korg had failed and I'm pretty sure that as I was now, he was stronger than me, it meant I wouldn't have much success either. But if I remember correctly, the Silver Surfer used an energy attack to destroy it and my heat vision might be able to do something. "You won't last long will you, ting bug?

"Please go minding your own business." Miek responded and I'll give him this, he certainly isn't afraid though that might have something to do with the disks we wear. They keep us in line, including stopping us from fighting amongst ourselves. All in all, Miek is a guy that despite being cowardly, knows when to pick a fight and that's a useful thing to have. He's a guy that will only pick a fight when he's sure of victory, something which I didn't do in the first place and would need in the future.

"All alone, no more hivemates to protect you. So sad, so sad." Many around the room turned their attention away from the food and towards the two arguing bugs. It was perhaps the only thing of interest right now and it took many away from the food and what their impending fate would hold.

"Never having hive. Never needing one. But you, I'm smelling it. Calling out for your sisters. But no answering. They're being dead." Miek smiled, showing a little vicious side that I hadn't expected from him. "You're the one who won't be lasting."

That struck a nerve, the Brood baring its teeth and rushing forwards, fully intending to feast upon Miek. Yet my gaze turned towards Korg who moments later, gripped hold of the Brood's neck in one hand, just like I had expected. He possessed a glare upon his stone face, not one of anger but one more of frustration as he kept a tight grip upon the Brood's neck. Not enough to kill it, but more than enough to make it very aware that Korg could crush it should he desire.

"I am Korg. I could crush any one of you." That last part was directed to everyone as he made sure his gaze stopped on each and every one of us and I withheld the urge to roll my eyes. As true as it might be, it was such a boring and cringe statement. "But if I did, we'll be one man short tomorrow. And then we all might die. Like it or not, we're depending upon each other. So let's talk. Names and skills."

Miek, ever the opportunist and master of survival instantly latched himself upon what he deemed to be the strongest. First, it had been me and now it was Korg.

"I-I being Miek. Unhived and not caring. Skills? Four hand fighting, stealing, hiding, skulking. What about you four hand?"

The Brood took a moment after its throat was released, calming back down from its earlier rage towards Miek. "I am Brood, from Broodworld." Did Brood's have a name or were they all just called Brood? I honestly couldn't say. "Which is no more. No queen, no sisters, no name. You've seen what I can do."

Ah, so it wasn't that it didn't have a name, but more that it had abandoned its name. Though I was curious, were the Brood already dead, had someone finished them off? If so that was good news for me, one less threat to deal with in the future. But at the same time, I had to wonder as to where about in the Marvel timeline I was. I knew that in DC I was but only a year after the destruction of Krypton, which put me many years before the formation of the Justice League.

I also knew that Planet Hulk took place in response to the events of the Civil War, removing Hulk from the picture to ensure that he couldn't be a threat to Earth. Though I knew that it was more because the writers didn't want to include him in the story because it would make things too unfair, same with Thor. So that also meant Thor was going through the events of Ragnarök.

Not a good thing for me, that meant Rune King Thor would be out there. Even when he goes to sleep, there's a possibility he could return and that also meant that the events of Cosmic King Thor were just around the corner.

A very worrying thought for sure.

Not exactly something I wanted to deal with, I'd have to think upon that further. Especially considering that Hulk wasn't here and that meant it was possible that the timeline of Marvel had become even more messed up in this world.

After that came the introduction of the Unbound Shadow, Hiroim the Oldstrong. Then there was the only remaining red-skinned Sakaaran, Lavin Skee and the woman, Elloe Kaifi. Not much was interesting about then, other than the fact that Lavin was the Imperial Guard of the senator killed first as an example, Elloe being the daughter of said senator.

As for Hiroim, well he was a priest who had made a vow of silence. So not much to go off from that. Didn't need to know much else than that, I already had information on them in my mind.

"My name is Tah. I was a former commander of the Spear of Rao and leading figure of the Kryptonian Military Guild." I spoke up, Korg looking to me with renewed interest and it wasn't difficult to know why. Most of my conflict was focused upon the Vrangs, however, Zod had overseen a few conflicts with other forces that entered Kryptonian Space uninvited.

The Kronans had been one such group though they had only come once and had never been seen again. Zod had dealt them a crushing blow, using the advanced technology we possessed to crush them in one fell swoop with only minimal casualties on our side. The same could not be said for the losses suffered by the Kronans.

"I have training in close-quarters combat and a great deal of combat experience." Simple and straight to the point, no embellishment or sob story. None of them asked for more either. After all, we were all very aware of what the future could hold and one day, we may very well end up facing each other in the future. Right now we would need to rely on one another, but being friends was not necessary or desired.

Allies of circumstance.

Nothing more and nothing less.

-X- Line Break -X-

I knew what today held, what awaited us once we stepped foot within the Maw once more. Kronans, and not just any, but one that was even Korg's brother. His friends that had fought beside one another before eventually running into Thor Odinson.

That had ended about as well as one could expect.

But nonetheless, Korg at this current point in time was our strongest fighter. Stronger than me and he was the only one that possessed the strength to break the Kronans apart. I didn't, nor did anyone else. We needed him on our side and that meant, he couldn't have a mental breakdown as he did in the comics.

So, as we all entered into the armoury, picking up our weapons, I settled upon a hammer. Well, what I assumed was a hammer considering it possessed a ball of pure metal on the end of a long, two-handed stick, though mace might be the word I'm looking for. Hopefully, this would give me a necessary advantage over the Kronans whose physical abilities were a rival for some incredibly tough guys. I mean Korg had actually been able to stand as an equal to Hulk through most of the Planet Hulk run or at least a challenge.

Though he may just be an outlier compared to the rest of his race, but I'm not completely certain. Today, though I'd confirm that.

"Miek. Don't go for swords. None of you should. Pick a hammer or something similar." I told them all, as I rested my hammer over my shoulder. "What we're fighting against today won't be affected by anything less and all you'd end up doing is making yourself useless."

"How do you know?" Lavin asked.

"Before we were taken back to our cell, I heard overhead a few of the guards talking." Here I looked to Korg. "We're going up against a group of Kronans today," I warned and many looked to Korg as well, gauging his reaction to the news.

"Are you certain?" Korg asked and I nodded my head.

"Kryptonians gain power from being exposed to a yellow sun. The one on this planet is weak, but it still gives me powers. One of which is enhanced hearing. They were far away so I'm not surprised none of you heard them. But I could, they clearly said Kronans." I doubt my words were enough to fully convince them all, but they still listened to my words anyway.

After all, they had no idea what the battle today would hold and I was the only one providing them with an answer. So, as many swapped weapons for those similar to a hammer, we all turned our attention to Korg.

"You said yesterday, that we need to rely upon each other to survive." I continued. "That's never been more true than today. Kronans are notoriously powerful and durable. Without your help, we can't win, not without casualties." Many nods were shared in response to my words, all had seen Korg in action. "The Maw, I don't know the full history behind it, but so far they've to pit us against one another. And now they intend to do the same again."

"This entire place is a test in which teams are pit against one another constantly so only the strongest can survive. They may be your people, Korg, but from what I heard, they've been here a lot longer than you have. It's very possible that they may not recognise you, they may have been broken by this place and will come at you with every intention of killing you." I explained, trying to make it clear the truth of what I knew was going to come. "However, we need you alive and so we will fight to ensure you do. Trust us not for who we are, but our need to survive."

"Alright, you maggots, lineup." One of the guards shouted, many amongst us following leaving me and Korg behind.

"If they were my people and they were broken by this place, Korg. I'd kill them, it would be a mercy. Remember that." I told him before following after the rest, heading out into the Maw once more.