Chapter 004.

Verge System 001, 25 star systems away, Andromeda Galaxy.

Xandar Cluster, Home Planet to the Nova Corps.

"Attention Nova Corps, Crisis Protocols are in effect. Unauthorized pangalactic transit has been suspended until further notice. Stargates included." A station-wide announcement sounded to all Nova Corps soldiers and citizens of Xandar and affiliated planetary systems. "Nova Corps apologizes for any inconvenience. Please, head to your nearest shelter for authorized evacuation," It continued, and the message started repeating itself on loop "Attention Nova Corps, Crisis Protocols are in….."

Hordes of tourists, travelers, and other aliens who lived on or near Xandar rushed to the evacuation facilities, as giant queues started forming around every station in the system.

On the inside of one such facility, many Nova Corps officers were reporting to their commanding officers.

"Rider, Richard. Terran. Reporting for Duty!" The voice of one such soldier sounded, as Nova Prime reported to his battle station as well.

"This is not how I envisioned how I would be spending my R&R cycle." The Xandarian Worldmind's voice sounded in his head, and then it continued "You are to report to the Guardians, the string of mass annihilation of planets and star systems continues, and it is headed in our direction. Galactus has effectively wiped out a large section of the universe, and according to reports, he is beyond any reason. You are to rendezvous with the Guardians and Carol Danvers, and begin immediate evacuation of this system, once the evacuation begins, you will report on the Centurion, and attempt a final attack on the celestial. Use any means necessary."

Rider saluted in acceptance of his orders and asked "Are we looking at another Annihilation?"

The voice didn't respond for over a couple of seconds and then said "I fear that this may be worse, Nova survived Annihilation, how are we to survive if there is nothing left?"

*********

"Good, you're here. There has been an incident out at the Kyln. We've lost all power to our subsidiary planets. Inmates have fled the outer rim. Sadly, none survived, except those that fled to Terra. And even there, we don't know the chances of survival. If this station falls. Terra will remain as the last planet standing, between Galactus and utter devastation." Peter Quill's voice sounded in the Milano as Rider made his way into the ship.

"I have my Daughter, Nikki preparing a fleet of refugee ships heading to Earth. But we don't want it to have to come to that. Spartax has been lost, and so is the entire Shi'ar empire. Rocket, start the engines, I want the Milano on board the Centurion before Galactus arrives. Let's give the bastard a taste of what he deserves."

"I am Groot!"

"What? Now?!"

"What's he saying!" Richard couldn't help but ask.

Everyone turned to look at Groot who had his big black eyes looking at Rocket. In his hands, he was doing something, while his full focus was on.

"He's sprouting a seed, he's only done that once....." Rocket answers for him "Groot, buddy. Are you sure?"

"I am Groot.." Groot replies sadly as he extends his vines and branches, and places a shining seedling into Rocket's hands.

Rocket sniffs, as tears pool in his eyes, he immediately starts preparing a pot in which he places the seed, and covers it with soil. He places the pot in a shuttle pod and launches it toward the Xandarian evacuation facility.

"I-I uhm, I will send this to Nikki. She will take it to Earth," He says as he looks sadly at his dearest friend.

"This may be our last battle, let's give it our best shot!" Quill says as he realizes the significance of Groot's actions.

Rider nodded and he takes control of the vessel as he connects the briefing table to the Worldmind "Standby for Worldmind operational brief. Three… two …. One. It's live"

"Attention all Nova Corps officers, this may be our final showdown. We have alerted the Terran authorities of the arrival of our refugees, we have already lost the Kyln. The Guardians and Nova Prime will lead this final mission. And I will be frank, we have no hope of winning. This entire battle, is a suicide mission, a diversionary tactic to prolong the evacuation of our star system. Attacking Galactus' herald is not our primary objective. Our objective is to stall Galactus himself. I have enabled full power for all Nova Corps officers. And just in case you didn't think it could get any worse, we have lost contact with all but three Omega Core precincts. This is full military protocol. We are no longer policing the galaxy. We are fighting a war. Galactus is two star systems short of us, and his Herald has already begun destroying the outer rim, and the Kyln. We will do what we have always done. We did it with Annihilation. We did it the mad titan and his Chitauri, we did it against the Kree! We will stand as the Nova Corps, and we will die fighting so that our loved ones may live, they may have the hope of a longer survival. We are the NOVA CORPS!" The voice sounded throughout the comms systems of all Nova Corps officer, Television Screens, and Holographic displays.

The silence that followed, was deafening. As every soldier, warrior, and guardian prepared for the battle of their Lives.

The Milano piloted by Peter followed the trailing blaze of the figure of Richard Rider, as he led them to the Centurion battleship.

"Security integrity confirmed. Docking procedures sequencing. Welcome aboard the Centurion guardians of the gala..." The voice cut off.

"Alpha Breach restricted space violation. Contact with first defense fleet lost."

"Shit, let's get the Centurion in battle formation….." Quill shouted as he rallied his team.

Rider nodded "I will rendezvous with Captain Marvel and rally our defenses. You're incharge of the Centurion. Good Luck Guardians," he said and took off into the space toward the shining form of Captain Carol Danvers, who was waiting to begin her attack.

"Gamora, there is still a chance to back out. If you want you can go on with Nikki—" He said and she shushed him by placing a finger on his lips.

"My place is here, by your side. If we are going to die, then I would rather it be fighting." She replied, as she looked resolutely in his eyes.

"I love you," Quill breathed, and he collected himself as he guided the Guardians toward the central command deck of the Centurion. "Rocket, the Milano is yours. For now. Pilot the ship, and stay on the Centurion's six. You will lead our fighters."

The old Raccoon rolled his eyes, as he wiped a tear off his furry face. He nodded and said "Aye, Aye. Captain"

Little did they know, this would be the final meeting of their lives.

***********

"He's here." Carol Danvers said as she looked at the colossal form of the Great Destroyer that was towering in the distance. "He's breached the security web."

"All Battle stations, prepare Ion cannons." Rider commander through his comms "Aim! FIRE!"

Every ship in the fleet fired a gigantic volley of energy at the towering form of Galactus, and for a moment Carol hoped that it would be enough, nothing should have the capacity to survive such an assault, yet it was for naught.

As the cosmic dust settled, the unscratched form of Galactus came back into view. If anything, he hadn't even felt the volley at all.

"Retake aim!" Rider voiced out again, his voice strained and coarse "Fire!"

Another devastating volley shot out of the armada and hurtled toward the celestial.

It too had the exact same effect.

Carol sighed, and turned to Nova "I really wish we had the ultimate nullifier right about now."

"We all wish for things we do not possess." Rider replied, his voice now devoid of any emotion "Retake Aim! FIRE!"

Another volley, another failed attack.

"Prepare troops for close-quarters attack." He shifted focus to take the battle closer.

"That's suicide," Carol commented, even though she too directed her troops into close-quarter battle formations. "It's the only thing we have left. We need to at least slow him down. The refugees depend on it."

"That's if they're lucky enough to survive till they're out of the blast radius," Carol commented. "We're ready, see you on the other side Rider. If it's any consolation, I am happy I die fighting at your side."

**********

Aboard the Refugee ship Alpha 613.

Nikki Gold-Quill watched with bated breath, as the light show generated by the fleet of the Nova armada ended. It was followed by the light generated by Captain Marvel, and the Nova Force heading into battle, and even at this distance, it was clear that they were not measuring up to be able to even lay a scratch on the Celestial.

She knew her parents were among the soldiers fighting for the trillions of lives that would be affected by Galactus' destructive rampage. They were doing what they had always done. Saving the galaxy.

She wiped the tears that threatened to spill as she watched as Galactus Activated the device in his hand. A fiery beam emanated at the center, and she pressed the comms to her refugee fleet.

"Jumping to Hyperspace, in three…. Two ….. one"

Just as the Destructive beam left the device, the entire fleet jumped into hyperspace, heading for Earth.

As Xandar was decimated, turned to energy, a morsel for the giant celestial. She was left, an orphan, again.

At least she had baby Groot by her side.

Earth truly was, the last planet standing. She hoped it would be enough.