A game changer!

Currently resting in their bed on the ship the Starjammer. Rachel and Nathan were resting in each other's arms thinking about the events that had transpired over the long and grueling battle.

" Hard to believe, isn't it?"

Nathan asked as he stared up at the ceiling.

" What is, Nate?"

Rachel asked as she leaned up on the man's chest.

" We've come so far. I mean it feels like just yesterday I was still partying with the others all night long and now... Well, you know what we're doing now we're on our way to save Lilandra again. I just wonder what's next for us. After all of this are we aren't going to be able to go back to how things were. And that frightens me. For the first time in my life, I can't say things are going to be alright."

Nathan explained to the woman

Rachel rubbed the man's chest and kissed him gently on the side of his cheek.

" We'll figure it out together. Each and every step of the way. Through all of the pain and the misery we'll overcome any and everything the galaxy throws at us. But that is then. For now focus on the present. We have a war to win and I know we will win."

Rachel said to the man.

Nathan smiled at his girlfriend and kissed her once again before sitting up.

" It's time my dear."

Nathan said to the woman as he began using his powers to suit up.

Rachel nodded and began putting her clothes back on as well.

Once she was ready Nathan took her hand in his and walked with her to join Alex and the others on the main bridge.

" Are we ready?"

Nathan asked.

" Yes. We'll be arriving at the Hammer in a few seconds, any last words of encouragement?"

Ch'od asked the man.

" No, by now you all know what's at stake, and you know what must be done. All I have to say to you is stay alive. We've lost enough people already."

Nathan said to the men and women.

Once the ship came out of the jump Atom and the rest of the Starjammers boarded the Shi'ar flagship and attacked.

" Intruders Aboard! Intruders aboard!"

The captain of the ship radioed to the entire ship.

Shortly afterwards the Starjammers burst into the room holding Lilandra, which was also occpied by the Imperial Guard.

" Alex! Korvus take out the flank!"

Atom yelled to the two men.

" Atom... Gladiator at twelve O'clock."

Lorna said to the man as Gladiator flew towards them.

" I see him."

Atom stated and turned towards the man, blasting him in his stomach and sending him crashing into a wall.

" Uh! You Starjammers. This effort is futile."

Gladiator exclaimed to the group.

" Yeah, we brought a little more muscle this time. The Guardians of the galaxy."

Ato said to the man. And as if on cue Groot tore open a hole in the ship allowing Drax, major victory, and Rocket Raccoon aboard/

" Say hello to my little friend!"

Rocket yelled out.

He then turned to Gladiator and grinned.

" This is a Xarthian Quantum Cannon. Specifically designed to take down even a strontian like you,"

Rocket explained to gladiator.

" You... You lie."

Gladiator replied unnervingly.

Rockets grin widened

" Try me."

Rocket said to the man.

Gladiator got to his feet and rushed to attack, Rocket. but true to his word Rocket fired his weapon and blasted Gladiator.

" AGHHHHHH!"

Gladiator yelled in agony as Rockets gun did exactly as he said it would.

" Never doubt a raccoon."

Rocket said to the man.

" The praetor is down! Imperial Guard move!"

Smasher yelled to the guard.

" Come at electron with a metal sword traitor?"

Electron asked as Korvus swung at him with his blade.

" Are the laws of magnetism a mystery to you?"

Electron asked as he used his magnetic powers to hit Korvus with his own blade.

" Ughnnn!"

korvus grunted as he hit the wall.

" Actually Electron, you're why we brought a big stick!"

korvus yelled to the man.

Electron turned and was smashed into a wall by Groot.

" I am Groot!"

Groot exclaimed as he throttled the man.

" Major Victory! Does the raccoon need help?"

Drax asked as he manhandled smasher.

" I got the big guy cold, Drax. but Let's shake it for fucks sake! We're outstaying our welcome! Atom! Time to snatch what we came for!"

Rocket yelled out

" Right! Lorna get the door!"

Atom yelled to the woman.

Lorna raised her hands and tore the door off its hinges.

" Hey, Lilandra. Your chariot awaits."

Atom joked as he walked into the woman's cell.

" Atom! Thank the stars!"

Lilandra exclaimed as she ran out of her cell.

' Pain rips through me. I am helpless. The little creatures Xarthian-Built Quantum cannon is shattering the electromagnetic bonds of my very molecular structure and... Wait! Xarth has no tradition of Quantum mechanics.'

Gladiator thought to himself coming to a sudden realization.

' This is a trick, a telepathic assault causing me to question my psionic fueled powers.'

Gladiator thought and as he did Rachel's powers stopped working. Revealing rockets weapon to actually be a mop.

" Get out of my mind!"

Gladiator growled.

" Rocket! My illusion is slipping! I can't hold it any longer!"

Rachel yelled to the little raccoon.

" Awwww. Nuts. It was sweet while it lasted, Rachel baby."

Rocket said to the woman.

" Uh, hi. Gladiator, isn't it? Now let's not do anything hasty, okay? I mean you wouldn't hurt a cute little mammal with soft fur would you?"

Rocket tried talking his way out of a beating as Gladiator loomed over him and rachel.

" Lilandra."

Gladiator growled the woman's name.

Just as Gladiator was about to attack, Atom moved in front of Rachel and Rocket taking the brunt of the man's attack. Gladiator then went on to attack the guardians and Starjammers knocking them all down in seconds as he sped past one foe to another until he arrived in front of Lilandra again.

" Majestrix."

Gladiator called out to the woman.

" Regroup! Regroup! Imperial guard to me! Seize the terrorissts!"

Smasher 3 yelled out

" Oh, Kallark did Ka'ardum save my life for this?"

Lilandra asked Gladiator as he stood before her.

" I."

Gladiator went to speak but stopped to listen to Lilandra.

" You are the most devoted and Loyal man I've ever known, Kal. But who are you loyal to> If it is Vulcan, then a know he will assuredly doom the Shi'ar."

Lilandra explained to the man causing him to further doubt his devotion.

" Seize the traitors! Kill them all!"

Smasher 3 yelled interrupting the talk the two were having.

" What are you waiting for, Praetor?! Our orders from emperor Vulcan are clear!"

Smasher 3 yelled at Gladiator.

Having finally heard enough Gladiator turned to smasher 3 and as he continued speaking, used his heat vision and blew a hole through smasher 3's head killing him instantly. The Shi'ar soldiers looked on in shock and terror as Gladiator turned to them.

" I serve at the pleasure of Empress Lilandra."

Gladiator spoke boldly, proclaiming to all aboard his loyalty to Lilandra.