ANNIHILATION

Part II: The End

By Mitch Crane

The Planet Eldrin, Kess-Ler system
Greater Magellanic Cloud, Kree Empire
Sixty-One Days Post-Annihilation Day

Death, Wendell Vaughn had seen more of it in two months than he had hoped to see in his entire lifetime. Whole worlds, entire solar systems of life, had fallen before the voracious appetite for destruction of the Annihilation Wave. They snuffed out each life as if it were nothing more than a tiny, inconsequential candle.

They were not inconsequential to him though. To the man known as Quasar, the Protector of the Universe, each loss of life was a personal failure. Not only had he failed to kill Annihilus, murderous leader of the Wave, but he had also let his good friend Adam Warlock be slain. Nova Centurions Forzel and Pa-Lann had also suffered a heavy loss, having their souls sucked into the Soul Gem, which Annihilus now held in his possession. Both Centurions lived, but they lay catatonic in a hospital on Xandar, home of the Nova Corps.

He had warned the Supreme Intelligence, ruler of the Kree, of the threat of the Wave and with the help of Ronan the Accuser they had amassed an army to attack the vile insectoids. Unfortunately, the Majedsanians had chosen this opportunity to strike at the Kree, forcing them to halve their forces to fight both foes. Like a real wave encroaching on a beach, Annihilus’ forces quickly gained ground, pushing the Kree ever back towards Kree-Lar. It was a losing battle.

Eldrin was the point of no return for the Kree forces. A military outpost strategically located near a fold in warp space, the planet was the last major military post before the capital. If they couldn’t repel this attack the war was over. No-one would come to the Kree’s aid; the Skrull’s hated them with a passion, and rumour had it they two were under assault by the Wave, Spartoi and Rigel declined requests for aid while the Baddoon laughed out loud, claiming the “blue skinned dogs will get what they deserve.”

“Fight you curs, fight like your entire race depends on it!” screamed Ronan to his soldiers, while smashing Wave forces into pulpy goo with his mighty hammer, the Universal Weapon.

The Annihilation Wave was very literally a wave of horrific insects, coming in a variety of forms, each more dreadful than the last. Man sized bugs slashed and gored at their Kree enemies, while tank sized beasts acted as siege engines, crushing soldiers underfoot and melting machinery with acidic vomit. Above, hundreds of large wasp like creatures flitted about, engaging Kree starfighters and Sentry robots with an assortment of unusual energy weapons, while even larger beasts engaged Kree Destroyers in orbit.

Wendell unleashed a blast of energy from his Quantum Bands, destroying a large cluster of wasp-like foes. The bands were one of the mightiest weapons in the universe; twin bejewelled bracers that could directly tap the power of the Quantum Zone, allowing him flight, super strength and an assortment of other potent abilities. With the bands though came a responsibility; the role of Protector of the Universe. A rather monumental task, considering the size of the universe, and yet up until Annihilation Day the young Wisconsin man thought he had been doing a fairly good job. The Annihilation Wave changed all that. Billions dead in the matter of weeks on your shoulders has a way of crushing a man’s self worth.

A massive explosion in the upper atmosphere illuminated the ever darkening dusk sky, followed a few seconds later by an ear splitting boom. It would seem another of the Kree Destroyers had itself been destroyed. It would be ironic if it wasn’t so disheartening.

In frustration he charged his bands until they radiated with light, and discharged a massive blast along the enemy’s ground forces. The blast created a long smoking trench, which would hopefully slow their advance, at least for a few minutes.

FWA-BOOM! Wave forces were tossed into the air like rag dolls by Ronan’s hammer. The weapon had created a field of energy, which exploded outwards in all directions causing devastation to the bugs surrounding him.

Realising the Accuser was the last line of defence in that area, the other soldiers having fallen already, Quasar rushed to his side.

“I don’t need your aid, Terran!” spat the Kree, whilst crushing a squealing bug beneath his boot, “The Kree can take care of themselves!”

“You’re welcome,” muttered Quasar, as he erected a wall of quantum energy in an effort to divert some of the Wave towards a more fortified area.

A few moments later Korath the Pursuer charged to his leader’s side accompanied by a platoon to fill the gap.

“Sir, the Wave had broken through our blockade on the Western front!” Korath yelled to the Accuser, the noise of battle making it difficult to speak clearly.

“I’m on it!” Quasar blasted into the sky. While the constant battling exhausted him, he could get there in the fraction of the time it would take Ronan. He was simply the best man for the job, though at this moment he couldn’t help but wish he had become a pharmacist or chiropractor like his mother had wanted.

Nearby

A young Kree soldier squealed in fear as a huge Wave warrior exploded before him.

“Bwahahahaha!” bellowed someone from nearby. A hulking Nova Centurion swooped overhead, unique amongst the others in that he was a Kronan. “Krag the Kronan saves the day again!” he laughed.

Just a hundred feet away were the frontlines of the Kree defence, who were barely holding the Wave forces back with their laser fire and proton cannons. Suddenly a collective cry of terror broke out from the frontlines as the ferocious Wave forces broke though and began to swarm the area. A monstrous centipede like creature, accompanied by a horde of smaller man sized bugs, charged towards the young soldier, likely craving his young flesh.

Instead of delicious child flesh though, the beast got mouthful of energy; bitter, with a deadly aftertaste. A man with all the appearances of a robot, leapt over his head, hit the ground with a roll and launched upon the centipede. The soldier ducked as a stray wad of entrails flew over his head and watched the battle with a churning stomach.

Rom had joined Quasar and the Kree forces a month ago, much to Quasar’s surprise. Apparently he wasn’t meant to be a cyborg anymore, but obviously someone got their facts wrong, because here he was, looking slightly dorkier than Robocop. Unlike Krag, who’s one and only mission is to save his comrade’s soul from Annihilus, Rom merely wishes to fight. And when he fought, he fought like a man with nothing to loose, which often had Wendell worried. Ronan simply told him to stop being a bleeding heart and start thinking like a warrior.

“This isn’t a game, Krag, this is war,” said Rom grimly, as he glanced up the boisterous Centurion. “Enough innocents have been lost already,”

“Bah Spaceknight, might as well make a sport of it!” yelled Krag back and immediately looked up as a streak of gold shot across the sky.

Quasar bombarded the Wave forces with dozens of energy blasts, raining golden death upon their enemies. The blasts fell from the sky like beautiful shooting stars and exploded like fire works. He dropped to the ground only long enough to erect several more walls, strengthening the weakened defence, before shooting off into the sky once more.

“That man is doing the work of twelve,” muttered Krag, drifting down beside the Spaceknight.

Rom made no reply, instead raising his blaster rifle and mowing down bugs once more.

Annihilation Wave Flagship
In Orbit Above Eldrin

Annihilus, the Living Death That Walks, supreme ruler of the Negative Zone, Great One; he was known by many names, and each pleased him. A new name pleased him most of all though; Devourer of Souls.

The insectoid overlord looked down upon the battle with malicious glee, whilst rubbing the Soul Gem embedded in his forehead. For every life that ended, whether it be Kree or his own troops, the gem greedily swallowed another soul. The power of so many stolen souls surged through body; his exoskeleton felt stronger than ever and he was certain he could end this battle on his own if he so chose. He didn’t though; he delighted in lording over the vermin of the positive matter universe, watching them squirm, revelling in their deaths.

The positive matter scum had been judged and proved unworthy, the rapture was upon them. In Annihilus’ eyes they were an infection upon this universe, and the Annihilation Wave was the cure. So far resistance had been pitiful, and how could it not be with the might of the entire Negative Zone crushing down upon their divided and unsuspecting forces?

“M…mighty Annihilus…” called a meek voice behind him.

He turned with disdain to find his indentured servant, the scientist known as Skeeg, standing nervously behind him. The scientist, who shared many features in common with a praying mantic, had served his mast diligently for years, and somehow survived.

“Why do you disturb me vermin?” spat Annihilus.

“I h…have completed my preliminary studies on the subjects…oh magnificent lord,” the scientist lived in constant fear of his master, a being that could not only destroy him with a thought but swallow his soul as well, which made what he was going to say next a lot harder, “I…I’m afraid I have no conclusive answers yet to what you request. Their power is just too…elusive,”

Annihilus rounded on the pathetic worm, ready to reduce him to ash, but instead grabbed him by the throat and teleported the two of them down to the labs. He dumped the bug unceremoniously on the floor and the mantis rubbed his bruised throat and thanked the heavens he was still alive. For a brief moment he wondered where Annihilus had acquired so much power, even before obtaining the Soul Gem, but his thoughts quickly snapped back to keeping himself alive.

The Devourer of Souls spoke, but not to Skeeg, instead he spoke to the two prisoners hanging from powerful antimatter shackles nearby.

“Belligerent excrement, you will reveal your secrets to Annihilus,” he stated in a tone that suggested he wasn’t often refused, “your time in this realm is over, surrender your power to your new god and die!” To accentuate his point he blasted one of the men with crimson energy, causing him to cry out in agony.

Annihilus believed he could kill both of these men, which only proved his terrifying and ever growing power, for these were no ordinary men, they were Heralds of Galactus.

Morg and Red Shift, hung like cows in a slaughterhouse. Their time in this realm really was over.

The Surface

Ronan screamed in defiance, no mere insect would topple him, not when his people needed him most. He was Kree, and Kree always endure. His people rallied around him, bolstered by his strength and refusal to give in. To them he was a mighty hero, a shining light in a time of darkness. The Accuser didn’t fight for glory though, he fought for his people; every thing he ever did was for great the Kree race.

“In Supremor’s name, do their numbers ever end?!” gasped Korath, during a momentary respite.

“Strength of numbers is their only advantage, they have no strategy, and the guile of a swarm of glatch,” replied Ronan, whilst kicking a bug so hard it flew through the air and struck down a giant wasp.

Thanks to his armour and genetic engineering his strength was quite formidable, although no enough to challenge the likes of the Silver Surfer, or even Quasar. More fearsome though, was his Universal Weapon, a mighty hammer with the power to manipulate vast amounts of energy. Raising the hammer to the heavens he unleased a sizable blast of energy, incinerating several wasp creatures and blowing something resembling a gigantic, six winged dragonfly in half.

“That’s quite a weapon Accuser,” called a sinister voice from above, “though a true warrior doesn’t need such a toy,”

From above descended the beast known as Ravenous, second in command to Annihilus, accompanied by five of his elite Seekers. Although he had reports of the man, and seen holo-footage of his ferocious exploits, this was the first time Ronan had encountered him in the flesh. He stood equally as tall as the Accuser, over seven feet, and appeared much more humanoid than the rest of the Wave. In fact, he could almost be mistaken for Kree or human, if not for the sickly green skin and burning red eyes.

Each Seeker had a creature known as a curr attached to their arm by an energy tendril. The beasts were ugly creatures, vaguely resembling Earth dogs, albeit eyeless and monstrous. Military Intelligence suggested the currs were able to track various energy signatures which suggested the Annihilation Wave was more intelligent than they appeared.

“You’d best fear this toy’s wrath, Ravenous,” replied Ronan coldly, “worthier enemies than you have fallen to its might,”

Ravenous laughed heartily, while his curr growled savagely, “I wield the Essence, the opposing force of the Power Cosmic, Kree. Call off your forces, concede this planet to the great Annihilus and I will let you live,”

“The Kree never CONCEDE!” replied Ronan forcefully, before discharging a full force blast upon the Seeker.

His comrades leapt into action while their master was tossed through the air. Kree soldiers trying to defend their leader were tossed aside like toys as they charged the Accuser. Korath opened fire only to be knocked down by a curr. The beast savaged him with its vicious teeth and claws before clamping down upon his throat.

“NO!” cried Ronan, immediately focusing his attention on the beast.

He struck the monster in an upwards swing, tossing it through the air like a golf ball. Sadly though, it took a large chunk of Korath’s throat with it. The Pursuer lay gasping in his own life blood, the life quickly fading from his eyes. His lips tried to form words, perhaps a cry for help or a prayer, buy no words were formed.

All Ronan’s rage and frustration from the war finally had a Kree face. He had witnessed hundreds of Kree deaths the past two months, but none that he shared a bond with before now. As warrior, a veteran even, he didn’t dwell on his friend’s likely mortal wound; Kree soldier were already dragging him away and treating his wounds. All Ronan could do was avenge his suffering.

With an almighty battle cry, he slammed the Universal Weapon into the Seeker’s stomach doubling him over. Before his foe could retaliate he smashed the hammer down upon the beast’s head, knocking him to the ground momentarily. Not forgetting the curr, he erected a shield of cosmic energy just in time to block the beast’s attack.

FWWWWOOOOOOM!!!

It felt as if a Kree Destroyer going hyperspeed had just slammed into the Accuser, hurtling him backwards through the mass of Kree troops. He came to a moment later to find an enraged Ravenous standing over him, clutching the Universal Weapon.

“I’m going to crush your head with your own toy, mammal,” the Seeker’s savage grin almost matched his currs’.

“Hardly,” replied Ronan, without fear, “Ruul!”

Ravenous cried out in surprise and pain as the Universal Weapon assaulted him, glowing intensely and sending a charge of power coursing up his arm. He dropped the weapon and glared down at Ronan furiously.

“Did you really think I would ever let my weapon fall into the wrong hands?”

“It doesn’t matter vermin, you’re dea-” Another Seeker suddenly slammed into the villain, tossed through the air with incredible force.

The Accuser picked up his beloved weapon and rose to his feet to find Quasar engaging the other Seekers, “Hi Ronan,” he smiled through ragged breaths, “you looked like you could use a hand.”

Quasar was powerful, but he was still no match for four Seekers; each of Annihilus’ elite was a match for a Herald of Galactus. He charged to his human ally’s aide but attacked halfway there by Ravenous’ curr. The beast clamped down upon his left arm, crushing the armour beneath his uniform but thankfully not breaking the bone.

He swung his hammer around in retaliation but the blow was intercepted by the curr’s owner. Ravenous wrenched the weapon from his grasp and tossed it aside, before grabbing the massive Kree by the throat and lifting him off the ground. Immediately the warrior found himself unable to breathe, the pressure Ravenous was exerting on his airways was simply too much. The Negative Zone warrior looked upon his captive with contempt as he slowly chocked to death.

Wendell could only watch helplessly as Ravenous choked the life out of Ronan. Every time he tried to race to his ally’s aid a Seeker would knock him down again. Each Seeker was as powerful as one of Galactus’ Heralds, and he had four to contend with. It was a battle he couldn’t win.

Suddenly a streak of red shot down from the heavens at super sonic speeds. Whatever it was it slammed into Ravenous so hard a wall of force blew every body around him backwards so fast they didn’t know what hit them.

Quasar, having been on the ground, managed to avoid most of the blast and regained his senses quickly. One of the Seekers found himself ensnared in bands of quantum energy before he could even get to his feet; they probably would hold for long but they would do for long enough. The second Seeker rose to his feet only to be punched in the face by a giant golden fist. The attack was followed by a second blow from above, this one smashing the beast into the ground.

By this time though the remaining Seekers, with their super vitality, were back to their prime and assaulted the Protector of the Universe together. While one blasted him the other rushed in and landed a devastating blow to his stomach. He fell to his knees with a gasp but managed to erect a golden shield before the Seeker could strike him again.

“You time is over, surrender to the purge,” demanded the Seeker, “I can make it painless-GAAAHHH!”

The villain was suddenly struck in the back with burning yellow energy and stumbled forward, smoke billowing from his burned flesh. His curr spun about with a growl only receive a similar blast straight down its throat. The vicious beast exploded in disgusting a shower of blood and tissue while its master screamed in sympathetic agony.

Krag floated nearby, panting, “Full power blast…took a lot out. And yer still standin?” he sounded exasperated.

The Seeker appeared to weaken noticeably, but the others stood firm.

“We don’t fear you, Nova,” replied one of the Seekers, “We’ve killed dozens of your kind already,”

“That’s something you’d best not be braggin about bug,” spat Krag.

Quasar rose to his feet and bound the Seeker that taunted Krag with quantum energy. A third Seeker leapt for Quasar, but the Protector of the Universe lashed out with his power, not at the man, but at his beast. The curr’s head was severed from its body and the Seeker stopped in his tracks.

“Hmm, that’s interesting,” said Wendell before he spared a glance at the red streak that had whisked Ravenous away.

I wonder who that is?

Above

“Terrax!” yelled Ravenous, as he was dragged into the sky.

Tyros the Tamer, former Herald of Galactus, carried his captive by the throat far into the upper atmosphere and released him. The Seeker levitated just mere feet away, rubbing his throat and eying the rock skinned Herald warily. His curr arched its back and growled menacingly.

“You eluded my currs across seven star systems, and now you walk willingly into my hands,” grinned Ravenous.

“I am not in your hands am I dog?,” replied the Terrax angrily, “I could have killed you before you realised my presence, but I let you live,”

“And why would that be, merciful Herald?” he mocked.

“You have taken two of my kind, former Heralds. Tell me where they are, and I may let you die without pain,”

Ravenous laughed out loud, “Have too many months in space dulled your senses Tamer? I am your equal in every way-”

TSSSSEEEEEWWWWW!

Before the Seeker could even blink Terrax had blasted his curr, hurtling it through the air and breaking umbilical tether that linked them together. The change in Ravenous’ demeanour was immediately apparent; his cocky arrogance evaporated, replaced by nervous fear. He looked around frantically for the beast.

“That was a low blow, hurting a man’s pet,” his voice dripped with false bravado.

Terrax rushed in and grabbed him by the throat once again; the Seeker struggled but was unable to break the hold. The former Herald laughed with malice.

“Just as I thought, your power comes from your beast,” he stated, his stoney face only inches from his foe’s, “your master couldn’t trust you with such strength so he gave it to an animal. Likely something he can control directly if he so chose…”

“Shut up!” Ravenous punched the Tamer as hard as he could in the face to no avail. It had strength behind it, but nothing like what he possessed before.

“Tell me where the other Heralds are,” he squeezed.

“Okay, I’ll talk,” without his power Ravenous was little more than a coward, “I’ll tell you where to find your kin,”

Elswhere

The battle was not going well, but at least Rom had a lot to stab.

Something bad was going down on the Eastern front, with lots of explosions and a red streak shooting up into the sky, but at the moment all he could focus on was shooting things. In his mindless killing spree he did not notice when his target was not an insectoid but a Kree. Thankfully the blast glanced off the soldier’ armour.

He snapped free of his mindless killing spree. Not matter how many bugs he killed he still saw his wife, son and unborn child being incinerated. They hadn’t even had a chance to scream.

“You’ll all pay!” He cried.

He punctuated his by blasting a holes through several Wave soldiers, his pulse rifle smoked after each shot. Becoming a Spaceknight again was meant to help take the pain away, but it did nothing. He still hurt with loss, only now he never slept, meaning he was haunted with those terrible memories non stop.

The Wave forces took advantage of his loss of concentration and swarmed him. If not for an energy blast from the sky he would have surely perished. Quasar descended clutching an unconscious Ronan in his right arm and Krag by his side. After figuring out the Seeker’s weakness the pair had made short work of them.

“We’re retreating,” stated an exhausted Wendell.

“To the base?” asked Rom

Quasar shook his head and created a barrier between the Wave forces and themselves, “Off the planet, this battle is lost. We can leave now and salvage what forces we can, or fight to the bitter end and loose everything. I don’t know about you but I prefer Plan A.”

“We’re gonna have to fight our way through a lot of bugs up there,” stated Rom, pointing to the heavens.

“Terrax is dealing with that it would seem. We need to get everybody to the ships and out of here,”

“Terrax is here?” asked an incredulous Rom.

Wendell was at his wit’s end, “There’s no time to explain, just call the retreat and get everyone out of here!”

“Very well,” replied Rom flatly.

He opened a panel on his wrist, revealing a small communicator screen. After typing the required code a signal was sent to every Kree trooper and starfighter; retreat, the battle was lost. It was over.

In Orbit Above

Terrax rocketed into space. After learning Ravenous’ weakness it was child’s play to take down the warrior. Annihilus’ mistrust had reduced his elite warriors to a joke.

“Which ship holds the former Heralds?” he asked himself.

One of the Herald’s in Annihilus’ custody held something the tyrant coveted, and he would fight his way through the Negative Zone’s entire army to get it. Unfortunately for him Ravenous and his Seekers hampered his efforts at every turn as they hunted him and every other Herald.

He soon concluded they must be on the flagship. Annihilus wouldn’t be stupid enough the keep them on another ship. He didn’t bother thinking about the fact that Ravenous said none of his curs could sense Galactus, or any other cosmic being, anywhere in the universe. Meaning they were either dead or somewhere…else. The Seeker also mentioned sensing one being, other than the Heralds, weilding the power cosmic, but he didn’t know who.

The flagship stood out amongst the armarda of fishlike ships, being easily double the size of any other. Annihilus clearly had an inflated ego, or else it was an effort to declare his dominance.

He shot off a series of blasts at a ninety degree angle towards the nearest ships, ripping right through the vessels like bullets. Each living ship exploded in a silent burst of blood and energy.

Terrax turned his attention back to the flagship and rocketed towards it. In an instant he found himself floating before the bridge, with nothing but transparent red barrier between him and Annihilus. The insectoid monarch rose from his throne and glared at the grey skinned alien. The shining pink Soul Gem in the centre of the villain’s forehead was instantly recognisable; he would have to ask Quasar later what happened to Adam Warlock, although he could guess.

With a wave of his clawed hand Annihilus melted the barrier between them, the decompression sucking several minions out into space. Annihilus didn’t appear to care, or even notice, as his servants flailed uselessly into the void.

“Annihilus, you sent your dogs to hunt me and my kin! I should skewer you with me axe right here and now, but if you give me what I want I’ll let you live,”

Annihilus spat upon the Herald’s boot, the saliva freezing instantly into green icicles, “Pathetic silverfish, you bring threats to the throne of the Devourer of Souls? You are insignificant,” with a casual flick of his wrist Terrax was hurled backwards by an invisibly wave of force. For the briefest moment he heard the sounds of tormented screams, and then it was gone.

He recovered quickly and returned fire, bringing his fists together for a sizable blast of white energy. The shot struck his foe square in the chest, knocking him back several feet but doing little damage. Before the maniacal emperor could attack again the Herald rushed in, grabbed him around the waist and drove his foe through several walls.

Surprisingly Annihilus didn’t fight back though Terrax failed to notice until it was too late. The Soul Gem glowed fiercely between the monster’s eyes and the former Herald felt a sensation almost too unusual to describe. The gem reached out hungrily, trying to pull his soul away. He could almost feel the tug as the gem tried to steal his soul.

“No!” he screamed, accentuating his defiance with a punch to the face, right on the Soul Gem.

The gem was undamaged, but it broke the item’s hold on his spirit, as well as knocking his foe through the outer hull and out into space. Terrax followed him, hoping to renew his offensive before the monster could make another attempt on his soul.

“Your soul is strong, powerful, it will make a worthy meal,” hissed Annihilus.

The Herald recoiled, “Look at you; you’re becoming a slave to the gem!”

“Annihilus is slave to no one!” the emperor launched himself upon the Herald ferociously, surprisingly him with his strength. Terrax could clearly see the storm of power roiling within the beast; the Essence, counterpart to the power cosmic, fuelled him, making him equal to even the Silver Surfer, but there was more. As a clawed hand struck him he realised it was the souls consumed by the gem. For each soul captured the beast grew more powerful; the Annihilation War had turned from a genocidal extermination to one giant divine sacrifice.

Such power, if only he could make it his own. He grabbed his opponent by the throat and reached for the gem with his free hand but Annihilus retaliated by unleashing a spherical energy attack. Terrax was thrown backwards, stunned, and failed to defend himself from a barrage of energy blasts. Each strike drained him somewhat, while filling his ears with the screams of thousands of tortured souls.

The pained screams disorientated him somewhat and Annihilis took advantage of the fact, pummelling him ferociously with kicks and punches until the Tamer was finally tamed. The Living Death That Walks looked upon his conquest with disdain and kicked his drifting body back through the hole in the ship they had created. The former herald’s axe listed after its owner but Annihilis grabbed it and hurled it away into space without a second thought.

Below

Explosions illuminated the darkening sky as the Kree army retreated to the fleet of transports waiting to take them to command ships above. Quasar was doing his best to hold off the multitude of Wave forces, erecting quantum barriers left right and centre. Every available Sentry robot was also utilised to hold back the onslaught, but it was like holding back an avalanche.

Wendell spared a glance over his shoulder and spotted Krag and Rom running for a nearby shuttle. Rom fired into the air with his pulse rifle, taking out a large wasp swooping in for the kill. He ushered soldiers into the shuttle but did not follow, instead standing his ground and shooting down more and more bugs. Krag grabbed him by the wrist, attempting to pull him inside the shuttle but he broke his hold wave him away. Krag shrugged moved to defend another shuttle from Wave attack.

“What are you doing?” wondered Quasar aloud.

The shuttle doors closed and the ship launched into the air, the last of the shuttles were filling up quickly and taking off. Only Rom remained on the ground, with the Kree Sentries, facing off against a seemingly infinite number of bugs.

He wants to die, Wendell realised. He lost his family, his entire race, and now he wants to die. He could respect that; the man wanted to go down fighting like a warrior. Unfortunately for Rom though, he had a problem with someone throwing their life away in a useless gesture. Staying behind and fight to the death would make no difference; the shuttles were already leaving the atmosphere.

The Protector of the Universe rocketed towards the ground, grabbed the cyborg with enough force to knock his bolts loose, and shot into the sky after the shuttles.

“Quasar, what are you doing?!” gasped Rom.

“I’m the Protector of the Universe Rom, not the ‘let people waste their life guy’,” he replied.

“It wasn’t your choice to make,” said the Spaceknight stoically.

“You’re Rom! You’re a legend. I wasn’t going to let you die on some backwater world for no reason.

“I…I just realised there was no point in retreating with the others. I have nothing to live for, everything is gone. Revenge had kept me going but there are only so many bugs I can shoot before it looses its appeal. Especially when you look at all that,” he gestured towards the horde of Wave forces below, looking like a massive swarm of ants.

They left the atmosphere and Quasar released his passenger, letting the Spaceknight’s own inbuilt jetpack propel him. They watched as the shuttles boarded the Kree Destroyers and prayed the herald would distract the enemy long enough to escape.

His hopes were dashed when a fleet of Annihilation Wave ships approached from behind Eldrin’s larger moon. They must have arrived in secret earlier and approached the planet using the moon to hide their advance. Coupled with the ships already engaging the fleet, the Kree forces were now completed surrounded, with little hope of escape.

“Oh Crap.”

NEXT: With nothing standing between the Annihilation Wave and Kree-Lar the Kree need allies, who will come to their aid? And what are the Celestials planning?