Marvel: What If Thanos Adopted A Saiyan?-Chapter 205 - 206: Besieged on Three Fronts

With a command laced in satisfaction and anticipation, a kaleidoscope of energy cannons locked onto the sleek warship emblazoned with the bold insignia of [L]!

Two of the galaxy’s most elite imperial forces had deployed cloaking technology sophisticated enough to evade Woz’s top-tier security scans. Without warning, a torrent of artillery fire lit up the cosmos, forming a massive, radiant web that ensnared ship and rider alike.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Alert! Alert! Massive enemy forces detected at 45 degrees on both flanks!"

"Alert! Alert! Massive enemy forces detected at 45 degrees on both flanks!"

"Alert! Alert! ......"

The sharp, incessant sirens belonging to Woz’s security system rang in Lothar’s ears, the ship’s crimson alarm lights flickering madly against the ornate gold of the interior, painting his expression with shifting shades of gloom.

"Woz... Who is it?"

Lothar’s eyes glinted with a chilling sharpness that made The Other’s chest tighten involuntarily.

"Judging from their fleet insignia, they appear to be the once-destroyed number one cosmic crime syndicate, supposedly wiped out by the Nova Corps."

"Prince Lothar... we may have been caught in the middle of a gang war, a vendetta."

While deftly maneuvering the ship to avoid the relentless assault, Woz projected a holographic scan of the enemy fleet for Lothar to see.

There it was, the infamous symbol of the once-dominant galactic syndicate etched across a seemingly endless fleet.

"Did you say... vengeance?"

BOOM!

Lothar’s voice hadn’t even faded when two blurred forms slammed into the main viewscreen.

A celestial steed, wings crippled mid-flight, and Hela, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, crashed into view.

Unlike the AI-powered ship under Woz’s control, Hela had relied solely on her steed for transport, and once again paid the price for archaic mobility.

The saturation-level bombardment, clearly intended to exterminate celestial bodies, was far beyond what Hela could withstand.

"Hela?"

Seeing the blood dissipating from Hela’s armor, Lothar’s pupils shrank in reflex.

"Prince Lothar, we—"

The Other, still seated and gripping his staff, was cut off as a blast erupted from the starboard side of the ship.

BOOM!

The entire ship shuddered.

Hela and her wounded steed, clinging to the outer hull, were violently thrown into the infinite abyss of space.

"Alert! Alert! Third propulsion system compromised!"

"Alert! Alert! Third propulsion system compromised!"

"Alert! Alert! ......"

Woz’s grating alarm persisted in Lothar’s ear, deepening his already dark expression.

"Open the hatch, Woz."

"The Other, awaken the Chitauri fleet."

Lothar stood at the bay door, fastening a miniaturized space suit device to his belt.

"Your Highness, Woz advises against this course of action," the AI warned. "The enemy’s suppressive fire is too dense. Your suit may not hold against that kind of crossfire."

If the suit was breached, even Lothar’s formidable energy couldn’t shield his body from space for long.

Even for a Super Saiyan, survival in the vacuum of space remained a known weakness, a flaw Lothar couldn’t ignore in spaceborne combat.

"Please trust Woz. I can get you to safety—"

"I said open the hatch, Woz."

Lothar’s voice was cold, unwavering, as he pressed the activation switch on his belt.

"...Yes, Your Highness. Opening primary hatch now."

Woz obeyed, for Lothar was his master.

The ship’s doors parted, and in the very instant the golden figure cloaked in rising lightning dropped into the void, he landed before Hela.

A golden shockwave radiated from him, disintegrating ships in a dazzling cascade of wreckage.

"Lo... thar...?"

Bracing against the onslaught with twin blades, Hela staggered. The weight pressing down on her shoulders abruptly lifted.

Her bloodstained lips parted as she beheld the radiant figure shielding her from the barrage.

"Dead yet?"

The towering, divine image of Lothar shattered instantly in Hela’s mind the moment he opened his mouth.

"I told you, even if you die, I won’t."

With a flick of her wrist, Hela wiped the blood from her mouth. Behind her, a mass of celestial weapons formed in the void. She took the space suit device Lothar handed over and clipped it to her waist, her voice now clear in his ear.

Glancing at Lothar’s identical device, she raised her hand.

An endless barrage of blades surged forward, intercepting the ceaseless storm of energy blasts with a chorus of ringing steel.

"Keep firing!!"

"Blast them to hell!!"

"I’m going to bury him with sheer numbers today!!"

"The Skrull Empire’s dignity, trampled by Thanos himself, will be avenged, starting with his son!"

The elite Skrull forces, every one of them perfectly disguised as members of the now-defunct syndicate, pressed the attack at their commander’s command.

Due to the complex relationship between Xandar and the Kree, the Skrulls had long stationed heavy forces in the sector. Originally to prevent collusion between Xandar and the Kree Empire, that strategic presence now gave them the perfect opportunity to surround Lothar.

"Commander, I think we’re facing actual remnants of the gang seeking revenge on Xandar."

The Kree fleet, heavily disguised, suddenly appeared on the Skrull commander’s tactical display.

"...?"

Allies?

Or... rivals?

...

"Target Thanos’ son’s space suit device!"

Compared to the impassioned Skrulls out to reclaim their empire’s pride, Supreme Accuser Tribunal member Rocco of the Kree was far more composed.

Having long commanded five Kree army groups near Xandar’s borders, Rocco had the manpower and firepower to fulfill his vendetta.

"If you want someone to blame... blame yourself for being so loud."

Rocco narrowed his eyes at the golden figure glowing on the screen, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Had Lothar not drawn global attention with his kidnapping of Nova Prime, the spy Rocco had embedded in Xandar might never have sent the alert.

"Commander, we may be facing actual gang remnants."

The officer’s report made Rocco frown. The screen showed the entire Skrull force masquerading as syndicate remnants.

...Allies?

Or rivals?

...

BOOM!!

Hela’s black shield shattered under the endless assault, fresh wounds blossoming across her body.

"Lothar! GO!"

"Return to Xandar!"

"There’s too many of them!"

"They’re deploying firepower on par with ten full armies!"

ZING!

Blinding energy beams collided with concentrated plasma blasts, some reaching Star Annihilation Cannon levels. The explosion of warships cast flickering light across Lothar’s face.

"These... mongrels..."

Breathing slightly ragged from the relentless exchange, Lothar’s eyes burned as he swept his gaze across the fleets still hammering him with energy cannons.

It was now beyond doubt.

These weren’t just gang remnants, they were after him.

"Your Highness Lothar, Xandar has activated planetary defense systems and initiated the Star Annihil—"

CRACK!

A passing blast struck the last miniaturized space suit device on Lothar’s belt, shattering it.

HUMM!

His internal energy surged to coat his body, forcing back the suffocating pain.

Looking back, Lothar saw Xandar’s fully armed Nova Corps fleet deploying the planetary defense net. Their anti-ship artillery locked onto him, and onto Hela, who stood beside him, gasping for breath with hands on her hips.

The Star Annihilation Cannon’s core thrummed with gathering power.

Hela raised her hand to her forehead, sighing.

"...Well. So much for going back to Xandar."

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