"You all remember hearing about it, right? When the Shi'ar invaded the Cronas system? It was a peaceful little system, four planets, each individually controlled . . . minimal space capabilities, right? But there was an outpost there my people had. A small mining colony. See, there was that asteroid belt, right? And we were able to mine for a buncha stuff. My dad moved our family there. He said there was a lot of opportunity . . . and a lot of credits to be made. But we picked a bad time, y'know? We were there for about a month before the Shi'ar came. D'Ken had given the order to seize our mining operation. The Shi'ar troopers took some of us as prisoners . . . but decided that there were too many Kree to take back.

"So they massacred most of the four-thousand men, women, and children living there. My mom, dad and brother were killed. I know they took my sister and me . . . but when I got to Sadauker, I never saw her. She could've been there somewhere, but I didn't know. They wiped out nearly four-thousand Kree in the colony. And then they went to each of the four other worlds, took control there, claimed the Cronas system for the Emperor, and forced the native inhabitants to work the mines. I heard my people didn't even try to fight back. I hear they adapted a policy of appeasement to stay out of war. It's like they're so afraid. Ever since they killed that Mar-Vell guy . . . the Kree've been shakin' in their boots. Supreme Intelligence my ass . . . Supreme Coward's more like it. If the Shi'ar decided to declare war on the Kree Empire, I bet they'd fall in seconds. And then if the Shi'ar moved against the Skrulls? It'd be a done deal. They're already probably the most powerful race in the galaxy. They're just biding their time. And sure, I'd love to stop them. Get revenge on D'Ken . . . end his mad reign. Save the Kree by defeating the Shi'ar. I'd also like to find my sister, Kalyah. But . . . yeah . . . that's my story."

Keeyah leaned back in his chair, blowing air out of his cheeks and sighing. He had just vented.

The others sat around a small table. Scott Summers, Hepzibah, Ch'od, Raza, Genis-Vell. Each had gathered to tell their stories, so everyone knew where they stood.

"It's like a recurring thing here," Keeya continued. "They got my dad, they got Genis' dad, they got Scott's dad . . . they probably got Hepzibah's dad along with her entire race . . . but what about you, Ch'od?"

"I . . . " the large scaly creature started. "My tale is no better than the rest. My homeworld is called Timor. My people are all scientist-philosophers. We never meant anyone any harm. We sought to explore the galaxy and learn. But the Shi'ar came. My people were used as mercenaries because of our great physical strength and endurance. But we were drafted to die. And some of us rebelled. I was put in the prison on Sadauker when I rebelled. I do not know if my father was killed, or if any of my family was killed. All I know is that the Shi'ar have wronged my people . . . and I would see them avenged."

Scott nodded. "Raza?"

"My full name is Raza Longknife," he began. "Son of Shan, brother of Zenith. My race's name is long forgotten. We are, now, a part of the Shi'ar, as we apparently have been for so long. When my people rebelled, most of us were killed. I . . . was not allowed that luxury. The Shi'ar both kidnapped me and transformed me into this cyborg you see before you! I have always been skilled with a sword and a blaster, that did not change. But since the transformation, I am faster, stronger and tougher than e'er. As far as I can tell, I am indestructible. The Shi'ar have denied me the chance to die well. So I shall see that each and every one of them gets the opportunity I have been denied."

Genis cleared his throat.

"So then," Scott started. "Where do we stand on things? Do we stay together? Do we go for revenge? Do we declare war on the Shi'ar?"

"That one Kree at the space station called us pirates," Raza said. "I say we be pirates . . . thorns in the Emperor's side! Create a pain and make it grow . . . wage war . . . and get our revenge!"

"Death to the Shi'ar!" Hepzibah exclaimed.

"Easy kitty," Genis frowned. "We can't rush into things. Being pirates is one thing . . . launching a war against the Shi'ar? That would take time . . . and don't forget we'll need allies. It can be done . . . well, maybe . . . but at least it can be attempted. We just can't rush head-first into things. Seems like that's what a lot of us have done, seeking revenge . . . and we wound up in prison."

"I agree," Scott nodded. "If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right. D'Ken is the madman. Not all of his forces necessarily believes in what he's doing. They may be following orders for their own survival."

"Very well," Ch'od answered. "Then what are our current resources?"

"We've got the three hundred credits left over from the repairs," Scott started. "We've got the ship . . . a living ship, who's pregnant. A ship who has minimal weapons, but also a hyper-drive, something that gives us an advantage over the rest of the Shi'ar warships that require stargates for travel. We have food and other supplies like guns and two transport pods on board. And we have a medic."

"I have yet to see this healer," Raza spoke. "He resides only in the medical bay?"

Scott nodded. "His name's Sikorsky. I've been sending everyone down to meet him . . . he's a cautious little bugger."

"One last thing before we adjourn here," Keeyah said. "If we're gonna do this, we need a captain. Someone to be in charge and giving the orders. It'll come in handy, especially in a crisis. Genis?"

"I . . . " the other Kree started.

"I say Scott," Hepzibah jumped in. "He has been taking charge so far . . . and we're still alive."

"I agree," Ch'od said.

"Captain Summers, our Corsair," Raza bowed before him.

"I . . . " Scott started. He glanced over to Genis and Keeyah.

"Congratulations, Captain," Genis said with a smile.

"I'll do it," Scott said. "So long as Genis here is second in command."

"Done," Genis nodded.

"Alright," Scott replied.

"I'm going to go study the engines," Ch'od said.

"I'll look over the weapons," Hepzibah grinned.

"Back to the piloting controls for me," Keeyah turned.

"I'm going to try to use my Cosmic Awareness to communicate with our living ship here," Genis said.

"I've already mastered the operations panel," Raza said. "So I shall go meet our medic."

Scott nodded. "I'm going to get myself familiarized with the specs of the ship. Anyone needs anything, we've already established the communications relays from room-to-room. I'll be on the bridge."

Raza walked in slowly. His metal legs clanged noisily on the hard metal surface of the floor. He heard the buzzing noise made by their last crew member, the sound of it flying. He approached the noise.

"Greetings . . . ?"

The communications monitor beeped.

"Yes?" Scott asked, not looking up from his monitor with the ship's information.

"Captain?" Raza asked.

"What is it?"

"I believe you should come down to the Med-Lab post haste."

"What's wrong?"

"I believe I am in . . . an interesting situation."

Scott looked up at the monitor. Sikorsky's arms were poised on the cyborg's head, prepared to dig them into his brain.

" . . . I'll be right there . . . monitor off. Open communications. Genis, Hepzibah, everyone . . . Med-Lab, now!"

"Stay back," Sikorsky warned, slightly digging his arms into Raza's skull. "Sikorsky warns you . . . "

"Sikorsky, please!" Scott pleaded. "What are you doing? Why are you hurting him?"

"Shi'ar!" the insectoid replied. "He is Shi'ar. Shi'ar evil! Shi'ar need be stopped . . . destroyed . . . "

"He's not Shi'ar!" Scott yelled in answer.

"Smell of Shi'ar he does. Look of Shi'ar handiwork."

"I am no Shi'ar," Raza replied, insulted.

"Sikorsky, just . . . " Scott started as the rest of the crew piled in behind him. " . . . just calm down. Let him go."

"He is Shi'ar," the insect replied. If Scott didn't know better, he would've thought that Sikorsky was crying. "Him must stop . . . before us is stopped."

"He's not a Shi'ar," Genis said quietly. "He hates them as much as you do . . . as much as we all do. He's our ally . . . our . . . our friend. We don't want to hurt him. You don't want to hurt him. He doesn't want to hurt you . . . "

"Sikorsky . . . is . . . afraid," it replied.

"It's okay," Scott answered. "We're not going to hurt you. And we won't let the Shi'ar hurt you, either."

"Sikorsky is . . . sorry," it said, releasing its grip on Raza. Raza quickly joined the side of the Med-Lab with the rest of the crew.

"It's alright," Scott replied. "It's okay. No harm done, right Raza?"

" . . . " Raza looked towards Sikorsky, then Scott. " . . . Right."

"See?" Scott asked. "Don't worry about it. Simple misunderstanding."

"Alright guys," Genis said. "We can all go back to whatever we were doing . . . no more worries."

"Great medic we got there," Genis said as he and Scott walked towards the bridge. "He's unstable."

"He'll have to do," Scott replied. "We can't force him to leave . . . and he seems to be a whiz at what he does. If we are gonna launch a war, we'll need him."

"Alright," Genis shrugged. "But I doubt Raza'll ever trust him."

"Raza can't be hurt," Scott answered. "He won't need to. So . . . did you learn anything with your Cosmic Whatsits?"

"Awareness?" Genis asked, smiling. "I wasn't able to establish contact. I guess it just doesn't work that way."

"I told Sikorsky to look into what the Shi'ar did to her," Scott said. "Hopefully he can find out if she's okay and if her baby's okay . . . and maybe establish a way to talk to her."

Genis nodded. "Anything else?"

"There's more to you than anyone knows, isn't there?"

" . . . Meaning?"

"Meaning, you're keeping something from us," Scott answered.

"We're all hiding something, Scott," he shrugged. "Pointing fingers won't get us anywhere."

The planet was once beautiful. It was the jewel of the empire. While it still was, it had changed. The very planet would glow with energy. A huge defense net was built around the planet and stretching through the entire solar system. A portion of the fleet, it's finest ships, always remained ready. Though the thought of attack was insane, it was always prepared for. D'Ken considered his defenses unbeatable.

Emperor D'Ken Neramani V was his full name and designation. The family Neramani had ruled for centuries. And as eldest son of Jakar Neramani, D'Ken inherited the throne. Those who believed D'Ken had murdered his father quickly 'disappeared'. And then the madness truly began. D'Ken began to expand the Shi'ar's empire. He wanted breathing room, and he took it, massacring entire races in the process.

However, the Grand Admiral of the Shi'ar fleet, his own sister Lilandra, refused to carry out his orders. She called him insane and openly defiled him. So D'Ken sought to silence her . . . she fled. His younger sister, Cal'Syee, was more than willing to take over control of the fleet. She soon earned the nickname Deathbird.

D'Ken began a search for his missing sister. He feared that she could gain enough support to lead a faction of his army against him. He soon found her running with a group of former members of his Imperial Guard, those that had rebelled alongside her. And then . . . he captured her.

She was brought in on chains, treated like a rotten dog. She was tossed before his throne and forced to her knees before her brother.

"How does it feel?" he asked, curiously. "You have been caught. Your precious 'Rebel Guard' is being hunted as I speak. And your most loyal supporters in the Fleet? Dead. Your pathetic attempt to overthrow me has failed! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I pity you," she answered quietly. "I pity you, for you are mad . . . "

"Mad?" he asked, almost laughing. "You have not seen me mad, woman! Though you will, soon, if you do not tell me the location of the M'Kraan crystal!"

" . . . "

"Your people were on the planet with no name. Your people entered the chamber and were attempting to leave when my Imperial Guard arrived. They did not find the crystal. Which means your people have it. Tell me where it is, now."

"I will tell you nothing."

" . . . " D'Ken watched her with burning eyes. "Very well. You will soon find how a loose tongue serves better than a strong will. Gladiator!"

"Yes, my liege?" the large Praetor of the Imperial Guard responded, stepping into the throne room.

"Bring my dear traitor sister to the torture chamber," the Emperor ordered. "She shall soon wish she had cooperated . . . "