Chapter Thirty-Four: The Decapitation Plan!

“No, we cannot let Ronan’s warship land!” Gamora shouted firmly. “The Power Stone needs to touch the ground to unleash its full power. I suggest we form an assault squad to carry out a decapitation strike, while the Nova Corps forms a defensive formation to buy time and delay the warship’s descent!”

“But if all the flying units are out intercepting the warship, who will protect the civilians? Can’t we just destroy the warship outright?”

Kelya’s mind suddenly sharpened—no, when it came to protecting the people, she became astute.

“No, the warship has an escape mechanism. If Ronan boards the escape pod, we won’t be able to capture his true form. For the sake of Xandar, we absolutely cannot let Ronan touch down!” Gamora insisted, unwavering in her opinion.

The Nova Supreme hesitated slightly. Yes, civilian lives were important, but the Power Stone was an even greater threat. For a moment, she found herself unsure how to decide.

“Haoyun, what is your view?”

The Nova Supreme turned to Haoyun. Since he had once faced Ronan one-on-one in the Void and emerged victorious, proving his worth, she didn’t mind hearing his opinion now.

“I think we can’t afford to miss either aspect,” Haoyun pondered before replying. “Star-Lord came with Yondu’s Ravagers to assist, right? I suggest Xandar offer a hefty sum to have Yondu help defend the ground. Meanwhile, the Nova Corps can set up their defensive formation. That way, we cover both fronts without delay!”

As for the events in the movie, where the Nova Corps suffered massive losses, unable to defend Xandar and being breached by Thanos—Haoyun believed that with his involvement, Ronan would have no chance to use the Power Stone to annihilate the Nova Corps.

“Good. Star-Lord, please connect me to Yondu.”

The Supreme immediately ordered Star-Lord to place the call. Star-Lord wasted no time and set the communicator on the table.

“No problem.”

In midair, Yondu’s quirky face appeared.

“Star-Lord, you little rascal, calling me... Oh, Nova Supreme, hello there!”

“Yondu, I’m offering 500 million credits to hire your Ravagers to handle Xandar’s ground defense. Any objections?”

The Supreme wasted no time laying down the offer.

“Really?”

Yondu was ecstatic. Initially, he came purely to help his son Star-Lord, and the talk of seizing the Power Stone was just to deceive his crew. Now, an unexpected bonus!

“I am the Supreme! My word is law!”

“No problem—I’ll protect Xandar and guarantee that not a single soul will perish!”

“Alright, I’ll have the Nova Corps assist you!” The Supreme nodded approvingly, not entirely believing Yondu’s claim of zero casualties, but his attitude was sufficient.

“Nova Corps, full assault! Establish a defensive formation at an altitude of 30,000 meters! Also, before forming the lines, eradicate the Kree’s Death Troopers with all your might!”

“Yes, sir!”

The star-shaped Nova ships all launched—one million flying vessels densely packed in the sky, forming a lethal barrage!

Ronan’s warship, the Dark Aster, unleashed countless small drones and Death Troopers but was stopped dead by the barrage beyond 30,000 meters. Any remnants that broke through were destroyed by the well-positioned Ravagers, causing minimal damage to the surface!

Compared to the original story, where countless buildings were destroyed, this time, Xandar suffered only negligible harm.

After the Nova Corps deployed, the Supreme looked to the others.

“The Guardians of the Galaxy won’t arrive for another two hours, but we can’t wait that long... Haoyun, Star-Lord, Gamora, the rest is up to you!”

“Don’t worry, leave it to us!”

Haoyun nodded firmly, took a deep breath, and stepped forward. Countless branches sprouted from his body, enveloping Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot.

“Why are you grabbing us? Hurry to the warship, we have to—”

Rocket struggled, feeling as if Haoyun was about to capture them.

“Quiet! No spaceship needed; I’ll take you there myself!”

Haoyun said, then drew a hand through space, opening a shimmering portal crackling with sparks. Through it, they clearly saw the side of the Dark Aster warship as it entered Xandar’s atmosphere. In the distance, the fires of battle flickered.

“This... is amazing! Kid, can you teach me this portal-opening skill?”

Rocket instantly fell in love with the ability—it was incredible!

“Be good, it’s not something you can learn easily. Let’s go; it’s time to fight!”

Haoyun patted Rocket’s raccoon head, nodded to the group, and stepped through the portal with them.

Nearby, Kelya saw that Haoyun refused to take her along. Without hesitation, just as the portal was closing, she leapt in and clung to Groot’s leg.

“Kelya!”

Casey gasped in alarm. Was his daughter trying to get herself killed? The decapitation mission wasn’t a place for a weakling like her!

“Casey, let her go. She’s a police officer; defending against external threats is her duty! Besides, with Haoyun there, Kelya should be safe.”

The Supreme comforted Casey, fearing he’d fight with Haoyun.

“But Supreme, I—”

“When children grow up, you have to let them fly. Trust me, we won’t lose this war, and Kelya will be fine!”

The Supreme slammed a fist on the table, speaking with unwavering resolve as the projection flickered in midair.

...

At the side of the Dark Aster, feeling the sudden weight of the branches he’d extended, Haoyun looked helplessly at Kelya.

“Kelya, you—”

“Don’t think you can leave me behind! I’m a police officer; I must participate in defending Xandar!”

Kelya held her head high, unafraid of Haoyun. Her stubbornness was like that of a heroine in a romance drama—irrational and relentless.

Haoyun rubbed his temples, finally understanding the male lead’s dilemma in those stories. What could he do when faced with a female lead who loved him so much she was willing to die alongside him? The only solution was to strengthen her, give her more cards to play!

“After the battle, there will be time for you two to kiss. For now, can you get inside first?”

Gamora shouted angrily at them. Star-Lord nodded in agreement. Standing unprotected in midair was genuinely frightening—if they fell, they’d be minced meat!

“Fine, follow me closely! Don’t fall behind!”

Haoyun shot Kelya a fierce glare, took a deep breath, channeled energy through his body, and threw a punch.

“An ordinary punch!”

“Crack!”

The side armor of the Dark Aster shattered, leaving a half-meter wide hole!

“Now, the decapitation operation begins!”