Echoes of Eternity: The Timeless Promise

Chpt. 4

Y/N POV

Xander – 2018

The blonde Prime Officer has a death grip on my upper arm as he drags me through the halls toward my cell. If I wanted, I could easily overpower him and break my cuffs. However, I know I deserve this. I've killed so many innocents; no one would miss me if I disappeared. My knees buckle, and I start to fall, but his firm grip stops me from completely falling. He yanks me back to my feet with a grunt, but my feet stumble as I try to fall back into step. Suddenly, his grip disappears, and I crash to the floor. There is a look of horror on the Prime Officer's face, and I watch as the hand holding onto me disappears into dust particles. Piece by piece, his whole body turns into small dust particles before he is completely a pile of dust on the floor beside me. Screams ring out throughout the hallway, and I can only assume that more people are disappearing.

I can't believe he did it. He actually did it. My hand flies to my chest as I feel my heart drop. Instantly, I knew I lost my whole family. I need to get home... My thoughts drift to Laura, Cooper, Lila, Clint and Bobbi while I break my restraints. I take off in a full sprint toward the docking bay, running past people in shock, crying or panicking. No one pays attention to me as they are too busy figuring out what's happening. I only stop to grab my weapons, equipment and clothing.

It doesn't take me long before I am in a cockpit, powering up one of the ships and taking off into the skies. I begin to punch in the coordinates for Earth, but I realize I'll need to plan a couple of hyperjumps since there are too many hyperjumps between Xander and Earth. Punching in the coordinates, the ship travels faster than the speed of light. The stars stretch and bend, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colours.

Titan – 2018

It takes me a few tries to get to Titan. The hyperdrive is a little finicky, and it takes me a few tries before I realize I need to adjust the coordinates differently than normal. The countdown reaches zero, and my ship emerges from hyperspace with a burst of radiant light. The sudden deceleration sends me lurching forward, and I let out a sigh of relief. My relief ends suddenly when I'm staring at the broken remnants of the Q-Ship. One of Thanos' many ships, Ebony Maw, is usually the one on this ship. I shudder at the thought of facing him again since I barely got out alive. Although, it looks a little worse for aware, so maybe if he's on it, I can somehow trick him into relinquishing whatever hold he has on me.

I scan for any possible life forms and only manage to get one life form. However, the scan also showed there is another type of life form with no heat signature. My hand hovers over the communication button.

"Hello, is someone there? We could use your help." A familiar male voice comes through the comms before I press the button. However, I'm having difficulty pinpointing the voice. "We come in peace...."

"Maybe I can—" Another voice breaks through the communication, and I instantly recognize it as Nebula. Nebula and I never got along; we hated each other from day one, same with Gamora and I, although I didn't know her for long before she left. I think she resented me because I became Thanos' favourite, or at least maybe that's why Nebula hated me too.

Taking a deep breath, "Yes, I'm here." I cut off Nebula, who scoffs at the sound of my voice, and the male voice gives a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, no thanks, not from you, Destroyer." Nebula's voice is laced with venom and disgust. I know I never made it easy on her anytime we interacted. Somehow, I need to get her on my side, or I can just leave them to rot, but her male counterpart's soothing voice makes me feel guilty.

"You have no reason to trust me, Nebula. I don't trust myself right now, but everything I've known is a lie. Maw and Thanos saw to that, so I won't ask you to trust me, but I'm willing to help you get back to Earth." Everything rushes out of my mouth in a panic. I know Nebula will never trust me, but maybe her companion will.