『Chapter Nineteen』
『the meeting of an ex and brother』

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Kain and Jace neared the Benatar, Kain was almost crushing Jace's hand enough that he was about to ask him if he was okay, though knew that Kain was nervous on meeting Gamora. Jace supposed that the word went around about who Gamora used to work for and it stuck in some people's mind. He was sure that once Kain got to know Gamora, everything would be fine. Though as they got closer, Jace noticed the tense look that was written across Gamora's face.

All that Jace knew was that he was in deep shit, he knew that he'd promised the Guardians that he'd stay on the ship and keep an eye on it, and he knew that he broke that promise. As much as he knew that he'd wanted to look for answers about where his mother came from, there was a part of him that didn't want to tell the Guardians why he went off on his own instead of waiting. He knew that they were going to yell at him for what he did. what needed to be said was that he was in deep shit. Though how exactly was he meant to inform Gamora that it was for a good cause? He could just say, but he doesn't want any of them to know that he was looking more into what Nova Prime had told him.

As much as Jace knew that he didn't have to lie to any of them about what he was doing, there was just this part of him that knew that he didn't want to tell them. Not because he was ashamed, but more so the fact that he didn't want them to think him weird for looking into something that shouldn't matter. It mattered to him because if he knew where his mother came from, he could at least learn whether this planet had a monarchy and hopefully get the answers that he wants. Answers like why did the king kill his mother? What threat was his mother in order to be killed in that brutal way? Why was he spared?

There was a lot that he'd ask the King if the planet his mother came from did have a monarchy. He knew that the likelihood of the king answering his questions was slim to none, but it was still something that he wanted to find out. He wanted to know why his mother was killed, he felt like he had a right to know. He felt like he needed to know why his parents died that Christmas night, why his mother was stabbed through the back. He wanted to know all about it, even if it hurt. He'd thought of as many reasons as he could when it came to the why, but he wanted the comfort of knowing why.

Jace shook his head, he needed to stay focused. He knew that he couldn't let his thoughts to continue to eat at him. Right now, he wanted to focus on getting Kain off this planet and away from the assassin that's after him. He found himself pulling Kain closer and wrapping his arm around him, despite how his thoughts yelled at him to take everything slow, that he still needed to work his way to be forgiven by Kain after everything that he's done. And yet, despite that, feeling how warm Kain was, was something that consumed him more than he'd like to admit.

"Jace!" Gamora yelled once the pair were close enough. "Who's this? Actually, no, where was you?!"

Kain tensed beside Jace, though he kept his gaze. Jace smiled slightly at Gamora. "I went out. Clearly. I wanted to go for a walk—you were gone for hours; do you honestly expect me to wait in The Benatar for hours upon end for all of you to show up?"

It was then that heavy footsteps came from inside of the ship as Peter almost tumbled out of their ship. He gave Jace a concerned yet annoyed look, though it briefly changed when he noticed Kain stood next to Jace. For a moment, Jace thought that Peter would start yelling at him for everything, though when he noticed the look which he gave Kain, there was a need to hide Kain from whatever Peter might say to him.

"Where have you been?!" Peter questioned, after a moment. "We've been waiting for you for twenty minutes!"

Jace let out a nerves sigh. He could feel the way that Kain moved beside him, as if he was keeping watch. "I'll explain it later just—"

Before Jace could finish, a blast from a gun hit the ground beside Jace. The four flinched and turned to see a woman—the same woman who had attacked Kain and Jace in the shop. Jace found himself cursing under his breath, he'd hoped that they'd be on the ship by now. Peter went for his quad blaster and Gamora went for the hilt of her sword—which was always folded and latched to her side.

Kain almost wrapped himself into Jace's arm, his hand still in Jace's. There was this need to protect Kain more than anything, as if it was a way to be forgiven by Kain for everything that he's done. Jace had his other hand on his gun, ready to strike. Peter gave the pair an odd look, it was something quick that Jace noticed though he tried to keep his gaze on the woman who was slowly making her way towards them.

"Rocket! Start the ship!" Jace yelled. He turned to Kain. "Get on the ship, we'll be in afterwards. You need to get safe, if worst comes to worse then it'll be Drax and Rocket who'll be the last line of defence."

Kain nodded, though it was clear to Jace that he was hesitant in leaving. Jace gave him a small nod as if to say that it was okay. With one last look, Kain went into the Benatar as the others kept their positions. The sound of the engine starting had filled their ears. A part of Jace was grateful that Rocket listened to him instead of arguing with him.

"So, you and him. Do I have to ask about anything?" Peter asked. "He's the one that you still think about, I remember him."

Jace rolled his eyes, Peter met Kain once in the early stages before Kain and him ever got together. It was because of Peter that Jace spent a while in a prison cell because Emperor Aegon thought that Jace was going to steal from Xopheila. Which was partly true, but he didn't want to commit to such a thing, knowing that either way he would've died given that Xopheila was difficult to steal from. Xopheila was basically impenetrable.

"You're doing this now?!" Gamora snapped.

"Kain Barblen, he's from Xopheila and this woman is meant to kill him by orders of his father—the Emperor." Jace explained. He knew that Peter was aware of who Kain was, but he thought it was best to repeat on who Kain was. Gamora gave him an odd look, as if she didn't understand. Jace sighed. "I'm not sure on what happened after I left, but from what I remember, his father is extremely homophobic and wants to kill his first born because of it."

"And you just so happened to run into the ex that caused you so much heart break." Peter snapped. His eyes were still glued to the woman who hadn't struck an attack yet. It was like the woman was looking for a way to strike against the three.

"I have a guilty conscious for the pain that I caused him. It's my fault that this is happening to him." Jace stated. He knew that Peter would want to say something though Jace found himself using his gun to shoot the woman. "Go, the pair of you. Get into the ship and start to leave, we can't risk for her to get onboard and to kill him. I need to protect him."

"No!" Gamora snapped. "We're not leaving you."

That was the one of the few things that Jace liked about Gamora, though now wasn't the time for any arguments. "You don't have a choice and it wasn't up for debate," Jace argued, his glare had kept towards the woman who kept charging yet stopped whenever struck. "Both of you get in the ship. NOW!"

Both Peter and Gamora somewhat softened, they were hesitant in a way about going into the ship and abandoning the fight. Jace knew that it was wrong of him to ask for them to retreat, but he knew that it would be easier if they got into their ship, knowing that he wouldn't have to worry about them.  Jace abandoned his gun and went a hand-to-hand combat with the woman, it was enough for the pair to know to listen and got into the ship.

Jace was the one to strike first when he was close enough, he tried to mainly go for the stomach and legs—not wanting to hit her in the face. However, no matter how many hits of which he went to do, she always blocked or dodged. It was something that was slowly starting to piss him off, he wondered whether he should use his abilities though thought against it, he just stuck to the hand-to-hand combat.

Her face was still hidden from him, but up close Jace could work out that her hair was long, thick, and red, and was sat on either side of her shoulders in a braid. He couldn't see specific features, though one thing of which was certain was that he underestimated her strength. She managed to sweep his legs from under him and flip him over. Jace found himself cursing to himself for letting him get distracted.

She started to run towards the Benatar—which was starting to take off—Jace was going to run after her though realised that she was a fast runner, though instead he activated his helmet and jet thrusters, which were connected to both of his shoes. He flew towards the woman, the gap closing between them and knocked her down, they tumbled for a moment, both trying to get the other to stay down. Somehow during this process, his helmet had deactivated.

The woman ended up sat on Jace, hitting him continually across the face. No matter how much he struggled against the punches in hopes to block, he couldn't. She was knelt on his arms—keeping them down. After a moment, she dropped her fist, and a smirk then grew across her face. Jace clenched his fist, he could feel the warmth in his hand pick up, wanting nothing more than to be let lose, and Jace was tempted to allow it.

"Well, sweetheart, I can see what Kain saw in you," she grinned. "Almost a shame that the Emperor wants you dead as well for 'turning' his son gay."

Jace spat. "I wouldn't say 'turned;' I would say that he found a way to express himself in a shitty society. Now, would you ever be so kind and get off—I have other priorities to attend to."

She pouted. "Aw, like looking up the Nine Realms or is Human Anatomy more of an interest?"

"That's none of your concern," Jace bitterly said. "I don't even know your name."

"And you shall stay in the dark, Jace Christopher Taylor," she grinned. "Night-night." She rose her hand again, intended to hit him again.

"More like a temporary good-bye." As much as Jace wanted to use his abilities, he thought against it, he managed to wiggle his arm out of her grasp, grabbing one of his harmless bombs, putting it on the woman. The bomb beeped and burst, sending the woman up into the air and almost sailing her sideways.

Jace gasped slightly, though quickly got up and ran. The Benatar was already above most of the busy town—he could hear the yells of Peter, Drax and the others telling him to hurry up. His eyes racked his surroundings, seeing if there was anywhere he could get the best boost from.

His eyes caught onto a small stall, above it was a canopy for the shop behind it, Jace had a feeling that the jump from the canopy to the roof wasn't that high. He found himself smirking to himself as he raced towards it. He could hear the yell of Peter wondering as to what the hell he was doing. Though Peter easily caught on when he noticed what exactly he thought.

Jace's strides had been blocked by pedestrians who all done their shopping, though that hadn't stopped Jace from flinging himself onto the table—gaining a yell from the owner—and jumping onto the canopy. He activated his jet thrusters as he kicked at the wall to help him up.

The Benatar was just in sight, hovering at the edge of the building. Jace thought he could make it, though it was then that he noticed the looks on his friends faces—he didn't want to look back. Though he did, he saw at least ten people stood in a line, looking between Jace and the ship.

"Fuck," Jace muttered under his breath.

"Jace, run!" Peter yelled.

"Nah I think I'll take a stroll down I'm-going-to-die street," Jace muttered to himself before breaking into a run.

The jets on his boots cut off, leaving Jace to fend for himself which wasn't too much of an issue. Foe a moment, Jace wondered whether he could use his abilities to help him get to the Benatar, though he didn't want to risk it failing. Behind him he could hear the sounds of multiple footsteps gaining on him. The yells of his friends telling him to hurry was another thing of which made him tense up.

He wasn't going to make it. He knew that he'd have to use his abilities, he'd have to. The ledge was close and the group behind him was closer. Then he jumped.

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Adrian couldn't help but smirk to himself, the call with Dey had given him more information than he had previously. It had given Adrian a sense of what to expect from Jace when their paths finally meet. It was one of the few interesting things that he found out about a person that he's been tasked to find.

From what he had got, Jace Taylor had originally been sent to the Kyln for crimes from theft, criminal conspiracy, murder, to the kidnapping and apparent 'manipulation' of a royalty from Xopheila. Though there was one thing of which surprised Adrian which was the thing to do with the Xopheila and the fact that apparently Jace's ability to build objects from little to nothing. That and the fact that Jace did have powers related to the sun.

He'd researched more into the name which Erika—the Valkyrie in his meeting with Odin—mentioned. Sol. He'd learned that she was the Goddess of the Sun who had a brother who was the God of the Moon. There wasn't much online about her other than she hadn't been seen on Asgard since the 10th, maybe 11th, century, leaving her daughter behind. It was amusing to know that she died in the 20th century, only Adrian knew that there was a chance that Odin killed her for whatever reason.

For a moment, Adrian wondered whether maybe Jace Taylor would be more of a difficult task than what Adrian originally expected. And yet Adrian sure does love a challenge. The information that he'd gotten from Dey was more than useful for him, it allowed him to get more of an idea about who Jace was in the eyes of the law. At least it was something of comfort for him to know what to expect. He knew that Jace was going to be the most amusing person that he goes after.

He looked through the files, there was something interesting about looking through what the Nova Corps had on him. They even had something on how Jace helped the save Xandar, which in itself was something interesting, that and the fact that Dey mentioned to him that the Nova Corps wiped the criminal records of the entire group. For a moment, Adrian wondered whether or not it he could cause the group to commit some crimes in order for the Nova Corps to target them, though he shook his head.

Adrian knew who his next target was, he knew that he'd have to find Yondu Udonta for further questioning of Jace. As informative Dey was, Adrian knew that it would be useful for him to talk to someone who had raised Jace from a young age, to give him more of an idea on who Jace was as a person. That is if Yondu was willing to give up information—though Adrian will find a way to get what he wanted, sooner or later.

"Adrian Sanguis," a woman spoke, "you called?"

The woman on the screen was thin, her hair long and black, though her skin was a dark shade of pink. The look of which she held over her face was blank, nothing of which suggested emotion. Yet the way of which she presented herself over the phone suggested that she was one not to mess with. Adrian knew her well, she was his informant, someone who Adrain was somewhat fond with.

"Griselda Barline," Adrian greeted with a small nod. "I called you because I had asked you to search for a Ravager—Yondu Udonta. Have you found anything?"

Griselda's face hadn't changed. "Yes, he is on the planet Caline. I take it you're familiar with the planet."

Caline was one of the richest planets within the Riano's belt. It was also known for the planet which a lot of people nicked from—you see the population of Caline were thick, they never learned that despite the wards which protected the riches of the planet, a thief was always smart enough to slip past them. Even then, the guards who protected that part of the planet weren't that great in protecting—everyone could slip past them if you knew how to do it without being caught.

And yet, Caline was a tourist planet. It was a stunning planet, filled with beautiful sightings—in a way to some it was seen as a place where partners took each other on romantic getaways. However, even such, there was another side of Caline which was filled where thieves stayed to get laid and do anything of the sorts. It was something that never really interested Adrian as much as it did others, he'd never really thought of sex or anything of the sorts, he was always alone. It was just something that suited him more than anything given his line of work.

Despite Caline being known as a place which was easy to steal from, it was also some sort of neutral ground for all. It didn't matter if you were enemies with someone else, fighting wasn't allowed in any sense, especially between two groups. It was something that never made sense to Adrian in any way, though if it was a place where Yondu was, then it might be time to finally visit the planet.

"Yes," Adrian spoke, "I am. Very much. Thank you Griselda, for your assistance."

It was then on that blank face, a smile formed of Griselda. "Anything for you Adrian. It's always a pleasure to work with you. Though I will ask, what is so important with Yondu Udonta? He and his crew have been thrown out of the Ravager's for taking in and raising two children, so why the interest?"

Adrian tilted his head slightly. "I need one of those children. Like I said, Griselda, thank you for your assistance."

Before Griselda could get a word in, Adrian hung up the line. In a way he felt as if there was something wrong with all of this—that when and if he catches up to Jace Taylor that something might go wrong. He tried to shake the thought off, he never got like this—he never got nervous about anything. The more of which he thought about how easy it would be to get his hands on Jace, the more nervous he'd gotten.

Everything about this felt far too easy, as if there was something else that he was missing. It felt too easy, all of it felt far too easy and it was something that he hated more than anything. Normally when he was looking for someone, it was so much harder for him to find anything about that person and where they could be. He supposed that this was different given that Jace saved the galaxy and everything, and the fact that Jace wasn't like his other targets.

He tried to not think about how different Jace was from everyone that he ever went for before. He knew that his tutor growing up would sometimes say that those that are from God descent were harder for them to fight if they weren't smart about it. Adrian wondered whether or not Jace would be hard for him to capture but it was something that he tried not to think about, knowing that the more he worried about it, the more likely that he'd fail. He wanted to make his father proud, it was why his father put him through the training that he did.

Adrian shook his head slightly, in hopes to rid his mind of these thoughts that he didn't need. He couldn't be distracted when there was a job to do. He needed to get to Caline, he needed to get an idea of who Jace was before he found him, he wanted to know what he was getting himself into past the records that Dey gave him.

Adrian knew that he was five jumps away from Caline. Just five jumps and he'd be close to finishing this job and he can get paid. He was doing this for the money and as soon as it was over, he'd be fine, he was sure that the King of Asgard would pay him well enough and that's all that mattered to him.