Chapter Thirty-One: Seeking Carol's Help!

The moment they returned to Xandar, Kaelia took Hao Yun straight to the Nova Corps headquarters.

Hao Yun had never expected that Kaelia’s mother was actually the personal secretary to Nova Prime! Was she a second-generation official?

Without anyone to stop them, the pair intercepted Nova Prime and her secretary in the corridor.

"Kaelia, aren't you supposed to be on patrol? Why are you here?"

Kaelia’s mother, the secretary to Nova Prime, looked at her daughter with confusion. Kaelia was not the type of girl to lack decorum; what could she possibly want?

"Casey, your daughter has grown up to be quite a fine young woman. Let’s hear what she has to say."

Nova Prime stopped her secretary from ushering them away, smiling as she looked at the two.

Kaelia hurriedly bowed and recounted everything, from her pursuit of the criminal the night before to her encounter with Ronan.

"You actually dared to chase a criminal by yourself?! Kaelia, it seems I’ve been too lenient with you!"

Hearing that her daughter had faced Ronan head-on, Casey was gripped by a sudden surge of fear. She couldn't help but reach out and tug on Kaelia's ear—if anything had happened to her, how would she ever go on?

Kaelia, ignoring her mother’s lingering fear and nagging, broke free from the reprimand and ran to Nova Prime, explaining with all her might, "Prime, Gamora is the daughter of Thanos and was once Ronan’s lieutenant. Her judgment cannot be wrong. Ronan really will lead his fleet to attack Xandar!"

"Prime, we must stop Ronan’s fleet outside the planet!"

"Don't talk nonsense! The Prime has her own strategies for military matters!"

Casey glared at her daughter, pulling her behind her back, and looked at the Prime with a flustered expression. "Prime, my daughter is still young; it is very likely that Gamora has deceived her..."

"Mother!"

Kaelia looked at her mother in disbelief, but Casey turned back and snapped, "You be quiet!"

Nova Prime, however, did not blame Kaelia at all. As a police officer, to act on behalf of justice and pursue a fugitive solo in a starship—she was a cop worthy of respect. She also believed that Kaelia truly loved the planet and would never tell a lie to deceive her.

However, the Prime was somewhat skeptical of Gamora’s claims.

After a moment of contemplation, the Prime looked at Kaelia. "Kaelia, do you think Gamora’s words can be trusted?"

"I..." Kaelia instinctively looked at Hao Yun. Hao Yun gave her a slight nod. Without hesitation, she said to the Prime, "I trust her!"

Clearly, both the Prime and Casey noticed the interaction, and both turned their gaze toward Hao Yun simultaneously.

Hao Yun took the initiative to step beside Kaelia, mimicking her bow. "A human and auxiliary officer of Xandar, greetings, Prime."

"You are the Hao Yun that Kaelia spoke of, the one who could stand toe-to-toe with Ronan?"

The Prime looked Hao Yun up and down, a slight frown creasing her brow. She could not sense any fluctuations of power from him. It couldn't be helped; as everyone knew, with the existence of a system, it was difficult for others to see through a host's true strength.

"Yes, I am the one who blocked Ronan. And, based on my understanding of him, once he learns how to use the Power Stone, he will definitely come to Xandar for revenge!"

"Revenge? Hmph. What grudge could there possibly be between Xandar and Ronan?"

Secretary Casey’s tone was sharp. She detested Hao Yun’s presence. If it weren't for him, Kaelia would have finished her patrol around the prison and returned long ago; how could she have encountered Ronan’s fleet and faced such danger?

"Er... do you truly believe that Xandar has no grudge against Ronan?"

Hao Yun was speechless for a second, but out of respect for Kaelia’s mother, he asked patiently.

"How do you mean?"

Nova Prime looked at him intently, waiting for his answer.

"On our planet, there is a saying in the Art of War: Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. To determine whether Ronan will attack Xandar, we must first analyze his personality."

Hao Yun walked to the center of the headquarters hall, next to the model of Xandar, and placed a small flag on the side to illustrate his point.

"Ronan is the most rigid and bellicose hawk among the Kree. In his heart, the Kree are the strongest empire in the galaxy, and every other race should bow down to them as vassals. Over a decade ago, Ronan’s attack on Earth was thwarted due to Carol, the Captain Marvel. Combined with her efforts to maintain peace in the galaxy, his tyrannical behavior had to be reined in. But his restraint wasn't born of reflection—it was a forced submission due to superior power.

"And all that pent-up frustration will erupt tenfold now that he has gained great power. The Orb is the vessel for the Power Stone, a treasure of the universe. With it, Ronan will possess the strength to fight Carol! He will no longer hide; he will even inflict his past grievances on others with doubled intensity."

Having said this, Hao Yun paused and looked at Nova Prime.

"Prime, what do you think is the latest, most frustrating fact for Ronan?"

The Prime realized it in a flash. "It is the peace treaty we signed with the Kree!"

"Exactly! So, in my opinion, Gamora’s judgment is correct. Once he obtains the Power Stone, Ronan will surely strike Xandar first!"

"Damn it! Does that mean we’ve become the shield for the Guardians of the Galaxy? Prime, I suggest we contact the Guardians immediately; otherwise, no one here can withstand Ronan’s wrath!"

Secretary Casey realized this instantly. Everyone knew of Ronan’s strength; he had single-handedly destroyed relatively primitive planets! Standard technology would not be enough to harm him.

Although someone present had blocked Ronan before, that was merely an even match. Once Ronan obtained the Power Stone, Hao Yun would clearly be no match for him. Thus, Casey’s first thought was not for the Prime to mobilize the Nova Corps, but to call for reinforcements from the Guardians and Carol.

Clearly, the Prime had reached the same conclusion, and she escalated the response even further.

"Immediately issue a distress signal to the Guardians of the Galaxy in the name of Xandar! Additionally, order the Nova Corps to set sail and establish a perimeter of defense along the jump points surrounding Xandar. We must hold the line until Carol arrives!"

"Understood, Prime!"

At this critical moment, Secretary Casey could no longer worry about her daughter; she saluted and went to carry out the orders.

After Casey left, the Prime looked back at Hao Yun.

"Hao Yun, is it? You and Kaelia go and rest for now. When Ronan arrives, we may need your help."

"It is my duty."