C72 Earth? Or Nah?

C72 Earth? Or Nah?

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——————

Peter gripped the controls of the ship, the familiar hum of the engine mixing with the low murmurs of his crew as they hurtled through hyperspace. Days of traveling through wild space had left the crew weary, yet anticipation filled the air—Earth, Peter's long-lost home, was close.

"Alright, everyone, hold on. We're coming out of hyperspace," Peter announced, his voice tinged with excitement. The stars outside the cockpit window realigned, merging into the distinct form of a green and blue planet—Earth.

"It's here..." Peter whispered, his eyes widening in awe. "It's really here..."

Revan remained silent beside him, his spectral form flickering subtly. Cosmo's tail wagged furiously as she jumped up to get a better look through the window. "Earth!" she barked, sharing Peter's enthusiasm, as it's her home planet as well.

Groot peered over their shoulders, his deep voice resonant within the confined space. "I am Groot," he remarked simply, clearly impressed by the planet's lush appearance.

Howard, however, scoffed. "A backwater planet if I ever saw one. Can't believe this is your big find, Quill."

Peter rolled his eyes, accustomed to Howard's sharp tongue, and focused on descending towards the surface. He aimed for a secluded area in the middle of a desert on the west coast of the United States—a few miles away from where Los Angeles should be.

As they neared the ground, the barren landscape sprawled beneath them. "Looks empty..." Howard continued criticizing the planet. "Isn't there a place where we can land that isn't a desert?"

"No, Earth isn't a spacefaring planet just yet. Just wait till we hit the city," Peter reassured the crew, who seemed skeptical of the seemingly lifeless vista.

Landing the ship smoothly, Peter gathered everyone in the cargo bay. "Listen up, we need to keep a low profile. Howard, Groot, Revan—you're staying here."

Howard immediately protested, his feathers practically bristling with indignation. "What? Why do I have to stay cooped up in this tin can while you get to go partying around your home planet?"

Groot, less angry but equally disappointed, added his own rumble, "I am Groot," in a tone that clearly conveyed his displeasure.

Revan, arms folded, remained silent, nodding in understanding. He recognized that their presence—a ghost, an anthropomorphic duck, and a walking tree—would certainly attract undue attention on a planet that's only ever explored its own moon.

Peter ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of their stares. "Look, guys, it's not that I don't want you to come. Earth just isn't familiar with aliens, so if you start walking around carefree, you'll definitely attract attention. And before you know it, we'll be dealing with men in black suits trying to capture and dissect you guys..."

Howard crossed his arms, mimicking Revan's posture but with considerably less grace. "And Cosmo is perfectly fine?"

Peter pointed at Cosmo, who sat quietly, though her eyes were round with the excitement of impending adventure. "Cosmo is from Earth. And even though she isn't your average dog, she can pass for one."

Groot leaned down, his branch-like fingers brushing against the floor, imitating a dog. "I am Groot?"

"Although you make quite the convincing dog, It's just too risky, buddy," Peter replied, placing a comforting hand on Groot's bark-like shoulder. "I need you guys to hold down the fort. If anything goes sideways, I'm gonna need a quick getaway. Can I count on you?"

"I am Groot..." Groot nodded, though he wasn't happy about it.

Howard huffed, resigning himself to his fate. "Fine, but you better bring me back some booze. And I expect something that doesn't suck."

Peter grinned, relief washing over him as the tension eased slightly. "Sure. I'll bring back something special for each of you. Come on, Cosmo, you're with me, but you gotta lose the space suit."

Cosmo looked up at him, her eyes wide. "But it feels like I'm naked without it," she complained.

"I know, girl, but a dog in a space suit isn't exactly inconspicuous," Peter chuckled, scratching behind her ears.

————

Meanwhile, in a room aglow with the soft light of numerous holographic displays, High Evolutionary observed his meticulously constructed replica of Los Angeles. His sharp eyes scanned the screens, capturing every angle of Peter and Cosmo's exploration of the city. The images of their ship, settled in the desolate outskirts, flickered on another panel.

"It's been so long since we've had intruders," High Evolutionary muttered to himself, his eyes glued to the screen displaying Cosmo. A smirk formed on his lips. "And one of them is an Earth dog..."

His hand hovered over a console, fingers tapping rhythmically as he contemplated his next move. Decision made, he pressed a series of commands, activating the city's hidden defense mechanisms.

Deep beneath the city, hatches swung open, and sleek, silver droids surged upward. Their movements were synchronized and precise.

Quickly assembling into formation, they split into two groups. One group advanced towards the two intruders, determined to capture the dog, while the other rushed off into the desert towards the parked ship.

Unfortunately, High Evolutionary has no interest in humans or other non-earth creatures, so only Cosmo would be taken alive. The rest would be treated with lethal force.

————

Back inside the ship in the desert, Revan stood by a window, his spectral form flickering slightly as he sensed a disturbance approaching. A faint smile played on his lips as he summoned his lightsaber to his hand, marching towards the cargo hold.

"Groot, Howard, we have company," Revan announced calmly, his voice resonating with a cool confidence.

Howard looked up from his makeshift bar, annoyance written across his features. "What sort of company? The kind that drinks, or the kind that shoots?" He asked, waving his martini glass around.

"I am Groot," Groot intoned, his voice deep and worried as he moved to follow Revan.

Without another word, Revan turned and marched towards the exit. The ramp lowered with a hydraulic hiss, revealing the barren landscape outside.

In the distance, a dust storm seemed to loom on the horizon. But upon closer inspection, what appeared to be a storm was actually a small army of hovering droids. Their metallic bodies glinted in the sunlight as they rapidly closed in, kicking up sand behind them.

Howard and Groot hurried after Revan, peering out into the harsh daylight. The sight of the droid army brought a rare seriousness to Howard's face. "Ah, that kind of company," he muttered, turning back around. "Let me get my gun..."

————

Meanwhile, back in the lab, Rocket, Floor, Lylla, and Teefs huddled together in their dimly lit cage. The atmosphere was tense, every nerve wired for the escape plan that had been meticulously crafted over the past 24 hours.

Tonight was supposed to be the night they claimed their freedom. But the sudden blare of alarms throughout the facility caught them off guard, changing everything.

Rocket's sharp eyes darted around the room, analyzing the chaos erupting around them. And after waiting for five full minutes, and with no one coming to check on them, he made a decision. "This is it, we move now!" he whispered urgently.

The usually controlled environment of the lab was thrown into disarray as scientists and security droids scurried to respond to the emergency.

Lylla shook her head, her sleek fur bristling with anticipation. "But Rocket, the plan was for midnight," she protested softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Rocket shook his head, his tail flicking with impatience. "No time, Lylla! Whatever's going on out there is a perfect distraction for us, it's now or never!"

Teefs grunted in agreement and barreled into the pre-weakened door of their cage, knocking it off its hinges. "Rocket's right," he said, his voice booming over the alarms. "We should use whatever's going on right now as cover."

"...fine," Lylla hesitantly agreed.

"Good," Rocket nodded, rushing toward the vent across the room. "Now let's get moving before they come looking for us..."

A/N: 2142 words :)