Thanos's Scheme / The Sovereign

No one could be sure whether he had any dangerous weapons hidden on him.

If Dane had not already obtained the Power Stone, he would have been more cautious.

But now, it did not matter.

After having the Guardians of the Galaxy taken away, Dane met with Nebula.

"How is the task I gave you coming along?"

Nebula knelt on one knee, her head lowered. "I've contacted him, but he doesn't trust me."

"He wants me to show him the Power Stone."

Naturally, Nebula could not show Thanos the Stone, because it was not in her possession at all.

Nor could Dane possibly lend the Power Stone to Nebula just to win Thanos's trust. That would have been far too foolish.

"As expected." Dane had anticipated this. "It seems Thanos values you even less than I thought. Leave this matter to Gamora instead."

At that, Nebula silently clenched her fists.

Dane glanced at her but paid it no mind. "Your previous story has already made him suspicious. We need a new one. Go discuss it with Gamora and shift Thanos's attention to the Soul Stone."

Nebula did not understand at first. A moment later, she suddenly realized. "She's already found out where the Soul Stone is?"

Then she gritted her teeth.

Had Gamora really surpassed her again?

"I understand. I'll go find her."

Not long after Nebula left, Cortana's voice suddenly sounded beside Dane's ear.

"Dane, I found something very interesting in The Collector's basement."

"What?"

"A golden cocoon. I can sense an extremely powerful life force inside it."

Dane froze. After searching through his memories, he recalled something.

"I almost forgot about this guy."

The golden cocoon Cortana had mentioned should contain the embryo created by Ayesha, High Priestess of Sovereign's Supreme Race, using the strength of her entire