Quill returned to Earth once again, feeling inexplicably wistful.
He still carefully preserved the Sony Walkman he had carried as a child. The songs he had listened to countless times had long since become part of his soul.
That was the sound of home.
Looking out at the endless white landscape, the temperature of -43°C had briefly made Quill think some catastrophe had struck this planet.
"This damned place is even colder than Morag..."
Years of drifting through space had successfully made Quill forget the common knowledge even elementary school students knew—Earth had a North Pole and a South Pole.
He checked the compass in his hand again, adjusted the ship's navigation target, and pulled the control lever.
The ship accelerated away, leaving an afterimage across the sky...
Inside the clouds not far away, a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft remained cloaked.
Agent Coulson had barely exchanged a few words with Nick Fury when a staff member came looking for him.
"Boss, that unidentified aircraft has left. It's moving fast.
"Our equipment can barely track it. It didn't spot us..."
Coulson paused slightly at that, somewhat relieved.
His eyes shifted as he immediately asked:
"Can you confirm its destination?"
"Assuming it maintains its current route—it'll most likely pass over New York."
Nick Fury heard the staff member through the phone.
A trace of gravity crossed his dark face.
The Helicarrier was about to take off, and S.H.I.E.L.D. was already in complete chaos... now there was an alien spaceship too.
I hope it isn't hostile...
Remembering a private report from an agent earlier, he pondered for a moment before asking:
"Any leads on Clairvoyant?"
Coulson said, "We've confirmed the direction... more or less."
"Proceed according to plan... Oh, and unless it's something important, don't disturb this old man's slumber..."
With that, he hung up.