"Time to set off," Hermione murmured.
Over the past few days, she had used the Space Stone to enhance the ship's jump drive. In theory, it could now make consecutive, precise jumps through space.
Hermione settled into the pilot's seat and deftly started the ship.
On the control panel, beside the original Asgardian-style rune buttons, she had added several touch interfaces that shimmered with arcane light.
She set her destination on the star chart-Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire.
She was going to lie in wait for an idiot.
Robbing an idiot outright might not quite suit her image as a mastermind behind the scenes, but efficiency came first.
"Prepare for spatial jump."
At her command, the ship's engines gave a low, powerful hum. Space around it began to warp, and the view of Asgard outside the windows instantly dissolved into streams of dazzling light.
The ship seemed to travel through an invisible tunnel. A few breaths later, it emerged in deep space.
Just as Hermione thought this voyage would be smooth sailing, the ship jolted violently!
Bang!
A dull impact rang out. Red lights flashed inside the cockpit, and a piercing alarm blared.
Hermione pitched forward, the safety harness holding her firmly in her seat.
Outside the ship, a pale golden Magic Shield activated automatically, absorbing most of the impact.
Yet the shock wave still shook the ship fiercely. As though it had struck an invisible wall, it came to an abrupt halt in the void.
Hermione steadied herself and looked out the viewport.
An enormous warship loomed in front of her vessel like a monstrous beast of steel.
It was countless times larger than S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier-huge, dark, and brutish at first glance, nothing like Asgard's elegant, magical designs.
Had she just gotten into a collision?
Hermione frowned and