Gladiator had returned, and just as Deathstroke had said, he had prepared a diplomatic honor guard and a few reporters.
Public opinion in the Shi'ar Empire was controlled, so rather than reporters, they were more like low-ranking officials.
After stepping out of the spacecraft, Deathstroke first shook hands warmly with Gladiator. Then they posed for recordings and photographs before taking the podium to deliver a long string of diplomatic pleasantries.
Earth had always valued its longstanding friendship with the Shi'ar Empire. The previous misunderstanding had been caused by a small group of rebels with ulterior motives trying to drive a wedge between them. The Sorcerer Supreme represented Earth, supported First Princess Lilandra's legitimate rule, and firmly opposed two Shi'ar—or one "Feather" and one "Zen."
Then, because Daisy had also been mistaken for an envoy from Asgard, she was given time to speak as well. Having prepared nothing, she walked up like a puppet and blankly repeated everything Deathstroke had said.
As she came down with her mind still empty, she naturally saw Star-Lord's teasing look. So she reached her wicked little hand toward his ear again.
Once they had gone through nearly all the required procedures and given the media enough material, the group followed Gladiator aboard the large transport craft that had come to receive them and headed into space.
Their destination was a colossal flagship stationed in Chandilar's orbit—the location of the imperial residence, where First Princess Lilandra was waiting.
The spaceborne palace differed from an ordinary warship. Though it was armed as well, it was clearly designed more for living and leisure. The hangar beyond the transport craft was unusually vast, while the corridors they passed through were incomparably luxurious.
It was as if a palace had been built atop engines and thrusters, modeled after the finest