Amid gorgeous, multicolored nebular dust floated a vast expanse of land, like a colossal cosmic beast sprawled across the dark void.
Only upon drawing close could one discover that it was a landmass built around a Celestial head. Knowhere, once no larger than an asteroid, had become a giant city after ceaseless expansion.
Five full years had passed since war broke out between Xandar and the Kree Empire. Even with the Nova Corps mediating and offering covert assistance, Xandar had gradually begun to show an irreversible decline.
During the first year or two, the two sides had still been able to maintain a stalemate. But after Ronan the Accuser's military coup succeeded, overthrowing the legitimate royal line backed by the great nobles and reaching an understanding with the Supreme Intelligence, the Kree Empire displayed a horrifying level of combat capability.
Xandar had never been known for its military strength. As a civilized planet with thriving trade and a prosperous economy, it had always enjoyed the protection of the Nova Corps. Even its thousand-year space war with the Kree Empire had merely been a matter of both sides continually deploying fleets and competing in resource consumption.
The long period of comfort had left Xandar unable to withstand the Kree Empire's ferocious offensives, forcing it into retreat after retreat.
Under the current tense circumstances, whether ordinary people of the various cosmic races or large merchant caravans that had amassed immense wealth and sought protection, all longed to find a relatively safe harbor. Knowhere was clearly an excellent choice.
Compared to its former role as a distribution center for smuggled goods, Knowhere, under a new owner, was far better suited to being a haven.
Free and open trade drove highly prosperous economic activity. Without the Tivan Group's deliberate monopoly, a moderately competitive environment