The Journals of Gamora, Entry # 2048 :

It's been two months since Adam used the Infinity Gauntlet to help birth the new Eternity and Infinity, two months since the Infinity Gems were scattered throughout the multiverse.

Only Adam kept his Gem. The Soul Gem still resides on his forehead, looking both threatening and beguiling. It's capable fo stealing one's soul... but in return that soul gets to live forever in the heaven that is Soul World. I had that heaven once, but I gave it up to follow Adam back into the world of the living.

What was I thinking? I was thinking that Adam has a way of making you feel so damned spiritually inferior if you dare disagree with him... I was thinking that without him, heaven would not be nearly so sweet.

There. I said it. After years of playing cat and mouse with my feelings for him, I've come to admit the truth that others saw long ago: I love Adam Warlock. I love him for his bravery, for his intelligence and for his brooding beauty. I have not said these words to him, not since I fully admitted them to myself... another former lover of mine, Richard Rider of Earth, is amongst our current number and I confess that I've enjoyed making both of them vie for my attentions. But in the end there is only man who could ever hope to tame me... and that is Adam.

Since he created Infinity Station here in the center of the cosmos, this floating city in space has quickly become home to over 10,000 displaced aliens. Most of them have been the victims of various tragedies, be they related to Galactus eating their homeworld or the recent war with Annihilus having driven them from their birthplaces. These 10,000 souls, floating in the void, look to Adam for guidance and protection.

He has provided both -- in spades.

Marvel Anthology Presents:

Issue Number Two
The Forging, Part Two:
"Hello, My Old Friend"
Written by Barry Reese

The Heart of the Shi'ar Empire

The man known as Warlock stood in the grand chamber of the Imperial Majestrix of the Shi'ar, looking calm and confident. His sudden appearance had sent guards scrambling for their guns, but not one shot had yet been fired.

Adam held his staff in one hand, gesturing with the other as he spoke. "Imperial Majestrix Lilandra -- Infinity Station has sovereign rule over its own citizens. If you wish to ask for extradition of alleged 'criminals,' you are free to do so. But I would advise against sending more of your Imperial Guard to my home."

Lilandra, leader of the largest empire in the known galaxy, flicked her eyes towards the forms of Manta and Titan. Both of them were experienced members of the Imperial Guard, the most feared fighting force in the Shi'ar arsenal. They had been dispatched to Infinity Station to retrieve a Kree scientist who had recently sought asylum from Warlock. Now, they lay unconscious on the floor at Warlock's feet. "Warlock... Your sudden arrival in my court is unexpected." She cast a wary glance at Gladiator, the leader of the Guard, who loomed behind her. At a subtle signal from her, he backed down from his angry stance, though he obviously wished to forcibly remove Warlock. "I agree that Infinity Station belongs to you and you alone -- but the space it occupies was recently annexed by the Shi'ar Empire. My Imperial Guard was dispatched to inform you of this and to request that you turn over to us the Kree scientist Mol-Tis."

Lilandra tried to use her best diplomatic voice, putting aside the surprise she felt over his sudden arrival. She had led the Shi'ar Empire for many years now, ruling with confidence and wisdom. But there was something about this Warlock... that made her uneasy.

"Mol-Tis was in charge of weapons development during your Empire's war with the Kree. He has no desire to be pressed into service by your own military." Warlock spoke to Lilandra as an equal, drawing gasps from those in attendance.

Gladiator lost the tenuous grip he'd held on his temper. "How dare you?! You teleport into the Royal Court and make such an accusation? We want to see that killer stand trial for his crimes! Millions of Shi'ar died because of weapons he created!"

Warlock smiled enigmatically. "Calm yourself, Gladiator. I have not come here to harm your beloved Majestrix, nor am I here to besmirch her reputation. But Mol-Tis feels that you would have him designing weapons in lieu of a prison sentence and I am forced to agree with him. As for your annexation of the Sigma System... I reject it, on all counts."

An excited buzzing filled the court. Many of those present could scarcely believe their ears -- no one had ever showed this sort of disrespect to the Imperial Majestrix, especially in the presence of Gladiator, who was well known for dealing harshly with such matters.

Lilandra waited for the commotion to die down before speaking. Her tone was colder and more confident now. At first, she hadn't known what to expect from Warlock but now she felt on steadier ground -- he was here to bargain. "The Galactic Convention has acknowledged our right to the Sigma System. I am afraid that galactic law is on our side."

"I am not bound by your laws." Adam Warlock stepped forward quickly, bringing a sudden roar from Gladiator, who moved to defend his queen. "I have held creation in the palm of my hand -- twice. I have sipped from the cup of Heaven and returned. I exist outside the forces of order and chaos. I am Adam Warlock..." He stopped just short of Gladiator's heaving form. "... and I am here to tell you that the Sigma System is off-limits to the Shi'ar."

Gladiator drew back a fist, but came to a halt when Lilandra touched his arm. "Majestrix, please... He deserves --"

The Majestrix silenced him with a stare. Turning back to Warlock, she murmured "You know that I cannot abide by that... without proper compensation."

Warlock nodded, his eyes glinting. Things were proceeding exactly as he'd expected. He prided himself on his grand schemes and manipulations, frequently planning things months and years in advance. He knew that his sudden arrival in Lilandra's court would throw her off-balance and make her doubt her own security -- and now, after his show of charismatic force, she was willing to listen to him. "Of course. I realize you need something in trade. I offer you my services to deal with a problem of great importance to you. And, in exchange, you surrender your claim to Sigma. And to Mol-Tis."

The Majestrix set her jaw and fought to hide her surprise. "What exactly are you speaking of?"

Warlock leaned close to her, ignoring the stares of those around him, and whispered the one name that chilled Lilandra to the bone. "I speak of the Thanos problem."

The Kree Outpost of Sri Var

Sri Var was an arid world, with only two major population centers to speak. The largest of these was home to just over 2000 Kree farmers and scientists. Their homes were spartan in appearance, with utilitarian design. Nova thought it looked like something out of a John Steinbeck novel... if the characters from Of Mice and Men  had all possessed blue skin.

Richard Rider flew over the city, annoyance beginning to set in. "C'mon," he murmured, "This place is tiny. Where could he be?"

The worldmind, the sum total of Xandar's lost knowledge, answered quickly. Richard, the man we are looking for could be inside any of those buildings below. The chances of spotting him on this seemingly random patrol of yours is--

"Don't tell me the odds," Nova muttered.  He put a hand to the side of his golden helmet and activated the radio transmitter stored inside. "Carol, are you having any luck? I'm striking out over here."

Ms. Marvel flew up alongside Nova, surprising him. She smiled at the look of surprise on his face. "Actually I didn't do any better than you did... but Gamora hit paydirt. She's questioning him now."

"Uh... she knows to leave him alive afterwards, right?"

Carol frowned. "I'm sure she won't kill him... would she? I mean, she's not bloodthirsty all the time, is she?"

"Well, no... but she wouldn't hesitate to off him if she thought he deserved it." Nova noticed Ms. Marvel watching him closely and he blushed, knowing what about to come. He'd felt her dancing around the issue for awhile now. "What?"

"I'm just wondering what the story is between you and Gamora. I mean, I thought she was Adam's girlfriend to begin with but it's obvious the two of you have something -- or did anyway. And she just doesn't seem like your type."

Nova followed Ms. Marvel's lead, heading back towards the spacecraft that had brought them to this planet. "She and I... it's complicated."

"Isn't it always?"

"Heh. Yeah, well, I'm not sure what there is between us. I mean, the sex was incredible but I don't think she ever loved me or anything. And now that Adam's around... I mean, she still flirts with me, especially when he's in the room... but I think I'm just being used to make him jealous."

"That doesn't seem likely to work," Ms. Marvel said. "Not as cold as Warlock usually seems. He probably hasn't even noticed." Carol smiled. "Look, Rich, I'm sorry. It's probably none of my business and I shouldn't have asked."

"No, no. It's okay." The two heroes landed near their ship, which was a dirty gray in color. The vessel bore the stylish Infinity logo on the side, identifying it as bearing representatives from Infinity Station. Adam's dream had gained a lot of acceptance by offering a home to the displaced and also for offering to handle border disputes and planetary incursions. Both Nova and Ms. Marvel -- along with Gamora and Mantis -- had been quite busy as a result. "It's probably for the best anyway. The Worldmind is always after me to put the restoration of the Corps on the front burner and between that and our work with the Infinity Station, there's not much time for a relationship."

"You have to make time," Carol answered. "Believe me, I've learned that the hard way."

Rich found himself watching Ms. Marvel's legs as she walked beside him. Carol was a breathtakingly beautiful woman and her knee-high boots definitely drew attention to a couple of of her best assets.

"Rich? Are you listening to me?"

Nova looked up to see Carol's bemused expression. "Oh. Sorry. My mind was wandering."

"I said that you should just take it easy, like you've been doing. If Gamora wants you, let her work for it. If she's only playing you to tease Adam, don't let her."

Nova was about to thank her for the advice when a man suddenly bolted from the interior of their vessel. His clothing was in tatters and blood streamed a dozen or more wounds. He was a blue-skinned Kree and was in poor health to begin with: his distended belly and double chins made it quite clear that he was a man given to excess. As such, he didn't move very quickly. "Help me! Help me please!" he shouted.

"Calm down," Ms. Marvel started to say but her words drifted off into nothingness as the man suddenly fell to his news, his eyes rolling back into his skull. As he sagged forward, a curved blade could be seen protruding from his back.

Carol knelt quickly, checking for a pulse. Finding none, she looked up as Gamora approached, a somewhat smug expression on her face. Ms. Marvel rose, her hands closing into fists. "What the hell--? I just joking with Rich a few minutes ago about you going psycho and killing the guy but I didn't really think you would!"

Gamora let out a short laugh. "He was attempting to escape. You saw him. Besides, he'd served his purpose. I got the information we needed."

"So you decided to kill him? Adam's going to hear about this."

Gamora jumped in Carol's face, fury rising in her voice. "Adam knows what I am, better than you ever will. So don't try and threaten me with that sort of flarg."

Carol refused to back down, holding Gamora's gaze with her own. "Adam wants us to be heroes. I'm betting he won't think much of you murdering people."

"I'm an assassin, Danvers. Get used to it."

"You were an assassin. Now you're part of the Infinity Station team. You need to start shaping up."

Nova cleared his throat, hoping to defuse the situation... at least until they were back on the ship. "You said you got the Intel we needed?"

Gamora nodded, retrieving her knife. It came out of the man's back with a wet sound. "He's seen the man with the other Soul Gem. Said it looks just like Adam's, though darker in color. The man who wields it has been raiding ships and towns for awhile now, taking medicines and food. When this bastard saw him last, the man was really sick and ranting about needing to find the avatar of death."

Ms. Marvel bent down and lifted the dead man's corpse. "We're taking him back to Infinity Station," she muttered, her eyes never leaving Gamora's face. "I'm going to make sure that Adam knows exactly what you've done."

Gamora shrugged. "Like I said... I don't think Adam will care."

Nova let out a sigh as the two women boarded the ship. It was going to be a tense ride home.

Pip the Troll took the last swig of beer from his mug and belched loudly, patting his rotund belly with one hand. He was seated at the shuttle's helm, his feet propped on the control panel. Since leaving Sri Var, the ship had returned to Infinity Station, where Nova and a very disgruntled Ms. Marvel had exited. Pip had then gone to pick up Adam with Gamora, a process which had taken awhile... leaving plenty of time for Pip to get rip-roaring drunk.  "So when's Goldie comin' back?"

Gamora glanced back at him, tearing her eyes away from the scene outside the viewport window. The forces of the Shi'ar navy were massing around them, displaying a show of force designed to intimidate the much smaller vessel as it orbited above the Shi'ar homeworld. Still, she felt no fear over the situation. Gamora was widely known as "the most dangerous woman in the galaxy," and she felt fear only rarely. Being raised by the nihilistic Titan named Thanos had that effect on one. "He should be here any minute, assuming he hasn't started the next great galactic war."

Pip examined her critically. He reached and scratched one of his hairy legs. "You still wussed off, huh?"

Gamora replied cooly, " I just think we have better things to do with our time than bargain with the Shi'ar over the life of a Kree scientist! I don't mind Adam taking a stand every now and then, but this time... I say let the Kree go back to the Shi'ar and deal with them himself." Gamora had been testy ever since she and Ms. Marvel had clashed over her actions on Sri Var... but Pip thought there was something else at play here.

"Whatever. You're just pissed that Adam didn't remember your birthday."

Gamora let out an angry sigh and stormed out of the cockpit. "Go to hell, you mangy little goat!"

Pip grinned as he dragged a match over his scabby knee. It caught flame and he brought it to his lips, carefully lighting his cigar. "Heh. Women...."

Adam Warlock stepped through the airlock, barely having time to step out of the way as Gamora moved past. "Is something wrong?"

Gamora stepped into her personal quarters and slammed the door shut.

Adam stared after her for a moment and then moved to the front of the ship. He could smell Pip's cigar, the smoke wafting through the corridors. "I assume you're responsible for Gamora's mood...."

Pip looked up at Adam, grinning. "Nope. You are. You forgot her birthday. Again. What is it now? Six, seven years in a row?" The Troll leaned forward and winked. "Dames. Ya can't live with 'em and--"

Adam waved him off. "Spare me. Gamora has to realize that I don't have time for trivialities. The Shi'ar are becoming increasingly imperialistic and the other major powers are beginning to gear up for possible conflicts. The pacts I forge in the next few months could be critical to Infinity Station's survival. And that's not even taking into consideration that there may be another Soul Gem out there somewhere, being used for who knows what."

"Women don't consider their birthdays to be trivialities, boss. Ya gotta remember that. They need flowers and sweet talk every now and again. If you want the boom-boom, ya gotta pay the price."

"Boom-boom?" Adam mouthed the words before abandoning the subject altogether. "Set course for these coordinates," he said, handing a datachip to Pip. "I've agreed to deal with a problem for Lilandra, in exchange for her promise to halt the annexation of the Sigma System."

"What sort of problem?" Gamora's voice from the doorway made Pip jump, but Adam seemed nonplussed.

"I've found Thanos. He's erected some sort of base on the moon of Dengari Prime and has forbidden the Shi'ar from entered his airspace. Lilandra is fearful that Thanos might be planning something deadly."

"That's a safe assumption. And it actually ties in to what you had us looking into earlier. My informant on Sri Var says that the man with the other Soul Gem was looking for the 'avatar of Death'... I think he might have meant Thanos." Gamora moved to stand near Warlock, studying his eyes. Though almost everyone found him enigmatic to the point of being maddening, Gamora could usually study his moods fairly well. "What troubles you?"

"I've had dreams of late... about Thanos. I think that he might be in some danger." Adam surprised her by reaching out and touching her face. Her green skin was somewhat wet around her eyes, evidence of her tears. "I... I sometimes forget that others do not see the larger picture as I do. Forgive me."

Gamora smiled softly. "Adam... You'll never be a romantic, but neither will I. We're different than most. Of course I forgive you."

"Great. So let's drink a few beers on the way to celebrate your b-day!" Pip held up a six-pack. "So how old are you anyway?"

Gamora's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she merely grabbed a beer from Pip's hand. "Still young enough to whip your hairy little butt."

Warlock looked away as his friends laughed. He'd meant his words to Gamora -- sometimes he did forget to feel for others. He'd been created to be the ultimate man, but when he saw that his creators sought to use him for evil, he'd fled and sought out his own destiny. Part of that destiny had led him to Other-Earth, where he'd died for the sins of an entire world -- and been resurrected. Since then, it had been one strange adventure after another : the banishing of his evil future-self, the Magus; death and rebirth once more in the Soul World; a return to the world of the flesh, followed by the omnipotence of the Infinity Gauntlet; battles against the Magus and his female variant, the Goddess; his brief trip to the Ultraverse; and now, he was leader and protector of the Infinity Station. In the process of all those battles, he'd grown cold and distant, thinking of people as pawns to be used.

That must change, he thought. Somehow, I must find my emotional center once more. When I first held the Infinity Gauntlet, I cast out all goodness and all evil from my soul. In doing so, I have lost the essential humanity that I was supposed to represent....

Lost in thought, Adam Warlock stepped from the cockpit.

INFINITY STATION

Mantis sat cross-legged on the floor, her fingers aligned with one another in the shape of the mudra. She could sense the minds of the station's residents, all of their hopes and concerns. She wasn't a telepath per se... not like some of the others on the station... but she was attuned to the life force of those around her. It was part of her gifts as the Celestial Madonna.

She felt serene, as if all the strife of her past were truly behind her.

And then came a pounding at her door, following by the angry buzz of Carol Danvers' mind.

Sighing, she rose from the floor and moved to open the door. Ms. Marvel entered without being asked, her face contorted with anger. "I don't have to take this crap, Mantis. I was an Avenger. A damn good Avenger, too. And I had a job with SHIELD!"

Mantis watched her friend pacing back and forth. "This one... doesn't understand."

Carol stopped in her tracks and let her shoulders fall. "Sorry. It's just... Gamora. She killed a man. Right in front of me! I'd been joking about her doing something like that and then she went and did it!"

"You shouldn't joke about murder."

"This isn't about me! It's about her!" Carol ran a hand through her long blonde hair. "What does he see in that skank?"

"Who?"

"Adam. Rich. Hell, every man on the station. They all want her."

"Does that make you jealous?"

Carol stopped and looked straight at her friend. "No. It does not."

"Then why did you mention it?" Mantis tilted her head to the side, regarding Carol with interest. "This one was not always a green-skinned Celestial Madonna. Once, this one danced for the entertainment of men. The ways of the heart... and jealousy... are well known to this one."

"Do you have to talk like that?" Carol sat down in a chair and sighed. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm bothering you with this. I just think Gamora is such a loose cannon that she threatens everything Adam's trying to do here. I'm from a military background... I like order. I like having people that I can count on to have my back. And I don't trust her. It's that simple. But telling Adam all that probably won't accomplish anything. He's in love with her, I think."

"Adam wouldn't have invited you to take part in this if he didn't value your opinion." Mantis suddenly swooned and Carol was up out of her chair just in time to catch her.

"Mantis? What's wrong?"

"This one... doesn't know. For a moment, she felt like... no. That is impossible!"

"What? Tell me...."

Mantis stared into Carol's eyes and for the first time in their short friendship, Carol saw fear reflected in the Celestial Madonna's eyes. "This one felt that the Cotati -- the peaceful plant people who sheltered this one for a time... this one felt that they had been destroyed!"

THE MOON OF DENGARI PRIME

Gamora stalked through the dense jungle, slashing through the limbs that blocked her path. Adam followed behind, silent and thoughtful. "Why didn't we encounter any resistance when we landed?"

"I'm not certain... Perhaps Thanos has anticipated our arrival."

Gamora glanced over her shoulder. "You mentioned dreaming about him. What exactly did you see in your vision?"

Adam glanced at her. By his calculations, they should be no more than a few hundred yards away from their goal. "I saw him floating in the void, his hands outstretched. Mistress Death was nearby, but she would not touch him. He was screaming."

Gamora didn't reply. As far as she knew, Adam never dreamed. Why now? Conflicted emotions also rose up when she thought of Thanos in danger -- she had stood against him time and again, but he had raised her... given her a purpose. And in the midst of all that raged another storm: Gamora hadn't bothered telling Adam about her actions on Sri Var and despite what she'd said to Carol, she wasn't 100% certain that he would approve of them.

Those thoughts came to an abrupt end as she stepped into a clearing. A large monolithic structure rose up before them, one erected with a cold sterility that reminded one of a mausoleum.

Adam pushed past Gamora, eliciting a cry of surprise from the warrior woman. She started to protest, but fell silent as her eyes fell on a figure propped in front of the structure.

He was tied to a cross, his arms restrained by heavy steel cables. His clothing was ripped to shreds, showing his bloody flesh. The face that had frightened millions showed no signs of life.

Adam touched the man's neck, knowing what he would find. Without looking at Gamora, he whispered. "He's dead. Thanos is dead."

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: The threat to the Cotati and the fate of Thanos are intertwined... but who is the mystery man with the other Soul Gem? And what does the ghost of Genis-Vell have to do with the end of the universe? Next issue features many of those answers -- and sets the stage for what is to come!

INFINITE MUSINGS

Welcome. We're now two issues in and hopefully your curiosity is starting to rise. This opening arc will end in # 4 (unless I get all ambitious and do a double-sized # 3) and after that we'll spend some time with our cast, getting to know the other residents of Infinity Station and mapping out the cosmic side of the MA universe. I hope you'll stick around and see all the cool stuff I have planned!

Barry