Marvel: Rebirth Roulette

I flashed her a grin that I hoped didn't look as desperate as I felt. "Come on, you've gotta admit, I'm pretty good at this whole 'not dying' thing. That's gotta be worth a date, right?"

VIX facepalmed in my mind. "Cody, she's an elite Kree warrior, not a groupie at a space bar."

Ignoring her, I leaned closer to Lyra, playing the charming rogue. "Look, I'm just passing through. I promise not to cause any trouble."

"That's what they all say," she murmured, her gaze sweeping over me with an intensity that could've melted steel. "But you're right about one thing—you do have a certain... knack for staying alive."

Her eyes narrowed. "What's your game?"

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "Game? Me? I'm just a simple scavenger looking to make my fortune. Besides, I'm pretty sure you're not here for a date."

Her hand twitched towards her holster. "You have three seconds to tell me why I shouldn't blast you now."

"One," VIX counted helpfully.

I gulped. "Because I might be your lucky charm? A little birdie—" I coughed, glancing at VIX, "told me that having a shapeshifter on your side could be... beneficial."

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "A birdie, huh?" She looked me up and down. "I suppose you're right. I could use a new pet."

VIX groaned. "Cody, you're not helping."

But something in her tone had changed. The threat of immediate execution had morphed into something else—something almost playful. "Two," she said, smirking.

I grinned back. "Call it a night out, then. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that could make it interesting."

"Interesting, huh?" she said, tilting her head. "Very well, Cody. You've got yourself a date."

I couldn't believe my luck. Or maybe it was VIX's influence. Either way, I was going out with a gorgeous, deadly Kree warrior, and I hadn't even had to shapeshift into a bouquet of flowers.

We walked to a dive bar at the edge of the market, the kind of place where the patrons had more teeth than the menu had items. It was packed with a motley crew of aliens, all watching a holographic fight on the wall. The air was thick with smoke and the smell of desperation.

"So, what's your story, Lyra?" I asked, sliding into a booth next to her. She was all sharp angles and deadly grace, but there was something else beneath that hard exterior—a hint of curiosity, maybe even a touch of amusement.

"I'm a bounty hunter," she said, her voice cool. "I catch people like you."

I chuckled nervously. "Well, I'm sure there's more to it than that."

"Maybe." She took a sip of her drink, eyeing me over the rim. "But let's talk about you. What's your angle?"

"I'm just trying to get by," I said, playing it safe. "Find some work, make some credits."

"Uh huh." She leaned back, watching me with those piercing eyes. "And how does a rogue mutant scavenger plan to do that?"

I shrugged. "Whatever it takes, I guess."

"Three," she said, setting down her drink. "Your time's up."

The blaster was back in her hand, pointed at my chest. "But I'm willing to give you a chance to prove yourself useful. Or entertaining."

I swallowed hard. "I'm sure I can manage that."

VIX, ever the optimist, whispered in my ear, "Remember, Cody. When in doubt, shapeshift and run."

Great plan, I thought, as I tried to think of a way to get out of this without dying. Or worse, embarrassing myself.

"I think I've had enough," Lyra said, her voice dropping an octave. "You're a liar and a fraud."

"Whoa, hold on," I protested, but she was already moving. Her fist shot out like a meteor, and suddenly, I was on the other side of the bar, embedded in the wall. The patrons had cleared out, their drinks forgotten in their haste.

"VIX," I gasped, "a little help here?"

"Oh, did I forget to mention?" she said sweetly. "When you're on a date, I'm on a break. You're on your own, tough guy."

The wall groaned around me, threatening to collapse. Great.

With a grunt, I forced myself out of the wall, my body morphing into a blob to absorb the impact. It was messy, but it worked.

Lyra just stared, blaster still pointed at the spot where I'd been. "What the hell?"

I rolled back into human form and dusted myself off. "It's a new look."

Her finger tightened on the trigger. "You're coming with me."

"Okay, okay," I said, raising my hands. "But can we talk about this over dessert?"

Her expression didn't change. "I don't eat dessert with fugitives."

I swallowed hard. "Fine. No dessert. But let's not do this here. It's ruining the ambiance."

With a growl, she holstered her blaster. "You've got one chance. Impress me, or I turn you in."

I looked around the bar. The patrons had gone from shocked to amused. One Skrull was even filming the whole thing on his communicator. "Alright," I said, trying to ignore the pain in my chest. "Let's get out of here."

VIX popped up again. "Remember, Cody. When in doubt, shapeshift and run."

"Thanks," I muttered. "But I'm going for 'shapeshift and charm' this time."

We walked out into the bustling nightlife of Knowhere. The neon lights reflected off her armor as we wove through the crowd. I had to admit, she was pretty badass. And if I could just get her to see that I wasn't all bad, maybe I'd survive the night.

"So," I began, trying to keep the conversation light. "What do you do for fun around here?"

Her eyes didn't leave me. "I hunt mutants."

"Ah. A hobby. Right. And what's your favorite?"

"You're starting to annoy me."

VIX chuckled in my head. "Keep it up, Cody. You're doing great."

"Thanks," I said, trying not to look at the blaster in Lyra's hand. "So, uh, any good spots for hunting?"

She sighed. "This isn't going anywhere. We need a plan."