After a trial, Nebula was locked up in a prison on Titan that contained some of the galaxy?s worst criminals. While there, Firelord appeared to take her to task for killing many on his homeworld Xandar. Starfox transmitted Nebula?s pre-Thanos memories of abuse at the hands of a father figure to Firelord in an effort to save both them. Eros of Titan later used his powers to soothe Nebula?s mental anguish.
Nebula did not remain imprisoned for long. The Titans made the mistake of reviving one of her underlings, Geatar, and turning him into Nebula?s nurse. He took advantage of his situation and sprung her from her cell. Geatar took her to Dr. Mandibus, who repaired Nebula with a series of cybernetic and bionic implants.
Nebula and Geatar then traveled to a prison planet called Annoval 14, also known as the Anvil, to free her crew. Silver Surfer and Jack of Hearts also happened upon the same planet in search of Torval, who could build a containment suit for Jack?s destructive energy. When the plan went sideways, Nebula saved the injured Geatar, got in her ship, and sacrificed her old crew members to escape.
Years later, Nebula found herself in the wrong space bar at the wrong time. Silver Surfer and Captain Marvel showed up with no knowledge of her presence. They soon discovered her, and she wound up incarcerated with her body armor deconstructed by the Surfer. Nebula later broke out and caused some trouble for Rich Rider on Earth, claiming to be the daughter of an intergalactic mass murderer known as Zorr.
Nebula next appeared during Ronan?s search for retribution after being cast out by his people. In the days before the Annihilation Wave hit, she spent her days on Godthab Omega as one of Gamora?s Graces along with Stellaris, Tana Nile, Cerise, and Spirit. When Ronan arrived in search of Tana Nile, Nebula and Stellaris attacked the former Accuser. For her efforts, Nebula was thrown into the stratosphere before crashing back to Earth. As Ronan and Gamora battled, the Wave hit and chaos erupted.
Nebula survived and went on to attack the Guardians of the Galaxy while on their way to Earth, sending them crashing below and into a team-up with the Avengers. On that mission, she worked with the Chitauri, defeated the heroes, and took off with Gamora. Nebula delivered her prey to Kindun, but the combined might of the Avengers and Guardians followed quickly. Gamora was rescued and the heroes escaped as the planet?which Kindun claimed to control?collapsed.
Nebula?s returned to her pirate ways brought her into direct contact with Starfox, Tryco Slatterus, and Thane as they figured out a way to kill the dying Thanos. They had no idea that Thane had fallen under Death?s thrall and that he planned on using them to break the Phoenix Egg out from Terrax?s prison. In retaliation, Nebula killed Thanos? son, but that allowed the Phoenix to become reborn in him.