Hi all, sorry about the delay. was struck with writers block, and this took ages to write. And then I had to cut it in half for word length. but here we go, and get ready for some torture...poor Peter xx

Chapter 2

As the hours passed on the Eclector, as it hurtled through deep space, everyone knew best to ask nothing of their Captain, who just sat in his chair, his healing mouth in a grim line, as the rest of the crew put the ship back together.

Even with their heads down, everyone cold feel Yondu's wrath upon them, he was pissed his "property had been stolen", even though no one would point out that Peter wasn't the case, but who would be stupid to test their boss like that?

It was two hours until the Eclector burst into life and begun its pursuit to find the Senator, Peter's plan had been a success and they were following the ship as it is was on a piece of string. But they were hours behind, which was why everyone felt a stab of emotion when the next video message came through

The Bridge fell silent as Horuz opened the communication and watched the scene unfold. In the interim, someone had tied Peter up by the wrists, on either side so he hung limply like a rag doll with nothing to support his body weight.

His t-shirt had been removed, as Kraglin noticed the bruised spreading across his chest and suspected that his ribs were broken, how many he wasn't sure, but he caught the sound of faint wheezing from the boy who currently had his head down his hair coming loose so that it fell across his face which no one could see.

He looked as pathetic as everyone watched Kruger step from behind the camera recording this sight and approach the boy, the whip in his hand, and looked towards the camera.

"Hello Ravager's thought I'd give you a little update on how well I've treated him…as you can see his most comfortable". The disgraced Senator sneered evilly, as everyone caught the barely audible but still defiant "Fuck you" from Peter who still had his head down, which caught Kruger's attentions as he bent over to the boy.

"You know I'll give you this…you really are a feisty little shit. Now I understand why he keeps you around". The Senator stated as Peter raised his head slightly as if he was waking up from unconsciousness. "Still can't understand where the hell you came from". There was a silence, indicating that this had been said before, off camera, as Peter finally looked and mumbled.

"He won me in a card game…thought he'd keep me around". Peter said, more to himself, even if the Senator wasn't convinced by this line of bullshit, and with no ounce of sentiment brought the whip across Peters back, everyone on the Eclector froze, as Peter jerked from the raw strength of the Senator's, might, which caused him to look up and into the screen.

His eyes looked sunken, stressed but there was no trace of tears that could have fallen, as Yondu's own narrowed. Even though, he wasn't witnessing this in real time…this he would give the boy and begun to wonder how he was doing right now. Was he still alive?

Then he quashed the thought the moment it came to him, as Peter to his surprise just grinned at the camera, even if his green eyes did betray the pain he was in as a second blow rained down, as he took a moment to address the Senator, to whom he had his back to.

"Do you really think he gives a shit about me? He probably took off in the opposite direction and laughing all the way to the bank with my units…the bastard!" He partially spat the last word. "You have no idea how much I hate him, hell I'll live with you if you want. OK, you're a murdering head case but I can replace the six children you have."

This earned him another whip across the back, as he flinched.

"I have three children, which I'll never see again. My wife left me, took our children, couldn't live with the shame of what you did?"

At this a look of confusion crossed Peter's face, even with the pain he was feeling, as the same thought echoed in Yondu's mind.

"What I did…you killed children, Kruger. Little girls…what did they ever do to you?" The sentence, quite long at this point, ended with Peter wheezing slightly, as he tried to hide the pain. This question brought him a few seconds, as the Senator seemed to love his directness and scoffed.

"Orphans and Prostitutes…hell, I was doing them a favour, they were worthless".

For Peter, hell even the crew of the Ravagers, who had started life in similar situations couldn't believe the bullshit coming out of this assholes mouth, as Yondu noticed the thin line crossing the boy's face.

"No bodies worthless, nobody". Peter tensed up causing the ropes holding him in place to tighten, but the boy didn't notice as he just glared at the Senator, who clearly loved this part of his plan, as his hand crossed Peter's face, naturally recoiling from the pain.

"In some way, everybody worthless…even you". Yondu noticed that word dancing in Peter's eyes for second and knew how deep it was along with several crew, as the boy shook his head, trying to find something to say. But could only come up with.

"He'll find me you know, and when he does he's going to rip you from the stars slowly". He glared up once more at the Senator, who in retaliation stepped past Peter and continued his assault three more times on his back.

Kraglin and Horus, begun to notice the blood beginning to seep down the boys back but said nothing…because there was nothing to say. They were still hours away as Horus who openly thought Peter to be a little shit, and the Captain a soft touch for keeping him, almost looked away at the sight, as Peter to everyone surprise just begun to chuckle to himself, trying to block out the pain and will himself on.

"That's nine lashes so far…you're not even making a dent". He retorted, as the Senator just stepped back his face impassive as he passed the bloody whip to one of his Guards, and just looked down coldly, before looking towards the camera and the intended audience, his demeanour changing like he was addressing the crowd, something he used to do after all.

"I hope you loved the first act Udonta…I'll hate you to miss the second."

"Great, I'll have some popcorn". Peter muttered which caused a few smiles to break out admits the crew; the boy still hadn't lost his sense of humour. There was still a chance, as the smug look on the Senator's face, dropped while Yondu felt a stab of emotion, which he didn't show. This was a few hours ago, how was Peter now?

The screen flicked to black, as the Eclector just travelled through space and silence descended again on the crew. Yondu's face was unreadable, just staring ahead not sharing his thoughts with Kraglin, Horus or anyone. Even though, everyone noticed, his headpiece shimmering slightly as if he was imagining his Yaka arrow being driven into someone's head.

Beneath him, the rest of the crew heard that the boy was still currently alive and doubled their efforts, trying to get the hanger repaired. For some, Peter had become akin to an annoying little brother, they would never show their affection, or even tell him but as the faces set in determination, and weapons were being prepped…they were all ready for battle.

However it was one hour later when the second message came through, that everyone begun to get very worried…and Peter was wishing he was dead.

To be continued, in about two days xx

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