Chapter 13: That Thing you were Missing
Knowhere: a safe haven for outlaws. The mining colony located inside the severed head of a celestial was a criminal hotspot. What had started as a development community designed by an eccentric architect had transfigured into an amalgamation of bars, gambling outfits, peddler kiosks - among other strange and exotic locales. Buildings constructed in a build-as-you-go fashion, surrounded by tight and densely populated pathways that swarmed with the life of business.
As Yondu maneuvered through the congested terrain he nearly ran over the person in front of him: a young girl - green skin, dark hair; shabby clothing but a determined look, she showcased the object she was peddling from the collection in her knapsack.
"You buy!" She demanded, "Five units." Yondu - startled by her intrusion - took a second to focus on what she was holding. He didn't know what the trinket was: round, pink-colored body propped upon two little feet; big gaping mouth but no eyes; with a series of feather-tipped appendages that wove from being thrust upward.
It was pleasant to look at. Her approach aside, Yondu found the object to his liking.
"...alright." It was only five units. After paying the girl he slipped the little monster into a pocket that lined the inside of his jacket: rather it was a duster, a longer style coat than he'd first been allocated when he became a Ravager.
It seemed so far away now at over two years ago.
The former battle slave had truly come into his own. Life enriched with relationships gradually brought Yondu out of his shell, enabling him to establish a sense of self and even make some friends; Horuz and Tullk, in particular.
Ah, Horuz: curly hair, often brash and sour-faced, he was never afraid to say what was on his mind – Yondu liked this about him a lot. In Tullk there was a highly skilled thief, with a rhotic accent and short dreadlocks; a true Ravager in the sense that he was a damn good criminal but had a love for life and fun, and just the right amount of twisted swirled in.
The two were a huge influence (and not always in the best way) for Yondu's sense of humor and personality in general. They brought out a whole other side to Yondu, one that was a big laugher – amused by their squally antics with an ease similar to that of entertaining a toddler.
That inherent dependency he had on the Ravager originals, on the captain in particular had started to subside; looking to him less, venturing out on his own more. The captain took notice of this growth – how could he not? From slavery to full-fledged self-definition... it was awe inspiring. Stakar was proud of Yondu. He felt honored to have been a part of his journey and growth. He wanted to show this somehow: so Yondu was here.
Venturing beyond rational borders to the Rip, adhering based on desire rather than obligation. He'd been told to make a connection with someone named Reighn, that she specialized in weapons and owed Stakar a favor. It was humbling that Stakar would use such on Yondu's behalf - he was determined to make the most of it and would follow through, seeking out this new encounter.
A sound rang out upon entering the (practically disheveled) building that served as his destination.
It was a tonal shift from the loud and crowded strip outside. The walls of the structure gave off an earthy dark blue with ceilings low. Dangling units like wind chimes (one of which Yondu knocked upon entry) littered the ceiling and reflected bright flickering lights throughout the room, the result being almost magical in the way it felt like the stars.
The woman sat at a desk reading a book looked up upon her storefront being breached. Her head had definition albeit lacking in hair; a tattoo lined the center of her skull - two symmetrical rows of white dots, from her forehead to the base of her neck. Gold bangles decorated her wrists, matching the loops that pierced her ears. With eyes like rubies and skin a cool cerulean blue.
A female Centaurian – this was a first. Upon standing her slim physique was accentuated by the flowing blue-ish purple material that made up her dress; she seemed amused by her visitor's lack of tact when it came to looking her over, stupefied by her existence.
"Let's see...Ravager flames, Centaurian." She motioned at the right side of her head down to her face, a gesture to accompany her words. "The scar. You must be Yondu Udonta."
It clicked in Yondu's head; Stakar must've told her to expect him. He returned the acknowledgment with a nod, saying nothing more.
She looked him over with a mysterious speculation. After a moment she moved from the desk, making her way to a curtained divider towards the rear.
"Come on back."
Yondu – a sucker for a fine woman regardless – was fascinated by this female counterpart to his own race. What really got him were those eyes... breathtaking, soul-piercing orbs of fire. He followed her direction willingly through the curtained doorway towards the back of the shop.
In an expansive room lined with shelves an ancient-looking mural caught Yondu's full attention from its position on the far right wall: a warrior standing tall – armed with a bow and arrow. Sparse red and yellow clothing, the shoulders had a prominence equal to that of a most curious extension on the head. Yondu didn't know how else to describe it other than looking like a massive red fin.
Reighn took notice. "You like that?" Her question was not rhetorical but she didn't await a response. Facing the mural herself she ruminated with a smile, "Hard to believe that's what we used to look like."
She turned back to Yondu; quizzically he looked from her to the mural, giving a nod towards the head of the picture. "What's with the fin?"
"Ah - the crest." Moving her attention to the shelves on the back wall she traced a hand along a seam as she spoke. "There was a time when Centaurians came close to extinction. Evolution had its say - the crest faded from the surviving. History tells us it was the physical representation of a body's binding to spirit... the 'taheli'."
With a look and a playful tone she added, "There are other interpretations; I pull from the Alpha Centauri tribe's school of thought, so take it with a grain of salt."
Yondu felt a bit awkward at this inside joke she seemed to have with herself. To date he had very little exposure to heritage; the vaguest trace of memory from his youth – that battle slave who taught him to whistle all those years ago... Yondu could barely remember his face, let alone what was said; the only thing he really remembered was something about Centaurians being warriors.
The lack of understanding made him uncomfortable... the dialogue also seemed a bit senseless. He was here on business; best to redirect attention towards that. "No disrespect but I'm not here for a history lesson."
Reighn looked over - her eyes were intense, though she did not look angry – more like she was getting a read on him. It was still quite unsettling. "Why are you here?"
He shrugged. "'Sposed to get somethin' from you."
"...Hm." She held him there a moment before looking back to her shelves of various items. "You are here to receive a gift. That gift could be physical, or it could be something within."
Yondu seemed to tense up at that; he thought this chick was a weapons specialist. What was her deal?
If she noticed his disposition she certainly didn't care; the mysterious alien woman engaged him from a distance, she along the wall while Yondu lingered near a table at the room's center. "Centaurians are natural mystics, you know. Our race shares the same genetic makeup: just as we see, hear, and speak there's a connection – to the elements, and the spirits around us."
Well that just sounded silly. Yondu couldn't help his impulse to react with a laugh. "Ha... yeah, that ain't me."
Her eyebrows rose at the challenge. "You'd be surprised! There's an intuitive and mystical connection with all that exists. My husband can calm wild beasts. And I, I can develop empathic relationships - though they are limited more so with higher life forms."
The mystic's thought was the Ravager before her just needed some direction. "Have you ever felt a connection with nature?"
Yondu firmly shook his head. "Nope."
She pondered a bit. "...What about an affinity for sensing those around you – perhaps things rather than people: do you ever feel as if you know without reason where an object might be located? Like if a foreign substance is present."
What did that even mean? "...you talkin' like, feelin' people... things bein' outta place?"
"Exactly."
He confirmed steadfast. "No."
"Hmm." She stewed on that for a moment. "...So there's nothing you feel inside you? Nothing you do that you connect with..." she murmured thoughtfully.
Yondu didn't much appreciate the declaration. He felt pressed to offer up a rebuttal but didn't know what to say - what she was describing just wasn't him. Reighn's statement was more self-directed than anything; she was too tenacious to give up.
As wheels turned in her head she absentmindedly started to whistle - a habit that helped her think; gently touching her neck, she whistled as she thought. Yondu looked up immediately at the introduction of sound.
"I can do that." Reighn stopped; her gaze once again set upon him.
"…you can?" She was pleasantly intrigued. "Show me."
A bit on the spot. Yondu leaned against the table... with a closed-off aura he braved his usual barriers to show what he could do. Pursing his lips and curling his tongue, Yondu whistled; starting in that same low tone, playing with the tune briefly in that usual pattern.
The mystic's smile grew as the Ravager before her demonstrated the talent; at her request he went high and low, showing off the skill he'd discreetly perfected over his twenty-three years of life. It would turn out he had incredible range: four octaves, varying in pitch and frequency.
"...I'm impressed." She said upon his end. After another moment's pause "I'm very impressed." Yondu had felt pretty silly about the vocalization; her positive review was a well-received boost to his ego.
"I think I have just the thing." Reighn turned around to peruse the shelves behind her. Retrieving a rectangle-shaped box, she rested it down on the table.
"This-" the mystic spoke as she undid the latches on each side "-is very rare."
She opened the box and pulled out: an arrow. Slick and shining, with a razor sharp head - the length spanning from her palm to her elbow; at the tail end there was an imbedded section. A red crystalline substance made visible through the spacing.
Yondu looked at her blankly; he avoided any comment on it. It was an arrow – how rare could an arrow be? Outside of the imbedded section and being golden-bronze in color it really looked no different from the arrows he used in his youth as a battle slave.
"Given your aversion to history I'll spare you all the details." She'd picked up on his unimpressed demeanor: "Arrows like this were once commonplace for Centauri warriors; inside here-" tapping her finger on the glimmering crimson quarter section "-is a substance called yaka. It reacts to sound."
"Of course," she said with a trace of a smile, "there'd be chaos if it reacted to just any sound. The arrow has a frequency-based technology – you use headgear to synchronize brainwaves, pick up sound, and the arrow will move – fast, slow, in any direction.
This arrow was made to fly.
So your whistling –" Crimson eyes set on the Ravager, she added coyly "-would be very well applied."
Yondu's face made clear his overarching perplexity; he gave a stab at repeating this back, trying to make sure he understood. "So that arrow-" pointing at it "-works with a, headset or somethin'... and when I whistle it'd move?"
The mystic woman acknowledged in approval but did not linger; instead she glided to a backlit casing where a row of cybernetic enhancements were available and browsed the selection on Yondu's behalf.
"You'll probably want something more functional... you can get these anywhere though, if you change your mind. The ones I have will work with the arrow, but their primary function is more for a mental enhancement, increased effectiveness of the mind."
What she retrieved was odd in shape: a flat surface, narrow, curved in an angular fashion. Reighn looked at him and spoke quite directly. "This is an implant: it goes on your head. The placement has to be exact. I'll need to do it for you."
She tilted her head slightly. "Will you let me?"
His gut's immediate reaction was 'no'. Yondu didn't have the best history with technology implanted on his head; but he was curious, about this prospect – if he needed the headgear to make the arrow fly, then... he gave a noncommittal shrug.
Reighn attempted to ease any concerns. "This will not harm you – it is merely a prerequisite to putting your gift to use. I just need you to hold still." Drawing into his personal space; just shy of an arm's length between them and eyes set on his – her hands held the piece in a hover over his head.
"It will probably feel... strange... at first." She slowed in her speech as she gave him the warning. "Try and stay calm."
She placed the device on his head: resting it at the center of his skull, spanning from the crest of his forehead to the base of his neck. Pressing down on the metal section in its tail the implant lurched into scalp, fusing into Yondu's very nerves, and
-VWOOM-
The sensation of the device becoming one with him was sudden and surreal - like being hit by an electromagnetic pulse.
Youndu's pupils dilated, his respiratory rate increased; his heart as though it might explode. He grabbed the woman before him with both hands in a knee-jerk reaction, just to stabilize; though she allowed it he still quickly let go – trying his damnedest to get back in control.
"You're okay, just breathe, just breathe..." She attempted to talk him through it. "how do you feel?"
Any enhancement such as this would be a shock to the system at first.
The tech's intended purpose was to provide increased coherence and more synchronous oscillations throughout the brain; it not only acted as catalyst for interacting with the arrow, but counteracted stress-related brain changes, decreased anxiety, and increased memory and cognitive abilities.
As his breathing slowed to a normal rate the mammalian thought on the question – how did he feel? It was like reality shifted... a bit dreamlike, but with sharp focus.
The mystic took advantage of his focused state. "Let's see what you can do."
Motioning over to the arrow; she faced it, indicating with the nod of her head for Yondu to do the same.
"Relax. Let yourself be centered." Her arms moved as she spoke, almost as if performing a meditation. "Focus on the arrow.
Don't think about what you want it to do – feel it." resting her hands over her heart "-right here."
This was a strange set of instructions; Yondu was not quick to act. With a nod she encouraged him; he felt nervous to try.
Yondu attempted the same tune of a whistle he had done before - starting with a low, lulling tone. Sure enough the arrow moved: rising up in response to his whistle, floating in midair!
He watched in disbelief – it surprised him so much he lost confidence in the ability.
The yaka arrow shuddered in mid-air as the tune wavered in his nerves. Yondu abruptly ended the whistle in an uptick out of habit; creating a severe reaction. The arrow shot forward, upward, down: WHAM – wedged into the table.
Reighn narrowed her eyes a bit before pulling out the arrow firmly and placing it down. She came closer:
"The arrow is moved by your thoughts and sound but whatever you desire – what you feel in your heart –" placing a hand over his heart she said firmly: "will be its true compass. Be true to yourself: use your sound and -will- the arrow to rise. Rise, and stay."
Yondu thought through the mystic's words as she moved away. Feel it, she had said. Right here.
The more he thought about it, he did feel different with the cybernetics in place. In his head and his heart – there was something. He looked to the arrow and willed it to follow his command. Rise, and stay.
A short beckoning whistle: the implant, in concurrence with the arrow itself, glowed red in reaction. And just like that the arrow zipped up - floating before him like a solider at attention.
He looked to Reighn with disbelief; the half-smile on his face was his first in their interaction.
Her visage warm, "It seems this suits you."
From the box she retrieved a holster for the arrow. "Yaka is an ancient and powerful element: as old as fire. Take some time, practice using it – tap into that connection. Just clear your head, use your heart. It will come to you naturally."
Yondu wasn't sure how to process all of this. "Alright...thanks..." was all he could say.
Reighn smiled knowingly. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Consider me a resource, if ever you need." Stating with a bow of her head, "I wish you well."
After bringing the craft to its resting position underneath the main, Yondu placed the little monster from his jacket pocket on the dash of his M-ship.
Lost in thought; still adjusting to the change in physiology that came with the tech. The feeling was otherworldly, though he didn't mind the way it felt... just a bit much to take in.
Standing outside his docked M-ship and brooding is where Charlie-27 would see him; when the jumpsuit-wearing captain approached he commented immediately on Yondu's physical addition.
"Whoa... Check that." He sounded as if he approved. Bravado kicked in upon seeing his comrade; Yondu decided to do a little showing off. "Watch this."
He had the one trick and he used it – with a beckoning whistle to the arrow resting in its holster the device came to a float between Ravager and faction captain. Charlie-27's glee could not be contained.
"Ohhhhohoho, wow! That is crazy! Wait 'til Krugarr sees this, he's gonna love it." He grinned before making a motion with his head down the way. "Come on. I've got a new friend I want you to meet."
Charlie-27's exclamation had caught the attention of a certain Ravager captain. He made his presence known before Yondu even returned the arrow to its holster.
"Yondu." Stakar called out. He observed the tech enhancement same as Charlie-27 upon drawing near, "I like that. It's good to see Reighn was able to hook you up."
Captain and crew member didn't exchange words on the venture; just a glance with a slight smile, on both ends. Charlie-27 interjected on the moment towards Stakar: "I was gonna introduce him to Zed."
"Perfect." The captain jumped at the opportunity; resting a hand on Yondu's shoulder for a moment as they turned to walk, the three meandering down the way towards the hub for maintenance. "On Arcturus with 'Leta earlier today – she loves the candy you can get back home – I was on my way out when I see him: stripping the alternator from my M-ship."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "I was so pissed - told him if he didn't fix it I'd kick his ass. He had nothin': just a stolen toolkit and the clothes on his back - but he fixed it!" Stakar shrugged. "Talent with no place else to go; seemed only right to offer him a place with the Ravagers – figured he'd make a good addition down here in maintenance."
They came to a stop. In front of the three: was a boy.
Sat on a crate with his elbows resting on his knees he was polishing grime off a ratchet, a stack of dirty tools at his feet. Looking at him one would have a hard time believing he was only ten years old. He had a deep tan to his skin and hazel colored eyes; a scar lined his face from the upper left of his forehead in a diagonal slash over his eye, ending at the curve of his face. The oversized (for him at least) pair of goggles rested atop a messy fro of hair that reminded Yondu of fire: deep red with an occasional streak of orange. He wore an undershirt and pants with a navy blue jacket tied around his waist.
"Meet Zed. Zed – this is Yondu."
The boy looked up at hearing his name and flashed a big smile in greeting - "What's up?"
The Centaurian was befuddled by the introduction. He looked over to Stakar, saying almost stupidly, "It's a kid."
"'It'? That's nice." Zed cheekily offered with sarcasm. Charlie-27 was kind enough to interject. "He don't mean nothin' by it, Zed."
Stakar shrugged, reasoning with Yondu. "A kid with a weapon is still a force to be reckoned with. Consider him a 'Ravager-in-training'."
Yondu still was stuck on the concept. "But we don't mess with kids."
"No we do not." Stakar reaffirmed. "But he can be useful, and when you think about it there's really no age requirement for joining."
That much was true. Yondu had never considered a kid joining up with them before. He was a fiery little sprite, too. Though Yondu had no intention on pushing back Zed was ready and raring to step up to his own defense anyway. "You got a problem with me?"
The respective three looked now to the boy, stunned– it was rare for anyone to speak to Yondu in such a challenging way; he had continued to build that reputation in his time as a Ravager that he'd had as a battle slave – not that Zed would have known this. A little hardened himself the boy put down the tool to rise up, his lean body standing as tall as his height would muster.
"I may be a kid but I'll take you on. You wanna go?" He gestured with his head and put up his fists. "Come on tough guy."
Charlie-27, Yondu, and Stakar stood there dumbfounded – before Yondu burst out with laughter.
"BAHAHA-HAHAha-hahahahahaha!"
He couldn't help it. Yondu being challenged – by a kid no less – was utterly hilarious. His boisterous laugh contagious; Charlie-27 and even Stakar found themselves joining in as his laughter did not stop: Yondu laughing so hard that tears started to form in his eyes, even doubling over, resting his hands on his knees for support.
Zed could've gotten angrier at Yondu's reaction to his challenge but the atmosphere was now so wrought with silliness he didn't. Slowly he relaxed both his stance and the scowl on his face; scoffing out a laugh, he tossed the cloth he was holding at Yondu as a harmless way of getting back at him.
Yondu's personality had not drastically changed; he was still that tough, silent, stoic individual that he always had been and always would be. But as he laughed wholeheartedly, Yondu felt at peace with life and those around him. Even if just momentary... it was nice.