Chapter 12.

The building shook as heavy boots pounded down the hallway on the other side of the double doors. Tulk stood in front of twenty Ravagers with their blasters raised

at the doors expecting one of the Nova Corps to enter. As the doors were pushed open Tulk dropped his blaster seeing Yondu carrying a bag of Dakkam crystals.

Looking at his team he said "these crystals are a rare find and are worth a lot of credit". Seeing no sign of a certain crew member he asked "where's Pearle?".

Oblo stepped forward and rubbing the back of his neck he replied "Miss Pearle went to check out the back room. Should be back soon Captain".

Yondu nodded his head and walked to the back room anxious to get his fifteen year old wayward daughter.

The back room was dull as Pearle finished her sweep of the lockers. She found nothing that would earn a lot of credits. The only thing she found was a postcard of

Missouri and a few pieces of cheap jewellery. Stuffing them into her pocket she smiled at the postcard before a cough brought her to attention. Looking up she saw

Yondu staring at her giving her the what did I tell you look. Rolling her eyes she said "yeah I know, I was supposed to stay with the crew and not cause problems but

I'm okay see".

"Whatcha find?" asked Yondu quietly knowing something was bothering her.

Pearle handed him the postcard and said "I was surprised to find that. It's a postcard of Missouri, kinda forgot what it looked like".

Yondu looked at the picture on the front of the card and smiled. Walking over to Pearle he said "keep it Pearle then ya'll never forget".

Pearle grinned and said "thanks Pop found some jewellery too".

"Ay'll check it out back at the ship. Right now we gotta move girl" said Yondu as he turned to leave the room. Pearle followed him and followed the crew back to

where their M Crafts were waiting. As soon as they were boarded and taking to orbit Yondu looked at Pearle who sat in the co pilot seat and snapped "don't ya ever

do something that stupid again. If one of those Dakkamites had found ya they could have killed ya".

Pearle frowned and taking a deep breath she whispered "I'm sorry Pop I didn't mean to worry you".

Yondu glanced at her and seeing tears begin to form he ruffled her hair and said in a gentler voice "it's alright Pearle ay forgive ya".

Pearle smiled at Yondu and said "thanks Pop. Will Mom be angry that I tagged along?".

Yondu chuckled and said "leave your Momma to me but when we get back to the Ecclector go to your room. Your grounded I think that's what your Momma calls it".

The journey back to the Ecclector was a quiet one and as soon as they were in the Hanger Bay Yondu let Pearle got to her room while he gave the order via com to

Vorker to get them out into deep space. Picking up the bag of crystals he walked to his quarters where he dropped them and then made his way to the Tailor's

workshop.

Meredith finished mending Yondu's coat as the doors slid open and Yondu walked in. Smiling she looked up at him and asked "how did it go?".

Yondu smirked and replied "it went well got the crystals and ay found something ya might like".

Meredith smirked and rubbing the love bite on her neck she said "yeah you said that last night and look where that led us to".

Yondu laughed and sitting across from her he said "come on ya liked it and anyway ya got to spend a passion filled night with me".

"It was fun but that don't mean ya can take Pearle with you on a heist now does it?" replied Mer as she leaned back in her chair.

Groaning Yondu rubbed the back of his neck and said "she tagged along and ay kept her safe".

Standing up Meredith ran her hands through her hair and said "I know you would but next time she stays here. Now what is it you found me Yondu?".

Yondu stood and reaching into his pocket he pulled out something wrapped in a piece of fabric and said "the place where we did the heist had a few Terran items in a

storage locker. Thought ya might like this".

Meredith took the wrapped fabric and unfolded it to reveal a gold Claddagh ring. Slipping it on her finger she said "thank you Yondu. I didn't think I'd see a Claddagh

ring again. My Mom had one and we buried her with it".

Slipping his arm around her waist Yondu kissed her temple and asked "anything special about them rings?".

"Well when people are in love they wear these rings as a symbol of their love, kind of like wedding rings" said Meredith.

"Ah well glad ya like it Mer" said Yondu as he let go of her waist. Taking her hand he looked into her eyes suddenly realising how deeply he had fallen in love with her

when the whole ship shook causing them to break away from each other.

The door to the room slid open and Peter ran in and said "Yondu Kree ships are attacking the Ecclector. All communications are down".

Cursing loudly Yondu ran from the room with Meredith and Peter at his heels and didn't stop until they reached the Bridge. Pulling Oblo out of the pilot's seat Yondu

sat in it and roared "hold onto something we gotta make an emergency landing on that planet".

Looking to where Yondu had pointed Oblo said "that's Berhert Captain, we'll be sitting ducks".

Yondu hit the emergency button signalling the ship that they were taking a crash landing. Looking at Meredith he said "get yourself and Peter seated and seatbelt

yourselves, same goes to you Oblo". As soon as they rest were strapped in Yondu cut the power on the ship and steered it towards Berhert away from the Kree ships.

The Ecclector broke the planet's atmosphere and fell to it's surface crashing through trees and dirt before it came to a stop.

As the dust cleared Meredith checked on Peter who was coughing before removing her safety belt to check Yondu. He was breathing heavily and when she reached his

seat she saw why. A piece of the dash had broken off and had lodged in his torso.

"Yondu stay calm I'm gonna get you help okay?" said Meredith in a assuring tone.

Yondu smirked and wiping blood from his mouth he said "before we crashed I sent an SOS to Stakar. If he gives a shit then he should be here soon. Stop worrying

about me and go find Pearle, she was with Tulk in the engine room last time I checked".

Peter looked out a side window he said "you better hurry Mom as we have Kree company". Meredith left the bridge anxious to find her daughter and prepare for a

fight against the Kree.

A/N - Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Life's been hectic. Please review and tell me what ye think.