Chapter 13.
Stakar who had received the SOS message from the Ecclector. It was unlike Yondu to call for help unless it was absolutely necessary. He was about to ignore the
distress call when Martinex who had also seen the distress call said "Captain what about those kids, Yondu may deserve this punishment but those kids and their
Mother don't". Stakar nodded his head knowing Martinex was right before punching the button for the ship to jump to Berhert.
Kree soldiers invaded the Ecclector firing blasts from their plasma guns while the Ravagers fought back. Meredith who had reached the engine room found Tulk
kneeling beside an unconscious Pearle. Kneeling beside him she asked "Tulk what happened?".
Tulk picked Pearle up in his arms and replied "when the blast hit us the little one fell and hit her head. She'll be alright".
"The Kree have come aboard and are attacking and Yondu he's" began Meredith but her words were broken by the wracking sobs that shook her body.
Tulk looked at her in fear and asked "Captain Yondu's what Mer?".
Meredith wiped her eyes and taking a deep breath she said "when we crashed a piece of the dash broke off and lodged in his torso. Before we crashed he sent an SOS
to Stakar".
Tulk tightened his grip on Pearle and standing up he said "let's hope he gets here soon". Placing Pearle in Meredith's lap he added "I'll keep watch".
Yondu leaned against the wall of the corridor as he whistle sharply sending the Yakka arrow flying through the heads of a few Kree soldiers. It was exhausting and
after calling the arrow back he switched to using his plasma gun and fought with Peter by his side. Turning a corner and seeing twenty Kree soldiers coming towards
them Yondu doubled back and dragging Peter with him he said "go back to the bridge boy and hide".
Peter looked at Yondu and seeing blood dripping from his mouth he hissed "what about you. You can barely walk with that wound and you need help".
Yondu was about to answer when he heard a series of blasts and smirking he slid to the floor. The sound of bodies falling to the floor were followed by running
footsteps and soon Martinex rounded the corner.
Seeing Yondu sitting on the floor with a piece of metal in his torso Martinex gritted teeth and said "looks like we showed up in time". Yondu smiled and soon fell
unconscious. Martinex knelt down beside Yondu and turning to Peter he said "go get one of your crew and come back here with a stretcher". Peter nodded his head
and got up before running around the corner. Martinex shook his head sadly and patting Yondu's shoulder he whispered "don't die Youndu". Hearing a cough from
behind him he looked and seeing Captain Ogord he got up and stepped aside.
Stakar looked down at Yondu and shaking his head he said "I had the little lady Pearle who is unconscious and Meredith brought to the Starhawk along with several of
the remaining crew. Yondu has lost a lot of his crew".
Martinex frowned and said "that's too bad. Are we bringing him aboard the ship Captain?".
"Yes we are he's in bad shape and before you think I've gone soft this is the only time I will help him. If he lands himself in this kind of situation again I won't be
coming to the rescue no matter how much his Queen of the Arrow begs me to".
"Queen of the Arrow Captain?" asked Martinex confused.
Stakar chuckled and said "Meredith Quill has an implant in her head that lets her control the arrow of her bow, no doubt a gift from Yondu".
Shocked Martinex looked at his capatain but all questions he had were forgotten when Oblo and Tulk and Peter came around the corner with a stretcher.
Tulk and Oblo saluted Captain Ogord before lowering the stretcher onto the ground and gingerly lifting Yondu onto it. Lifting it between them they carried Yondu away
to the Hangar Bay to exit the ship. Peter who had stayed behind wiped the tears that were forming in his eyes and feeling a hand on his shoulder he looked up at
Stakar Ogord defiantly.
Stakar smiled and said "he'll be fine Peter and so will your sister, now come along".
"What about the Ecclector?" asked Peter as he followed him down the corridor.
"One of my crew will fly it to my own private planet where it will be repaired" said Stakar not faltering in his long stride. Peter nodded his head and hurried alongside
him. He remained silent as he boarded an M Craft and feeling it lift off the ground he took a deep breath anxious to see his Mother and sister again.
Meredith sat with Stakar Ogord outside the Med Bay of the Starhawk nervously fidgeting with the Claddagh ring on her ring finger. Stakar noticed her fidgeting and
seeing the ring he said "congratulations on your engagement Meredith Quill".
Meredith looked up at Stakar and said "I'm not engaged Captain Ogord. Yondu found the ring during a heist and he gave it to me".
"Meredith since it's not an engagement ring then I'm happy to see that Yondu has grown fond of someone. He was so angry when I first met him" said Stakar as he
smiled at the memory.
Feeling tears well in her eyes Meredith wiped them away quickly before whispering "I never told him how much I enjoy his company even when he annoys me or
takes Pearle with him when he gets a job".
"I'm sure he knows otherwise he wouldn't have given you a Centaurian bow and the implant to control the bow's Yakka arrow" said Stakar as he stood at the sound of
footsteps.
Seeing Pearle a few feet away Meredith got to her feet and embraced her daughter saying "Yondu will be okay sweetie so don't cry".
Pearle wiped the tears from her eyes and asked "when will Pop be out of surgery?".
Stakar stood and was about to answer the teenager's question when the doors to Med Bay opened and two doctors approached Stakar giving him the news. Smiling
Stakar excused the doctors and turning to Meredith and Pearle he said "the surgery went well. There was no serious damage done and he should be back on his feet
in a week. He's still unconscious and won't be awake for a while".
Pearle took a deep breath and said "I'm going to go and tell Peter and the crew". Giving her Mom a quick hug she rushed down the corridor.
Meredith watched her go before saying "thank you Captain Ogord for everything you have done. If you wouldn't mind I'd like to sit with Yondu until he wakes up".
Stakar nodded his head and said "you're welcome Meredith Quill and go be with Yondu as I'm sure your face will be what he wants to see when he wakes up".
Meredith smiled and entered the Med Bay where Yondu lay recovering. Sitting on a chair beside his bed she took his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Minutes ticked by and Meredith waited anxiously. Feeling a gentle squeeze to her hand Meredith looked up and was greeted by two ruby red eyes open and a slight
smirk from her captain.