Chapter 17.
Meredith Quill panted as she ran through the dirty alleyway anxious to get back to the Ecclector. She regretted agreeing to come on this heist and what was worse
she had been separated from Yondu, Peter, Pearle and the rest of the Ravagers. Stopping she leaned against the alleyway wall and muttered "come on Mer this heist
will be a steal and we'll have a few laughs". Clutching her hand to the left side of her waist she winced as the wound throbbed painfully. Pulling her blood stained hand
away she ran into the empty courtyard but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw shadows emerge from the darkened areas.
Meredith smirked as she pushed back her duster revealing the tip of her Yaka arrow as one hundred Sakaaran soldiers surrounded her. Gritting her teeth she hissed
"shit" as they began to move in toward her forming a perfect circle.
One of the Sakaaran soldiers stepped in front of the gathered circle and snarled "throw down your weapons Ravager and surrender to the Grand Master and he may
be merciful".
Meredith felt her heart beat faster as a cold fear swept over her. Yondu had told her of the Grand Master and what his prisoners were used for. She'd be used as a
gladiator in the games and not all the gladiators lived. Staring at the one who had spoken to her she said "sorry but I'm afraid I'll have to decline surrendering due to
other plans".
The Sakaaran hardened his eyes and clicked his fingers which resulted in the rest of them to raise their guns at Meredith. Stepping toward her he said "then you have
chosen death. You have two choices here so decide wisely".
Meredith frowned and nodding her head she took off her com link and secretly pressed the hands free button so Yondu might hear what was going on. Throwing it to
the ground she threw down the rest of her weapons before saying "I surrender".
Two Sakaarans moved toward her and shackled her hands together before leading her through another alleyway to their awaiting air craft. As soon as they reached
the craft Meredith was placed inside a cell in the bottom deck while they waited for all of the Sakaarans to be boarded before taking off.
Yondu who had been listening to what was said to Meredith arrived at the courtyard with the rest of the Ravagers. Picking up the discarded com link and Yaka arrow
he turned around to see Peter comforting his sister while Tulk frowned and asked "what now Captain?".
Yondu glanced at Pearle and Peter before standing in front of his crew and replied "these Sakaarans think it's wise to steal from Yondu Udonta. We are gonna get
Meredith Quill back no matter what it takes and this Grand Master will regret the day he stole from me. We must return to the Ecclector to prepare for battle".
His crew looked at each other before giving the Ravager salute and followed their captain back to where the Ecclector was parked.
Meredith must have blacked out because when she awoke she was sitting in a metal chair with her hands bound to its arm rests. Seeing bits of her hair falling in front
of her face she screamed before she was brought face to face with a Sakaaran who slapped her harshly across the face. Feeling tears slide down her cheeks from the
sting of the slap Meredith took a deep breath while her hair continued to fall and when it stopped falling the chair whirled her around so she could see her reflection in
the mirror. Her long blonde hair was gone only to be replaced by a a messy Mohawk. The chair whirled again and began to carry her through corridors fastly before it
stopped and she was in a room with a finely dressed silver haired man.
Glaring at him she asked "I presume you're the Grand Master?".
The Grand Master chuckled and turning to his assistant he said "I like this one, she's fiery and perfect for the games".
His assistant smirked and said "judging by her stature she won't last two minutes".
"Hey" said the Grand Master as he circled the chair Meredith was sitting in before adding "she may look like that but Ravagers are usually ruthless fighters and this
one should prove useful. Put her in one of the fights tonight it should be fun".
His assistant nodded her head and asked "of course sir but what name will we give her?".
The Grand Master steepled his fingers together and looked thoughtfully at Meredith before replying "call her Ravager Queen, that should get the crowd going".
Meredith kept her mouth shut refusing to talk because she if she did she would break down in floods of tears. As she was led from the room her only thoughts were
on how long would it take Yondu to come and get her.
The Ecclector hummed as it waited above the planet Sakar. The crew waited in the briefing room for Yondu and when he walked in they gave him the salute. Yondu
looked at them ans seeing Peter and Pearle among them he nodded his head and said "Meredith Quill has been taken hostage by the Grand Master on Sakar. She'll no
doubt be used in the games and without her arrow she'll be defenceless. As her Captain, fellow crew and family it is our duty to go in there and rescue her".
The crew cheered and Yondu waited for them to quieten down before turning to the map on the screen behind him. Pointing to the four corners of the Grand Master's
property where the games were held he said "I need two Ravagers in their M Crafts to each corner and that includes you Peter". Seeing Peter's worried expression he
added "Tulk you co – pilot with Peter"
"I'll take the rest of the crew in with me and we'll hide where the entrance to the arena is. If we see Meredith before she goes in to the arena we grab her but if we
don't we go in with guns blazin" said Yondu carefully. Seeing his crew nod their heads he added "this isn't one of our normal heists this is a rescue mission, keep yer
heads on the target of getting Mer out of there and don't get caught. Pearle you'll be with me. Now since that's explained everyone to the Hangar Bay coz I'm tired of
waiting".
The crew left the briefing room and made their way to the Hangar Bay. Peter was excited but nervous as he walked beside Tulk anxious to get his Mother out of there.
Pearle who walked with Yondu ahead of the crew had the same thoughts but she had a feeling deep down that they would rescue her Mother.