Chapter 20.
Xandar had been a nightmare with Nova Corps constantly watching you your every move but now with the ship repaired Meredith breathed a sigh of relief as they travelled through space to their next destination. Walking down the corridor she entered her workshop and got to work making repairing what needed to be repaired. After working for a few hours she was interrupted by Pearle entering the workshop with an excited look on her face.
"Guess what Mom?" asked excitedly as she sat on the chair across from Meredith.
Meredith put down the coat she was mending and smiling at her daughter she asked "what?"
Pearle leaned her elbows on the bench and replied "Pops just announced to the crew that we're going to the Milky Way Galaxy because of a new client. Of course we have to wait until we reach said galaxy before Pops is told what planet to land on. I hope it's Centauri IV".
Meredith smiled happy at the idea of seeing the Milky Way Galaxy before asking "what's Centauri IV Pearle?"
"When I ended up in Med Bay after that fall from the M Craft when I was a kid I asked Pops to tell me about planets near Terra that had life on them. He told me about Centauri IV in the Milky Way Galaxy and about the race that live on it. They're called Centaurians and they use a special metal to make their arrows" said Pearle happily as she smiled at the memory.
"Would be fun wouldn't it?" asked Meredith as she leaned back in her seat.
Pearle nodded her head and replied "yes it would. I'd love to see the Centaurians and the planet they live on".
Meredith chuckled and standing up to stretch she said "well maybe if you're lucky Yondu might show you that planet someday. Now come on lunch will be ready and I don't know about you but I'm famished".
Pearle nodded her head and followed her Mother to the Cafeteria where the crew were already seated. Grabbing her lunch she spotted Peter, Tulk and Kraglin seated and went to join them. Meredith smiled at her daughter's eagerness and filling her tray with the lunch she walked to the back where Yondu sat alone looking at a holo pad. Sitting beside him Meredith nudged his elbow gently and said "this trip to the Milky Way Galaxy has Pearle very excited".
Yondu put down the holo pad and picking up his fork he asked "why?".
"She's hoping you'll be stopping on that planet you told her about when she was in Med Bay that time she fell from the M Craft" replied Meredith as she placed a piece of Xandarian boar into her mouth.
Yondu ate some of his lunch before saying "don't know what you're talking about Mer".
Meredith rolled her eyes before saying "I'm talking about Centauri IV Yondu and it's inhabitants Centaurians".
Yondu nearly dropped his fork and turning to look at Meredith he said "I hope you didn't tell her that I would take her to Centauri IV".
Seeing the serious look on Yondu's face she swallowed another mouthful of Xandarian boar stew before saying "I said that she might be lucky for you to stop there and show her the planet".
Yondu clenched his teeth and shaking his head he said "well we ain't ever stopping on that planet so stop putting those ideas in her head".
"Well you're the one who told her about Centauri IV Yondu not me" hissed Meredith as she pushed her empty plate away and cradled the steaming mug of coffee in her hands.
Yondu finished his lunch and grabbing the holo pad he snapped "if you want her to see Centauri IV you can bring her but I ain't steppin foot on that planet". Having said his piece Yondu left the Cafeteria anxious to get this job over with.
The day passed slowly and with it coming to an end Meredith finished repairing the piece of clothing and returned to her quarters. She was tired from the day and entering her quarters she found Yondu waiting for her in the living room. Removing her jacket she said "Yondu I'm too tired to argue and where are Peter and Pearle?".
Yondu smirked and sitting on the sofa he said "I'm not here to argue with ya Mer and Peter and Pearle are fast asleep".
Meredith moved to the kitchen and making two mugs of coffee she carried them into the living room. Handing one to Yondu she asked "are you going to tell me why you won't step foot on Centauri IV?"
Sipping his coffee Yondu said "if I tell you why ya can't tell the rest of the crew or Peter or Pearle".
Nodding her head Meredith said "I promise you Yondu I won't tell anyone".
Taking a deep breath Yondu looked down at his hands and said "Centauri IV is the planet I am from. The Zatoan tribe is the tribe I belonged to. Yes our race is Centaurian but I have never been back there".
Meredith scooted closer to him and asked "can you remember what they were like?".
Drinking more of his coffee Yondu replied "nah. My parents didn't want me so they sold their own baby to the Kree but after twenty years being a battle slave Stakar freed me and made me a Ravager".
Meredith's heart went out to the feared Yondu when he told her his past. Putting her mug down she took his hand and said "I'm sorry to say this but your parents are jerks. You should confront them about it".
Yondu smiled at her and giving her hand a gentle squeeze he said "it would be interesting to see the looks on their faces to see the child they sold now a feared Ravager Captain".
Meredith leaned her head on his shoulder and said "yes it would but I guess we'll never see it".
Putting down his coffee mug Yondu embraced wrapped his arm around Meredith's shoulders and sighed "maybe we'll stop there when the job's done but Pearle has to behave herself".
Kissing his cheek Meredith smiled and whispered "thank you Captain Udonta".
Snorting Yondu pulled her onto his lap and said "Mer you should know not to tease your captain".
Wrapping her arms around his neck Meredith said "yes but you know I will anyway. So are you staying the night?".
Standing up Yondu adjusted Meredith in his arms and said "I suppose I could humour you for one night". Meredith giggled as he carried her to her bedroom closing the bedroom door firmly behind them.
Please review and tell me if Yondu should go to Centauri IV?