Ok, here we go new chapter. More character building of Yarovesky, and to explain his life, and by default everyone else's life too.

Chapter Six

"Years ago, I was sold for a while to a Hacker, so, I was with him for a year, and he taught me to read…and taught me to hack, I hated his guts. I knew he was teaching me because was pulling off a massive heist and I would be the patsy and would be killed while he got away" Yarovesky awarded himself a little chuckle at that before continuing

"He was caught and sentenced to death by the Nova Corps, and I was in holding cells when my Kree Mas…teacher". Yarovesky changed the word quickly since Peter was too young to know that the percentage of Ravagers who grew up as slaves, best to keep his innocence for as long as possible.

"My teacher came and got me. Once again I was denied my freedom, but reading was a useful skill, and then about a year later, I was about thirteen, I was sent to this old astronomer who lived in the middle of nowhere, and they needed someone who could take care of him and read to him and shi..things". Yarovesky finished, before continuing, his voice taking on a softer edge.

"And he was nice, gave me a bed told me I was too skinny so made sure I ate well. He even gave me good clothes and let my hair grow out. Little things which don't normally happen, He was a hard man, but he taught me everything.

We used to sit together and would teach me about the planet and how to read them, even the stories of how they formed, and the myths and science, and I learned everything. In the end, I was doing his work for him, and he loved that. He made sure that my time with him was extended, even made sure that when I was with his family, I sat with him, which pissed off all his asshole children".

Yarovesky just glanced down since he had sworn in Peter's presence, but no one mentioned anything. "He even told me I was smart enough to join the Nova Corps", then Yarovesky laughed softly, "Now that would have been something".

"So then what?" Yondu asked, briskly since the Navigator had worked alongside him for years and he had never known this, never even asked. And Yarovesky stretched out his feet and exhaled.

"But then he grew sick, and I knew It would be over soon. That being said he fought to keep me, told his kids to keep me on, grant me my freedom. He would have done it himself, but liaising with the Master was hard…while I was still alive anyway. And the family blocked all communications for him to get in touch.

The old man even left me stuff in his will…but you get used to being lied too, you know when someone's bullshitting. I nursed him through his final days when they weren't there, but the moment he died, I was shipped back. Damn, that was a hell of an adjustment process, but the old guy knew what would happen. Set us safe deposit box, put all his navigation equipment in it, and forced me to remember the code…along with a few other things". Which he didn't elaborate one, but Yondu guessed the connection.

"Going back was hellish, I had my hair shaved again and sent back to that life, always hoped I would get the chance to get my stuff, but I had to wait a few years until we were liberated and you picked us up" Yarovesky threw Yondu a content look.

Which caused the Captain of the Ravagers, to think back to their first meeting, putting the feelers out for crew in the shithole bar and the small group appeared. Back then he had noticed the brands on their arms, but slavery was rampant, they were keen, and he just didn't care about the rest.

He has asked them if they had a particular skill set, and most of them it was maintenance, but he remembered Yarovesky who was slightly older than the rest, mentioning his hacking and navigating skills. It took only a few minutes with the few in the vicinity to join the Ravagers, back then Yondu didn't care about their past all he wanted to know if they had a future as his crew.

At this point, Yarovesky was musing over his memories then made this statement

"He even taught me to speak properly, so I wouldn't go back to the Slave Ship taking like a "common thug"" Yarovesky stated, which caused Yondu to realise something about his crew members.

Out of the Ravagers, since he had mentioned it, the difference in their speech patterns was striking, Yarovesky was more refined and softer spoken, he never really talked unless he had a reason too. Gunnsen and Jamsean wince there were only several months between them spoke with the same patterns and inflictions which did at times sound like they were talking to themselves!

Proctom however, didn't speak much during his early years he was too young and too tormented by his past to be able to hold a conversation, then following his exile and being taken in by Iztel. Who was teaching the boy to read and encouraging him to read out loud, his speech was coming to resemble Iztel's who spoke in a more refined and pleasant tone.

When it came to Yondu since language was forced upon him, he sounded like he talked like he gargled nails, and he didn't mind that though it was a stark comparison to Kraglin. Being a Xandarian, but raised in the underworld of Hrax, his speech was more drawn out, making it seemed like he was sarcastic most of the time.

There was silence, as Yarovesky finished telling the story of his life, apart from the sound of a contented boy dozing and all looked down to see Peter had decided to take a nap, seated Yarovesky's lap, finally.

He threw Kraglin a look, and the First Mate of the Ravagers passed the navigator a blanket and instructed him to wrap their son up in it.

"That means he trusts you, but stroke his hair, Peter likes that", instructed Kraglin, and Peter deep in slumber clutching Fang just gave a contented smile, and Yarovesky just stroked his spiky blond hair. however, Yondu noticed that under this son's eyelids there was a sudden flash of green, but naturally didn't voice that out loud.

With Peter just dozing safe in slumber while Yarovesky stroked his hair, Yondu tried to digest the information he had been given. True he knew his crew were slaves, that was common knowledge, but what they had been through, even after all these years none of them volunteered information and Yondu had never asked. But then again with the new arrival still in the Med Bay, all Yondu could do was look over to the Ravager.

"Thanks for telling us that". Was all Yondu could say, and Yarovesky just shrugged drawing his fingers through Peter's hair. In truth, Yarovesky being a bridge crew didn't interact with Peter as much as the rest, and maybe that would happen in the future, who knew.

Yondu did finally know the reason why Yarovesky, after he had been with the crew for several months and had just been gifted his own M-Ship, had asked for a few days off. This was a surprise to the Captain, but he eventually agreed, and Yarovesky had returned with his navigation equipment and a fortune of units which were now residing in his personal account. Yondu had never known the reason, back then he didn't care, but at least Yarovesky had some compensation from his shitty life.

After about an hour of Yarovesky doing his job with one hand planning the next course, the peace on the bridge was interrupted by footsteps coming into the area, and all looked up to see Iztel, with a small plate on his only hand and carrying a canister under his arm.

Almost on cue, Peter opened his eyes and quickly snuggled and onto Yarovesky for a moment, before shifting upwards.

"Mumm good nap", he said, rubbing his eyes all content and satisfied before seeing Iztel and realising the time.

"Since your up here today, I thought you would like some lunch", the MasterChef said, and Peter who was content in Yarovesky lap just nodded, and took the plate full of his favourite thing, while Iztel passed the flask to Yarovesky. "It's cold soup with nutrients, it should help with the throat, and you did a hell of a thing saving that boys life" Iztel's voice was laced with gratitude, which Yarovesky acknowledged with a nod.

Peter didn't seem to notice this exchange but looked down at his plate with little sweet biscuits, some fruit, then the toddler looked carefully at the sandwich and looked up in horror.

"Iztel's there's no jam, only yucky sandwich spread", Peter side accusingly, at the older Ravager, while Iztel didn't even blink, "Nope sandwich spread today, we've run out of jam".

A statement which shocked Peter to his toddler core. He loved sweet things, and jam was his favourite while Iztel continued. "The thing is, I have all the ingredients to make jam, but I need my helper to help with it". Iztel supplied, while Peter thought some more.

"Have Proctom help you", Peter demanded while Iztel shook his head, "He's never done it, so we really need your help if we're going to make jam for all the crew".

Perhaps it was the thought of making something sweet for the crew since the crew were so nice and always did nice things for him. But Peter just peaked up "Ok" was all he said, sliding off Yarovesky's lap and taking Iztel's by the hand, with Fang dangling in the air.

"Can I have lots of jam with fruit?" Peter asked practically dragging Iztel from the Bridge eager to start his task, which caused Iztel to just laugh. "Of course, as much as you want".

Every one of the Ravagers just blinked at the sight of this, after two days of tension with the three-year-old suddenly evaporated, by a comment by their MasterChef.

Yondu and Kraglin just shared a look of disbelief, before settling back in their seats, while Yarovesky drunk the drink Iztel had made, which was delicious and gestured to the plate left by the toddler.

"Anyone want this", the Navigator said out loud, and after a moment Horuz leant over, "Yeah I'll take it", he replied, reaching over to take the stretched out plate.

For a moment as the Ravagers hands touched both of them felt a small spark fleeting up their arms, and their eyes locked just for a moment, which they instantly dismissed, but Horuz, one not known for his brainpower just uttered. "I'm sorry that happened to you".

Yarovesky swallowed and just looked up at Horuz and struggled to respond, but just couldn't. His words hung heavy in his chest, and he knew that with everyone knowing the truth about him, and by default Proctom, Gunnsen and Jamsean who had just remained silent throughout this entire exchange. Perhaps they could understand what Omevic had gone through since he would be released from the Med Bay soon, but there was still no answer of what to do with him.

Ok next chapter, we are finally going to meet the young ex-slave, but is the Elector, the right place for him to be?

To be continued

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