Images flashed rapidly across the screen, illuminating the determined King's face. The Bowie was 16 hours under way to from when he left Xandar and according to the tracking devices planted inside of his son's ship, they were on their way to the illegal mining community of Knowwhere. Although they had a head start of about 7 hours, he had no doubt he would make it there the same time, they're very few ships in the galaxy that were as fast as his Bowie.
As before when he was on his way to meet the Nova Prime, time dragged by agonizingly slow. As impatient as he was, he was also very grateful as it gave him time to figure out exactly what he was going to do. Was he just suppose to walk up to his prodigal son and say, "Hi, Peter. I am your father. I have a really good excuse for abandoning you and your mother twenty -six years ago, please hear me out."
Besides getting a good punch to the jaw, it would only further alienate his son and antagonize his crew. Which is why he needed to stop acting like a father and more of a war strategist. Using the time that was given to him, he put himself into deep research, messaging all of his contacts for any information on what he was about to walk into.
Turning his attention back to the multiple screens, he swiped his finger over the transmitter contacting the Milano for the eight-tenth and hopefully last time. As before the call went unanswered. Taking a deep breath he concentrated on the tablet in front of him, spewing images and information faster then most minds could compute and read with.
Some of the images were gory, past victims of Gamora, daughter of Thanos' conquests.
Some of the images were violent, video of Drax the Destroyer rage as he tore his way through the Kiln High Security Prison.
Some of the images were unbearable as they showed the illegal experimenting of a innocent and defenseless mammal, cruelly being ripped apart.
Some of the images were heart wrenching, as he watched a gentle and harmless tree being pelted with rocks and laughed at by a uncaring and ignorant species.
Yet some of the images were...sweet. Gamora the now self-exiled daughter of war lord, with her real family. The King watched as the Zen Whoberi family attended the small garden outside of there home. Gamora only being a small child, chasing her older brother around. According to the Xandaran archives it was taken right before the attack that would wipe out the civilization.
Some of the images were loving. The usually unpredictable and volatile warrior, holding a small bundle. The father in him recognized the same look he had, the "I'll kill anyone that harms you," and "I'll die for you." It was look he once shared and maybe will share again. According to the caption this photo was taken years before the family was killed. At least they had a short time of peace.
Some of the images were comical. Showing more intelligence then some of the advanced races in the Galaxy, a simple raccoon fixing a broken down land vehicle for a unprepared family, for a fee of course. Taken by a security camera in one of the Nova Corps neighboring planets, this is one of the very few tid-bits (besides his arrest record) of information they had on Rocket.
Some of the images were heart warming. A young, walking, sapling, planting seeds along a river bank. A wide and happy smile on his face as he worked to strengthen the health of his own people. This picture was taken from a environmental report the Nova Corps did on one of the many plant based planets. He didn't have the heart to swipe over and read what happened to the peaceful river.
Peter was raised a bunch of low-life, unethical, space pirates. That being said he was skeptical of Peter's choosen friends, but due to his trust in them, he would re frame judgement. He had read Quill's arrest record, and although he was less the proud of it, he understood.
His plans for his son were much different then the path that he have been going down, however he didn't give a damn if Peter were hired gun or drunk. He just, although he would never admit it, didn't want to being alone anymore.
The transmitter screen light up as a notified him a incoming message. His heart in his throat he looked up and was disappointed to see Nova Corps emblem instead of the Milano's serial number. Closing the other screens, he sat up straight in his chair and accepted the message.
Instead of seeing Nova Prime's face as he expected, Corpsmen Dey's face appeared in what looked like a very busy medical bay or lab.
"Sorry to bother you sir, but I have some information for you," Dey said holding up a manila folder.
"It is no bother at all," the King responded, "what do you have for me."
"I hope you don't mind but Nova Prime had one of our top genetic specialist compare your DNA which we had in our archives and that of Peter Quill," Dey said lowing his tone so that none of the lab assistance could hear him.
The King was not thrilled that his allies did a paternity test without his approval or that of Peter's but considering the situation he would let it slide. Of course once he had gotten Peter safely to Sparta, he would have done one with Peter's consent.
"As you and Nova Prime suspected, Quill is in fact your child," Dey continued.
Although it was heartening to have solid proof of his connection with Peter, he already knew that. The galaxy was too big for coincidences, especially one involving a Terran, the race he fell in love with those many years before. Not only that Peter look too much like his younger self to deny his parentage.
"Thank you Dey, for going through the trouble. I trust that this will all remain confidential until such a time comes that I will announce my heir," J'son of Spartox responded sternly.
"Yes sir, I made sure that both samples were done anonymously and the results under lock and key, however there is something else. Something about Quill's health," Dey said cautiously.
Taking a moment to comprehend what was said, the King nodded for him to continue.
"It seems that when Quill took hold of the stone, some of it's energy may have been absorbed into his nervous and blood system," Dey said opening the manila folder and reading the results. "After the battle our doctors examined him and his companions, they all had trace amounts of gamma radiation within them, but it was not harmful.
Infinity stones where complicated, energy sources more sporadic then dying stars. Although it pained him that Peter had to endure the agony of the skin to skin contact he was not surprise to hear of the side effects. In fact that was going to be his first request to Peter upon meeting, a thorough health screening by Spatan healers.
"However upon examination of his blood, your team have found more energy," the knowing King and worried father responded. After lifetimes of research of them, the royal scientists have very little to go on. But one thing remained a constant, the energy from the stones does not fade but rather multiplies and spreads like a disease.
"Unfortunately yes, we still don't know what it means," Dey said but was cut off as the King raised his hand in a gesture of silence.
"Thank you again for your concern and time, if you would please send me the data from the test via a very secured line to my ship that would be very much appreciated," J'son replied.
"Of course sir."
"And I don't need to remind you about the confidentiality concerns, do I?"
"No sir," Dey said uneasily.
Autopilot within the Bowie rang, drawing the King's attention back to his surroundings. He was 30 minutes outside of Knowwhere and would need to land soon.
"If you would excuse me, I need my attention elsewhere. Have a nice day," said J'son with a swipe of his hand to end the call.
Now more then ever he would need to find Peter, if not for sake of family but for his health.
He had never been to Knowwhere but he had heard stories. Outlaws and fortune diggers building a city out of a god's head, the thought of it made him shake his head in disapproval. Instead of giving the celestial being the peace it deserves, they desiccate it, exploiting the death of a gentle being for riches. As a King he did not the luxury of being naive or ignorant, but he could not understand people who would do such a thing.
The place was making him uneasy, but he would not turn away. Not when he was so close. As he enter the city limits, he scanned the area and found the Milano on a docking bay near the center city. According to the in tel and mappings of the area he had requested, a Collector by the name of Tivan lived near there.
Landing the Bowie on one of the outer landing docks, he armed himself with everything he could get his hands on. Tighten his boots he placed twin daggers in each along with jet thrusters in case a quick escape if need be. On his belt he place his 357 Magnum Revolver in his holster. It was a gift from Meredith when he left Earth. He kept it by his side all these years, with a few modifications due to the lack of bullets in his region. One day he would need to tell Peter the story of how he ended up looking at the wrong end of the barrel the night he and his mother meet. Slinging his laser rifle on to his back, he added one more knife to his portable armory, hiding it up the sleeve of this dark brown leather jacket.
He finished arming himself with the Polaroid, and his last resort; a sedative. The King, the rational side of him hope it wouldn't come to that. That he could convince his son to come with him peacefully, however chances of that happening were very slim. Spartan stubbornness was legendary. The father, the emotional and impatient side of him knew it would come to it through. He could not take chance or waste time arguing when infinity energy still coursed through Peter's vain, his life now in the balance. He tucked both the photo and the small capped syringe in a almost invisible pocket inside his jacket.
Lastly he swept the area one more time, looking for any newcomers. According to the scanner in his ship. There were 28 total life forms in the severed head. Acting like a sonar he could see from the screen that five were in on the third level of the city right were Tivan's Collection was reported to be. However another ten were coming in fast from the outside.
Taking one last look at the three dimensional map that was displayed on the screen, he ran out of the ship, speaking the order for it to lock down completely, making it impenetrable to anyone but him.
After leaving his ship he moved like a ghost, quieting running between the narrow buildings towards the third center level. He was outside near a crashed mining pod when he heard the painful scream. Pulling one of the twin knives, he sprinted towards the injured man, hoping it was not Peter.
His body crouched and footsteps silent, he moved carefully among the fallen glass and debris in the bar outside of the Collection. Keeping a watchful eye on the scene before him as he hide in the shadows. Years of reconison training had taught him how to enter even the most highly guarded place unseen and unheard. However he was having trouble staying quiet, when he wanted to shout in rage at what he was witnessing.
Surrounded by Ravagers and his crew, Peter was being held with his arms behind his back. The breath was taken away, not by rage through but with the realization that this was the first time he had seen his son in person. He was not the baby in the Polaroid, nor was he the rogue as he was depicted in his arrest records. He was man. A man that would die to save his friends.
No sooner did his breath come back that his blood boiled. Coming out of the ranks of Ravagers, Yondu Udonta strolled in front of his son. Smirking like a he had won the battle already. "Man look at the mess you made here...you know I may not have had to stop these boys from eating you if I would have taken you here in the first place. Lock you up in one of these cages."
The King listened to the conversation while staking out the area and taking notice of everything. Although he was a accomplished warrior, he could not underestimate the situation. He observed the one of the potential friendlies as gravelly wounded and would not be able to fight. Three Ravagers had their guns pointed at him and woman to whom he recognized as Gamora.
The small one, Rocket did not have a gun pointed at him just the golden arrow. Three more Ravagers flanked him, guns as the ready but not aimed. That just left the two holding back Peter's arms and one that he recognized a second in command standing next to Udonta.
"We don't have the stone," he heard Peter say "the Nova Corps sent it to another base. They're is no way you are getting it this time." Now was not the time to reveal his presence, he need a better advantage spot.
"We don't care about no stone no more, do we boys?" said Yondu. A chorus of no's and shaking heads followed from the Ravagers. The King was ashamed to admit that he had been outsmarted by this bunch of ingrates years before. But now older and wiser, he would not miscalculate.
"What do want then," Peter asked, his body moving just the slightest towards Gamora. A subconscious act of protection the King observed. Using everyone distraction he move swiftly and silently further in the compound, hiding behind a overturned aquarium.
"It's not what I want boy," Yondu replied.
"It's what I want," finished the Collector as he came and stood next to Yondu staring intently at his son.
J'son didn't react to this.
He didn't react to the announced reason as to why they were here in the god forsaken place.
He didn't react to the real reason that his son was lost to him for 26 years.
He didn't react.
The father in him didn't react.
For at this moment he needed to be King, emotionally detached in order to preserve the life of his son.
For at this moment he was at war.
"You were going to sell him to the Collector," he heard the furry animal growl.
The King was now in the perfect position he could take out all of the hostile in under a sec with his modified 357, he reached to put the knife back when he heard Tivan's next words.
"How can I pass up such as blood line although it is 26 years late."
There was a leak in his well organized hierarchy, the only people who knew of Peter's parentage at the time of his reclaiming, was himself and two of his most trusted advisers. Not even Udonta had known, when he was given the task. This traitor whomever it may be, is the reason for his suffering and the King will have his revenge.
"That son of a bitch," J'son whispered.
A soft whistling sounded emitted through the air and he watched helplessly as the arrow flew from Rocket's face over to Peter's chest, inches from his heart. The strategy changed now, he no longer had the advantage of being able to take out all hostiles in a few well aimed shots. It was one this when this deadly arrow was pointed at a rodent, but he would not risk Peter. He needed to take out the weapon and the warrior who wielded it in order to insure the safety of his son first and only after would he consider his companions.
But he needed to act soon, he would not let his son be bought and sold again, not while he still had breath in him.
"I must say Mr. Quill when you walked in here, not in my wildest dream would I have thought you would have been more, more...valuable then a walking tree," the slave owner said, "what took you so long?"
Still listening intently, the King slowly replaced his gun with the knife from his right boot.
"He was more valuable to use outside of the cage," Udonta said, at least he had spared his son that horrible life, "but now he's as useful as broken wings. You can have him."
"Shall we negotiate a price then?," The Collector asked turning to Yondu. Now was his chance he could take out both the arrow and Tivan in the same throw.
"Wait," the prince demanded. "Just tell me why. Why did you take me? Why didn't you give me to him twenty-six years ago? Why now?."
Yes, the King thought, why now? How were the Infinity Stones connected to this. The Universe is rarely so lazy for conicidences.
Whatever the reason, finding it out would have to wait as that blue bastard let out a short whistle and the arrow rose to Peter's eyes. Tightening the hold on his knife, he rose from his crouched stance and took aim. He had time to pray he would, but he didn't so he moved his arm back to prepare it for it's mark.
"Boy this may come as a shock to you, but all I done was to protect you," Yondu replied "including this."
And so will this be, the King thought as the knife excited his hand twirling through the air faster then the Ravagers could comprehend. With a satifying clink the knife pinned the arrow to the wall insuring the safety of his son and making him the first target the arrow has ever missed.
"Yes, Yondu Udonta," the King said his voice booming as he grabed his laser rifle, "tell us how taking him from his family and selling him like cattle is keeping his safe."
Keeping his eyes on the hostiles he walked out of the shadows.
Intentionally making his footsteps loud, determined and imtimatadating. Distracting the Ravagers from his son.
J'son, King of Spartox and father to Peter Quill stepped into the room and into the light.
"Tell him how his father trusted you," J'son said phaser rifle pointed at the King of the Ravagers, "tell him how you took my son away."
And so it will begin.
The War of Kings.