Things Never Left Unsaid

Chapter Three

With that, all serious authority Ravagers crossed the ship once more, and Stakar and noted the nods of respect all the crew gave them, but for some, there was a brief glance, not of anger, but of uncertainly, since Stakar had no idea what Yondu has told them.

Looking over it though, from the man, he had bid farewell to, to the man in front of him, was such a marked difference. He was late to understand how good a strategist Yondu was, but that had now been perfected, his ship was clean, his crew well manned, but the niggling issue of the boy he couldn't shake off. Until Yondu and Kralgin got to their personal quarters, and since this was rare, they allowed visitors in.

Yondu was confident that Stakar thought Peter was just a ruse, that they really were a pack of child traffickers, instead for the Ogord's, Udonta's and Kraglin's private domicile surprised them, it looked like it was suitable for a family.

There were pictures on every surface and an air of softness about it, Aleta couldn't help looking into a small room adjacent to the main living space to see a well-equipped room for a little boy, all brightly decorated with toys everywhere.

Bending down to take a box out from under the bed, Kralgin addressed the pair.

"Fine we lied; we've been lying for years. I never screwed anyone; Peter was a job that we were hired to pick up three years ago…."

It didn't take long to give the full story, as both of them explained how and why they had kept Peter, while Stakar and Aleta looked over the pictures of Meredith Quill, and baby Peter, and tried to understand the situation, however even with that, it didn't change the basic facts.

"Yondu, from the rules of the Clans you were trafficking this child".

"Oh please, he was taking him to his father, the difference is, his father was a dick and couldn't be bothered, so we just kept him…simple as that". Supplied Kraglin, but Stakar wasn't done, "You violated the laws Yondu, you can easily be exiled from the Ravagers for this".

If Stakar was expecting some sort of emotions, pleading but all, he got in response and to his surprise was Yondu just folding his arms, and telling the other Ravager Captain.

"I know this, and I don't care. I'm independent anyway, it won't make any difference to me, and I don't give two shit about what how rest of the Clan thinks".

There was a defiance in Yondu's voice which Stakar would have understood if he was a parent but since he wasn't it just confusing to him.

"You have my Ravagers, but I will have to report this to the Clans", and it was Kraglin who just spoke up, all comically and confident, "Well you just do that".

Aleta and Stakar were not expecting this, yes, they had violated one of the most sacred rules of the Clans, but from what they saw, and heard Udonta just wasn't bothered at all, which both of them found unnerving. But in the end, since Yondu and Kraglin had told them the truth, there was nothing more than Stalker could do, and he found himself studying the man he once thought of as his protégé.

"But anyway, if you're still set on thinking I'm a bastard, walk around my ship, talk to my crew, Peter doesn't know the truth about his origin and my crew have a vague idea. You may think I'm a trafficker, but perhaps they're a better judge of character then you".

Hr said that to underscore his statement, but intentionally threw that into in Aleta's direction, who naturally didn't react, but Kraglin did, and Stakar rose himself up to his full height.

"You know something I'll think I do just that, Yondu," said Stalker coldly, even though he didn't mean to sound so harsh.

"Fantastic, oh and if your hungry, the mess is on deck seven, Iztel will probably be there right now, remember him?"

With that, the discussion was concluded, and Yondu made it clear he wanted everyone out of the private quarters and turned to go back to the bridge, but this time with Stakar going off to see who else was on the ship from their old Ravager days, it was Aleta who then turned to Kralgin.

"I think there are somethings we need to discuss, don't you think?" she said to the Xandarian, and all Kraglin could do was just twist his lips.

"I have the perfect place to go, nice and private", and with all the authority he had, since he had all the power, walked with Aleta, to have their private discussion.

In all Stakar took a slow long look around the Elector, since compared to his previous Captain, the place was so much cleaner, and all of the crew he passed, he could tell his presence wasn't desired, but no one was an asshole, or even said anything to him.

On his ship, he was the one in charge, but here, this was Yondu's domain, he may have taken it by force, but his crew were loyal, and that stood for something. Thought it was difficult reconciling the image of the battered Kree Slave, to the loyal Captain and above all family man he had encountered.

In the end, entranced by a delicious smell. He made his way up to the mess hall, and to the kitchen, area, and once again was stuck at how clean it was compared to his own Galleon. And there were plates, glasses and cutlery all set out, indicating an impending meal.

Looking around, he come to a sectioned off corner, with pictures on every wall, a small table, with models and drawing, along with more soft toys, and images of both the Xandarian and Darbian alphabet and words, clearly for learning, along with what looked like boxes, that have been nailed together, to make a perfect private den.

All images of a child living a happy and content life, when Stakar was disturbed by a pair of footsteps coming into the room, and a young man entered, having not noticed, Stakar's presence.

From his age, Stakar guessed he was in his early twenties, his hair was hidden under a bright blue bandana, but he could see it wisps of dirty blond hair, sticking out. Watching the young man take off the red Ravager jacket, and threw it casually across a chair, he could clearly see the numbered brand on his toned and strong arms, revealing that he was once a slave.

The young man clearly wasn't used to having visitors, at this time of day, as Stakar watched him begin to cut up vegetables and threw them in the massive stew pot, all the while stirring it, and adding herbs and spices. Too engrossed in his work, until Stakar picked up two glasses from the table, took his flask out of his pocket and poured in two generous portions.

The sudden movement finally got the attention, and Proctom turned quickly, and the man, and almost jumped back. Proctom had no idea, anyone would be here, and was put on edge at the sight of this new Captain, and it was apparent he was a Captain he had the same air of authority about him as Yondu did, and Proctom's mouth went dry and he wished Iztel was in the room to deal with this.

Proctom just froze for a few seconds, as this Captain, and Proctom noted, only half his face seemed to move, but who was he to question that? He had persistent headaches and if he was lucky, he could get through a week and not drop to the floor and fitting, but he had to say something, and at least it was polite.

"Can I help you?", and even Proctom noticed how uncertain his own voice was, especially when the stranger replied, with emphasis on his title.

"I'm Captain Stakar Ogord, my crew are here to assist with Yondu's mission…"

"Against the Xandarian Senators, yes I saw the footage, helped identify some of them".

This was interesting to Stakar since this was so far the only member of Yondu's crew he had interacted with.

"So, you're not just a cook", to which Proctom just shook his head.

"I'm a…bit of everything, I can build things, fly, and I'm the Assistant Cook".

This seemed to impress, Stakar, for some reason which Proctom didn't understand, as the other Captain on this took a seat, and gestured for Proctom to do the same, with Proctom did, with some hesitation.

Stakar knew Ravagers like Proctom, young, green, uncertain but eager to impress. No wonder he was a hard worker, and desperate to please his Captain. He was probably enamoured by authority, but at least that was something, Stalker could use.

"Impressive, so what was your name again?", even though Stakar had never asked for it in the first place, but that was an old Ravager tactic to trip someone up; however Proctom never took the bait.

"It's Proctom", came the reply as Stakar pushed one of the glasses in front of the young Ravager. "Why don't you join me for a drink… Proctom".

For Stakar, the young man's reaction looked almost to be revulsion, as he looked at the glass, then back at the other Captain. "I don't drink alcohol". He finally said, which caused Stakar to almost frown, this was unheard off, all Ravagers drank, it was practically a pre-requite for wearing the red jacket. However, Stakar perhaps put it down to the time of day, and the fact he was still on shift, as Stakar said to Proctom.

"It's ok, there's no booze in this drink".

This was a lie, a blatant lie, inside that glass was Saurian whisky, so prominent, it could get someone wasted with two shots, and by now that glass the two-thirds fall. However, Stakar needed answers and someone like Proctom were ideal, junior Ravagers were known for being braggarts and boastful, and from that, he would get all the answers he needed about that four-year-old boy.

For Proctom, who just looked at the glass, felt conflicted. He knew he had to abstain from alcohol, of any kind, Yondu and especially Iztel has made that clear, but at the same time, he had no reason to think the Captain was lying to him because Yondu for all his faults had never done it. In fact, Proctom didn't even know Captains could lie to their crew, so coming to the most logical conclusion, and with the eyes of Stakar upon him.

Proctom took the glass and lifted it to his lips.

Dun dun dun

To be continued

Please review x