Ravager Family Escapades Part 1
Yondu’s clever design, the ship’s built out with cannons, cloaking, shielding, and two different sets of energy-efficient engines. They rewire the waste systems to be more effective and ensure a better way to keep the bulky behemoth clean and running smoothly. It’s not the Eclector, may she rest in peace, but the Wanderer is going to be his pride and joy.
Yondu’s tigers manage most of the brute strength and heavy lifting, and Kraglin’s slim frame bulks up a little in the process. Yondu finds himself a little obsessive about both his mate and the ship. Eh.
During their initial three months back in space, Peter and Kraglin learn to walk outside the ship in zero-grav. Nebula ‘hires’ a couple crew members to take over some menial tasks. Yondu teaches Kraglin to fly. Peter shows Nebula and Gamora how to tribal dance. And somehow, they manage to save an actual princess from being kidnapped. Really, it was always only a matter of time before they found themselves within sights of the Ravager clans.
Yondu sits on the bridge, clutching his fingers around the arms of the captain’s chair. They’re still cloaked, unable to be seen, and he’s maneuvering them around the giant freighter ship the Ravagers are intent on robbing. Unfortunately, Yondu had also hoped to rob the larger craft for some supplies they need.
“What are your intentions?” Gamora asks, glancing out the view screen. “If they loot that ship, we’ll lose all chance of restocking until we jump to another quadrant.”
“I know.”
“There are only four ships surrounding the freighter,” Nebula adds. “They don’t know we’re here. We could take them…”
“No,” Yondu snaps. “Ain’t breakin’ the Code an’ killin’ ‘em by stabbin’ ‘em in the back. Ain’t my style.”
“You wish to fight them fairly?”
“Nope. I’mma waitin’ ta see if I recognize any o’ the other ships that’ll be comin’. An’ if we can talk to ‘em or not.”
“But wouldn’t that put you back in the line of fire?”
“Been more ‘n a year since I left ‘em and they’re doin’ fine without me,” Yondu shrugs. “Ain’t goin’ back. Just ain’t worried about talkin’ to ‘em if I see… aha!”
A fifth Ravager ship arrives, larger than the others. Stakar’s vessel, and Yondu grins. “Ain’t nobody I’d rather deal with than my ol’ pal.”
“Are you sure this is wise?” Gamora asks him, and he nods.
“Ain’t ever doubted Stakar. Ain’t worried about him meetin’ ya or meetin’ Kraglin and Peter. We’re settled here.”
Gamora arches an eyebrow, but doesn’t argue with him. “You should call Kraglin and Peter to come up here, so they know what’s going on.”
Yondu nudges his mate through their bond, agreeing with Gamora. “Give ‘em a minute ta get here an’ then we’ll open a channel. Where’re Meda and Targ?”
“Meda and Targ are in the galley and the plumbing, respectively,” Nebula says. “I comm’d them to let them know what was going on, but to stay put.”
“And what’s goin’ on?” a new voice asks. Yondu grins at the sullen seven-year-old. “I was napping and Kraglin woke me up.”
“Where is Kraglin?”
“Right behind you.”
Yondu looks at his two cats with abject fondness. “Sorry ‘bout that, Petey-bird,” Yondu teases. The little cat gives him a grumpy smile. “Know ya need yer beauty sleep. But we’ve got pirates ta deal with.”
“Pirates?”
Kraglin joins Yondu by the captain’s chair, sharp eyes finding the ships on the view screen. “You know them?”
“I know their clan chief. He’s the one that saved my life, back in the day.”
“Stakar,” Kraglin nods. “Can you still trust him?”
“’Bout as far as ya can trust any pirate.”
Kraglin rolls his eyes. “As if I didn’t know you by now. You want to hail him?”
“Yeah.”
“Are we gonna meet real pirates?” Peter asks, perking up. “For serious?”
“Whatchu mean, ‘real pirates’, boy?” Yondu scowls. “Ain’t I sittin’ right here? Am I chopped meat, now?”
Peter flaps a hand at Yondu. “You know what I mean, Papa,” Peter slips out. Stars-damn if he doesn’t call Yondu ‘papa’ now and then and Yondu doesn’t fuss about it because he secretly kind of loves it. “I mean tough guys. Fighters. Those kinds of pirates.”
“Peter, you’re just making it worse,” Nebula says, snickering at the indignant look on Yondu’s face. “I think we might just wait to watch whether they can defeat that freighter before we advance.”
Yondu pulls Kraglin into his lap and they watch as the Ravagers circle the larger ship. Without warning, the big freighter pops a hatch and fires some sort of… ray? Two of the Ravager ships explode and Yondu leaps to his feet, dumping Kraglin on the floor as he screams, “What the flark?”
The other three ships open fire, and the freighter takes aim. “Donchu dare!” Yondu shouts, as if the freighter can hear him. “Nebula! Fire on that ship!”
Nebula mutters, “I don’t take orders from you,” but swings around in her chair and takes aim. “Hold on, everyone!”
As she shouts, she fires; the Wanderer’s cannons ring outside the ship, dragging across the bow of the freighter. The freighter, with four ships firing upon it, has no choice but to either surrender or explode. After too many direct hits, the captain opens a channel, crying out for a cease-fire.
Yondu picks up the channel, receiving but not transmitting, and hears Stakar’s voice come over the line. Stakar tells the other captain to prepare for boarding.
“Do we go in while Ravagers are onboard?” Kraglin asks.
“I’ll spacewalk over with Gamora,” Yondu replies. “Y’all stay here and stay alert in case we need ta come back quick.”
“You’re not going over there without me,” Kraglin says, crossing his arms over his chest. “Absolutely not. I’m gonna watch your back or you’re not going at all.”
“Kraglin…”
“Ain’t open for discussion!” Kraglin snarls. Yondu sees his boy’s fangs elongating. “You’re not gonna go somewhere dangerous and leave me here to worry.”
“I can go too!” Peter says. “I’m capable of sneaking!”
“Nope,” Yondu says. “Gamora and I’ll be fine. Ain’t puttin’ ya in danger. Either of ya.”
“Not your choice alone, Mate,” Kraglin replies.
“I wish I had those fluffy corn snacks to munch,” a loud voice says, cutting into their argument. Gamora. “This is better than theater.”
“Ain’t funny,” Yondu snaps. “Don’t got time ta worry ‘bout you two while we’re stealin’ medicine an’ supplies from under Stakar’s nose. Ya stay here. Nebula, Gamora – y’all agree with me!”
“You should take Gamora and Kraglin,” Nebula says. “Kraglin’s right, the two of you would be better off with backup. He’s exceptional in his fighting ability, Yondu. You know this.”
“Traitorous witch…”
Kraglin elbows Yondu in the ribs. “Just say yes.”
“Fine,” Yondu grunts. “Ain’t likin’ it though.”
Gamora touches Kraglin’s shoulder so the two of them glare at Yondu together. “We will be honored to fight beside you, but let’s try to get in and out unnoticed, shall we?”
“’Course,” Yondu replies. “We got our list o’ what we need. Let’s move as fast as possible, yeah?”
They gear up with guns and knives and a few sacks to haul back the goods they acquire. As they stand by the airlock, Yondu gives his mate a quick up-and-down. “What?” Kraglin asks.
“Nothin’. Just lookin’ at ya. An’… love ya, kid.”
“Love ya too. Stop worrying.”
“Right.”