"What… how is this possible?" Taserface's final thoughts flashed through his mind, unable to accept what had happened or believe that Yondu could control his arrow even without sound. The Ravagers had once faced an enemy—a powerful group of space pirates who outmatched them, especially since the battle took place in space without entering the ship. Yondu had stood by as many of his men were killed, without even attempting to use his arrow. Later, he explained that he couldn't use his whistle arrow in environments without sound transmission, like in the vacuum of space or harsh environments like underwater, high winds, or sandstorms.
Upon hearing this, the crew who'd initially harbored doubts forgave Yondu, chalking it up to an unfortunate situation. But Taserface, who had lost several trusted followers in that battle, never forgave him, noting Yondu's weakness and waiting for a chance to exploit it.
Little did he know that the trap he'd carefully set up over the years would be so easily dismantled. Was it all a ploy from the start? Had Yondu planned this from that very battle?
Taserface would never know. Yondu had no intention of explaining, and as Taserface's life faded, the silence device he himself had deployed continued to block out all sound. He couldn't even hear Yondu's voice one last time.
After Taserface fell, his followers met the same fate, Yondu's arrow piercing their hearts or brains with precise strikes. As the leader of this Ravager crew, Yondu knew his men well—their capabilities, species, and most importantly, where each one's life core resided, whether it be heart, brain, or elsewhere. And with his arrow, a tool perfectly suited for dispatching weaklings, Yondu was virtually unassailable unless he grew careless.
One by one, the rebels fell to the ground, lifeless, until the entire ship reeked of blood and fear. The latter scent was courtesy of several Ravagers who had soiled themselves in terror; they hadn't seen this ruthless side of Yondu in years. Ever since Star-Lord's arrival, Yondu's demeanor had softened—his words still harsh, but his actions noticeably restrained.
Now, the surviving Ravagers realized that Star-Lord's presence had actually been a blessing, sparing them from Yondu's wrath. With Star-Lord around, Yondu was more lenient, allowing them to earn a bit on the side without fear of massacre.
Several of the remaining Ravagers, seeing the carnage around them, dropped to their knees, begging Yondu for mercy. They didn't dare hope for forgiveness, just clung to the faintest chance of survival, though they knew Yondu wouldn't be easily swayed.
Yet, surprisingly, Yondu stopped and aimed his arrow at the silencing device, shattering it.
"Since you're begging for mercy, I can't say I'm heartless. Alright then, clean up these bodies and… all the mess you've made," Yondu said, waving dismissively, his tone as gentle as if he hadn't just slaughtered half his crew.
"Yes, boss!" The Ravagers didn't understand why Yondu was showing them mercy, but they seized on the chance to survive, hastily cleaning up the mess.
"Good job," Yondu nodded as they finished. "Now, leave my ship."
"What… now?" One Ravager hesitated, glancing out into space where Taserface and the others' bodies had already begun drifting, soon to disintegrate into cosmic dust. Without protection, stepping outside would mean certain death.
"Of course now," Yondu replied calmly. "You have oxygen masks, don't you? With any luck, you'll find a passing ship or a civilized planet before you run out of air."
"But… going outside means certain death…" someone whispered, his face pale as he pleaded with Yondu. "Boss, please, let us help you against Ego instead!"
"Help?" Yondu sneered. "With you spineless cowards? You only have two choices: leave the ship and take your chances, or die here at the mercy of my arrow, like those corpses floating out there."
At this, his arrow began to circle menacingly. Knowing they had no choice, the remaining Ravagers complied, hoping against hope for survival in the cold void of space.
Finally alone, Yondu sighed in relief. "Now I can go find that brat Quill. Who knows where Ego will try to approach him? I need to make sure he doesn't meet him unprepared. That guy's charm is… unnerving. Managing to win over so many women across so many species…"
"So, boss, where to next?" Kraglin asked hesitantly.
"Head toward Ego's planet," Yondu replied, rubbing his temples. "Let's see where Quill and his gang end up. With their fame, we shouldn't have trouble tracking their movements."
"But, boss, why not contact him directly?" Nebrick asked.
"You think I haven't tried?" Yondu snapped, his annoyance flaring. "The kid blocks my calls now that he's got money and his own ship! When I catch him, I'll lock him up and make him go without food for a day!"
Kraglin and Nebrick exchanged a look, resignation in their eyes. Taserface's betrayal had ended in death, but Star-Lord's disobedience would be met with nothing harsher than a day of hunger. Yondu's favoritism couldn't be more obvious.
They knew even if Yondu did catch Star-Lord, he wouldn't have the heart to let him go hungry for long. A single skipped meal was likely the worst punishment he'd actually enforce.
"What are those looks for? You forget how much Quill hated going hungry as a kid?" Yondu scolded, giving them a warning glare. "Now, get us moving. I need some rest."
"Yes, boss!" they replied, quickly setting a course for Ego's planet.
Meanwhile, Star-Lord and the others had just arrived on Sovereign. They were surprised to find themselves alone.
"What's going on?" Star-Lord muttered to Gamora. "The reward for this mission is supposed to be huge. Where are all the other bounty hunters?"
"Maybe the Sovereign are just too proud to work with others?" Gamora suggested hesitantly.
"No way! Those bounty hunters would do anything for enough money," Star-Lord replied. "They'd lick the Sovereign's boots if the pay was right."
"We wouldn't let you 'lesser beings' lay a finger on us!" a Sovereign representative snapped, glaring at Star-Lord.
"So then, why are we the only ones who took this job?" Star-Lord asked, unbothered by the Sovereign's arrogance.
"Because we specifically requested you," the Sovereign replied coldly. "Compared to the crass bounty hunters out there, your group's reputation was marginally more acceptable. But make no mistake—this will be our last collaboration. Your demeanor is even worse than we anticipated."
"There's a monster approaching that feeds on energy cells. Destroy it, and then report to our High Priestess, Ayesha, for your reward. After that, leave our planet and don't return."
"Why don't you take care of it yourselves, if you're so high and mighty?" Rocket sneered.
"The sight of that filthy creature would only sully our eyes. Tasks like these are for lesser beings like you," the Sovereign replied with disdain.
"Unbelievable!" Nebula snarled, lunging toward the Sovereign in rage, but Star-Lord quickly grabbed her, worried she might actually hurt him.
"Come on, they're paying us!" he whispered. "Just hold back, get the job done, and we're out of here."
"Doesn't mean they can look down on us," Nebula growled through clenched teeth.
"Listen, we're barely stocked for one more jump to a supply station, and we're broke. Just bear with it, alright?"
"Fine," Nebula huffed, but glared at Star-Lord to let her go.
"Why are you embarrassed? You're part robot!" he teased as he released her.
"She's not a robot," Gamora interjected firmly. "She's my sister, even if she's been partially modified."
"I know, I know," Star-Lord said, raising his hands in surrender. "We're all teammates."
"Follow me, 'lesser beings,'" the Sovereign representative sneered, watching their exchange. "Don't blame me if that monster kills you."
"We'll be fine," Nebula growled, already plotting how to make him pay once they'd been paid.
The Guardians followed him to a teleportation device, which would bring the energy-devouring creature to them. This way, the Sovereign could avoid dirtying their hands—or their view—with the beast.
"That thing's hideous," Star-Lord muttered as a writhing worm-like creature appeared, making his stomach churn. "No wonder they didn't want to deal with it."
"A beast! How adorable! HAHAHA!" Drax laughed, charging forward with his twin knives, ready to take it on.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+100 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]