Prologue.

Meredith Quill sat on the porch swing cradling a hot cup of tea watching the stars glitter against the night sky. She was finally finished high school and within three

months she'd be starting college to train as a doctor. Her Father was proud of her and had told her eight times since she got up that morning but leaving him to go to

college worried her as he had never been on his own. Sipping her tea she continued to watch the stars and the moon which was full and shone its light down on their

farm and the nearby woods. Sighing deeply Meredith knew she would miss her many evening strolls in those woods. A bright flash of light above the woods caught

her attention and turning her gaze to them she saw a bright orange light descend into them. Feeling her heart beat a little faster Meredith stood up and grabbed the

flashlight inside the hall before walking toward the tree line curious to find out what had just fallen from the sky.

Captain Yondu Udonta climbed out of his M Craft determined to get this job over with so he could get back to the Eclector that waited for him not far from the planet

known as Terra. Gripping the rucksack and container tightly he walked over to some small stone rocks and placed ten of them in the bag before opening the empty

container and scooping some dirt into it. Standing up he rolled his eyes before a beam of light amongst the trees caught his attention. Narrowing his eyes he pulled

back his duster revealing his Yakka arrow and pursed his lips ready to use it.

Meredith stumbled over a fallen tree anxious to get to the site. Regaining her balance she moved toward the clearing ahead avoiding the large rocks jutting out of the

ground. Reaching the clearing Meredith saw a ship of some sort parked on the grass. Staring at it in wonder she moved towards it not yet noticing its pilot standing

thirty yards away from it. Placing her hand on the wing she examined it closely before moving towards the entrance to the cockpit. A sharp whistle sounded and a red

streak shot through the air before an arrow hovered in front of her face.

"You Terrans never know when to keep yer nose outta business that ain't yers" said Yondu irritably.

Hearing a language she'd never heard before Meredith felt her mouth go dry and her body began to shake out of fear. Taking a deep breath she said "I'm sorry but

I'm not familiar with your language".

Yondu grunted in annoyance that she couldn't understand him. Leaving his arrow hovering at her face he climbed into his M Craft and retrieved a universal earpiece

and walking back over to back of the trembling Terran he clipped it behind her ear and repeated what he had said.

Meredith tried to look behind her but she was afraid to take her eyes off the arrow hovering in front of her face. Swallowing a dry lump that felt like sand paper she

said "I was just curious, I've never seen an aircraft like this one before and what is a Terran?".

Yondu chuckled and stepping into her line of vision he smiled at his Yakka arrow before saying "we call this back water planet Terra which makes ya Terran".

Meredith held her breath as she looked at the being in front of her. He was tall, dressed in leather with blue skin and some sort of metallic Mohawk jutted out of his

head. His eyes were red and looked at her waiting for some reaction. Smiling Meredith asked "are you an alien?".

Yondu gave her a confused look and giving a sharp whistle the arrow returned to its holster before replying "Spose that's what Terrans call me".

Meredith shrugged and said "I thought aliens were grey with bulbous heads and large black eyes".

Yondu gave her an amused look before chuckling and said "I know of em nasty bunch they are. So do you got a name girl?".

Meredith relaxed her grip on the flashlight before saying "my name's Meredith Quill. What's your name?".

Yondu packed the rucksack and container into the cock pit before coming to stand in front of her and said "well Meredith Quill tis an honour to meet ya, I'm Captain

Yondu Udonta of the Eclector".

"So you're a captain that's nice. Is the Eclector a business of some sort?" said Meredith as shifted her feet.

"The Eclector is my ship much bigger than this one. Every Ravager Captain gets their own ship as long as the adhere to the code" said Yondu. Seeing Meredith nod

her head he showed her the flame patch on his jacket and added "we all wear the flames".

"It must be so exciting doing what you do and seeing what really is out there in space" said Meredith smiling broadly.

Yondu nodded his head before saying "it's my job. Well Meredith Quill I must leave ya my crew will be wonderin what's takin me so long".

"Will I ever see you again?" asked Meredith as she rubbed her arms.

Yondu stared at the ground for a few seconds before cheekily replying "maybe some day I'll come back and take you for a spin in ma ship but don't know when that

will be". Seeing her eyes light up with hope he shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out a Ravager badge and tossing it to her which she caught easily he said

"until I return and Meredith don't tell any Terran ya saw me".

Meredith looked at the badge in her hand smiling at the flames before saying "until next time Yondu and be careful". Walking back into the trees she watched the blue

skinned Ravager climb into his M Craft and start its engine. The ship lifted into the air and in a flash it was gone. Walking back to her house Meredith smiled happy

that she had met Yondu Udonta but wondered if she would ever see him again.