Seeing Yondu like this was rare and often harmful, but Luke still managed to shrug off any resemblance to confusion because this place called for it. Screw the tests. He smiled and knew exactly what to say.

  “I have nothing to prove, sir. Also, there is no clear evidence for such an accusation.”

  “Is that so?” Yondu had no doubt about it, but many people didn't need evidence for shit.

  Luke trembled under the weight of his hand, considered another excuse, yet couldn't think of anything. It was true; he had wooed her first, and there was nothing wrong with it. So he said the truth with half a smile because this man wasn't someone he could go against.

  “I have no issue if sir finds this problematic. Mi-Yung can be very... well, vivid. Wild? I am sure our business and cooperation are very passionate about this matter and respectful. I am sure it offers no sensible dishonesty and acts with suitable arrangements.”

  “Oh, I never had an issue with you being with her, though. Have I not told Mi-Yung that? I wonder why not.”

  Much to his disappointment, Luke never heard this from him and couldn't help glancing at Mi-Yung's innocent face.

  “I guess I forgot to mention it,” she said it with a straight face. “It never occurred to me that it could be worth mentioning. He is still your boss, Luke.”

  “I am not surprised at all,” Luke believed that his choices of love were in his hands, but were they? No. That's what he got by dealing with the mistress of the Song Family and the little goddess of many.

  There was an issue with bringing Walkers into this world, and they couldn't do that alone, or... at all. What Yondu pointed out was their relationship and the issue that had stemmed from the source of everyone. Love wasn't a requirement or a needed thing. Many Walkers were forced into a system that paired them with normal people. For female Walkers, it was a bit more complicated, but men were easier to handle, as proven many times already.

  The circumstances of birth were difficult. Thus, every regular woman who would accept such a proposition would get greatly rewarded, even if it wasn't very honest most of the time.

  Luke refused such advancement for a long time, not out of obligation, but after careful reflection. After meeting Mi-Yung, he forgot about this altogether and instead focused on his missions and being a decent Captain for his team and Yondu Division, which had quite military-style practices rather than annoying principles. He worked his ass off to prove himself, and that's what mattered.

  As for Mi-Yung, she never had to consider this because of her position and status. Having a baby was a long and sensitive endeavor for anyone like her, which was a troublesome issue from the beginning.

  The main issue was the same as many. Biology and diversity. Ranks were believed to be connected to births, with higher-ranked Walkers aiding better chances and greater bloodline potential, so waiting wasn't empty or meaningless. But in essence, it was a struggle of numbers, bodies, and time. Humanity knew that very well.

  Then, there was the other issue. In high-Rank ladies, having a Walker baby was more common. That would create complications within their lives and further problems for themselves, as the spectrum of this social hierarchy was quite a pain in the ass.

  Yondu was well aware of those facts and knew Mi-Yung didn't have time for that sort of thing, nor the patience for it. No matter what, the acceptance was no longer anyone's but hers, because she was Pillar and her capabilities were approved. So when he glanced at this pair of forbidden lovers, he smiled and shook his head. Frankly, there was enough work behind this birthing system that allowed for many concessions, excuses, and rewards, which many people, including Walkers, would find interesting.

  Mi-Yung didn't bother with his gaze. “If it's everything, sir, I hope you will have a great time watching the Awakening and find amazing, suitable seeds to your liking,” Mi-Yung said and turned away.

  “Not so quick.” Yondu grabbed her shoulder and stopped her from leaving. “As long as you understand, all is good. I would like the opportunity to meet your child. One day. That's all.” Yondu suddenly slapped Luke's back, who took it for a mountain pressing on his back. His pride in the skill of pretending to be okay worked after that, and any tremors remained unaffected in his painful muscles.

  Mi-Yung found it quite funny, yet Yondu was acting a little strange. He was usually stoic and more silent.

  “Does something matter?”

  “That kid... I know you know something.“

  “You mean Celeste? 99 Affinity is not all that shocking if I am being honest with you, and further words sound unwise.” No confirmation was necessary. “What to say about her? I had quite a few interactions with her, and the relationship between her and Dreadus isn't very hidden. Her work with the library, Heidi's business, and my association are the same.”

  “Is that so?” Yondu had doubts.

  “Crystal Water Sea and her past or experience are what you are referring to, right? I was there, sure, but not there too. I had things to clean up, so let's not walk on thin ice.”

  Yondu nodded and let Luke go.

  “If that's the case, anything that I can say goes to Dreadus. He deserves some credit, sir. I don't. Also, he now works for your Division out of obvious willingness and a process that is outside of my views, but not yours, I imagine. Like... do you wish to make him a Pillar? Change me? Well, I doubt you would want that.” Mi-Yung said with a scornful glee and felt she hit it right dead center.

  Yondu hummed. “No, I wouldn't want that. I guess you were too busy with your own endeavors, Song. I have no issue with that girl or Dreadus. I want your personal opinion, and less care in your conduct, because that's where you excel. You are pillar. You think I don't know you after all these years?! I chose you!”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “And I appreciate having you around and dealing with my bullshits, sir,” Mi-Yung said in the same tone as always and lightly bowed. This conversation had already devolved and halted her, and it needed to end.

  “This place isn't shaking that off, does it, Song, or are we to leave someplace else? I am sure my presence alone can deter unsuitable hearing, so please, teach this old fool.”

  Out of respect, Mi-Yung didn't want to go this far. “99 Affinity speaks for itself, sir. Her links to her Emblem are one of a kind, and you watched that body, no? I did, and let me tell you, I don't know what I saw. I don't want to jump to conclusions, and at the moment, I have other things on my mind than a girl breaking a decades-old record. I don't think anyone present refutes her ambiguity, and that last showcase was no joke. Her first face came forth, and latched onto her. What she will do in a couple of years might change how we see this, or future generations, or it will break everything we know.”

  “That... I agree with. But Australia? Her...past?”

  “Daring to go there isn't a great thing, sir. Ask herself, High Pillar Yondu, what hides there and what brings that girl to us. Dreadus did it, but it doesn't seem like he did it because he wanted to, but because he was allowed to. That's my hunch anyway,” Mi-Yung said sarcastically.

  Yondu felt a headache creeping behind his worries. “You are the same as usual. Why not give me some face?”

  “I don't think you help me at all, and it is as you have said. I keep things professional, but it is difficult from time to time.”

  “I did... help. It was not my position to do it more! Do you see Old Dream anywhere? No. Does someone stop you? Also, no.”

  “Good. If someone stops me right now, I would get really fucking mad, sir.” Mi-Yung said calmly and never got more upset than her Emblem exhibited.

  Yondu wondered how far her real words went, or her actions.

  “Fine. No worries about that kid then. Instead, let's go somewhere else altogether, and closer. I get plenty of news and appreciation from the right and reasonable people. I met that boy, Gale, once. We haven't spoken about it much, and you never came to me because of your grudge and considerations. With me... of all people. It is upsetting.”

  Yondu let go of his worries and changed his approach. His experience spoke, pressure rose, and Luke had long since become a third wheel. Any High Pillar was a big deal, accumulating enough merits to exert influence in the politics, which was dominated by choices, words, and clashes with others. It had decades of work behind it, so it wasn't simple.

  There were many powerful Walkers of the same and even higher stature, yet they hated or refused the status of the Pillars, so they never became one. Mi-Yung knew that and took his words worse than talking about Celeste. William was her responsibility. It was a chain wrapping her hopes, and perhaps something even more.

  Yondu was more than a senior Walker, however. He was an elder and someone with enough authority to act wisely, even if he didn't appear to be one. His beard was lush and full of vitality, which added a few years, but that was no problem. Hidden under it was a face full of vigor. His size was both burly and muscular, with close-to-perfect vision fit for his age and Class. He was wearing a tight-fitting purple uniform, with a cloak of similar colors around his shoulders, both made from a robust fabric.

  “William...” Mi-Yung mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in her feet and pushing his grip away. “I never wanted to go this close, or far from this. In fact, I expected your involvement, but I had been pestering you about it for more than ten years, so what can I say? I thought you were fed up with me, and I worked my ass off for years, so is this what I get? It was my private business because you forgot about this years ago.”

  “I tried my best.”

  “No. You did not!” Mi-Yung said, almost shouting through gritted teeth. Light escaped her eyes, and if it weren't for her forceful, folded hands over her chest, she would have gripped his neck.

  Yondu felt a little awkward, knowing her words were correct, even if they were twisted. “You found him, however.”

  “Through no luck. It was a matter of age. Not hope, sir...”

  “Viktor was my man, Mi-Yung. That child...”

  “I think that is enough for now. We had this discussion in the Assembly, and you made your stand clear. He is mine! For now! And he won't be mine for a long while, it seems.” Mi-Yung was about to leave, filled with nasty feelings that wished for an outlet.

  Luke came to rescue. “Wait a little, Mi-Yung,” he called, and she stopped her steps.

  “Whose side are you on?”

  “On the right side. Sides, perhaps.”

  Frowning at him, Mi-Yung realized why he was like this, having known Yondu, Viktor, and her for years. Everything about this was very personal, and she was getting fed up with her personal feelings, or the old ones involving this topic.

  “I suppose my request piqued many curious eyes. I must thank you for caring about this so much that you came and asked me about it, even if you should have done that sooner, or visited William on your own time rather than getting into that arena. But he is not aware. I am sure he isn't, so coming to me is not it, sir,” Mi-Yung said to Yondu alone, speaking words that had been with her long before the retrieval of William even began.

  It was a long time coming, yet Yondu was busy and had forgotten many relationships and words in his life. He had many regrets, yet as he grew older, overcoming them became increasingly difficult, if not impossible.

  Mi-Yung was a close tie to something he didn't wish to forget, though it wasn't without its shortcomings. He knew she was very adamant about her desires, and leaving what happened ten years ago behind was not on her mind.

  She requested many missions and ideas from him, yet he refused most of them because it was impossible to validate what could no longer be put back. Back then, she was weak. Much weaker than today. Only through denial and refusal did she begin to focus and turn into a splendid Walker well above what her initial Affinity showed.

  She never found peace, and looking for a kid Outside was not a path for her. As for Camp Nolan, it became a memory akin to another disaster among hundreds of others. It was nothing rare.

  However, Yondu knew something that she did not. There were survivors from Nolan, and not a few hundred clueless people. A pair of Walkers named Dreznar and Adam survived the aftermath and returned to the Federation when things got better. It was still shaky, as that crazy Incursion shook that pair and everything back then. But they met and saw something: a little kid, brutally murdering a Creature and sending shivers down their spines.

  They hoped it was a joke.

  It wasn't.

  That this kid was a joke of that Incursion, or a mere trick, and they knew it. They spoke privately to someone about it, hiding facts and words from many others. That's been gone for years! They didn't fetch William, knew who he was, and never saw him again. In fact, they never publicly spoke of what happened in Nolan or included it in any report, as it touched upon the sensitivities of several Divisions and Assembly Pillars. In short, they made the right call, but also one immense mistake.

  Yondu better not get a single whiff of them, because Mi-Yung would murder them right then and there.

  Yondu gained at least that much, and through effort, discovered it less than ten days ago after rather deep persuasion, a show of force, and a singular visit to a Division where Dreznar and Adam belonged. It wasn't his calling, yet with a bit of power, he got why it happened.

  A compromise left problems in his mind, and there were news and reports that would have helped or complicated everything, Assembly or not. Mi-Yung was unfit for such details, and it never became public anyway, which was for the best. Someone stopped them intentionally, and whatever happened to that kid was subject to death or being lost Outside forever.

  But he returned, and with that, things were about to change.