Predator and Prey

Chapter 7

Zheth had been feeling better after the medical treatment Boba gave her, especially when she was given some much needed water, but the alliance they once had ended at keeping her alive. She didn't bother to fight back as he led her across the Finalizer's landing deck and down an immaculate hall, most of her weapons had been confiscated once Boba had gotten to his ship and the few she did still have wouldn't be much use considering the blaster pressed into her back would be able to fire before she could hope to stab her former mentor.

"Care to tell me how you survived at least?" She asked, glancing back at the Mandalorian. "I think I deserve to know that much before I die."

"Prisoners don't talk."

"This one does!" Zheth announced with a smirked under her helmet. "So you better answer or I might make you sing it."

"More annoying than I remember..." Boba muttered under his own helmet before speaking louder. "I went in another direction after the ceiling fell and crushed you. If a Sarlac Pit can't kill me then a fire won't either."

"Yeah well what about a ghost? I'm dead according to you and most others, only a myth to some... the Reaper, Predator, Spirit... whatever suits you. So, couldn't I kill you?" She started walking backwards so she could face the blaster and her mentor. "After all, the dead certainly can't be killed again."

"You aren't dead, turn around." He ordered.

"Bite me." She snapped back before knocking the blaster aside and turning around in time to run into a Storm Trooper with chrome armor. "Hey watch it!"

The Storm Trooper was probably glaring at her under that helmet but they spoke to Boba Fett. "Why isn't the prisoner in restraints?"

"At least my mind isn't brainwashed to obey orders without question, so who's the real prisoner here?" Zheth challenged.

"You will stay silent."

Boba moved to stand beside her as he spoke to the commanding Storm Trooper. "She knows she can't escape."

"With that lack of respect she won't have a chance to either."

"Is it lack of respect or a sense of humor?" Now Zheth was trying to get on the female Storm Trooper's nerves. "Then again, how much respect should I show an idiot who ran into me... Though considering you're probably blind it that armor maybe I should let that go. You obviously must run into things a lot and it would explain why Storm Troopers have terrible aim."

Pain went through her as she was slammed against a wall. "Watch that mouth of yours when speaking the First Order."

Zheth glared daggers at the chrome mask. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Follow me." The woman snapped at Boba Fett. "Let's see what Lord Ren and General Hux have to say about her."

She stayed silent as she was led deeper onto the ship, a hint of worry running through her as she pictured Lord Ren in her mind... General Organa had told her about this man. He was dangerous, not someone to mess around with if living was a value. The pair was waiting for them as Zheth stepped into what looked like a control room, she paused for a moment as Kylo Ren's head turned to focus on her directly but continued moving as Boba prodded her with his blaster.

"You said Predator was dead." General Hux commented from where he stood beside Ren's towering black form.

"I didn't think anyone could survive the crash." Boba sounded a bit irked at being reminded of his dumb mistake.