Predator: The Ultimate Hunt

Chapter Seven - A Way Out

After meeting Thailog, the group was led to his hideout which was an abandoned drill platform. He leads them inside and they gather around him, looking for answers.

Pyrrha: What is this place?

Thailog: I don't know myself. All I know is that it's provided me a safe haven from the Hunters. 

Dark Ace: And what are these hunters? Why we here?

Thailog: These creatures are a race of hunters. This planet is one of their game preserves. They seek out warriors all over the universe to hunt. 

Dark Ace and the group were not surprised at this realization. They had made this conclusion some time ago. 

Cormac: You seem to know all about them. What else can you tell us about them?

Thailog: There's two types of them out there. While they have some similarities between one another, they are different like dogs and wolves. The larger ones hunt the smaller ones. Most likely a blood feud of sort. But when we kill one of them, they take notes. They learn. They adapt. And when the next season comes, they'll be different. 

Cad Bane: How do we kill them?

Thailog: However you can. 

Hidan: Well in that case I'll have some fun with these freaks! I'll kill them all!

Thailog: Then you will die screaming. The hunters thrive on arrogance. They will make quick work of you. 

The Hound: Finally. Someone else fucking says it. 

Pyrrha took note of everything that Thailog had said. But something seemed off about the Gargoyle. She felt a some sort of malevolent aura around him. 

Pyrrha: How long have you been here? 

Thailog was silent for a moment. He lets out a small chuckle. 

Thailog: I don't know. I've been here for so long that I lost sense of time. 

Dark Ace: How do we get out of here?

Thailog: There is no way out. The Hunters come on their ships with their prey and hunt until they are all dead. There is no hope for you. You will all die here. 

Upon hearing that, everyone was stunned. Even Hidan was caught off guard by this. Pyrrha's fears grew. It became clear to her that there would be no escape. Dark Ace then raised those hopes. 

Dark Ace: Where's the ship?

Thailog: Last I saw, it was about 30 yards from their camp. Why do you ask?

Dark Ace: We're going to use that ship. 

Upon hearing this, Thailog chuckles. 

Thailog: You must either be desperate or suicidal. Even if you make it past the Hunters who patrol this world day and night, how would you even hope to pilot their ship. Their technology is more advanced than anything you've ever seen. 

Dark Ace knew Thailog was right. But then he looked to the Duros Bounty Hunter, remembering his profession as an intergalactic Bounty Hunter. 

Dark Ace: Bounty Hunter. If we could get to that ship, would you be able to pilot it?

Cad Bane: I've driven plenty of starships in my time. This one shouldn't be any different. But there's only one way to find out.

Thailog was mildly impressed with what Dark Ace and Cad Bane were planning. 

Thailog: You lot must really be desperate if you're planning has come to this. The Hunters will use that to their advantage. 

The Hound: Well aren't you a fucking ray of sunshine!

Pyrrha: We have to try something! If this ship can help us get home, then we should take advantage of it!

The Hound: Little Bird is right. This ship or whatever it's called is our ticket out of this fucking rock. It's not a well laid out plan, but we don't have any other choice. Better that than to wait for the fuckers to find us and kill us.

Thailog took note of Pyrrha's optimism. Seeing the Hound joining in on this caught his interest. 

Cormac: If the Hunters are looking for us, there's a possibility that the camp will be unguarded. We could use that to our advantage. 

Thailog then chuckled. The idea of stealing the Predator ship seemed both bold and foolish. It reminded him of Goliath and the Gargoyles that he fought so many times. 

Thailog: Perhaps your plan will work. Perhaps not. Maybe you'll succeed and escape from this planet. Or perhaps you'll all die here as all the others have before you. 

Upon hearing Thailog's cold and callous nature, Pyrrha was hesitant to trust him. 

Pyrrha: Why help us? If you really think we'll die, why help us at all?

Thailog: If I'm being honest, perhaps you'll all be a source of entertainment. Ever since you all arrived, the Hunters have focused all their attention on you. You're making this season rather interesting. 

As Thailog said that, the storm he spoke of soon arrived as thunder rumbled in the sky. 

Thailog: The storm is here. I recommend you rest up. The night will be long and the storm will rage. Remember, they're always watching. They're always listening. 

As Thailog was about to leave the group alone, he offered one final warning to them. 

Thailog: Walls have ears. Doors have eyes. Trees have voices. Beasts tell lies. Beware the rain. Beware the snow. Beware the man, you think you know. You never know who or what might be watching. 

That warning sent chills down everyone's spines. Dark Ace was distrustful of Thailog. In his mind, Thailog was just as dangerous as the Predators that hunted them. For now, all they could do is rest.