The Golden Throne

Chapter 12: A proposition

Eyebags hung at Hilbert's eyes. He failed to get any sleep after what happened last night. It was eight in the morning, and yellow rays filtered through the window shutters. The muffled sounds of people bustling in the streets outside reached his ears- everyone seemed on edge after the explosion at the lake. He was sitting on a chair next to his hospital bed, twirling Cleo's Pokeball on his room's desk. The events of the previous night was still vivid in his mind: the fire, the smoke, the people screaming. Today was Eburo's Dusk. It was supposed to be a happy day for the Empire. But not this year. This year offered Odara a bitter memory that won't be forgotten anytime soon: The members of the council, dead, just like that. Hilbert's heart went out to Ripley; she's lost the only family she had left.

His heart began to beat faster as the memory of his conversation with Tyrrell surfaced. One moment, he was there, laughing and making his jokes- and now, he was gone. A tear trickled down Hilbert's eye. He was the last one to see the man alive. Ripley should've had that privilege, not him. Hilbert also couldn't believe how close he was from escaping death.

The door creaked open, interrupting his thoughts. Nurse Bliss walked in. She was holding something in her hand.

"Hilbert, here's today's paper that you requested," she handed it to him. She looked downhearted. Just like everyone else today.

Hilbert unfolded the newspaper in his hands. He's been eagerly waiting for it for the past hour. Today's paper would reveal what actually caused the explosion last night. Hilbert read the headline of the front page:           

"AIRSHIP EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION, SAYS EXPERTS"

"What a regrettable tragedy," Nurse Bliss sighed. "Thank goodness you weren't hurt when you were there."

Hilbert shook his head. "This isn't right," he muttered.

"What was that?" Nurse Bliss asked.

"Is the Emperor taking any visitors today?" Hilbert questioned. There was something he wanted to tell the Emperor. A theory of his. Hilbert thought that it would sound silly but the guard's words last night echoed in his head: "What engineers?" 

According to the guard, no one was assigned to tweak the airship's engines before it took off. A bad feeling churned in the pit of his stomach.

"Oh, no. The public aren't allowed to go in the palace today. There seems to be a lot of commotion regarding last night, at the palace right now. So the Emperor has his hands full,"

There was a knock on the door and a Croagunk peeked in. Looker pushed the door open and walked in. Nurse Bliss looked at the both of them and nodded. "Excuse me," she said as she dismissed herself. After she left the room, Hilbert heard her greeting someone just outside.

"What do you think about this?" Hilbert pointed to the newspaper headline.

"Most unfortunate. They should always double check the mechanisms. You can never be too careful am I right?." Looker said.

"You don't actually believe this do you?" Hilbert tapped the newspaper.

"What ever do you mean?" Looker asked quizzically.

"I'm saying that this doesn't feel right. Like it was a setup,"

"I disagree, Hilbert. I was there during the extraction last night. Among the airships remains that was taken out of the lake was the flight recorder. You see, according to the flight recorder, there were a few faulty wires," Looker assured.

"A few faulty wires? Are you serious?" Hilbert couldn't believe his ears.

"A flight recorder," a familiar voice spoke, "never lies, Hilbert."