The Golden Throne

Chapter 16: All or nothing

"So, remember what you're supposed to do?" Hilbert's voice buzzed through the speaker of Hilda's Xtransceiver.

"Yes, yes. I walk in there, hand over to them the backpack containing their 'ransom money'," Hilda winked at Hilbert's live image in her Xtransceiver, "and the moment they open it: The trap goes off, I quickly pull out my hidden Pokeball and send out Tiny to deal with them, then I unbind Ripley at which point you will come in and give us cover. Sheesh how many times do you have to go through this with me?" Hilda grumbled, feeling slightly annoyed for going through the briefing for probably the hundredth time.

After collecting their Pokemon and spreading Zye's ashes into the sea, Hilbert dropped Hilda off at a spot near to the location of where the Zaff operatives are awaiting their payment.

"Sorry," Hilbert chuckled, "this is my first time leading a rescue mission so I'm pretty nervous," he grinned at Hilda through her device. "I'll be waiting nearby for the signal. Good luck." And the intercom turned off.

Hilda didn't want to admit it but she was feeling a little nervous too. According to the coordinates provided in their note to the Emperor, the Zaff will be waiting at an abandoned house somewhere at the foot of West Odara's mountain range.

For the next twenty minutes or so, Hilda trudged through overgrown weeds in the lightly forested area. Each passing minute made her edgier. She was about to come face to face with murderers. For Zye, she reminded herself.

It was peaceful here. Hilda found it ironic that this was where a ransom payment would take place at. The sweet melody of the singing Fletchling flying overhead, the grassy smell of the vegetation around her, the numerous Sentret that were playing with each other up in the branches. Hilda stopped walking for a moment to take a deep breath. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a gun cocking behind her. Hilda made a sharp gasp and stood frozen in her spot.

"Keep walking," a man's voice said. "The rendezvous point is straight ahead. I'll shoot the moment you as much as breath funny."

Hilda didn't dare turn around. A bead of cold sweat trickled down her temple. "Okay, okay," she replied in a small voice.

Obediently, she carried on walking until she was within view of an overgrown, abandoned house in the middle of this woods. It looked ancient: its concrete walls were cracked all over and it no longer had a front door or any windows- just rectangular openings where the door and windows must have been once. As she neared the place, she spotted three men wearing ski masks who were looking out for any threats from the second-story window.

The man behind Hilda shoved her through the doorway with the barrel of his rifle.

"Ouch!" She groaned.

She found herself in a bare room. The only piece of furniture it had was a long wooden table and a few chairs. Other than that, weeds were sprouting from cracked floor-tiles and vines were creeping along the walls. Surrounding Hilda were five men who were armed with rifles as well as Pokeballs. Her breathing became shallower and she felt her throat go dry. She gulped.

"Search her," one of them ordered.

Hilda tensed her body as she felt their rough hands move across her skin, frisking her. Zaff requested that the one delivering the ransom had to be unarmed. To prepare for this, Hilda handed Hilbert her Pokemon for safekeeping. All except Tiny, whose Pokeball Hilda hid at a place these men would never have suspected- hopefully. Hilda finally released her breath when the men stopped frisking her. Phew, she felt a wave of relief hit her.