Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 79: Team Galactic Rematch

"Team Galactic's plans for attacking Lake Acuity seemed hairbrained, but they were far more complicated—and completely out of left field—than we had imagined. We arrived at Lake Acuity in the middle of a small attack launched by a group of wayward grunts. A distraction. Not even the real attack plan, something to keep us all off guard. If we had known at the time, we would have acted differently, but as with all the best people, our overconfidence was our downfall. Because we assumed we had defeated Team Galactic, we let our guard down long enough for them to sneak around us. But that, is a tale for a little further along the line."

Palmer, Nilama, Barry and Lou stood by their crudely made fort on the banks of Lake Acuity.

Several of Lou's ranch hands were coming back from a patrol of the lake's parameters and were returning to the makeshift encampment.

The encampment was simple, just a palisade of wooden spikes, once trees that were sharpened to a point, which surrounded a small encampment of portable buildings and tents.

A fire roared at the centre as Lou and Palmer debriefed with the ranch hands, but the results were still the same as before—nothing.

Not a sign of Team Galactic.

Not even a footprint or a Pokémon; it was as if they simply disappeared.

According to Jeremy and Alyssandra's two Lucario, they had not sensed anyone from Team Galactic or other malicious auras in the area.

They had however, mentioned that a small group with a Lucario—likely Sam and his friends—were on their way towards Lake Acuity right now, and should be here shortly.

Palmer sipped his coffee. "Nothing from Lake Verity either?"

Jeremy's Lucario shook its head as it opened its eyes. "Not a word from them, and I sense nothing either."

Lou scratched his beard as he ran his hand through his hair. "I don't get it."

Palmer shrugged. "I don't trust the quiet," he stated, "It's like they want to unnerve us, get us off our guard."

"All it's done is made us more paranoid," muttered Nilama as she limped up behind Palmer, her walking stick leaving holes in the snow.

Palmer grunted in response.

The last week with Nilama had been...bristling and awkward.

She didn't seem to hate him, but she dug at him every opportunity she took. To be fair, she was Cynthia's grandmother. It made sense.

Gardenia came up behind Nilama, with Barry running up behind her. "How do you think until they'll get here?" she asked, talking about Sam.

Lucario paused for a moment. "Not long now. We should take down the gate and post a watch, they're close enough."

"I don't know if that's wise," noted Nilama, "What if that's what Team Galactic wants? Wait until we let our guards down for a friend, and then come barging in while our defences are down?"

"Lucario would've noticed them if they were anywhere near here," argued Palmer.

"Likely, yes," noted Lucario, "I think it's safe to open the gate for them."

Nilama grunted, but acquiesced.

The barricade of logs was removed, it was slow going, but the hope was that by the time it was finished, Sam and his friends would hopefully be near enough that the gate wouldn't be open for long.

Nilama was right about one thing, Palmer had to admit; if Team Galactic attacked now, they'd be hard pressed to defend the gateway to the palisade depending how many attacked.