Luna's sad expression changed slightly. "What do you an? You are the obvious choice."
"I am not sure I follow. There must be soone else." Noble could think of dozens of people more powerful and better qualified to take on a Skinwalker.
"The Great Clans have refused to help, and the other governnt Saints are unavailable." Cor's words left no room for disagreent.
If anything, he was advising her that those more powerful would not take on the job, and neither should she.
"For one thing, you can tell if soone is a vessel or not. If you find that we have been fooled and these people were taken, then we can avoid making a grave error." Gui pointed out.
Cor maintained a neutral expression, but Noble could feel that he wanted to say the whole mission was a grave error.
"Your ability to fly and lift others with you is rare, and your ability to see without opening your eyes is even more uncommon," Luna explained. "I picked you because you are the one I genuinely believe that can get my family to safety. I am not asking you to fight any Skinwalkers. If we can do it right, no confrontation will happen."
'When does anything ever go as planned?'
Noble had already t four of the Skinwalker's vessels and lived to tell about it. Wasn't this pushing her luck?
Noble also didn't want to tell the grieving mother no. Luna's assessnt had been correct. On paper, the Master was an excellent candidate against what they knew about the Skinwalker.
'The problem is that we know very little about the Skinwalker.'
It had been more than nine months since the body of Yosh returned from the Tomb of Ariel. In that ti the Skinwalker had gone largely undetected in the Waking World and mostly repelled in the Dream Realm.
No one knew its true capabilities or powers.
That was terrifying.
'Maybe with an army of Saints...but we don't have that. This is madness!'
"Please listen to the plans before you answer," Luna pleaded. "Even if you say no, your input would be invaluable."
While Noble wasn't certain that was true, she did have so experience with the strange being.
"I'll stay for now," the professor agreed.
"That's all I can ask." Director Luna took a deep breath.
"Our break is almost over, Director." Cor tilted his head. "I doubt you will want to miss anything when we reconvene."
Luna nodded wearily. She stood to use the facilities, leaving the other three alone.
"You don't have to do this," Gui leaned forward. "We called you because Luna insisted, but the choice is yours."
"I know," Noble nodded, a pale smile forming on her face. "But thank you for reminding ."
The governnt was seeking her help, not conscripting her. The choice was in her hands and hers alone.
That made things both easier and harder.
The decision only beca more difficult when the eting resud and more of the information was revealed.
The five survivors were split between two locations a few kiloters apart. If Noble went, Jet would only be with her for part of the journey.
After that, the professor would be completely alone.
"It would be nice to have backup," Noble comnted when asked her opinion.
She was a warrior, sure, but protecting three people while trying to escape was a tall order.
Noble didn't say it, but she put very little hope in the family's Awakened guard. If Harry had been more competent and capable, then surely Noble would not have been needed.
The pressure to perform would be entirely on her.
"We won't put more Awakened at risk," a governnt official straightened his back, "that will only give the Skinwalker more power if things go wrong."
"We will keep the request in mind," Gui did not commit one way or the other.
Noble nodded. "Thank you."
"I've heard enough," a golden-eyed woman glared on one of the screens. "If you plan to support this mission, then there is no more reason for to be in this eting. When things go wrong and those creatures escape, do not co to the Western Quadrant in search of reinforcents. Good night."
The screen went dark.
"Anyone else not looking for answers is dismissed as well," Gui responded evenly.
Two other screens went dark, and one person in the room quietly left with an apologetic glance toward Director Luna.
"Go," she told him. "Your family is waiting for you."
He hesitated and returned to his seat.
No one else in the room dared to move under the Director's gaze.
Except Cor, who sighed. "Let's get on with it then, shall we?"
Noble listened carefully as Jet laid out her plans to extract the mayor. The Saint would drop in, get to the mayor and his wife, and either fight her way out or, if they found a workable solution as they hoped, they would all disappear to the Dream Realm.
It was obvious which one was preferable.
'If I go, I won't have that choice,' Noble reminded herself. 'It's a lot to think about.'
Noble lost track of ti in the office, but she imagined that hours had passed. When the eting finally concluded, Saint Jet had managed to acquire a large amount of governnt resources.
Part of the army was already gathered around the do to monitor it, and they would provide support up until the mont Jet entered the barrier.
"So, what do you think?" Gui asked the Master as the room began to clear.
"It's a lot to take in." Noble rubbed her eyes. She wasn't physically tired but she was emotionally exhausted.
She looked at Luna, who was thanking one of the other mbers by the door.
"What happens if I say no?" The professor bit her lip.
"Nothing. Luna would find another way. She is too tenacious to give up." The Chancellor shrugged. "At worst, you would continue to owe the Governnt the sa debt you already do."
"Debt?" Noble tilted her head in confusion before she realized what he ant. "You are talking about what I owe because of the Drear Academy."
Gui nodded. "I am surprised Director Luna didn't tell you that she has arranged for it all to be forgiven with this mission."
The Director finished her conversation and turned. "I was going to let her know after the eting. I will make sure that your participation is rewarded handsoly."
Noble wanted to ask what qualified as handsoly, but the amount of money she had signed to repay was a small fortune. Even if only that were covered, it would be a huge relief to her family.
It was tempting to agree, but Noble held firm.
"I see. I know you want an answer, but I must talk to my husband. How long do I have to decide?"
"Eight hours. If you are back here by then, Cor can get you to the Eastern Quadrant. If not, we will know your answer and not hold it against you." Gui held out his hand and Noble shook it.
"Eight hours. I'll have an answer by then."
Stepping back, the Master disappeared from the room.
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