the Specialty Base, the Noctem Allianceâs two most heavily fortified strongholds . . . it wasnât going to be easy.
Kat in particular found herself quite surprised. She had been expecting Bob to ask them to lead a crazy head-on assault with the Elementia Army to drive the Noctem forces back into the Ender Desert. She wasnât anticipating the request to partake in a stealth mission. Nonetheless, she was eager to participate.
âSounds like a good plan to me,â she said, a wicked grin crossing her face.
âYeah,â agreed Jayden, nodding with a subdued smile.
âI agree with you guys,â said G proudly. âThatâs definitely a job for experienced players like us.â
The Mechanist gave a tired yet genuine smile at the enthusiasm of these young, spirited players. âAll right then,â he said. âLetâs start planning. First of all, letâs determine whoâs doing what. Who wants to get Stan and the others out of Nocturia?â
âI do!â came two shouts as both Katâs and Gâs hands shot up into the air. The two turned to look each other in the eye, and instantly they both looked away awkwardly. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Bob spoke.
âSo . . . um . . . do you two really want to . . . ?â
âNo,â Kat said firmly, looking back up at G, this time with a hint of contempt.
âAw, come on, Kat,â said G, sounding mildly irritated. âYou donât think that just this onceââ
âG, I am not working with you,â Kat repeated. The Mechanist gave a sigh, while both Jayden and Bob threw their heads back in exasperation.
âKat, come on, we have to think about the well-being of Elementia. . . .â
âI am thinking of the well-being of Elementia,â Kat replied coolly. âIf Iâm going to sneak into a secret base to try to break Stan, Charlie, and DZ out of jail, I need to be in top form. And I guarantee that if youâre with me, itâll be that much harder for both of us.â
âOh, grow up , Kat,â cried G in irritation. âCanât we please just be mature about this, bury the hatchet, and . . .â
âI said, No, G!â Kat bellowed through gritted teeth. She glared across the table, staring daggers at G, who was recoiling in intimidation.
â Enough , you two!â bellowed Jayden. He grabbed G by the shoulders and spun him around so the two were facing each other. G looked shocked.
âG, you know as well as she does, and as well as the rest of us do, that itâs a bad idea for you two to team up. How about you team up with me, and the two of us go and freethe hostages in Nocturia?â
G opened his mouth, then closed it again. His expression was outraged as he looked at Kat, then Jayden, then Kat again, then the Mechanist, and then back at Kat one more time before finally turning to Jayden and sighing.
âFine,â he mumbled. âWe can do that.â
âWell, thatâs settled then,â said Bob. Crisis averted, he thought to himself in relief.
âIn that case,â the Mechanist said, âKat, are you willing to team up with a volunteer to go and free the officials trapped in the Mushroom Islands?â
âDefinitely,â Kat said almost robotically, deliberately staring directly at the Mechanist and avoiding any eye contact with G.
âOkay,â Bob said, sighing, glad that was over. âWe have to get going. The sooner that these hostages are out, the better. Jayden and G, you come with me. Weâll go down to the police station, and youâll get your briefing. After that, youâre off. Kat, you just wait until weâve found a volunteer to go with you, and then youâll do the same thing.â
âSo,â the Mechanist said as the three council members nodded respectfully to Bob. âIf thatâs all, then I officially adjourn this council meeting. Everybody,