First of all, in order to catch him, we need bait," James said, his voice carrying a mix of resolve and caution that sent a ripple of unease through the room.

"A bait? What do you mean?" Robert asked, a frown deepening the lines on his forehead.

The tension in his voice was palpable, reflecting the collective apprehension of the officers.

"I mean, sir, there are three most influential people who didn't attend the party. I’m certain one of them would be Noel's next target," James explained, his eyes scanning the room to gauge the officers' reactions.

His gaze was met with a mix of surprise, concern, and grim determination.

"So, are you saying that when Noel attacks them, we will catch him?" Robert asked, the lines on his face deepening with concern and the heavy responsibility of the proposed plan.

"Yes, sir. You're correct," James nodded, his tone steady despite the gravity of the plan.

The weight of the strategy pressed down on the room, the implications sinking in.

Robert's ’s gaze hardened, a flicker of doubt and worry crossing his stern features.

"You know this would put their lives at risk, right?"

James took a deep breath, meeting Robert’s intense gaze head-on.

The room held its breath, the air thick with tension.

"Yes, sir, but we need to do it if we want to catch him. Noel targets the influential because they represent the stability of our society. Using one of them as bait is our best chance to lure him out."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of James's words pressing on everyone present.

The thought of putting innocent lives at risk was a bitter pill to swallow, but the necessity of the action loomed larger, overshadowing their hesitations.

"I will make my decision after hearing your plan," Robert finally said, his voice a mix of reluctant acceptance and grim determination, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

"Okay, sir. The three people who didn't attend the party are Mr. Magnus, Mr. Sam, and Dr. David," James said, pausing to let the names sink in.

His tone was measured, each word carefully chosen to convey both urgency and strategy.

The officers turned their attention to James, a mix of curiosity and concern in their eyes.

They understood the gravity of the situation—the delicate balance between risking lives and capturing a dangerous fugitive.

"Well, the location of Dr. David is known only to a select few, so that leaves Mr. Magnus and Mr. Sam," David continued, his voice steady and resolute despite the tension in the room.

"So, do you want us to monitor them all the time?" Robert asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he tried to grasp the intricacies of the plan.

"No, sir," James shook his head, his expression calm but determined.

"We need a more subtle approach."

"Then?" Robert prodded, clearly puzzled but willing to hear out the details.

James gestured to his assistant, George, who stepped forward and handed a sleek, modern-looking watch to Robert.

The device gleamed under the fluorescent lights of the office, its sleek design contrasting with the gravity of their discussion.

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"What are these?" Robert asked, examining the watch with a critical eye, his fingers tracing its smooth surface.

"When you press the button, it will send a signal to our headquarters," James explained, his voice carrying the weight of their strategy.

"We will give these to both Sam and Magnus and instruct them to press the button if they sense any danger or see Noel. This will immediately alert us to their location and situation."

The room fell silent as the officers considered the implications of James's plan.

The tension was palpable, each person understanding the high stakes involved.

"That's good. But how would you catch him?" Robert asked, his voice probing for the specifics that would turn this plan into action.

"First, we need to set up surveillance and drones in the area and divide our officers into groups," James began, his tone steady and methodical, outlining the initial steps of their strategy.

"But there's one problem."

"What's the problem?" Robert asked, sensing the hesitation in James's voice, his brow furrowing with concern.

"We can't set them up beforehand," James admitted, the weight of the situation evident in his expression.

He knew the delicate balance they were navigating—between preparation and the risk of alerting Noel.

"Huh? Why not?" Robert pressed, confusion knitting his brows as he tried to grasp the intricacies of their operational challenge.

"Sir, if Noel notices the drones and officers, he'll turn back, and we won't be able to catch him," James explained, his voice tinged with frustration at the precariousness of their task.

"He's extremely perceptive. The moment he senses something off, he'll disappear, and we'll lose our chance."

Robert's eyes narrowed in thought, his mind racing through the implications of Noel's elusive nature.

"Then what's the solution?"

James took a deep breath, his next words heavy with the gravity of their implications.

The room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

"We need to use the teleportation machine for this, sir."

The room fell deathly silent at the mention of the machine.

The officers exchanged uneasy glances, the air thick with tension.

The teleportation machine was a closely guarded secret, a tool of immense power and danger, reserved for only the most critical missions.

Its very existence raised ethical and practical concerns among those who understood its capabilities.

"Are you sure?" Robert asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the decision bearing down on him like a heavy burden.

James nodded firmly, his expression resolute despite the gravity of their circumstances.

"Yes, sir. It's the only way to deploy our teams and equipment instantly without alerting Noel. We can have our officers and drones in position within seconds, ensuring we catch him off guard."

Robert's eyes narrowed in contemplation, his mind racing through the implications of using the teleportation machine—the consumption of mana stones, the risk to their elites, and the sheer necessity of capturing Noel before he slipped away again.

"You know, right, that it would consume a lot of mana stones," Robert continued, his voice heavy with the weight of the decision they were about to make.

The room hung on his words, every officer keenly aware of the sacrifices and risks involved.

"But it is necessary, sir," James replied firmly, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Robert sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as if trying to alleviate the pressure building within him.

"Your plan involves putting the elites' lives at risk and using a lot of resources and mana stones," he stated, voicing the concerns that weighed heavily on his mind.

The officers exchanged uneasy glances, the tension thick in the air.

They understood the magnitude of their mission—to protect their nation's stability by apprehending a dangerous individual, no matter the cost.

"Hmm... but I trust you, so I approve of this plan. Don't fail, okay?" Robert finally said, his voice carrying both the weight of command and a glimmer of reluctant hope.

His decision was made, understanding that their actions were necessary to safeguard their society.

"Thank you, sir," James responded gratefully, a wave of relief washing over him at Robert's endorsement.

"I will also help you," Roman chimed in, stepping forward with determination.

"No. I have another mission for you," Robert interrupted, his tone firm yet filled with a sense of purpose.

Roman hesitated, wanting to contribute to the capture of Noel but recognizing the importance of Robert's directive.

He nodded reluctantly, acknowledging the clarity in Robert's decision.

"It's okay, sir. I will be sure to catch him," James assured, his voice steady with determination as he met Robert's gaze.

The resolve in James's eyes mirrored the determination of every officer in the room—they were committed to their mission, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their pursuit of justice and security.

"That's a good attitude," Robert said, a faint smile crossing his lips, a rare moment of encouragement amidst the tension.

"Now, let's end this meeting."

"Yes, sir," the officers responded in unison, their voices echoing through the room as they saluted, a symbol of their unity and commitment to the task ahead.

As the officers began to file out, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders.

James, in particular, felt a mix of anxiety and determination churning within him like a turbulent storm.

He knew the stakes were incredibly high—lives hung in the balance—but he was resolute in his belief that this plan could work.

His steps were measured yet purposeful as he prepared mentally for the challenges ahead.

Glancing back at Robert, who stood with a steady gaze, James found reassurance in his leader's unwavering demeanor.

Robert's nod of approval conveyed trust and expectation, adding fuel to James's resolve.

"James," Robert called out just as James turned to leave, his voice cutting through the quiet intensity of the room.

"Remember, failure is not an option. The lives of many depend on this."

James met Robert's gaze squarely, absorbing the weight of his words.

The gravity of their mission bore down on him, the responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

Yet, in that moment, his resolve hardened like tempered steel.

"I won't let you down, sir," James replied, his voice steady and determined, infused with a quiet intensity that mirrored the fire burning within him.

With that affirmation, the officers dispersed, each one carrying the weight of their duty with solemn determination.

James felt a surge of adrenaline and purpose as he stepped into the corridor.

The urgency of their mission reverberated through him, driving him forward with a singular focus.

As he navigated the bustling corridors of their headquarters, he couldn't shake the sense that the coming days would define not only their pursuit of Noel but also the future of their society itself.

The air was charged with anticipation and apprehension, a palpable tension that mirrored the enormity of their task.

Outside, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the grounds.

In that fading light, his thoughts raced ahead, already strategizing the meticulous execution of their plan.

Every detail mattered, every decision weighed heavily on his mind.

He knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but amidst it all, one thing remained clear: failure was not an option.