Freedom, Humanity, and Other Delusions (Death's Handmaiden Book 3) by Niall Teasdale (best summer reads txt) 📕

‘One could suggest that she’s continuing,’ Mitsuko said. ‘Her campaign has largely been based on decrying the performance of the student council since I took control. She’s trying to make everything my fault. She’s even linked in the incident last summer when Free Beherbergen attacked the conference.’

‘And all of that was a mistake,’ Melissa said.

‘I’ve done my best to counter it.’

‘You almost don’t need to. Especially that business in Alliance City. The gossip channels have been full of chatter about the various events last year and how they were resolved by students, including you.’ Melissa looked across at Nava with a smirk. ‘Actually, the only criticism I’ve seen about it all is that the council has never managed to push Nava into some official position.’

‘That would be a battle I couldn’t win,’ Mitsuko said.

‘Mm. Terrorists is one thing, but persuading Nava to take a position on the council… I don’t think anyone can expect you to take on that kind of risk.’

Nava looked between her two friends. ‘I don’t believe I’m that bad, but I’m glad we’re all on the same page.’

236/2/31.

The day of the election dawned fairly miserably. There was a steady drizzle which worsened to rain periodically falling from first light. It showed no sign of stopping as the day went on. It was probably a good thing that no one had to go out to vote, though everyone who could vote had lessons in the morning.

The previous year, Nava had been more concerned about Mitsuko surviving than about her political career. No matter how the voting came out, it seemed unlikely that Taryn would try to assassinate her rival. Nava voted as soon as the website went live in the morning and then sat back to watch how things worked out. Nava was not, outwardly, nervous. Nava only showed emotions when she wanted to, which was practically never. She observed, watching the reactions of others as they waited for the evening and the results. It was fascinating.

Mitsuko was, of course, outwardly just as calm as Nava. Unlike Nava, Mitsuko showed emotions, but not the ones she was feeling. The polling was giving her a good lead, but polls were not to be taken as reality. The student president was nervous and trying not to show it. She was all smiles. Only those practised in detecting emotions would be able to see that she was running on two hours of sleep, coffee, and adrenaline.

That Melissa was nervous was more obvious. ‘There are some rumours floating about that voting is low this year,’ she said at lunch. ‘I do hope people haven’t become complacent.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ Nava suggested.

‘I’m not worried.’ Pause. ‘Would you read over my resignation letter later? I don’t want any mistakes in it if I have to use it.’

‘But you’re not worried.’

‘N-no, not at all.’

Taryn was about as good an actress as Mitsuko. When she appeared in the refectory, you could barely tell she was worked up over the election. She certainly appeared to be happy with how things were going, but Nava could see the pressure lurking behind the mask. It was a different kind of pressure from Mitsuko, however. Taryn was all about the competition. Taryn wanted to win. What Taryn was nervous about was losing – of course, Mitsuko was the same – but for Taryn it was the losing that would sting, not what she would be losing.

The polling suggested that the race would not be a close one. However, if Melissa was right and fewer students had voted this year than usual, there could still be an upset. Taryn could end up winning because Mitsuko’s supporters thought it was a done deal. That, Nava thought, would be a particularly bad way to lose an election.

~~~

Last year, the outgoing student president had presided over the results ceremony. He was in the audience this evening, but he was perfectly happy being a normal student working toward his finals and Courtney was standing at the podium in the theatre to read the results. Apparently, that was fairly normal when there was no resigning president to take the job. Courtney did not appear especially pleased that the SSF captain was the default presenter.

Nava was in the audience this time around, rather than standing watch at the back of the stage. Well, Nava was always on some level of alert and she was keeping her eyes open for any signs of trouble. She was not expecting any this time, however, which made the entire thing seem a far more relaxed affair. Last year, Nava had been waiting for one of her estranged sisters to teleport in and attempt to execute Mitsuko. If that did happen this year, it would be a different estranged sister.

‘Let’s get this started,’ Courtney said. Not, perhaps, the most eloquent of opening lines, but it did fit the captain’s personality. The room took it as a signal to quit talking and listen, which was the point. ‘We’re all here to see who we’ve elected as student president for the next year. I’d like to comment up front that this has been one of the worst-engaged elections we’ve ever had at SAS-squared. I won’t reveal the percentage who voted at this time, but it was quite low.’

There were mumbles and noises in various parts of the hall. Maybe a few people had not voted and now thought they should have. Courtney ignored them and tapped at the screen on the podium to call up the final results. ‘Very well. I’ll be reading the results in alphabetical order by clan name, not that it makes a lot of difference today. The results for the student president election of two-three-six are as follows. Taryn Borchardt Firmin, two thousand, five hundred and twenty-four votes. Mitsuko Trenton Sonkei, three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four votes. Mitsuko Trenton Sonkei will continue as president of the student council for another year.’

At the back of the stage, Taryn and Mitsuko were getting to their feet.