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

has given her personal recommendation regarding her replacement, and you are the person she has recommended.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Nava replied. ‘She asked me whether I would accept her endorsement around three weeks ago. I accepted on Saturday.’

‘Why the delay?’ Joslyn asked.

‘I had concerns regarding my suitability for the role.’

‘The same concerns which caused you to turn down a position in the SSF last year?’

‘Yes.’

‘What changed?’

Nava made a show of considering the question. That probably worked for these two who were not so used to dealing with her. Her friends had largely worked out it was just for show. ‘Several things. I have more experience of Clan Worlds society. I believe I can do the job without causing a scandal and hurting my fellow students. My reputation in the school is now such that I don’t believe members of the combat stream will be inclined to test me. Also, the position of captain offers opportunities which I cannot deny interest me.’

‘You don’t think you’ll kill anyone now?’ Joslyn asked flatly.

‘That is correct. Or, if I do, it will be because there was no other way to handle the situation.’

‘Hm.’ The VP did not seem entirely convinced.

The principal, however, latched onto something else. ‘The position offers opportunities you find interesting, Nava?’ The man was not much into formalities; he had instructed Nava to call him Auberon as soon as they were in his office. She was, largely, ignoring him. She could reduce the formality if she got the job and got to know him better.

‘Yes, sir. If I am given the opportunity, I’d like to change some of the focus of the SSF.’

‘Go on.’

‘The SSF has always been something of a training ground for students intending to join the ASF in a policing capacity. The ASF or a Clan security force. I would like to expand upon that. I’ve made some enquiries through my contact in the ASF regarding their willingness to provide external lecturers on police procedure, forensics, and other aspects of the ASF’s law enforcement role. It’s all been quite vague so far since I obviously can’t commit to anything. You would need to agree and they would need to find people willing to take on the extra work. It would also depend on SSF members being willing to put in time after lessons and in addition to their normal duties. It’s a big ask. I believe that’s the correct idiomatic phrase. However, the initial feedback from my contact is positive and my conversations with Courtney suggest that her people would be interested. Essentially, both they and the SSF would see it as a leg-up in becoming a useful member of ASF policing.’

‘Forensics. So, your thinking is that the SSF needs more support students in the ranks?’

‘Yes, sir. Courtney will tell you that the loss of Donovan Ilbert has left a significant hole in her ability to process crime scenes.’

‘He was an exceptionally useful member of the team,’ Joslyn agreed.

‘Indeed,’ Auberon said. ‘Essentially then, you’re proposing a system to provide more training for those going into the ASF’s support operations.’

‘That would be part of it. I don’t wish to leave out the combat stream students. The tactics used in policing vary slightly from those used in military operations. There are nuances which should be taken into consideration. And there are currently no courses at SAS-squared in police procedure which would apply to everyone.’

‘It sounds like you’re turning the SSF into Police Club,’ Joslyn said. ‘There is a very specific reason the SSF exists.’

‘And I think my ideas could only improve how its duties are handled, Vice Principal. The school gets a more effective, student-driven security force. The ASF gets new recruits more capable of handling the work and may get more support students applying for positions. I’m sure you’re aware they have difficulty recruiting support magicians since there’s more competition for their talents.’

‘That’s true… It sounds like you’d be taking on more work than the captain typically has.’

‘Perhaps, but I intend to do less of the basic policing work than previous captains have engaged in. First, I think it’s the captain’s job to direct the troops, so to speak, and be there when really difficult situations arise. Second, decreasing my patrol work also decreases the chance that any overenthusiastic students decide to test me. I’d be primarily in charge of administration, but I’d also be the big gun they break out when the situation calls for it.’

‘You’re very confident in your abilities, aren’t you?’

It was Auberon who answered, before Nava could open her mouth. ‘Joslyn, we’ve both seen Nava in action. Aren’t you confident in her abilities?’

Joslyn paused, looking thoughtful. She was probably remembering what she had seen in an auditorium in Alliance City where Nava had wiped out an entire contingent of terrorists, without any civilian casualties, on her own. ‘Well, yes, I suppose I am.’

236/3/26.

When Nava spotted Taryn climbing up toward her, into the cool but clear Sunday afternoon sky, she thought briefly about taking off at high speed and ditching her rival for the captaincy. That, however, seemed like a show of weakness. If she was going to try another seduction attempt…

‘I heard you applied for the SSF captain position,’ Taryn said without preamble. Not a seduction then.

‘You heard correctly,’ Nava replied. ‘To be more precise, however, Courtney Martell more or less forced me into applying.’

Taryn grinned. It was not an especially nice grin. ‘You should back out now then. It’s better than a humiliating defeat.’

‘You’re that confident?’

‘Oh yeah. They’re not going to pick a support stream student to be the captain of the school’s security force. No way. You have to know that.’

‘Both the principal and vice principal have seen me in “police action” of sorts. They’re quite well aware of my ability to enforce the rules if I have to. Actually, most of the school is aware of my capabilities by this point. I’m a little surprised you aren’t.’

There was a flicker of annoyance in Taryn’s eyes: maybe she was not as confident as she claimed