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

to be. ‘I think you should quit while you’re ahead, but it’s not like I don’t want the competition. May the best woman win.’ She dropped back toward the ground before she could hear Nava’s answer.

‘No,’ Nava said to the now empty air, ‘she’s not that confident at all.’

236/4/3.

Homeroom was quiet. Luca Newton had few notices to give out and the session had shifted to individual students with concerns going up to talk to her. There were few of those. Nava had decided that it was a good opportunity to make notes on her plans for the SSF should she get the captaincy.

Frankly, it seemed to be taking the administration far too long to make a decision. Late spring break was several months away, so there was time, but there had been no other applicants and it seemed like the principal was dragging his feet. Or maybe some of the other faculty members were delaying things with arguments one way or another. Maybe Nava’s proposals were causing conflict. It was possible they might think she was going too far, but–

A message notification appeared on her screen, popping up on the bottom right and, with nothing much else to do, she selected it. A window expanded and she found herself reading a message from ‘The Office of the Principal.’ She examined it carefully and then nodded. Selecting the reply box, she composed a return message, hit send, and closed the window. That was that over with then.

~~~

‘You didn’t say a thing about it all morning!’ Melissa squeaked at lunchtime.

‘It isn’t that important,’ Nava countered. ‘We had lessons.’

‘But–’

‘I have to agree with my fellow council member,’ Mitsuko said, ‘it is that important. I’m a little annoyed the administration didn’t notify me that they’d made a decision.’

Nava shrugged. ‘When’s your next council meeting?’

‘Things have been quiet. We’ve been doing everything by messaging, but we’re meeting on Saturday afternoon.’

‘I expect they’d have notified you by then. They do know when you’re meeting, don’t they?’

‘Yes, it’s in the calendar Mel maintains. I’d like you to attend the meeting on Saturday. And you’d better get used to saying things like “when we’re meeting” since you’ll be a member of the council next term.’

‘Hm. Yes. If you want me there, I suppose I’ll be there.’

‘Sucks, doesn’t it?’ Courtney said, grinning a little maliciously.

‘I knew what I was getting into when I applied,’ Nava replied. ‘I want to start shadowing you at least some of the time. Attending SSF meetings. Maybe even a couple of patrols. If I’m going to do your job, I need to know what it really is, even if I’m going to redefine it.’ She turned her head away from Courtney before the latter could answer. Her gaze fell upon the approaching form of Taryn who did not look exactly pleased.

‘Congratulations,’ Taryn said as soon as she was in range. ‘They informed me of the decision this morning.’

‘Thank you, Taryn Borchardt. I don’t think they’ve made it entirely official yet because the student council hasn’t been informed.’

‘It’s done though. I hope you enjoy your victory.’ She turned, but this time Nava was not going to let her stalk off without an answer.

‘I’m not as competitive as you. I’d imagine someone will suggest celebrating, but it’s not really a victory.’

Taryn looked back. ‘Of course it is. You won.’

‘I was judged to be the better choice. I didn’t win anything aside from a lot of extra work. Maybe thinking of it as a competition is why you weren’t selected.’

‘Yeah. Sure.’ And Taryn walked away without further comment.

‘She doesn’t like you,’ Courtney said.

‘And I can’t help but think that’s going to be a problem,’ Nava replied.

236/4/11.

Nava followed Courtney into the SSF’s HQ room, wondering what she could expect. By now, the whole team knew that Courtney was stepping down – they had known that for weeks – and that Nava was replacing her. Most of them knew that Nava had been scouted as a member the year before and had turned it down. How were they going to react?

‘Settle down,’ Courtney said as she walked up to the head of the meeting table in the room. There were currently ten people besides Courtney in the SSF, plus a few others who were considered auxiliaries and not present. The table could seat twelve comfortably and both sides were full, so Nava took the seat at the other end from Courtney. ‘As you all know, Nava Greyling Sonkei will be taking over from me during the next holiday. She’s going to be attending a few of our Saturday meetings and shadowing me while I take care of business until then. She may go out on patrol with some of you too. Get used to her being around, because it’s going to be permanent in four weeks.’

Nava scanned the assembled faces, getting mixed results. A couple of them had expressions she would classify as hostile. A couple more seemed rather happy. The rest were various shades of neutral, so there was a slight majority who seemed to think nothing much was going to change. Interesting. Nava had expected some hostility. She was a little more surprised that some of the team seemed to expect good things. One young man looked positively enthusiastic; what had Courtney done to him to provoke that reaction?

Courtney seemed to think they’d had enough time to take that in. She continued. ‘Before we get down to the usual business, frankly, it’s quiet at the moment and there’s not much to say, I’d like Nava to give you a rough idea of what she’s got planned for next term and going forward. She’s got some pretty interesting plans, so pay attention.’

‘Thank you, Captain,’ Nava said. ‘First, the SSF provides security for the school. That’s its primary purpose and I obviously have no intention of changing that. To a lesser extent, this organisation serves as an additional learning experience for those students who may wish to join the ASF or a Clan security force in a law enforcement