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

with Naomi – before he left. ‘He was a bit too much of a gentleman at first, but we got over that.’

‘It sounded as though you were having fun,’ Nava commented. ‘Until around one in the morning, I think.’

‘Sounds about right.’ Melissa could not have got much redder. There were limits to how embarrassed she was going to get about something she had enjoyed, a lot. ‘He’s big. I mean, everything’s in proportion, you know? I wasn’t sure it would go in… It did. And he’s not as green as Chess was that first time. Neither am I, of course. All in all, I think my first time as an adult was a screaming success.’

‘So we heard,’ Nava said.

‘And I’d appreciate it if we stopped talking about it now so my cheeks can return to a normal colour before he comes in.’

‘What’s keeping him?’ Mitsuko asked.

‘He got a message just as we were going to come out. It was from the ASF, so he wanted to check it in case it meant a change of plans.’

On cue, Naomi came through the kitchen door. He was a man who rarely showed emotion. He was not quite like Nava – who had to try to get herself to do something as simple as smiling – but he was what one might describe as taciturn. Normally. Right now, his face was exhibiting signs of not knowing what emotion to show. There was a hint of anger in his eyes, wrinkles of worry on his brow, and a definite indication of frustration about him in general.

‘You do not look like a man who just got laid, Naomi,’ Nava said. ‘I assume your message was bad news.’

‘You could say that,’ Naomi replied. His gaze moved from Nava to Courtney. ‘You could say it is far worse than that…’

~~~

‘To recap with more detail than Naomi was supplied with,’ Nava said, ‘while on a reconnaissance operation outside of the clan-controlled lands on Beherbergen, Kyle was apparently ambushed by an unknown force. It’s believed he was taken prisoner along with another officer. We can posit with strong evidence that his captors are Befreit Beherbergen.’

‘You got this from Fawn?’ Mitsuko asked.

‘Yes. She was most forthcoming for reasons I’ll get to.’

‘And she’s sure he’s not…’ Courtney asked, unable to say the final word.

‘The House clan sent out a search party after the unit missed two check-in calls,’ Nava replied. ‘They found bodies. However, Kyle and First Lieutenant Kory Greyling Sonkei were missing.’ She paused. ‘There’s no guarantee, but the current assumption is that they were captured for interrogation or use as hostages.’

‘Okay.’

‘A Greyling was also taken?’ Mitsuko asked.

‘And so I called Rhianna after I was finished with the first lieutenant,’ Nava said. ‘Obviously, the Greylings were already aware of the situation. First Lieutenant Kory Greyling was on Beherbergen as part of a joint operation between the IRD and the Greylings. After the attack in Alliance City last year, Befreit Beherbergen have become a hot topic for investigation. Especially their connection with the Redwing Faction. It appears that the recon op was requested by the House clan based on information gathered by their militia. However, it fitted with the task of information gathering First Lieutenant Kory Greyling was sent there for.’

‘Okay,’ Courtney said, ‘but what are they doing about it?’

‘The House militia are conducting searches in the area. The ASF have people embedded in the militia and are conducting detailed scans from orbit to attempt to locate potential sites where the prisoners are being held. A rescue operation is being planned, but the ASF are constrained in what they can do. Politics.’

‘That’s–’

‘The Greylings are not so constrained. Rhianna and Nobuyuki will be leaving tonight to investigate and mount a rescue. I requested that I join them, and Rhianna accepted. With no indication that she had to think about it.’

‘I want–’ Courtney began.

‘Your place on the trip is already arranged. Rhianna did not appear to think about that either.’

‘I think I could be useful,’ Mitsuko said. ‘This is another clan member we’re talking about in addition to a close friend.’

‘You’ll need support,’ Melissa said.

‘And reconnaissance,’ Rochester added.

‘Chess!’ Hoshi exclaimed. Nava had asked Rochester to come to the meeting and Hoshi had tagged along after hearing what the issue was. Kyle was not a close friend, but she was still worried. Now she had something else to worry about.

‘Are you both sure?’ Nava asked.

‘Yes,’ Melissa said.

‘No,’ Rochester said, ‘but I’m going if you’ll have me.’

Nava gave a nod. ‘Hoshi, we’ll do our best to keep both of them safe. Frankly, they’re both too useful to leave out. We’re doing this fast and there’s not much time to prepare. I’ll inform Rhianna that we’re all going. Be ready to leave by four p.m.’

‘Do we need to bring our combat gear?’ Courtney asked.

‘No. You’ll be supplied with military-grade suits. You won’t have time to fully familiarise yourselves with them, but they’re not different enough to the civilian versions that you’ll have any problems. If you have personal weapons you want to bring, bring them. If not, spell carbines and spare cells will be issued.’

‘I think you’re the only one with personal sidearms,’ Mitsuko said.

‘Perhaps. I will be bringing my three-oh-ones. It should be interesting to see how they perform in actual combat. You have about ninety minutes to prepare in whatever way you need to. Be on the helipad at four.’

~~~

‘The Greyling family thanks you for your assistance in this matter,’ Rhianna said as the shuttle which had come to pick them up powered its way into the upper atmosphere. She was standing at the front of the passenger seating compartment and the ship was currently accelerating at two gravities; artificial gravity and inertial compensation thanks to sorcery meant you could barely tell the craft was moving.

‘I thank the Greyling family for this opportunity to get my boyfriend back,’ Courtney replied.

‘We’re all here because Kyle is our friend,’ Mitsuko pointed out.

‘We’re aware of that,’ Rhianna said, ‘but thanks anyway. Of course, your father may ostracise