The Crew 2/3

Lev flips to a younger female athlete with enormous dark eyes and a mess of black curly hair. “Eh, speaking of kids...you have Ambassador Ekard’s daughter, Genni, on your team.”

He has to be kidding. Ambassador Ekard recruits this crew of elites, and then just dumps his daughter into it? What happens if she doesn’t work out? I decide to complain. “You didn’t say this was a babysitting job, Minister. You hanging a nepotist pick around my neck?”

Lev’s normally grim lips turn slightly upward. “You know anything about her?”

“No, and if she had any experience in the Games, I would.”

“No, you wouldn’t. She’s been training private-network—hey, family privilege—and you should see her in action before you form an opinion. Also, she’s hilarious.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I mean you should set some fairly strict fraternization guardrails on your team, Coach. I’m sure Ambassador Ekard would appreciate that. Just know you have full authority over these athletes. Discipline them as you see fit. Your word is law.