Free The League of Spies by Aaron Allston Page A

rejoin his unit for several weeks, so his supervisors had assigned him to Joram as bodyguard and partner-in part so that Joram could continue evaluating the virtues of clone troopers. Now operating with a new name, Mapper was unused to living outside the regimented and homogenized society of his peers. At least he did a fair job of concealing his unease.
    Cherek ignored Joram’s hand. He gestured to the woman.”Timan Hanther.”
    She was of less-than-average height and slender, middle-aged, with aristocratic features and intelligent hazel eyes. She wore expensive jade- green garments in the local style, plus a turban to match. She offered Joram and Mapper a brief smile and a nod.
    Obviously wearying of the social niceties that were keeping him from his briefing, Cherek gestured dismissively at the last person present.
    “And Livintius Sazet. Can I stop wasting time now? I’m only the mission commander.”
    Livintius was humanoid but not human. Also middle-aged, the Falleen wore his graying black hair long in a ponytail. His skin had a greenish tinge to it, and his eyes, though human in configuration, had a reptilian aloofness to them. His features were broad, his forehead high. He wore local garments in blues that contrasted well with his skin tone. He gave Joram and Mapper a little smile.
    “You are correct, Cherek. You are only the mission commander. Now we’ll vote to see whether or not you may proceed.”
    “That’s not funny.” Cherek flopped into one of the overstuffed chairs. As he sank into it, it settled with a noise like an asthmatic bantha letting out a long breath. “You two, sit.”
    Joram did. Mapper set his rifle case against a bare section of wall and stood there.
    Cherek shook his head a long moment, his manner that of a parent who has finally despaired of his children ever accomplishing anything in life, then leaned forward, making his chair wheeze again.
    “Here’s the situation,” he said. “As you know, this world of Tarhassan has recently declared itself for the Separatists, a surprise to the Republic.”
    Joram frowned. “Why didn’t the Republic Intelligence team here warn us about their defection?” Every world within the Republic had an Intelligence team, even if that team consisted of a pair of agents who spent most of their time watching broadcast entertainments.
    “Aha!” Cherek said. His expression suggested that his children might not be irredeemable after all. The Intelligence team here disappeared six days before the government announced for the Separatists. Our goal is to find him.”
    “Him?” Tinian looked offended. “The entire team here was just a him?”
    Cherek nodded. “His name is Edbit Teeks. His partner retired a few months ago, and, things being so settled and tame here. Intelligence didn’t get around to worrying about a replacement for several weeks. It was during those weeks that the Clone Wars began. At that point, allocation of resources became problematic.”
    “So,” Joram asked, “what do we know about this Teeks’ disappearance?”
    Livintius shook his head. “No, no, no. That’s not next.”
    “Not next?” Joram repeated.
    “On the agenda.” At Joram’s blank stare, Livintius continued, “I’ve drawn up a formal agenda for this meeting. Here.” He reached behind his seat, causing the furniture to whuff and sigh, then leaned forward to hand Joram a printout.
    Joram glanced over it. It began:

Republic Intelligence Meeting
    Tarhassan, Quarters of Cherek Tuhm
    1. Gathering of Operatives
    a. Cherek Tuhm
    b. Tinian Hanther
    c. Livintius Sazet
    d. Joram Kithe
    2. Pre briefing Synopsis
    a. Where We Are
    b. Why We’re Here (Mission Objectives)
    3. Getting to Know You
    4. Formal Briefing
    a. Objective Summary
    b. Resources
    c. Break for Snacks (Optional)
    d. Presentation of Pre-Gathered Information
    Joram read on and on. The agenda, printed in small text, filled the page.
    “I apologize,” Livintius said, “for not including the name of