Free Apocalypse to Go by Katharine Kerr Page B

“Not an artist.”
    “Exactly. I have been for twenty some years now. I’m part of a special unit with top secret status, which is why,Nathan, you couldn’t find my data online. I’ve been told that you confirmed my standing with two of our superiors?”
    “I did, yes,” Ari said.
    “Good. Your caution is commendable.” Spare14 paused to open the briefcase. “Any more questions so far?”
    “None that can’t wait,” I said.
    Ari shrugged.
    “I have three goals,” Spare14 began, “and I hope this meeting will lead eventually to reaching them. First, of course, there’s the question of the Belial entity. Second, my unit would like to liaison with O’Grady’s agency on an official and permanent basis.”
    “I’m not quite sure what you mean,” I said. “Interpol or your secret unit?”
    “The unit, a very specialized part of Interpol.” Spare14 glanced at Ari. “It was formed to deal with crimes that cut across deviant world levels.”
    “I see.” Ari’s tone of voice implied that he regretted doing so.
    “Which brings us to my third goal,” Spare14 continued. “Nathan, we’d very much like you to apply to join us. Your weapons skills are first rate. You speak a good many languages. Your relationship with O’Grady indicates a certain openness to new ideas.”
    Ari opened his mouth to speak, then shut it. Spare14 leaned onto the table on folded arms to get a clear view of Ari’s expressions. “You’re already a seconded officer, I believe?”
    “Yes,” Ari said. “I hope you couldn’t find the name of my primary agency.”
    “I couldn’t, no.” Spare14 smiled briefly. “It’s none of my affair, really. If you choose to become one of us, your standing in the unit won’t affect your first position. You’ll simply move laterally within the Interpol structure.”
    “Fair enough,” Ari said. “This unit is what?”
    “Trans-World Interpol X Team.” Spare14 bobbed his head in apology. “I’m afraid the acronym comes out to TWIXT. Betwixt and between, you know. More than a bit silly, but there you are. It was established long before I hadany say in the matter. They added the X merely to prevent the acronym from turning into TWIT.”
    I laughed before I could stop myself.
    Spare14 sighed. “I’m afraid that some of the persons involved in its creation didn’t speak English as a first language.”
    Ari was sitting very quietly, staring out across the green lawn with an expression I can only call gob smacked. I’ll admit to feeling somewhat the same myself. Spare14 rummaged in the briefcase and took out two pieces of paper, ordinary office paper covered with Times Roman printout. He handed one to me and one to Ari.
    “I thought it best to give you both some notes on the unit’s function. O’Grady, you’re going to have to report to your superiors, of course. I know how hard it is to remember this sort of startling information.”
    “Very considerate of you.”
    “And, Nathan, you’ll need to have the data as well. Please consider our offer carefully.”
    Ari made a strangled sort of noise that might have been “thank you.” I glanced at the printout, which had headings like “Function of TWIXT” and “Considerations for Recruitment,” all very ordinary in their odd little way. I folded it and put it in my shoulder bag. Ari glanced at his, then also folded it and slipped it under his jacket into his shirt pocket.
    “I see you’re armed,” Spare14 said to him.
    “Oh, yes,” Ari said. “Any objections?”
    “None, if you think it necessary.” Spare14 paused to twist around on the bench and look behind him. “Um, is this a dangerous situation?”
    “Not that I’m aware of.” Ari said. “I like to be ready in case it becomes that way.”
    “This particular world level,” I put in, “is currently in a state of Chaotic imbalance.”
    “Yes, indeed it is.” Spare14 closed his briefcase before continuing. “That’s one reason I’m here. We at TWIXT have