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out of some dissidents. Possibly she wants to set up a small
     secret police unit, consisting of Myxenna to do the intelligence work, Dujuv for the strong-arm stuff, and you to supply creativity.
    “Now, I could be completely wrong. But if I had to bet, I’d think … young beautiful princess, Greenworld’s puritanical republicans,
     can’t just send the pokheets … I guess that’s what I would be thinking.”
    “And thugging for Sesh—do you think the Dean will buy that as a Junior Task?”
    “I’m sure he will. One of the oldest Hive policies is to provide personal assistance to friendly monarchs. Or, as we used
     to put it when the Dean and I were in the same office—I’ll tell you all about that some other time, if you’re not good—”
    “I’ll be good!”
    “Insolent puppy.”
    “Old gwont.”
    They both laughed; it was good to be getting along so well. “Oh, well, what we used to say was, Hive policy is that if it’s
     a king and it’s an ally, we’ll shine his shoes. Roughing up a couple of too-sincere student leafleteers, or destroying the
     data of some meddling historian, on behalf of one of our oldest and most important allies, would fit that policy perfectly.
     I think the Dean will be very pleased with this; I have a feeling that your troubles are over.”
    Jak had never before known the Dean’s office to be such a friendly place. Caccitepe had greeted them at the door and shaken
     their hands, steered them onto three perches facing his desk, and given them each a bulb of coffee. But as the Dean airswam
     to his perch, Jak and Dujuv were still nervous. Who could say how long it might stay friendly? Myxenna Bonxiao, on the other
     hand, was wonderfully relaxed, as she was in any situation that involved people. Jak found himself sitting between her and
     Dujuv, wishing he either had Duj’s stolid stoicism, or Myx’s lively warmth, or any seat other than the one directly opposite
     the Dean.
    “Let me first say that I’m very pleased,” Dean Caccitepe said, bringing the bulb to his mouth and taking a little sip. “I
     really must congratulate you on finding such an advanced and interesting project so quickly. Jak will have to exercise all
     sorts of judgment and discretion to do well at it, it will call upon Dujuv’s courage and discretion, and it will engage many
     of those social skills that we’ve felt so strongly are Myxenna’s gift. I would say it plays to everyone’s strength while offering
     a solid challenge to everyone. Furthermore, I had already accepted the job of finding and supervising the Junior Task for
     Myxenna”—he nodded to her, smiling warmly—“and I’d had no idea what would be an appropriate challenge for her, since she does
     so well at everything.”
    As happened often around Myxenna Bonxiao, Jak suppressed a flash of envy. Myx really was good at everything, and so great-looking,
     in a completely sexual way, that it made you ache.
    After enjoying smiling at her for longer than Jak would have thought strictly necessary, the Dean went on, “So of course I
     expect great things of you all.”
    The sinking sensation in Jak’s intestines grew stronger.
    Dean Caccitepe’s face was in perfect bliss. “This is exactly the kind of thing that all three of you will be doing in your
     early years working as operatives in public service, and hence, as I said, perfect, and so, as I said, I congratulate you.
     Any questions?” He said it flatly and carelessly, not really a question.
    “None at all, sir.” Dujuv’s tone was level, even, as careless as the Dean’s.
    Myxenna said, “I’m looking forward to it. I had been afraid the Junior Task would be something for the office of air conditioning
     or the post office.”
    Jak, never sure how long any favorable situation could hold together, said, “No questions. It’s toktru a lot clearer than
     most assignments, sir.”
    A few minutes later, the three of them took a table together in the Public Service