League of Independent Operatives

The fifth novel in Cherryh’s Foreigner space opera series, a groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences… Nearly ten years after the unexpected return of the starship Phoenix, the alien atevi have three functioning space shuttles, and teams of atevi engineers labor in orbit to renovate the space station. But these monumental advances not only add a dangerously powerful third party to an already precarious diplomatic situation, but rouse pro- and anti-space factions in atevi society to incendiary levels. To help negotiate these treacherous diplomatic waters, Tabini-aiji, the powerful head of the atevi’s Western Association, has sent the only human he fully trusts into space: his own paidhi, Bren Cameron. However, the threat of possible invasion by hostile aliens who attacked Phoenix’s station in a far-off sector of space hangs over them all. And when one of the senior captains of the Phoenix confesses that this station was not completely destroyed, as had been previously thought, the crew mutinies. How can Bren hope to mediate on a station overcome by a rebellious crew intent on taking the Phoenix on a rescue mission back into hostile alien territory?

Mary O'Sullivan makes her own rules now. Her first self-assigned mission? Track down the league retirees who helped kill her family, and bring them to justice. But Mary's crusade thrusts her deep into the shadows of vigilantism, where good and evil blur to gray. When her enemies turn the tables and start hunting her, Mary must face the darker side of heroism--or risk becoming their next victim. With the Pearl Knife increasingly disobedient, Eloise Reyna fights to maintain control over her powers--and the fractured remains of the league. But Eloise's search leaves her struggling through the Knife's web of mysteries, and if she can't get a handle on it, the fate of the world could be at stake. As control slips through their fingers, Mary and Eloise seek allies in an increasingly dangerous power struggle that could shatter the league, and their lives, forever.

Mary O'Sullivan no longer trusts her instincts. Her secret identity is blown, the league is under official scrutiny, and LIO's retirees are now their sworn enemies--all because of her reckless decisions. When mysterious strangers steal the league's most powerful asset, Mary adds one more defeat to her roster by failing to prevent their escape. Afraid of making another devastating mistake, she refuses to join the mission to track down the thieves, instead sticking to the relative safety of HQ. If that means occasionally encountering her ex in the halls, well, she's punched Nathan Pearce before. She's not afraid to do it again. But the mission goes awry when LIO's government liaison turns against them, and only Mary and Nathan remain free. With her friends in dire need and a powerful new foe lurking just out of sight, Mary must face her own demons before she can hope to defeat her enemies--and save the people she loves.