Retief of the Red-Tape Mountain

Retief, a junior diplomat known for his quick wit and knack for cutting through bureaucracy, is thrust onto the dusty world of Adobe. Charged with a sealed‑order mission to broker a fragile peace between a handful of human settlers and the intelligent native Jaq, he must navigate a maze of official directives that leave little room for improvisation. The planet’s endless deserts and the simmering tension over scarce oases set the stage for a delicate diplomatic dance.

From the moment he lands in a rattling mail skiff, the situation feels already out of control—sporadic gunfire, a mysterious red radiation blip, and a frantic pilot who refuses to stay. As Retief steps onto the hostile terrain, he must rely on his diplomatic instincts, a trusty old‑fashioned sidearm, and an unwavering commitment to follow his orders to the letter. The early hours promise a blend of humor, tense negotiations, and the ever‑present challenge of making sense of red‑tape in a far‑flung frontier.