
A seasoned diplomat named Retief is called in to assess a sudden political upheaval on the distant world of Glave. The planet’s long‑standing government has been toppled by a workers‑and‑peasants junta, and the interstellar Corps must decide whether to recognize the new rulers or wait for clearer signals. Retief’s trademark blend of sarcasm and shrewd observation cuts through the diplomatic posturing as he questions the reliability of the intelligence and the practicality of the new regime’s control over vital planetary infrastructure.
The scene unfolds in a tense conference room where senior officials debate the implications for trade, climate control systems, and the fate of the planet’s existing mission. Retief’s dry humor and pragmatic instincts hint at a deeper investigation, promising a clever mix of political intrigue and light‑hearted banter. Listeners can expect a witty, fast‑moving first act that sets the stage for a classic diplomatic adventure.
Language
en
Duration
~59 minutes (56K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-02-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1925–1993
Best known for the witty Retief stories and the long-running Bolo tales, this American science fiction writer mixed sharp humor with big-idea adventure. His work helped shape military and diplomatic science fiction, and it still feels lively and inventive today.
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