Retief: The Desert and the Stars

By Keith Laumer

The Aga Kaga wanted peace—a piece of everything in sight! Keith Laumer was a best selling author who was nominated for both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. Before becoming a science fiction writer Laumer was an officer in the United States Air Force and a diplomat in the Foreign Service, adding a note of realism to many of his stories. One of science fiction’s true luminaries

• Language: English
• Publisher: Start Publishing LLC
• Release date: Oct 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649740465

Keith Laumer

John Keith Laumer (June 9, 1925 – January 23, 1993) was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force and a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service. His older brother March Laumer was also a writer, known for his adult reinterpretations of the Land of Oz (also mentioned in Laumer's The Other Side of Time). Frank Laumer, their youngest brother, is a historian and writer.

Book preview

Retief: The Desert and the Stars

by Keith Laumer

Start Publishing LLC

Copyright © 2020 by Start Publishing LLC

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

First Start Publishing eBook edition.

Start Publishing is a registered trademark of Start Publishing LLC

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-64974-046-5

The Aga Kaga wanted peace—a piece of everything in sight!

I’m not at all sure, Under-Secretary Sternwheeler said, that I fully understand the necessity for your ...ah ...absenting yourself from your post of duty, Mr. Retief. Surely this matter could have been dealt with in the usual way—assuming any action is necessary.

I had a sharp attack of writer’s cramp, Mr. Secretary, Retief said. So I thought I’d better come along in person—just to be sure I was positive of making my point.

Eh?

Why, ah, there were a number of dispatches, Deputy Under-Secretary Magnan put in. Unfortunately, this being end-of-the-fiscal-year time, we found ourselves quite inundated with reports. Reports, reports, reports—

Not criticizing the reporting system, are you, Mr. Magnan? the Under-Secretary barked.

Gracious, no, Magnan said. I love reports.

It seems nobody’s told the Aga Kagans about fiscal years, Retief said. They’re going right ahead with their program of land-grabbing on Flamme. So far, I’ve persuaded the Boyars that this is a matter for the Corps, and not to take matters into their own hands.

The Under-Secretary nodded. Quite right. Carry on along the same lines. Now, if there’s nothing further—

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, Magnan said, rising. We certainly appreciate your guidance.

There is a little something further, said Retief, sitting solidly in his chair. What’s the Corps going to do about the Aga Kagans?

The Under-Secretary turned a liverish eye on Retief. As Minister to Flamme, you should know that the function of a diplomatic representative is merely to ...what shall I say...?

String them along? Magnan