Retief: Mightiest Qorn

By Keith Laumer

Sly, brave and truculent, the Qornt held all humans in contempt—except one! 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: 9781649740441

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.

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Retief: Mightiest Qorn

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

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ISBN 978-1-64974-044-1

Sly, brave and truculent, the Qornt held all humans in contempt—except one!

I

Ambassador Nitworth glowered across his mirror-polished, nine-foot platinum desk at his assembled staff.

Gentlemen, are any of you familiar with a race known as the Qornt?

There was a moment of profound silence. Nitworth leaned forward, looking solemn.

They were a warlike race known in this sector back in Concordiat times, perhaps two hundred years ago. They vanished as suddenly as they had appeared. There was no record of where they went. He paused for effect.

They have now reappeared—occupying the inner planet of this system!

But, sir, Second Secretary Magnan offered. That’s uninhabited Terrestrial territory....

Indeed, Mr. Magnan? Nitworth smiled icily. It appears the Qornt do not share that opinion. He plucked a heavy parchment from a folder before him, harrumphed and read aloud:

His Supreme Excellency The Qorn, Regent of Qornt, Over-Lord of the Galactic Destiny, Greets the Terrestrials and, with reference to the presence in mandated territory of Terrestrial squatters, has the honor to advise that he will require the use of his outer world on the thirtieth day. Then will the Qornt come with steel and fire. Receive, Terrestrials, renewed assurances of my awareness of your existence, and let Those who dare gird for the contest.

Frankly, I wouldn’t call it conciliatory, Magnan said.

Nitworth tapped the paper with a finger.

"We have been served,