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    Retief: Gambler’s World
    Retief: Gambler’s World
    Retief: Gambler’s World
    Ebook37 pages24 minutes

    Retief: Gambler’s World

    By Keith Laumer

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    About this ebook

    Once again it is up to Jamie Retief to save another diplomatic mission. Terra has recently signed a treaty with the planet Petreac. But revolution threatens and the Terrans must save the Nenni cast or their mission will end in abject failure.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWilder Publications, Inc.
    Release dateJun 1, 2014
    ISBN9781627559225
    Retief: Gambler’s World
    Author

    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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      Book preview

      Retief - Keith Laumer

      Retief: Gambler’s World

      By Keith Laumer

      Positronic Publishing

      Copyright © 2014 Positronic Publishing

      Cover image © Can Stock Photo Inc. / rolffimages

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

      Manufactured in the United States of America

      10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

      ISBN 978-1-62755-922-5

      Table of Contents

      I

      II

      III

      IV

      V

      I

      Retief paused before a tall mirror to check the overlap of the four sets of lapels that ornamented the vermilion cutaway of a First Secretary and Consul.

      Come along, Retief, Magnan said. The Ambassador has a word to say to the staff before we go in.

      I hope he isn’t going to change the spontaneous speech he plans to make when the Potentate impulsively suggests a trade agreement along the lines they’ve been discussing for the last two months.

      Your derisive attitude is uncalled for, Retief, Magnan said sharply. I think you realize it’s delayed your promotion in the Corps.

      Retief took a last glance in the mirror. I’m not sure I want a promotion, he said. It would mean more lapels.

      Ambassador Crodfoller pursed his lips, waiting until Retief and Magnan took places in the ring of Terrestrial diplomats around him.

      A word of caution only, gentlemen, he said. Keep always foremost in your minds the necessity for our identification with the Nenni Caste. Even a hint of familiarity with lower echelons could mean the failure of the mission. Let us remember that the Nenni represent authority here on Petreac. Their traditions must be observed, whatever our personal preferences. Let’s go along now. The Potentate will be making his entrance any moment.

      Magnan came to Retief’s side as they moved toward the salon.

      The Ambassador’s remarks were addressed chiefly to you, Retief, he said. Your laxness in these matters is notorious. Naturally, I believe firmly in democratic principles myself—

      Have you ever had a feeling, Mr. Magnan, that there’s a lot going on here that we don’t know about?

      Magnan nodded. "Quite so. Ambassador Crodfoller’s point exactly. Matters which are not of concern

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