"Laumer, Keith - Retief of the COTUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Laumer Keith)

evolved such an approach." He raised a hand in
kindly remonstrance at the chorus of congratu-
lations that broke out at his announcement.

RETIEF OF THE CDT 23

"It's clear, gentlemen, that what is needed
is the emergence of a political force which
will weld together the strands of Oberonian
political coloration into a unified party capable
of seating handy majorities. A force conversant
with the multitudinous benefits which would
stem from a sympathetic attitude toward Ter-
ran interests in the Sector."

"Yes, Chief," an alert underling from the
Admin Section took his cue. "But, gosh, who
could possibly produce such a miracle from
the welter of divergent political creeds here
on Oberon, which they're at practically swords'
points with each other over each and every
question of policy, both foreign and domestic?"

Clawhammer nodded acknowledgment. "Your
question is an acute one, Dimplick. Happily,
the answer is at hand. I have made contact,
through confidential channels, with a native
leader of vast spiritual influence who bids fair
to fulfill the role to perfection." He paused to
allow the staff to voice spontaneous expressions
of admiration, then raised a palm for silence.

"While 'Golly' and 'Wow!' are perhaps less
elegant effusions than one might logically ex-
pect from an assemblage of senior career dip-
lomats," he said sternly, but with a redeeming
twinkle in his small, red-rimmed eyes, "I'll
overlook the lapse this time on the basis of
your obvious shock at receiving such glad tid-
ings after your own abysmal failures to pro-
duce any discernible progress."

"Heavens, sir, may we know the name of
this messiah?" Magnan chirped. "When do
we get to meet him?"

24 Keith Laumer

"Curious that you should employ that par-
ticular term with reference to Hoobrik," Claw-