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

"... but, as I was about to say, my duties
require that I hole up in my office for the
foreseeable future," the Colonel finished.

"Cutlasses, you say?" the Econ Officer pricked
up his ears. "Hmm. Might be a market here
for a few zillion up-to-date hand weaponsЧ
for police use only, of course."

"Capital notion, Depew." The Political Offi-
cer nodded approvingly. "Nothing like a little
firepower to bring out the natural peace-loving
tendencies of the people."

"Now, gentlemenЧlet us avoid giving voice
to any illiberal doctrines," Clawhammer said
sharply. "Our only motive, let us remember,
is to bring the liberated populace to terms
with the political realitiesЧin this case, the
obvious need for a man on horsebackЧor
should I say a Tsugg on Vorchback?" The
Terran envoy smiled indulgently at his whimsy.

"I have a question, Mr. Ambassador," Relief
said. "Since we're here to supervise free elec-
tions, why don't we let the Oberonians work
out their own political realities?"

Clawhammer looked blank.

"Just-ah-how do you mean?" the Political
Officer prompted uneasily.

"Why don't we let them nominate whoever
they want, and vote for any candidate they
like?" Retief explained.

28 Keith Laumer

"I suggest you forget these radical notions,
young fellow," Clawhammer said sternly.
"These free elections will be conducted in the
way that free elections have always been con-
ducted. And now that I've considered the mat-
ter, it occurs to me it might be valuable
experience for you to pay the proposed call on
His Truculence. It might serve to polish your
grasp of protocol a trifle."

"But, sir," Magnan spoke up. "I need Mr.