"H. Beam Piper - Lone Star Planet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Piper H Beam)

"We have a Department of Aggression," I replied. "Its mottoes are, 'Stop trouble before it starts,' and, 'If
we have to fight, let's do it on the other fellow's real estate.' But this situation is just a little too delicate for
literal application of those principles. An unprovoked attack on the z'Srauff would set every other
non-human race in the galaxy against us.... Would an attack by the z'Srauff on New Texas constitute just
provocation?"

"It might. New Texas is an independent planet. Its people are descendants of emigrants from Terra who
wanted to get away from the rule of the Solar League. We've been trying for half a century to persuade
the New Texan government to join the League. We need their planet, for both strategic and commercial
reasons. With the z'Srauff for neighbors, they need us as much at least as we need them. The problem is
to make them understand that."

I nodded again. "And an attack by the z'Srauff would do that, too, sir," I said.

Natalenko tittered again. "You see, gentlemen! Our Mr. Silk picks things up very handily, doesn't he?"
He turned to Secretary of State Ghopal. "You take it from there," he invited.

Ghopal Singh smiled benignly. "Well, that's it, Stephen," he said. "We need a man on New Texas who
can get things done. Three things, to be exact.

"First, find out why poor Mr. Cumshaw was murdered, and what can be done about it to maintain our
prestige without alienating the New Texans.

"Second, bring the government and people of New Texas to a realization that they need the Solar League
as much as we need them.

"And, third, forestall or expose the plans for the z'Srauff invasion of New Texas."

Is that all, now? I thought. He doesn't want a diplomat; he wants a magician.

"And what," I asked, "will my official position be on New Texas, sir? Or will I have one, of any sort?"

"Oh, yes, indeed, Mr. Silk. Your official position will be that of Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Envoy
Extraordinary. That, I believe, is the only vacancy which exists in the Diplomatic Service on that planet."

At Dumbarton Oaks Diplomatic Academy, they haze the freshmen by making them sit on a one-legged
stool and balance a teacup and saucer on one knee while the upper classmen pelt them with ping-pong
balls. Whoever invented that and the other similar forms of hazing was one of the great geniuses of the
Service. So I sipped my coffee, set down the cup, took a puff from my cigarette, then said:

"I am indeed deeply honored, Mr. Secretary. I trust I needn't go into any assurances that I will do
everything possible to justify your trust in me."

"I believe he will, Mr. Secretary," Natalenko piped, in a manner that chilled my blood.

"Yes, I believe so," Ghopal Singh said. "Now, Mr. Ambassador, there's a liner in orbit two thousand
miles off Luna, which has been held from blasting off for the last eight hours, waiting for you. Don't bother
packing more than a few things; you can get everything you'll need aboard, or at New Austin, the
planetary capital. We have a man whom Co├╢rdinator Natalenko has secured for us, a native New
Texan, Hoddy Ringo by name. He'll act as your personal secretary. He's aboard the ship now. You'll