《Retief Negotiators 》作者： - Keith Laumer【EPUB】

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THE NEGOTIATORS quotOh Retiefquot the reedy voice of First Secretary Magnan called anxiously. Retief turned to seethe slight figure of the senior officer hurrying toward him across the slanting expanse ofgray-tan rock where the little group of newly arrived Terran diplo-mats waited to be greeted bythe appropriate officials of the local government. quotThe Ambassador is most eager to have a word with youquot Magnan panted arriving at Reliefsside. quotGra-cious Ive searched all over for you. I shouldnt wonder if this were a crucialpoint for you career-developmentwise Retief. His Excellency and I were chatting at lunchabout possible new modes of ap-proach to the problem. In that connection I was able to bringup your name quite casually of course. I had no wish to seem to be thrusting you forward overthe heads of senior officers naturally.quot quotIm three questions behindquot Retief commented. quotYouve searched all over what All there is isthis three-fourths of an acre of exposed rock surrounded by a few million square miles ofunexplored ocean.quot quotTo be surequot Magnan replied crisply. quotIt was this selfsame three-quarters acre of rock which Isearched in quest of you.quot quotIve been luxuriating right here on the site of the future officers lounge for the lastcouple of hoursquot Retief