The Keith Laumer MEGAPACK®: 21 Classic Stories. Keith Laumer
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INTRODUCTION: KEITH LAUMER
John Keith Laumer (1925–1993) was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force (which provided background for his Bolo series) and a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service (which provided ample source material for his Retief series). 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.
Keith Laumer was born in Syracuse, New York. He attended Indiana University, 1943-44, and then served in the United States Army in the Second World War in Europe. He later attended Stockholm University, 1948-49, and then received a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1950 from the University of Illinois. He served twice in the US Air Force, 1953-56 and 1960-65, attaining the rank of Captain in the latter tour. In between the two terms in the military, Laumer was a member of the US Foreign Service in South Asia.
In the late 1950s, Laumer returned to Florida and purchased a small two-acre island on a lake in Hernando County near Weeki Wachee. He resided there the rest of his life.
Around this time he turned his attention to writing science fiction. His first work, a short story, was published in April 1959.
Today Laumer is remembered for the Bolo and Retief stories. Stories from the former chronicle the evolution of super tanks that eventually become self-aware through the constant improvement resulting from centuries of intermittent warfare against various alien races. The latter deals with the adventures of a cynical spacefaring diplomat who constantly has to overcome the red-tape-infused failures of people with names like Ambassador Grossblunder. In an interview with Paul Walker of Luna Monthly, Laumer states “I had no shortage of iniquitous memories of the Foreign Service.”
In addition to his Bolo and Retief stories, Laumer’s more serious adventures included the subjects of time travel and alternate-world adventures such as found in his The Other Side of Time, A Trace of Memory, and Dinosaur Beach.
Four of his shorter works received Hugo or Nebula Award nominations (“In the Queue” was nominated for both) and his novel A Plague of Demons (1965) received a nomination for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966.
—Karl Wurf
Rockville, Maryland
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THE FROZEN PLANET
Originally published in Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1961.
I
“It is rather unusual,” Magnan said, “to assign an officer of your rank to courier duty, but this is an unusual mission.”
Retief sat relaxed and said nothing. Just before the silence grew awkward, Magnan went on.
“There are four planets in the group,” he said. “Two double planets, all rather close to an unimportant star listed as DRI-G 33987. They’re called Jorgensen’s Worlds, and in themselves are of no importance whatever. However, they lie deep in the sector into which the Soetti have been penetrating.
“Now—” Magnan leaned forward and lowered his voice—“we have learned that the Soetti plan a bold step forward. Since they’ve met no opposition so far in their infiltration of Terrestrial space, they intend to seize Jorgensen’s Worlds by force.”
Magnan leaned back, waiting for Retief’s reaction. Retief drew carefully on his cigar and looked at Magnan. Magnan frowned.
“This is open aggression, Retief,” he said, “in case I haven’t made myself clear. Aggression on Terrestrial-occupied territory by an alien species. Obviously, we can’t allow it.”
Magnan drew a large folder from his desk.
“A show of resistance at this point is necessary. Unfortunately, Jorgensen’s Worlds are technologically undeveloped areas. They’re farmers or traders. Their industry is limited to a minor role in their economy—enough to support the merchant fleet, no more. The war potential, by conventional standards, is nil.”
Magnan tapped the folder before him.
“I have here,” he said solemnly, “information which will change that picture completely.” He leaned back and blinked at Retief.
* * * *
“All right, Mr. Councillor,” Retief said. “I’ll play along; what’s in the folder?”
Magnan spread his fingers, folded one down.
“First,” he said. “The Soetti War Plan—in detail. We were fortunate enough to make contact with a defector from a party of renegade Terrestrials who’ve been advising the Soetti.” He folded another finger. “Next, a battle plan for the Jorgensen’s people, worked out by the Theory group.” He wrestled a third finger down. “Lastly; an Utter Top Secret schematic for conversion of a standard anti-acceleration field into a potent weapon—a development our systems people have been holding in reserve for just such a situation.”
“Is that all?” Retief said. “You’ve still got two fingers sticking up.”
Magnan looked at the fingers and put them away.
“This is no occasion for flippancy, Retief. In the wrong hands, this information could be catastrophic. You’ll memorize it before you leave this building.”
“I’ll carry it, sealed,” Retief said. “That way nobody can sweat it out of me.”
Magnan started to shake his head.
“Well,” he said. “If it’s trapped for destruction, I suppose—”
“I’ve heard of these Jorgensen’s Worlds,” Retief said. “I remember an agent, a big blond fellow, very quick on the uptake. A wizard with cards and dice. Never played for money, though.”
“Umm,” Magnan said. “Don’t make the error of personalizing this situation, Retief. Overall policy calls for a defense of these backwater worlds. Otherwise the Corps would allow history to follow its natural course, as always.”
“When does this attack happen?”
“Less than four weeks.”
“That doesn’t leave me much time.”
“I have your itinerary here. Your accommodations are clear as far as Aldo Cerise. You’ll have to rely on your ingenuity to get you the rest of the way.”
“That’s a pretty rough trip, Mr. Councillor. Suppose I don’t make it?”
Magnan looked sour. “Someone at a policy-making level has chosen to put all our eggs in one basket, Retief. I hope their confidence in you is not misplaced.”
“This antiac conversion; how long does it take?”
“A skilled electronics crew can do the job in a matter of minutes. The Jorgensens can handle