TY  - BOOK
AU  - Laumer,Keith
AU  - Finlay,Virgil
TI  - Saline Solution
T2  - Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, March 1963
AV  - PS 
PY  - 2020///
CY  - Salt Lake City, UT
PB  - Project Gutenberg
KW  - Science fiction
KW  - Short stories
KW  - Miners -- Fiction
KW  - Retief (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
KW  - Mines and mineral resources -- Fiction
KW  - Diplomats -- Fiction
N1  - Release date is 2020-02-09; Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net; Original publication data not identified
N2  - "Saline Solution" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction novel probably written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around Terrestrial Vice-Consul Retief, who navigates the ethically murky waters of interstellar mining claims and corporate interests in a space colony. The book likely explores themes of bureaucracy, corporate greed, and the often absurd nature of diplomatic relations in a futuristic setting.  In "Saline Solution," Retief finds himself embroiled in a conflict between a small mining company and the powerful General Minerals, represented by the unscrupulous executive, Leatherwell. As Retief attempts to serve an injunction against the larger corporation's dubious activities, he uncovers an elaborate scheme involving false claims and manipulated deposits. The story unfolds through a blend of tense negotiations and comedic dialogue as Retief uses his wits and diplomatic skills to protect the rights of the miners. Ultimately, the plot culminates in a clever twist that undermines the ruthless tactics of General Minerals, showcasing Retief's resourcefulness and ethics in the face of corporate malfeasance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
UR  - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61353
ER  -