Retief of the Red-Tape Mountain

"Retief of the Red-Tape Mountain" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction adventure that unfolds on the planet Adobe, diving into diplomacy, conflict resolution, and the ridiculous workings of bureaucracy. The story follows Vice-Consul Retief, who is tasked with resolving a tense dispute between human settlers and the indigenous Flap-jacks. Amidst ongoing conflict and a senseless war fueled by miscommunication, Retief uses his diplomatic skills to turn the situation around. Through humor and wit, the resolution involves a peculiar sporting event, food, and drink, which hilariously leads to peace. This tale celebrates the triumph of clever communication over cumbersome procedures, revealing the absurdity of bureaucratic processes in a fantastical world.