Saline Solution

"Saline Solution" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction tale that plunges into the moral complexities of space-age mining disputes and business rivalries. The book follows Terrestrial Vice-Consul Retief as he wades through the shady dealings of interstellar mining rights and big business ambitions on a space colony. The story probably looks at things like the problems with too much government, companies only caring about money, and the weirdness of getting along with others in space. Retief becomes tangled in a fight between a small mining company and a big, mean corporation named General Minerals, led by the dishonest Leatherwell. While Retief tries to stop the corporation's unfair actions, he finds a sneaky plan that involves fake claims and messed-up resource numbers. The story moves forward with serious talks mixed with funny conversations, as Retief cleverly uses his smarts to protect the miners' rights. The story ends with a smart surprise that ruins General Minerals' sneaky plans, proving that Retief is clever and does what's right, even when up against powerful and bad corporations.