Science Fiction Short Story Review: "—And Devious in the Line of Duty" by Tom Godwin

Tweet

Lieutenant Dale Hunter has been reassigned to Special Agent George Rockford of the Strategic Service. Rockford is Acting Ambassador during negotiations with Vesta and its companion world, Jardeen, as to whether the Vestans wish to align themselves with the Terran Union and allow their Space Patrol to safeguard interplanetary trade or align themselves with the Verdam People’s Worlds. Yeah, it’s a mouthful. Most of the players are introduced in the first couple of pages. Hunter can’t stand his boss who seems to do little but drink beer and sleep. He’s made it no secret he regards Hunter as expendable. Princess Lyla of Vesta made a promise to her dying father to marry a Lord Narf of the Sea Islands (you know with a name like that, he’s got to be a bad guy). Lord Narf spends his time bragging about his military achievements, his prowess with arms, and his romantic conquests. Verdam’s Special Envoy, Sonig, seems to hang on his every word. Val Boran, Jardeen’s Secretary of Foreign Relations, exchanges glances with Princess Lyla, but their words are only cold and formal. On their first full day of negotiations, Rockford tells Hunter his assignment is to take the princess out for a walk. He advises him not to fall in love with her. Hmph, Hunter tells his boss. He is a professional, you know. While the setup and the number of players can be an obstacle, this is overcome by paying a bit attention. The characters are all differentiated nicely. And what could be a mere soap opera is lightened by humor in unexpected places. However, remains no more complicated Lord Narf remains a mustache-twirling villain, a cartoon. Just the same, this was a fun yarn. Author Tom Godwin is best known for his 1954 short story, “The Cold Equations” which stirred something of a controversy. What do you do with a stowaway on a ship built for one? This novelette is available from Project Gutenberg: _____ Title: “And the Devious Line of Duty” Author: Tom Godwin (1915-1980) First published: Analog Science Fact -> Science Fiction, December 1962 Source: ISFDB