@page { margin-bottom: 5.000000pt; margin-top: 5.000000pt; } SALINE SOLUTION"Oft has the Corps, in its steadfast championing of minority rights, run foul of the massive influence of entrenched pressure groups. Consul General (later Secretary) Magnan stirringly reaffirmed hallowed Corps principles of fair play in his deft apportionment of minerals properties in the Belt . . ."—Vol. III, Reel 21, 481 AE (AD 2942) Consul-General Magnan gingerly fingered a heavily rubber-banded sheaf of dog-eared documents. "I haven't rushed into precipitate action on this claim, Retief," he said. "The consulate has grave responsibilities here in the Belt. One must weigh all aspects of the situation, consider the ramifications; what consequences would arise from a grant of minerals rights on the planetoid to this claimant?""The claim looked all right to me," Retief said. "Seventeen copies with attachments. Why not process it? You've had it on your desk for a week."Magnan's eyebrows went up. "You've a personal interest in this claim, Retief?""Every day you wait is costing them money; that hulk they use for an ore-carrier is in a parking orbit piling up demurrage.""I see you've become emotionally involved in the affairs of a group of obscure miners; you haven't yet learned the true diplomat's happy faculty of non-identification with specifics—or should I say identification with non-specifics?""They're not a wealthy outfit, you know.
