Aide Memoire

"Aide Memoire" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction novella published in the early 1960s. The story unfolds on the planet Fust, where cultural tensions arise due to the peculiar characteristics of its native inhabitants, the Fustians. The novella centers around themes of diplomacy and the complexities of interspecies relations as it follows Councillor Retief, who navigates the absurdities of Fustian politics and youth movements. In the narrative, Retief finds himself embroiled in a political scheme involving a youth organization called SCARS and their questionable dealings with the Groaci Embassy. As tensions build, he uncovers a plot that threatens not only the diplomatic relations on Fust but also the safety of key figures aboard an embassy vessel loaded with explosive titanite. With the help of a wise elder Fustian named Whonk, Retief foils the plan, defusing a potentially disastrous situation. The story combines humor with action, exploring the diplomatic pitfalls of alien interactions and the often surreal nature of bureaucratic endeavors.