Peace, it's wonderful! Except when the Peace Movement is actually a subterfuge by the warlike and imperialistic Krll to get the Terrans to pull out of a planet, leaving it defenseless and ripe for conquest. The Terran diplomats have their usual primary concerns: covering their, ah, flank and not doing anything that might threaten their careers, and they're not about to do anything . Once again, it's up to Retief to thwart the would-be conquerors, even if he has to do it by convincing everyone that he has finally bought the farm. Retief has never more dangerous to the villains than when he's dead . . .