The Project Gutenberg EBook of Diplomatic Immunity, by Robert Sheckley

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Title: Diplomatic Immunity

Author: Robert Sheckley

Illustrator: Ashman

Release Date: April 18, 2010 [EBook #32040]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY ***

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction August 1953.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.

diplomatic immunity

By ROBERT SHECKLEY

Illustrated by ASHMAN

_He said he wasn't immortal--but nothing could kill him.
Still, if the Earth was to live as a free world, he had to
die._

* * * * *

"Come right in, gentlemen," the Ambassador waved them into the very
special suite the State Department had given him. "Please be seated."

Colonel Cercy accepted a chair, trying to size up the individual who
had all Washington chewing its fingernails. The Ambassador hardly
looked like a menace. He was of medium height and slight build,
dressed in a conservative brown tweed suit that the State Department
had given him. His face was intelligent, finely molded and aloof.

_As human as a human_, Cercy thought, studying the alien with bleak,
impersonal eyes.

"How may I serve you?" the Ambassador asked, smiling.

"The President has put me in charge of your case," Cercy said. "I've
studied Professor Darrig's reports--" he nodded at the scientist
beside him--"but I'd like to hear the whole thing for myself."

"Of course," the alien said, lighting a cigarette. He seemed genuinely
pleased to be asked; which was interesting, Cercy thought. In the week
since he had landed, every important scientist in the country had been
at him.

_But in a pinch they call the Army_, Cercy reminded himself. He
settled back in his chair, both hands jammed carelessly in his
pockets. His ri