Twenty thousand years ago, this planet was a thriving civilization. Half a dozen Earthlings from the Space Corps staff surveyed the weathered ruins of red brick and decaying roofs. Consul Magnan was amazed that when our ancestors lived in caves, machine guns and ear plugs were created here. Second Secretary Retief suggested that the inhabitants of the planet went from the Neolithic to the nuclear reaction in record time. Yes, the planet is a treasure for archaeologists... if not for the Groaks, who fiercely defended their rights to explore the lost civilization. Verdigree is their planet, claimed by their government. The Earthlings received a message from the Groaki about the immediate deportation of their group and the payment of a number of fines and taxes. The situation was delicate, just in Retief’s spirit...© ozor