DESIGN FOR GREAT-DAY

This is the product of one of those weird notions that periodically afflicts science fiction: The late Russell (d. 1978) wrote the original, obscure 1953 novella, which Foster (The Spoils of War, 1993, etc.) has expanded and updated. James Lawson of the group-minded Solarian Combine lands on the chief planet of an unnamed six-limbed race ruled by the Great Lord Markhamwit. Markhamwit is conducting an interstellar war with a second alien race, the Nileans, and in the process threatening the freedom of the space lanes. Lawson, with devastating self-assurance, informs Markhamwit that said space lanes must remain unencumbered. Another Solarian, meanwhile, delivers the same message to the Nileans. Noncompliance, Lawson adds, is inadvisable. Despite the undeniable evidence of Lawson's awesome powers, Markhamwit decides to ignore the demands. So do the Nileans. Whereupon Lawson, with various Solarian helpers and his vastly superior technology, effortlessly and all but bloodlessly defeats a fifth of Markhamwit's huge fleet in a couple of days, forcing the Great Lord to an agonizing reappraisal. Overextended and numbingly obvious. Of minor interest for those passages deriving from Russell's original — his typically sardonic, wisecracking style hangs over the proceedings like a disconsolate ghost.