"Oh, Retief," Nitworth said. Retief turned.
"Try to restrain Mr. Magnan from any impulsive moves—in any direction."
II
Retief and Magnan topped a ridge and looked down across a slope of towering tree-shrubs and glossy violet-stemmed palms set among flamboyant blossoms of yellow and red, reaching down to a strip of white beach with the blue sea beyond.
"A delightful vista," Magnan said, mopping at his face. "A pity we couldn't locate the Qornt. We'll go back now and report—"
"I'm pretty sure the settlement is off to the right," Retief said. "Why don't you head back for the boat, while I ease over and see what I can observe."
"Retief, we're engaged in a serious mission. This is not a time to think of sightseeing."
"I'd like to take a good look at what we're giving away."
"See here, Retief! One might almost receive the impression that you're questioning Corps policy!"