Retief in the Ruins (Jaime Retief Series #14)

As well as a treasure trove of historical artifacts free for the taking, the alien Groaci find the planet Popu-Ri just the place to build a galactic war fleet. How can the CDT answer this threat without upsetting the delicate Human/Groaci balance on the cocktail circuit? The answer: send Retief! It's A Rare Day When Terrans Meet Eye-to-eyestalk With The Slimy Little Sticky-fingers - Er, That Is To Say, The Noble Alien Groaci. This Time The Races Clash On The Planet Popu-ri, Once The Home Of A Mighty Interstellar Power. Popu-ri Has Sunk Into Decline...but Its Ancient Treasures Remain. Though Not For Long, If The Groaci Have Their Way. Groaci Also Finds Popu-ri Just The Place To Build A Galactic Warfleet. Still, For The Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne To Respond Would Threaten The Delicate Balance Of Human/groaci Forces On The Cocktail Circuit. Therefore The Ambassador Must Keep The Lid On By Doing Nothing. But How To Do Nothing Without Seeming An Inneffectual Pantywaist? Send An Observer! Yep, The Ambassador Has It All Figured Out. But He Made One Little Mistake; He Sent Retief... Retief is sent as an observer for the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne to Popu-Ri to keep an eye on the Groaci's progress in building a galactic warfleet