'Matter of Importance' Summary

'Matter of Importance' follows the adventures of the Empire Police, a force responsible for maintaining order across a vast human-colonized empire. This future society has evolved beyond traditional military forces, relying on a dedicated police force to handle everything from petty theft to interstellar conflicts. The novel satirizes the bureaucratic nature of such a large organization, highlighting the mundane aspects of police work amidst the grand backdrop of space exploration and interplanetary travel. Leinster's characters, from the jaded veteran officers to the idealistic rookies, face a variety of challenges, ranging from dealing with the quirky inhabitants of distant planets to navigating the political machinations of the Empire itself. Through a series of humorous and thought-provoking incidents, the story explores the impact of technology on society, the challenges of maintaining justice in a complex and rapidly changing world, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the unknown.