The Lustration - Bruce Sterling

“You’ve secretly discussed artificial intelligence for forty thousand years?” “Thirty thousand,” the metaphysician admitted. “Unfortunately, it took us ten thousand years to admit that the system’s behavior had some unaccountable aspects.”


3 out of 5

Pirates Of the Somali Coast - Terry Bisson

Yo Ho Ho, and many machine guns. With internet access, hats, and a lot less relatives than at the beginning.


5 out of 5

Objective Impermeability In A Closed System - William Shunn

Possible past wife hookup system.


4 out of 5

Reasons Not To Publish - Gregory Benford

Omnipotence? Bah. Pass the grog.


3 out of 5

Induction - Greg Egan

Orchid Flower followup Duty.


4 out of 5

Winter's Wife - Elizabeth Hand

A rocky end for local entrepreneur's saga.


4 out of 5

The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate - Ted Chiang

http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm

Wormhole time tender's raconteur replay.


4 out of 5

A Thing Forbidden - Donald Mead

Dead Billy not, but Christ and priest rather tasty


3 out of 5

The Evolution Of Trickster Stories Among The Dogs Of North Park After The Change - Kij Johnson

http://www.kijjohnson.com/evolution.html

Dogs like chicken and chips, too.


3 out of 5

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go to War Again - Garth Nix

Lizard lancer mercenary godbothering, no dummy.


3.5 out of 5

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go to War Again - Garth Nix

Lizard lancer mercenary godbothering, no dummy.


3.5 out of 5