Fireship

Joan D. Vinge

They plugged Michael Yarrow into the new ETHANAC computer to see what would happen before they used it on someone important. It was meant to enhance a secret agent's abilities to penetrate any computer, military or civilian, anywhere—but if it had hidden dangers, better to use up an insignifi- cant lab technician than a trained agent. ... When the amiable but not-too-bright Yarrow was connected to ETHANAC, his mind was flooded and expanded almost intolerably—that was what the planner had expected. What they hadn't counted on was that ETHANAC could discover new horizons, too... MOTHER AND CHILD The king's men left Etaa’s husband, Hywel the smith, smashed on the rocks below the cliffs and bore her to their master's bed. The Neaane were the masters of their world, their power supported by the living Gods who walked among them, and they feared no reprisal from the despised Kotaane. But suddenly there were raids, and fire and death in the night . . . and the Kotaane were led by a gaunt, maimed figure known as the Smith. Only the Gods could save the Neaane—but the Gods had turned against them.