Conflict: a basic human instinct, helping humankind evolve even while threatening the very existence of the species . . . an instinct that will be as much a part of the future as it is now and always has been. For all the glories of war—the defeat of evil, the promise of freedom, justice, protection of the innocent, the righting of wrongs, technological innovation, heroism—there are also the horrors, too; individual grief, mass destruction, the elimination of entire cultures and great achievements, injustice, villainy, the annihilation of the innocent, and pain beyond bearing. WAR AND SPACE offers the ultimate speculation on the future of warfare—stories of insectoid anguish, genetically-engineered diplomats who cannot fail, aliens plundering humanity, a weaponized black hole—scenarios of triumph and defeat, great heroism and vile depravity . . . and more.
CONTENTS
Ken MacLeod, “Who’s Afraid of Wolf 359”
Suzanne Palmer, “Surf”
Charles Oberndorf, “Another Life”
Yoon Ha Lee, “Between Two Dragons”
Alastair Reynolds, “Scales”
Catherynne M. Valente, “Golubash, or Wine-Blood-War-Elegy”
Robert Reed, “Leave”
Sandra McDonald, “Mehra and Jiun”
Adam-Troy Castro, “Her Husband’s Hands”
Beth Bernobich, “Remembrance”
Tom Purdom, “Palace Resolution”
Kristine Kathryn Rusch, “The Observer”
Geoffrey Landis, “The Long Chase”
Nancy Kress, “Art of War”
Alan DeNiro, “Have You Any Wool”
Genevieve Valentine, “Carthago Delenda Est”
Paul McAuley, “Rats of the System”
Charles Coleman Finlay, “The Political Officer”
Cat Rambo, “Amid the Words of War”
David Moles, “A Soldier of the City”