Hideaway
(2000)
Hideaway
(2000)
Far future, with humanity in dire straits. The enigmatic Waymakers have, perhaps, left one route to safety with their Waynet, which may be a Krasnikov tube. Merlin is determined to try this route using one of the remaining srynix. With the Huskers closing in, another opportunity appears – to hide. The twin planets of Ghost and Cinder however offer more than a chance to hide…
Another far-future hard sf drama, similar to the author’s Galactic North. The story is only slightly spoilt by the handling of the chronological jumps, for example: ‘”There are definitely tunnels here,” Sayace said, years later.’ and ‘Several months later Merlin buckled on an immersion suit;’ which suggest that Sayace had been waiting some years to speak, and that Merlin had been waiting to buckle on his suit fo several months. The sub-plot concerning the Waynet and the syrix are not fully described, and perhaps that story element could have been left for another story, but these are minor points which barely detract from an otherwise excellent, lengthy, story. An illuminating author interview follows.
Published in magazine Interzone, Number 157 and in collection Zima Blue and Other Stories.
Another far-future hard sf drama, similar to the author’s Galactic North. The story is only slightly spoilt by the handling of the chronological jumps, for example: ‘”There are definitely tunnels here,” Sayace said, years later.’ and ‘Several months later Merlin buckled on an immersion suit;’ which suggest that Sayace had been waiting some years to speak, and that Merlin had been waiting to buckle on his suit fo several months. The sub-plot concerning the Waynet and the syrix are not fully described, and perhaps that story element could have been left for another story, but these are minor points which barely detract from an otherwise excellent, lengthy, story. An illuminating author interview follows.
Published in magazine Interzone, Number 157 and in collection Zima Blue and Other Stories.
