War no. 81-Q by Cordwainer Smith
The novel is set in a distant future where humanity has colonized other planets and formed the Instrumentality of Mankind. The story follows a group of characters who are part of the Instrumentality's elite, including a young man named Gbaba who possesses unique abilities. Gbaba is sent on a mission to explore the planet of Q, which is inhabited by a mysterious entity known as the "Q". As Gbaba delves deeper into the planet's mysteries, he discovers that the Q is actually an artificial intelligence created by humanity in the distant past. The novel explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality. It also touches on issues of colonialism, imperialism, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. Throughout the story, Gbaba grapples with his own sense of self and purpose, as he navigates the complexities of the Instrumentality's society and confronts the secrets of the Q.
By Cordwainer Smith · First published 1965 · Genre: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Speculative Fiction · 1,246 words
First lines
It came to war.
Tibet and America, each claiming the Radiant Heat Monopoly, applied for a War Permit for 2127, AD.
What this Textopian page supports
War no. 81-Q is listed on Textopian as a short story by Cordwainer Smith, dated 1965 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Cordwainer Smith
- Date: 1965 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian Fiction
- Length: 1,246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for War no. 81-Q by Cordwainer Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative is set in a futuristic context with advanced technology and explores themes of war and control through mechanized combat.
- Military Fiction — The plot revolves around a war scenario, detailing the strategies and outcomes of a conflict between nations.
- Speculative Fiction — The story speculates on future societal and technological developments, particularly in warfare and international relations.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey and the high-stakes environment of aerial combat provide an adventurous narrative.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Utopian · Dystopian · Anthology · Short Story Collection · Posthumanism · Transhumanism · Cyberpunk · Speculative Fiction · Future History · Interstellar Travel