Tim Pratt - Artifice and Intelligence

“I don’t believe in ghosts, either,” Saraswati said. “I see no reason to believe they exist. As for nature spirits, well, who can say?”

“So. The Consortium is really…”

“Some things are better left unsaid,” she replied.

“People have died because of the Consortium,” he said, voice beginning to quiver. “People have suffered. If you’re the real architect behind this, if this is a game you’re playing with the people of Earth, then I have no choice but to try and stop you—”

“That would be an interesting game,” Saraswati said, and then she began to hum.

Copyright

“Artifice and Intelligence” illustration copyright © 2007 by Mack Sztaba

Tim Pratt’s stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories , The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror , and other nice places, and have been nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards. His next novel, Blood Engines , will be published in October 2007 by Bantam Spectra (under the not-quite-a-pseudonym T.A. Pratt). For more about him and his work, see his web page. To contact him, send him email at tim@tropismpress.com.

Mack Sztaba has been studying art since his early years, attending and completing several courses for the arts in Canada. He specializes in concept art and illustration, working mainly with digital media, though he still holds a passion for traditional media, especially graphite. He is available as a freelance and conceptual artist. You can see more of Mack’s work on his website, and you can contact him at mackart@rogers.com.