
Part 1
In a future where the world has avoided open conflict for two centuries, power rests on a handful of ultra‑intelligent mutants selected by the secretive Mutant College. The story opens on a tense summit of the Western Hemisphere’s leaders as they watch President Jeffrey Wadsworth—still a teenager yet possessing a staggering IQ—undergo a risky neuro‑enhancement that promises reflexes faster than light. Their uneasy optimism is tempered by Supreme General Hoshawk, a hardened veteran who doubts the wisdom of placing such extraordinary abilities in the hands of a child.
As the clock ticks toward a scheduled showdown between the hemispheres, the assembled officials grapple with questions of loyalty, responsibility, and the true cost of preparing for war that may never come. The narrative blends sharp political satire with vivid sci‑fi concepts, inviting listeners to ponder how societies might weaponize intellect and what happens when humanity’s guardians become its most fragile link.
Language
en
Duration
~31 minutes (30K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-11-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1905–1969
Best known for vivid Westerns, he also wrote mystery and science-fiction with the same sure feel for story and setting. His work drew on a deep familiarity with the American West and even reached television through screen adaptations.
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