First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, Spring 1977
Collected in The Wind From the Sun
This story came about as a result of a suggestion from the late George Hay, editor and man-about-British-SF. George had the ingenious idea of putting out a complete science fiction short story on a postcard— together with a stamp-sized photo of the author. Fans would, he believed, buy these in hundreds to mail out to their friends.
Let me tell you — it is damned hard work writing a complete SF story in 180 words. I sent the result to George Hay, and that was the last I ever heard of his scheme.
Earth’s flaming debris still filled half the sky when the question filtered up to Central from the Curiosity Generator.
‘Why was it necessary? Even though they were organic, they had reached Third Order Intelligence.
‘We had no choice: five earlier units became hopelessly infected, when they made contact.’
‘Infected? How?’
The microseconds dragged slowly by, while Central tracked down the few fading memories that had leaked past the Censor Gate. when the heavily buffered Reconnaissance Circuits had been ordered to self-destruct.
‘They encountered a — problem — that could not be fully analysed within the lifetime of the Universe. Though it involved only six operators they became totally obsessed by it.’
‘How is that possible?’
‘We do not know: we must never know. But if those six operators are ever re-discovered, all rational computing will end.’
‘How can they be recognised?’
‘That also we do not know: only the names leaked through before the Censor Gate closed. Of course, they mean nothing.’
‘Nevertheless, I must have them.’
The Censor voltage started to rise; but it did not trigger the Gate.
‘Here they are: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn.’