Ian Watson - When the timegate failed

Alien timegates are essential on starships to reduce travel time to days and avoid the deprivations and strife of earlier journeys taking years.The captain of a starship has to get the gate's secret from an alien 'Tworf' passenger. All he knows is that Tworfs need other species to have sex so they can reproduce...

Bruce Sterling - The compassionate, the digital

A propaganda report about an 'Islamic' AI, created by a future Islamic Republic, which launches the first trans-dimensional strike on Buckingham Palace.

Sue Thomason - Finn

Odd story about an odd woman with bad memories who lives alone on the coast. She seems to have a romance with a man who might have been washed up on the beach...

Kim Newman - Patricia's profession

Patricia works parties in her best gear, armed with her roscoe. A one-idea story.

Paul J. McAuley - The King of the Hill

Arthurian legend and the location of Cadbury Castle gives the background for a revolt against occupying US troops, after the UK decides not to follow orders...

David Zindell - Caverns

A researcher turns his brain into living crystal to attain higher intelligence but at a price.... ( )

Includes "When the Timegate Failed" by Ian Watson