Friday, December 31, 2021

Translator The Beast Adjoins

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“The Beast Adjoins”
by Ted Kosmatka

Elementary particles laterv as vasew, describing an infinite unbrem of staph between nospit.








ANSWER


Elementary particles travel as waves, describing an infinite number of paths between points.

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Translator Metal Like Blood in the Dark

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Metal Like Blood in the Dark”
by T. Kingfisher

Ehter is not honueg tramet, even if you pitsr howel systems.








ANSWER

There is not enough matter, even if you strip whole systems.

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Translator Your Boyfriend Experience

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Your Boyfriend Experience”
by James Patrick Kelly

His gotune fildeck a glisen krenle into his humot.








ANSWER

His tongue flicked a single kernel into his mouth.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Translator Go Fix Now

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Go. Fix. Now.”
by Timons Esaias

Magno the snore’d pilesm abilities was tutnpig emergency ssmak on unattended passengers.









ANSWER

Among the drone’s simple abilities was putting emergency masks on unattended passengers.

Monday, December 27, 2021

Translator Puzzle Callme and Mink

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Callme and Mink”
by Brenda Cooper

But humans fnoet told stroob things they lowdu vreen tell ohraten human.








ANSWER

But humans often told robots things they would never tell another human.

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Sinew and Steel Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Sinew and Steel and What They Told"
by
Carrie Vaughn 

DYARJHY TU BVYK, G VRSY HJXSGSYL FTCE YCTJEV BVRB G PGFF ZXYDRDFO CTB LGY. 


Substitute the letter N for C, but not C for N.












ANSWER

BECAUSE OF THEM, I HAVE SURVIVED LONG ENOUGH THAT I WILL PROBABLY NOT DIE.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Come Revolution Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Come the Revolution"
by
Ian Tregillis 

ICK FI G QUPFWR ITDAHZDXK UL QKZGA GWO RAGII, GWO ZCK ZFTBZUTBFWR FI CKX QKTCGWFTGA CKGXZSKGZ. 


Substitute the letter K for B, but not B for K.












ANSWER

SHE IS A MOVING SCULPTURE OF METAL AND GLASS, AND THE TICKTOCKING IS HER MECHANICAL HEARTBEAT.

Friday, November 19, 2021

Laws of Impermanence Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Laws of Impermanence"
by
Kenneth Schneyer 

F’J LXFCFAB CZFK FA U ZMXXD UAE F’J BHFAB CH IMC FC KHJQIWUSQ KUNQ. 


Substitute the letter D for E, but not E for D.












ANSWER

I’M WRITING THIS IN A HURRY AND I’M GOING TO PUT IT SOMEPLACE SAFE.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Father Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Father"
by
Ray Nayler 

LAX CKJKL PNZ IXCS LNYY, NOW ZTYIXC, NOW UKYTZAXW LK N ATEA ZATOX.


Substitute the letter D for W, but not W for D.












ANSWER

THE ROBOT WAS VERY TALL, AND SILVER, AND POLISHED TO A HIGH SHINE.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Knock Knock Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Knock, Knock, Said the Ship"
by
Rati Mehrotra 

C BLIRT TSEF KCAMP A FCETM RMMPFM TIR CO SU SX KMEM C OCRPKSYD.


Substitute the letter R for E, but not E for R.












ANSWER

A YOUNG GIRL WAVED A LARGE NEEDLE GUN AS IF IT WERE A SANDWICH.

Monday, November 15, 2021

Pax Mongolica Story Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Pax Mongolica"
by
Evan Marcroft 

A’B LYFT POXP EXRM POTC OXDACH POT BSCHSZAXC XFBW FSZZ YK SC WSY GXL X GOSZT XKSRXZWKPAR POACH.


Substitute the letter R for F, but not F for R.












ANSWER

I’M SURE THAT BACK THEN HAVING THE MONGOLIAN ARMY ROLL UP ON YOU WAS A WHOLE APOCALYPTIC THING,

Friday, November 12, 2021

Beyond the Dragons Gate Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Beyond the Dragon's Gate"
by
Yoon Ha Lee 

RAP JFKBAFU’B YFDP CUWESPZ BWZPTFHB UWSP F SIWCP BUFBA.


Substitute the letter K for S, but not S for K.












ANSWER

THE MARSHAL’S GAZE FLICKED SIDEWAYS LIKE A KNIFE SLASH.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Words We Say Instead Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Words We Say Instead"
by
Brit E. B. Hvide 

V RCY BYED KFCW VP VU V PLWY BUU CEE PKF BPKFW VYXLPM CYA EVMPFY PB PKF CLAVB GFWD RCWFULEED.


Substitute the letter D for A, but not A for D.












ANSWER

I CAN ONLY HEAR IT IF I TURN OFF ALL THE OTHER INPUTS AND LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERY CAREFULLY.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Exiles End Find Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Exile's End"
by
Carolyn Ives Gilman 

WROC SLO PY S KSIOFOYAWR YBW OIOLCBYO’H OCOH DSY HOYHO.


Substitute the letter Y for C, but not C for Y.












ANSWER

THEY ARE IN A WAVELENGTH NOT EVERYONE’S EYES CAN SENSE.

Monday, November 8, 2021

Not This Tide Story Line

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Not This Tide"
by
Sheila Finch 

XLTNT’A P EKB ACPJT RY XLT NRPU OLTNT ARST RZ XLT LRFATA LPU ETTY.


Substitute the letter P for C, but not C for P.












ANSWER

THERE’S A BIG SPACE ON THE ROAD WHERE SOME OF THE HOUSES HAD BEEN.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Midstrathe Exploding Find Line Puzzle

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Midstrathe Exploding"
by
Andy Dudak 

L GYM’O VMYH HJDO LE JDZZBMLMC LM OJB EXLBMXB EODOLYME MYH, APO LO DLM’O EXLBMXB.


Substitute the letter P for Z, but not Z for P.












ANSWER

I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SCIENCE STATIONS NOW, BUT IT AIN’T SCIENCE.

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Sinew and Steel Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
Sinew and Steel and What They Told
by Carrie Vaughn

The cdko crew and cesimd are full of capin and repressed rhrroo at what they must be koglion at.










ANSWER

The dock crew and medics are full of panic and repressed horror at what they must be looking at.

Monday, November 1, 2021

Come the Revolution Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Come the Revolution”
by Ian Tregillis

The human notisp to a henic in the wall, ehrwe sits a pmiles hicname.










ANSWER

The human points to a niche in the wall, where sits a simple machine.

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Laws of Impermanence Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Laws of Impermanence”
by Kenneth Schneyer

I hguttoh swaylre lyasaw kept five ospeic of liwsl.










ANSWER

I thought lawyers always kept five copies of wills.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Father Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
Father
by Ray Nayler

Sometimes, in the givenne, you could see the skoretc ignog up from the ssabe out in the steerd.










ANSWER

Sometimes, in the evening, you could see the rockets going up from the bases out in the desert.

Friday, October 29, 2021

Knock, Knock Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
Knock, Knock Said the Ship”
by Rati Mehrotra

Even a small laprot fract carried enough firepower to take down an ertein capes nasitot.










ANSWER

Even a small patrol craft carried enough firepower to take down an entire space station.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Pax Mongolica Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Pax Mongolica”
by Evan Marcroft

The zoo’s tour igeud secmo up debnih me, gyrtni to lure the kids into being interested in her itunero.










ANSWER

The zoo’s tour guide comes up behind me, trying to lure the kids into being interested in her routine.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Beyond Dragons Gate Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Beyond the Dragon's Gate”
by Yoon Ha Lee

Anna was paage in drewno as the ship took on a hespa of jagged gasnel and ragged ruscev.










ANSWER

Anna was agape in wonder as the ship took on a shape of jagged angles and ragged curves.

Monday, October 25, 2021

Words We Say Instead Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Words We Say Instead”
by Brit E. B. Hvide

Lonmar military sesui texpec for the trigelt of gold in the netrec marking her for special ops.










ANSWER

Normal military issue except for the glitter of gold in the center marking her for special ops.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Exiles End Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Exile's End”
by Carolyn Ives Gilman

The emmsuu was dolced by now, but the shlgti hitgm lilts be on in the galleries.










ANSWER

The museum was closed by now, but the lights might still be on in the galleries.

Friday, October 22, 2021

Not This Tide Translator Puzzle

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Not This Tide”
by Sheila Finch

Something hit the artwe just dynebo his ewrot with a tumde phmut.










ANSWER

Something hit the water just beyond his tower with a muted thump.

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Translator Puzzle Midstrathe Exploding

 

Universal Translator Puzzle

The universal translator isn’t perfect. The letters in some of the words in the line below are mixed up. Rearrange the letters in these words to restore the original line from the story.



from
“Midstrathe Exploding”
by Andy Dudak

A refib lehsl of blue egreyn slehafs around the nwamo, then retreats into her cane.










ANSWER

A brief shell of blue energy flashes around the woman, then retreats into her cane.

Monday, August 30, 2021

Salvage Line Puzzle

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"Salvage"
by
Andy Dudak 

R  DRLACSFO’X  OEQFTACQP  CP  ACJO  JRK  MO  RLLOXAOW  MK  JORXTLCPH  CA  VLOZTOPAFK  OPQTHN.


Substitute the letter M for J, but not J for M.








ANSWER

A particle’s evolution in time may be arrested by measuring it frequently enough.

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Quini the Squid Line Puzzle

 

"Find the Story Line" Puzzle

from
"How Quini the Squid Misplaced His Klobučar"
by
Rich Larson 

C  EKRT  FLCX  CX  UPSB,  JPASZXP  KRT  C  ASK  XOPBB  OD  RTK  XTPSF.

Substitute the letter W for T, but not T for W.








ANSWER

I know this is real, because now I can smell my own sweat.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

The Year’s Top Robot and AI Stories: Second Annual Collection TOC

 

 

The Year’s Top Robot and AI Stories: Second Annual Collection TOC

(coming in December, 2021)

  • Callme and Mink – Brenda Cooper
  • Go. Now. Fix. – Timons Esaias
  •  Metal Like Blood in the Dark –T. Kingfisher
  • Your Boyfriend Experience – James Patrick Kelly
  • 50 Things Every AI Working with Humans Should Know – Ken Liu
  •  The Beast Adjoins – Ted Kosmatka
  • Ambient Intelligence – Todd McAulty
  •  Nic and Viv’s Compulsory Courtship – Will McIntosh
  •  Father – Ray Nayler
  • A Guide for Working Breeds – Vina Jie-Min Prasad
  •  Rover – A. T. Sayre
  • Come the Revolution – Ian Tregillis
  • Sparklybits – Nick Wolven